Nest Boxes & Bluebird Trails

Nestbox Construction

All you need to know about proper nest box construction and maintaining a Bluebird Trail. Many thanks to Tom Kott for this information.

Nest Box Construction Notes
Nest Box Drawings & Plans:

The Standard Nest Building Instructions (PDF file)
The Standard Nest Box Plans (PDF file)
The Standard Nest Box Cutting Pattern (PDF file)
The Dorrie Nest Box Building Instructions (PDF file)
The Dorrie Nest Box Plans (PDF file)
The Dorrie Nest Box Cutting Pattern (PDF file)
The Peterson Type Nest Box - Sheet 1 of 2 (PDF file)
The Peterson Type Nest Box - Sheet 2 of 2 (PDF file)

Additional nest box plans and information can be found at www.thenestbox.com

Three examples of bluebird boxes. Middle box is a natural cavity box.

- Photo by John Millman

Well greased metal poles will deter climbing predators like raccons. Twinning of boxes may help to ensure that one box is available for Eastern Bluebirds.

- Photo by John Millman

(Click on photos for a larger image.)

Bluebird Trails

Here is all the information you need for setting up a trail, monitoring and avoiding predators. Many thanks to Don Wills for these articles.

Bluebird nest with 4 eggs.

- Photo by John Millman

Record keeping is an important aspect of Bluebirding.

- Photo by John Millman

2009 OEBS Nest Box Survey

One of the major objectives of the OEBS is to monitor long term reproductive success in Ontario's Eastern Bluebird population. We cannot do this unless you send in your nest box data on the form below with as much information as possible. If you are aware of others in your area that have nest boxes and who do not report, please either report for them or print the survey sheet to give to them.

Send to: Bill Read, 24 Brant Pl, Cambridge ON N1S 2V8

Ontario 2009 Eastern Bluebird Nest Box Survey (PDF file)

Ontario 2009 Eastern Bluebird Nest Box Survey (msWord file)