Nature News
Valentine’s Day for Western Bluebirds
by Georgette Howington
Contra Costa Coordinator, California Bluebird Recovery Program
February is one my favorite months because soon Western Bluebirds will be building nests in my nest boxes.
After finding nesting sites in his territory, the male Western bluebird will court his sweetheart and she will choose the right home for them. Sound familiar?
Now is the time to set out your NABS approved (North American Bluebird Society) nest boxes in the appropriate habitat if you want to attract Western bluebirds. Remember, nest boxes are suitable for other secondary cavity nesters, too!
The most important factor in placement of your nest box is location, location, location. Each cavity nester has its own preference: the Western Bluebird likes short grasses in open areas, ideally no less than 100 yards from a grove of trees. I like securing the boxes on metal poles, high enough to keep predators at bay and facing the entry hole northeast.
For more information about Western Bluebirds and monitoring, check out www.cbrp.org or email georgette@theharvestbag.com Happy Bluebirding!!