
Building a bluebird trail means mounting several
bluebird houses in an area that is a known bluebird nesting
location. You can find this out either through observation and also
by consulting with other bird lovers in your area that are
interested in conserving this often threatened species. Bluebirds
are a bit fussy when it comes to birdhouses possibly because they
may have some instinctual knowledge that starlings and sparrows are
threatening their breed.
Building a
bluebird trail helps the bluebird nest safely out of reach of
predators and keeps them safer away from bigger bully birds such as
starlings and European sparrows. The best place to build a trail of
bluebird houses is in areas that they prefer as a natural habitat.
This includes open areas with sparse ground cover as many of their
predators hide in bushes and thick foliage. They also prefer areas
that have plenty of perch sites such as telephone wires or wire
fence lines.
The best bird houses for bluebirds are wooden bird houses that
are located in open rural areas. The ideal scenario would be houses
that are perched about half way up a telephone pole. If perched too
high sparrows invade bird houses. Bluebirds vacate at the first sign
of a predator so building the houses on a bird house trail at
the right heights is crucial.

Bluebird trails
that are the most appealing to bluebirds consist of box shaped
dwellings made of cedar or redwood. This is because bluebirds eat
the bugs that nest in these types of natural woods. A bluebird box
should never have a perch sticking out from it as that attracts
sparrows and wrens that could bully the nesting bluebirds out of
their home. The nesting holes for Eastern bluebirds should have a
diameter of half of an inch. Western bluebirds will use a one and a
half inch entrance. Also keep in mind that varnishing or painting
bluebird house is not a good tactic as the bugs that they feed on in
wood find these substances toxic.

The perfect bluebird house is well ventilated and has drainage
holes so that rain can drain out. Bluebirds always choose the houses
on the bluebird trail that makes them feel the most secure. They
will feel the safest if the bottom of the bluebird house is covered
with hardware cloth so that snakes and squirrels cannot somehow get
at them from beneath. It is also a good idea to grease any perches,
poles or platforms around the bluebird house as this makes it harder
for larger birds to get a grip and stake out the bluebird home.
Although attracting blue birds with houses
or boxes can be a bit challenging (it is because they are so fussy
about their habitat!).
How Bluebird Trail Credits Are
Used
When you purchase a Bluebird Trail
Credit, you are investing into your and your children's
future. The money is used to assist farmers and
landowners to plan, restore and impliment a Bluebird Trail
project. The benefits are numerous and the return on
investment is priceless.