Sorry you are seeing a decline! I would think 20+ pairs of BLues would be awesome to have! I generally only have two pairs but would really like at least four, have had three before though. How far do you have to travel to monitor your boxes? Mine are all closeby but then I only have 18 boxes. Good luck...sure hope you start seeing more BLues.

Donna

20 PAIRS?! Count yourself lucky there Ray! I only have 6 boxes and two nestbox pairs and I am lucky to get more than 2 pairs.

Plus, the Tree Swallow population seems to only be growing. They're as much of tyrants as House Sparrows! Without all the murder that is! I do enjoy their company and cooperation nesting aside my bluebirds.

Ray, you must realize that that's A LOT of bluebirds! I know you have a large trail, and I'm only a backyard bluebirder, but you're truly fortunate! And to be able to work with these birds for 23 years? LUCKY!!!! I'm an extremely young bluebirder who might have to move to keep life going. Every day with these birds is precious. If I move away I have to adapt to the possibility of not having ANY bluebirds! This is only my 6th season and next year might be my last year with them for a while. I'm a young adult looking into college. If I do leave for that reason, I wouldn't keep my boxes up if someone doesn't manage them! That would be disastrous! To also mention one hell of a war I've put up against my local HOSP!

Here in Ohio, any sunny drive during the day in the country finds a male or female bluebird perched atop the electric wires. Within a few miles is another pair.

Also, realize that Bluebirds' nesting territory is HUGE!! Tree Swallows nest within 100 feet of each other! The swallow project website brings up a big fact...we will probably never get bluebirds back to their original population levels. There is simply too many HOSP, too much development, too many Starlings, etc. Be fortunate for what you have! How can one manage/afford all these nestboxes? It amazes me. Especially those with full time jobs!!

Good luck as well. Enjoy the bluebirds you have. They're beautiful and amazing. But you simply can't have blues colonize like Martins, who, to me, seem to be even less of! They require much more specific requirements!

Enjoy our amazing Bluebirds. They're one of a kind.

~Tim~

I sure hope you don't give up Ray. You have been such a great asset to the Bluebirds. I am also thankful for your work with the Purple Martins. Some day I hope to see them up my way. I am about 50 miles north of you. I've been trying for years to attract them. If I ever do, I will credit it with your dedication!

Hi Kendra
The sad but true story of the Purple Martin is people unleashed very two very aggressive species on them the SS sparrow and Starling. And if that were not bad enough put in place for 45 years houses that the birds could not reproduce
correctly in the aluminum houses which were sold in northern states just as much as southern States. Today the aluminum houses are still sold but are now six by six by twelve so the units are no longer twelve units but six and double size and starling resistant holes. I worked for years getting people in RI to make the change to gourds and double size aluminum houses and the species is probably at its highest level in over 50 years. I told the manager at
plum Island in Newburyport MA to do the same thing in order to save the last known Martin colony in northern MA she did nothing and no birds returned there. Martins must be in gourds. The Martin is making a major comeback
threw out the country as gourd racks are going up in place of the old aluminum houses that saturate the country side. The generation of people that put them in place are being replaced with younger more open minded folks that care. The birds are now nesting in area's of PA were they have not been seen in 40 years. The same will happen in New England if you see people with a aluminum house tell them remove the house purchase gourds
for martins. I managed 80 pairs of Martins in 2011 and started the work in
in 2006 when i changed all the units to double size and gourds after 10 years
with small aluminum houses the colony never grew until the new units. Its all
science but people really damaged the Martin population but we are making progress. Some day martins will be very common just west of Boston like they
are becoming in RI ----Ray

You sure give me hope Ray! Thanks for the update. I do not have gourds, but I did read extensively and built a proper house (T-14) with nest inserts, guard, decoys, etc. I also trap HOSP, and have SREH, though I rarely see a starling around here. Thanks for all the work you do Ray.

Hi Kendra
If for some reason you dont get them Try a private Country club that has 100
acres. Or a lake..... with Martins its all location. In maine they nest at golf clubs
I will be sending hundreds of yearlings north by next year. Passion in life is conservation work. Ray