Date: 2/17/26 11:31 am From: Isabel Reddy <isabel...> Subject: Re: Blue gray gnatcatcher FOY
Hello,
I’m pretty sure I saw a Blue gray gnatcatcher today. FOY.
Is this early for them?
Chapel Hill, NC
From: <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> on behalf of Norman Budnitz <carolinabirds...>
Date: Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 4:28 PM
To: Christopher Hill <chill...>
Cc: carolinabirds listserve <carolinabirds...>
Subject: Re: bird box squirrel preventer
We use these for our bluebird nest boxes. These are 1.5 inch diameter. There are also 1.125 inch versions. There may be other sizes available.
On Sun, Feb 8, 2026 at 12:47 PM Christopher Hill <carolinabirds...><mailto:<carolinabirds...>> wrote:
Hi all,
I have a box that Great Crested Flycatchers nest in every spring and summer. In the winter some squirrel always makes it their personal project to enlarge the hole and turn it into a squirrel nest. I would like to install a metal guard with 1 5/8" hole (or whatever, I'd have to go back and check the proper diameter) to prevent a third re-occurrence when I reclaim the box for flycatchers this spring. Just a piece of sheet metal with a hole and no sharp edges or burrs (so I don't want to try freehanding with tin snips, for example). Googling doesnm't work for any combination of words I have come up with - infinite places wanting to sell you baffles for a pole, but no metal hole guards. Anybody have an idea or a source?
CH
Chris Hill, Ph.D.
Professor
Biology Department
Coastal Carolina University
Office: Douglas 207H
(843) 349-2567
email: <chill...><mailto:<chill...>
