Our Bluebird Walk at Clifty Falls State Park

This past Sunday we took our granddaughter, Bridget, on a guided bluebird walk at nearby Clifty Falls State Park. The Nature Center hosted a program to check bluebird boxes for nests, eggs, and babies on an easy 45-minute walk. Bridget is completing fifth grade, and the program sounded perfect.

We’re really spoiled having such a wonderful park less than two miles from our door. It’s a great place to hike, picnic or swim, and the Nature Center programs are always a good time for visiting grandkids.

We joined several other youngsters and adults and met the naturalist (Kayla) in front of the large Clifty Shelter. She gave us a quick overview, and we set off to investigate the eight bluebird nest boxes north of the shelter. Each of the boxes was built and installed as part of a local Eagle Scout project to address the dwindling supply of natural nest sites (holes in dead trees, limbs, fence posts). The bluebird population decreased approximately 90% in the last 40 years due to habitat destruction, a decline in winter food, adverse weather, insecticides, and competition from birds such as sparrows and starlings. Fortunately, bluebirds will accept nesting boxes that are properly installed in habitat areas and provide necessary protection, and the trend is beginning to reverse.

We learned the boxes should be mounted on 4-6 foot poles to deter predators. The opening hole should be no larger than 1.5 inches wide – large enough for the bird to enter, but too small for predators. The hole should also be four inches above the box floor for nest safety. Boxes are best positioned facing East. South-facing is acceptable, but west-facing should be avoided for storm protection. Chickadees and wrens will also nest in these boxes, but their old nests – as well as old bluebird nests – should be removed prior to the next breeding season.

When we approached the first mounted nest box, a bluebird darted from the hole to the nearby trees. When the box was gently opened for inspection, we saw what the bluebird had been protecting – a small nest filled with five light blue eggs! The eggs take two weeks to hatch, then roughly two more weeks to fledge. Mom and Dad take turns feeding the young every five minutes! There will be three breeding times (April, June and July), with the first brood staying around to help the parents feed the next set of babies.

The bluebirds will tolerate nest box inspection every 3 to 4 days if not frightened too often. Boxes 2 and 3 were empty. Box 4 was empty – except for a field mouse! Box 5 was empty. Box 6 was the winner with a nest filled with dark, fluffy babies! Boxes 7 and 8 were also empty. Reestablishing the bluebird population is not an easy task! Evidence of predators might be a broken eggshell near the box, perhaps indicating the presence of a raccoon. Missing eggs (known by previous nest box inspections) might occur from a visiting black snack that swallowed the egg(s) whole!

At the end of our walk, each family group was given a handout of notes and diagrams on building a nest box (cedar preferred.) Ken and I left inspired to set up a nest box at home, but decided we were more likely to get it done if we bought one already made – or at least a kit! Stay tuned on our progress!

Before we left the park, we visited Big Clifty, a beautiful falls just beyond the Clifty Shelter, and Bridget had some fun walking about. On our way out of the park, we enjoyed watching a wild turkey walk through the woods. Bridget and her sister, Erin, will be back for a visit in early June, so we’ll be returning for more outdoor adventure soon!