What’s new

Our website is back up! Thank you for your patience as we worked on the gremlins! 🤣 Happy Bluebirding…

And we’d like to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

The NYSBS’s website is down temporarily. We apologize for the inconvenience. We’ll be back up as soon as our issues are resolved!

Happy Bluebirding!!!

A bluebird enthusiast is seeking to find contacts in Ossining, NY and/or Westchester and Putnam Counties in NY to go on Bluebird watches next summer. Please DM the page to arrange to exchange contact info.

Thank you. 😊

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Thank you Lancaster Farming. Happy Bluebirding!

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Stop by A1 and speak with New York State Bluebird Society (NYSBS.org) !

I know that this is difficult to see, but the reality of what this invasive species can do couldn’t be explained any better. Discussions about what to do with house sparrows often alienates people. But this photo explains why we need to take difficult actions very well.

Season 23 of John Trombly’s nestbox cam is off to a great start! Tune in to watch - there are 5 eggs in the nest now.

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In Woodstock, NY, and need help to figure out what's going on!? Nest completed mid-March. It was not as tall or high in the box as ones in past years. Then...
1st egg: March 20
2nd egg: March 21
3rd egg: March 22
Then I noticed all the eggs were gone. If you're thinking predators, no... there are no snakes, or HOSPs and the Bluebird pair were around as I was feeding them mealworms.
A couple of days later, the nest was taller or higher in the box (more complete as I've seen in years past.)
Then...
1st (new) egg: April 1
2nd egg: April 2
3rd egg: April 4
4th egg: April 5
5th egg: April 8
On April 17, there are still 5 eggs in the box. Parents are around, eating, going in and out, female mostly sitting in the box looking out. April 22, still 5 eggs in the box. No change in parents' behavior.
Then...
April 27: 4 eggs in the box
May 1: 3 eggs in the box
Today, May 5: still 3 eggs in the box.
I have no idea what's going on. It has been colder than normal (mid-50s in the day, high 30's to low 40s at night,) and it's been very wet and rainy.
I wonder if the eggs are infertile and one-by-one the parents are removing them? If we take the last date of when there were 5 eggs in the box, that was April 8. Today is May 5 and that makes 27 days since the last egg was laid.
Should I leave these eggs another week just to be sure? I'm thinking the sooner I clear out the nesting box, the sooner they can start over?
The pair are still here and coming to my mealworm feeder. They do not seem to be going near the box. She is not sitting on the eggs and he is rarely now sitting on top of the box which he used to do a lot.
Thanks! ... See more

5th Egg laid and we're incubating now! (Woodstock, NY)

NYSBS County Coordinators and Bluebird Ambassadors~ this is a great time of year to host an educational presentation in your community, Perhaps at your local library, or if there is a wildlife center or refuge near you. County Coordinators have educational materials that can be used.

What are some of the twists you have thought of to enhance your presentations? As a musician I collect bluebird songs and will perform them as part of the presentation. But YouTube videos of the songs could also be played.

Jim gave me the idea to show educational videos, followed by a discussion. Please share some of your ideas for enhancing presentations, and for good locations to visit for this purpose.

And please contact me (Kim) to make a FB post to promote your events! Thank you and Happy Bluebirding! 💙 ... See more

A very important read as we gear up for the season.

Wishing everyone a safe and warm holiday.

Woodpeckers!
Building homes for our bluebirds and many others.

Woodpeckers!
Building homes for our bluebirds and many others.

This is Kara Derry and Matt Emslie. We apologize if this post is not appropriate, but she was heavily invested in the NYBS community. This seemed to be the best forum to let other members know that she passed away.

This is Kara Derry and Matt Emslie. We apologize if this post is not appropriate, but she was heavily invested in the NYBS community. This seemed to be the best forum to let other members know that she passed away.

“Oh my goodness! Did you hear? The New York State Bluebird Society’s Website is temporarily down!”

We apologize for the inconvenience and are working to get the website up as soon as possible! 💙

Great photo!

Just hatched... and still hatching! Welcome to the world wee ones!

And then there were two! 💙💙

Wow. Great nest can video! It’s their last day in the box!

Wanda J Haby - please message Kim Lawrence for the information you requested. Her messages here aren’t reaching you.

I had house sparrows take over all my nest boxes, despite my ruthless clearing efforts. This year I only have 1 seed feeder (front yard), the nest boxes have been moved to edge of woods out back. I did put up a meal worm feeder near them. Wish me luck

I had house sparrows take over all my nest boxes, despite my ruthless clearing efforts. This year I only have 1 seed feeder (front yard), the nest boxes have been moved to edge of woods out back. I did put up a meal worm feeder near them. Wish me luck

We have an active Eastern Bluebird nest on video – to share with you.
On Easter day she laid her 3rd egg – and we will be pulling for her to lay a couple more.

