[Topspinmo]

Sad news, my backyard bluebird female seems to vanish? The male still comes around but female not with him. At least my other bluebird boxes out are doing good 4 out of five with nests and eggs so far?

[Topspinmo]

O happy days! 4 babies 6 days old or so in one box, 5 eggs in another, and female setting on eggs. Box I have on tree had nest started, but think it was abandoned due to other critters that climb trees in there also. Probably remove that one. IMO fence posts, on walls, or separate pole with PVC predator guard best to mount bluebird houses. On tree’s last resort IMO.

[Topspinmo]

Done bluebird box nest checks today. Got total 12 babies ranging from 7 to 12 days old. They all should be fledged in 14 or so days. Then, round two?

[Topspinmo]

Ok, 4 has fledged from BOX 1, cleaned out for next brood, BOX 2 now has nest with two eggs, BOX 3 has 4 that will fledge within week, BOX 4 removed off tree
( too many ant) BOX 5 has 4 about 8 days to fledge.

Tuffed titmouse setting on eggs in my back yard, out front chickadees have hatched. Out front of the house finches have hatched. I relocated BOX 4 see it it will get nest in better environment?

[Road-Runner]

Our Bluebird house has a nesting pair, could be same as last year's pair. I'm very happy there are so many people here with Bluebird houses, I need a few more myself!

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Road-Runner

Our Bluebird house has a nesting pair, could be same as last year's pair. I'm very happy there are so many people here with Bluebird houses, I need a few more myself!

Mostly likely the are same pair. I had nesting pair in Oklahoma for 11 years in same box off my back porch.

[Topspinmo]

Ok all 12 fledged out of box 1, 3, and 4. 5 eggs laid in box no. 2 not setting yet. Usually takes month for bluebirds to train fledgling before they nest again. Box no2. Was empty till last week. Hopefully I’ll get other 3 boxes going to round two. That average 16 or so for round two.

[Topspinmo]

Ok. BBs Round two in full swing. Have two house with babies and one nest building. 12 in round one so far, 7 so far in round two which should fledge in two weeks.

[Topspinmo]

Total fledged now round one and two 29.

[Happydaz]

I am impressed by the success you are having with bluebirds. I have two houses up but no nesting has ever occurred. I also have two mealworm feeders and have used both live and dried worms and all I see are some cardinals that are small enough to fit inside the cage feeder. I did see one pair of bluebirds look over one of the boxes this spring, but they obviously did not like what I had to offer. The main reason I may be failing in attracting bluebirds is I have a heavily planted yard with many shrubs and trees. The cardinals and other birds love it though. Any other thoughts on why I am not having any luck?

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Happydaz

I am impressed by the success you are having with bluebirds. I have two houses up but no nesting has ever occurred. I also have two mealworm feeders and have used both live and dried worms and all I see are some cardinals that are small enough to fit inside the cage feeder. I did see one pair of bluebirds look over one of the boxes this spring, but they obviously did not like what I had to offer. The main reason I may be failing in attracting bluebirds is I have a heavily planted yard with many shrubs and trees. The cardinals and other birds love it though. Any other thoughts on why I am not having any luck?

They like at least open side facing eastward or close to east as possible to the entry hole. Shaded in afternoon sun bonus. Prefer 5” to high as 8 foot. Shrubs are Ok it you can mount house above them like on fence or wall? I don’t know what kind/style house you have, BBs like cavity at least 7 inches deep from entry hole.

I make my own houses with hinged top and front so I can do nest checks and clean house out after nest cycle. I have mine mounted on CYV wall and others are on fences in common area not yet developed. I don’t like mounting them on trees trunks due to all critters crawling up and in trees.

[Happydaz]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

They like at least open side facing eastward or close to east as possible to the entry hole. Shaded in afternoon sun bonus. Prefer 5” to high as 8 foot. Shrubs are Ok it you can mount house above them like on fence or wall? I don’t know what kind/style house you have, BBs like cavity at least 7 inches deep from entry hole.

I make my own houses with hinged top and front so I can do nest checks and clean house out after nest cycle. I have mine mounted on CYV wall and others are on fences in common area not yet developed. I don’t like mounting them on trees trunks due to all critters crawling up and in trees.

Thanks for your help. I do have well made, correctly sized bluebird boxes and they are at the 5-8 feet height. My problem may be due to location. Your idea of putting the boxes higher than the shrubs is a good one. There are nesting pairs around my neighborhood so they do like our area, just not my yard. I guess I can’t have it all. I do see a tremendous amount of birds who love dense shrubbery and trees such as thrushes, (who love to flip my bark mulch over to get worms, often onto my lawn!) cardinals, and a slew of smaller birds of various species.