Do the Bluebirds Need Your Help?

There are 3 bluebird species in the US, Western, Eastern and Mountain bluebirds. Mountain bluebirds are found in the West at higher elevations, Western Bluebirds are found west of the Great Plains and Eastern Bluebirds are found on the Great Plains. Bluebirds have intense colours and a cheery song and are great favorites with bird watchers. Populations of bluebirds decreased drastically all through the previous 100 years, being ejected from their favorite nesting sites by predatory birds.

How to Help the Bluebirds

Different groups of bird watchers have instituted an assortment of means to promote the nesting and breeding of bluebirds. In Missouri in the 1950’s the public made a National Bluebird Trail with in excess of six thousand bluebird houses. Created in 1978 The North American Bluebird Society furthers the revival of bluebirds. To assist bluebirds you can set up a Bluebird Trail by setting up a sequence of bluebird nesting boxes The ideal bluebird house has been recommended by the North American Bluebird Society and you could put up your own or purchase a ready made bluebird house.

Setting up a Bluebird Trail

The best location for a Bluebird Trail is a rural area with meager ground cover and dotted trees. There must be roost sites such as wires, tree branches or fences to allow the bluebirds to rest on while hunting for food. By 2005 sightings of bluebirds in the south indicate that they have come back to to this region. This has been attributed to the setting up of Bluebird Trails. Places suitable for a Bluebird Trail are out-of-the-way locations of golf courses, parks and cemeteries as long as pesticides haven’t been applied. You should avoid heavily wooded areas with lots of of undergrowth. Bluebird houses must be positioned 150 yards apart and be four to six feet above ground.

Attracting Bluebirds to Your Garden

You can draw bluebirds to your garden by placing mealworms (which can be bought online) or water soaked raisins on platform garden bird feeders.  Heated birdbaths will also attract them in the winter.