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Re: RFI: Bluebird Boxes at Lake Artemesia

From:

Arlene Ripley

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Date:

Sat, 24 Mar 2007 09:35:11 -0400

Elaine,

The wire guard is sometimes called the Noel Coon Guard and its purpose 
is to prevent four-legged predators from being able to reach inside the 
box. It has no effect on House Sparrows and some even think it will 
deter bluebirds from using a box. It's usually recommended to attach 
this guard right after the eggs are laid rather than before a nest is built.

I agree with the post recommending that no bluebird boxes be put up 
where there are already a number of House Sparrows unless the sparrows 
are controlled. I speak from experience.

Arlene

Arlene Ripley
Calvert County, MD
http://nestbox.com
piwa99 at comcast dot net



Elaine Hendricks wrote:
> While walking at Lake Artemesia in College Park yesterday,
> I noticed that someone had attached small rectangular "cages" 
> made of hardware cloth around the holes in the bluebird boxes.  
> Are these devices meant to deter House Sparrows?  If so, do 
> they work?
>
> Elaine Hendricks
> Greenbelt, MD  (PG County)
> 
>
>
>