2002 Test . . .

An invitation was extended to fellow monitors to try the 2-hole mansions at single-box sites and report their test results on a weekly basis.    Bluebirds need about 2 acres of forage per box to feed nestlings.  My observations have been that bluebirds cannot protect multiple boxes in their forage area and any extra bluebird-sized boxes near a bluebird nest is an invitation for house sparrows to come in and cause problems. 

Fawzi decided to pair all his sites by April 24, 2002; therefore, his online test logs end on that date.  He had very good results during 2002 and you can reach him at: femad@erols.com

 

Fawzi Emad — Laytonsville, MD  

Fawzi tested downsized mansions with floors of 4.5"x6" and hole-to-floor drops of 7.5 inches.  All four test sites had a history of active house sparrow competition (see details below).

Fawzi controls house sparrows by trapping and handicapping them (trimming their wings).   He also pairs boxes with the hopes that tree swallows will protect nearby bluebird boxes.  During the 2002 test year, Fawzi also set out traps and used mono filament line to deter/control house sparrows.  

Fawzi's Site #1-A (Paired):   

History using 1-holed boxes:  During 2001, this site had a set of paired NABS 1-holed boxes.  Eastern bluebirds used one box and tree swallows used the other simultaneously.  After tree swallows fledged, house sparrows began attacking the bluebirds. 

2002:  This site can be viewed from his windows and will have a pair of 2-holed Mansions so that one box can be used for trapping purposes.

Oct. 18, 2001

FAWZI   #1-A (Paired)

Temp Roostbox
10/25/01 Bluebirds seen in site area Will be Paired (with below box)
Nov/Dec 2001 Bluebirds seen in site area  
Jan. 2002 Nothing reported  
2/19/02 Poop indicating the roostbox is being used.  Will be replaced with mansion soon.
2/21/02 Bluebirds check mansion right away Removed roostbox; installed 2-holed mansion.
3-2 At least 4 EABL hopping on both boxes at this paired site; no HOSP seen  
3-8 Pair EABL came to top of box & feeder;  Replaced existing box with a box that has silicone beads on inside back and sides.
3-9, 3-16 Box=0, Pair EABL came to feed  
3/21 Box=0 (still empty)  
4/1 Box=0, EABL flying around pair of boxes  
4/2 Box=0, EABL going in and out of box often  
4/4 Grasses in a circle around corners of the box floor  
4/9, 4/12 Completed EABL nest, male divebombs  
4/14 to 4/20 5 EABL eggs, male divebombs  
4/24   Fawzi adds a box to Site #3. As of 4/24, no single-box sites are left to track at Fawzi's location.

Fawzi's Site #1-B (Paired with above box):   

Oct. 18, 2001

FAWZI   #1-B (Paired)

Winterized 2-holed Mansion  1&9/16" hole
10/25/01 Bluebirds seen in site area Will be Paired (with above box)
Nov/Dec 2001 Bluebirds seen in site area  
Jan. 2002 Nothing reported  
2/19/02 Also being used for roosting. No other signs in box.  
2/26/02 Pair check in box thoroughly; 4 bluebirds seen here during day  
3/2/02 At least 4 EABL hopping on both boxes at this paired site; no HOSP seen  
3-8 Pair EABL came to top of box & feeder;  Replaced existing box with a box that has silicone beads on inside back and sides.
3-9, 3-16 Box=0, Pair EABL came to feed  
3/21, 4/1, 4/2  Box=0 (still empty)  
4/4, 4/7 Few grasses around box floor   
4/9 - 4/20 Box=0  
4/24   Fawzi adds a box to Site #3. As of 4/24, no single-box sites are left to track at Fawzi's location.

 

Fawzi's Site #2  — History with 1-holed box:  During 2000, house sparrows attacked nesting eastern bluebirds.  During 2001, two clutches of eastern bluebirds fledged.  

