Homes for feathered friends

Two new homes were constructed in hours in the Sweetwater Oaks community last month.

Florida Bluebird Society member Nell Pennewill greets attendees at the registration table during a recent meeting at Sweetwater Oaks.

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Florida Bluebird Society member Nell Pennewill greets attendees at the registration table during a recent meeting at Sweetwater Oaks.

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Florida Bluebird Society Recording Secretary, Elena Sachs, who works for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as a Florida Bird Conservation Initiative Coordinator, holds up one of the books given away as a door prize with FBS Regional Coordinator, Sandy Reed.

Florida Bluebird Society President Bill Pennewill, left, visits with Glenda Simmons, FBS member and photographer and Barbie Arms, right, corresponding secretary for the group during the recent meeting.

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Ed Randall, left, uses a level to keep the pole straight while Bill Pennewill drives the post into the ground. New member Jason Green, right, observes the process of putting up a bluebird nesting box.

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Bill Pennewill stands next to recently erected bluebird box.

Bill Pennewill doublecheck everything because declaring the nest box ready for occupancy.

One of the bluebird boxes was put up in the yard of Nancy Adams, right. Claire Bryant, left and center, Barbie Adams.

It is hoped the wooden constructed homes will attract bluebirds.

Members of the Florida Bluebird Society gathered for the morning to mix, mingle and install the two boxes for the community. It was also the group’s semi-annual meeting.

Barbie Arms, the corresponding secretary for the statewide organization, is a resident of the Sweetwater Oaks community.

She suggests those putting up nesting box for any birds, particularly bluebirds, think of the bird first and foremost.

”Whether a "bluebird trail" consists of one nest box or a hundred nest boxes, it is important that the needs of the birds are given priority over the personal preferences of the individual. It must be remembered that first and foremost, nest boxes are for the birds, not for the people putting them up,” Arms said.

Those considering installing a bluebird box should have both a good nest box and the right location before sinking a pole into the ground.

The right location would be a minimum of 100 yards apart from any other bluebird boxes because the bluebird is a very territorial type bird.

The 100 yards gives the bird enough room to feed their young with the berries and insects they can find.

To protect the bluebird, boxes should have a baffle or guard on the pole to keep snakes, raccoons, squirrels and other animals from getting into the nest. 

 If you would like to find out more information about erecting a bluebird box please visit our website http://floridabluebirdsociety.com/ or email Barbie Arms, FBS Corresponding Secretary at allaboutartgalry@aol.com or call Barbie at (352) 369-4899.