Bluebird Boxes Need To Be Ready Soon

LEWISTON - - Soon the spring air will be filled with songbird melodies, and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game reminds bluebird enthusiasts that now's the time to install nesting boxes and clean out boxes already in place. "Bluebirds will begin scouting around for nesting places in late March, so boxes should be ready soon," said Rita Dixon, nongame biologist with IDFG. The Mountain Bluebird with its brilliant blue color and warbled song is an instant favorite of most anyone who sees one. Once abundant in Idaho, these cavity-nesting birds have declined over the years. Loss of natural nesting holes, increased pesticide use, habitat alteration and competition with the non-native House Sparrow and European Starling have all contributed to this decline. But bluebirds are making a comeback and can be encouraged to stay and nest by any person or group willing to put up a series of nest boxes called "bluebird trails." Civic organizations or anyone interested in helping birds can install the boxes. "Bluebird trails make excellent group or individual projects," said Dixon. "All we ask is that the boxes be maintained once a year and not forgotten." Bluebird trails consist of several boxes mounted on fence posts or trees. Because bluebirds feed primarily on insects caught in relatively short grass, boxes should be placed near pastures, hayfields and meadows. Boxes should be placed four to six feet off the ground, and it's important to check them about once a week, just to make sure undesirable tenants such as sparrows and starlings haven't moved in. It's also important to place boxes 100 yards or more apart because the birds are territorial. Rural by nature, bluebirds rarely nest near houses or buildings, and they avoid heavily wood areas. Bluebirds can be encouraged to have second broods by removing nesting material from boxes as soon as the first brood has fledged. In addition, native species, such as wrens, chickadees, nuthatches and several swallow species may use the nest boxes. More boxes may be added to the bluebird trail if these birds become too numerous. For more information on bluebirds, including illustrated plans for a nesting box, drop by the Clearwater Region office at 1540 Warner Avenue in Lewiston, and ask for the free pamphlet "Building Homes for Idaho's Bluebirds."