Is your backyard ready for spring? With bluebirds starting to scout for places to nest this month and several nesting birds soon to follow, it’s time to get out and get your birdhouses ready for occupancy with these helpful reminders from Wild Bird Unlimited’s Mel Vandergriff.
TIP:
Having a birdhouse ready for your incoming birds is nice, but why not try to put out a bird bath or feeder, too? Your backyard will become a more desirable locale for scouting nesters, and you’ll see more birds this spring.
Clean out your previous birdhouses-and keep them clean! Make sure you tidy up the house of leaves and twigs in between each nesting cycle, but take care and be sure you’re not disrupting any fledglings.
Face the birdhouse away from prevailing winds, either in the shade or not facing west or southwest.
Don’t put out a birdhouse with a perch! It makes it easier for predators to reach the nest and get to the eggs and fledglings. Also, keep bird houses at least 5 feet off of the ground.