Well, finally got a chance to install 6 Peterson design Bluebird houses. I was holding back until all the areas designated for seeding with native grasses and wildflowers was completed; didn't want to get in the way of my farm-pal, his tractor, and the seed drill. Anyway, it's all done.
Bluebird houses are best installed away from timber and away from each other. As it winds up, I only built 6 of them and based on the amount of open space we have within the parcel, 6 is about all I need. 2 went in the 2 ac meadow, 2 at the driveway entrance meadow, and 2 at the pond (one on the dam and one on the bldg site). I'm gonna throw out a couple more boring details for those that may interested in the installation; whoever you are, please wake up. Actually, I want to share the construction of the predator guard baffle. Installation without one is foolish and an invitation to bird-disaster.
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Pounded in a 3/4" dia x 36" rebar. This fits very snug inside the I.D. of the 3/4" EMT electrical conduit we used as the support pole. I took a block of 3/4" thick cedar x 4" square, poked a 7/8" hole in the center, and dropped it over the rebar (just before slipping on the pipe) to keep the conduit pole from slipping downward into the soil, thus shortening the height of the entire structure.
I have been doing my Condello stretching exercises religiously, hence my ability to not only take the photo, but hold up the pipe for reference.
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The predator guard is an 8" galv stove pipe x 30" long. I had some galv sheet and cut the tops with snips and screwed it on (very similar to the wood duck box guards earlier in this thread). A 1-1/8" hole is drilled thru the center of the galv cap (or big enough to slip over the pole loosely). The pole is 60" long, pre-drilled at home to match up with holes in the cedar bird houses.
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The predator guard (or baffle) simply slips over the top of the pole and rests on a bracket made out of galv pipe strap.
This strap configuration keeps the baffle supported and allows it to rock as coons try to get a bear hug on it. I am uncertain how the "bumping in the wind" will be received by any prospective tenant.
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The birdhouse attaches with 2 pc 1/4" x 2-1/2" stainless steel carriage bolts and hardware.
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Close up the access cover with a screw and turn on the
Vacancy sign.
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(NOTE: 2 hours after they were installed, about a dozen Tree Swallows were taking turns checking them out and fighting over who was going in next)