Make A Bluebird Trail And A Nest For Them

Finding an appropriate habitat is the first step to making the trail, bluebirds prefer open land with low grass and scattered trees. A pasture, large lawn, park or cemetery, will be great places to make a trail. locations with perches like tree branches or utility wires on which to set the nests.

You can buy the nests or build them yourself, to install the nests choose smooth poles at least 300 feet apart to give birds a chance to claim their territory. The boxes should be at least 5 feet or more off the ground, and should be very secure on the post to protect them from the weather changes. Trees and fence posts are no good to set nest boxes on, but 3/4 inch-diameter electrical conduit or PVC pipe works well. Make the holes away from prevailing winds and shaded from afternoon sun.

The nest boxes should have protection from predators like raccoons, snakes, cats and other climbing predators, to deter marauders add a baffle- a predator guard - to each mounting pole. Some people spray the mounting poles with silicone as a deterrent. A natural location for a bluebird nest is a tree cavity, such as an old woodpecker hole or a rotted limb, make sure that the one you build provides the same comparable shelter.

The woods to be use for a nest can be, cedar, redwood, or cypress because they weather well. Bluebirds don't need much room a 4-to-5 inch-square floor 7 inches bellow the entry hole will work well to house the eggs. Hinge a panel for monitoring and cleaning access. do not place a perch bellow the hole, this may provide with access to predators.

Provide natural ventilation and drainage by drilling several small holes in the box sides and floor. Cut the outer roof piece to overhang 21/2 inches on the front to provide needed shade. Monitoring the nest should be conducted only on clam mild, dry days to prevent the eggs from chilling. Incubation lasts 13-14 days. If ants or blowflies infest the nest, or if it gets filled with rain water, carefully lift eggs or chicks and replace the nest with a new one.

Make a spare nest by filling a small plastic tub with dried lawn clippings or pine needles.A list of materials to make the boxes are; a 36-inch long 1x12 cedar, redwood or cypress board. 121/2 inch-long board, 36-inch-long 2x4 board, sixteen 15/8 inch-exterior wood screws or 2-inch ring-shank nails, right-angle screw.

A list of tools are, saw, power cordless drill, 1/8-and 1/2-inch drill bits, 13/8-inch-diameter hole saw, wood chisel, screwdriver, claw hammer, tape measure and pencil. Be careful during the box building process and be safe while using the tools.