Comments on: New at Blue Birding http://www.thebsp.org/blog/2009/05/23/182/ Where it's all about Bluebirds and other Nest Cavity Birds accross Pennsylvania and Elsewhere Mon, 23 Aug 2010 04:01:03 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Maribee http://www.thebsp.org/blog/2009/05/23/182/comment-page-1/#comment-419 Maribee Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:14:55 +0000 http://www.thebsp.org/blog/?p=182#comment-419 Oh, I'm wondering if I have the heart for this bluebird business! It is NOT good for the blood pressure or the graying of hairs! I ordered a repeating trap for the sparrows. Don't think I can use a Van Ert because my boxes are top opening and I can't imagine how I can mount one. Wonderful work with your trail, Phil! Oh, I’m wondering if I have the heart for this bluebird business! It is NOT good for the blood pressure or the graying of hairs!

I ordered a repeating trap for the sparrows. Don’t think I can use a Van Ert because my boxes are top opening and I can’t imagine how I can mount one.

Wonderful work with your trail, Phil!

]]> By: Phil http://www.thebsp.org/blog/2009/05/23/182/comment-page-1/#comment-415 Phil Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:56:54 +0000 http://www.thebsp.org/blog/?p=182#comment-415 Did a little more research and I guess I'm wrong about HOSPs; apparently they breed right through mid-August. Seems like the past week or two they haven't been taking over as many boxes on my bb trail, but maybe I've (finally) killed enough of them (this is my first year with a bluebird trail) that it's starting to make a difference. I sure hope so! Did a little more research and I guess I’m wrong about HOSPs; apparently they breed right through mid-August. Seems like the past week or two they haven’t been taking over as many boxes on my bb trail, but maybe I’ve (finally) killed enough of them (this is my first year with a bluebird trail) that it’s starting to make a difference. I sure hope so!

]]> By: Phil http://www.thebsp.org/blog/2009/05/23/182/comment-page-1/#comment-414 Phil Sun, 31 May 2009 23:44:49 +0000 http://www.thebsp.org/blog/?p=182#comment-414 It might be better to take the box down for a week or so. I'm pretty sure HOSPs start breeding earlier (like late Feb.) and stop breeding earlier (about now) than bluebirds. Bluebirds will start a nest up to like mid-June. This spring I opened a bluebird box on my trail and a dead male bluebird was in there, killed by a HOSP. Believe me, you don't want to see that. One thing I did at home was make a "fake" bluebird box (I call it my kill box) with a little ledge in front of the hole which I hang under the eave of my garden shed. HOSPs like the ledge and prefer nesting under eaves. Generally, but not always, the HOSPs go to that box first and I can trap them, leaving the real bb box available. But get used to dealing with HOSPs; it's a never-ending struggle. It might be better to take the box down for a week or so. I’m pretty sure HOSPs start breeding earlier (like late Feb.) and stop breeding earlier (about now) than bluebirds. Bluebirds will start a nest up to like mid-June. This spring I opened a bluebird box on my trail and a dead male bluebird was in there, killed by a HOSP. Believe me, you don’t want to see that.

One thing I did at home was make a “fake” bluebird box (I call it my kill box) with a little ledge in front of the hole which I hang under the eave of my garden shed. HOSPs like the ledge and prefer nesting under eaves. Generally, but not always, the HOSPs go to that box first and I can trap them, leaving the real bb box available. But get used to dealing with HOSPs; it’s a never-ending struggle.

]]> By: Maribee http://www.thebsp.org/blog/2009/05/23/182/comment-page-1/#comment-412 Maribee Sun, 31 May 2009 15:45:26 +0000 http://www.thebsp.org/blog/?p=182#comment-412 Thanks Phil! I was soooo relieved the babies were gone. But today brings more stress. My male is trying to re-claim the box ... and is fighting sparrows for it. I think removing their nests really made them mad. I'm worried for his safety so I raised the roof. Everyone is just fighting over this ONE box, when there are others. I ordered a sparrow trap but it will take days to come and how long (?!) to even make a dent in this HOSP population. I guess it's better to avoid letting my blues nest at all than to put them at risk?? Thanks Phil! I was soooo relieved the babies were gone. But today brings more stress. My male is trying to re-claim the box … and is fighting sparrows for it. I think removing their nests really made them mad. I’m worried for his safety so I raised the roof. Everyone is just fighting over this ONE box, when there are others. I ordered a sparrow trap but it will take days to come and how long (?!) to even make a dent in this HOSP population. I guess it’s better to avoid letting my blues nest at all than to put them at risk??

]]> By: Phil http://www.thebsp.org/blog/2009/05/23/182/comment-page-1/#comment-409 Phil Sun, 31 May 2009 12:19:28 +0000 http://www.thebsp.org/blog/?p=182#comment-409 Well done! My latest strategy (I keep changing!) on my bluebird trail is to try to trap the sparrows, but if I can't, I leave the nest in the box. If I can trap the male, then I remove the nest. Best time to trap the male is between 10 am and noon. If I only trap the female, I dispose of her and leave the nest intact. If I can't trap them and they lay eggs, I shake the eggs hard, cover them in corn oil and put them back in the nest. I also do the fishing line and sparrow spooker thing. Well done! My latest strategy (I keep changing!) on my bluebird trail is to try to trap the sparrows, but if I can’t, I leave the nest in the box. If I can trap the male, then I remove the nest. Best time to trap the male is between 10 am and noon. If I only trap the female, I dispose of her and leave the nest intact. If I can’t trap them and they lay eggs, I shake the eggs hard, cover them in corn oil and put them back in the nest. I also do the fishing line and sparrow spooker thing.

]]> By: Maribee http://www.thebsp.org/blog/2009/05/23/182/comment-page-1/#comment-404 Maribee Sat, 30 May 2009 21:33:36 +0000 http://www.thebsp.org/blog/?p=182#comment-404 Good news! My three surviving bluebirds (possibly four, never did get the full count but never found another dead baby, fledged today!!! Then I promptly went and destroyed three sparrow nests, one with a near fledgling and one with five eggs. The sparrows are quite a-tizzy right now but serves them right. Now to trap the grownups! I'm on a mission. I'm so pleased the babies left, now I can breathe easier.... until the next round? I'm going to get a PVC box type.... ~mb Good news! My three surviving bluebirds (possibly four, never did get the full count but never found another dead baby, fledged today!!! Then I promptly went and destroyed three sparrow nests, one with a near fledgling and one with five eggs. The sparrows are quite a-tizzy right now but serves them right. Now to trap the grownups! I’m on a mission. I’m so pleased the babies left, now I can breathe easier…. until the next round? I’m going to get a PVC box type…. ~mb

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