Posted by David Hamilton on July 8th, 2009

A: They’re on the fence.

An unforgivable pun, but Bundoran Farm’s fencelines will, we hope, play a small part in a coordinated effort to restore bluebird habitat in this area. As we’ve applied the finishing touches to Bundoran Farm’s first three roads, the team has expanded an effort begun by the Scott family, by purchasing a large number of bluebird boxes. According to Homes for Bluebirds, Inc, the non-profit who makes these boxes, long fencelines are ideal places to create new bluebird nesting cavities. The decline of appropriate cavities (exurban development), and competition from other songbird species (starlings and house sparrows), has caused a drastic decline in east-coast bluebird populations over several decades. By placing these boxes, which are in and of themselves a handsome addition to our fences, at regular intervals, we’re trying to foster conditions for a return of this beloved songbird to abundance. Anyone who’s known Bundoran Farm for more than a year notes that bird activity here is dramatically greater than a few years back, mostly due to the liminal areas between road, field and forest, which are being managed less intensively now, even as agriculture becomes more productive in the 90% of pastureland preserved and re-fenced for cattle.

While visitors to Bundoran Farm will see these boxes popping up all over in the next few weeks, a trial program has been in place near Lake Inferior, and on Edge Valley Road, for about a year. After I helped Fred Scott set the first three boxes, on the Sprouse Cottage fenceline, Leif and I were amazed that a bluebird had set up shop there less than an hour after installation. Checking the box about a year later, I found a brood of 3-4 chicks, no more than two days old.

If you’re out for a walk or a ride at Bundoran Farm, and want to check in on these guys, simply make a little noise approaching the box (so any chicks will hunker down) and gently, slowly, lift the bottom edge of the front panel. Don’t check constantly, but a peek now and then won’t disturb the nest. If you see another species occupying a box or other problems that might be keeping a box vacant, please send Leif an email at: lriddervold@bundoranfarm.com. Of course you won’t have to peek to see the mother flitting back and forth, and to hear our new residents’ songs.

For more information on bluebird habitat enhancement efforts, click over to birdhouse-maker Dan Finch’s website (yes, his name is Finch). http://www.danfinch.com/birds.htm

Filed under: Agriculture, Architecture and Design, Education and Inspiration, General, Nature/Environment, Project Updates