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.

The Crofton Village Garden Club is taking a meaningful step toward environmental stewardship with the launch of its Bluebird Trail project at the Crofton Community Library. This initiative focuses on creating safe nesting spaces for Eastern Bluebirds while enriching the library grounds with purpose-driven conservation efforts. 

Project co-chairs Nancy Percivall and Littany Hollerbach collaborated with a group of Girl Scouts to install five new bluebird houses. Under their guidance, the scouts learned proper installation techniques and gained hands-on experience in supporting local wildlife habitats. This collaborative effort not only strengthened the physical presence of the Bluebird Trail but also fostered environmental awareness among young community members.

As the project grows, garden club members will monitor the houses throughout the breeding season, carefully tracking nesting activity, eggs, and fledgling success. This data-driven approach will inform future improvements and ensure the sustainability of the habitat. Through education, conservation, and community involvement, the Bluebird Trail stands as a vibrant example of how small, local actions can contribute to broader ecological health and appreciation.

At our recent meeting, Horticulture Chair Nancy Percivall shared exciting news about our new project, creating a Bluebird Trail at the Crofton Community Library. One active nesting box is already in place in the Native Garden, and the trail will expand from there with additional boxes to give these beautiful native songbirds safe places to raise their young. Club members will help care for the boxes, watch for nesting activity, and keep track of the bluebirds’ progress throughout the season. Beyond providing homes for the birds, the project will also give the community a chance to enjoy and learn about bluebirds up close. Visitors to the library will be able to follow along with the trail, making it not only a gift to nature but also a special way to connect people with the wonder of wildlife right here in Crofton — a perfect reflection of our club’s mission of conservation, education, and community service.