Pamela Jenkins
For the North Okanagan Naturalists’ Club
Bluebirds are returning to the Okanagan from further south on their annual migration. Some have already been reported further south.
Mountain bluebirds, which are a lovely pale blue, are one of the varieties, and the more common one is a Western bluebird, a darker blue with brownish and white feathers on its underside. Both are cavity nesters preferring the cavities already used by woodpeckers.
They will also nest in the boxes made for them. These boxes have specific dimensions and each spring a group of people make more boxes, which are then placed along fence lines in open suitable territory. Last year bears damaged some boxes on one route, so we will not encourage or use those boxes this year.
Eggs are laid, and 18 to 21 days later the birds fledge (are ready to fly away). People monitor the boxes on a weekly basis, but no longer look after 11 days, because the birds could fall out and perish.
Other birds like starlings and sparrows also like to use the boxes, so they are put in pairs, which seems to work, one box for bluebirds (us) and one for them.
Each spring the North Okanagan Naturalists’ Club holds a bluebird workshop, led by various bluebird people who know a lot about them. This year’s workshop takes place on Saturday. For more information, please call Kay at 250-542-3977 (evenings) or 250-545-2341 (daytime). For more information on the club, see www.nonc.ca
