Well-Travelled Bluebirds
Lauri, a Prescott Bluebird Recovery Project Bander whose routes include Champoeg Park, reported yesterday that a female Western Bluebird hatched in one of our nestboxs has been recaptured as the female of a pair nesting at the Park this season.
She was hatched in June, 2008. She has a clutch of 6 eggs in a nestbox that is used every year, and in fact is often the "showcase" nestbox for the June Champoeg Bluebird Day, because of its location near the Visitors' Center. Lauri reports that they have not been successful yet in recapturing the male to determine his history.
This is a reasonably long travel for a female to find a nesting location. The Park, which has substantial oak with mistletoe strongly growing, is a regular overwintering location for bluebirds, who appreciate the berries as a food source during winter.