[Bluebird-babble] Need info on BB nest box guards...

[Allan Reishus]

Kyle
I think you are doing the predator guard right.  Sounds good.  Tree swallows will use the box just fine with the predator guard.  Be sure to score the inside wood below the hole so little swallows have a "ladder".  As to staining, I have stained the outside of all my boxes (about 100) and they weather a lot better, but still dry out badly over 2-3 years.  Birds won't be dissuaded by the stain on the out side of the box.  I'd suggest, if possible, you store the stained boxes indoors somewhere over the winter and mount them in the early spring, thus saving one winter of weathering of the boxes.
Allan Reishus
Craig CO
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Kyle 
  To: bluebird-babble at denveraudubon.org 
  Sent: Monday, July 16, 2007 8:36 AM
  Subject: [Bluebird-babble] Need info on BB nest box guards...


  Questions, questions.
  ?> Is nest box predator guard just a piece of 1X with 1 9/16 " hole?

  I am building Bluebird nest boxes to give away to our owners association in the Fairplay area and have a question about the predator guard.  I just cut a small piece of 1X  (3/4 " thick) with the same 1 9/16 " hole as box, and screwed it on the front..... is this the proper way to do it?  I have been watching the birds and they seem reluctant to enter..... or they can't enter.... am I doing it right?  Will this keep tree swallows out? or can they use it also?

  Also.... I am putting stain on the box's exterior for protection from the harsh climate... will this affect the BB's adoption of the boxes?  they will probably weather all winter before the BBs return next spring.

  Kyle Sandersen
  Denver..... with bluebird boxes in Park County

  BTW we have tons of BBs up near Fairplay.



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