I live in Northern Indiana. Please follow Backyard Birds advice on birds that make their homes in nest boxes. Before I became disabled, I followed his channel and used a lot of his information. I was able to fledge from the three trails I worked on about 4,000 bluebirds, 6,000 tree swallows, 100's of screech owls and chickadees, many flickers, wood ducks and tufted titmice. Near my health's end, I got into the nesting of great crested flycatchers. I was able to fledge about 100 of them and would have loved to be able to fledge many more. They are a great bird all around and definitely deserve our help. Backyard Birds is an excellent resource.
So glad your are making videos again Jeff. I’ve learned so much from you. I became a successful bluebird landlord in suburban central Ohio and last summer we moved to a rural location. Now, I’m also putting up nest boxes to attract other cavity nesters in decline like GCFL, NOFL, AMKE, and ESOW.
This is really exciting. I wish you the most success. I've not had kestrels or screech owl nest successfully. I think raccoons climbed pole and got them. Predator guards are so important. Starlings have been my biggest problem.
I've heard that they use snakeskin to distrack other birds from using the box,hopefully this will be my 3rd year having flycatchers, and today just seen my 1st purple martin scout😇
@@BackyardBirdsUS I started attracting flycatchers in 2021,they nested laid eggs and left I have no idea why, in 2022 had a pair and had the chance to monitor them and seen the young grow and take off,what a beautiful site,not just that,I've been having purple martins for the past 35 yrs,it's almost February and waiting for the return of the purple martins, few days to get my 3 Martin boxes cleaned up along with the 16 Gourds.Very nice video really enjoyed it. And by the way the 1st year I played a recording of flycatchers to attract them and it worked👍
I utilize traps but I also find a highly accurate pre charged pneumatic air rifle in 22 or 25 caliber to be extremely useful in keeping sparrows and starlings from native birds nest boxes! One thing I've learned using an air rifle is sparrows are much more aware they are being targeted than starlings! I had a great crested in my front yard in woodpecker hole. I may try putting a nest box close to that tree! (Not to close)
This is the first time I have seen Great breasted flycatchers nesting in my backyard. We recently had bluebirds just leave this particular nest box (the bluebirds use it every year, but after first brood fledges they move to the box on the front porch) and I just caught the flycatchers building. I am anxious to see how they do, as this box is only mounted about six feet up on the side of a shed. It does have a piece of smooth plexiglass behind it, as I had a very happy rat snake full of baby bluebirds last year. I have never seen this type of flycatcher in my backyard before, so fingers crossed! Thanks for the information in your video!
We have GCFs here, so I put up two boxes for them. They’ve not used them, but bluebirds do and seem to prefer the larger boxes for some reason, and interestingly… the female bluebird builds the nest cup on one side of the box in the corner like the flycatchers do. Pretty neat. Questions about the boxes… the pole system I have doesn’t extend above 5’, and the only telescoping pole I have doesn’t seem to be something a stovepipe style predator guard will work on and actually makes it where the pole won’t lower. Is there a way around this? The pole baffles I have on the current nest box poles are raccoon baffles from WBU, but those won’t work on the telescoping pole we have. Unfortunately, I watched the female GCF gathering nesting materials a little while ago, and she flew in the opposite direction of our property. We have a lot of woodpeckers, so they may have found a natural cavity. Love the video. It’s very informative. Thank you for making it and sharing your experience and knowledge.
@@BackyardBirdsUS central jersey in the pine barrens . There are 2 holes in the concrete and they made a nest. . I can hear the babies today . Love to send you a picture
I don't think that is true. I have found when they nest starlings are about done. But if a starling has a nest I'm doubtful Flycatchers would nest. But would love you see an example of what you say.
@@BackyardBirdsUS,when putting up 2 boxes how far apart should they be?for as checking the box,how long can you leave the nest box lowered if a repair on the roof is needed?have hinge on the roof and the wind blew it open.
Just saw my first flycatcher in Wisconsin yesterday. Thank you for the great video
I live in Northern Indiana. Please follow Backyard Birds advice on birds that make their homes in nest boxes. Before I became disabled, I followed his channel and used a lot of his information. I was able to fledge from the three trails I worked on about 4,000 bluebirds, 6,000 tree swallows, 100's of screech owls and chickadees, many flickers, wood ducks and tufted titmice. Near my health's end, I got into the nesting of great crested flycatchers. I was able to fledge about 100 of them and would have loved to be able to fledge many more. They are a great bird all around and definitely deserve our help. Backyard Birds is an excellent resource.
Thank you. You made my day. I'm sorry about your health. I hope you can still do some nest box monitoring. You've really made a difference
Wow,,,you are incredible,,,,thank you 💕 ♥️ 💖 ❤️
@@BackyardBirdsUSyou spoke of putting up extra nest box,how far apart should they be?
So glad your are making videos again Jeff. I’ve learned so much from you. I became a successful bluebird landlord in suburban central Ohio and last summer we moved to a rural location. Now, I’m also putting up nest boxes to attract other cavity nesters in decline like GCFL, NOFL, AMKE, and ESOW.
