Bluebirds Project

3. A school group erects a single nest box. Each spring the students observe a bluebird pair checking out the box in the early spring. In the first year, an english sparrow nests in the box. The second year, a tree swallow uses the box to raise one brood.

The students are determined to have bluebirds use the box this year. What adaptations can students make to improve the chances that bluebirds will occupy the box this year? Explain why it would help the bluebirds.

4. The PTO decides to establish a schoolyard habitat garden. One group suggests adding some flowering plants, trees and bushes to the schoolyard near the nest boxes.

Explain why some species of plants, bushes or trees, will help the bluebirds and some will not.

Mrs. O'Hora suggests they try to use only regionally native plants, bushes and trees. Do you anticipate this will be good for the bluebirds or have a negative impact on them? On the whole, will using regionally native plants have a positive impact, a neutral impact or a negative impact on other species in the area? Explain.

5. Mike decides to establish a bluebird trail.
What features in an area would make it a better choice?

6. The school chef wants to contribute to the project. The maintenance chief installs a flat, open tray feeder near the classroom windows. Chef Du Jour says she will provide the bread scraps and pieces of fruits that are leftover from lunch.

Explain whether this will help the bluebirds and why.

What birds may be attracted by the food she is offering?

What impact would those birds have on the bluebirds?

7. Jen & Jay are participating in the school's science fair next year. They have decided to do a project related to the bluebirds. They have gathered lots of facts about bluebirds. Next, they must establish the problem/question they will seek to answer by doing the experiment. Write two questions they could ask for a science fair project that is related bluebirds.

"My bluebird houses are prayers of faith and hope, not acts of scientific certitude.
Faith will save nature long before science will." Gene Logsdon

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