Another Year - Another Try

by Jeff West
(Grand Blanc. Michigan)

My bluebird experience started in May of 2001 with a nestbox my daughter had made me in her 5th grade bluebird project class.

She gave it to me as a Christmas gift in 1998 and I was so touched because of the events that were occurring in our lives at the time.

Unfortunately I was aware that I lived in the middle of 'sparrow haven' and wasn't too sure this nestbox would draw the birds of choice.

The nestbox sat in my front room as a decoration for 1 year and my daughter witnessed the reason for it not being hung up yet.. hoards of sparrows everywhere in my yard.

After 1 year of it decorating my front room, I gave it to her so she could hang it at her house (I was recently divorced) because that house seemed more suitable for potential blues.

Well, the nestbox stayed at her house 1 year without being hung on the pole that sported an old nestbox.

After 2 yrs of no use, I had her return it to my house and around Memorial Day of 2001, it found its way to my front tree right in the middle of sparrow haven.

Within 10 days and loads of front yard work being done at my house, one of the contractors informed me that I had bluedirds at that box.

I couldn't believe it because all I ever saw at that box was a male sparrow. Amidst all of the racket of deck work, tree cutting, and vehicles filling my driveway, I witnessed a pair of blues building a nest in a box that I never thought would see such a bird.

Yes, right in the middle of sparrow haven.

I had back to back success in 2001 and 2002. The sparrows caused too much friction in 2003 for the blues to stay.

I was skunked in 2004 and 2005 but after much frustration and the addition of a sparrow trap, 2006 was a success. Last yr. in 2007 brought me close to a pair but they didn't stay.

Ok, here we go. It's 2008 and on March 14th and 15th I saw a male bluebird at the box along with a pair of blues hanging out in my neighbors backyard to the west.

Today is April 7th and I have seen no activity since the March dates. My daughter is now a junior in college and still appreciates my endeavors that spawned from her 5th grade bluebird project.

I have several nestboxes now in which to work with but the one she made now sits at a friends house just waitng for a pair of blues to pay homage.

Who would have thought that so much would have gone forth from a 5th grade project. Yes.. I am still waiting.