The month is almost over and we have been seeing some good results from our monitoring. Like a lot of areas in the country, we have been dealing with a good amount of rain. Rain brings a few problems that we have to deal with, namely Blowflies. The adults lay eggs in the nest boxes and when the larva hatch, they are in prime position for a bird meal. Blowfly larva can devastate a nest, and they prefer this humid weather. There have not been any visible signs yet, but we will be keeping our eyes pealed for the little suckers.
With our 18 boxes up, we have been busy keeping track of all the activity. We recently had multiple fledgelings from our various sites, so here are some stats.
- Memorial Park has had eight Eastern Bluebirds fledge, along with four Black-capped Chickadees. We would have had more, but one of the boxes was tampered with by either a predator or human.
Young Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) in nest box. Photo by John Benzee.
- Beeman Creek Park gave us four Eastern Bluebirds, as well. This location is off the beaten path and always gives good results. We also have a large brood of House Wrens that have hatched and are growing fast.
- The Bike Path has eight Tree Swallows in two boxes. One fledged while I performed my check today, and three others are ready to follow. There has been some House Sparrow activity at this site, but it has been very limited.
- The Peanut Line has become home to some Tree Swallows and three fledged last week. We have three boxes at this new site and the outlook is good for future activity.
- The Clarence Library has five Tree Swallow young being well protected by vigilant parents. I expect them to likely fledge in the next week or two. This site needs some good luck, since we have been fighting with the invasive, and persistent, House Sparrows.
Multiple Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) young at Clarence Town Library. Photo by A. T. Baron
So we have had 20 birds successfully fledge, 12 of them Bluebirds. We are off to a grand start and we hope to keep it up. Thanks to our volunteers, who brave the rain, bugs and poison ivy; they are pinnacle to the success of this organization’s mission. If you are out and about, and see them checking boxes, give them a smile and a wave.