Comments for Welcome to The Bluebird Society of Pennsylvania's Blog

Comment on Bluebird nestling mortality in 2009 by Moderator of this Blog

Moderator of this Blog — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 17:08:04 +0000

The Bluebird population is growing year to year because of conservation efforts through the many Landlords and monitoring of these nest boxes. Most of my studies indicate that 70% of Bluebird fledglings do not make it through the first year. On average, 40% die in the first 30 days after leaving the nest. This is when the fledglings are most vulnerable. After 90 days the juvenile’s chances increase. But another 30% do not make it through the first year. If I recall correctly, if they survive the first year the mortality rate drops to 20%. Now much depends on weather, availability of food, experience/age of the parents, geographic region, urban vs. rural areas, disease, pesticides and predators, etc. So the percentile varies.

In general, the more physically developed the young are when they leave the nest, the greater their chances are of survival. The quality of parental care, the number of siblings competing for that care, and the timing of fledging are also important factors.

Bluebirds dealing with nature, life become a challenge and so often the obstacles are so over whelming, but the bluebirds have met them head on; their perseverance is an example of that in the last 200 years. Of all the obstacles they must face, nesting sites should not be one of them. We can help increase the bluebird success rate by taking the first step, becoming a Landlord to these wonderful birds. If you would like to read more facts concerning Bluebirds please visit my website at ambassadorforthebluebirds.com http://livingroomtunes.com/newambassador/

Harry

Comment on 2011 13th Annual BSP Conference by ambassador

ambassador — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 15:15:18 +0000

Last year at the 2010 Bluebird Conference, the Attendees enjoyed the Penn Stater Hotel so much they asked to return.

Comment on 2009 Bluebird Conference by ambassador

ambassador — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 03:04:44 +0000

I for one, will not miss this event. It sounds AWESOME! See you there,

Harry Schmeider – Butler County, PA

Comment on Second Nesting by Maribee

Maribee — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:57:39 +0000

Just fledged three babies from this nest! (two uncracked eggs left behind unhatched….).

Comment on What is going on at my house ???? by KCBSP

KCBSP — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:46:56 +0000

Hi MoodyBlue

I’m glad you finally got bluebirds in that box. Just to let you know House Sparrows will bond to their nestbox not to their mate. If one trapped the female in the nestbox, the male House Sparrow will be out there trying to get a new mate and is very successful at it. I’m surprised they gave up without a fight right now. If the House Sparrow returns please put up a 2nd nestbox or please just do it now in case they return. Please do not let them keep it. Remove nests and eggs of them right away. If they become bothersome write again please. I hope you let us know how it all turns out.

Kathy

Comment on What is going on at my house ???? by ambassador

ambassador — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:38:27 +0000

Dear MoodyBlue, First things first, Never let Sparrows fledged from a Bluebird Nestbox! Never!!! This situations sounds like a second nesting attempt. Let nature take its course, One of the females will eventually pair up with the male and when this happens that female will chase away the other females. If some of the females have a speckled look then they are juvenile birds from this years brood. It took me several years to have bluebirds nest in my backyard. This spring 2009 and early summer have been very wet and cold in Pa. I lost most of my spring nestlings due to this reason. I invite you to please read my Blogs on my website at ambassadorforthebluebirds.com

Harry Butler County Pa.

Comment on Are bluebirds bothered by road noise? by Phil

Phil — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:21:06 +0000

It’s at our church, whose property backs up to a big bank (earthen, not $$$) that goes up to 83. So there’s plenty of safe parking and fledging space. Can’t really even see the road from down where the church lot is, but you sure can hear it. Guess if I do put up some boxes, it also means I’ll have to go to church every week to monitor them.

Comment on Are bluebirds bothered by road noise? by KCBSP

KCBSP — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:56:08 +0000

Harry’s right, Phil. They don’t mind the noise. Just watch where the entrance hole is pointed towards. Fledge them away from 83 towards some shrubs or bushes.

Will you be able to access it off 83 or must you pull off of it to monitor?

