A Bluebird Trail is five or more Bluebird nesting boxes mounted on fence posts or pipes.

The boxes are spaced from 100 to 200 yards apart on farms, parks, cemeteries, golf courses,

or other areas with low or sparse vegetation.

A “Bluebirder” hits the trail every week or two to check the progress of the tenants.

THIS TRAIL IS PLACED AT SUGARCREEK METRO PARK

ON CONFERENCE ROAD (12 bOXES) IN THE PRAIRIE LAND.

A CAROLINA CHICKADEE MOSS NEST AT SACKETT-WRIGHT PARK BELLBROOK SUGARCREEK PARK DISTRICT BELLBROOK, OHIO 45305

DO ONLY BLUEBIRDS USE THE BOXES?

No. Other beneficial birds such as the house wren, tree swallow, Carolina & black-capped chickadees, white breasted nuthatch, & the tufted titmouse may take up residence on the trail. Boxes spaced 30 yards apart near ponds, lakes, or rivers will attract mosquito-eating tree swallows. Fiercely competitive wrens may evict prior tenants by puncturing their eggs & building a stick nest on top of their furnishings. Brush-loving wrens can be discouraged by placing the nest box at least 30 yards from the nearest brush, shrub, or other dense vegetation.

IT MUST BE RECOGNIZED THAT COMPETITION IS COMMON IN NATURE.

Legally & ethically, the insect-harvesting wrens must be permitted to nest. Evicted tenants will set up housekeeping elsewhere along the Bluebird trail. House sparrows will destroy Bluebird eggs & young. A Bluebird trail that avoids buildings usually avoids sparrows, too. However, if you are having trouble with house sparrows, you can legally remove them.

A TREE SWALLOW NEST COVERED WITH WHITE FEATHERS

A CHICKADEE MOSS NEST WITH 7 EGGS IN IT AT SACKET-WRIGHT PARK BELLBROOK, OHIO 45305

FIELD MICE ALSO MAY TAKE UP RESIDENCE ON THE TRAIL

DO BLUEBIRDS HAVE ENEMIES?

Yes. Racoons, cats, opossums, gray foxes, & some are climbing predators that love a snack of Bluebird eggs or young.

A pipe mounting will stop the fox. Chassis grease may stop other climbers & predators such as deer mice & black ants.

When grease is not acceptable, 24″ sections of 7″ stove pipe or 4-6″ PVC pipe capped with lids or hardware cloth hung below boxes acts as baffles. Baffles 30″ long will stop the longest rat snakes as well as furry climbers.

DO BLUEBIRDS NEED OUR HELP?

Yes. Silver-hair farmers can recall the song & flight of plentiful Bluebirds in their youth. In bygone days, rural Ohio was a well stocked snack bar for woodpeckers which drilled holes into decaying trees & fence post in their quest for insects. Bluebirds quickly occupied the apartments that woodpeckers whittled out two to twelve feet above the ground, & their populations flourished.

Today, wooden fence post rows have all but disappeared & orchards trees are pruned. The apartments that are usually occupied by the persistent & dominating European immigrants, the starling & house sparrow. Bluebird boxes are a much-needed housing project.

MOTHER BLUEBIRD INCUBATES THE FIVE BABIES FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS

WHAT IS THE NESTING SCHEDULE FOR THE STATE OF OHIO?

Mid-February, Bluebirds return to breeding areas

March 15- April 15, Nest building, egg laying, incubation

April 15-May 15, First hatching

Jne1-July 15, Second hatching

August 1-15, Third hatching

*Dates are approximate due to variable weather conditions each year

ADVICE FOR NEW & INEXPERIENCED BLUEBIRDERS

Expert Village Video

You Tube Videos

A Bluebirder makes a personal commitment to put up nesting boxes & trails in proper places to give Bluebirds a place to nest & reproduce now that their natural nesting sites are mostly gone forever.

A Bluebirder grows berry producing plants & provides proper Bluebird foods in bird feeders.

A Bluebirder monitors the nest boxes & records information & passes it on to various research groups that work diligently to insure the survival of the species.

