FreeLists / bristol-birds / [Bristol-Birds] Re: bluebird boxes

[James Brooks <comeback@xxxxxxxx>]

I think Wallace Coffey has the cart before the horse. The push for 
bluebird boxes came when farmers quit using wooden fence posts and then 
the farms were cut up for developments. When that ideal nesting habitat 
began to disappear so did the bluebirds. We would not have the numbers 
of bluebirds we have today were it not for people putting up bluebird 
houses.
My solution has been to put up several bluebird boxes. That way there's 
room for the Tree Swallows, sparrows, House Wrens etc. Personally, I 
clean out the sparrow and starling nesters after their brood is hatched 
to discourage them. I have one box, on top of the highest point on the 
property, that is used by bluebirds year after year.
My solution would be to ignore what they say about how close bluebird 
houses should be and let other birds use the other houses. The 
competition for nesting cavities is fierce everywhere. There are simply 
more cavity nesters than there are sites available. Once mated with eggs 
about to hatch, any other bird will do what she has to do to find that 
cavity. Put out more boxes or encourage your neighbors to do the same 
and your problem she resolve itself.

James Brooks

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