Max Learns About BlueBird Houses 2009

JC Raulston Arboretum Raleigh, NC

On March 21, 2009 Max was at the N&O Great Birdhouse Contest at JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, NC.

Max was drawn to the contest because he has built a few birdhouses and most went unused. This is not a skill he takes pride in.

While there, Max came across a man from the North Carolina Bluebird Society who had set a good sized display with a couple of nests, some bird houses and lots of literature.

The NC Bluebird Society was here this day to allow people to learn a little about bird houses and the birds that live in them. The gentleman showing the standard Bluebird house also showed he had a lot of knowledge of other birds.

One very neat display he had set up was a bluebird house on a stake with a plastic guard around it. Max had always though these guards were to keep squirrels away. Max, as often happens, was quite wrong.

These plastic and metal devices that go around the pole are intended to keep the snakes at bay. The snakes crawl up the pole and into the barrier. They find nothing and apparently end up leaving the birds alone. A few snakes, such as very long black snakes, can start out on the guard. For most snakes this will do the trick.

Another nifty item was a leather patch that has a hole in it the size of the bluebird hole. When this is placed over the hole it makes it more difficult for woodpeckers to resize the hole, which is apparently something they like to do. It also makes it more difficult for squirrels to chew the opening larger.

For easy cleaning the front part of the bluebird box is attached by two nails at the top only. This allows it to pivot outward, which permits the care tender to clean out the old nest before a new nest is started.

Max learned that although birds will build on top of an old nest, they will not actually use an old nest. Still, the old nest should be cleaned out to prevent diseases from being spread.

One easy way to keep these bird houses clean is to use a growing cup of appropriate size. You just put it on the bottom board of the house and the birds build their nest on or in it. When the young have left it is time to remove the growing cup with a new one.

Max thinks the 4" cup is about the right size.

The suggestion for the right height from the ground for the Bluebird house is about 6 feet. Other birds like other heights.

If you have a particular interest in Bluebirds you can contact the society at:

N.C. Bluebird Society
5801 Danville Drive
Fayetteville, NC 28311

They have written plans as to how to build and put together a really nice house with a complete parts list.

Many of the Greenways in Raleigh have Bluebird houses along the trails.

Max writes about greenways, rare diseases, timely topics, places to eat, travel and other issues of interest. Max encourages you to add your comments.

Link one is to the NC Bluebird Society which has much to share.

Link two is about JC Raulston Arboretum.

Link three is about the N&O birdhouse contest.