Western Bluebird at Lema Ranch, California, photo by Larry Jordan
I chose the Western Bluebird as my first entry in Bird Photography Weekly because I am dedicated to increasing the bluebird population in northern California and across North America.
All three species of bluebird, Eastern, Mountain and Western were all in rapid decline over the last 30 years. The factors that contributed to the decline of this beautiful species were loss of nesting cavities and the invasion of two aggressive and prolific non-native bird species from Europe, the House Sparrow and the European Starling.
Nest Box I Built For My Mom, Female On Top, Male Looking In
With the help of the North American Bluebird Society, founded in 1978, we have made great strides in bringing back the bluebird to our rural areas. Thanks to thousands of dedicated people across the country, the bluebird has become a conservation success story.
Whether you have one or two birdhouses in your backyard, or monitor a bluebird trail with many nest boxes, once you spend some time with this gentle, beautiful bird, you will understand why so many people love the bird that carries the sky on its back.
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Wonderful bluebirds! Among my favorites.
Vickies last blog post..Bird Gratitude
I don’t think many people realize how serious a problem the HOSP and starlings are. But I have seen photos of dead nesting blue birds. It’s great that you are able to help. My sister has a few blue bird boxes and has had some success….Thank you for the nice comment about my blue jay. Michelle
@Vickie thank you for the comment
@Michelle I’m afraid I have seen images of ravaged blues too, so we try to get the word out on the EUSTs and HOSPs. Thank your sister for me will you? The more, the merrier!
I didn’t know the Western Bluebird was so colorful. Great shot of it! We seem to have more than enough HOSPs so I guess we’ll never see one in our yard.
Reds last blog post..Tatooine? – Sky Watch Friday
I love Bluebirds, of course being here in the east we only have one kind. It must be wonderful to live in a place where you have both. When I was in NM in early December I saw enormous mixed flocks of all 3 Bluebirds swirling from shrub to shrub like fallen pieces of sky.
bevsons last blog post..My World – snow spot
When we lived on the other side of the cascades we got to see a lot of both the western and the mountain bluebirds. It would be alot of fun finding and then watching them go to their young in their nesting cavities in snags.
Natural Momentss last blog post..Long Tailed Duck Flying
Wish I had bluebird boxes in my yard, but wrong habitat. Great initiative.
Huckleberry Dayss last blog post..Landscapes Where I’d Rather Be.
We were devastated when our neighbor cut down the tree that was a nest for a bluebird. We had a family that returned year after year. Now I haven’t seen them at all since the tree was cut down. We’re in Los Angeles. What can I do to get them to return. They used to come up close to you on the patio. I loved them.
The North American Bluebird Society is great organization and I encourage everyone to support them and consider joining the cause by monitoring your own bird boxes. It’s a shame how few people understand the ecological value of dead and dying trees. I understand the home owner’s fear of a dead tree falling over and damaging their house, but I think we can all do more to educate people about not turning dead trees into stumps and instead leaving as much of the tree as possible to decay naturally. I for one see beauty in a snag.