We would like Bella Vista residents with bluebird nest boxes in their yards to let us know the number of bluebird chicks, and other bird species' chicks, that have successfully fledged (left the nest) this year. We like to keep track of Bella Vista’s bluebirds and we’ll report our findings in local publications. You can send your results either by email to bellavistabluebird@gmail.com, or in a text to 847-951-1743.  We’ll reply to let you know we’ve received them.  Please don’t send your results both ways as we don’t want to double-count. Thanks!

Be sure to read the premier issue of The Bluebirder, our new newsletter.  Read about upcoming events, merchandise for sale, titmouse & chickadee nests, bluebird personalities, how to make a wire predator guard, and much more.  We hope you find it helpful & informative.  

We now have a Facebook site where we can all post and stay in contact with each other. Our group is moderated by Jacqui Stockman, our Public Relations board member. Since we know that all of our volunteers do not have a Facebook page, we intend to put all the information our volunteers need also on our website.

Jacqui has created two pages.  The first is the Group page, where we can all post exciting and informative news. She asks that we all "join" the group:

Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BellaVistaBluebirdSociety/

The second is the Society page, where only the administrator can post things such as upcoming events.  Please "like/follow" the society page.  This will place the BVBBS in your Facebook newsfeed and all of your family/friends will be able to see what is happening in our Society page and generate more interest in our events:

Facebook Society Page - https://www.facebook.com/BellaVistaBlueBirdSociety/

Please contact Jacqui Stockman with questions.

Our annual informational meeting for the public will be held on Saturday, April 27th, from 1:30 – 2:30, at the Bella Vista Public Library.  The meeting will give some history & functions of BVBBS, talk about the need for bluebird nest boxes, and monitoring and maintaining a box. There will be bluebird’s nests and eggs on display, as well as other birds that nest in bluebird boxes.  Various handouts will be available.  The Library is located at 11 Dickens Place. 

It’s time to clean out your bluebird nest boxes if you didn’t do that in late summer or fall.  Bluebirds are checking out the boxes now, and you might want to start checking for nests in mid-March.  Let's hope for a successful season this year.

If you enjoy feeding the birds, bluebirds love mealworms (as do wrens, chickadees, titmouses, and cardinals.)  You can buy mealworms locally at The Bluebird Shed, as well as feeders.  This feeder can be adjusted so starlings can't get to the food.  Some people simply put a saucer with mealworms on their deck railing. 

Bluebird pudding is also a big hit with bluebirds, and other birds too.  Go to Frequently Asked Questions - Feeding Bluebirds - for more information about mealworms and a bluebird pudding recipe. 

The North American Bluebird Society (NABS) is seeking volunteers to fill one or more positions on their Board of Directors, and they have asked BVBBS, as a NABS Affiliate, to publicize this opportunity to our membership.   NABS Board members are required to be or become NABS members. The NABS Board uses a committee structure to execute its business functions, the committees are listed in each issue of the NABS Bluebird journal.  Board members are expected to participate in one or more of the committees.  The NABS Board meets monthly via a one-hour teleconference call.  If you are interested in joining the NABS Board, or if you need more information before making your decision, please contact the NABS Board President, Bernie Daniel, by phone at (513)300-8714 or by email at bdaniel@nabluebirdsociety.org.

T.H.Rogers & Lowes has donate over $3,000 to BVBBS for materials used to make bluebird nest boxes.  The materials includes cedar lumber, fence posts, PVC pipe, screws and wire.  In addition to these most generous businesses, we also partner with The Bluebird Shed, who sells our boxes; Embroidery Design, who created our logo; and the North American Bluebird Society, who provides educational materials.