Have you seen a bluebird?

Many people don't realize that our state bird, the Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) was nearly wiped out at the beginning of the 1900's.

Various factors led to the population decline:

Bluebirds are secondary cavity nesters, which means that they nest in cavities produced by other forces such as woodpeckers or the holes in deteriorating trees.

The development of rural areas and general farming techniques have taken a toll on the availability of these nesting cavities.

The introduction of the two non-native cavity nesters, the House Sparrow and the European Starling has also led to even more competition for the limited nesting sites.

In Wayne County, there is a group that is out to help the bluebirds and is doing so with great success. The Wayne County Nest Box Network was started in 1985 to help inform the public of the bluebirds' plight and to help re-establish their population through the erection of nesting boxes. Nest boxes placed in the proper habitat have been known to have bluebirds nesting in them in a matter of days. Nest boxes should be placed out by March to help attract these early migrants.

If you would like to help re-establish this beautiful bird, join the network. For more information write the Wayne Co. Nest Box Network c/o Mr. Joby Lawson, 7 Hebron Ave., Shortsville, NY 14548.

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