Kathy

Comment on Bluebird Fanatic Part IV by KCBSP

KCBSP — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:53:46 +0000

Hi Tammy,

I’m sure he will find another mate. The singing is to attract one as I’m sure you know.

I have a second nesting in the yard right now. Aren’t they just beautiful? I watch them wing wave etc. It’s cute.

Anyways the other day a Blue Jay landed on the bluebird’s box that has 4 eggs in it. Mr. Bluebird came closer and saw this, and he just started swooping that Blue Jay like mad at least 5 times, and the Blue Jay then left. I got a kick out of that!

Kathy

Comment on Are bluebirds bothered by road noise? by ambassador

ambassador — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:14:28 +0000

Hi Phil,
The road noise will not affect the bluebirds.

Harry Schmeider / Butler County
Please visit my website: ambassadorforthebluebirds.com

Comment on Bluebird Fanatic Part IV by Tammy

Tammy — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:22:26 +0000

Wow I never even thought of that. It only stands to reason. I hope this Lone Blue(as I call him) finds a female soon. I feel bad for him. This morning he was perched on top the box just singing away. Thanks for the help,and the advice on the nest.

Bluebird Fanatic

Comment on Second Nesting by Maribee

Maribee — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:24:03 +0000

I never got to the point of addling… One sparrow nest was knocked over by a runaway horse (Amish-ville here) and one knocked over in a storm… and no efforts to re-nest though I righted both within hours. I started having success with my repeating trap and have caught 16 juvie sparrows and two adult males. I feel bad for the juvies and wish I had more of the bad guys! My yard was pretty peaceful until tonight, when several adult males showed up again. Oh, so frustrating, and stressful! 3 of the 5 eggs of the second nest hatched and youngin’s are doing well… I have an aggressive mom and pops and one baby from the first nesting is doing some defending too! Lots of feeding and protecting, so I’m hopeful for these three. But of course I worry all the time. Wish someone would have told me how stressful bluebirding can be!

Comment on Bluebird Fanatic Part IV by Maribee

Maribee — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:18:59 +0000

That’s what I’d guess too Poor you and poor Poppa Blue. You can save that nest, though, in case you have other broods with insect infestation in the future…

Comment on fledging by Maribee

Maribee — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:17:26 +0000

I’m no expert, but from what I’ve read, if you can’t secure his safety while watching, put him back in the box. He might be the runt and need some extra time. Mealworms will only help him now, too! Good luck, this is so stressful I’m sure!

Comment on Second Nesting by Phil

Phil — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:16:05 +0000

How did you make out? I’ve started changing my strategy on my bb trail from removing sparrow nests to doing what you’re doing; leaving the nest and addling the eggs and coating them with corn oil. Seem like that makes them less vengeful than removing the nest, but it may just depend on the particular sparrow. I also string thin monofilament fishing line on either side of the entrance hole, 2″ out from the hole. I think that also helps discourage the sparrows.

Phil

Comment on Bluebird Fanatic Part IV by Phil

Phil — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:48:26 +0000

Sounds like the female was killed.

Comment on Bluebird Fanatic Part IV by Tammy

Tammy — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:10:11 +0000

I actually took the nest out as I did the last one(the one that was a half hearted pathetic effort). On taking it out it was the most perfect nest with a nice cup. I still haven’t a clue as to why this has happened 2 times. Since then I have 1 lone male BB that has showed up. He was at another of my wooden boxes, and then decided to hang out at this one, but I see no female at all. It seems the BB’s that were around, and would come in and eat mealworms have disappeared, and there are a pair & this lone Male that come in but do not come in to eat til I am well away from the mealworms. This one male is always going in & out of my PVC box & checking it out, and chasing any bird away that gets close. Did you find out anything?? Very puzzling. I was hoping this male would hook up with a female & they would nest there.

Comment on My friends don’t understand by KCBSP

KCBSP — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:00:56 +0000

Maribee,

BSP is coming up with a new booklet we will be selling in the near future on our online store. There will be a section on house sparrows. I’ll ask that we make new information handouts and that something be posted on our website. In the meantime at http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org there are information sheets you can print off. I’m sorry I am so late in replying.

