There is a sense of urgency in the air. Warm days coupled with cool evening hours confirms the fall season is underway.
Across the broad spectrum of wildlife, each species is preparing for the winter season that is yet to come. In the case of a wide variety of birds, many will migrate south to ride out winter. Others will remain. And both have a common bond.
Come spring they will once again nest and raise their young. While next spring may seem to be a long way off, the time between now and then provides us with an opportunity that is overlooked this time of year.
It may be looked upon as preventive maintenance for birds. Birds nest, raise their young, then leave, and return to do the same each spring. Sounds simple enough. However if you expect nesting birds to keep on coming back to your nesting box(s), then a bit of cleanup needs to take place.
Think about it. If you’ve taken the time to build nesting structures, they need to be maintained.
To keep our feathered friends coming back it is important to have a clean nesting box for them to return to.
The first step in the cleaning process should be to protect yourself from the nesting material by wearing gloves.
Clean out all previous nesting material and dispose of it in a plastic bag to prevent bugs and pathogens from spreading in the air.
The interior of the nesting structure can be cleaned using a diluted solution of bleach and water. In addition to treating the interior of the nesting box, clean the entrance and ventilation holes.
Next, rinse the area cleaned with water and allow the structure to air dry in the sun for a day or two before closing the box.
In the case of many bird boxes, the front cover of the structure is secured with screws. And that’s OK. However, the annual cleaning process can be made easier by installing hinges on the access panel for quick and easy access.
While cleaning, consider where the bird box is located. If wrens were using a certain nest box instead of bluebirds, you probably have the birdhouse located too close to cover. Bluebirds prefer a more open landscape. And there is something to be gained here.
Since wrens have found the birdhouse, simply add an additional bluebird box in a more suitable habitat.
Keep in mind bird boxes are for the birds. Yet there are other species of wildlife that will readily use nesting boxes when provided. And there is a growing need.
As a result of maturing forests, along with an increase in timber and coupled with land practices, this has resulted in fewer dead and dying trees on the landscape. This situation has increased the need for bird boxes, however the need for nesting boxes is growing as well.
Properly designed nesting boxes can directly affect habitat for: Squirrels Flying Squirrels, Raccoons, Bats, Butterfly Hibernation, and Solitary Bees, Mice, and others.
Right now maintenance of existing birdhouses and nesting boxes is important. When completed, a device that is clean and in good repair will be attractive to future nesters.
It’s also a good time to begin building your nesting houses, and the PA Game Commission can provide construction plans.
For a complete menu of diagrams for nesting houses and nesting boxes, log onto the PA Game Commission’s website. Then in the search bar type in Wood Crafting for Wildlife. Download one or all of the plans. They are made available free of charge.
Do bird boxes and nesting boxes really work? The short answer is yes, and can be seen in the improvement reflected in the bluebird populations across the state and across the northeast. The success was and remains with groups and individuals erecting and maintaining bird boxes designed specifically for bluebirds. The same can be done to improve nesting opportunities for a broader spectrum of wildlife than most would imagine.
