Gilwood Bluebird nest box???

[frog4gators]

I recently put up three different Gilwood boxes. One in the my backyard, which is in a residential neighborhood. The second in the back yard of a friend's house. His house is in the middle of no where. The third on my dad's horse farm. All facing east, into an open area, as suggested.

I made two minor modifications to the house. I added drain holes and a fledging ladder.

My box - within 20 minutes of putting it up there was a pair sitting on top of it. They looked inside the box but never went in. They have come back a few times but have yet to go in. All the specs are right but they won't go into it.

Friends box - next day they started building a nest. For over a week they were observed going in and out regularly. No activities for the last two days. A half built nest inside. He hasn't even seen them in his yard.

Farm box - full nest built. now no birds or eggs.

I know they make several nests before choosing one. From what I've researched this was supposed to be "the" bluebird box.

I am very puzzled why they won't even go into my box. The pole sways a little that it's attached to. Maybe the movement scares them? Could it be smell of the wood glue I used?

Anyone else had any problems? Or suggest a better box...

[mjs1973]

I have built and put up a total of 7 nest boxes in the last few years, but have never built a Gilwood box. The interior dimensions are pretty much the same on all of the boxes and I have had mixed results with them over the years. One box has had nesting BB's every year, others have never had BB's. Some have had house wrens, and others chickadees.

All are on polls that sway in the wind a bit so I don't think that is your problem. I was told once that BB's like to have their box face a tree or some type of cover, so that when they leave the box, they can see cover and have a safe place to fly to. That may be more important than having them face east.

I have seen BB's sitting on top of two of my boxes so far this year, but no nest building as of Sunday. I even put out meal worms near one of the boxes and as of Sunday they were still there so I don't know what to think of that.

In my area, I usually don't see nest building until into April so it may be that it's just too early for my BB's but it sounds like your birds are bit ahead of mine.

I have never used glue on my boxes so I don't know if that would make a difference or not. By glueing the boxes, perhaps it has made them too tight? Mine are a bit more sloppy and allow for some air movement through the box. I also have holes in the floor for drainage.

[frog4gators]

Yeah I'm not sure. One of the boxes is next to a bush so I'm not sure what's up.

It was like I got kicked in the gut when they shunned my boxes... LOL. It's still a little early. Praying for some help!.

[mjs1973]

I checked a couple of my boxes again yesterday afternoon and still nothing. The mealworms haven't been touched yet either...