[Topspinmo]

For those of us that have honor of hosting bluebirds? Bluebirds checking out my nesting box today. If haven’t already? time to clean out that nesting box and prepare for your birdie friends to start looking at nesting sites. If you did clean it out last summer I would check it again make sure wasps or mud dabblers have taken over or any other invader?

If they nested successfully they usually come back to same location. Boxes should be cleaned out after every nesting to remove nesting material to prevent parasites, they will build another nest over the old one.

Reference:
Bluebirds do not remove old nesting material, rather they simply build over an existing nest. If you do not clean out your nest box, it may become filled to the brim with old nesting material. This can potentially leave the new nest dangerously close to the entrance hole, where predators can easily reach it.Aug

[ElDiabloJoe]

Yup, clean mine out every February with a coat hanger. Quick spritz of bleach/water and all ready for spring time

[Arctic Fox]

Haven't seen any in my boxes yet (although when I cleaned them out in November one had a frog in it and another had an ants nest)

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

Haven't seen any in my boxes yet (although when I cleaned them out in November one had a frog in it and another had an ants nest)

I check mine every week or some when get close to nesting season. I also clear old nests after 1st brood fledging leave nest. Some pairs will have 3 broods season which ends in July down here.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by ElDiabloJoe

Yup, clean mine out every February with a coat hanger. Quick spritz of bleach/water and all ready for spring time

All my boxes (4) last year)(6 this year) have lift up tops and lift out fronts so I can easily see in and clean out. I also have metal screen on bottom keep nest from wicking water if any gets in.

You can also see predator guard on entry hole, ladder up to entry hole on inside.

[Topspinmo]

About everything need know about bluebird nesting habits and care.

Quoted”

“. Eastern Bluebirds Nests and Eggs: All you Need to Know ...Bluebirds nest in Florida from February to August, with the nesting season beginning in late February. Bluebirds may start scouting for nesting sites as early as January, and in the south, they may start even earlier.
Here are some other things to know about bluebirds in Florida:
Nesting materials: Bluebirds build their nests out of grasses, pine needles, and small twigs.
Eggs: Bluebirds lay 4–5 pale blue eggs in a cup-shaped nest.
Incubation: Incubation lasts 13–20 days, and the eggs usually hatch on the same day.
Fledging: The young birds leave the nest 17–21 days after hatching.
Broods: A pair of bluebirds can raise 2–3 broods per year.
Nest boxes: Bluebirds prefer nest boxes that are about 4 in x 4 in x 9 in or 5 in x 5 in x 9 in. The entrance hole should be about 1.5 in in diameter and located about 5 in above the floor.
Returning to the same area: Adult bluebirds tend to return to the same breeding territory each year. “

Over years I have fledged over 400 bluebirds from Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and now florida.

[Topspinmo]

Songs with bluebirds in lyrics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XulvnXo6BJk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO8xHPJWPoA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAwEIEXDNQs

For country fans how many remember Marvin Rainwater

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPhJoyycIa0

Going to find me bluebird.

[Arctic Fox]

Had three (two males; one female) checking out one box today - as soon as one came out another would dash in

Nothing came of it and haven't seen them again :-(

[Topspinmo]

They will probably be back. Don’t get serious about nesting till middle of February or later down here.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

Had three (two males; one female) checking out one box today - as soon as one came out another would dash in

Nothing came of it and haven't seen them again :-(

I suspect one of males was juvenile from last year still hanging around parents. When bluebirds was checking out my box there was 3 others in flock. Only two came down and actually when inside box.

[Topspinmo]

Ok, got 5 nesting boxes out so far this year. 3 have nests made, one has 5 eggs. One more has interested pair, but no nest building yet.

[jbartle1]

At our NC home on golf course, had several Blubird houses on course that we maintained and cleaned, my advice open door VERY CAREFUL, we occasionally found a SNAKE in box, Ugh!!!!!!!!!

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by jbartle1

At our NC home on golf course, had several Blubird houses on course that we maintained and cleaned, my advice open door VERY CAREFUL, we occasionally found a SNAKE in box, Ugh!!!!!!!!!

Agree, this year I’m trying escape hole (two holes one on front and one on top side) so if that happens at least Female can escape. I had 80 pair purple Martin colony in Oklahoma. It was real challenge to keep starlings and English sparrows out and snakes, owls, hawks, ant, and mites from predicating on martins. Only thing I could find to stop snakes was bird netting and 4 or 6 inch PVC pipe at least 5 foot up from ground.

[Velvet]

Well, Topspinmo, your birds are in the high rent district.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Velvet

Well, Topspinmo, your birds are in the high rent district.

But, I offer full amenities for free.