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Where are the Bluebird Houses in Broadlands?

Discussion in 'Nature/Habitat/Garden Corner' started by OSimpson, Apr 14, 2008.

  1. OSimpson

    OSimpson Certified Master Naturalist

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    We have formed a small bluebird monitoring team. We have to locate all the bluebird houses specially in the common areas in Broadlands. I only know the ones at the nature center and behind the Hillside Park.. If you know others please let us know. Or if you have one in your property and would like to make sure it is maintained let us know that too.
     
  2. Dutchml

    Dutchml Member

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    We have two in our backyard but the bluebirds keep wanting to take over the bigger birdhouse that a couple of woodpeckers have already moved into.
     
  3. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    Woodpeckers? How exciting. What are they - downy, northern flicker, red bellied, piliated? I think there are 7 or 8 types in Virginia - I've only seen three kinds.
     
  4. Dutchml

    Dutchml Member

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    I think it's a downy woodpecker...looks kinda like this:

    [​IMG]
     
  5. Dawne

    Dawne HOA Sec/Treas, Tech Comm

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    My husband builds Peterson Bluebird houses (when he has time) [http://www.coveside.biz/peterson-bluebird-house-plans.htm].

    We put one behind our house (on BullFrog Pond) 7 years ago. We also put out a standard nesting box.

    The first year we had Bluebirds in the Peterson. We had a little trouble with English Sparrows running them off for few years, but now that most residents have ceased using general mix birdseed, the English Sparrows are no longer here.

    We've had a mix of residents from the bluebirds to tree sparrows to black capped chickadees. Right now, we've got bluebirds again in the Peterson (see photo), and BCChickadees (eggs!) in the standard box.

    If BHOA is interested in putting out more bluebird boxes, my husband says he would help with building them.
     
  6. OSimpson

    OSimpson Certified Master Naturalist

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    Wildlife Habitat Committee has formed a "Blue Bird Monitoring Team". Working with Susanne, the Naturalist and the VA BB Society, which takes this job VERY seriously, this team will learn to make sure it's done right. We are now trying to locate all the ones we have in Broadlands to monitor, and yes they are probably will install more in the area. We also had 2 installed in our backyard by the wetlands and one of them has a nest after a week. We have seen bluebirds. They are soo cute and my family room and kitchen area is that "blue".

    I will stay in touch about when the team is ready to install more. I must say these families have kids walking around with Bird Books everyday. It will be a great community effort.
     
  7. Charlotte

    Charlotte New Member

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    How far apart do bluebird houses need to be? I have bluebirds in my 1 house and would like to put out another - maybe make a trail. (I don't live in Broadlands - but I thank you for so graciously allowing me to participate in these forums - lots of good info here!)
     
  8. OSimpson

    OSimpson Certified Master Naturalist

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  9. Dawne

    Dawne HOA Sec/Treas, Tech Comm

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    Looks like our BB's have homesteaded it. Three little blue ones waiting to hatch. We had to clean out a House Sparrow egg that we found in there. (Invasive non-indigenous species.) Seems the House Sparrows will drop an egg off - when they can't run the BB's off completely. Fortunately, our family is still quite happily tending this brood of three.
     
  10. Dawne

    Dawne HOA Sec/Treas, Tech Comm

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    Update:
    5 eggs today
     
  11. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    :)Eggcellent!
     
  12. marianne

    marianne Puppy Mommy

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    We have two bluebird houses, and we had two seasons with baby bluebirds. However, house sparrows have taken over the houses, and right now I am fighting my war with them, removing the nests every other day and trying to keep them off the deck. I stopped putting any birdfood with millet in the birdfeeders, hoping that being unsuccessful with their nesting effort and the food supplies having gone away will get rid of them.

    For Dawne, be very careful, and monitor the bluebirds every day. The sparrows will kill the bluebird babies and build their nest on top of them, if they can't run them off. I am so sad that our bluebird families aren't here this year, I hope they will be back.

    Marianne
     

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