Eastern Bluebird Trail at Merrimac Farm
The Merrimac Farm Bluebird Trail includes 15 nesting boxes that are monitored regularly. Bluebird Trail volunteers also record information about other species that might be using the nesting boxes, such as Carolina Chickadees or Tufted Titmice.
In 2009 we started seeing Bluebirds checking out nesting boxes in early to mid-March. By the end of the month, Bluebirds were building nests in two boxes.
Scroll down for updates on Eastern Bluebird activity at Merrimac Farm. We appreciate your help to make sure the Bluebirds and other cavity nesters using these boxes to raise their young are not disturbed.
News from Trail Leader Wayne Kurtz
July 14, 2009 -- The first nesting cycle in April/May resulting in 27 bluebird eggs in 6 boxes and 15-18 young that likely fledged. We are now at the peak of the second nesting cycle with a total of 16 eggs.
The four eggs in one box did not do so well—only one chick was seen, and that one was gone along with three eggs only three days later. We have eight live young in two boxes. Hopefully these twelve young and eggs will fare better. We removed Boxes 3 and 4 have been removed because house sparrows have been persistent in using those boxes.
May 4, 2009 - Bill Ryder reports that we have our first new residents at Merrimac Farm! Two nesting boxes held newly hatched chicks, which will fledge in approximately two weeks. We have a total of 21 eggs in 5 nests, so more should follow soon.
April 30,2009 - Wayne Kurtz made a monitoring visit to all 11 boxes and found 8 new eggs. The supply of Bluebird eggs now stands at 21 as follows: Box 1 — 4 eggs; Box 2 — 5 eggs; Box 4 — 4 eggs; Box 6 — 5 eggs; Box 10 — 3 eggs. And I saw one or two bluebirds at or near each of these boxes. The moss nest in box # 8 is quite interesting. What kind of bird uses moss exclusively for its nest?
April 19, 2009 - Bill Ryder reported 11 total eggs in 4 nests. The House Sparrows were still trying to build a nest in one box. This nest was removed to discourage the sparrows from using the nesting box. House Sparrows kill Bluebirds sitting on nests, along with the young and eggs, and then take over the nest. They are a major factor in the decline of Bluebirds and other cavity-nesters in North America.
April 8, 2009 - Wayne Kurtz found a complete nest in Box 6, and two partial nests in boxes where they were not noted before. He also added news about other wildlife sightings, saying "I was delighted to see a Red-tailed Hawk flying very low across the road in the woods as I was driving from Box 1 to Box 2. The upper side of the tail was perfectly visible, and was completely refocus red. I never got such a perfect view of the upper side of the tail before.
And then Neil and I both saw a beautiful Red Fox running first along the road behind the tree line, and then crossing the road in front of us, just north of Box 5 on Deepwood Lane. When we were at the parking lot out from the stone house about 5:15 PM we heard a Barred Owl hooting repeatedly with its characteristic 8 hoots. Earlier on our walk between Box 8 & 9 we thought we heard a dog barking in the direction of Box 5, which in retrospect may have been the Barred Owl."
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