Oct. 18, 2001

FAWZI   #2

 2-holed Mansion + Temp. Roost Box
10/25/01 Bluebirds seen in site area (Will be single mansion site)
Nov/Dec 2001 Bluebirds seen in site area  
Jan. 2002 Nothing reported  
2/19/02 EABL nest in 2-hole mansion; made of pine needles Roostbox shows use/will be removed soon.
2/20/02 HOSP takes over 2-holer w/nest; EABL hover on roostbox Set trap on ground
2/21/02 Bluebirds try to take back box; HOSP left for now Roostbox removed; now single-box site
2/22/02 Male HOSP sitting on box; several bluebirds in nearby tree  
2/23/02 HOSP comes, EABL leave, and vice versa all day long  
2/25/02 Male HOSP gone.  
2/26/02 4 EABL seen, no interest in mealies, lots of singing  
3/2/02 HOSP "in control", 4 to 6 EABL also go on box; HOSP added some grass onto EABL pine needle nest  
3/3/02 Female EABL went in and out of box several times.  Male and two other EABL around.  After a few minutes, male HOSP came and sat on top of box.  EABL watched.  
3-5 Pair HOSP go in and out of box. Male HOSP and male EABL share box top as if friends, no fighting.  
3-8 HOSP flew out of box. Pair EABL came to check box.  Box replaced with one that has silicone beads on inside back and sides. Flat/messy bluebird nest was thrown away.
3-9 M&F EABL came to feed, M&F HOSP go in and out of box.  Male HOSP brings nest material. Female HOSP in and out of box. EABL look on.  
3/16 Box has 3" start of HOSP nest  
3/21   HOSP nest removed
3/23 Male HOSP inside the box during the morning (looking out left hole); Both M&F easterns going in during mid-day.  
3/30 Male HOSP and EABL take turns entering box.  
4/1 Male HOSP remains close, often sits inside looking out of left hole.  EABL on top of box; when HOSP leaves, EABL enter box. Took out HOSP straws and scattered them. 
4/2 Stalemate continues  
4/4   Add monofilament to discourage HOSP
4/7 EABL seen, no HOSP seen  
4/8   Mowing crew takes box from ground and puts on post (paired)EABL enter it and use it for a perch (left in place)
4/8 Orig 2-holed mansion = Ring of grass on floor Newly mounted 1-holed box (paired) = 0
4/12 Completed EABL nest; Fawzi sees the male EABL attack a squirrel, mocker, jay, grackle and starling.  
4/15 - 4/20 5 EABL eggs and lovely pair  
4/24   Fawzi adds a box to Site #3. As of 4/24, no single-box sites are left to track at Fawzi's location.

 

Fawzi's Site #3 — History with 1-holed boxes:  This site is surrounded by trees on three sides and has never attracted eastern bluebirds.   There have been nesting attempts by wrens, tree swallows and house sparrows. The site previously had a Peterson and a Gilwood.  

Oct. 18, 2001

FAWZI   #3

 2-Holed Mansion (Winterized)
10/25/01 Bluebirds seen in site area Will be single mansion site
Nov/Dec 2001 No activity observed  
Jan. 2002 Nothing reported  
2/19/02 Not being used for roosting Holes now 1&9/16" + sanded
2/20/02 HOSP took 2-hole mansion (no apparent bluebird competition)  
3/2/02 HOSP activity; straw, grass and other stuff  
3-5   Removed box to install silicone beads inside back and sides
3-8   Replacement box, no silicone
3-9 Several EABL seen for the first time.  
3-16 Box has 2" high HOSP nest start  
3/21   HOSP nest removed
4/1   Took out HOSP straws
4/2 HOSP looking out Holes 4/4 Remove HOSP straws
4/7 - 4/9 -0-  
4/12 HOSP nest in box; HOSP pair and pair of EABL on fence. Put HOSP nest on roof of box
4/14 - 4/20 HOSP nest material brought in (removed) almost daily.   Almost daily removal of nests
4/24   Fawzi adds a box to Site #3. As of 4/24, no single-box sites are left to track at Fawzi's location.

 

Fawzi's Site #4-A; History with 1-holed box:   Eastern bluebirds fledged from this site in 1999. During 2000 and 2001, only house sparrows attempted to nest.  This site can be viewed from his windows and will have a pair of 2-holed Mansions so that one box can be used for trapping purposes.

Oct. 1, 2001

FAWZI   #4-A (Paired)

 2-Holed Mansion (Winterized)
10/25/01 Starlings in area of mansion Bluebirds chased starlings away
Nov/Dec. 2001 No activity observed  
Jan. 2002 Nothing reported  
2/19/02 No activity Holes now 1&9/16" + sanded
2/21/02 HOSP around mansion Put ground trap here
2/22/02 HOSP in control (no competition) Shows no interest in ground trap
2/23/02 Trapped female; male left in PM  
2/25/02 Male HOSP didn't show  
2/26/02 Male HOSP and pair of EABL compete for mansion; EABL leave; HOSP on and in nestbox  
3/2/02 HOSP activity, some grass in box  
3-5   Removed box to install silicone beads inside back and sides
3-8   Replacement box, no silicone
3-9 Pair EABL came to feed  
3/16, 3/21, 4/1 Box=0 (still empty)  
4/2 EABL in & out of box often  
4/4 Nest start (EABL or HOSP?)  
4/7 EABL nest, 3" deep, bare center  
4/9 Completed nest, no birds seen  
4/12 Female stayed on nest  Did not disturb her
4/12 - 4/16 5 EABL eggs  
4/24   Fawzi adds a box to Site #3. As of 4/24, no single-box sites are left to track at Fawzi's location.

 

Fawzi's Site #4-B (Paired with above nestbox)

Oct. 18, 2001

FAWZI   #4-B (Paired)

 2-Holed Mansion (Winterized)
10/25/01 Bluebirds seen in site area  
Nov/Dec 2001 No activity observed  
Jan. 2002 Nothing reported  
2/19/02 Bird was resting inside box, flew out when opened; couldn't ID Holes now 1&9/16" + sanded
3/2/02 HOSP activity, some grass in box  
3-5   Removed box to install silicone beads inside back and sides
3-8   Replacement box, no silicone
3-9 Pair EABL came to feed  
3/16 - 4/20 Box=0 (still empty)  
4/24   Fawzi adds a box to Site #3. As of 4/24, no single-box sites are left to track at Fawzi's location.

 

Sorry, because of spammers, my personal email will no longer be provided.

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