O happy days!

[Topspinmo]

Bluebirds that nested in backyard villa wall 5 hatchlings finely fledged today 18 days (bluebirds fledge within 16 to 21 days depending on available food) after hatching and just in time to due to heat buildup this week and coming days. This was second clutch that fledged this year, first fledged 3. That’s 23 Bluebirds that’s fledged since I put that nesting box up in my backyard. Also with the other 4 boxes I got out in my area. Estimate 60 plus total since I put boxes out.

[Bjeanj]

That’s great!

[Velvet]

Awwwwww….

[Gpsma]

My cat would love to be your neighbor

[Michael G.]

Feed them meal worms.
We do and had 3 broods all last summer.

[Topspinmo]

Feed them meal worms.
We do and had 3 broods all last summer.

Had three last year.

[Topspinmo]

My cat would love to be your neighbor

I highly doubt that? :icon_wink:

[Lillyangel]

Bluebirds that nested in backyard villa wall 5 hatchlings finely fledged today 18 days (bluebirds fledge within 16 to 21 days depending on available food) after hatching and just in time to due to heat buildup this week and coming days. This was second clutch that fledged this year, first fledged 3. That’s 23 Bluebirds that’s fledged since I put that nesting box up in my backyard. Also with the other 4 boxes I got out in my area. Estimate 60 plus total since I put boxes out. Wonderful to hear that bluebirds still have a chance in some parts of The Villages. Meanwhile in Hawkins, mine were murdered along with their father. Where did you buy your birdhouse and what predator protection does it have?

[Topspinmo]

Wonderful to hear that bluebirds still have a chance in some parts of The Villages. Meanwhile in Hawkins, mine were murdered along with their father. Where did you buy your birdhouse and what predator protection does it have?


I made my own two 8 foot 1 by 6 and 1 by 8 preferably will make usually 3 bluebird nesting boxes depending on what plans use. But, have to have hand saw and key hole 1 1/2” for entry hole.

Three Designed Birdhouse Plans for Eastern Bluebirds | Oklahoma State University (https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/three-designed-birdhouse-plans-for-eastern-bluebirds.html)

Or Buy them online here’s one example.

https://www.chewy.com/natures-way-bird-products-bluebird/dp/817822?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12195565633&utm_content=115868951686&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIu9zyiqWuhgMVtKtaBR0BJw1JEAQYAyAB EgKf3fD_BwE

Comes with predator guard and easy access for clean out and nest checks.

[Topspinmo]

////// double post

[Two Bills]

There is no murder in the bird and animal world, just a food and territory chain.

[fdpaq0580]

There is no murder in the bird and animal world, just a food and territory chain.

You've never seen a cat kill something then not eat it?? They don't make a quick (merciful) kill for food, they toy with it (torcher) until it dies. Then, when the victim quits moving, they lose interest and go looking for something else that grabs their attention. 😼😽😾

[Two Bills]

You've never seen a cat kill something then not eat it?? They don't make a quick (merciful) kill for food, they toy with it (torcher) until it dies. Then, when the victim quits moving, they lose interest and go looking for something else that grabs their attention. 😼😽😾

Probably plead that down to man/bird/mouse slaughter, same for foxes in chicken run.

[Lillyangel]

I made my own two 8 foot 1 by 6 and 1 by 8 preferably will make usually 3 bluebird nesting boxes depending on what plans use. But, have to have hand saw and key hole 1 1/2” for entry hole.

Three Designed Birdhouse Plans for Eastern Bluebirds | Oklahoma State University (https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/three-designed-birdhouse-plans-for-eastern-bluebirds.html)

Or Buy them online here’s one example.

https://www.chewy.com/natures-way-bird-products-bluebird/dp/817822?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12195565633&utm_content=115868951686&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIu9zyiqWuhgMVtKtaBR0BJw1JEAQYAyAB EgKf3fD_BwE

Comes with predator guard and easy access for clean out and nest checks. Thank you so much for the info

[Gpsma]

You've never seen a cat kill something then not eat it?? They don't make a quick (merciful) kill for food, they toy with it (torcher) until it dies. Then, when the victim quits moving, they lose interest and go looking for something else that grabs their attention. 😼😽😾

Perfect description of my cat when a gecko gets in the lanai.

