IT’S BLUEBIRD SEASON!
STOP BY OUR OFFICE TO GET YOUR BLUEBIRD NEST BOX.
(one nest box per customer, while supplies last.)
It is not too late to put up bluebird nest boxes in Southern California. While the ideal time to install boxes is February, Western Bluebirds frequently have multiple broods, meaning they often look for nesting sites through the spring and into the summer, sometimes nesting as late as July or August.
Here is what you need to know about setting up bluebird nest boxes in SoCal now:
Nesting Schedule: In Southern California, the nesting season generally runs from March through August. Pairs often raise 1-2 broods, but they can raise up to 3 in a season, providing multiple opportunities for them to use a new box.
Ideal Timing: Although February is best, nest boxes can be put up later in the spring and still be occupied.
Other Potential Residents: If bluebirds have already claimed other territories, your box might be used by other desirable native cavity nesters, such as Tree Swallows, Violet-green Swallows, or Ash-throated Flycatchers.
Placement Tips:
Place nest boxes 5-6 feet above the ground on a pole or post.
Avoid placing them on horizontal fences, which are easily accessed by predators like snakes, cats, and raccoons.
Ensure they are in an open area with some trees nearby for perching, but not directly under thick tree cover.
Maintenance: If you install a nest box late, check it regularly to ensure no invasive species, such as European Starlings or House Sparrows, have taken it over. The entrance hole should be exactly 1½ inches to keep starlings out
Click here for a fact sheet by the North American Bluebird Society to get started with your bluebird nest box.
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