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May 06, 1962 - Bluebirds Bluebirds Exclusive Sunday Review Sketch by Dennis PuIeston of Brookhaven Focus on Nature This seek we are privileged to have with us again one of Long Island's finest naturalists, Gilbert Raynor of Manorville. I am par - ticnlariy happy that Gil is writing about the bluebird, for he seems to be the Ione survivor amongst birders on this end of the Island who has been able to have blue- birds at his boxes year. after year. Knowing this, I am sure you will enjoy his article that much more. P.S. As the long and frigid mid - winter season slowly gives way, under the power of an ever higher - riding sun, to the length- ening days and subtle hints of change that become evident by late February or early March, the first signs of spring are eager- ly sought by all. The swelling of the Pussy Willow catkins, the emerging tips of Skunk - cabbage leaves in a sheltered swamp, the first tentative piping of the Spring Peeper, the wedge of geese north- ward bound, all these and many more are indisputable proof that the circle of the seasons has come around once more and the period of growth and new life has begun. Among the signs of spring, how- ever, none is more welcome than the Bluebird for this beautiful and gentle member of the Thrush family with its sky - blue back and Robin - red breast has held a secure place in the affections of country people for many gen- erations. The first indication of his pre- sence may come with the first warm spell of late winter, a plaintive note filtering down from the sky above, a sweet warble from a fence post or apple tree or perhaps a flash of blue from a little travelled roadside. But some of us may listen and watch in vain for the species is no longer as common as formerly and springs now pass with few Blue - birds. Bluebird Population Years ago, conditions were dif- ferent. The Bluebird was one of the most common birds of the farm, orchard and roadside but unlike most birds of similar habi- tat nests only in hollows of trees or adequate substitutes. The in- troduction of the English Sparrow and Starling and their spread throughout rural areas was a dis- aster from which the Bluebird population has never recovered. Since both are hole nesters also and both are more aggressive than the Bluebird, the more de- sirable species was soon driven from many of its breeding sites and remained common only in areas remote enough from hu- man habitation to have no attrac- tion for the immigrant species. Other difficulties also beset the Bluebird. Occasionally a late win- ter snowstorm or a period of un- usually cold weather will destroy many who have moved northward too soon. Similar conditions in mid - winter in the Southern states where the Bluebirds winter have been known to kill so many insects that large numbers of Bluebirds and other insectivorous species have starved to death. In addition, the species is subjected to competition for nesting sites with several natives 'such as the Tree Swallow and the House Wren and is frequently troubled by certain insects which parasit- ize its young. Its existance is also threatened by insecticides such as DDT for during the warmer months it feeds almost entirely on insects and poisoned bugs are easy prey. May Stage Comeback During the past eighty years or so, the Bluebird population has been reduced by natural causes to a small percentage of normal on several occasions, but has al- ways recovered in a few seasons. Several years ago, the latest such disaster, two abnormally cold winters in the south, aggravated by the aerial spraying of DDT on Long Island and other parts of the Northeast, caused a .rapid de- cline to a modern low from which the species shows little sign of climbing. A few breeding pairs have been seen on Long Island this spring, however, and it is hoped that the species may once again stage a comeback. As indicated above, the Blue- bird nests in hollow trees, old woodpecker holes or bird boxes preferable placed low and in the open. In early May from four to six blue eggs are laid in a nest composed mainly of dry, grass. These hatch in less than two weeks. The young grow rapidly being fed by both parents and leave the nest in about two more weeks. Two and sometimes three broods are raised; the young of the first are still being fed and guided by the male as the female by Paul Stoutenburgh begins incubation of a new set of eggs. After nesting is finished, the birds wander in family groups feeding on the abundance of sum- mer insects supplemented, as autumn comes on, with increasing amounts of berries. Winter In The South By October most of the resident birds have departed while mi- grants from further north are moving through. Although a few Bluebirds sometimes winter in sheltered thickets feeding largely on Cedar and Poison -ivy berries, most have left for the South by mid November to remain until late February or early March. In view of their present scar- city, readers are urged to report any nesting pairs observed to this column. Observations on whether or not young are suc- cessfully raised and how many broods are attempted may give some indication of the Bluebird's future on Long Island. Those who live in suitable areas can help by erecting Bluebirds boxes and by discouraging any disturbance of nesting birds With a little help, the Bluebird may once again her- ald the approach of spring in more satisfy:ng numbers. FIELD OBSERVATIONS Walter Terry reports: Sayville — April 23 Red- beilied Woodpecker Blue Point — April 25 Mt Siniai Harbor — April 26 Indigo Bunting Snow Goose Laughing Gull (2) Yellow-crowned Night Heron (4) L R Ernest reports: Southampton — April 22 Cedar Waxwing (5) Cooper's Hawk Hay Ground — April 23 Black -crowned Night Heron Brown Creeper Hooded Warbler Bridgehampton — April 23 Willet Springs — April 23 Pine Grosbeak (3) Water Mill — April 24 Green Heron Golden- crowned Kinglet Water Snake (2) Judd Bennett reports: East Marion — April 22 Turkey Vulture Yellow - bellied Sapsucker Purple Finch Cedar Waxing (12) East Marion — April 23 Yellow - crowned Night Heron Wilson's Snipe Eastern Phoebe (4) Belted Kingfisher Ruby- crowned Kinglet Red - breasted Nuthatch Green Heron White- breasted Nuthatch East Marion — April 27 Yellow -legs Blue -gray Gnatcatcher Indigo Bunting Black and White Warbler Brown Creeper Yellow Warbler Broad - winged Hawk (carrying a snake and being chased by a Sparrow Hawk) Robert Saul reports: Orient — April 28 Snow Geese (6) Roy Latham reports: Orient — April, 23 Mute Swan (2) Orient — April 25 Blue Goose Orient — April 25-27 Snow Geese (6) Orient — April 28 Brown Thrasher Blooming: Wood Anemone Bellwort Wood Violet Cowslip Arbutus Please send all comments and )nervations to P a u 1 Stouten- rrgh, Bay Avenue, Box 105, RD D. 1, Cutchogue, N.Y.