Regarding nestoxes for bluebirds:
You might want to consider putting up two boxes. This will allow you to
attract a TREe Swallow pair to the other box. 22' apart is a good distance
apart -- at that distance, EAstern BLuebirds will usually tolerate another
species (though not another EABL pair) and TRES will not tolerate another
TRES pair, so you're likely to get one pair of each. Besides adding to your
enjoyment and providing cavities for native species, it has the added
benefit of allowing the TRES (and their many friends!) to defend the EABL
box. If you have TRES around your house it's entertaining to toss feathers
off your deck and watch the TRES catch them in mid-air. Make sure you have
a "ladder" under the hole inside the box (saw kerfs or hardware cloth
stapled) so exhausted TRES can make their way out of the box, otherwise they
may die in there.
You might also want to think about predator protection, if you've lost eggs
or nestlings in the past.
The best single source of nestboxing info is _Bluebird Monitor's Guide_, I
think. The Wild Bird Store on Padonia Rd has it on their shelf. There's
lots of good info on the web. I like sialis.org, but you can also google
"best of bluebird-L"
Overview: http://sialis.org/basics.htm
If you're thinking of putting up nestbox(es) you might want to think about
HOuse SParrows. They usually make it hard for EABL to nest successfully --
you may be setting up a death trap. If you have HOSP you may have to engage
in trapping/relocating HOSP (the only effective relocation is to a better
world!) ....
I manage the nextboxes at Oregon Ridge Park. If anyone wants to walk along
with a monitor please let me know and I'll contact you at the time (probably
late May). I'm also looking for another volunteer for a group of boxes at
OR. Season is April through July, min one time per week monitoring (every
6-8 days, or more frequently is fine), vacations covered by other
volunteers, no experience necessary. Please let me know.
I've been missing some email messages and don't know why. If you want to
volunteer and I don't get back to you please call me on 410-245-5182.
Paul Kilduff, Baltimore
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