BOX 5 TAKES THE LEAD: BLUEBIRD TRAIL UPDATE

As the nesting season wraps up this August, the bluebird trail at the Crofton Community Library has had a quiet but rewarding summer. Project co-chairs Littany Hollerbach and Nancy Percivall have been diligently monitoring the trail’s birdhouses and keeping track of nesting activity.

Box 5, located in the pollinator garden, continued to be the only active nesting site on the trail this season. Back in May, Littany and Nancy recorded five eggs in Box 5. By July, the bluebirds had returned for another nesting attempt, with a smaller clutch of two eggs.

During a recent check of the box, a male bluebird flew out as Littany and Nancy approached. Inside, they found that no eggs remained, but at least one baby bluebird was present in the nest—a wonderful sign of continued activity in Box 5.

Meanwhile, Box 4 showed some initial promise with a small amount of nesting material, but the bluebirds ultimately did not build a complete nest. The unused nesting material was cleared during the recent inspection. The remaining boxes along the library trail stayed quiet throughout the season.

A special thank-you to Littany and Nancy for their dedicated monitoring and care of the bluebird trail throughout the summer. Their efforts help us follow the progress of our local bluebirds and provide them with safe places to raise their young.

Exciting news from the Blue Bird Trail at the Crofton Community Library. One of the five newly installed bluebird boxes now has an active nest with five eggs inside. The occupied box is located in the Pollinator Garden and is currently the only box on the trail with eggs this season. The garden’s native plants, open space, and insect population provide an ideal habitat for Eastern Bluebirds. Visitors are encouraged to observe quietly from a respectful distance as we continue to monitor the nest and share updates throughout the season.

Welcoming Hummingbirds Back to Maryland

As the frost begins to fade and the first green shoots of spring emerge in our local gardens, it is time to prepare for the return of our most energetic avian visitors. Welcoming hummingbirds back to Maryland starts with understanding their migration timing; Ruby-throated Hummingbirds typically begin their arrival in early to mid-April, with "scouts" often appearing around the first or second week of the month. While the traditional "Tax Day" benchmark of April 15th is when sightings become common, those in Southern Maryland or along the Chesapeake may see these jewel-toned travelers even earlier. Getting your garden ready by late March ensures that the earliest arrivals, who have just completed an exhausting journey across the Gulf of Mexico, have the immediate nourishment they need to thrive.

To give these tiny dynamos a warm welcome, start by cleaning and hanging your feeders a week before you expect them. Use a simple, safe nectar recipe of four parts water to one part white granulated sugar; there is no need for red dye, which can be harmful to their delicate systems. Beyond the feeder, the best way to support hummingbirds is by cultivating a "living buffet" of native plants. Consider adding tubular, nectar-rich favorites like Trumpet Honeysuckle, Wild Columbine, or Bee Balm to your beds. By providing a mix of supplemental feeders and natural forage, you’ll turn your backyard into a vital sanctuary throughout the nesting season.

National Bird Feeding Month: Helping Birds Through Winter

National Bird Feeding Month is celebrated every February and focuses on helping wild birds survive the coldest time of the year. Winter can be especially difficult for birds, as snow and frozen ground limit access to natural food sources. By providing supplemental food and water, people can help birds conserve energy and improve their chances of survival while also enjoying the opportunity to observe them up close.

The observance began in 1994 when U.S. Congressman John Porter of Illinois established National Bird Feeding Month to raise awareness about the importance of winter bird feeding. February was chosen because it is often the harshest month for birds across much of the country. The goal was to encourage families, schools, and communities to take simple actions that make a meaningful difference for local bird populations.

Feeding birds during winter is easy and rewarding. Offering nutritious foods such as black oil sunflower seeds, suet, and nyjer seed can attract a variety of species. It’s also important to keep feeders clean to prevent the spread of disease and to provide fresh water when natural sources are frozen. Placing feeders in safe locations near cover helps birds feel secure while they eat.
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National Bird Feeding Month is a reminder that small efforts can have a big impact. Whether you hang a feeder, maintain a birdbath, or simply learn more about the birds in your area, you’re helping support wildlife during a challenging season and strengthening your connection to nature.

Late Season Color at Crofton High School’s Pollinator Garden
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The Crofton High School Pollinator Garden is showing its autumn beauty with goldenrod and aster in bloom, providing important late-season nourishment for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

The garden was created by the school’s Green Team with support from the Crofton Village Garden Club, which donated funds to help establish the project on school grounds. It has earned recognition as a National Wildlife Federation Certified Schoolyard Habitat, a distinction awarded to outdoor spaces that provide the essential elements of food, water, shelter, and places for wildlife to raise their young.

This special habitat gives students hands-on experience with native plants and fosters a deeper understanding of how pollinator gardens contribute to a healthy ecosystem—right in their own schoolyard.