Subject: Re: Western Bluebirds on the Olympic Penin.
Date: Jun 2 21:53:33 1998
From: bboek at olympus.net - bboek at olympus.net


Tweeters:

Kelly McAllister asks:

>Hey, I would like to know more about Western Bluebirds nesting on the
>Olympic Peninsula. This particular account suggests the promise of
>several nesting pairs??? I thought that Western Bluebirds in western
>Washington were still largely confined to the Pierce County lowlands,
>primarily on Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base where grasslands
>border forest (primarily Oregon White Oak). What is the bluebird habitat
>like near Gardiner?

A few pairs of Western Bluebirds nest in a band across the north Olympic
Peninsula, from Gardiner, through Sequim, to as far west as O'Brien Road,
about half way between Port Angeles and Sequim. Other than the bluebirds
at Wild Birds Unlimited at Gardiner, I know of four locations, with 5-6
breeding pairs, that have been used in the last two years. There
certainly could be more.

All these birds use nest boxes. The habitat typically consists of
clearings and small farms in second growth areas, mostly south of Hwy 101
between 200 and 1000 feet elevation. (Incidentally, this habitat is also
where the only breeding House Wrens are found consistently in Clallam
County.)

One landowner just south of Sequim who had bluebirds nesting last year
reported that the pair showed up in early April this year, but
disappeared after one day. He says that Starlings are very active around
his place this year.

The most consistent nesting pairs appear to be on the south side of Bell
Hill, a 1000-foot hill just southeast of Sequim. Two pairs nested
successfully in boxes there last year, but a dead male was found in one
box this spring. There is only one pair there this year, as far as I
know.

So the bluebirds have a tentative toe-hold on the north Olympic
Peninsula. As more nest boxes get put out by bird folks, perhaps the
population will increase.

Bob Boekelheide
Sequim