The Falcon Garden Club is participating in the Colorado Bluebird Project, a joint effort of The Audubon Society of the Greater Denver Area and the Colorado Division of Wildlife.The purpose of the project is to increase bluebird habitat and nesting spots in the state and monitor the number of bluebirds nesting and hatching in Colorado.According to an article by Carole Speyer, written for the Colorado Division of Wildlife, bluebird numbers are lessening nationwide for several reasons. Bluebirds primarily eat insects, so the widespread use of pesticides decreases their food supply. They are secondary cavity nesting birds, which means they look for decayed trees or hollows made by other birds or animals in which to build their nests. Increasing development, along with the clearing of dead wood in existing forests, is resulting in the loss of bluebird habitat. Another reason bluebird numbers are decreasing is because of the increase in numbers of competitive birds, such as the European starling and the house sparrow, which not only compete for food, but also destroy bluebird eggs, kill hatchlings and inhabit the nests of bluebirds they displace.The Colorado Division of Wildlife Web site explains that bluebirds across the nation are making a comeback with the help of bluebird projects, such as the one in which the Falcon Garden Club is participating. The Web site states: “The goal of The Bluebird Project is to create a “trail” of bluebird nest boxes across Colorado. It is an ambitious project: one intended to replace lost nesting habitat and bring to Coloradans an awareness of the needs of bluebirds and wildlife in general.”The Falcon Garden Club has placed and is monitoring five nest boxes, made by Ray Sutherland, in the Woodmen Hills area.Karen Whalen, a member of the Falcon Garden Club, said the club is helping with the project in several other ways. First, they are making available to the public nest boxes that, when placed according to the instructions, will provide bluebirds and other protected species a habitat in which to nest. Steve Kline, a Falcon resident, is building nest boxes that will sell at a nominal price. The club is also gathering information on existing nest boxes to supply to the Colorado Bluebird Project. Landowners who have a nest box on or near their property are encouraged to contact the club and report the location of the box and whether or not it has residents.For those wishing to build their own nest box, detailed instructions are available at www.nabluebirdsociety.org. Instructions are given for two types of boxes, but Whalen recommends the side-opening variety, as it is much easier to monitor and clean.To report an existing nest box or to report one you’re currently monitoring, e-mail Whalen at kwhalen@adelphia.net or Jill Freeman at kfreema@attglobal.net. Those who wish to monitor a nest box near them, but who have never done so are encouraged to e-mail Whalen for instructions, as the nest and its contents could suffer irreparable damage if it is done incorrectly.The Falcon Garden Club will be hosting a presentation on the Colorado Bluebird Project by Kevin Corwin of the Audubon Society of Greater Denver on July 11 at 7 p.m. at the Woodmen Hills Community Center West. All interested persons are invited to attend.To encourage and support the local increase of bluebirds, Whalen recommends the following:
- Take down bird feeders that contain millet. Millet attracts European starlings, which are a competitor bird of bluebirds. Instead, use a birdseed mix that contains thistle.
- Plant trees and shrubs that have edible berries.
- Nest boxes built according to the specifications should be placed near brush so the baby birds have cover. Bluebirds return to Colorado in February and March, so boxes should be in place by February. It’s usual for bluebirds to fledge or hatch two broods per summer.
- Provide a birdbath and keep it clean.
- Keep housecats inside, especially when hatchlings are old enough to leave
- After nests have been abandoned by the bluebirds, clean out the box to prepare for the next year.