This is really exciting. I wish you the most success. I've not had kestrels or screech owl nest successfully. I think raccoons climbed pole and got them. Predator guards are so important. Starlings have been my biggest problem.
Great insights, thank you. Shed snakeskin?!? I never would have guessed!
It's amazing that these birds will look for that and add it. This must be a sign of intelligence.
I've heard that they use snakeskin to distrack other birds from using the box,hopefully this will be my 3rd year having flycatchers, and today just seen my 1st purple martin scout😇
That's so exciting!
The snakeskins are a mystery to me as to why they do it. Imagine them looking for such a thing.
Love the info. I have a pr hanging around..blues too
Excellent!
Great video, very helpful.
Glad you can use it.
@@BackyardBirdsUS I started attracting flycatchers in 2021,they nested laid eggs and left I have no idea why, in 2022 had a pair and had the chance to monitor them and seen the young grow and take off,what a beautiful site,not just that,I've been having purple martins for the past 35 yrs,it's almost February and waiting for the return of the purple martins, few days to get my 3 Martin boxes cleaned up along with the 16 Gourds.Very nice video really enjoyed it. And by the way the 1st year I played a recording of flycatchers to attract them and it worked👍
Thanks for telling your story. So good to hear from others who help wildlife. I want people maybe but haven't had them yet.
@@BackyardBirdsUSawesome video,when putting up 2,3 boxes does it matter which way its facing? TY.
Nice vid.
Thank you. Hope it was educational
Thanks
Thanks for watching.
@@BackyardBirdsUShello, does the flycatchers box have to be 10ft exactly or does it matter if higher? TY.
I utilize traps but I also find a highly accurate pre charged pneumatic air rifle in 22 or 25 caliber to be extremely useful in keeping sparrows and starlings from native birds nest boxes! One thing I've learned using an air rifle is sparrows are much more aware they are being targeted than starlings! I had a great crested in my front yard in woodpecker hole. I may try putting a nest box close to that tree! (Not to close)
I need to start shooting the ones i can't trap. They are so smart and wary. Thanks for the input.
This is the first time I have seen Great breasted flycatchers nesting in my backyard. We recently had bluebirds just leave this particular nest box (the bluebirds use it every year, but after first brood fledges they move to the box on the front porch) and I just caught the flycatchers building. I am anxious to see how they do, as this box is only mounted about six feet up on the side of a shed. It does have a piece of smooth plexiglass behind it, as I had a very happy rat snake full of baby bluebirds last year. I have never seen this type of flycatcher in my backyard before, so fingers crossed! Thanks for the information in your video!
I'm very excited for you. I remember the first time i saw mine beating. It was so very exciting. I think they will return yearly. Where are you?
@@BackyardBirdsUS north central Florida.
We have GCFs here, so I put up two boxes for them. They’ve not used them, but bluebirds do and seem to prefer the larger boxes for some reason, and interestingly… the female bluebird builds the nest cup on one side of the box in the corner like the flycatchers do. Pretty neat.
Questions about the boxes… the pole system I have doesn’t extend above 5’, and the only telescoping pole I have doesn’t seem to be something a stovepipe style predator guard will work on and actually makes it where the pole won’t lower. Is there a way around this?
The pole baffles I have on the current nest box poles are raccoon baffles from WBU, but those won’t work on the telescoping pole we have.
Unfortunately, I watched the female GCF gathering nesting materials a little while ago, and she flew in the opposite direction of our property. We have a lot of woodpeckers, so they may have found a natural cavity.
Love the video. It’s very informative. Thank you for making it and sharing your experience and knowledge.
Hopefully next year they will nest in your box. I have a video on making a10 releasing pole out of EMT conduit. That's what I recommend.
Trial and error 👍
Yes yes yes. Learned a lot over the years
Do they get alone with blue birds?
Your saying to trap the invasive birds but what do you do when you trap them?
Euthanize them humanely
What month did your Great Crested Flycatchers start nest building?
I have them nesting in my concrete building
Tell me more. What kind of building. Where are you?
@@BackyardBirdsUS central jersey in the pine barrens . There are 2 holes in the concrete and they made a nest. . I can hear the babies today . Love to send you a picture
You can contact me via my channel page on here. Pretty cool.
Apparently, this species is aggressive enough to even push out starlings
I don't think that is true. I have found when they nest starlings are about done. But if a starling has a nest I'm doubtful Flycatchers would nest. But would love you see an example of what you say.
@@BackyardBirdsUS Mostly anecdotes that I've read, as well as a study from Florida. I'm on the hunt for footage of this behavior.
Excellent. Please share. I love the knowledge from this channel.
@@BackyardBirdsUS,when putting up 2 boxes how far apart should they be?for as checking the box,how long can you leave the nest box lowered if a repair on the roof is needed?have hinge on the roof and the wind blew it open.