Kathy

Comment on fledging by KCBSP

KCBSP — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:47:16 +0000

Do you know if the baby can fly? What happened since then please? Was there more babies in the nest and they are all doing okay? How old were the babies in the nest when they left it please?

It is good that Papa is checking on him. Often they will keep on feeding them where they are.

Kathy

Comment on Bluebird Fanatic Part IV by KCBSP

KCBSP — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:45:11 +0000

Hello Tammy,

I just saw your post this evening. What is happening today? Did you leave the nest intact? I truly don’t know the answer to this one, but I’d let it go and see what occurs. I’ll ask around to others I know who may have some idea.

Kathy

Comment on My friends don’t understand by tg4799

tg4799 — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:16:41 +0000

Hi myalic,
Its nice to see your passion. One of the hardest parts about caring about environmental concerns (or anything, really) is to meet other people where they are in their knowledge and concern. As other folks are educated, as you have been, they may slowly move up the continuum of caring and action. You may have to accept that they may not, as well.
I encourage you to focus on the positive. Many folks are overwhelmed with ‘being green’ and being told what is harmful and destructive. If you have a chance to monitor a bluebird trail or have a box in your yard, invite others to accompany you in checking on the birds. Nothing invokes the heart like a tiny bluebird, the antics of a chickadee, or the speed and grace of a swallow.
Pennsylvania State Parks also has opportunities to volunteer for bluebirds and other cavity nesters, through our Cavity-Nesting Trails Volunteer program. Some parks have trails lacking monitors and some parks may be willing to start a new trail. Feel free to contact a park near you, or myself,
tagettig at state dot pa dot us
Thank you and good luck,
Tara-
Cavity-Nesting Trails Coordinator

Comment on Bluebird Fanatic Part II by Tammy

Tammy — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 01:19:22 +0000

It didn’t work out unfortunately. The next thing I know the pair of bluebirds are nesting 2 doors down in a box, and a wren is stripping my box of its nesting material. I cannot get any bluebirds to nest in my yard, much to my dismay. I have a few pairs that come in to eat my mealworms in a container on top of the box, but not to nest just to eat. They have become quite tame though, and know when I feed them, and I no sooner turn my back to walk away, and they are coming in for a landing to eat. I think I could get them to eat out of my hands. I was thinking maybe I should move the feeding cup off the bluebird box, and maybe then they would see it more as a nesting box than a place to feed. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I got some beautiful pictures of my feathered friends, and will try to get them posted, but will need my daughters help for this task. I enjoy watching these beautiful bluebirds eating mealworms on the perch, and then in the evenings they are in the trees and swooping down in the grass for bugs. I sit in amazement and ask myself how long this has been going on in my backyard, but I just never took the time to look.

Bluebird Fanatic

Comment on New at Blue Birding by Maribee

Maribee — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:14:55 +0000

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!

Comment on New at Blue Birding by Phil

Phil — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:56:54 +0000

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!

Comment on New at Blue Birding by Phil

Phil — Sun, 31 May 2009 23:44:49 +0000

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.

Comment on New at Blue Birding by Maribee

Maribee — Sun, 31 May 2009 15:45:26 +0000

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??

Comment on First Time Landlord by Phil

Phil — Sun, 31 May 2009 13:37:07 +0000

The best cure I’ve found for house sparrows is the Van Ert trap (cost about $6, plus shipping) and a mesh laundry bag. Once you get them in the bag, it’s a simple matter of smacking it against a hard surface. It’s an acceptable, humane technique.

Comment on Bluebird Fanatic Part II by Phil

Phil — Sun, 31 May 2009 12:20:52 +0000

So how’d it work out?

Comment on New at Blue Birding by Phil

Phil — Sun, 31 May 2009 12:19:28 +0000

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.

Comment on My friends don’t understand by Phil

Phil — Sun, 31 May 2009 12:11:39 +0000

The problem I’m finding is that a lot of people are putting up bluebird boxes at places like schools and golf courses(Eagle scout projects, etc.) and then leave them unattended. Of course the house sparrows take over. I’m been trying to monitor at least some of these boxes, but the more I’ve become aware of the problem, the more boxes I find.