Where have all the bluebirds gone? Have you noticed that there are very few bluebirds in the meadows this spring compared to past years? In the past, we have had as many as 20 – 30 pairs of bluebirds nesting in each of the larger meadows of Evergreen. This year, the numbers are considerably lower. So why is this? Most of the loss of bird populations around the world can be attributed to the loss of suitable habitats. In the case of our bluebirds, it is the loss of tall grasses in meadows. Tall grasses provide food and reproductive habitat for small insects like leafhoppers and grasshoppers — protein-rich insects that small birds need to feed their growing babies.

During the last few years, an increasing number of homeowners have mowed more and more acreage, taking away the tall grasses and thus the food needed to feed fledgling birds. Tall grasses are also necessary because when the young birds leave their nests, they hide in the grass for a few weeks, During this time, the parents continue to feed them insects as they grow and become stronger fliers. This is a critical time period when they are very vulnerable to predation by hawks. Without the tall grasses, they are unlikely to survive.

Quite a few other birds rely on tall grasses, as well. Several species of ground-nesting sparrows require large areas of native grasses where they find food and protection. Chipping sparrows, Vesper sparrows, and Savannah sparrows, which used to be common, are now found in only a few of the larger Evergreen meadows.

Swallows, which mostly hunt for insects on the wing, also depend on the tall grasses, where the tiny flying insects they feed on hatch and feed. Have you noticed the decline in the number of Tree swallows and Violet-green swallows in the air? Their numbers have been dramatically reduced by a lack of suitable habitat.

Hummingbirds love the sugar water feeders that many homeowners provide but even they need the tall grasses. During nesting season, they are seen less frequently at our feeders as they are out searching for tiny, nutritious insects to feed their rapidly growing young.

As homeowners, we can do our part to help birds, either by not mowing our meadows or by only mowing very small lawn areas around our homes. It can help to provide nesting boxes. It is crucial to stop using pesticides. If we take these small steps, the grasses and wildflowers will come back. Many birds return to the same area where they hatched. The result will be that more birds will survive for us to enjoy in the coming years.