It’s time for bluebirds

I love bluebirds! They are one of the coolest little birds that graces our area. The eastern bluebird is the species we get around here and now is the time to put up boxes to help these little guys find a home.

The best part about putting up bird boxes is that a bluebird box can bring enjoyment for years to come. So, there may be no better way to show your love for nature than to provide a bluebird box for a pair of blue, lovebirds to raise a family.

Though this may seem early, male Eastern bluebirds are already looking for potential cavities and happily a male bluebird will accept a manmade house as a cavity. Once a male has found what he considers the perfect cavity he starts to sing near the cavity to attract a female.

I went to a local lumber supplier last night and purchased cedar fence pickets for a good price. The pressure treated pickets are cheaper, but I prefer the longevity and natural pest prevention of cedar. One 6 foot fence picket is just about right for a bluebird box.

If you already have a nestbox for bluebirds, be sure that the structure of the box is undamaged and make any needed repairs. Clean out the box of any old nests or insects.

Their nests must be removed from the bluebird house. If you allow the house sparrows to reproduce you are creating more problems for all of our native birds such as the Eastern bluebird and Carolina chickadee that nest in cavities.

House sparrows are not protected by state and federal laws like most other birds, so their nests and eggs can be removed and destroyed.

Here are a few tips from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on placement of boxes:

· Rural locations have less competition from sparrows or starlings.

· Locate houses in reasonably open areas — the birds will not nest in the woods.

· Locate houses a considerable distance from buildings if possible.

· Pastures, golf courses, cemeteries and other open fields are great locations.

· The house entrance should face south or southeast.

· Space houses about 100 feet apart – bluebirds are very territorial.

· Houses should be mounted at a height of from 5 to 7 feet from the ground.

· It is not necessary to paint the bluebird house, but if it is painted, use a light color, and do not paint the inside.

For nest box plans and ideas on where to hang bird boxes, check out the North American Bluebird Society’s web page at nabluebirdsociety.org.