Al's  Nestboxes

www.eastern-bluebirds.com

Take a look around to learn more about

     EASTERN BLUEBIRDS

AND THE 

PETERSON STYLE NESTBOX

YOU!

CAN HELP BRING BACK THE

BLUEBIRDS

Photograph by Al Drollett

BLUEBIRDS 

A SYMBOL OF HOPE

Remember You can help the Eastern Bluebirds by providing the proper Nestboxes.

The Eastern Bluebirds have made a remarkable recovery over the last several years, mainly because we have recognized that they were in need of our help due to the loss of habitat, competition with non native birds, and the possibility of pesticide use.

Many years ago, Bluebirds and other native species could find enough natural cavities to nest in.  However, with the growth of urban and suburban areas and changing agricultural practices, many places where Eastern Bluebirds have nested have been lost.

Fortunately, Eastern Bluebirds readily accept artificial nesting cavities. (Nestboxes)

Your efforts will make a difference, if you set up nestboxes.

Where you choose to place the nestbox is really as important as how the nestbox is designed. 

Eastern Bluebirds are birds of open areas.  They rarely nest in wooded areas, but will nest in clearings and along woodland edges.  Open areas with scattered trees are best.  Look for any area where the vegetation is kept short by mowing, or grazing such as parks, campgrounds, pastures, large lawns, cemeteries, golf courses and abandoned orchards.

Proper placement of your nestboxes can encourage Eastern Bluebirds and discourage other competing birds.  Mount your nestboxes 4-5 feet off the ground on a pole or tree trunk, higher than 5 feet will make it harder to monitor and will encourage house sparrows.  Nestboxes should be paired about 10 to 15 feet apart and each pair placed about a 100-125 yards apart.

 Eastern Bluebirds are territorial, and therefore will not nest close to another pair of Eastern Bluebirds.  By pairing nest boxes you can help reduce the competition for nest boxes between Eastern Bluebirds and Tree Swallows which are also territorial.

Be patient, it may take several seasons for Eastern Bluebirds to find your nestboxes.

What is the best Eastern Bluebird Nestbox? 

I recommend the Peterson style nest box, I have had good results using the Peterson style nest box, and all the data that I have seen shows the that the Peterson style nest box has produced more fledglings per nest box than any other style.  It has also been shown that Eastern Bluebird prefer the oval entrance hole to that of a round entrance hole.

The Peterson nest box was designed by Dick Peterson many years ago and is still one of the best nest boxes available.  Its design has many excellent features, from the slant front with the Peterson style entrance hole measuring 1 3/8" x 2 1/4", a small floor area and a large slanting roof.

email: al"at"eastern-bluebirds.com    replace "at" with the @ symbol 

AL'S NESTBOXES

The sides and roof of my Peterson style nest boxes are made from    1/2" thick high quality five ply exterior grade plywood.  This plywood is stronger and superior to any four ply plywood.  The front and back are made from 3/4" cedar, and the sub roof and floor are made from fir.

NOTE:  I know what many of you think about plywood, but today's manufacturing techniques and glues have changed, and today's plywood is far superior to that of several years ago.

Member of:

The North American Bluebird Society           www.nabluebirdsociety.org                 

The Massachusetts Audubon Society                     www.massaudubon.org 

The Massachusetts Bluebird Association               www.massbluebird.org

For the most comprehensive information on Eastern Bluebirds please visit the what I consider to be the BEST web site on Eastern Bluebirds www.sialis.org    

HAPPY BLUEBIRDING