Our heartfelt thanks to John Trombly for making this possible.

Seems like no matter how far apart I place the second box, bluebirds with a complete nest in one are trying to keep tree swallows out of the second. Is there a specific distance for placement?

I have 2 seed feeders near the house which attract a wide variety of birds, including house sparrows. 🙁 I moved all BB nest boxes away from the house hoping to lesson competition between the sparrow and BB. Anyone have thoughts on how to enjoy both seed eaters and the BBs?

I have 2 seed feeders near the house which attract a wide variety of birds, including house sparrows. 🙁 I moved all BB nest boxes away from the house hoping to lesson competition between the sparrow and BB. Anyone have thoughts on how to enjoy both seed eaters and the BBs?

Submit your nest box survey easily online! Be sure not to miss the drop down to indicate your county on the form! Deadline for online submissions is November 1st.

Looking for a learning experience as well as a way to make a positive contribution for our native cavity nesting songbirds? NYSBS has the answers for you.
*Find out about volunteering as a Bluebird Ambassador or County Coordinator
*Let us work with you to present a Bluebird Power Point presentation—either in person, by zoom, or set up a table display emphasizing Bluebird information to your group or organization.
Feel free to reach out to:
Name: Sarah A. Hodder
Email:
Phone: 1-607-242-8807 ... See more

Looking for a learning experience as well as a way to make a positive contribution for our native cavity nesting songbirds? NYSBS has the answers for you.
*Find out about volunteering as a Bluebird Ambassador or County Coordinator
*Let us work with you to present a Bluebird Power Point presentation—either in person, by zoom, or set up a table display emphasizing Bluebird information to your group or organization.
Feel free to reach out to:
Name: Sarah A. Hodder
Email:
Phone: 1-607-242-8807 ... See more

So very sad.

Should be an interesting online event. Hope to see you there!

Dear NEW YORK STATE BLUEBIRD SOCIETY,

October 1st is just around the corner, so don’t wait to register for this engaging and FREE online event! To register, please click this link: nybirds.org/annual2021

Our host this year, the Southern Adirondack Audubon Society, will be kicking off the annual meeting from the Kelly Adirondack Center at Union College, at 7:00pm on Friday, October 1st with a timely and highly informative presentation by Dr. Jason Hill, Conservation Biologist for the Vermont Center for Ecostudies. Dr. Hill will join us from White River Junction, Vermont and will share his latest findings regarding “The Effects of Climate Change on Montane Birds of the Northeast.” Following his presentation, he’ll be ready to answer any questions you may have for him.

Then, on Saturday, October 2nd at 9:00am, join us (virtually) at the Kelly Adirondack Center for a tour of the former home of Paul Schaefer, who was named one of the top 100 conservationists of all time by the National Audubon Society. Mr. Schaefer's legacy, former home, and the Adirondack Research Library will be brought to you through a virtual tour and presentation by the coordinators of the Kelly Adirondack Center. This session will take about 40 minutes, after which we will have a 15-minute break before the 10:00am NYSOA Delegates’ Meeting.

The Delegates’ Meeting, starting at 10am on October 2nd, will include a review of NYSOA’s activities over the past year, the latest news about the organization, any other business that may arise, and elections of officers, directors, and committees. We expect that the annual meeting will adjourn between noon and 12:30pm.

This online event is FREE and open to the public, but we appreciate donations to NYSOA to support the organization’s important work. We ask that you encourage others who may not know about NYSOA yet to attend this free online event – thank you!

We look forward to seeing you! Happy Birding and Keep Looking Up!

Shirley Shaw, NYSOA President
John Loz, President, and the Board of the Southern Adirondack Audubon Society

https://nybirds.org
https://www.facebook.com/nybirds
http://nysyoungbirders.org

The New York State Ornithological Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. ... See more

The bluebird was my mother’s favorite bird and when we lost her to cancer it became and emblem of hope for my family through our grief. I recently released a book about processing loss entitled Rise Up, Little Bluebirds and I’d love to share it with anyone who could resonate with it. We’re a little less alone when we help each other through.

The bluebird was my mother’s favorite bird and when we lost her to cancer it became and emblem of hope for my family through our grief. I recently released a book about processing loss entitled Rise Up, Little Bluebirds and I’d love to share it with anyone who could resonate with it. We’re a little less alone when we help each other through.

