BB, chickadees & martins - newbie question
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Guest
This is my first year actively trying to provide housing for birds. I had a decorative birdhouse on my porch last year that chickadees raised babies and red finch in my fake wreath had babies. This is my first year to erect a Martin house and I have patiently been waiting. I was so excited when I looked out today to see birds sittings on my martin house. But it is a bluebird that is showing interest going in and out. I would love to have bluebirds also. I put up two more birdhouses this year that chickadees are already occupying and the birdbirds are actively persuing. I read Steve post about cavity nesting bird battles. I will continue to read as much as I can but if you don't mind, may I ask some quick questions to see if I can resolve as soon as possible. I can go purchase a bluebird house and erect (with protection). How far away from the chickadee house does it need to be? Can I monitor chickadee house? Last year I moved a flower in my fake wreath to see if the baby finches were still there and my hand and arm got covered in mites. Whew! wasn't prepared for that one and started screaming for my husband to bring the bug spray.(For me, not the nest) The finches are actively looking to nest right now. I plan to put sevin this year. Sorry, got side tracked. I guess my question is - what to do about the bluebird?
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Bob Rogers
- Posts: 226
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 6:48 pm
- Location: Arnold, Missouri
I would suggest you/husband/friend make one rather than buy. Type in bluebirds to your internet search --- numerous simple bird house plans will be available and the information will be much more accurate than some bought house made by people who have never seen a bluebird. Wild birds, other than PM's and bluebirds, will often abandon a nest once humans interfere. Suggest you forget "nest checks" on other birds---other than a distant peek. 
Good luck.
Good luck.Bob R.
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Guest
Bob is right that you will want to build a house or do a little research if you buy. Many commercial houses are not well designed and many are put together with staples (instead of construction screws) which quickly fall apart. The NABS web site at http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org/ is a good place to start.
We have hosted numerous chickadee families on our deck over the years. We have nesting boxes specifically for chickadees that are similar to our bluebird houses but with smaller entrances. The chickadees have always been tolerant of occasional nest checks, though they were obviously used to us just by the fact that they built on our deck. In fact, during our first few winters I trained chickadees and tufted titmice to come to my hand for sunflower seeds.
The photo here is of a mother chickadee sitting on her nest. They build very soft and fluffy nests that they literally sink into when setting. This particular mom would remain on the nest when we opened the box and would accept meal worms we offered her. She fledged six young ones - we sat on the deck and watched them go one at a time one Saturday afternoon.
Jeff Nelson
We have hosted numerous chickadee families on our deck over the years. We have nesting boxes specifically for chickadees that are similar to our bluebird houses but with smaller entrances. The chickadees have always been tolerant of occasional nest checks, though they were obviously used to us just by the fact that they built on our deck. In fact, during our first few winters I trained chickadees and tufted titmice to come to my hand for sunflower seeds.
The photo here is of a mother chickadee sitting on her nest. They build very soft and fluffy nests that they literally sink into when setting. This particular mom would remain on the nest when we opened the box and would accept meal worms we offered her. She fledged six young ones - we sat on the deck and watched them go one at a time one Saturday afternoon.
Jeff Nelson
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