Bluebird Program At Booth Library

Fred Comstock, a local author and naturalist, will be returning to the Booth Library on Sunday, March 11, at 2 pm to give a talk and slide show on bluebirds.

Bluebirds were once very common in the United States but at the turn of the century desirable nesting sites began to decline. “Rat” birds like English sparrows and starlings were introduced to North America and these birds competed for nesting sites with bluebirds. Other sites were eliminated by urban growth. Dead tree cavities, a favorite nesting place for bluebirds, were cleared to make way for new developments. The number of bluebirds is currently on the rise due in large part to bluebird recovery programs around the country. Special nesting boxes, the discouraging of natural predators, and the weekly monitoring of the families in houses have played a significant role in the recovery process. He has banded well over 6,000 birds to help monitor their numbers, and has also written Bluebirds: The How-to Book. Every spring he visits local libraries and schools giving lectures on what we can do to assist in the recovery of these beautiful harbingers of spring.

In addition to the lecture and slide show Mr Comstock will have bluebird kits and books available for purchase. The nesting boxes which are specifically designed for bluebirds are a great family project. The program is free and the public is invited. The talk is best suited for children ages 10 and older.