Photo: Inge Curtis

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.

THE NEWSLETTER, ON SUBSTACK

Enjoyed this essay?

Join me on Fertile Ground: occasional essays on nature, science and medicine, sent to your inbox.

More to read

The Soda File

The Soda File

“Which boy can tell me about sodium?” “Please, sir.” One of the little crawlers in the front row of the class shot his arm up, revealing a neatly-ironed white sleeve. “It’s salt, sir.” “WRONG!” the teacher roared. He thumped his

Read essay →
Cicada with a 17-year Itch

Cicada with a 17-year Itch

‘Have your cicada’s broken ground yet?’ I need to tell people that our last big bug year was 2013. Brood X is now emerging in north-eastern and mid-western states but the nearest to us in Tidewater is northern Virginia. Frustrated

Read essay →
Scroll to Top