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Bluebird population is growing in Northeast.

17 years ago

Even with the harsh winter many of my bluebirds are back and even in higher numbers and still very early in the season. This will be my 20th season!

I never imagine I would be growing old and still cleaning bluebird nest box's

and caring for the flock. I have no regrets..... and hope to be around for

another 20 years. New England has a very heathy population of bluebirds

and there very common. And very close to city limits. Most of my bluebirds

live on powerline right-a-ways well out of reach of people and HOSP.

I hope everyone has a great season and no matter what happens there will

always be another season and another bluebird pair to bring you happiness!

Best of luck to you all!

Ray

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Comments (4)

bettycbowen
17 years ago
Thanks Ray, just imagine how your 20 seasons of flocks have contributed to the restoration of this beautiful bird! Until a few years ago I had never seen a bluebird, and the one I saw was just a flash of blue across an Oklahoma dirt road. Now I am on my second season of having a BB pair at my home.
Yesterday the dad BB was right outside the front window, perched in our blooming redbud, what a beautiful sight. I hope they will become a common sight around here too.
bbcathy
17 years ago
Ray I'm very glad to hear that the population is doing so well there. I have about 18 - 20 boxes. I know you have many more and don't know how you do it!!! Kudos to you. I am very sad because it took me 6 years of trapping hosps and working the trail to build up to 3 pairs on my trail and this year I have none there yet and only one pair at my house. We had a hard winter as well and I'm afraid some did not make it. In January there were still 5 Blues up at my neighbors where the actual trail is. I have only seen 2 males and one female here eating pb suet at the house and I have one nest here and no eggs yet. I have one Dee nest with no eggs yet. My Tres just arrived today and I'm thrilled about it but I'm still hoping for more Blues. Have you ever had a year where the population went down?
Good Luck to you this season.
Cathy
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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~
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rayinri
Original Author
17 years ago
Hi Cathy
You must be well north of me. Yes the population of bluebirds does decline
after a harsh winter my numbers have stayed around 35 to 40 pairs the last few years... back in the 1990's the weather was different winters were mild and the bluebird population low at the time doubled in the mild years. New England
had a cold spring of april of 2008 many females weak from there trip north
perished on half made nest. Its just not winter weather that kills bluebirds!
Food supply at its lowest in april many bluebirds perished and my flock which
was already paired off were flying around the town and reforming there bonds with other bluebirds because of this extreme cold weather in april
killed so many nest box's just ready for eggs were found with nothing but
dead bluebirds I have such a volume of bluebirds that return here I did not feel the loss like so many others in near by states The month a may brings in
the youngest of the bluebirds and what ever box's are empty are quickly taken by these first year breeders. I can support 60 pairs but only once in the 1990's were they all used by bluebirds. Alot depends on weather and your local population of bluebirds. My bluebird box's have been in place for years
and with out question they are super prime locations. Bluebirds with care
can live three to five years. Those are area's void of HOSP And cats!
I have a few bluebirds that are absent I blame the harsh winter. But the sites
should be taken by young bluebirds that i produced last year.
Ray
mac60
17 years ago
Ray,
20 years! That's great! You have to be proud of how your work has contributed to the increasing numbers.
I wish for you another 20 plus years with many more beautiful blues. Thanks for what you do and thanks for sharing your experiences and knowledge.
Mac

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