This is the time of year to witness the return of the bluebird. Have you seen your first bluebird of 2019?
Bluebirds were once common across Ohio when the countryside was composed of a mixture of small fields of hay, oats, corn, pastures, and orchards. As farming changed to a more monoculture approach — extensive fields of corn and soybeans — away from pastures and orchards, bluebird habitat declined in Ohio. Additionally, the introduction of the European starling and house sparrow increased competition for the few nesting cavities available. Both factors have contributed to a decline in bluebirds in the state.
But there are volunteers who are dedicated to helping bluebird populations! Learn more about bluebird conservation from the Ohio Bluebird Society: https://www.ohiobluebirdsociety.org/