Bluebird Report from 2014

Bluebirds on the Barrens2014 was a good year for our Bluebirds nesting on the Namekagon Barrens.  It was a cold, snowy late spring last  year and, as a result, the Bluebirds got a late start nesting   The birds had time to attempt only two  broods. In 2013  Spring came soon enough to give a number of birds a chance at hatching three broods. 
The exciting news to report is that the Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin, to whom the data collected from our trail of 24 boxes is submitted,  has designated our Bluebird trail as a “trail of excellence”.  To achieve this rating, a trail has  to reach 2.6 + fledglings per box which would put the trail above the state average.  Our trail produced 3.42 fledglings per nesting box.  
The Barons provide critical habitat for a number of small passerines which include the Bluebirds.  With climate change and loss of habitat in other areas, the Barons will continue to be a great place for them. The Barons provide the habitat for the Bluebirds and our boxes provide these cavity nesters a great place to raise their young.  Thanks to member Charlie Schlatter for the great replacement boxes he builds for us.  The bears are sometimes  a little rough on the boxes when they check them out so we do need to replace a few boxes each year.
The next time you are on the Barons, check out the Bluebird boxes.  Hopefully you will find a colorful male sitting on top of the box, guarding his young.        
Bruce DeLong