The vibrant colors and soft, musical warbles of the Eastern Bluebird are a welcome sight on a cold, snowy day. Trail data-recorded and analyzed at the farm as part of a long-term study-continues to be included in the national database totals of Holden Arboretum and Cornell University.'The bluebird is well named, for he wears a coat of the purest, richest, and most gorgeous blue on back, wings, and tail no North American bird better deserves the name, for no other flashes before our admiring eyes so much brilliant blue.' - Arthur Cleveland Bent, Life Histories of Familiar North American Birds The second requirement is the water resource, which the research ponds provide. The first requirement is the need for low grass. The selected area around the research ponds and along the cross-country trail offer two basic requirements for the successful breeding and living area. Tim Matson, researcher from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and instructor for the Summer in the Country Birds and Breakfast course. The farm is an ideal place to create this trail due to the surrounding landscape, according to Dr. The total number of Bluebirds fledged over eighteen seasons is now 1,007. It was a record year for Eastern Bluebirds. In 2019, a total of 168 birds fledged, 75 Bluebirds, 43 Tree Swallows and 48 House Wrens. The last bluebird usually fledged during the first week of August. This included Eastern bluebirds, tree swallows and house wrens. From 2002 to 2019 over 1,500 birds have fledged the birdhouses. Many of the farm bluebirds wintered over, and the first bluebird egg is usually laid on the third week of April.

They recorded data and banded hatchlings. Alumni Bill Jirousek and Bruce Resnick and university staff Betsy Banks, farm volunteers, check the houses regularly during the breeding season (April to August).

The trail enriches educational programming at the farm, providing conservation and restoration opportunities. Now in its 18th season, it includes 58 Peterson houses located around the research ponds and nearby fields.ĭownload the Bluebird trail map to enhance your visit! The Bluebird Trail project at the farm was created in collaboration with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

Download bluebird feed