Nest Boxes and Feeders

F

fishin coyote

5 year old buck +
Had a bunch of odds and ends in lumber saved up. So I decided to use it up and build a bunch of new bluebird boxes to replace the rotted/wore out ones on my bluebird trail. While I was at it I added a half dozen oriole feeders and a couple of flying squirrel boxes. The jelly feeders need holes cut in for the cups, eye hooks and painted yet but the orioles don’t typically arrive here until mid April so I got time to finish them.

F9A92876-7FD3-404F-B881-CC46A4FEB132.jpeg8AD3F17B-E27B-4A7B-81B7-D3AB7400A11C.jpeg
 
I have lots of bluebirds but haven't got them to take to the houses ,any hints
 
How bout wood duck boxes and swarm traps for bees!!!!

Nice work!!!!!!

bill
 
buckdeer1, I tend to overload an area with boxes depending on the habitat and the competition from tree swallows, house sparrows or house wrens. Sometimes I put two boxes within 6’ of each other especially if there’s a lot of swallows in the area.

TreeDaddy, That was last winter’s build, I just have to get the ladder out and change out the wood chips and the swarm traps are in a stack next to the hives waiting on spring.2722591E-F2E7-4B42-A4F2-919BA690DE8F.jpeg
 
buckdeer1 said:
I have lots of bluebirds but haven't got them to take to the houses ,any hints
Click to expand...

They eat a lot of bugs & small worms so they need an area where the can ground hunt. They also need places to perch 4'-5' above the ground as they scan for food. Orchards with cut grass is a good spot, fence lines near grassy areas or meadows, I have several on clover plots.
 
One bit of caution. If you have tree tube protectors out, make sure you have netting over the rops of the tubes. As bluebirds like to perch, tree tubes are perfect; however, they can fall into the tube and have no way to escape as they cannot fly.
 
^^^good intentions but have stopped using netting on tubes with vigorous growth trees. Too many central leaders run into the netting and turn down and grow back into the tube and try to do it again. Ok if u believe no chance of growing out of tube during that year. For me that really only is true for burr oak and plums since slow growth for me but dont plant those any more. I like burr but the slow growth combined with usually acorns earlier than other oaks is bad combo for bears.
 
rocksnstumps said:
^^^good intentions but have stopped using netting on tubes with vigorous growth trees. Too many central leaders run into the netting and turn down and grow back into the tube and try to do it again. Ok if u believe no chance of growing out of tube during that year. For me that really only is true for burr oak and plums since slow growth for me but dont plant those any more. I like burr but the slow growth combined with usually acorns earlier than other oaks is bad combo for bears.
Click to expand...

Not good intentions, good stewardship.

If you put the netting on correct, only 50% of outer diameter is covered with balance of tube top being open. This will keep songbirds from falling in. Tree stems will still grow out the opening. Once you have a tree leader at the top of the tube, the birds can escape.
 
I buy my wood duck box kits from greggs wood duck boxes,the kits are cheaper than I can buy the wood.I have several blue bird boxes around my orchards
 
Tree Spud said:
Not good intentions, good stewardship.

If you put the netting on correct, only 50% of outer diameter is covered with balance of tube top being open. This will keep songbirds from falling in. Tree stems will still grow out the opening. Once you have a tree leader at the top of the tube, the birds can escape.
Click to expand...
Ok whatever. Btw you put your mask on wrong....
 
buckdeer1 said:
I buy my wood duck box kits from greggs wood duck boxes,the kits are cheaper than I can buy the wood.I have several blue bird boxes around my orchards
Click to expand...

Just got 4 in the mail from them recently....... great product

bill
 
fishin coyote said:
buckdeer1, I tend to overload an area with boxes depending on the habitat and the competition from tree swallows, house sparrows or house wrens. Sometimes I put two boxes within 6’ of each other especially if there’s a lot of swallows in the area.

TreeDaddy, That was last winter’s build, I just have to get the ladder out and change out the wood chips and the swarm traps are in a stack next to the hives waiting on spring.View attachment 33485
Click to expand...

Where do you hang your traps?

Any luck with them?

bill
 
I hang my traps along the edges of fields/food plots or gas/powerline right aways and surprisingly in my hinge cuts. Anywhere I’ve know of swarms or have gotten swarms in the past I try to place a trap if possible.

I usually get a half dozen or so a season.

Mike
 
fishin coyote said:
I hang my traps along the edges of fields/food plots or gas/powerline right aways and surprisingly in my hinge cuts. Anywhere I’ve know of swarms or have gotten swarms in the past I try to place a trap if possible.

I usually get a half dozen or so a season.

Mike
Click to expand...
How many do you put out each year?
 
8-10 in most years. I use old deep boxes as my traps and I think that’s what makes them so attractive to new swarms. I always keep a couple of empty hives set up in my apiary which gets me 1 or 2 swarms a year also
 
Bluebirds love winter berry in my experience. Might help you draw them to your place.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top