🚀 go-pugleaf

Bill,
    Keep your eyes on the nest to make sure the birds are not using it any more,
once you know that they aren't you should remove the old nesting material and
put it in your trash can where no other birds can use it, that is very important
to help cut down on parasites..


Andrew Longtin
New Hope, Minnesota
ALongtin *at* worldnet *dot* att *dot* net

No SPAM needed here..
Must fix anti-SPAM address to reply..



Bill Snodgrass wrote in message <37F6ADD9.1B47CB25@retrorock-it.com>...
|I have read in this NG a bit and recognize that this is a very
|elementary question.  Note that it comes from a novice backyard bird
|watcher.
|
|This summer, I put up a "blue bird house."  The truth is, my mom brought
|it to me on a visit and sort of insisted.  (Who can argue with their
|mom?)  Within a week, it was the home of a happy family of Eastern
|Bluebirds.
|
|Now, I occasionally see the male inspecting the no-longer-needed nest.
|One day, a Wren was checking it out and he chased it away.
|
|Now for the question:  When do I remove the old nest?  I have been told
|to do so before next spring, but when?  Does the presence of the nest
|now have any effect on next spring?
|
|By the way, since mom got me started, I have put up various feeders and
|a bird bath.  Now, each evening, I watch at least three "pairs" of
|Eastern Bluebirds do their work on bugs in my lawn.  On one evening, I
|counted at least seven different kinds of birds. (Also thanks to the
|individuals who have looked at my photos on my web site so now I know
|what I am looking at!)
|
|While I am at it, what is a good average number of species one would
|expect to find in a back yard?
|
|--
|Bill Snodgrass
|Operator, Blackthumb Bob's Gardening Tips and Humor
|____________________________________________
|Writing from outside Memphis, TN (Zone 7)
|Blackthumb_Bob@retrorock-it.com
|
|"...Observe how the lilies of the field grow....
|Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these"
|(Matt 6:28-29)
|
|http://www.retrorock-it.com/Blackthumb
|
|

In Memphis, TN, would it be reasonable to conclude that they are no longer
nesting?  I have only seen the male go in once or twice since mid-summer.



Andrew Longtin wrote:

> Bill,
>     Keep your eyes on the nest to make sure the birds are not using it any more,
> once you know that they aren't you should remove the old nesting material and
> put it in your trash can where no other birds can use it, that is very important
> to help cut down on parasites..
>
> Andrew Longtin
> New Hope, Minnesota
> ALongtin *at* worldnet *dot* att *dot* net
>
> No SPAM needed here..
> Must fix anti-SPAM address to reply..
>
> Bill Snodgrass wrote in message <37F6ADD9.1B47CB25@retrorock-it.com>...
> |I have read in this NG a bit and recognize that this is a very
> |elementary question.  Note that it comes from a novice backyard bird
> |watcher.
> |
> |This summer, I put up a "blue bird house."  The truth is, my mom brought
> |it to me on a visit and sort of insisted.  (Who can argue with their
> |mom?)  Within a week, it was the home of a happy family of Eastern
> |Bluebirds.
> |
> |Now, I occasionally see the male inspecting the no-longer-needed nest.
> |One day, a Wren was checking it out and he chased it away.
> |
> |Now for the question:  When do I remove the old nest?  I have been told
> |to do so before next spring, but when?  Does the presence of the nest
> |now have any effect on next spring?
> |
> |By the way, since mom got me started, I have put up various feeders and
> |a bird bath.  Now, each evening, I watch at least three "pairs" of
> |Eastern Bluebirds do their work on bugs in my lawn.  On one evening, I
> |counted at least seven different kinds of birds. (Also thanks to the
> |individuals who have looked at my photos on my web site so now I know
> |what I am looking at!)
> |
> |While I am at it, what is a good average number of species one would
> |expect to find in a back yard?
> |
> |--
> |Bill Snodgrass
> |Operator, Blackthumb Bob's Gardening Tips and Humor
> |____________________________________________
> |Writing from outside Memphis, TN (Zone 7)
> |Blackthumb_Bob@retrorock-it.com
> |
> |"...Observe how the lilies of the field grow....
> |Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these"
> |(Matt 6:28-29)
> |
> |http://www.retrorock-it.com/Blackthumb
> |
> |

