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 ryt now |
chickadee flew into box and a male blue swooped down and scared the dee away |
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Posts: 54 (03/07/08 1:30 PM) |
isn't this good???
This box though, as of yesterday was spotless....do they protect the boxes before they even build in them????
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dogsandbirds |
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Moderator Posts: 623 (03/07/08 3:38 PM) Middle Name
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If they have chosen that box or a box nearby that can be seen from yours, I can tell you that they will not want dees to nest where they can see them. I
don't know why that is, but it is true. Seen it, know it. Bluebirds will not nest around dees, at least not around here. It doesn't make sense to me
and I don't understand it. They will accept TUTI's, nuthatches, TRES, but not dees. Strange, isn't it?
As for protecting the box before they build, yes, they will do that if they want the box. But in this case, it might just be the "dee thing". You'll have to wait and see.  Gin
Atlanta, GA |
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ryt now |
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Posts: 55 (03/07/08 3:43 PM) |
i have a ton of chickadees too...............oh no!!!
will they not nest around the dees nest??? Or just not around dees in general???? 
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ryt now |
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Posts: 56 (03/07/08 3:48 PM) |
What is a TRES????
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dogsandbirds |
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Moderator Posts: 624 (03/07/08 4:48 PM) Middle Name
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TRES are tree swallows. I don't think you have them in NC. We don't have them in GA.
Bluebirds don't like to nest where they can see a dee nest from their own. Dees in the area are fine. I've said somewhere before that I read that (don't remember where I saw it). They've proved it out in my yard and it's happening again this year. Love my dees, though. Gin
Atlanta, GA |
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 Janie May |
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Moderator Posts: 2654 (03/07/08 4:56 PM) Middle name
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TRES = Tree Swallows. You won't have them in NC and I don't have them here. Beautiful birds, wish I did have them.
In my experience, Gin is right about the Blues and Dees. Let me warn you, bluebirds are beautiful but they are very greedy when it comes to keeping chickadees out of a nest box even when they are not using it. My blues have nested in the back yard box every single time for 7 years but they love to harass the dees in the front yard box, even if they have their own eggs or even nestlings in the back yard box so......once the blues start their nest buildiing in the back yard box I add a hole reducer to the front yard box so that they can't get to or bother the dees. I got into this landlord business because I wanted bluebirds but after hosting bluebirds and chickadees I would never choose one over the other. I play it as "first come, first served" and would never evict a chickadee nest (or BH nuthatch, titmouse) in hopes of giving the house to the bluebirds. I only say that because I was stunned to hear many people say that they will throw out the beginnings of a chickadee nest in hopes that the bluebirds will use the box. Not people on this forum but people that live in my area.
Janie
Atlanta, GA |
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ryt now |
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Posts: 57 (03/07/08 4:59 PM) |
they are very cute too!!!............will someone just nest already???
I think I am as obessive  as when I was waiting to go into labor with my 2 kids!!!!!!!!!!! 
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dogsandbirds |
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Moderator Posts: 626 (03/07/08 5:11 PM) Middle Name
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There's a hole reducer on the dee entrance right now. No sense taking chances--bluebirds are here, just not nesting as of now. You never know and better to
be safe. I didn't get it on in time last year when they wanted a box the TUTI's had eggs in. The male bluebird threw out the TUTI eggs because he
wanted that box--not the available one the female was trying to build in. Janie said it--bluebirds can be into harassing dees...and others. Just because
they're our favorite doesn't make them sweet!
Gin
Atlanta, GA |
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ryt now |
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Posts: 59 (03/07/08 7:01 PM) |
I just added another birdblue box. Then I walked over to my existing one. Not thinking a thing about. As I get closer this bluebird sorta dives, swoops &
circles me all @ the same time. He was totally telling me to GET LOST!!!!!!!!!!
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dogsandbirds |
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Moderator Posts: 628 (03/07/08 7:38 PM) Middle Name
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Sounds like he must be one of those dive bombing males! Look out for body contact!
Gin
Atlanta, GA |
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Crystal GA |
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Posts: 556 (03/08/08 8:31 AM) |
We have had a pair of dees checking out our backyard box, but like you the female blue ran them off. We have a single piece of
straw in the frontyard box. So I'm hoping for someone nesting. But I hope they wait the weather here is crazy...
Crystal
Newborn, GA |
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ryt now |
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Posts: 60 (03/08/08 8:34 AM) |
will they dive bomb me while I try to monitor the eggs too?????
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dogsandbirds |
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Moderator Posts: 631 (03/08/08 9:22 AM) Middle Name
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Alyson, they might or might not. It all depends on the birds. Janie has a male that is quite aggressive and will make contact. It's scary and funny at the
same time. She can tell you all about it! Last season, I went out in the yard with her to have a look in the box. The experience was certainly interesting!
Others have birds that just sit quietly at a distance until the human leaves. That's what mine have always done. I guess you'll have to wait and see
what happens. If he does continue to bomb you, I would advise a hat! But no worries. Monitoring, even with an aggressive bird, won't stop the nesting
process.
Gin
Atlanta, GA |
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ryt now |
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Posts: 63 (03/08/08 2:40 PM) |
I'll @ least take an umbrella for shelter!!!!!
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Janie May |
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Moderator Posts: 2657 (03/08/08 7:17 PM) Middle name
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I wear a BIG hat and that helps. The male has made contact with the hat but never my bare head....because the hat covers that!
 If you've got a male
swooping you now, before eggs, it's a safe bet that he will swoop the heck out of you when he has eggs and nestlings in that box. MOST do not dive bomb
their landlords and as I told my hubby (I take him out with me sometimes to use as a distraction while I make a quick box check) they can't really hurt
you. He does carry an umbrella!
My male also used to dive bomb my little sheltie when she was doing her business too close to his box. It was hysterical to watch because she was totally deaf and never had any idea he was just inches above her, snapping his wings. He has also dive bombed me at the meal worm feeder (20 feet from the nest box) when there are eggs or nestlings in the box. Go figure! But, he is a good papa and just trying to protect his babies.
Janie
Atlanta, GA |
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ryt now |
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Posts: 65 (03/09/08 8:46 AM) |
 i can just picture
your sheltie going potty with the blue right above him (her)?!LOL
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Alyson
