|
Welcome to The Bluebird Box since 1995
Including the Internet's
original Bluebird FAQ
& featuring
Best of Bluebird
Mailing Lists Classified |
 |
|
Nestboxes (Old vs. New)(All material was originally posted on the mailing list Bluebird-L or Bluebird and reposted here with only slight modifications to make them more readable in an HTML format, for more information about Bluebird-L check out the following http://www.cit.cornell.edu/cit-pubs/email/using-lists/index.html. or for the mailing list Bluebird run by Dusty Bleher check out http://fsinc.com/wildbirds/Bluebird/List)If you are the author of a posting to one of the mailing lists and you would like to see a particular post (or posts) removed from these web pages please contact me at: bluebirdbox@cox.net and I will remove whatever material you like. If you have an opinion different than one posted hear you need not contact me as often I will have a different opinion also. My intent is to try and provide both sides to the issues confronting bluebirders and to do so in an impartial manner.In cases in which quoted material has been deleted to save space, it is indicated by an ellipsis (....) In addition to the messages that have appeared on the Bluebird Mailing Lists on this topic I have the following on my web site:
From: beabud@snet.net Do birds really care if a box is new or old??? Will they use the new one if they like it ir prefer old weathered boxes...
From: "Mary Beth Roen" <mbroen@hotmail.com> Hi! In regards to the old vs. new box question, I had a box once that had a nest just started in it. The roof cracked and needed replacing, but instead, I just replaced the box with a new one. The old was was weathered. The EABL abandoned their attempt at nest building in the new box, even though I moved the nesting material into the new box. Fortunately, they built in the next available box close by. Now I never change boxes if there is any interest shown by a pair of Eastern Bluebirds. However, at the beginning of the season, or between nestings, I have replaced boxes and EABL have not hesitated to use them. Mary Roen, River Falls, WI >Do birds really care if a box is new or old??? Will they use the new
From: BBBMV@aol.com My feeling is that it is location, location, location rather than new or old boxes. Bill Davis
To: bluebird-l@cornell.edu (BLUEBIRD-L) On Fri, 22 Feb 2002 00:26:07 EST BBBMV@aol.com writes: ... You are right, it is the location and not new or old boxes. Maynard Sumner Elev. 630 Zone 5 NABS MBS GAS OBS TBT OBC NAHC NAFC Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
From: "judymellin" <judymellin@netzero.net> I would have to disagree with the statement that location rules out over box age. On our trail, we have added no new locations but over the years have switched out some older boxes with new ones. Without exception, the blues have gone immediately to the new boxes over the old. Regional differences? Possibly but, as usual and as we are so often reminded, there are no rules! Judy Mellin ...
Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 10:53:31 -0400 I usually leave a box or more outdoors on the ground to "weather" and look older, somehow the look of fresh pine is too fresh... Well, I was aging a box when our grass cutting crew came to cut the grass yesterday. They saw the box on the ground, and being helpful, they decided to put it up on the vacant post on site #2. This is the first grass cutting this season. Anyway, the EABL liked the idea of two boxes, and they immediately started to go in and out of both boxes. The other box on #2 I put monofilament, and the HOSP have not returned. This pair of EABL have started a nest in the mansion (not the newly placed box.) This is the first time I have three simultaneous nestings (two nest already completed and the third is starting.) This can be attributed to the increase in EABL population due to successful nestings over a period of several years. The HOSP are all gone. If they do not return, then the reason would be the mansions. Normally I would have to trap a couple. Let us see... Fawzi Fawzi Emad in Laytonsville, Maryland
From: chicker@snet.net In connecticut had bluebirds fledge from a new western bluebird house floor was 5x5 same as woodlinks larger bluebird but made by coveside. Hole is 1-1/2.Anyhow i know i'll get more bluebirds but was thinking of putting a normal size bluebird box there with 4x4 floor. Since i would think most bluebirds may prefer that as i tend to see from having a larger one close to the house with not much interest. Is it a stupid idea to put it up now or should i leave it the way it is and let nature take its course??? Bea in Bethel Connecticut
|
|
