Salt Box Houses

What kind of house do bluebirds prefer?

I hope most of you are like myself and are seeing a good increase in hummingbirds this week. I suspected the decline was to do with the little birds being busy with nesting duties so they weren't at the feeders as much. This seems to happen every year at this time and although the return to normal activity may be a bit later, at least they are back.

If you haven't had more activity this week, don't forget to dump the feeders, give them a good scrub and refill them with fresh nectar. Even if they aren't being used, the nectar will spoil.

I was glad to hear reports of bobolink and even happier to find out how many people were aware of their nesting habits and postpone cosmetic mowing until after the young have left the nest.

I was surprised at the numbers of eastern bluebirds reported in response to last week's column. This week I'd like to ask how many bluebird nests get reported and the locations, if you could.

From the reports I did receive, it seems the nests are quite widespread, with a good number in Albert, Westmorland and Kent counties. What I've been seeing, as well, is the birds don't really act the way they are supposed to. There are so many speciality 'bluebird' nest boxes that are supposed to attract them, but what seems to be happening is they are taking non-traditional, decorative houses placed in close proximity to humans.

There were people who set out dozens of nest boxes, some of every pattern recommended, but the birds picked a small, brightly painted house that was placed on or near the human's house. In some cases it was a little inconvenient, as folks didn't want to use their decks while the birds were nesting, but it made for great observations.

The house that seems to have the most success though, is the plain old 'salt box' design, although I'm sure it's due to the numbers that are built each year. They're the ones you see around pastures, ponds and Ducks Unlimited impoundments. They are very easy to build - just a small box with a single board for a roof that may not even have a slope.

I'd also like to hear if anyone has tried any of the speciality bluebird houses and whether or not they were successful. Some of the styles I've tried are:

* The Kentucky Bluebird Box: This is similar to the salt box style but instead of having the traditional 1-1/2-inch hole, they have a 1-1/8-inch slot across the entire front. They are designed to thwart sparrows, but the one I heard of that was successful was built and erected quickly to settle a dispute between an eastern bluebird and a tree swallow couple. It worked as it should: the bluebirds took the Kentucky and the swallows preferred the house with the hole.

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