[Topspinmo]

Perfect description of my cat when a gecko gets in the lanai.

So, your cat out after dark? Only time see geckos.

[Stu from NYC]

Very good your fledging up a storm

[Happydaz]

Great job on your successful bluebird season! I am still awaiting a bluebird pair to find my newly installed house. Maybe next year.

[Topspinmo]

They’re checking out house now for 3 clutch.

[Topspinmo]

4 more eggs today.

[Topspinmo]

5 eggs and she setting now. If they fledge that will be 14 from that box this season. 23 total from my other boxes this season.

[Topspinmo]

All five hatched, now see in 18 days if more 5 fledge? One of my other boxes has 4 also. If that make it that be 31 fledged this year?

[Topspinmo]

7 days left to fledgling, still got 5.

[Happydaz]

Great job in getting your bluebirds to successfully nest 3 times! I put out my bluebird house late in the season and I have had no action yet. I added an extra box for any wrens around. Still, no takers. I put out a feeder with roasted meal worms but no luck. Next year I will put out some live meal worms sparingly and see if that brings them in. A neighbor nearby (over 1000 feet) does well with getting the bluebirds to nest so I should have some luck next year.

[Topspinmo]

Great job in getting your bluebirds to successfully nest 3 times! I put out my bluebird house late in the season and I have had no action yet. I added an extra box for any wrens around. Still, no takers. I put out a feeder with roasted meal worms but no luck. Next year I will put out some live meal worms sparingly and see if that brings them in. A neighbor nearby (over 1000 feet) does well with getting the bluebirds to nest so I should have some luck next year.


If you’ve seen bluebirds in you immediate area and house placed facing east preferably shade in afternoons you should be able to attract them to your box eventually. I have hinged roofs on mine so I can check for mud dobbers/wasp nests every few weeks.

Only wrens I’ve seen in my area are Carolina wrens. They rarely use nesting box like house wrens use. I’ve had wren box up for 9 years with no luck attracting wrens or titmouse’s which I see around my yard weekly.

What Carolina Wrens Like For a Nesting Box | Bird Watcher's General Store (https://www.birdwatchersgeneralstore.com/what-carolina-wrens-like-for-a-nesting-box/)

[Nell57]

Any suggestions on how to protect from predators? Twice ive had a snake eat the babies.

[Topspinmo]

Any suggestions on how to protect from predators? Twice ive had a snake eat the babies.


TRY to concock bird netting around base try to entangle the snake. This was only way I could keep them off purple Martin houses when I had them. Snake can climb right up metal pole.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzxNIKFSLBM

[Topspinmo]

Hit day 14, any day now expect the 5 to fledge. For those who have questions or problems with housing maybe this will answer some of them?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5mhvl98KAk

[Topspinmo]

All five are gone now, 2 fledged yesterday, and 3 today. O happy days!

[Topspinmo]

Now that season over redoing and some upgrades on my houses. Will put them out around 1 of November.

Added entry extension’s, hinged roof, shingled roof, view vent holes, and wire mesh screen to bottom kept nest up off floor. Had one house with double nest and was wet with all rain. Resealed gaps and cracks along with shingling roof which was split so hopefully that takes care of water problem?

Still got 2 more to do.

All of these was made from 4 6x8x1 boards from Lowe’s.

[Topspinmo]

OK, got all my blue bird houses modified, shingled, and rebuilt. My modifications included hinged roof, swing out front panel, laddered up to hole, wire platform at bottom so nest don’t wick any water, slanted bottom so water will drain (in case get water in cavity), and 1 3/4 predator guard entry holes. Plan on putting out 7 boxes this December.