Did you have bluebirds nest in your yard this year? The chances of having bluebirds is largely dependent upon landscape. If your yard is open with sufficient grass, your chances of attracting bluebirds are good. Open space is required because bluebirds get their food from the ground. They do not catch it in mid air as do swifts and swallows.
Here in the Midlands, three nesting per year is not rare beginning in early March and lasting on into July and sometimes August. It was once that that bluebirds were monogamous, but with DNA studies that has been disproven. It is a fact that many time a bird from the first nesting will stay around and help in the feeding of the second brood.
When do you clean out the nesting box? It is now recommended that it be done after the nesting season has ended. Once we were told to clean them after each nesting to reduce mites in the box, but research show there are fewer mites if the old nesting material is left until the last nesting has ended. At that time clean the box by removing the nesting material, rinse the box with the hose, let dry, close the box and you have prepared the box for the winter. In very cold weather the birds may go back and take shelter in the box. Sometimes as many as five adult birds crowd together in the box in severe winter weather.
The way to attract bluebirds to your yard is to install a nesting box and during mating season to also offer meal worms. For complete information, give us a call at Wild Birds Unlimited on Forest Drive – 803.782.5700. Our knowledgeable staff will be happy to answer your questions.
