Bluebird Restoration Project—

Wood For Building Nest Boxes

Available To Groups

It is not too soon to start thinking about spring and the possibility of a pair of bluebirds setting up housekeeping in your yard.

All that is needed might be a sturdy nest box with an entrance hole that is exactly one-and-one-half inches in diameter placed in an attractive location –– preferably on a pole, four or five feet off the ground out in the open, away from tall trees where predators like hawks and owls might hide.

Most male bluebirds are scouting out potential nest sites by the end of February, and by the end of March they will have already explored any nest box that is within their chosen territory.

April is for finding a mate, showing her the house, and moving in.

For those who want to get a head start on the 2005 bluebird nesting season, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Wildlife Division is once again offering bundles of rough-cut lumber to groups for building bluebird nest boxes.

For more than two decades, the division has offered the wood, along with nest box plans and fact sheets, to Connecticut schools, scout and 4-H groups, nature centers, conservation commissions, and similar civic organizations as part of its Bluebird Restoration Project.

The wood will be distributed to groups only on a first come, first served basis. Group leaders should send a postcard to the Wildlife Diversity Program, PO Box 1550, Burlington CT 06013-1550. Only one request per group will be accepted.

Requests must be received by January 15 and must include the following information: group leader’s name, group name, mailing address, daytime phone number, and the number of bundles requested (limit 2). Each bundle of wood makes approximately 18 to 20 nest boxes.

Interested group leaders should be aware that the lumber comes as planks, and all groups will be responsible for cutting the wood to the correct size.

Participants will be notified by late January when they can pick up their wood at the Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area on Route 69 in Burlington.

For more information about this project, contact Geoffrey Krukar either by email at Geoffrey.krukar@po.state.ct.us or by phone at 860-675-8130.