Upcoming Event!

Free Event!
Organized by Ben Winkler, a 15 year-old for his Eagle Scout project.
Part 1: September 22, 2021 at 7pm on Zoom with John Rogers and “All About Bluebirds…And More!”
Part 2: Bluebird Nest box distribution for Wayne County Residents. The first 50 Wayne County Residents to register and participate in the online presentation are eligible to receive a free bluebird nest box.
Pickup/deliveries will be September 25, 2021 from 9:00 am- 11:00 a.m. at the Cornell Cooperative Extension-Wayne County at 1581 Rt 88 North, Newark NY 14513.
Registration is required at: ccewayne.org
Ben is a 15 year old young man from Newark that is working on an Eagle Scout project. Ben has organized this free event with the assistance of John Rogers, co-founder of the New York State Bluebird Society and life time member of the North American Bluebird Society. John Rogers will be offering a Power Point presentation “All About Bluebirds…And More!”. John maintains hundreds of nest boxes and has fledged more than 13,000 bluebirds.
The second part of Ben’s project is building and distributing bluebird nest boxes. Fifty boxes have been built and harvested from Larch trees harvested on his grandparents land in the Catskills. The nest boxes will be given out to Wayne County Residents that have registered for the presentation.
Ben would like to thank his parents, grandparents, Beth Claypool, director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension-Wayne County, Deb Gittens, Wayne County & Area Coordinator and John Rogers for his years of expertise. ... See more

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE NYSBS (New York State Bluebird Society)
The NYSBS began in 1982 and has helped to restore the nesting population of the Eastern Bluebird across the state. We are an affiliate of the North American Bluebird Society (NABS) and support research studies by partnering with NABS on funding for ornithological grants. We have established 2 main educational Bluebird trails; the Rt 20 Trail that runs from East to West across the center of New York and the Rt 11 Trail that runs from North to South (Canada to Pennsylvania). We also conduct several educational programs throughout the state to improve nesting success of bluebirds and other cavity nesting species.
Editor for Bluebird News (quarterly NYSBS newsletter)
We need a person who has knowledge of bluebirds and prior experience on editing/correcting submissions by email and hard copy. The Bluebird News is a critical publication for outreach and education to our members and thereby impacts the population health of the Eastern Bluebird and other native cavity nesting birds. This person will work in conjunction with other members to produce a quality and informative newsletter. Attendance at NYSBS Board meetings (twice/year) is helpful in learning NYSBS concerns and upcoming programs and activities. Interested persons should contact current editor Martha Moran to discuss the details of what is involved.
State Bluebird Coordinator
This key position works directly with people in supervisory roles (Area and County Coordinators) and Bluebird Ambassadors who monitor nestboxes and participate in educational programs. To facilitate communication this person updates a listing of NYSBS volunteers by county showing name, address, phone # and email address. This person also requests needed educational resources (brochures & fact sheets) to supply to those doing outreach and educational presentations. Attendance at NYSBS Board Meetings is highly recommended and ideally this person will become a member of the NYSBS Board. Interested persons should contact NYSBS President Sarah Hodder to learn more about this position. 607-242-8807 ... See more

HOSP attacking an egg.

We put up a bluebird house for the 1st time this year and got a pair within a couple days. We've never seen one here before and were surprised they found it so fast!

We put up a bluebird house for the 1st time and got a pair within a couple days. We've never even seen one here before until now. We couldn't believe how fast they found it!

We put up a bluebird house for the 1st time and got a pair within a couple days. We've never even seen one here before until now. We couldn't believe how fast they found it!

Even more exhibitors! Make sure you stop to see all the "N" exhibitors!
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Light's Auto Parts Inc.
National Farmers
National Rifle Assn
Nationwide
NBT Bank
Nelson Tractor
Neptune Soft Water, Inc.
New England Laser & Transit
New York Farm Bureau
New York Life Insurance Company
New York State Craft Beer
New York State Trappers Association
Next Generation Solar, LLC
Nextire Inc.
NOMPI Glove Company
Norstar Company, LLC
North American Ag Industry Connect
IGK Equestrian
Northeast Implement Inc.
Norther Plains Track
Norwood Sales
NutriSource Pet Foods
New York State Bluebird Society (NYSBS.org)
NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
New York State Draft Horse Club
NYSERDA ... See more

Just found male kid? Dead on my lawn from brood 1. What could have caused it? 75ft from roadway on my lawn 4ft in from barely used drive not far from the box which has 4 eggs for brood 2 ready to hatch any day now. Don't know how many of the other 4 of 5 from brood 1 made it.

