As a part of NRL's environmental division, Alisha Sutton, with the help of volunteers from Calvert County's Natural Resources, takes on the task of building nest boxes for blue birds at Chesapeake Bay Detachment in Chesapeake Beach, MD.
I have a bluebird box on the right side of my front yard. Have raised them 2 to 3 times a year now for the last 8 years. I enjoy them and they are not afraid of me. Guess they realize i help feed and water for them.
To make a bird box extra safe and extra inviting .. rub a handful of moist dirt into the new wood .. The birds will love it, and the local predators wont notice the boxes.
Alisha , thanks for your efforts and success for bluebirds. I too am a advocate of providing habitat for bluebirds in my community. I currently have 6 boxes at my church, which has an open landscape. Last year all the boxes had clutches approx. 3 times last year contributing over 60 baby birds in our area. Not to brag, but I'm really excited about this. I'm in the process of adding 11 boxes at my high school landscape , which it too has perfect landscape for bluebirds. I use the 1/2" electrical emt conduit method for my post on the boxes, and the 8" round galvanized steel, 2' long round Steel Round Duct Pipe with wire mesh in side to prevent snakes and other predators form climbing the pole to the box. thanks again for your efforts!
That's an awesome project, and putting feeders up brings a lot of joy bird watching too. My grandma used to feed the birds and I so enjoyed watching them from her back porch with her. I'm now old enough for my own grandkids, and I can't wait to do projects like this with them when my son finds the right woman. 💙💛
A very serene and peaceful presentation, we love our bluebirds though we’ve been plagued with predators like raccoons and sparrows so I’ve put together this video called “How to save bluebird eggs with this””!” And so far it’s been working. Thanks again for your presentation 👍
Thanks for the share of INFO. NEW TO the area' we were gifted a blue bird box 14' yrs. Ago. We have at least 3 hatchings ea. Spring. We do not when they breed
If you live in an area with house sparrows (hosps) then make sure to monitor the house otherwise you will simply be providing a nice nesting spot for those murderers. When you get a nesting pair of HOSPs the pellet gun, repeating trap or the old stuff sock in house then grab and smash method works best. It seems cruel but when you watch what they do to other native songbirds you wont blink an eye at it. Cheers :)
I'm confused , should I put the extra piece of wood around the hole or not , the predator guard I think some call it ? Some boxes have it and some don't . Does it even matter ? I have several boxes and 2 of mine have the predator guard and 3 do not . I haven't seen any difference but would like to know if it helps ? Thank you
I have several houses with and without the guards around the opening and I don't think the birds like them so much.The metal guard is a good idea,especially 4 snakes.I also oil or lube my post 2 make it slick 4 other predators.
Predator blocks deter predators from reaching in and taking eggs and chicks. All bird boxes should have them. Although you haven't noticed a difference predator blocks are great inuraace to protect birds
For the first time I had a couple of Bluebirds nesting in a box I built... spotted the male and female together and the male obviously protecting the nest. But now I do not see the male anymore... and female seems to be on eggs but coming out to feed off and on. Any chance the eggs have a chance? I thought the male fed the female while she was on eggs. Sux that he went missing in action.
Who are the 6 who give this a thumbs down? What's wrong with people? I used to think it was funny when someone said, " I weep for our future ". Now, I really do weep for our future.
The only thing I would say about this is, unless you're doing a study on bird populations, don't open the box and mess with the nest. Otherwise, excellent work.
Wal mart has them in some of their stores 4 about $15 and they work fine.I also build them when I need another.Lots of videos on YT 4 building houses.Fairly simple.
Never use treated wood because the chemicals can be toxic to birds. Pine, cedar or redwood or almost any wood except plywood make fine boxes. I've built over40 Bluebird boxes and have three BB trails that I monitor, Search on line for BB box designs.
I love your work .Doing for hijab birds Am a heart patient I also want to do this work together with you guys .If you take me with you I live in pakistan .God bless 💞💞💞💞💞💞
