LOCATING & MONITORING - backyard - Bluebird Housing System

LOCATING

· Mount in open area (takes about 2.5 acres per box) away from nearby shrubs, brush or small trees. When feeding and guarding, bluebirds like to perch up high and dart down to ground or next box.

· Some appealing areas are outer edges of large down-growing tree limbs, and wires. Be aware birds are very skittish of anyway that a climbing or jumping predator can use to raid the box.

· Bluebirds tolerate human involvement where they nest. They do not have a strong sense of smell. You can locate system near your home. Plan for easy viewing of bluebird activity from a favorite room in the home. Face front of box in an easterly direction to reduce afternoon heat from sun.

· System can be placed near, at edge of or even in the flower or vegetable garden. However plan for easy access to do regular monitoring of box.

· Since bluebirds are insect feeders, a large nearby grassy area or one free from large or tall weeds preferred.

· Bluebirds are territorial so if placing more than one system they must be 300 feet (100 steps) apart. However, there is another charming little bird who will like your bluebird box. It looks like a miniature purple martin. It's the tree swallow. They feed on flying insects. Bluebirds and tree swallows are compatible so boxes can be placed 20 feet apart. Never attach a bluebird house to a fence post, tree or utility pole. Doing so can place the bluebirds in danger from predators.

· Best to use a 6 ½ foot metal pipe driven into ground far enough so that hole is at eye level for easy monitoring, especially if children are involved.

· Painting the system will prolong its life. Not necessary for the birds benefit. But don't use white because this color may attract house sparrows.

· Many bluebirders like the "Forrest Green" color developed by Dale Glass in cooperation with Mt. Vernon Hardware. (See formula in notes)

MONITORING:

· During the nesting season ( March - August) check active (nest building and egg laying) bottom hinged boxes often.

· Once eggs hatch, monitor frequently, suggest every 2-3 days. But about 15 days from hatching be cautious, don't spook chicks. No, you won't scare parents away or harm the chicks. In fact you could save chicks from death by blood-sucking blow fly larvae!

PREDATORS:

· # 1 is house sparrow. This aggressive bird will raid the nest, peck or remove the eggs, kill the adults or the chicks. Then they will take over the box by building a messy nest and lay 4 to 7 white brown speckled eggs. If you hope to raise bluebirds this pest must be controlled. Removing nest helps but often the sparrow will come right back, even using nest material you discarded. Consider using the "BOLT" sparrow trap to eliminate this serious pest.

· Raccoons - raid nest for eggs, chicks or adults. They can reach to the bottom of the box through the entrance hole. System includes a guard to help prevent this but an old boar coon may breach the PVC guard. If this happens then install a modified "NOEL" guard.

· Wrens - often peck or remove eggs and quickly build a nest of sticks over top the bluebird nest. This stops any more bluebirds from using boxes the rest of the season. Keep removing wren nest. Check location. A system too near (100-150 feet) to brush or trees attracts wrens.

· Wasps - bluebirds may not build in a wasp infested box. If wasps come in after birds nest they may abandon the nest. NO PESTICIDES. In the cool of day use a broom handle to destroy wasp nest.

· More help available by contacting Brown Family Environmental Center at Kenyon College at 740- 427-5052
or Dale Glass, Knox County coordinator for the Ohio Bluebird Society at 740-397-5573

Remember it may take time for bluebirds to find or be attracted to you system - KEEP TRYING