RESEARCH PROJECTS
Below are research projects and results submitted to the Bluebird Society of Pennsylvania. Their results are only for information and not necessarily endorsed by the BSP. If you are involved in a personal research project, please let us know what you have tried and what interesting facts you have learned. If you wish to be part of a research project, let us know by contacting us by submitting the research contact form at the bottom of this page. It will be great to share your experiences.
Research topic: PVC Box with double mono-filament line
Research Mentor: Chuck Musser 717-367-3548
Research History: For the past 5 years, I have used a Peterson Box in my yard with mono filament line attached. I have had 2 events of sparrow predation one to a tree swallow nest and the other to a Bluebird nest. For the past 2 years I have left the door to the box open due to the sparrows being so aggressive. I replaced the Peterson box with the PVC box with double mono filament lines.
Research Result:
Bluebirds took to this box within a week. Sparrows tried to enter but did not succeed. On occasion the sparrow will try to enter the box, but hits the lines. The Bluebirds have been successful at chasing away the sparrows and claiming their territory. - Joanne Slavinski
I woke up this morning and my yard was "too quiet". I didn't hear the chirps of the nestlings when mom and dad bluebird were feeding. I was glad to see that they had fledged and this box was a success for me in my yard. Hope they come back to nest again. Joanne S
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Research topic: Standard bluebird box with 2" hole in the top covered with plexiglass
Research Mentor: Dale Cook
Research History: An article was recently published in a magazine with regard to a hole being placed on the top of the box to deter sparrows. It is thought that the sparrow does not like the light coming into their nests. I took a box with the 2" hole in the top and placed it in a public garden that I monitor. I placed it where there had been a previous box that never fledged birds due to sparrow predation.
Research Result:
After having the box up one week, there was some moss and grass in the bottom. For the next two weeks, there seemed to be a wren starting to build a nest made of twigs. When I checked it the next week, I found there to be a wren nest made with feathers put on top. A tree swallow had also laid an egg. This past weekend there were 4 tree swallow eggs with the mother and father actively "flapping" at me when I looked in. I am happy with no predation so far at this box. Would have liked to have a bluebird, but I am quite happy with the tree swallows! - Joanne Slavinski
Checked my "skylight box" this weekend and there were 4 tree swallow nestlings.- Joanne S.
Went to the gardens on Father's day and found that my 4 nestlings had fledged. When I went to clean out the old nest, the whole family of 6 tree swallows were "flapping" at me. It provided good entertainment for all those that were watching!! I had good success with this box.
Joanne S
I had a second nesting in my "skylight box". This time it was a family of wrens. I had the first egg laid with a total of 6. When I check the box there were 6 hatchlings. There was no sign of sparrow predation at all so far with this box. Joanne S
I put 3 of the boxes on the trail at Pinchot State Park. No birds have built in any of them. I also have one in my yard with the skylight and it is also empty. They have been out for 8 weeks. Dale Cook
I put 6 "skylight boxes" up and had 1 nesting of tree swallows. These were put at Pinchot State Park and one in my yard.
Dale Cook
Research Mentor: Chuck Musser 717-367-3548
Research History: For the past 5 years, I have used a Peterson Box in my yard with mono filament line attached. I have had 2 events of sparrow predation one to a tree swallow nest and the other to a Bluebird nest. For the past 2 years I have left the door to the box open due to the sparrows being so aggressive. I replaced the Peterson box with the PVC box with double mono filament lines.
Research Result:
Bluebirds took to this box within a week. Sparrows tried to enter but did not succeed. On occasion the sparrow will try to enter the box, but hits the lines. The Bluebirds have been successful at chasing away the sparrows and claiming their territory. - Joanne Slavinski
I woke up this morning and my yard was "too quiet". I didn't hear the chirps of the nestlings when mom and dad bluebird were feeding. I was glad to see that they had fledged and this box was a success for me in my yard. Hope they come back to nest again. Joanne S
==========================================================================================================
Research topic: Standard bluebird box with 2" hole in the top covered with plexiglass
Research Mentor: Dale Cook
Research History: An article was recently published in a magazine with regard to a hole being placed on the top of the box to deter sparrows. It is thought that the sparrow does not like the light coming into their nests. I took a box with the 2" hole in the top and placed it in a public garden that I monitor. I placed it where there had been a previous box that never fledged birds due to sparrow predation.