Just found male kid? Dead on my lawn from brood 1. What could have caused it? 75ft from roadway on my lawn 4ft in from barely used drive not far from the box which has 4 eggs for brood 2 ready to hatch any day now. Don't know how many of the other 4 of 5 from brood 1 made it.

So I noticed the other day I don't have any tree swallows around .. wondering if the cold wet spring ruined their nesting? Anyone else missing their TS ??

So I noticed the other day I don't have any tree swallows around .. wondering if the cold wet spring ruined their nesting? Anyone else missing their TS ??

1st brood of 5 ready to fly next week. Very early this year

1st brood of 5 ready to fly next week. Very early this year

I have a nesting bluebird. The male has not been around for over a week so I assume he is dead. Anyway I have five eggs, one has hatched today. I am in CNY and it is cold and temps are below normal today. I have been feeding the mother the past two weeks with mealworms. I have little hope for the babies with this cool weather and mom having to go hunt for food even though I am putting out mealworms. Is there anyone who could advise me how I can help mom? Thank you

NYSBS Board Members- see you on Zoom at 9:30 tomorrow!!

The issue of house sparrows, an invasive species that kills the bluebirds, is one of the most difficult issues to discuss.

An unpleasant encounter.

Go to this site then click on each bird to hear its song. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/.../bird_songs.../index.html

Don’t miss This excellent presentation by John Rogers!

I put up my first two bluebird houses ever in my new backyard. I've been doing what I can to attract bluebirds - playing their calls in the morning, offering mealworms etc;

House sparrows have moved in I ordered some traps for them. But today I saw the sparrows going nuts and saw a male eastern bluebird come out of the box. Will they have scared him for good? I know it can take years to attract a bluebird so I'm a bit sad.

Thoughts?

Dear NY Bluebird Societym

My name is Janice Matles and I am a Pre-K teacher in Middletown NY. This month we will be learning and inquring about birds from NY. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Anybody have any suggestions?

Anyone seeing BB nests built yet? I think mine is near done building his....Dutchess county NY.

Strange Encounters from Jim! 🤣

Strange Encounters on the Bluebird Trail

Box 22 at the North Country Golf Course in Champlain, NY contained a small and cute gray tree frog. He was - I suspect - hiding out here as a safe refuge in the daytime. There is a small pond about 150 yards away from this box.

In the same box, in a kind of shell glued to the side wall of this box is a mystery green worm looking creature. If anyone has any ideas on what it could be - please let me know.

Eastern Bluebirds over the last month here in the Adirondacks, Mayfield NY

Congratulations to Dr. Heather Williams of SUNY Buffalo!

The NYSBS helps to sponsor various grants along with NABS (North American Bluebird Society). This year's winner, Dr. Heather Williams, will be working on the project described below. Thank you for your dedication and hard work Dr. Williams!

Purple Martins First Flight (report by Jim Engelbrecht)

2021 Research Project at Iroquois National Wildlife Center (Basom, NY)

Dr. Heather Williams of SUNY Buffalo will be undertaking a project this summer that tracks juvenile Purple Martin nestlings after fledging by using tag transmitters. The birds being outfitted with the transmitters will have an assessment made using measurements of their body condition including nest box video analysis of their feeding rates. Nestling body condition in prior studies with nesting barn swallows was a strong predictor of survival at the post-fledge stage, and this study will provide evidence if this is the case for Purple Martins. Also of importance is the tracking of the localized movement of purple martin fledglings around the breeding ground prior to their start of migration.

Purple martins are experiencing regional population declines and finding out more about the highest mortality rate in their life cycle may provide some clues on helping in the conservation of the species. The NYSBS will partially fund this study and we expect to receive a report on the outcome of this study by the end of 2022. Those wanting more information about this study can go to the NYSBS website – nysbs.org where more details of the original grant request can be accessed (see News on the Home Page). ... See more

Hummingbird babies- 17 days old now! Look at that peeper! Thank you Jennifer Hathaway! 💙

Congratulations to Dr. Heather Williams of SUNY Buffalo!

The NYSBS helps to sponsor various grants along with NABS (North American Bluebird Society). This year's winner, Dr. Heather Williams, will be working on the project described below. Thank you for your dedication and hard work Dr. Williams!

