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Looking for Urban bluebirding suggestions.

11 years ago

Hi guys,

I live in a city of approximately 12,000 population. The area i currently live in is a 40 year old established subdivision with scattered mature trees. Less than a mile north of my house is open farm land with some wooded tree growth. The area I live have a backyard of around .25 acres or about the size of a basketball court. My backyard is surrounded by houses on all three sides and a privacy fence dividing that. I have several bird feeders including a meal worm feeder. I also supply a birdbath with running water. I have built several bluebird boxes which I have placed around the yard over last winter. This past spring i also research and placed a few berry bushes that are associated with attracting bluebirds. Unfortunately still no luck. Looking for any suggestions or ideas that I might have missed. Thanks for your time.

Bob

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Comments (4)

easternmass
11 years ago
Bob - You'll probably get a better response from the many members on Bluebird Nut CafÃÂ© forum. Good luck.
Ray
BobsFarm
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you, I'll check that out.
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TheBackPerch
11 years ago
Hi Bob. I am new to the forum and was reading through some of the threads. I wanted to check in and see what type of Bluebird Nest Boxes you erected. Bluebirds can be very particular about their houses and feeders. The location of their nest boxes is critical to success. Bluebirds prefer big, open spaces in a pesticide free location with scattered trees or fences for perching. Late February and early March is the time to set up bluebird nesting boxes if you want to encourage these birds to make a home in your yard. This may seem a little premature, but late winter and early spring is when male scouts are out looking for a place to nest. I have a link to our website that offers several products that are Bluebird specific.

Here is a link that might be useful: Attracting Bluebirds
BobsFarm
Original Author
11 years ago
Glad to see you join. The box specifications that I use are from the Missouri Department of Conservation specifically for Eastern Bluebirds. I live in a subdivision where the houses are on .25 acre lots. So not very big. My paticular house has a privacy fence for the back yard which is the size of two basketball courts put side by side. So I know I'm fighting an uphill battle. The positive things are: I live within one mile of open farmland which I have seen several bluebirds. So I'm attempting to draw them in. I actually put the three bluebird houses I build out in March of this year. Had quite a fight trying to keep the House Sparrows out. Appreciate the link. We'll see what next season brings.

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