Eastern Bluebirds begin defining and defending their nesting territories earlier than other species. Generally, starting the end of February and early March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Backyard Naturalist team is overjoyed to report that we’re seeing Bluebirds very active at our store feeders and baths <\/strong>right now! We’re keeping feeders filled with freeze-dried meal worms, sunflower chips, peanut pieces and Bluebird Nuggets.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re seeing Bluebirds in your backyard, offer some incentives to encourage “house-hunting” Bluebirds to choose your nest box. The following are prospective Bluebird parents’ key considerations.<\/strong> A Clean Nest Box<\/strong> A Safe, Sparrow-resistant Nest Box<\/strong> A Well-placed Nest Box<\/strong> Bluebirds are also looking for abundant food<\/strong> and fresh, accessible water<\/strong>. Increase your chances of hosting Bluebird families by adding these two simple, extra incentives to your backyard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Food <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bluebirds, who mainly eat insects and fruit, could possibly be tempted to your feeders.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Even in our humble, little habitat next to our parking lot, Bluebirds are visiting our feeders daily! We’re offering them freeze-dried meal worms, sunflower chips, peanut pieces and Bluebird Nuggets.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Water <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep your bird baths fresh and filled<\/strong>. Access to free-flowing water is critical for wild birds and your bird bath is another excellent way to tempt Bluebirds to your backyard. See our Winter, Water and Wild Birds<\/a> website page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Support the Eastern Bluebird Resurgence! <\/strong>(See our blog post<\/a> about where it all started.) You can also join our local Maryland Bluebird Society<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant Bluebirds to choose your nestbox?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
(You can also visit our dedicated Bluebird page<\/a> for more specific info or shop our Bluebird Essentials here<\/a>.) <\/p>\n\n\n\nBluebird Essentials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Nestboxes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
As a good backyard bird host, you already know this! Start with a clean box<\/strong> and always clear between broods and after the last one of the season. If you haven’t already, go do it NOW!!! Bluebirds normally have 2-3 broods each season, so you’ll need to clear out the whole nest after each brood fledges. A clean box will encourage re-nesting in the same location! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sparrow-resistant boxes<\/strong> are criticial to keep out the Bluebird’s deadly nemesis: The House Sparrow! We recommend Slot Boxes<\/a> or the Gilbertson Nest Box<\/a> along with dedicated monitoring<\/strong>. For more on this, ask us at the store or see our web page “House Sparrows: Deadly Foreign Invaders<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Position boxes in open areas at least a hundred yards apart <\/strong>facing the openness of a yard, meadow or field. Mount bird houses on poles with snake baffles<\/strong><\/a>\u2014even if you don’t regularly see snakes sneaking around in your yard.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFood & Water<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Even if you don’t live near Bluebirds, you can still help them!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n