A Publication of North Fork Audubon Society, Inc

Opening…

My favorite volunteer task at North Fork Audubon Society is to oversee Bluebird nest box trails throughout the North Fork.  Because the Eastern Bluebird nests in tree cavities, one way to encourage their population growth is to offer man-made nest boxes, in habitats very specific to their needs (basically, open or mowed fields away from brushy areas, but with trees nearby for newly fledged Bluebirds to roost on).  

To call these “Bluebird trails” is really a misnomer, because other birds may choose to nest in these same boxes.  Invasive House Wrens and House Sparrows often take advantage of the opportunity and will drive away or kill Bluebirds.  Occasionally Chickadees or Tufted Titmice will occupy these as well.  It’s a challenging and difficult task to pave the way for a successful clutch of Bluebird babies, and some years we have a zero % success rate.  

However, there is another bird that also loves to use the boxes — the unsung hero and topic of this article.  Earlier this spring I received a text from one of my Bluebird nest box trail landlords (the owner of the farm where we installed a group of boxes).  “We saw a blue bird flying out of one of the boxes!” She wrote. 

“A blue bird?  Or a Bluebird?” I responded.  “Was it dark blue with a white underbelly? Or royal blue with an orange breast?” She wasn’t sure. I drove to the property and looked at the bird perched on top of the box.  Sure enough, it was a Tree Swallow.  

In our quest to attract Bluebirds, we often overlook the sheer magnificence of the Tree Swallow. They swoop gracefully across open fields, lakes and marshes hunting insects. The dark blue-green plumage on the head and back of the male Tree Swallow shimmers with an iridescent aqua tint in the sunlight. They build lovely, neat nests — always lined with a delicate layer of white feathers that gently envelop 5 or 6 creamy white eggs. Other than sometimes usurping a box meant for a Bluebird, the two species live in harmony as neighbors.  

Monitoring the nest boxes is a necessary task, checking to make sure all is well and that the nest has not been predated by other birds, flying squirrels or snakes (yes – all these can kill birds inside the boxes, or steal or eat the eggs!).  Invasive birds sometimes build a new nest right on top. It is important to check the boxes in the middle of the day when the parents are usually out hunting for food, but sometimes they are unavoidably still sitting on their nests. The proper technique is to approach the box slowly, carefully knocking on the side and staying clear of the entrance, to warn the mom and give her the chance to fly out. Bluebirds will almost always fly out immediately if they are inside — but tree Swallows Moms stay put and hold still as a stone.  They are camouflaged by the feathers lining the nest and I have mistakenly touched the bird thinking that perhaps she was dead, as sadly sometimes happens — then I feel the warmth and know all is well — and still the brave Mom stays put.  

At our headquarters, Inlet Pond County Park we have 3 new nest boxes recently constructed and mounted by NFAS volunteer Michael Kimmelman.  While we haven’t attracted any Bluebirds to date, I recently walked over to one of the boxes just as a male Tree Swallow flew past towards it, holding a white feather in his beak — and there was his mate, perched on top of the box.  And that made me every bit as happy.  

Here is a link to listen to Tree Swallow songs and calls:

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Tree_Swallow/sounds

Lucky for me and Olive that I attended the lecture by Donald Lanham, of the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center, sponsored by the North Fork Audubon Society! The subject was the rescue and transport of injured wild animals.

I first saw Olive on my deck, the afternoon after the day of the mighty windstorm we had on April 4, 2024.

It was so utterly unexpected! All alone, a little stumpy gorgeous and calm creature! I guessed it was a Great Horned owlet as I have had a pair that has nested nearby for years. Olive must have been blown out of her nest. There were no adult owls about that I could see or hear.

From the lecture I knew: not to approach her; try and discern if she is injured in anyway; do not feed or give her water and notify the EAW Rescue Center.

The response was prompt, knowledgeable and positive. Two rescue volunteers, Deb and David, arrived within a half hour. Together, we sat for a couple of hours and simply observed the wonder of Olive on the deck, placid, in the sun, snoozing, not alarmed. Then Jake, a “climber” from the Rescue Center and his partner, Mary, called, saying they were on their way from Riverhead.

If the Owlet is not injured, the priority is to return it to its nest (renesting). To do that first the nest must be located. For that, a climber is needed to see and identify an owl’s nest: not a squirrel’s nest or an abandoned nest. With Mary’s assistance, Jake suited up to find the nest: crampons, carabiners, harness, safety ropes, belays, helmet. A nest is indicated by owl detritus at the base of the nest, such as regurgitated pellets; bones; feathers and in this case, one-half a rabbit!

Jake was able to locate the nest but determined it was too damaged by the storm to hold Olive’s weight. In that event, or if the nest can’t be found, another nest is constructed and placed nearby for the owlet. Meanwhile, Jake and Mary had gently covered Olive with a blanket and placed her in a big tote box, in which she continued to be apparently calm and snoozing.

Later (much), Rocco arrived. He was delayed because he was “rescuing baby ducks from a drain.” Rocco is also a climber and owl whisperer. He checked out Olive and found she was in good shape, not dehydrated; about one month old; couldn’t fly yet, but could hop and glide. Olive did, from time to time, make a “clacking“ noise with her beak snapping together, certainly an indication of alarm, yet she calmed down when being held by Rocco. He had constructed a nest for her of a medium tote box with one end cut out. He fixed it to the tree below the parent’s nest, put small conifer branches in it and the back half of a very dead rabbit that had also blown out of the nest. Rocco then carried Olive up the ladder to her new nest and placed her in it.

Olive was very calm the whole time. Rocco said she had a 50/50 likelihood of staying in the nest. He told me that in the event Olive was on the ground in the morning, to call him.

Very early the following morning, I went into my living room, which has large windows. I looked up and there was a parent owl, looking at me, balancing precariously on telephone wires just for a few seconds before it flew away! I am convinced that the owl parent wanted me to see it and let me know that they had the situation in hand...it was a relief for me!

I then looked from my study into Olive’s nest just in time to see her scarfing down a huge mouse, obviously delivered to her by a parent.

After 5 days of being looked after by her parents while still in her temporary nest, Olive jumped down to the ground. She worked her way across my back yard, parents watching nearby, to the far corner, behind a huge tree, where two fences meet: a very very safe place for her. She can’t fly yet, but she’s back with her family, who remain near by day and night, until she can.

I cannot express the sense of wonder and awe that I felt in the presence of such a magnificent creature – and that she remains a healthy, wild owl.

Many thanks to all involved: North Fork Audubon Society; the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center, and their volunteers from me, Olive and her folks for all the work they do for the rescue of wild animals.

Are you a member?

When you become a member, you gain access to exclusive programs and events like a private tour of the Ferguson Museum of Natural History on Fishers Island! Join us today and take part in unique experiences that bring you closer to the environment we all cherish. Click here to become a member or renew your membership!

Want to make a difference?

Whether you’re interested in helping with native plants, leading bird walks, assisting at events, or shorebird monitoring and outreach, your time and talents will make a lasting impact. Volunteering is a wonderful way to connect with nature, learn new skills, and meet others who share your passion for conservation. Get involved today and help us protect and celebrate that natural beauty of the North Fork! Click here to fill out our volunteer survey