Seen Any Bluebirds?

Kelsey Green, Biological Field Technician for the Western Bluebird Reintroduction Project – Tim Dustrude photo

Kelsey Green is here on the island conducting a Western Bluebird study for the Ecostudies Institute, working with Kathleen Foley of the San Juan Preservation Trust as part of the Western Bluebird Reintroduction Project.

While Western Bluebirds used to thrive in our area, they have been in decline since the mid 1900’s and are now listed as a “Species of Greatest Conservation Need” by the Washington State Dept. of Fish & Wildlife. The reintroduction project – a joint effort by the Ecostudies Institute, the Preservation Trust, the American Bird Conservancy and other partners – has been working since 2007 to reestablish a breeding population of the migratory birds through a combined program of reintroduction, population monitoring and outreach.

Over a 5 year period, a small breeding population had been established but due to extremely cool and wet summers of 2011, 2012 and 2013, that population has declined dramatically. So far in 2014, only one breeding pair has been positively identified.

That’s where you come in – How can landowners help?

1. Keep an eye out for bluebirds and call the numbers below if one is spotted
2. Provide nest boxes to replace natural nesting cavities that have been lost due to human encroachment
3. Keep an eye on existing nest boxes and what birds are using them
4. Allow technician access to check established nest boxes
   – At last count there were 684 nest boxes on SJ Island – monitoring these is crucial to the success of the project
5. This summer, an effort will be underway to inventory all of the nest boxes, assess their viability, and set up a more efficient tracking system.

With the dramatic decline in population, the Ecostudies Institute has renewed efforts to ensure that Western Bluebirds persist on SJ Island, and that the sub-population contributes to a viable regional population. 

As a heads up – Kelsey might get in touch with you to make arrangements to assess and monitor nest boxes on your land.

For more information, or to report sightings, please call Kelsey Green at (360) 936-2565 or Kathleen Foley at (360) 298-1856.

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