Eastern Bluebird Eggs

Carolina Chickadee Eggs

People Make Things Happen!

Bluebirds are a dramatic environmental success story. In the 1960's and 1970's, habitat losses, pesticides (including DDT) and competition from introduced species resulted in the loss of suitable nesting sites and decreased populations of Bluebirds.

A few folks who remembered the Bluebirds took direct action and provided nest boxes. The word spread and lots of people began to put out nest boxes and brought Bluebirds back to our region and beyond.

We are helping keep Bluebirds common and helping maintain biodiversity at Merrimac Farm. The newly established Bluebird Trail at Merrimac Farm is up and running, with newly hatched Bluebirds in two of the six nesting boxes already!

Our nesting boxes, donated by Bluebird enthusiast Kevin Parker, are designed to give Bluebirds the best opportunity for success. They include a metal collar mounted on the pole to prevent snakes and other wildlife from reaching the nesting box, protecting the eggs and newly hatched young from becoming a tasty snack. We also paint the pole with a sticky substance to prevent ants from reaching the nesting cavity.

PWCA volunteers are monitoring the nesting boxes at Merrimac Farm and recording information about their success. Volunteers also record information about other species that might be using the nesting boxes, such as Carolina Chickadees or Tufted Titmice.

So far two boxes have been adopted by Eastern Bluebirds, with five eggs laid in each. On the May 18 2008 monitoring, we found that all ten eggs had hatched and tiny bluebirds were snuggled safely inside the nesting boxes.

In Virginia, nesting begins in mid-March. Bluebirds depend on the availability of suitable cavities in open habitats, areas with little or no understory and sparse groundcover. Hollow branches, tree snags, old woodpecker cavities, fence posts and nesting boxes are all preferred sites for Bluebird nests.

Generally, Bluebirds lay four to seven eggs. These hatch in approximately 14 days. About 14 days after hatching, Bluebirds begin short flights and leave the nest soon after. In Virginia, Bluebirds produce two or three broods each year.

Both parents feed and care for the young. During the summer, Bluebirds eat grubs, caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, and other insects. In late fall and winter, they depend on wild fruits, such as crabapples, poison ivy berries, sumac, elderberries, and cedar berries.

If you are interested in helping with this important project, please contact Kim Hosen at 703.499.4954, alliance@pwconserve.org