May 17, 2011The empty nester
I’ve been determined to host bluebirds in my backyard since I wrote a story about Dick Purvis and his lifelong efforts to bring bluebirds back from the brink.
I got the bluebird house - nothing happened. Hung it at the appropriate height - nothing happened. Planted native plants that produce berries - nothing happened. Chased the wrens off - nothing happened. Hung a second house - zip.
All the while, my daughter who lives just blocks away from me, has two bluebird pairs sitting on the wires, season after season, all blue and pretty and in need of nesting boxes, probably.
We hung one of my boxes at her house and the bluebirds set up house immediately. Now she’s calling for my second box as they hover sweetly around her to say hi when she appears with a fresh crop of meal worms in the morning. Whatever…
whatever
USNews.com—Michelle Obama makes plans to tear up more White House lawn for a cutting garden.
Cindy McNatt says:
Yes. She does have way more wide open space than I do. Reason why bluebirds like golf courses.
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 8:40 am.
Ron, the Plant Man says:
Ditto to what Jennifer says! I’d love to add a bluebird box to my yard, but never have seen them around. We do have a narrow railroad right of way (abandoned) behind my house, but way to many houses for bluebirds to come around.
Just a note, a year or so ago you wrote about a nesting material device to hang in your yard. I hung one up mainly for the Hummingbirds, but have seen lots of other birds, along with the Hummers coming in and picking out bits of cotton to line their nests with. Will need to add a new layer soon as it it going fast! Glad you wrote about it…it’s a great attraction to draw birds to your yard!
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 3:54 pm.
Kym Slingerland says:
I, too, built two bluebird nesting boxes and hung them in the appropriate places in my trees. NOTHING!!!! I’ve seen bluebirds in trees less than a quarter mile away, but they haven’t found the nice houses I built for them!
I built another birdhouse out of scrap wood just for kicks. It is home to a very active little bird (NOT a bluebird) with all her chirping babies. What gives????
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 7:00 pm.
Cindy McNatt says:
A few things - I think bluebirds prefer clearings…they like to nest where the chicks can fledge onto a broad lawn and not get hung up in bushes. And they don’t want anything near the box where predators can hide ie, vines, trees, etc.
And they want the box at least 10 feet off the ground. Pretty picky considering real estate is in short supply.
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 7:14 pm.
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Jennifer Meyer says:
I love this post! Your daughter is so lucky. I haven’t seen any bluebirds in my yard, so I didn’t even try the box. Apparently, you’re more successful with the nesting box when it’s placed in an area with a lot of surrounding open space.
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 8:24 am.