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Copyright © 2011 Ecostudies Institute
| A nonprofit organization committed to ecological research and conservation |
| ECOSTUDIES INSTITUTE |
| ECOSTUDIES INSTITUTE |
| Contact Information: Ecostudies Institute P.O. Box 703 Mount Vernon, WA 98273 305-213-8829 ecostudies@ecoinst.org |
The Western Bluebird
Western bluebirds were considered common in the
San Juan Islands in the 1930s, but disappeared by
1964. Although habitat loss and degradation were
important factors, the ultimate cause of their extirpation was
Western bluebirds were considered common in the
San Juan Islands in the 1930s, but disappeared by
1964. Although habitat loss and degradation were
important factors, the ultimate cause of their extirpation was
Without assistance, bluebirds appeared unable to
reestablish a population on San Juan Island, perhaps
due to the long distance (165 km) and large area of
unsuitable habitat (i.e., urban Seattle and Puget
Sound) between the island and the closest source
population in south Puget Sound. However, a
pre-project assessment indicated that habitat was
sufficient to support a bluebird population. We also
knew that nest boxes could be provided to ensure
that cavities were available for nesting. Equally
important was the fact that Ecostudies Institute is
one of the leading experts in North America for
landbird reintroductions, and Ecostudies developed
successful methodologies while reintroducing the
Eastern bluebird in South Florida.
reestablish a population on San Juan Island, perhaps
due to the long distance (165 km) and large area of
unsuitable habitat (i.e., urban Seattle and Puget
Sound) between the island and the closest source
population in south Puget Sound. However, a
pre-project assessment indicated that habitat was
sufficient to support a bluebird population. We also
knew that nest boxes could be provided to ensure
that cavities were available for nesting. Equally
important was the fact that Ecostudies Institute is
one of the leading experts in North America for
landbird reintroductions, and Ecostudies developed
successful methodologies while reintroducing the
Eastern bluebird in South Florida.
Ecostudies Institute and its partners, American
Bird Conservancy, San Juan Preservation Trust, San
Juan Audubon Society are working to reestablish a
breeding population of Western bluebirds (Sialia
mexicana) to the San Juan Islands in the Pacific
Northwest. Initiated in 2007, the San Juan Islands
Western Bluebird Reintroduction Project aims to 1)
establish a viable breeding population on the San
Juan Islands, and 2) promote the conservation of
prairie-oak habitats through education and outreach.
Bird Conservancy, San Juan Preservation Trust, San
Juan Audubon Society are working to reestablish a
breeding population of Western bluebirds (Sialia
mexicana) to the San Juan Islands in the Pacific
Northwest. Initiated in 2007, the San Juan Islands
Western Bluebird Reintroduction Project aims to 1)
establish a viable breeding population on the San
Juan Islands, and 2) promote the conservation of
prairie-oak habitats through education and outreach.
likely due to the loss of a particular habitat element, cavities for nesting. For more information on the
Western bluebird’s life history click here.
Western bluebird’s life history click here.
Why Reintroduce ?
Measuring Progress
To date, we have released 80 adults and 24 juveniles. In 2011, we expect to release approximately 20
adults, reaching our goal of releasing > 90 individuals. The project has met several benchmarks of
reintroduction success:
1) Approximately, 47% of the adults released to San Juan Island have established a territory and nested, a
similar rate of success to that found in South Florida.
2) The size of the bluebird population on San Juan Island has increased in each year of the project, and
annual increases have been seen in the number of translocated and resident birds.
adults, reaching our goal of releasing > 90 individuals. The project has met several benchmarks of
reintroduction success:
1) Approximately, 47% of the adults released to San Juan Island have established a territory and nested, a
similar rate of success to that found in South Florida.
2) The size of the bluebird population on San Juan Island has increased in each year of the project, and
annual increases have been seen in the number of translocated and resident birds.
3) Reproduction and return rates of the reintroduced population are similar to other populations in the
Pacific Northwest.
Pacific Northwest.
San Juan Islands Audubon Society
Partners
The red line indicates productivity levels in other
Pacific Northwest populations
Pacific Northwest populations
Photo by Kathleen Ballard
Washington Department of Fish and Game
Joint Base Lewis McChord Military Reservation
