Creating Good Perches for the Bluebird Trail

Nest Box # 6 Dr Don
Perch and Feeder

Creating Perches-Open perches are essential for a good and successful bluebird spring and summer habitat. Bluebirds generally feed in about a 20-foot radius from a perch. If perches are scattered about an area or along a trail, the bluebirds will be more able to utilize all the existing food.

If you have any dead limbs or dead trees that are no danger to people, leave them as perches for the birds. We have had success with cutting down small dead trees 10-12 feet tall and drilling a hole in the trunk and driving rebar in the ground and putting the tree over the rebar to create a perch.

Morning meeting over water.

Provide Water-Bluebirds are often very attracted to water. Even just a small birdbath placed where the birds can easily see it and get to it safely can attract many bluebirds. The water should be about 1-1 1/2 inches deep. Keep the bath in an open area so the birds can watch for predators, and provide a perch or tree nearby where they can go before of after using the bath.



The main winter foods of bluebirds are not insects as in summer, but  from shrubs, vines and trees. If you can provide these natural sources of food for the birds, they may stay on your property longer in the fall and possibly even through winter. These plants can also provide some shelter for the bluebirds during the day.

Additional Winter Measures-In addition to having berry plants, you can offer water, food in various kinds at feeders along the trail. For food, try small pieces of sunflower hearts, mealworms (dried or live). One of the best things about bluebird feeders is that they can help the birds get through temporary shortages of food caused by unfavorable weather early in the breeding season.

Looking for a house to rent!

Spring Arrival-When do they Return??? Coming in our next blog session!

Bluebird Trail Activity for Week of Feb 19th - Feb 24th

Daisy Louise on the hunt!

Hi from the bluebird trail! Even with the much needed rain we received this week, Daisy one of our two dogs and I were able to get a few changes made on the trail.




We changed the numbers and sponsor name plates from the left side of the Nest Box to the right side,  this way they can be seen from the hiking trail on Nest Box's 2, 3, 4, 7 and 17.

Vicki & Victor
 Nest Box # 4

Bev & John # 3
 Nest Box & Feeder

Blue Bird Trail Tour Dates and Times scheduled

.We have set dates and times for our first offical " Blue Bird Trail Tour " the first date will be on Thursday February 28th at 12:00 noon after our Green Meadows Community Garden work day. Wear a warm jacket and comfortable shoes for the 2 + mile hike along the the blue bird trail rain or shine. The second tour date will be on Saturday March 2nd at 4:00 pm after the garden work day. We are looking forward to seeing our fellow gardeners and 2013 MGVOCC classmates on the tour.

Nest Boxes 10 & 11 Sponsors

 



Much progress was made this past Friday on the Blue Bird Trail with the help of Bob and Gail Bailey who are the sponsors of nest boxes 10 & 11. It was a cool morning, but we wanted to get the boxes up so the blue birds could start house hunting.

Blue Bird Trail Begins

Welcome to the Blue Bird Trail Blog!

A little bit about how this all started...
Late last spring after watching the beautiful birds out at the Green Meadows Community Garden and reading about the sad demise of the blue bird habitat and dwindling population, I thought about creating a safe place for birds to nest. As a kid, I liked watching bluebirds and saw them often while growing up on our farm in Alabama.

My wife Kathy aka KC, and I were at the Master Gardener plant sale and tour where we purchased our 1st blue bird nestbox with the idea that we would place it on a fence post at the garden.

Blue birds everywhere! That's what I told KC when I went out a few days afterwards. They were already scouting out the new digs and thinking about nesting. How exciting. Within a week we had a lovely couple move in. They brought twigs, grasses, pine needles and an assundry of materials to decorate their home!

Soon afterwards, the nest not only included Mom and Dad but also 5 brilliant blue eggs. Incubation time is about 12-14 days. We watched and waited patiently for our little nestlings to hatch. I carefully monitored and checked the nestbox for activity while trying not to scare the parents.
                                                                                                 


Just about the same time the little babies hatched...the idea of a trail at the preserve did too! Hiking the trail is great...nature around every corner and plenty of open fields and spaces that would be perfect for blue bird nest boxes! And so it began.

As the days grew warmer, things were heating up in the nest box as the little brood grew and activity did too! We wondered, when will they fly? When will they try? One day - out they went! 5 little blue birds with Mom and Dad nearby.

You will often see them all hanging near the original place...lighting in the trees and enjoying the nearby bird bath and gardens.

With the counties approval of the trail we started sharing the idea of nest box sponsorship and now have 20 sponsored. The cedar boxes are identical and all built by George Burkett. I add numbers. names, posts and predator guards to keep them safe. The trail will be complete by this spring...just in time for the househunting season!

In February and March the males start scouting their new nesting places. Of course, the female makes the final decision! :) We look forward to welcoming many new families to the bluebird trail this year and also hope to see you. We will add posts, tours, activities and volunteer opportunities soon so please check back often.

Thanks for your support and interest! Happy Trails...                                            
Jim B.