You are here:

Birding/Snake Guards for bluebird houses???

Advertisement

Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 3/9/2009


Question
Last year, I watched a family of bluebirds build, and hatch little ones.  I looked out one day as heard the birds really upset and saw a snake wrapped around and in the bluebird house.  I managed to pry open the door with a broom handle and put the broom around the snake and yank him out but he had already eaten all of the little ones.  I live in a retirement community and only have so much room to place houses at the edge of the woods.  I have already sprinkled Snake Away around the trees and the area where the house is located but the family is back and I would certainly like to protect them this year.  Please advise me as what I can do.  Thank you.  I am 72 so it cannot be a difficult task.

Answer
Snake guards are not difficult or expensive to make. Your local hardwars store should be able to help you or you can do it yourself. You need a 36 inch circle of aluminum sheeting, or even easier a 36 inch circle of hardware cloth (what rabbit cages are made of)- cut a slot from one edge to the center and form a "coolie hat". Put this on the pole under the box and wire it closed into the "coolie" shape. Be sure there is no room between the hat and the post - close it with duct tape if necessary. Send your mailing address to walshaw1@cox.net and I will send you a free 20 page Bluebird book that will make you a Bluebird expert.

Birding

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.