Purple Martins First Flight (report by Jim Engelbrecht)

2021 Research Project at Iroquois National Wildlife Center (Basom, NY)

Dr. Heather Williams of SUNY Buffalo will be undertaking a project this summer that tracks juvenile Purple Martin nestlings after fledging by using tag transmitters. The birds being outfitted with the transmitters will have an assessment made using measurements of their body condition including nest box video analysis of their feeding rates. Nestling body condition in prior studies with nesting barn swallows was a strong predictor of survival at the post-fledge stage, and this study will provide evidence if this is the case for Purple Martins. Also of importance is the tracking of the localized movement of purple martin fledglings around the breeding ground prior to their start of migration.

Purple martins are experiencing regional population declines and finding out more about the highest mortality rate in their life cycle may provide some clues on helping in the conservation of the species. The NYSBS will partially fund this study and we expect to receive a report on the outcome of this study by the end of 2022. Those wanting more information about this study can go to the NYSBS website – nysbs.org where more details of the original grant request can be accessed (see News on the Home Page). ... See more

Watch live!

Hummingbird update from Jennifer Hathaway. All 6 babies are thriving. The mama now sits above them for 30 to 40 minutes to allow them to stretch their legs & bodies.

Learn what birds nest in cavities and how you can attract them to your yard with nest boxes! As usual we will go over your sighting and photos!

Respect the Nest! 💙

Ever wonder what bluebirds eat?

https://alaudubon.org/event/2021-03-15/.

Take the quiz!

As we near “birdset”, as we call sunset in our home, the bird count tallies are rolling for the Great Backyard Bird Count. And what about photos? Please share some photos and a brief comment on the numbers & types of birds you saw today, below:

I’ll start! We had quite a few redpolls. I estimate 18.

The Great Outdoor Feeder Count is on! Have fun!

Participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count this weekend!

Saddened to read about Dave Smith passing away in July. He was truly a gentle man and always referred to me as the "young" guy .. when I think of my time involved in NYSBS, I will always remember Dave.

Mother approves!

Who's a begging fledgling? This one is! Too cute.

...our first brood of the season: small but mighty.

My horse's turnout has proven to be instrumental in attracting bluebirds. Wide open grassy area, with woods beyond - perfect bluebird grounds. Took five years to get bluebirds in, but it's now my 15th year of providing a nest box for them. The female is currently incubating her second clutch of five eggs. She is pictured here.

The protector.
It never ceases to amaze me how this male, eastern bluebird is always on guard for his turf, his nest box and for his young. He is the ever diligent sentinel.

Box#3
5/23 there was 1 egg,
5/28 (today) 3 eggs
Argyle NY

The beauty of new life (wait for it)!

Bluebirding activities during the pandemic-

Trail monitoring during these difficult times is allowed under NY Ag & Markets Interim Rules guidelines. More information will be posted in our quarterly newsletter.

Please maintain social distancing guidelines as you do your work- and a big thank you for your dedication to the bluebirds! Happy Trails!

My bluebird laid her 5th egg about 11 days ago, so they could hatch this weekend; praying it's not too cold or wet, but looks like it will be. I've been feeding mom and dad mealworms 4-5 times a day, and they eat as many as I can put out! I've trained them to come to the feeder when I whistle Zippity Doo Dah and they zoom over.

Do you have a tool for tracking bluebird arrivals back to the North Country? I would like to find out when they usually return to the south-central Adirondacks, i.e. Indian Lake?

Recent bluebird sightings or news?

The NYSBS nestbox camera is looking at an eastern bluebird sitting on 5 blue eggs! Check it out live here...

Thanks to John Trombly of Chazy, NY (where the nestcam is located) for all of his work in setting this up!

The first 2019 clutch! Note the eggs only have a faint blue hue to the one of four - my first experience with white eastern bluebird eggs. Also fun to note, that is my mare's mane hair woven into the nest along with the white pine needles.

so when cutting the lawn today I noticed my blue bird box was raided. 3 eggs lye on the ground. 2 were cracked and 1 was whole...i put the whole one back in the nest. Opinion what is more likely to have attackd it? There have not been any sitings of wrens or barn swallows around unlike prior years. There are a bit of finches and such but well away from the feeder. There is 1 bandit racoon lurkng around every so now and then to my feeder which again is at about 150ft away. So what might have done this? And will the bluebird abandon the nest or continue to put more eggs in as normally I get 5 eggs and they were just up to 3 so far and the nest seems otherwise intact. ... See more

I saw a bluebird in my backyard today (between Potsdam and Canton). Finally spring is here.

My Bluebirds are back! I believe this to be the same pair that successfully raised two broods of 5 fledglings each last summer. I have one box in the front of the house and one in the back. The pair seems to be visiting and inspecting both. You can barely make out the female sitting on the box while the male inspects the inside. I'm so excited that they are here! We are in Woodstock, NY.