Page 6 - North Haven Magazine Issue 7 Winter 2019

CREATE A At the Library

Bluebird Haven! PARENT RESOURCE FAIR

by Sally Brockett Saturday, March 23rd at 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Are you looking for a local preschool, daycare,
n spite of the cold, wintry weather, spring will arrive in pediatrician, or pediatric dentist for your child?
several more weeks. Some of the early bulbs are breaking Stop by the library to meet representatives from
Ithrough the ground already and the tree buds are just all these groups, plus more!
waiting for some warmer days so they can burst open. If you enjoy
bluebirds and would like to create a bluebird haven, now is the time to Be sure to bring the little ones for
start. Attracting birds, bees, and butterflies to our yards is an important Pete & Chris's
part of gardening, conservation, and can add lots of interest to your Magic Comedy Show
environment. When your day starts with a flash of brilliant blue as the at 11:00 am!
bluebird flies across your yard, it will bring a sudden rush of happiness. No registration.
Bluebirds truly are birds of happiness.
APRIL IS
The end of February is the time to prepare your bird houses for birds who FINANCIAL LITERACY MONTH
use nesting boxes. Male bluebirds are among the first to scout potential
housing for its mate. They will check out a variety of nest boxes and tree out in a small glass, or plastic dish, with 1” sides. April 2 Learn how to budget, save money, and
cavities that may be suitable, but it is the female bluebird that makes the Bluebirds also love peanut butter suet which can be 7:00 pm deal with debt (including student loans)
final choice. purchased, or home made. Registration required.
April 12 Understanding & navigating social
If you already have bluebird houses In order to have success with creating your haven 1:00 pm security programs and benefits.
installed, it is important to clean out for bluebirds, it can be helpful to learn more details Registration required.
any debris at the end of February about what these birds like, and what you can do April 23 Is retirement among your plans for the
so the bluebirds will not think the to not only attract them, but to protect them from 7:00 pm future? Learn how to plan for retirement.
house is already occupied. If you have provided nesting material such predators. Registration required.
as pine needles, or straw, so the birds could use the houses for shelter What financial steps do you need to
through the winter, clean this out at the end of February, or when you The North American Bluebird Society is an excellent April 30 reach your goals? Learn how to make a
first see bluebirds in your yard, and leave the box empty. If the nest box resource for more information: 11:00 am plan and implement it.
is selected by a pair of bluebirds, they will build their own nest in the www.nabluebirdsociety.org Registration required.
clean house.

If you do not have a bluebird house March 2 at 2:00 pm
installed on your property, and you
have a location that will be attractive to Irish Concert with
Liz McNicholl
bluebirds, you may want to put up a house
now. Bluebirds like open lawns and meadows so they can hunt insects. The nest April 6 at 2:00 pm
box should be about 4-5 feet above the ground, and it is nice if there is a tree Cabaret Show with
or shrub near the front of the house so when the fledglings leave on their first Ashly Cruz
flight, they have a safe landing place nearby.
May 4 at 2:00 pm
Sponsored by the
Current research suggests that using a bluebird nest box that has a slotted Mimosa Steel Pan Duo
Friends of the Library
entrance, rather than the usual round hole, will help protect the bluebirds from
predators. When a snake or English house sparrow, or even a small house wren,
enters the nest box through a round hole, the bluebird cannot escape. However,
the extra space created by the long slot, leaves room for the bluebird to fly out
while the predator is beginning to enter.

In addition to providing the nest box for shelter and for raising their young,
your bluebird haven should also offer fresh water, and food. Bluebirds will hunt many insects in your yard and 1 7 E l m S t r e e t N o r t h H a v e n C T 0 6 4 7 3 2 0 3 - 2 3 9 - 5 8 0 3
garden, so be sure to avoid gardening with toxic chemicals. A favorite treat is mealworms, which can be put w w w . n o r t h h a v e n l i b r a r y . n e t
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