Bat box secrets

[Travelover]

Travelover...how do you distinguish b/t the house sparrow nest and that of the Bluebird? From what I am reading, it would appear that you want to do everything you can to discourage the Sparrow from nesting if you want to attract the Bluebird.

A sparrow's nest is just a bunch of trash thrown in a pile with brown speckled eggs (right picture) . A bluebird nest is made of dried grass and carefully woven into a round bowl (left picture) . Bluebird eggs are a light blue color.

The only way I know to stop the sparrows is to locate the nest boxes far away from buildings. You can check the boxes regularly and toss out the sparrow nests, but they are more aggressive than the bluebirds.

 

[GBeck]

The only way I know to stop the sparrows is to locate the nest boxes far away from buildings. You can check the boxes regularly and toss out the sparrow nests, but they are more aggressive than the bluebirds.

might be an old wives tale, but to stop a sparrow from nesting so the other birds can have the bird house...put a nail in every corner and criss cross some fishing line back and fourth to cover the top. something to do with the sparrows have bad eyes and can't see the line and don't like to walk on it, but other birds (like the bluebirds) have better eye sight and will just step over the line
hope that helps....and hopefully someone else can confirm that it works

 

[coachgrd]

A sparrow's nest is just a bunch of trash thrown in a pile with brown speckled eggs (right picture) . A bluebird nest is made of dried grass and carefully woven into a round bowl (left picture) . Bluebird eggs are a light blue color.

The only way I know to stop the sparrows is to locate the nest boxes far away from buildings. You can check the boxes regularly and toss out the sparrow nests, but they are more aggressive than the bluebirds.

Thanks!

Incidentally, the kids and I put together 3 boxes tonight. We are expecting some of the first warm weather (upper 70's) for the first time this spring this weekend. From what I have been reading about the Bluebird, I should have put up my boxes last month. I hope we're not too late to attact some!

 

[Travelover]

Thanks!

Incidentally, the kids and I put together 3 boxes tonight. We are expecting some of the first warm weather (upper 70's) for the first time this spring this weekend. From what I have been reading about the Bluebird, I should have put up my boxes last month. I hope we're not too late to attact some!

Good for you!

It is never too late. They raise two broods a season and I have had them take on a new box for a second brood in June. Be sure to empty the boxes every spring of all nesting material.

 

[Travelover]

might be an old wives tale, but to stop a sparrow from nesting so the other birds can have the bird house...put a nail in every corner and criss cross some fishing line back and fourth to cover the top. something to do with the sparrows have bad eyes and can't see the line and don't like to walk on it, but other birds (like the bluebirds) have better eye sight and will just step over the line
hope that helps....and hopefully someone else can confirm that it works

I never heard that one, but here are suggestions from the North American Bluebird Society:

Sparrow Control

You can also pop them with an air rifle, but be sure you know what they look like.