Research Result:
After having the box up one week, there was some moss and grass in the bottom. For the next two weeks, there seemed to be a wren starting to build a nest made of twigs. When I checked it the next week, I found there to be a wren nest made with feathers put on top. A tree swallow had also laid an egg. This past weekend there were 4 tree swallow eggs with the mother and father actively "flapping" at me when I looked in. I am happy with no predation so far at this box. Would have liked to have a bluebird, but I am quite happy with the tree swallows! - Joanne Slavinski
Checked my "skylight box" this weekend and there were 4 tree swallow nestlings.- Joanne S.
Went to the gardens on Father's day and found that my 4 nestlings had fledged. When I went to clean out the old nest, the whole family of 6 tree swallows were "flapping" at me. It provided good entertainment for all those that were watching!! I had good success with this box.
Joanne S
I had a second nesting in my "skylight box". This time it was a family of wrens. I had the first egg laid with a total of 6. When I check the box there were 6 hatchlings. There was no sign of sparrow predation at all so far with this box. Joanne S
I put 3 of the boxes on the trail at Pinchot State Park. No birds have built in any of them. I also have one in my yard with the skylight and it is also empty. They have been out for 8 weeks. Dale Cook
I put 6 "skylight boxes" up and had 1 nesting of tree swallows. These were put at Pinchot State Park and one in my yard.
Dale Cook
Research topic: Sparrow traps
Research Mentor: Chuck Musser 717-367-3548
Research History: Chuck Musser is the chairperson of our Research Committee. Over the past several years he has done extensive research on sparrow traps. Below are two videos of his most recent endeavor. The first video is a general description of the trap and the second is a video demonstrating how the birds go through the trap.
You may contact Chuck directly if you have any questions regarding his trap, or you may fill out the form below and your request will be forwarded to him.
You can enlarge the picture by clicking on the 4 arrows at the bottom right of the videos.
Research Mentor: Chuck Musser 717-367-3548
Research History: Chuck Musser is the chairperson of our Research Committee. Over the past several years he has done extensive research on sparrow traps. Below are two videos of his most recent endeavor. The first video is a general description of the trap and the second is a video demonstrating how the birds go through the trap.
You may contact Chuck directly if you have any questions regarding his trap, or you may fill out the form below and your request will be forwarded to him.
You can enlarge the picture by clicking on the 4 arrows at the bottom right of the videos.
Research topic: Raccoon Guard
Research Mentor: Chuck Musser 717-367-3548
Research History: Here is a link to a video that I made showing a modified Noel guard deterring raccoon. Note: I have lost bluebirds using the standard Noel guard and I think that this slight modification offers better protection - Chuck M.
Chuck Musser is the research chairperson of the Bluebird Society of Pennsylvania. Over the past several years he has done extensive research on raccoon guards, commonly known as the Noel Guard. Below is an experiment with a raccoon named "Rocky" who lives in Animal Land Park. The video will show how Rocky can easily reach into the nest box without a guard and then with Chuck's (heavy duty) raccoon guard placed on the outside of the nest box. In this scenario Rocky's favorite cookie is place in the nest box Thanks to Dale Aulthouse and Chuck Musser and Rocky for teaming up to let us see first hand how raccoons can reach in and steal bluebird eggs or nestlings.
Research Mentor: Chuck Musser 717-367-3548
Research History: Here is a link to a video that I made showing a modified Noel guard deterring raccoon. Note: I have lost bluebirds using the standard Noel guard and I think that this slight modification offers better protection - Chuck M.
Chuck Musser is the research chairperson of the Bluebird Society of Pennsylvania. Over the past several years he has done extensive research on raccoon guards, commonly known as the Noel Guard. Below is an experiment with a raccoon named "Rocky" who lives in Animal Land Park. The video will show how Rocky can easily reach into the nest box without a guard and then with Chuck's (heavy duty) raccoon guard placed on the outside of the nest box. In this scenario Rocky's favorite cookie is place in the nest box Thanks to Dale Aulthouse and Chuck Musser and Rocky for teaming up to let us see first hand how raccoons can reach in and steal bluebird eggs or nestlings.
