It took me a long time to find out which roses worked for me, in an admittedly difficult environment, and then a rose that worked well for some years, like Burgundy Iceberg, suddenly decided to have blackspot and pass it on. I wish I could start over again with a clean slate and with the knowledge I have now. With roses being taken out or moved, I've often been left with spots to put new roses that are too close to other roses or not right for that particular rose, and glaringly empty spots. The whole thing strikes me as a hodgebodge which is further removed from my dream garden than ever. I hope that with six new roses to plant soon I can try to alleviate some of these defects. The bottom line is - roses are indispensable to me but they're not easy. Ingrid

Ray, this is exactly what I was thinking since it's been majorly a mild winter. The bluebirds especially caught a good break. Hoping the hunt on HOSP continues and more bluebirds fledge this year. Also hoping that a sudden cold snap doesn't hit this spring! Good luck, it's almost nesting time!! ~ Tim ~

That's cool Ray! I am a serious Purple Martin landlord wannabe! This will actually be my 4th season trying to establish, and I have learned so much over that time. The first 2 seasons, my pole was not in an optimal location, and so I moved it a few feet to a better location last year. Had LOTS of visitors last year, and am hoping that some of them will come back to me this year. I am offering 6 Troyer vertical gourds right now to start. Originally offered a house and some gourds, but found that the house only attracted the HOSP's in. I think that Martins in my area prefer gourds anyway. I have lots of Purple Martin landlord friends and some who live nearby to me fill their 80+ gourds each season. They are so much fun to observe!~~Angie

Hi Cathy You must be well north of me. Yes the population of bluebirds does decline after a harsh winter my numbers have stayed around 35 to 40 pairs the last few years... back in the 1990's the weather was different winters were mild and the bluebird population low at the time doubled in the mild years. New England had a cold spring of april of 2008 many females weak from there trip north perished on half made nest. Its just not winter weather that kills bluebirds! Food supply at its lowest in april many bluebirds perished and my flock which was already paired off were flying around the town and reforming there bonds with other bluebirds because of this extreme cold weather in april killed so many nest box's just ready for eggs were found with nothing but dead bluebirds I have such a volume of bluebirds that return here I did not feel the loss like so many others in near by states The month a may brings in the youngest of the bluebirds and what ever box's are empty are quickly taken by these first year breeders. I can support 60 pairs but only once in the 1990's were they all used by bluebirds. Alot depends on weather and your local population of bluebirds. My bluebird box's have been in place for years and with out question they are super prime locations. Bluebirds with care can live three to five years. Those are area's void of HOSP And cats! I have a few bluebirds that are absent I blame the harsh winter. But the sites should be taken by young bluebirds that i produced last year. Ray