I will be out on my trail next week to winterize all the boxes so that the bluebirds and other cavity nesters can roost in the boxes. What is winterizing?
The ventilation areas of each box will be plugged to keep cold drafts and rain and snow out of the boxes while the birds keep warm in them. The only sections NOT plugged will be the drainage holes in the box floors and the entry holes, of course! 
See a series of pictures below of winterized boxes on my trail. You’ll see how the materials help keep the boxes warm!
Also next week, two of my boxes will be moved to new locations. My criteria for changing is the current box locations were not used by cavity nesters this past season. It’s good to tweak the trail each year for best use of all nestboxes available for the birds! 
The Virginia Bluebird Society’s website helped me when I went to Lowe’s Home Improvement to get the supplies… cost was $14 for everything and all the materials can be recycled again for the next winter season! CLICK ON LINK below: http://www.virginiabluebirds.org/winterizingnestboxes.html
- Tack Box and Tools for Winterizing: Foam-tubing weatherstripping, foam air-conditioning strips, old and newly fallen pine needles, gloves, and scissors.
About an inch of grasses or pine needles for the floor should be placed.
- Photo of foam tubing on narrower ventilation areas (top of box).
- I run across this during winterizing….mud dauber wasp nests. There are pupae inside these mud tunnels. Remove with scraper.
COMMENTS WELCOMED. PLEASE LEAVE YOURS. THANKS FOR VISITING!