Posted by Alex on April 08, 2003 at 21:51:25:
In Reply to: Nest Box and baby chick update posted by Felipe on April 08, 2003 at 21:03:06:
It is always safe to bet on starlings taking over a nest box. They are very aggresive as you saw with the red-bellied woodpeckers. It is a shame that all the work of the woodpecker just becomes a home for the starling. A woodpecker project in a park about nearby directed by the park owner was disappointing because of the starlings. The park had 10 logs cut out and placed into the ground with nest boxes for the woodpeckers. All 10 were taken over by starlings. Oh well, better luck next time.Next time try to hide the nest boz in a different spot with LOTS of cover so that when the red-bellied woodpeckers creep in the tree, they may get a good start in the nest before the starlings find out about it. Starlings tend to stay out in the open, and don't venture into the thick bushes of a tree. Good luck, and good job with the baby birds.