I am sadden to report that on 07/14/07, Mike passed away after a bout with cancer. The cancer was only diagnosed in June 2007. The birding world has lost a great friend.

This Bluebird nest box, Worley's Slippin Silo, is “A CAVITY NESTER'S PALACE AND A LANDLORD'S DREAM.” It was designed and built by a very experienced bluebirder, and although it will function nicely for any Bluebird landlord, it was intended for the serious bluebirder who conducts frequent nest checks and/or Bluebird trail field trips. The design feature of its removable nest cavity (without the use of any tools) makes it quick and easy to conduct a nest check or take photos, as well as showing the nest contents to short people without lifting them up to the mounted nest box. This nest box truly represents the “Cadillac” of Bluebird nest boxes.

The Slippin Silo is constructed of 6” PVC plastic sewage pipe and contains a removable nest chamber (nest-insert). Each silo purchase includes a 12-page user's manual. Most of the component parts are illustrated in the attached photo series. The dimensions are: 13 3/8” high, 6” diameter, 1 ½” entrance hole, weight: 3 ½ lbs.

The silo can be mounted higher than conventional boxes but short landlords still have easy inspection access. A higher mounting offers more “predator guard space” and a greater distance for a climbing predator to travel to reach the nest cavity.

Makes the task of showing nest contents to children much easier; one does not have to lift a class of first graders (individually) up to look into the box to see the eggs or nestlings. Simply remove the nest-insert and take it down to the children's eye level

To rid the nest-insert of parasites or disease, simply fashion a nest in a clean nest-insert and move the eggs/chicks into it. Then submerse the infected nest-insert in a bucket of bleach water to disinfect. Users should have at least one extra nest-insert.

Inserts are available for multiple use: For House Sparrow control, remove the nest-insert and replace it with a trap- insert (Van Ert PVC sparrow Trap). After trapping a bird, simply remove the insert and identify the species of bird that it contains. House sparrow can be euthanized by putting the insert into a paper or plastic bag & give it a shot of aerosol engine starting fluid (ether) or use engine exhaust from any gasoline engine.

During extremely hot weather, the plastic nest-insert bottom can be removed to increase air circulation through the nest. The nest screen will support the nest.

The six crescent shaped vent holes in the top of the silo provide 2.25 square inches of vent space. In addition, the nest support screen and bottom vents (and/or removable bottom) offer considerably more cooling capacity than most wood nest boxes.

Nest replacements are very easy because a new nest can be formed with grass clippings in another insert before removing the chicks from a wet or parasite infested nest.

The “nest support screen” provides an air space between the nest and the plastic bottom (jar lid) allowing more air to circulate that promotes faster cooling and drying of the nest & nestlings.

There are more square inches (3.274) of nest space in a Slippin Silo (28.274) than there are in a 5” square wooden box (25 square inches).