When I lived in Poconos Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2005. I made 12 nest boxes mounted on Cedar Poles that are approved by the Pennsylvania State Wildlife and game commission. These nest boxes were easy to construct and easily cleaned and treated with organic approved insecticide each winter. In early fall I dug the Cedar Poles into the ground. I first charred the bottoms to prevent them from rotting. In early winter I mounted the nest boxes on the Cedar poles.I couldn’t believe, that most of the boxes were used by bluebirds the first year and every year after. There is actually a healthy population of bluebirds where I lived in the Poconos.
I've been building Bluebird Nesting Boxes for 10 years now, with Cedar and have an access door on the left side. I've definitely helped increase their population in Nassau County, Fernandina Beach, Florida. Here they use pine needles, for their Nesting material. Thanks to everyone helping their population. They LOVE dried mealworms.
great video. only recently did I discover these birds at my feeder. They are so beautiful. They seem to love meal worms. It's almost a full-time job keeping the House Sparrows and European Starlings and Grackles away. Interestingly when I put the GoPro camera in the tray feeder, the grackles will not enter the feeder.
True story… put first box up right before lunch, went inside and ate a sandwich, afterwards looked outside and there were already a pair of bluebirds sitting on it!! Remember to always put a baffle on post to keep snakes out.
Thanks for an excellent tutorial on most of what a Newbie needs to know about both bluebirds and do's&don'ts to provide a good habitat in our back yards. I am a newbie re birds but have started to set up a couple of boxes in my backyard especially for bluebirds as I live in North Carolina where we do have a good population of these wonderful songbirds
I've been so worried about disturbing my Blue Birds that I basically let the garden go to He**. I'm in New Jersey and I've had birdhouses up for several years with no takers. But this year a Bluebird couple moved in, and I've been watching them for weeks. When their babies arrived I began putting out live mealworms for the first time in my life. The Bluebird couple are so grateful for them, and I'm trying to get them used to dried mealworms. Yesterday, I got to witness the chick's first flight as they fledged from the nest! But the parents still come for the mealworms, and I'm hoping they'll bring their young to the mealworms soon. Now I'm wondering if the parents will nest again after these chicks are on their own?
You need to indicate a metal pipe should be used for mounting not a T stake, metal pole such as a 1/2-3/4" conduit will allow a predator guard such as a 8"x60" round duct with cap will keep all predators. from getting access to the box
We have a pair of blue birds this year first time. Live in Southern Massachusetts. They are very playful and fun to watch. Only problem is they like to look in their reflection in and have found my car rear view mirror the best . So I have bird poop lots on my car daily. I have tried hanging mirror for them, but to no avail. So now I just cover my mirrors with bags. But some of my neighbors may not be so nice😢 I am worried, any idea how I could give them a mirror ?
Is it possible bluebirds might next under porch eave on a light wal light fixture? I have had several birds next in same spot. This time I left old next to discourage since I scare them going in and out. I am gone early spring and they nest when house is quite. Then I get back home and I am unexpected traffic to what birds thought was a quite abode. Hard to get good look in shadows. Thought it was gray for a while but got a look at the rusty orange and white breast today. Not as blue. It is a female if its a bluebird.
You'll be fine. Think about all the cavity nesting birds in tree holes. Lawn mowers, planes, helicopters shouldn't be a problem. Close range fireworks during incubation and brooding can sometimes scare the mother bird away.
Hello to all, lm knew to all this lm in South Carolina. I’ve made a few bluebird nest boxes. I’m now unsure of the nest that l now have, could you or someone please tell what kind of nest this? Thanks for your help
I caught that too , don’t understand that . I pick them up occasionally and saving. I want to throw them in the air if we get tree swallows again . I have watched people throw them and the swallows go after them sometimes. Hope I don’t get in trouble 😂
I have always had great success facing bluebird houses to the EAST. Our most fierce storms well-up from the south.
My birds face east too didnt even know
A lady bluebird is a picky beast who likes her front door pointing east, away from wind with morning rays, and acres of fields to spend her days.
You are a great educator! Thank you for this helpful video.
When I lived in Poconos Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2005. I made 12 nest boxes mounted on Cedar Poles that are approved by the Pennsylvania State Wildlife and game commission. These nest boxes were easy to construct and easily cleaned and treated with organic approved insecticide each winter.
