Why We Do It

Helping to Keep the Skies "Blue" over Boone County

Eastern Bluebirds suffer a severe lack of nesting sites, as nesting habitat including open lands, untreated wooden fence posts, and standing dead trees have become a thing of the past.

House wrens and house sparrows pose an additional problem. They are more aggressive than the bluebirds and often take over their nesting sites.

We can easily help the bluebirds by providing nesting sites and keeping them safe from other birds. This is being done in Boone County and across the country with great success.

Bluebird Web Pages

• North American Bluebird Society: www.nabluebirdsociety.org
• Indiana Bluebird Society: www.indianabluebirdsociety.org
• Sialis: www.sialis.org

Setting Up A Bluebird Trail

Habitat is the key factor. Locate in grassy areas with a few scattered trees. Suitable habitat should include perch sites.

Place boxes at least 100 yards away from build-ings, and 100 yards apart.

Avoid brushy and heavily wooded areas -- this is the habitat of the House Wren.

Avoid areas where the House Sparrow is abun-dant (i.e. farmsteads and feedlots).

Mount nesting boxes on a pole or post 4 to 5 feet above the ground, facing east or northeast away from prevailing winds. A tree or shrub nearby will give a place for young to fly to when fledging.