June/July Photo
Taken by Editor Cherie Layton
3-day-old Bluebird Hatchlings

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We're still in the process of compiling the results of the 2005 Nesting Season Reports that we've been conducting online by means of an online survey service. When these reports are complete, we will have a useful tool for comparing the timing of events in the current nesting season with past and future seasons in various parts of the country. The results that have been compiled so far are available by going to the Bluebird Nut Cafe discussion forum, and clicking on the topic 2005 Nesting Season Report Summary.

Some interesting facts that we've collected so far:

56.8% of the 48 "First Nesting" respondents reported that the Bluebirds overwintered in their area during the winter of 2004-2005; 43.2% reported that they did not. Of those whose Bluebirds did not overwinter, the timing of first sightings varied from February 5 in Charleston, WV, to June 1 in Eagle Nebraska.

The earliest reported observed nestbuilding start was on March 1 in Alpharetta, GA, the latest (so far) was on June 30 in Central NY.

The earliest egg-laying reported was in Summerville, FL on February 25 (this respondent did not report observing a nest-building start). A respondent in Eagle, Nebraska, didn't report seeing a first egg until June 8.

That earliest egg-laying in Summerville, FL resulted in a hatching on March 14; A Norcross, GA resident reported a first hatching as late as June 1. First reported fledgings ranged from April 2 in southwest Florida to June 15 in Norcross, GA.

Not all of the reports included a tally of number of eggs laid, but of those that did, out of a total of 244 eggs laid in first nestings, 200 hatched. Of the reported nestings, 78.7% resulted in all of the eggs laid hatching and surviving to fledging, 12.8% resulted in complete failure (either due to eggs not hatching, or the death/disappearance of hatchlings); and 8.5% resulted in partial success.

Of those nestings that failed, either partially or completely, 13.3% of the respondents cited predation as the cause; another 13.3% blamed the failure on the weather; 6.7% reported pests being responsible (namely, bees that stung the nestlings); another 33.3% blamed the failures on "other" causes, including infertility of eggs, unexplained disappearances/deaths, and pesticide poisoning.

Many second nesting reports are still not complete, but early data indicates second nestings starting as early as April 22 in Rome, GA and Chattanooga, TN.

If you have not yet filled out these reports, please help us make our data as complete as possible by doing so as soon as each nesting is finished. Follow the links below for each report:

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Recent inquiries have indicated a level of interest in a Bluebird calendar, a general Cavity-nester calendar, and possibly a "Baby bird" calendar for the upcoming year.

I'm currently soliciting entries for the 2006 calendars. The number and quality of photos we receive will determine which calendars we will offer for the coming year.

What I'm looking for are good-quality photos in digital format (either original digital photos, or GOOD quality scanned prints). Edit: The photos will be printed on the calendar in 11 X 8 size. The recommended resolution for this size is 200-300 dpi in for best printing quality. This would mean the minimum size of the photo should be 2200 X 1600 - the higher the better. However, last year I was able to use a couple of really sharp photos in the 1600-1850 wide range, so if you think you have a photo that *might* be a good candidate, please send an e-mail to bluebirdnut@gmail.com for further details on how to submit your photos for consideration. If necessary a photo of lower resolution could be printed "framed" on the page so that it could be slightly smaller. (Please do not send the actual photos until they are requested)

Depending on the number of photos submitted, I may hold a photo contest similar to the contests held in the past to choose the best photos for the calendar. Full credit will be given the photographers on the calendar itself, and a percentage of proceeds will go toward a worthy Bluebird cause to be announced.

                     ~Editor~

Excerpts from an article written
by Ad Crable
Published: Jun 14, 2005
in the Lancaster New Era Newspaper
Lancaster County, PA

Is there a sight more buoyant this time of year than the breast of a bluebird flashing in the sun?

These birds of happiness have a unique bond with humans. They nest in cavities but can’t peck their own. With old fence posts and dead trees disappearing, they increasingly rely on people to provide them homes.

Many here are more than willing and the hold bluebirds have on local residents is manifested in diverse ways.

Take Sam W. White, for example.

Every other week from April into July, the 85-year-old former tool and die maker puts on a straw hat and grabs a jug of water, leaves the Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community and drives the 12 miles to Susquehannock State Park.

There, he begins tapping on 16 bluebird boxes spread over a half-mile as part of the park’s bluebird “trail.”

He checks how many eggs or bluebird babies are in the boxes, or whether the boxes are being used instead by tree swallows — acceptable since they are another cavity nester species needing help — or English house sparrows or starlings,. The latter two are not OK as they will evict bluebirds, even kill them.

Sometimes, White finds shards of blue eggs on the ground and he knows a cat, raccoon or snake has raided the helpless nest. Bee nests and blow flies sometimes present other problems.

If a bluebird box is in disrepair, he may fix it or build a new one back at the Presbyterian Home’s woodworking shop.

He loves peeking inside. He keeps meticulous records of how many bluebirds use the nests, how many nestings a pair has each season and how many fledglings are produced in each nest.

“They have a lovely song,” White says of his beloved bluebirds. “When they fly up in the sunlight, it’s a beautiful sight.”

He’s been the bluebird trail’s monitor the last seven years.

“It’s the thing,” he says, “I most look forward to, unless it’s a picnic."

********
Five years ago, developers of the Jacob’s Creek development off Spring Valley Road in East Hempfield Township wanted to smother 40 acres of floodplain in crowned vetch and trimmed lawn.

Beth Walters had other ideas.

Walters, a 45-year-old Rohrerstown resident, has spearheaded the placement of three bluebird boxes on the property, following anecdotal evidence that they’re around.

“This has been such a community effort,” says Walters, noting that the materials and building of the boxes were by volunteers.

She hopes to expand bluebird trails in other nearby neighborhoods and is working on creating a page on the East Hempfield Township Web site where residents could learn how to build bluebird boxes and place and maintain them properly.

********

In 1999, Dan Thomas found himself bored stiff at home while recovering from back surgery. One of his diversions was to build a few bluebird boxes and put them out on his property.

To his surprise, several pairs showed up within weeks.

Now, Thomas monitors 50 bluebird boxes for the Bluebird Society of Pennsylvania on trails at Pequea Township’s Silver Mine Park and at Manor Middle School.

Beyond that, he brings home scrap lumber from work, fashions his own bluebird boxes and distributes them to willing neighbors. He knows people who’ve gotten bluebirds the very day that they erected a bluebird box.

“There’s something about once you get a bluebird and see one,” he says. “You kind of become addicted to them. They’re just a beautiful bird to have around and very people friendly.”

Thanks to Ad Crable and the Lancaster New Era for giving us permission to re-print excerpts from this article.