Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 8/9/2011

Question
I put out several  houses, they had fun looking at them, going in and out at least 10 times for each house. they finally chose one.  First hatching was five nice birds,  I was worried about the hot weather, but they seemed to survive it. When she wasn't going back to the nest anymore , I checked it, 3 dead birds on the ground and one dead one in the nest. She raised one.  I was feeding her 10 med. mealworms 3 times a day to help her with the young.  Her house was on a metal fence past.   I think it could have been sparrows or a raccoon, as a house near by had it's roof torn off. and I had glues some styrofoam to her house for insulation and it was torn off.   I emptied the nest and she had a new batch, just at the time they was to fly , they too got it.  two dead out of three, don't know yet if any lived.  What is your thoughts for me for nest year? better boxes?  better location?   I live in northwest Pa, so I thought it was good that I had two hatchings  Thank you  connie   PS I have your booklet

Answer
When houses are torn up it is almost always raccoons unless you have bears in the area. You need to install the cone or stovepipe guards. Also be sure that the houses are away from anything that they can climb on and reach the boxes. Also see the book information about the killer house sparrows. Good luck!