9 replies to this topic

[southerntrasplant]

So, I'm going to be moving to a new house at the end of May (Wisconsin). My current landlord has a few birdhouses up in the yard, one of which is being visited by a house wren.

I'd like to get a similar set up at my new house, but I wouldn't be able to put one up until June 1. Is this too late for birds to nest in? Would I be better off just waiting until next year?

Thanks!

[fisherman1313]

You can put boxes up at any time of year, you probably will not get any birds nesting so late in the season but many birds use boxes for roosting during the winter.

[spookyjimjams]

Agreed, birds will use the boxes all year round for different reasons.

[fisherman1313]

And, if you put the boxes up now the birds will know there are nesting sites available for next year. Just be sure to take them down and clean them next spring before the birds come back to nest.

[spyonabird]

I have had bluebirds nest in one of my boxes as late as July. Anytime is a good time to put up a box!

[Hairymoot]

I was wanting to put up some bird houses around my yard. I looked at the home and craft store the other day when I was getting my America flag for the holidays, but the bird houses they had says they are for decoration only. hehe So I was thinking the Lowes by my house my have some, because I got my bird feeder there. Or should I try someplace else?

Also I have seen some fancy multi-room Bird houses. Are they any better than the singles? I was thinking putting singles up around the yard but have seen the big ones on poles. Not sure I want to go to that much trouble tho.

[creeker]

I was wanting to put up some bird houses around my yard. I looked at the home and craft store the other day when I was getting my America flag for the holidays, but the bird houses they had says they are for decoration only. hehe So I was thinking the Lowes by my house my have some, because I got my bird feeder there. Or should I try someplace else?

Also I have seen some fancy multi-room Bird houses. Are they any better than the singles? I was thinking putting singles up around the yard but have seen the big ones on poles. Not sure I want to go to that much trouble tho.

Try Petco or Petsmart. They might have some. As for the multi-room houses, they are specifically for Purple Martins. If you have Purple Martins in your area, for sure put one up. If not, I would just go with a single.

[threeofhardts]

I have become a fan of Kettle Moraine bird houses and bird feeders. They're beautiful and made in the USA. Don't know if I can post a link to their site here but you can Google them to see if anything strikes your fancy. I've bought several of them and love them.

[Kaysei]

I bought my bluebird house at Tractor Supply.

[sailormom64]

I bought a pre made bluebird house, BUT I think next time I would like to make my own! You can get a PDF file with the specs to make a bluebird house at the NABS site or maybe a local bluebird site for your area. My neighbor has a woodworking shop and makes things all the time for people, so I could give him the plans and have him cut the lumber to the specs and then I can assemble it, I don't have any of the tools I would need to do the cutting of the lumber myself. Also you can buy kits that you can assemble, really inexpensive but I am not sure of the durability. And there are sites to find out the preferred nesting specs of different birds if you have a certain bird you want to put up a house for. I have neighbors who have Purple Martin houses up, and another neighbor has wren houses up. I just think we take so much natural habitat away from birds we ought to put up a house or two and help them out, and it is so nice to hear them singing and watch them raise their young.