--
Bill Snodgrass
Operator, Blackthumb Bob's Gardening Tips and Humor
____________________________________________
Writing from outside Memphis, TN (Zone 7)
Blackthumb_Bob@retrorock-it.com

"...Observe how the lilies of the field grow....
Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these"
(Matt 6:28-29)

http://www.retrorock-it.com/Blackthumb

Bill, is there any way of looking inside the nest box. As soon as your are
sure its not being used, clean it out. Microscopic parasites could infest
the box. Happy birding, Stu

Bill Snodgrass wrote:

> I have read in this NG a bit and recognize that this is a very
> elementary question.  Note that it comes from a novice backyard bird
> watcher.
>
> This summer, I put up a "blue bird house."  The truth is, my mom brought
> it to me on a visit and sort of insisted.  (Who can argue with their
> mom?)  Within a week, it was the home of a happy family of Eastern
> Bluebirds.
>
> Now, I occasionally see the male inspecting the no-longer-needed nest.
> One day, a Wren was checking it out and he chased it away.
>
> Now for the question:  When do I remove the old nest?  I have been told
> to do so before next spring, but when?  Does the presence of the nest
> now have any effect on next spring?
>
> By the way, since mom got me started, I have put up various feeders and
> a bird bath.  Now, each evening, I watch at least three "pairs" of
> Eastern Bluebirds do their work on bugs in my lawn.  On one evening, I
> counted at least seven different kinds of birds. (Also thanks to the
> individuals who have looked at my photos on my web site so now I know
> what I am looking at!)
>
> While I am at it, what is a good average number of species one would
> expect to find in a back yard?
>
> --
> Bill Snodgrass
> Operator, Blackthumb Bob's Gardening Tips and Humor
> ____________________________________________
> Writing from outside Memphis, TN (Zone 7)
> Blackthumb_Bob@retrorock-it.com
>
> "...Observe how the lilies of the field grow....
> Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these"
> (Matt 6:28-29)
>
> http://www.retrorock-it.com/Blackthumb

--
**********
Stuart Roth
Stillwater Birder Co.
888-668-2627
Clear View Bird House / Nest Box - A view inside nature
http://www.stillwaterbirder.com
mailto:stu@stillwaterbirder.com
***************************

DAN ROTH wrote:

> I can answer one of your questions!! You can expect to find from one to
> ten species of birds out in the morning, and anywhere from 0-5
> throughout the day. Morning is their busiest time of day, but during
> winter, I have seen some white-throaghted sparrows and mourning doves
> stay at my bird garden for a better part of the day. I hope you have fun
> birding!!:-

Two nights ago about an hour or two before sunset,  I saw what I believe to
be the following birds:

(Try not to get too worked up here)

Grackle
Robin
Blue Jay
Mockingbird
Cardinal
House Finch
Red Bellied Woodpecker
Carolina Chickadee and or White-breasted Nuthatch
Tufted Titmouse
Eastern Bluebird
Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker
Carolina or Bewick's Wren
Mourning Dove

Of these, there were frequently several of each species coming and going.

I know that none of these are all that rare, but it is rather exciting to see
so many all in such a short period of time.  I have pictures of all of these
on my web site.


Bill Snodgrass
____________________________________________
Writing from outside Memphis, TN (Zone 7)
Blackthumb_Bob@retrorock-it.com

"...Observe how the lilies of the field grow....
Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these"
(Matt 6:28-29)

http://www.retrorock-it.com/Blackthumb

>Now for the question:  When do I remove the old nest?  I have been told
>to do so before next spring, but when?  Does the presence of the nest
>now have any effect on next spring?
>

>
>While I am at it, what is a good average number of species one would
>expect to find in a back yard?
>

>Bill Snodgrass

>Writing from outside Memphis, TN


Hi, Bill,

Here at Shelby Forest (also "outside memphis, TN) our bluebirds last fledging
was mid-August.  We immeaditely took down the nestboxes, removed the nests at a
safe distance, and cleaned the boxes with diatomaceous earth, to kill
parasites.  They have returned recently for mealworms.  now they seem to be
checking out the boxes for possible winter roost sites.

