AboutBluebird Bob Walshaw Expertise Questions about setting up and monitoring Eastern Bluebird houses. This includes where and how to put up houses, trouble shooting, fighting predators, and helping other small cavity nesters such as Chickadees, Titmice, Carolina Wrens, etc. Also a free 20 page Bluebird book is available by sending your mailing address to walshaw1@cox.net
Experience 15 years with an 100+ box Bluebird trail which has been accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail. Talks on Bluebirds to many organizations.
Organizations North American Bluebird Society, Audubon Society
Publications Bluebird Magazine, Birds and Blooms, Oklahoma Today, etc.
Education/Credentials BS, MBA, Cornell University Bird Biology course
Awards and Honors Blue Cross Ageless Hero, Red Cross Everyday Hero
Question I live in Crystal River Florida and have just put up a bluebird house. Within a day "Homer and Marge" have decided they like the condo. However, I keep having to chase off a woodpecker that is pecking around the entrance hole. Are woodpeckers threats? No nest yet. How can we protect the hole. Tried to buy a washer at Home Depot, but they didn't have one large enough. Thank you
Answer No, they are not a threat but they can be a nuisance, and squirrels sometimes enlarge entrances also. I have a 3 mile 100 box line and I am going to have to repair some too. I have some 4" X 4" 1/4" inch plywood blocks with 1 and 1/2 inch holes that I screw on over enlarged holes. Some people make these out of aluminum sheeting or formica, but I think wood is more natural.
If you will send your mailing address to walshaw1@cox.net I will send you a free 20 page Bluebird book. Bluebird Bob Walshaw.
