Three years ago, Tom built an Eastern Bluebird nest box based on plans he downloaded from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s web page. He followed the directions on using a pole to mount it, what direction the entrance should face and specifically the size of the entrance hole. We waited to see if we would be lucky enough to have a pair use it. Unfortunately, we didn’t get any takers for the first year.
The second nesting season came, and we did notice a pair checking the box out and flying away. We wondered if something wasn’t right – but the nest box was built to exact specifications – so we didn’t quite know what to think. Just by chance a Red-bellied Woodpecker came along and started pecking at the entrance hole. Well, we thought, it’s ok if he uses it as his nest. He pecked away at it over the course of several days – enlarging the entrance hole a fair amount and then left the nest box alone. Oh, geez, guess he’s gone too, we assumed.
Then, something interesting happened. The Bluebirds came back and started building a nest inside! Boy were they busy. In and out, in and out. One day, we heard the squeaks of the babies inside. The parents were constantly flying back and forth with food for the babies. They had three broods that year.
We were thrilled with the success of that nest box, so Tom followed recommendations and took the box down at the end of the season, cleaned it out and built a new front for it. He also built two more boxes – giving us a total of three boxes. Tom mounted all three boxes on poles and spaced them out according to Cornell’s plan. The holes on all three boxes matched the nest box plan – just as before.
We waited…surely, they would be back.
And they were – flying around two of the three boxes, checking them out but not moving in. Ugh, not again. Guess who showed up? Yup, Mr. Red-bellied Woodpecker. He got to work on the entrance hole of the middle box – enlarging it just as before. The Bluebirds reappeared and started building their nest. We’re not sure if the Bluebirds hired the Woodpecker to enlarge the hole – but if that’s what they needed to move in, so be it.
Our first flight! Two baby Eastern Bluebirds immediately after fledging from their box. One flew and landed on the screen on our porch and the other to a nearby tree. (right 2 photos)
Our Bluebirds are out there right now – flying in and out with food for the babes. Since we are currently experiencing the Coronavirus pandemic and have been participating in the “safer at home” mandate, we’ve been so thankful to be able to focus on minds on the Bluebirds and all the other birds that visit us. It’s been a much-needed respite.
Please note – we are not saying there’s anything wrong with the nest box plans. It just seems our Bluebirds prefer a bigger entrance hole.
For Eastern Bluebird Next Box plans, visit The Cornell Lab of Ornithology at: https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/birds/eastern-bluebird/
