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The pendulum is an efficient tool if you know how to use it


To operate pendulum correctly with bluebirds

At the beginning of each season of nesting, it is undoubtedly the start of a struggle for the nesting boxes. The sparrows and the tree swallows aimed the homes intended for the bluebirds.

For the bluebirds fans, it is natural to install nesting boxes in tandem. The tree swallows and bluebirds tolerate themselves when they nest close from each other. It is different with sparrows.

The drama is when the tree swallows or the sparrows decide to settle in a nesting box already occupied by the bluebirds. The aggressiveness of tree swallows and the sparrows will succeed over the bluebirds. Unfortunately, the brood is often lost with so much less bluebirds.

What to do then ? Walk the path of bluebirds all day long ? Here is an idea to make the most tenacious amateurs crazy.

Why not install a simple pendulum at the front of the nesting box ?

It is true, it would require so much of them to cover all nesting boxes offered to the bluebirds. However, there is a solution for everyone.

One hangs a pendulum where the bluebirds decided to settle, quite simple.

1) THE PENDULUM IS A TOOL FOR THE AMATEUR
The pendulum is an efficient tool, and over all, we must learn how to use it. For the bluebirds, it’s an obstacle which they can to overcome quickly.

Once they succeed, they will definitely be sheltered from sparrows and tree swallows during the whole season.

2) HOW TO OPERATE THE PENDULUM
Once on the arrow, the pendulum is calibrated to greet the tree swallow. However, as it is possible the swallow may need a helping hand, the bluebird also. To this end, the adjustment at the arrows is only a guide.

3) OVER ALL
3.1) You must make the pendulum motionless during the first day (by turning the weight under the pendulum).

The bluebird will easily learn how to pass it. It will observe it thoroughly, cling to it, and finally cross it. In general, a few minutes are enough. And if you attend the scene, you will be amazed by the agility of your favourites.

3.2) The second day, the education of the bird begins. You should gradually adjusts the pendulum while making it more sensitive. Usually, two or three interventions are enough during the same day. You can spread the interventions over two days if you want it.

In fact, to prevent the tree swallow or the sparrow to adapt the nesting box, the weight of the pendulum must be brought back to the one of tree swallows (21 grams). To do this, you slowly rotate the weight under the pendulum until the two arrows meet.

According to the availability of each one. You proceed by step, two or three times, over a period of one or two days.

The tree swallows and the sparrows must also practice to pass the pendulum. They will not have time to learn because the bluebirds couple will quickly drive them out.

Then the bluebirds will be protected during the whole season.

4) IF THERE ARE EGGS OR BABIES IN THE NESTING BOX
You can add a pendulum even if the bluebirds brood or hatch eggs.

The procedure is the same one as described above. In fact, our first experiments were successful with babies in the nesting boxes.

ATTENTION
It is very important to leave the pendulum in operation until the young ones leave the nest. Otherwise, they would be at the mercy of predators.