A Bluebirder unselfishly volunteers his time & effort & money in order that future generations may experience & enjoy this native cavity nesting species.

A Bluebirder in Ohio is a member of The Ohio Bluebird Society & attends meetings & gatherings of Bluebirders from across the state to get all the up to date proper restoration & preservation methods & procedures down right to insure reproduction & protection success at all levels of involvment.

If you are young & love to do things that make you feel good about yourself? Things that really mean something to your fellow man & mother nature Bluebirding will reward you & your family well.

THERE IS NO END TO THE JOY & EXCITEMENT OF BLUEBIRDING

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU SEE POSITIVE RESULTS IN YOUR NEST BOXES

ADVICE FOR NEW INEXPERIENCED BLUEBIRDERS

Photo By Bruce Johnson Ohio Bluebird Society

The best way to do this is by purchasing & installing one or more “Big Boy Blue” Bluebird housing system(s) in your yard.

Each is handcrafted & painted by Nisley Woodworking Shop located in Amish Country in Northern Knox County.

This fully functional Bluebird housing system includes:

1. Full size nest box with down opening door for easy monitoring.

2. Mounting pipe 6 foot 4 inches long

3. Predator guard

4. Three coats of exterior paint

5. Success Package:

    30 page full color booklet “Enjoying Bluebirds More”

    Fact sheet on monitoring & locating Bluebirds

    Fact sheet on sparrow control

TO ORDER YOUR “BIG BOY BLUE” BLUEBIRD HOUSING SYSTEM:

CONTACT DALE GLASS 1-740-397-5573 FOR INFORMATION ABOUT PRICE, PICKUP & DELIVERY TERMS OR WRITE HIM AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS

DALE GLASS

13639 OLD MANSFIELD ROAD

MOUNT VERNON, OHIO 43050

PROCEEDS BENEFIT A MOUNT VERNON RELIGIOUS YOUTH GROUP

ADVICE FOR NEW BLUEBIRDERS

“LETS KEEP THOSE OHIO BLUEBIRDS FLYING”

FATHER BLUEBIRD WATCHES AS THE BLUEBIRD BOX IS BEING MONITORED

We hope our blog pages on Bluebirds has planted a seed to help you to be more informed & knowledgeable about The Eastern Bluebird. Thank you for visiting & allowing us to share with you.

Checkout our Bluebird Links in the right hand column for more information on Bluebirds or how to make houses or where to buy them.

PLEASE SUPPORT “THE BRING BACK THE BLUEBIRD MOVEMENT” BY LEARNING ALL YOU CAN & PLACING YOUR TRAIL IN THE RIGHT LOCATIONS.

Teachers & Youth Group Leaders interested in participating in Bluebird projects should contact The Ohio Division Of Wildlife Education Section at 1-800-Wildlife or 1-614-265-6316

PUT OUT THE BOXES & TRAILS & THEY WILL COME

JUST LIKE THEY DID HERE

2007 was one of the worst years for Bluebirds in recent times. Some Audubon experts estimate 80% of the breeding Eastern Bluebirds were frozen to death in their nest boxes with eggs & it will take several years to regain their numbers. Nature can be cruel but you can help by putting out a few nest boxes or a trail.

ADVICE FOR NEW OR INEXPERIENCED BLUEBIRDERS

If you have any questions about anything pretaining to Bluebirds post them in the comment box below & we will answer them. We have many resources for information, houses & boxes.

The younger generation knows all about computers & how to punch the words Bluebird in a search box but a lot of older folks have yet to understand or master that art even though it seems so simple for the younger generation. We will help you anyway we can even if you do not know how to use a computer. We have a phone & also know how to mail things & what a book & library is. Speaking of books “Enjoy Bluebirds More” (1993) by Julie Zickefoose is what we recommend to everyone. You will not be disappointed. She is an artist & naturalist that loves Bluebirds. Audubon is also a great source for about anything having to do with birds.

