Bluebird Blog – 2026

Bluebird blog January 9, 2026

Welcome to our first blog of 2026. I plan to do these blogs once a month during the bluebird season. I will look at field conditions at the time of writing and make recommendations as to how they should be approached. Making sure nest boxes have no ventilation holes except the entrance and the box is pointing south would be one.  2025 was one of our worst breeding seasons with heavy nestling mortality caused by the cold of May 22 to 24. Cold weather has always been the number one factor affecting both overwintering and breeding success. Lets hope we do not experience another May cold weather event like we did this past year. Bluebirds did re-nest successfully after that event as we had almost perfect weather the rest of the way. But because we lost many of the first broods  nestling numbers were much lower than normal. Trail reports showed that returning adult Eastern Bluebird numbers were down in 2025.  

Now is the time to make sure all your nest boxes are ready to go for 2026. Collecting proper mounting poles can be difficult and somewhat expensive. I try to find used T-bars and metal poles at barn sales and apple orchards. I have found that a hose clamp works well in attaching nest box to pole or t-bar. I recommend using grease on the pole or t-bar to stop climbing predators like raccoons from climbing. It can be applied at the center of the pole for about 12 inches. Raccoons will not climb the pole for fear of getting grease on their paws so they leave it alone.  A tub of automobile grease can be purchased at Canadian Tire for around $25. It will last the whole season.  If your nest boxes are left out all winter now is also a time to check for Deer Mice. If found I recommend removing them and putting a piece of wood over the entrance hole so they cannot re-enter. If left the urine they leave will rot the bottom of the nest box. I would remove the wood in late March early April when bluebirds start to appear. There have been numerous reports of Eastern Bluebirds overwintering in the fall 2025. I just did the Brantford CBC on January 4 and we counted 16 bluebirds in three separate locations. Our AGM this year is on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the First Unitarian Chuch at 170 Dundurn Street South in Hamilton. We have lined up three speakers plus the annual bucket raffel. It’s a good time to meet other bluebirders  and talk about the upcoming season. The cost is usually around $20 which includes lunch.  

Hope to see you there. Bill Read Past President.   . Our first post will be published soon!