One of our most popular residents, there is even a Virginia conservation society dedicated to Bluebirds. Someone who grew up locally told that they were uncommon when she was a child. Fifty years ago these cavity nesters had trouble finding holes for homes, but hundreds of nest boxes are now stationed around the district, many of them monitored weekly in the breeding season by Master Naturalists.

Our bluebird trail of about two dozen boxes fledged 103 Bluebirds this summer (plus 28 Tufted Titmice). No wonder we often hear them twittering from perches on branches and power lines where they cast eyes down for an insect or a juicy berry in winter.