BTW, our yard list is 127 species.  We have 2.5 acres, wooded and waterfront.





vh

sw TN

"The observation of birds may be a superstition, a tradition, an art, a
science, a pleasure, a hobby or a bore; this depends entirely on the nature of
the observer."

-James Fisher-

I can answer one of your questions!! You can expect to find from one to
ten species of birds out in the morning, and anywhere from 0-5
throughout the day. Morning is their busiest time of day, but during
winter, I have seen some white-throaghted sparrows and mourning doves
stay at my bird garden for a better part of the day. I hope you have fun
birding!!:-)

Bill Snodgrass wrote:
>
> I have read in this NG a bit and recognize that this is a very
> elementary question.  Note that it comes from a novice backyard bird
> watcher.
>
> This summer, I put up a "blue bird house."  The truth is, my mom brought
> it to me on a visit and sort of insisted.  (Who can argue with their
> mom?)  Within a week, it was the home of a happy family of Eastern
> Bluebirds.
>
> Now, I occasionally see the male inspecting the no-longer-needed nest.
> One day, a Wren was checking it out and he chased it away.
>
> Now for the question:  When do I remove the old nest?  I have been told
> to do so before next spring, but when?  Does the presence of the nest
> now have any effect on next spring?
>
> By the way, since mom got me started, I have put up various feeders and
> a bird bath.  Now, each evening, I watch at least three "pairs" of
> Eastern Bluebirds do their work on bugs in my lawn.  On one evening, I
> counted at least seven different kinds of birds. (Also thanks to the
> individuals who have looked at my photos on my web site so now I know
> what I am looking at!)
>
> While I am at it, what is a good average number of species one would
> expect to find in a back yard?
>
> --
> Bill Snodgrass
> Operator, Blackthumb Bob's Gardening Tips and Humor
> ____________________________________________
> Writing from outside Memphis, TN (Zone 7)
> Blackthumb_Bob@retrorock-it.com
>
> "...Observe how the lilies of the field grow....
> Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these"
> (Matt 6:28-29)
>
> http://www.retrorock-it.com/Blackthumb

they are probably not nesting their anymore, but do remember: birds do
have small brains. They sometimes forget that they are done using the
nest. Just make sure that they are not staying there for an extended
amount of time, and you will be ok.

