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Birding/Bluebird nest in Chattanooga, TN

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Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 3/15/2009


Question
Our bluebird pair had built a very nice nest in the same box we have used in two previous years.  On Friday we saw the female going to the box several times.  When we looked at the nest on Saturday it was mostly destroyed.  When we looked at it Sunday it was gone.  House sparrows have been a continual problem for us; we have a baffel on the post to deter other predators.  Did HOSPs likely destroy the nest or should we be looking for another predator?  What can we do to protect our bluebird pair?  They continue to eat the mealworms we feed them but have made no efforts to rebuild.  Do you think they will?

Answer
Hopefully it was a house sparrow, and not a House Wren. House sparrows are alien birds and are not protected and can be trapped and eliminated, but House Wrens are protected. Send your mailing address to me at walshaw1@cox.net and I will send you a free 20 page Bluebird book that will tell you what to do. Bluebird Bob Walshaw.

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Bluebird Bob Walshaw

Expertise

I can answer almost any question on Eastern Bluebirds and small cavity nesters such as Chickadees, Titmice, Wrens, etc. Also general questions on other songbirds. No pet bird questions please.

Experience

I have had a 100+ nestbox trail for more than 20 years, I do a lot of writing, public speaking and educational work in this field. My hands-on Bluebird talks include more than 1000 people each year.

Organizations
Oklahoma Bluebird Society, North American Bluebird Society, National Audubon Society, Oklahoma Audubon Society, Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance

Publications
Bluebird Magazine, Oklahoma Today, Fur-Fish-Game, Birds & Blooms, Nature Society News,Back Woodsman Magazine, Tulsa World, Broken Arrow ledger, Teaching Tolerance magazine,Trappers World, OK Hole Story, Birders World

Education/Credentials
Degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, Graduate of the Home Study Course in Bird Biology from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Oklahoma Master Naturalist. I am also a pofessional speaker and writer.

Awards and Honors
Chosen as a public speaker for the North American Bluebird Society, Bluebird trail accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail, Chosen as a panel speaker at the 2006 NABS Convention.

Past/Present Clients
Many

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