Photo of Western Bluebirds on nest box courtesy of Tom Backe
It’s February, and time to be thinking about installing or cleaning out your backyard nest boxes. A Sequim resident contacted us recently to relate an inspiring experience with their backyard nest box.
These former Wisconsinites and Eastern Bluebird watchers moved to the Sequim area in 2003, but did not see a Western Bluebird in their yard until February 2021. It was “exciting” for them to see a pair of Western Bluebirds spend time “checking out the housing market”.
A male (upper) and female Western Bluebird. Photo provided by Tom Backe
It was in November 2021 that they first saw “Spot” with six other Western Bluebirds when the flock stayed one day. In the Spring of 2022, “Spot” returned and nested in a Bluebird nest box on their fence line. Spot and his mate raised a brood of two young. They spent many a spring and summer day preening and splashing in the birdbath.
“Spot”, a male Western Bluebird on a backyard bird bath. Photo provided by Tom Backe
The wonderful news for 2023 is that Spot and his mate were observed in their yard on January 24th, and have been seen numerous times since the beginning of February. We look forward to this coming season!
If you plan to build or install a new nest box, it could bring new birds into your life with hours of education and entertainment.
“Spot” and his mate. Photo provided by Tom Backe
The Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society’s Western Bluebird Program collects data on the nesting habits of the Western Bluebird in the OPAS chapter area of Clallam County. It is the target bird that highlights the risks that climate change poses to birds. For more information, see the Western Bluebird/Climate Watch Study on our website.