Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2001 19:06:16 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Bonnie Ott Subject: Re: winter bluebird-shelter boxes MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > Would like to construct a winter shelter for bluebirds living in the > backyard. I have a vague recollection that winter boxes differ from summer > boxes. A lowered entrance hole, a platform instead of perches? I have seen a few different " roosting boxes" that are commercially made. They all have a similar design with a bottom hole and perches on the sides. Usually the perches are 2-3 inches apart and staggered up the sides. I have not heard of anyone having much success with these locally (would appreciate knowing if anyone has birds using them). I find the Bluebirds simply use their nesting box. On a similar note there are "roosting pockets" on the market, made in England. They are cunning little woven pockets, some with wooden roofs. I put one on my trellis last winter and the Carolina Wrens used it. (They also liked the gas grill for cover during rainstorms). I know a couple people that have Carolina Wrens using robin/phoebe nest shelves. One friend put cotton in hers and the birds bunched it up in the corner and snuggled in! Bonnie Ott (field trip chair) Ellicott city, Howard County Maryland bonnie1163@home.com ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================