Western Bluebirds

[Note: This story has been updated to include info on building and donating a birdhouse]

Here’s a message from Kathleen Foley of the San Juan Preservation Trust about the first bluebirds on San Juan…

Western Bluebird – Photo used with permission from photographer Dave Johnson

Northern shrikes, tree swallows… and Western Bluebirds in San Juan Valley this morning! My, spring has sprung. Any idea what our earliest reported tree swallow sighting on San Juan Island is?

Folks on San Juan Island in particular: A pair of bluebirds has already returned, which means more may be coming (or are already here). Its time to keep an eye out for them again. Please report any sightings as soon as possible to me at 360-298-1856 or via email at:
kathleenf [@] sjpt [.] org

…and here’s a bit more from Barb Jensen:

They do need some new nest boxes to replace old ones and there are a few new sites that need coverage. If you would like to make and donate a box, take the completed box to the SJP Trust office at 446 Argyle in Friday Harbor. If you would like to donate funds to have one built, you can send to our Audubon chapter, SJI Audubon, 5163 Roche Harbor Road, Friday Harbor, WA 98250 or send me an email at:
skylark [@] rockisland [.] com

We earmark these funds just for the bluebird program. All the boxes we make will go to the SJP Trust.

Love these first signs of Spring.

Cheers, Barb

Many thanks to Dave Johnson for use of the photo.

Attached are the plans for Bluebird nest boxes (PDF). We ask that you send us the boxes you build and not put up on your property as there has been a major problem with House Sparrows invading the boxes and destroying bluebird eggs and chicks. We also find other birds will use the boxes like swallows. If you don’t have bluebird habitat you can use these boxes for other birds. I will not be able to receive any boxes until early March so drop them off at the Trust office in Friday Harbor. We need about two dozen boxes. Go to North American Bluebird Society http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org/ to learn more about bluebirds.

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