[birdky] RPT: Bluebird first

June 10, 2006:  I've put up a lot of bluebird nest boxes in the past 15
years, but I have never seen 2 pairs nesting in close proximity.  Each
pair typically defends at least a couple acres from other bluebird
pairs.  But this year on my little one acre of ridgetop in Rowan County,
I have 2 pairs nesting simultaneously, one on each side of the house
basically.  The nest boxes are separated by about 40 yards.  The first
pair to initiate a nest has occasionally harassed the second pair (at
least that's what I believe is going on).  At the risk of sounding
callous, I "removed" 8 house sparrows this spring and 11 last spring to
make it possible for the bluebirds, tree swallows, and purple martins to
nest in relative peace.

 

Scott Freidhof

Morehead

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