Bluebird Boxes Info 2011 (Eastern Bluebird)

[Spyonabird]

great information! We control HOSP with a spooker and a sparrow trap. We have seen a significant decline in HOSP and an increase Bluebirds fledging.

[Tstormer]

@Spyonabird Good! Im sooo glad some people are doing the right thing. I have a new system for 2012. Sparrow Spookers, fishing line, Mylar. But the best will be the HOSP trap! Right on! I did not get any TRES this year. So ready for nxt season. Too many people do not know the dangers with HOSPs and they can be killed legally..and should be! Soon they will migrate...there's been an explosion of 20 here. Kill The Sparrow.

[seahue]

Very interesting defences against the HOSPs...Very informative vid...Luckily I have none out my way...but I also don't have any swallows and rarely see the bluebird...

[Tstormer]

@seahue Good and humm not so good.;) I had to take down the BB box with mealworms on top..dam HOSP, about 15 showed up! Now, if those bastards come around when i have the TRES..I putting out a trap. But they have not been able to land at the other at all...good sign. That one has all the defenses.

[temp24Lno5]

This is a very informative video. Fortunately I have only the Mourning Dove which are not a problem because the Sharp-shinned take care of those.

[Tstormer]

@temp24Lno5 And that is cool! :) The Coopers I have on video, very similar to that one. Though I like Doves too....just the HOSP I hate! I counted 7 of them here...going to do something about them, not only my new defenses...but will wait to see if the BB's or TRES take over any box. Then...those little bastards are gone! ;)

[kclama]

Great, looking forward to a new family.

[Tstormer]

@kclama Me too! Will see.

[54spiritedwill54]

What a beautiful bird. Lovely blue color indeed :) Nice capture

[Tstormer]

@54spiritedwill54 Thanks man...yes they are.

[NDWVP]

Nice video!

[Tstormer]

@NDWVP Thanks Nathan..chance of Tstorms this weekend..I hope!

[weatherstorms]

I can't believe HOSP are killer birds! Love the eastern bluebird, the color reminds me of Southwest Airlines.

[Tstormer]

@weatherstorms Yes! They will destroy nests, eggs, kill babies...all for nothing. Because they want to dominate the area. I hate em. And I'm a birder... hah you're sooo cute! =:o)

[weatherstorms]

@Tstormer What was so cute about what I said? (: The blue bird looking like Southwest Airlines because of the red/orange color along with the blue?

[Tstormer]

@weatherstorms Yes..think that is a cute observation :)

[bfpeng]

Thanks this informative vedio you did, that I never knew before. The Bluebirds is very beautiful!

[Tstormer]

@bfpeng Thanks my friend...many people don't realize the dangers to our Beautiful birds caused by HOSP.

[NatYTTube]

beautiful :)))

[Tstormer]

@NatYTTube Hey Nat! I hope to get some good HD close ups!

[graywolf369]

Very informative video. Good to know there are all kinds of methods for preventing house sparrows from interfering with native birds' nest boxes.

[Tstormer]

@graywolf369 Thanks bro! Yes there is. But it is not recommend to put out boxes if you are not willing to do something about the HOSP.

[jcmegabyte]

Cool birds :-) We have the Western Bluebird here, but they are very scarce in my area... more comon in the mountains :-)

[Tstormer]

@jcmegabyte Yes, I heard of them in the Mnts there. Thanks for stopping in!

[pwalpar]

Good video

[Tstormer]

@pwalpar Thanks Walter..any at your BB box?

[pwalpar]

This is the first year I had the box and no takers as yet LOL

[Tstormer]

@pwalpar Hey thanks Walter...awe maan!  I just saw some Tree Swallows near the big stream today...hope they come back my way. The BB's will be around eventually again. I really should have put it out earlier..they come back early in March.

[rad1965]

they are a beautiful bird..love the colors.

[Tstormer]

@rad1965 Thanks bro for taking a look.

