It was a full house this last weekend at the Nestle Inn. Among the guests staying was a gentleman by the name of Paul White. He was in town with wife and family for a reunion. Mr. White asked me whether I had Bluebirds nesting around the property. (The last couple years I have at least one pair that return annually to nest and raise their young). The reason Mr. White was asking me this was because he is a strong advocate for the Bluebird. From my own experience, and from what Mr. White told me, Sparrows will take over nest boxes which prevent other species of birds from nesting. Also, Sparrows will drive out or kill other birds (such as Bluebirds and Tree Swallows) that have taken up residence in an existing nest box. (For further info click here)
Mr. White builds the type of bird house shown here that enable the Bluebirds and Tree Swallows to escape if threatened by Sparrows. Also, these bird houses deter Sparrows from using them because they are built to have a shallow interior. I was very happy when Mr. White offered to give me one. I immediately installed it on a fence post of the pasture. Thank you to Mr. Paul White for his insight and generosity as well as the inspiration to build some nest boxes of such a design as to deter Sparrows from nesting and promote the safety and nesting habits of the Bluebird.
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