Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 5/16/2011

Question
Hi Bluebird Bob Walshaw,

I have a bluebird box and a pair have been nesting for the last few weeks - First two eggs were discovered Sunday, May 15.  I observed both the male & female hanging out May 14.  Since the 14, I have not seen the male.  This morning,  another egg was laid for a total of 3 so far.  Is it usual for the male to not be near the nest?  It haven't seen the male in two days.  

I also have been having issues with sparrows near the box and the female is the only one around to shoo them away.  I put up a sparrow spooker yesterday when I saw two eggs.   As I was typing this, a sparrow was grabbing onto the entrance hole, ready to go in the box, I ran out and scared it off...even with a spooker!  Not sure what to do!?  

Should I remove the box after this brood - if they make it?

Thank you,

Mary

Answer
Egg laying can be slow with some of the cold weather that we have had. Sometimes the males stay away during this period, but if you are not seeing him at all a predator may have gotten him. The female may try to raise the family herself now that she has mated.

In this kind of situation the best thing to do is to shoot the house sparrow with a pellet gun. We also trap them but this is when they have taken a box of their own. The eggs and possibly the female will not survive unless you take aggressive action against the killer house sparrow. With Bluebirds using the box I would not move it. House sparrows will go everywhere.

If you don't already have it (I have sent out more than 2300) please send your mailing address to me at walshaw1@cox.net for my free 20 page Bluebird book. The address will be used only to mail the book. See page 19 for why you should have 3 or 4 boxes. Good luck, Bluebird Bob Walshaw.