The Prescott Bluebird Recovery Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the recovery, restoration, and enhancement of the Western Bluebird and other native cavity nesting birds. The Western Bluebird is listed as a "sensitive species" in Oregon by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife.
The decline of the Western Bluebird in the Northern Willamette Valley can be attributed to the following:
1) the loss of natural nesting cavities due to the removal of dead trees and snags
2) the increase in competition from House Sparrows and European Starlings
3) the reduction of insects eaten by bluebirds due to the use of pesticides.
1) the loss of natural nesting cavities due to the removal of dead trees and snags
2) the increase in competition from House Sparrows and European Starlings
3) the reduction of insects eaten by bluebirds due to the use of pesticides.
All of the efforts of volunteers involved with the Prescott Bluebird Recovery Project are directed at remedying these three problems. The most important effort is the construction and placement of nest boxes in appropriate habitat. Volunteers also monitor each nestbox during the nesting season. In addition to obtaining valuable nesting information, monitors supplement the feeding of nesting birds by offering mealworms during unusually cold, wet weather.
All nesting data gathered by volunteers is included in a database and reported to interested organizations such as the North American Bluebird Society and the Cornell Nest Box Network.
Licensed banders also band each adult and nestling bluebird and submit that data to the North American Bird Banding Laboratory.
The nest boxes used in the program are constructed with an entrance hole size that will not admit the European Starling, thus reducing competition. House Sparrows that try to usurp nest boxes being used by bluebirds are trapped and removed. Neither of these nonnative birds are protected under United States law.
Finally, volunteers address the problem of pesticides by educating landowners and by placing nest boxes where pesticides are not generally in use.
To help educate and inform the general public, volunteers write articles for newspapers, offer training classes, make slide presentations and lead field trips. Oregon Field Guide, a weekly program produced by Oregon Public Broadcasting, featured the Prescott Bluebird Recovery Project in November 1998, replaying the program again in May 1999. The Bluebird Festival/Day, held annually in June at Champoeg State Heritage Area near Newberg, offers a wonderful opportunity to see nesting bluebirds, watch video and slide presentations and participate in nest box building workshops.
The Prescott Bluebird Recovery Project has been making a difference. In 2000, 1734 bluebirds were banded, an increase of 331 birds or 24% over the prior year. In 2004 and since, that number has increased to over 2000. Over 80 volunteers are monitoring over 1500 nest boxes located in five counties. All of the people involved in the program are volunteers. The program is supported by contributions and grants. The organization is exempt from federal income tax. As a result, contributions are tax deductible. The Prescott Bluebird Recovery Project's tax identification number is 93-1021520.