Perched in a tree on the Tenalquot Prairie Preserve, two Western bluebirds eyed their nest box down below. As a recording of Western bluebird calls began to play from a speaker in front of their nest box, the birds become more agitated.

Finally, one flew in to defend his territory—straight into an almost-invisible mist net, where he was plucked out by biologist Gary Slater from the Ecostudies Institute. Moments later, his mate flew down and was captured as well.

It was a successful morning for The Nature Conservancy, the American Bird Conservancy, and the Institute. Three pairs of bluebirds were trapped at various locations on the South Puget Sound Prairies, to be relocated to new homes on the San Juan Islands. Watch a video of land steward Grace Diehl as she explains why our prairie restoration work helps bluebird populations rebound.

The Nature Conservancy and Bluebirds

The Conservancy has been working for years on the prairies, including thousands of acres of Fort Lewis, to restore habitat for bluebirds, and it has paid off. The population is thriving well enough that now efforts are underway to repopulate the San Juans with these prairie gems.

This is the third year the Conservancy has participated in a bluebird relocation project with the American Bird Conservancy.

And a new report from the San Juan Preservation Trust reports that the bluebirds are thriving in their new home, with six active nests.






 

Nature picture credits (left to right): Photo © Keith Lazelle (bluebird in prairie landscape); Photo © TNC (Robin); Photo © TNC (Grace Diehl)