Bluebird house placement

13 years ago

Hi,

I live in Texas and I just got my first bluebird house. I am trying to figure out the best placement in my yard that would be the most attractive spot to entice a bluebird to nest in.

My yard is surrounded by woods, so I will put the bird house inside my fence/yard area. But I want to place it in a spot that the mower doesn't get too close to it.

I have 3 spots that might work. I am attaching a picture of where it is currently placed. I was only able to upload one of the spots with this message. Do you think this is too close to the woods? It is placed in the middle of 3 crape myrtle trees that will leaf out this summer.

Thanks for your input

Sarah

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Comments (10)

kendra2003
13 years ago
I can't really tell from the photo, but as long as it's not so close to those trees that a cat, raccoon, or squirrel could jump to it, it should be ok. Mine are right out in the middle of the lawn and I just mow around them.
tmjoseph
13 years ago
the closer to the trees you put them the more chances of sparrows and wrens going to them increases.
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kendra2003
13 years ago
I know they say to keep away from shrubs and such to deter HOWR, it hasn't worked at all for me. The wrens don't care if the house is out in the open, and neither do the HOSP. I've actually been having the most problems with the HOWR and HOSP in a box that is way out in the open. Go figure?
tmjoseph
13 years ago
we bought a sparrow trap and almost eliminated that problem.ya some say its cruel but when you see in person what they do you get over that issue..sparrow traps.net 50 dollars well worth it !!!try puttting up more houses and let the others start nesting and after the blues are settled get rid of the others....my wife wasnt a believer untill she saw it first hand that the sparrows and wrens destroy the blues,,not a circle of life just mean!!!
rayinri
13 years ago
Hi Sarah
I have managed a major trail here in RI for over 20 years. I have had box's
placed like yours close to the edge of the woods and the bluebirds have avoided
them for years. As soon as the box was moved to a more open area in the yard
i got bluebirds. Never place more than 1 box if you do than the other box is used to trap sparrows. If you with three box's allow tree swallows and bluebirds to nest side by side they will both fight off any sparrows if house wrens use that box they will return and if you have bluebirds in that box they will toss the chicks out. Dont allow wrens to use that box. And move into
the green grass area in the wide open. ---Ray
dzyg
13 years ago
Sarah I would move it to an open area away from the trees. Boxes should be placed at least 15 feet away from trees/fences and overhanging branches. Good luck...
Kafargamus
13 years ago
I always thought the house is supposed to be 6ft at the opening and face west and I have a new bluebirding friend that says it should face south so what's the best placement for it? Mine is out in the open away from trees or things for cats to get on but last year we lost a male sitting on three eggs to sparrows! Lesson learned the hard way.
kendra2003
13 years ago
I think the direction of the opening has to do with weather. For instance, if you're pretty far north, they may suggest to face the entrance south to keep the house warmer first thing in the spring. That said, I have four houses up, and the Bluebirds always choose the one that faces north for their first clutch in the spring. Then they have always chosen the box that faces east for their second clutch. Sorry to hear about your lesson with the house sparrows. They are brutal.
dzyg
13 years ago
I am in WI and always face my boxes either north or east or somewhere in between. It all depends on your prevailing winds...face away from prevailing winds and typically away from afternoon sun....
tmann05
13 years ago
Don't just place boxes where they are convinient for you. You have to look at it from the birds point of view. Where would it be best for them?