In early fall I dug the Cedar Poles into the ground. I first charred the bottoms to prevent them from rotting. In early winter I mounted the nest boxes on the Cedar poles.I couldn’t believe, that most of the boxes were used by bluebirds the first year and every year after. There is actually a healthy population of bluebirds where I lived in the Poconos.
Very good info.
I've been building Bluebird Nesting Boxes for 10 years now, with Cedar and have an access door on the left side.
I've definitely helped increase their population in Nassau County, Fernandina Beach, Florida.
Here they use pine needles, for their Nesting material.
Thanks to everyone helping their population.
They LOVE dried mealworms.
great video. only recently did I discover these birds at my feeder. They are so beautiful. They seem to love meal worms. It's almost a full-time job keeping the House Sparrows and European Starlings and Grackles away. Interestingly when I put the GoPro camera in the tray feeder, the grackles will not enter the feeder.
Great video!
True story… put first box up right before lunch, went inside and ate a sandwich, afterwards looked outside and there were already a pair of bluebirds sitting on it!! Remember to always put a baffle on post to keep snakes out.
Thank you for this good information!
Thank you for the info
Thanks for an excellent tutorial on most of what a Newbie needs to know about both bluebirds and do's&don'ts to provide a good habitat in our back yards. I am a newbie re birds but have started to set up a couple of boxes in my backyard especially for bluebirds as I live in North Carolina where we do have a good population of these wonderful songbirds
Thank you !
I've been so worried about disturbing my Blue Birds that I basically let the garden go to He**. I'm in New Jersey and I've had birdhouses up for several years with no takers. But this year a Bluebird couple moved in, and I've been watching them for weeks. When their babies arrived I began putting out live mealworms for the first time in my life. The Bluebird couple are so grateful for them, and I'm trying to get them used to dried mealworms. Yesterday, I got to witness the chick's first flight as they fledged from the nest! But the parents still come for the mealworms, and I'm hoping they'll bring their young to the mealworms soon. Now I'm wondering if the parents will nest again after these chicks are on their own?
You need to indicate a metal pipe should be used for mounting not a T stake, metal pole such as a 1/2-3/4" conduit will allow a predator guard such as a 8"x60" round duct with cap will keep all predators. from getting access to the box
This was very helpful. Just got a house condo
I read that the box needs to face the east and I have bb.
We have a pair of blue birds this year first time. Live in Southern Massachusetts. They are very playful and fun to watch. Only problem is they like to look in their reflection in and have found my car rear view mirror the best . So I have bird poop lots on my car daily. I have tried hanging mirror for them, but to no avail. So now I just cover my mirrors with bags. But some of my neighbors may not be so nice😢 I am worried, any idea how I could give them a mirror ?
Great information, although I couldn't possibly remove or destroy any eggs even if its an invasive species.
Is it possible bluebirds might next under porch eave on a light wal light fixture? I have had several birds next in same spot. This time I left old next to discourage since I scare them going in and out. I am gone early spring and they nest when house is quite. Then I get back home and I am unexpected traffic to what birds thought was a quite abode. Hard to get good look in shadows. Thought it was gray for a while but got a look at the rusty orange and white breast today. Not as blue. It is a female if its a bluebird.
very informative but the volume leveling must be disabled..
Can we mow the yard? Worried that it will be too noisy for the incubation.
Hello Dory. I have a few nest boxes that the bluebirds use and they don't seem to mind me mowing. Best wishes Bob.
No that is illegal and you will go to jail for disturbing the birds
You'll be fine. Think about all the cavity nesting birds in tree holes. Lawn mowers, planes, helicopters shouldn't be a problem. Close range fireworks during incubation and brooding can sometimes scare the mother bird away.
Hello to all, lm knew to all this lm in South Carolina. I’ve made a few bluebird nest boxes. I’m now unsure of the nest that l now have, could you or someone please tell what kind of nest this?
Thanks for your help
Illegal to have feathers? Lol
I caught that too , don’t understand that . I pick them up occasionally and saving. I want to throw them in the air if we get tree swallows again . I have watched people throw them and the swallows go after them sometimes. Hope I don’t get in trouble 😂
Bee bop
Think I’ll build a box for house sparrows, since nobody likes them.