The Plight Of The Eastern Bluebird By Bluebird Pete An Experienced Bluebirder

In the early 1900’s, The Eastern Bluebird was one of rural Ohio’s most common songbirds. Then, because of a series of imprudent activities on the part of humans, & several severe winters, Bluebird population declined by 90%.

HOWEVER, THESE PROBLEMS ARE BEING ADDRESSED & NOW THE BLUEBIRD IS MAKING A COMEBACK DUE LARGELY TO CONSERVATION EFFORTS.

However, the continuing loss of natural nesting sites to house sparrows & European starlings means this beloved & charismatic bird will always need man’s help to survive.

YOU CAN BE A PART OF THAT EFFORT.

THIS BLUEBIRD HOUSE WAS PLACED ON A POWER POLE IN MAGEE PARK IN THE BELLBROOK & SUGARCREEK PARK DISTRICT & FLEDGED FIVE BABIES IN 2003 & 2004.

THIS BLUEBIRD BOX ON GRAF MILL ROAD NEAR THE CANOE LAUNCH ON THE LITTLE MIAMI RIVER ATTACHED TO THE OLD SHELTER HOUSE THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED PRODUCED TWO FAMILIES OF BLUEBIRDS IN 2003, THE BOX HAS BEEN MOVED TO THE STUMP OF THE BIG OLD SYCAMORE TREE IN 2004 & THE BLUEBIRDS FLEDGED FIVE BLUEBIRDS.

BLUEBIRD BOX ON THE BIG OLD SYCAMORE TREE STUMP IN 2004 & AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAD A VERY WET SPRING THAT YEAR.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

1. Increase nesting sites by erecting a proper nest box or creating a Bluetbird Trail of many nest boxes.

2. Monitoring your nest boxes to identify & correct nesting problems to improve the Bluebirds chance of survival.

3. Keep records on your nest boxes & send the information to THE OHIO BLUEBIRD SOCIETY to help it’s research programs.

4. Plant berry-producing plants & provide Bluebird foods at your feeders.

5. Tell your friends about the Bluebird’s plight & encourage them to help.

6. Join The Ohio Bluebird Society & donate your time & money to help insure the Bluebird’s future.

REASONS FOR DECLINE:

In the 1800’s Americans brought the European starling & house (English) sparrow to this country from Europe, upsetting the ecological balance of our avian communities. These non-native birds, highly adaptable & very agressive, rapidly spread across the continent taking over available natural nesting cavities. House sparrows often kill native birds in order to acquire a nesting cavity.

Many other sites were lost when wooden fence post were replaced with medal ones & dead trees were cut to make wooded areas more attractive.

Likewise, many small farms have been combined creating huge fields & destroying the mixed habitat needed by Bluebirds. Urban sprawl into rural areas furhter eliminates many acres of ideal Bluebird habitat.

Finally, the widespread use of insecticides eliminates insects that Bluebirds fed on & rarely have killed the birds themselves. Birds must eat constantly during the day in order to survive cold winter nights & the winter food supply has also been greatly reduced by developement & by the huge winter flocks of the starlings that strip the fruit from the trees.

2007 was one of the worst years ever for The Eastern Bluebird & many experts estimate 80% of the breeding stock may have been wiped out due to harsh weather conditions.

Mother nature is sometimes very cruel but you can help.

We need all the boxes & trails possible to help them regroup & multiply once again.

ADVICE FOR NEW OR INEXPERIENCED BLUEBIRDERS

The Ohio Bluebird Society (OBS) provides information & encouragement for those wishing to engage in the conservation of bluebirds & other native cavity nesting species.

1. OBS sponsors & supports a number of hands-on workshops around Ohio each year

2. OBS holds an annual conference at locations all across Ohio where state-of-the-art information & approaches to bluebirds are featured.

3. OBS publishes the Bluebird Monitor a quarterly journal with practical suggestions, research results, advances in bluebirding, & stories from the field.

4. OBS works closely with the Ohio Division Of Wildlife & State & local conservation organizations.

5. OBS provides encouragement & companionship for those wishing to work on saving our native cavity nesting species.

Lets keep those Ohio Bluebirds flying!