Bill Snodgrass wrote:
>
> In Memphis, TN, would it be reasonable to conclude that they are no longer
> nesting?  I have only seen the male go in once or twice since mid-summer.
>
> Andrew Longtin wrote:
>
> > Bill,
> >     Keep your eyes on the nest to make sure the birds are not using it any more,
> > once you know that they aren't you should remove the old nesting material and
> > put it in your trash can where no other birds can use it, that is very important
> > to help cut down on parasites..
> >
> > Andrew Longtin
> > New Hope, Minnesota
> > ALongtin *at* worldnet *dot* att *dot* net
> >
> > No SPAM needed here..
> > Must fix anti-SPAM address to reply..
> >
> > Bill Snodgrass wrote in message <37F6ADD9.1B47CB25@retrorock-it.com>...
> > |I have read in this NG a bit and recognize that this is a very
> > |elementary question.  Note that it comes from a novice backyard bird
> > |watcher.
> > |
> > |This summer, I put up a "blue bird house."  The truth is, my mom brought
> > |it to me on a visit and sort of insisted.  (Who can argue with their
> > |mom?)  Within a week, it was the home of a happy family of Eastern
> > |Bluebirds.
> > |
> > |Now, I occasionally see the male inspecting the no-longer-needed nest.
> > |One day, a Wren was checking it out and he chased it away.
> > |
> > |Now for the question:  When do I remove the old nest?  I have been told
> > |to do so before next spring, but when?  Does the presence of the nest
> > |now have any effect on next spring?
> > |
> > |By the way, since mom got me started, I have put up various feeders and
> > |a bird bath.  Now, each evening, I watch at least three "pairs" of
> > |Eastern Bluebirds do their work on bugs in my lawn.  On one evening, I
> > |counted at least seven different kinds of birds. (Also thanks to the
> > |individuals who have looked at my photos on my web site so now I know
> > |what I am looking at!)
> > |
> > |While I am at it, what is a good average number of species one would
> > |expect to find in a back yard?
> > |
> > |--
> > |Bill Snodgrass
> > |Operator, Blackthumb Bob's Gardening Tips and Humor
> > |____________________________________________
> > |Writing from outside Memphis, TN (Zone 7)
> > |Blackthumb_Bob@retrorock-it.com
> > |
> > |"...Observe how the lilies of the field grow....
> > |Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these"
> > |(Matt 6:28-29)
> > |
> > |http://www.retrorock-it.com/Blackthumb
> > |
> > |
>
> --
> Bill Snodgrass
> Operator, Blackthumb Bob's Gardening Tips and Humor
> ____________________________________________
> Writing from outside Memphis, TN (Zone 7)
> Blackthumb_Bob@retrorock-it.com
>
> "...Observe how the lilies of the field grow....
> Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these"
> (Matt 6:28-29)
>
> http://www.retrorock-it.com/Blackthumb

It sounds like those Bluebirds really loved that house!  I think it's
really cute that he's still defending it.  I had the same thing happen
here with Chickadees.  They use the roosting box we made for the
winter, and then use the same box for nesting.  We took it down to
clean it, seal it up and placed it up again, and they're still
defending it.

Lynda












On Sat, 02 Oct 1999 20:14:30 -0500, Bill Snodgrass
<Blackthumb_Bob@retrorock-it.com> wrote:

>I have read in this NG a bit and recognize that this is a very
>elementary question.  Note that it comes from a novice backyard bird
>watcher.
>
>This summer, I put up a "blue bird house."  The truth is, my mom brought
>it to me on a visit and sort of insisted.  (Who can argue with their
>mom?)  Within a week, it was the home of a happy family of Eastern
>Bluebirds.
>
>Now, I occasionally see the male inspecting the no-longer-needed nest.
>One day, a Wren was checking it out and he chased it away.
>
>Now for the question:  When do I remove the old nest?  I have been told
>to do so before next spring, but when?  Does the presence of the nest
>now have any effect on next spring?
>
>By the way, since mom got me started, I have put up various feeders and
>a bird bath.  Now, each evening, I watch at least three "pairs" of
>Eastern Bluebirds do their work on bugs in my lawn.  On one evening, I
>counted at least seven different kinds of birds. (Also thanks to the
>individuals who have looked at my photos on my web site so now I know
>what I am looking at!)
>
>While I am at it, what is a good average number of species one would
>expect to find in a back yard?
>
>--
>Bill Snodgrass
>Operator, Blackthumb Bob's Gardening Tips and Humor
>____________________________________________
>Writing from outside Memphis, TN (Zone 7)
>Blackthumb_Bob@retrorock-it.com
>
>"...Observe how the lilies of the field grow....
>Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these"
>(Matt 6:28-29)
>
>http://www.retrorock-it.com/Blackthumb
>
>

you wrote:
>One day, a Wren was checking it out and he chased it away.>
Good for him. Wrens will poke holes in the eggs of birds nesting in their
territory even if they have no plans on using the house. Hope you don't have
wrens that nest nearby also or you may not ever have bluebirds again. Pris


Pris

Bill,
We have always removed the nest in September or October and have always
had new nests in the spring.
Rooksie the Bird Man
www.sunsponges-birdhouses.com
sunsponges@abac.com



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