Eastern Bluebirds, the NY State bird, like to nest in cavities in small trees or old fence posts in open fields and meadows. Unfortunately urban sprawl and suburban development destroyed most of this habitat in lower Westchester. As a result, since the 1970s there were no records of Bluebirds nesting in Westchester south of I-287 for more than 25 years. However, thanks to the efforts of Sandy Morrissey and a group of 28 volunteer bluebird monitors, Bluebirds may be making a comeback.
Sandy’s Eastern Bluebird Project has been installing bluebird nest boxes in suitable habitats hoping to lure Bluebirds into the area. Sites have included golf courses, parks, cemeteries and other open areas. To date more than 200 boxes have been installed. And their efforts seem to be paying off.
In 2011, 62 bluebird couples used one of the boxes raising a total more than 250 young bluebirds, almost twice as many as in the previous year.
Monitors check each box on a regular basis, seeing if it is occupied, counting eggs or the number of young, removing unwanted nests. Sandy obtained her bird banding license this year and was able to band almost 300 adult and nestling bluebirds. This banding will help identify these individuals again in coming years.
Anyone interested in volunteering for the Bluebird Project, contact Sandy Morrissey, sandym@cloud9.net or (914) 949-2531
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