Setting Up A Blue Bird Trail A Simple How to Guide

Distance From Each Bird House

Establishing a Blue Bird Trail can be both rewarding and educational. Before setting out and tacking birdhouses all over the place, ask yourself if you're ready to make a commitment to being a bluebird landlord.

You'll need to be able to monitor your nest boxes weekly or more during the nesting season. Take notes of egg numbers, how many hatches, and how many fledge.

You'll also be watching for problems that may come up during any of the nesting and fledging times.

Begin by understanding the Bluebird's preference in habitat. Eastern Bluebirds nest in pasturelands, parks, cemeteries, and golf courses.

Make sure no pesticides are being used in the area. Avoid heavily wooded areas to avoid competition from House Wrens.

House Sparrows will compete with bluebirds for nesting sites.

Keep your trail away from farmsteads and feedlots where grain is used, since the sparrows will be abundant in these places.

bluebird house on conduit pole

Bluebird House on Conduit Pipe No Predator Baffle

When setting up a bluebird trail for the Eastern Bluebird, spacing between bluebird houses should be 100 to 150 yards apart, Western and Mountain Bluebird boxes should be spaced at least 300 yards apart.

Birdhouses should be mounted 5 to 6 feet above ground, facing away from prevailing winds.

Many birders set boxes out in pairs, spacing two birdhouses 5 to 20 feet apart. The reason for this practice is to allow Tree Swallows to nest alongside the bluebirds.

Tree Swallows will often chase bluebirds away from any nesting site they claim for themselves.

Since both species will tolerate each other nesting close by, the provision of two boxes will allow them to nest side by side.

Bluebird's nest in late March or early April. In the South, nesting may occur earlier.

The bluebirds nest is a cup-shaped nest made up of 100% woven grass, pine needles may be used.

When the nestlings are about 12 days old, box checks should cease, otherwise, they may exit the box too soon.

Bluebirds usually raise two broods each season, but three or even four broods are common.

Your responsibility as a bluebird trail landlord is to make every effort to ensure that the nest boxes are constructed, mounted, and maintained properly.

You may get nesting bluebirds in the first year if they are common in your area. If not, it may take a few seasons for them to find your nesting boxes.

Once they use your birdhouse and are successful, they will return to the same area each year.


Ideas That Are Sure To Attract and Please Any Bluebird - See All

bluebird suet
Aspects Vista
Dome Feeder

post bird feeder
Bluebird Post Feeder
bluebird feeder
Mealworm Feeders

bluebird house
Eastern Bluebird house
bluebird house
birds and blooms magazine cover pioneer woman magazine cover people-magazine cover first for women magazine cover
Birds and Blooms Pioneer Woman People Magazine First For Women