Does anyone have any experience using these? They extend the entrance hole and, at least in theory, prevent raccoons and other mammalian predators from reaching the nest with their paws. Can they be placed on a nest box once the birds have already started building a nest and laying eggs, or only before?
I have a few bluebird and prothonotary warbler nest boxes that are impossible to install predator guards on, so I was considering trying some of the birdhouse guardians.
birdhouse guardian protector (non PM post)
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rtanner77
- Posts: 51
- Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 10:47 am
- Location: Georgia/Milledgeville
- Martin Colony History: We've hosted purple martins since around 2002 and currently have 5 gourd racks with 22 Excluder gourds, 9 Super gourds, 18 Troyer gourds, 4 Bo gourds, 6 natural gourds, and 3 homemade boxes for martins to use.
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- Here's what I'm referring to.
- 41JJ4DEANZL._SS500_.jpg (21.19 KiB) Viewed 1673 times
"It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living." -Sir David Attenborough
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dancingirl76
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:09 am
- Location: Albia, IA
Yes, and no. I lost a full nest of 5 babies two years ago to a raccoon and didn't have any protector on the box. I put my own homemade one on and the parents returned and raised two more broods without any issues. But, last year none of my BBs would nest in the same box until I took it off. I waited until they built their nest and had laid eggs then put it on. I took care to watch them to make sure they could and would go in and out and they couldn't after an hour- so I took it off and put a large wire mesh one on which they did accept. I think it just depends on the birds and if they have built in a box that had something. The key I think is to wait until they are attached to the site (nest and eggs) and then MAKE SURE you watch them go in and out.
The other thing is to put the box on tall enough pole that you can put a predator guard on it just like you would have on a PM pole. THat is what I am trying this year.
Good luck!
The other thing is to put the box on tall enough pole that you can put a predator guard on it just like you would have on a PM pole. THat is what I am trying this year.
Good luck!
dancingirl76