Virginia Bluebird Society

The Virginia Bluebird Society believes it is the responsibility of anyone who erects a nest box to ensure it houses native species. It must not become a breeding ground for non-native House Sparrows or Starlings. Further, we feel that providing predator guards and monitoring boxes, improves the nesting success of bluebirds and other native cavity nesters.

Nestbox Monitoring Protocol

We monitor to:

Check on the progress and health of nests and nestlings.

Record observational data.

Be able to remove house sparrows or starlings before they reproduce

Watch for signs of vandalism, parasite infestation and/or predation.

Send recorded data to state and national organizations.

Monitoring Protocol

1. All boxes will be erected on poles, using predator guards on the poles for snakes, and wire noel guards on the boxes to discourage cats, raccoons and squirrels. No perch will be put on the outside of the box. These only enable predators to have easier access to the babies and eggs.

2. All boxes will be inspected prior to the nesting season and the boxes will be cleaned and/or repaired as necessary.

3. Boxes will be monitored once per week during the period of April through August.

4. Monitoring will occur during the same three-day period each week (i.e. Sat./Sun./Mon.)

5. Boxes will be inspected to record the following information:

Species
Stage of nest construction
Nesting materials used.
Number of eggs
Number and estimated age of hatchlings.
Number of fledglings.
Type of predation

6. After the young fledge, the box will be cleaned out in preparation for the next nesting attempt.

7. Each fall boxes will be winterized for use by birds for winter shelters.

Bluebird Nesting Guide