Fish and Game Has the Perfect Christmas Gift Idea

To get ahead of the early spring arrival of Idaho's State Bird, the Mountain Bluebird, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) is offering a limited number of bluebird nest boxes for $7.00. These bird boxes make great Christmas presents for those wildlife lovers on our lists. Funds collected from the nest box sale are used to enhance the Lewiston Wildlife Habitat Area located near the IDFG office. Fish and Game volunteers constructed the cedar nest boxes using donated lumber from Idaho Forest Products in Lewiston. Bluebirds nest throughout Idaho in higher elevation meadows, forested areas and open ridges in mountainous regions. However, many trees with suitable nesting holes have been cut for firewood or taken by aggressive non-native species like the European starling and English House sparrow. Many bluebirds never find nest sites, so man-made nest houses can help fill the natural nest-site shortage. Because bluebirds seldom nest in urban areas, boxes should be placed far from any building or community. In urban areas, nest boxes are likely to attract highly aggressive bluebird competitors such as starlings or house sparrows. When boxes are spaced too close together, bluebirds will divert energy defending territory that would be better spent on reproductive success. Protect boxes from prevailing winds and the hot afternoon sun by mounting them on the north or east side of mounting posts or trees. A limited supply of bird feeders, bat and wood duck boxes are also available. Get yours today! For more information on wood working for wildlife or volunteering for Fish and Game, contact the Clearwater Region Office, 3316 16th Street, Lewiston, 83501, 799-5010.