March 23, 2008 - Bluebird Holes

Welcome to the Nature Notebook.

Some male bluebirds spend the winter in Pennsylvania. These males are the first ones on territory as the weather warms. Other male bluebirds begin arriving this month. Soon after their return, these males search for and explore potential nest cavities. The best sites are snatched up quickly. After all, a male bluebird uses the nest site to show a female that he is a good provider and can offer a safe haven to raise young. So males check out dark holes in trees, nest boxes, clothesline poles, and about anywhere they can fit, provided there is good habitat nearby. If you are thinking about putting up a bluebird nest box, this is the time to do so. If you have one already in place, make sure it is cleaned out and marketable for prospective nesters.

This is PPL's naturalist, Jon Beam, with the Nature Notebook for WVIA.