We were given a bluebird house this spring, but don't have bluebirds yet! Do you have any advice on how to attract them? The sparrows and wrens keep trying to take over the house.
Garden Sense, I think the bluebirds like our yard because there are lots of insects. Their diet is almost entirely insects. I garden organically and have planted many native shrubs to provide habitat for insects and birds (I like Doug Tallamy's Bringing Nature Home as a guide). Bluebirds also appreciate the bird bath. They seem to like tall trees, and tend to perch about 15 to 20 feet off the ground.
I have heard from many gardeners about problems with sparrows and wrens. Our bluebirds are year-round residents and do an excellent job of defending the box from other birds. I think I'm fortunate that there already were many bluebirds in the area before I put up the box.
A long answer, but I hope it helps and that some bluebirds find you soon! I get so much pleasure from them ...
One, every once in awhile I get lucky! I had set up the tripod to capture photos of a Carolina wren building a nest, but then saw the bluebird perched in a tree ...
It's hard taking photos of birds, though, because they move so much. I keep fantasizing about a new camera with faster shutter speed ...
so true....I just cannot get enough of bluebirds...i wish they would get in the blasted houses I put up for them one of these days after the sparrows leave...
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We were given a bluebird house this spring, but don't have bluebirds yet! Do you have any advice on how to attract them? The sparrows and wrens keep trying to take over the house.
That's a beautiful blue bird. Your capture is fabulous. So far, I do not have any decent images of birds.
Garden Sense, I think the bluebirds like our yard because there are lots of insects. Their diet is almost entirely insects. I garden organically and have planted many native shrubs to provide habitat for insects and birds (I like Doug Tallamy's Bringing Nature Home as a guide). Bluebirds also appreciate the bird bath. They seem to like tall trees, and tend to perch about 15 to 20 feet off the ground.
I have heard from many gardeners about problems with sparrows and wrens. Our bluebirds are year-round residents and do an excellent job of defending the box from other birds. I think I'm fortunate that there already were many bluebirds in the area before I put up the box.
A long answer, but I hope it helps and that some bluebirds find you soon! I get so much pleasure from them ...
One, every once in awhile I get lucky! I had set up the tripod to capture photos of a Carolina wren building a nest, but then saw the bluebird perched in a tree ...
It's hard taking photos of birds, though, because they move so much. I keep fantasizing about a new camera with faster shutter speed ...
so true....I just cannot get enough of bluebirds...i wish they would get in the blasted houses I put up for them one of these days after the sparrows leave...
Donna, sounds like the sparrows need an eviction!
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