Prince Gallitzin State Park is looking for bird lovers to lend a helping hand with their bluebird program next spring.
The Eastern Bluebird is a medium-sized thrush that feeds mainly on insects and are often enjoyed by bird watchers because of their beautiful colors.
As their name states, the birds are blue in color with a red or brownish throat and breast. Adult males are a brighter blue than the females. They mainly eat insects and berries.
Bluebirds usually nest in cavities, however, they have been displaced from their natural nesting locations by House Sparrows and European Starlings.
In an effort to help provide nesting areas for the bluebirds, some individuals and organizations choose to put up nesting boxes. This creates an environment where bluebirds are able to make their home.
In areas where they are likely to be claimed by Tree Swallows, bluebird boxes are often placed in pairs. This is done because the swallow will prefer to have a bluebird as a neighbor as opposed to another Tree Swallow.
Prince Gallitzin State Park has been working on a bluebird program within the park and it’s been a record year for the birds.
One hundred thirty-seven baby bluebirds fledged from the 85 bluebird boxes located throughout the park.
Although winter is right around the corner, Prince Gallitzin is looking ahead to the spring when they will need volunteers to assist with the bluebird program, beginning in April of 2005.
Duties including monitoring 26 bluebird boxes on a weekly basis, from mid-April to mid-August and keeping detailed records of any findings.
Interested individuals are asked to call Michelle Shetler, park naturalist at Prince Gallitzin State Park, at 814-674-1005.