[owlydog]

The bluebird is so pretty wish we had them in my part of Ohio

and if we do have them I have not seen any.. You amaze me on how

close you can get to the birds and wild life. much enjoyed this

[Tstormer]

@owlydog Yes...awe wish you did too! There are 2 other species not in our area. Thanks! My new spot puts me very close to the boxes. whats cool about tree swallows...they will allow you to get close...they know they can fly off in a sec. I have been dive bombed by them! Thanks hun!

[LibraLovesFaVs]

This Video is very informative & well done. Having cameras in the nest boxes, gives us a wonderful glance into the Life of a nesting pair of birds. I have mixed reactions to the method of controlling any specie that takes precedence over another. Its too bad nature can't take its course & there was a simpler sollution to this obvious problem. Before people put up nest boxs, did anyone do the research on Wild nesting sites & do they do the same attacks, or is it because nest boxs r limited?

[LibraLovesFaVs]

@LibraLovesFaVs -Ran out of space, lol, just for the record, I am not disputing the control of said species, just putting a question to a broader look, into the possiblity that nest boxs may be the reason why they do this? It is just a observation on my part. Otherwise, I think the Video is a well done great teaching tool. :o)

[Tstormer]

@LibraLovesFaVs lol, you're cute. The BB's and TRES have always nested in natural tree cavities, old woodpecker holes, and fence posts. NO is it not, no worries. Is the nature of HOSP..they want control of an area. I saw one last mnth tearing apart an old nezt of another bird. Then there are other species that lay their eggs in other nests. But they do not kill the parents One should have never alter the balance of nature and import non native species of any living organism. THAT is the problem.

[Tstormer]

@LibraLovesFaVs Absolutely no worries. A good discussion is warrantied. Not as I had with what I call Trolls.

Thank you for the great compliments! I have a video that was asked for use in a childrens project! Will post on that later.

[my35Xvision]

Wow! That is a lot of information here. Thanks Pat for that.

[Tstormer]

@my35Xvision Sure my friend.

[lmmsl]

This is a very informative video and can gives lots of tips for us..Once they destroyed my Dunnocks nest with 4 babies and I was so sad for it. I fav; your video and thank you very much for giving lots of info ..

[Tstormer]

@lmmsl You are every welcome Menu...I do remember that. And thanks for the fave..I often forget to do that!

[richardclaxtoncni]

Very informative & some good points made, we have a major problem with Grey Squirrels an introduced non native species to the UK I would love to do a mutually beneficial arrangement you send us your Sparrows and we send you your Squirrels

only joking.

Good luck with the nest boxes.

Regards Richard

[Tstormer]

@richardclaxtoncni lol..good idea though! ;) Yeah interesting in reverse so to speak on transporting non native species.

[JazzyL8888]

This is wonderful ! :) I love bluebirds =D So were those the mealworms in the can they were eating from ? I have seen seed mixture at the hardware store that has dried mealworms in it , have you ever bought that preparation ?

Thanks for the footage of these beautiful birds my friend. :)

[Tstormer]

@JazzyL8888 Me too! :) Thanks Jazz. Last time i used live mealworms. This year I have dried ones out.

They dont eat any seeds as far as I know. They may eat berries. They should be fed far way from other feeders with seeds.

[pstensli]

Nice, Tstormer. Love to see it. I have 4 Tree Swallow pairs nesting in my yard now, and 1 Eastern Bluebird pair. The bluebird pair have 5 eggs in the nest already. The Tree Swallows have just laid in a few strands of grass. I've captured and eliminated 6 House Sparrows already.

[Tstormer]

@pstensli I went down to the stream near here today, and have seen the TRES have come back! Now will have to await to see if they look for my boxes again this year. So good to hear! I appreciate your like minded efforts!

[TK42138]

Nice one. Heard references to Blue Birds many times in American culture but never seen one until now. Looks like it's related to the Robin/Blackbird family?

[Tstormer]

@TK42138 Not related to Blackbirds and Allies...Bluebirds are a small Thrush, yes. This is the Eastern Bluebird. Thanks!