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03/24/2007: "Islanders Encouraged to Look for Bluebirds"

The first eight pairs of Western Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana) have been released on San Juan Island , thanks to the efforts of staff and volunteers of the San Juan Islands Western Bluebird Reintroduction Project.

(photo: Dennis Paulson)
“This is an exciting program for the many islanders who love birds,” said Kathleen Foley of the San Juan Preservation Trust. “We are hopeful that someone will call in their bluebird sighting in the very near future.”

To report a bluebird sighting, or to volunteer to be one of our “Bluebird Spotters” (and be assigned an area of San Juan to search regularly for the birds), contact Kathleen Foley at the San Juan Preservation Trust (kathleenf@sjpt.org or 378-2461) or Barb Jensen at San Juan Islands Audubon Society (skylark@rocksisland.com or 378-3068).


The San Juan Islands Western Bluebird Reintroduction Project will release 90 birds during the next 5 years. Release areas will initially be concentrated in San Juan Valley (due to its ideal bluebird habitat ). Eventually these native songbirds may be released on other islands as well.

The Project coordinators are encouraging all islanders, especially those on San Juan Island, to keep watch for the released bluebirds. As the birds were not fitted with transmitters, the only way to determine their whereabouts will be by sightings. Look for them in open habitat (as opposed to dense forest), perched at tops of trees and on powerlines and fencelines. If you have Garry oaks on your property, keep a watchful eye: these birds are very closely associated to this type of habitat.

A partnership consisting of the San Juan Preservation Trust, the San Juan Islands Audubon Society, the American Bird Conservancy, the Ecostudies Institute, and partially funded by the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund, has been working to re-establish a breeding population of Western Bluebirds to the San Juan Islands, an area that once served as home for this native species.