Male and female Western Bluebirds - Photo: Bob Phreaner
Western Bluebird Climate Watch Update
August 29, 2025
By Joyce Volmut
The Western Bluebird (WEBL) outperformed this year by nesting in a new spot. See nesting locations below:
Happy Valley Rd with two broods, one producing three chicks and the second producing five. This is a new site. The owners have lived there for over 20 years and they have never had WEBL nesting on their property. They called me to report the nesting after talking to Christie at Wild Birds Unlimited.
Miller Peninsula - with 5 eggs identified in one of the boxes. Unfortunately, the outcome couldn’t be determined at this site. The next check, about 5 weeks later, revealed House Wrens had taken over the nest.
River Rd - Two broods in one box, three eggs in the first brood and 4 eggs in the second.
Report from eBird— an observer at Olympic National Park’s Obstruction Pt Rd on 6/29 saw a Western Bluebird entering a cavity with food (confirmed by photo); 7/17 (same site) saw three fledglings (confirmed by photo and sound recording).
Western Bluebird with insect - Photo: Bob Phreaner
The OPAS Western Bluebird/Climate Watch is now over 10 years old. It was started as a means of collecting information about Western Bluebirds nesting on the Olympic Peninsula.
Bluebirds are often known as the “bluebird of happiness.” The bluebird is also a symbol of hope and new beginnings. Their symbolism is found in many cultures, folklores, and mythologies. In Christianity, they are called “angels in disguise,” carrying messages of hope. Some cultures such as the Navaho and other Native American Tribes consider the bluebird symbols of good fortune, fertility and prosperity.
Western Bluebird flying - Photo: John Acklen
There is popular folklore that talks about how the bluebird got its color:
A long time ago, the bluebird was a drab, ugly color. One night the Dream Spirit spoke to him and told him how he could change his color. “Far away in the mountains,” said Dream Spirit, “there is a magic lake that has no inlet or outlet, so the water there is always the same deep blue color. “Bathe in the blue lake each morning for five mornings,” Dream Spirit told him, “and while you bathe, sing this magic song:”
“The water is blue.
I went in.
And now I’m blue too.”
Bluebird did as the Dream Spirit said. On the fourth morning, all of Bluebird’s feathers fell off, and he came out of the lake as naked as the day he had hatched. But on the fifth morning when he emerged from the lake, he was covered with blue feathers. The lake’s spirit was surprised by the bird’s courage for not fearing the sea or fearing change and transformed her into a magnificent bluebird. (https://www.sialis.org/bluebirdstory/)
In some versions of the lore, it is also said that the bird looked exactly the same after taking a dip in the lake, but his perspective had changed, and he embraced himself with all his flaws.
To me, the Western Bluebird is a symbol of peace and excitement. To catch the sparkle of the ultra-blue color on the wings in the sunlight or the mute blue grey on the female when perched is almost breathtaking.
Next time you see a Western Bluebird remember where you are, think about the circumstances in your life. Who knows, your spiritual guide might be me just sending you a message.
Call or email me, joyce.volmut@gmail.com