OCTOBER IN JACKSON HOLE MEANS BEARS PREPARING TO HIBERNATE

OCTOBER IN JACKSON HOLE MEANS BEARS PREPARING TO HIBERNATE

What Pre-Hibernation Means to the Community

As October arrives in Wyoming, it marks a pivotal time for both black bears and grizzlies. The region’s bears are now entering the critical pre-hibernation phase, preparing to settle into their dens for the winter. This process, crucial for the survival of these animals, also brings increased risks of human-bear encounters in the Jackson Hole area. JHWF, through Bear Wise Jackson Hole partnership, is working to mitigate these risks with a focus on introducing bear-resistant grease traps to local businesses.

Understanding Bear Hibernation in Wyoming

Hibernation is an adaptive strategy that both black bears and grizzlies use to survive Wyoming’s harsh winters. As temperatures drop, food becomes scarce, prompting bears to conserve energy by slowing their metabolism and entering dens where they rest for several months.

Timing of Hibernation

  • Black Bears typically start denning around mid-October, with hibernation potentially lasting up to 7.5 months in colder climates.
  • Grizzly Bears usually begin hibernation later, generally hibernating for 5–7 months, depending on the severity of the winter and food availability.
  • Pregnant females of both species enter hibernation earlier to give birth, while males and non-pregnant females enter dens later and emerge earlier in spring.

Hyperphagia: The Intense Pre-Hibernation Feeding Phase

Before hibernation, bears enter a period called hyperphagia, marked by an urgent drive to consume as many calories as possible. During this phase, bears can consume up to 20,000 calories daily, often foraging for more than 20 hours a day.

During hyperphagia, bears:

Increase Activity

  • Bears are more visible during daylight as they roam widely to find food.

Become Less Cautious

  • Bears’ heightened focus on finding calories can lead to more encounters with humans.

Expand Mobility

  • Bears travel beyond their typical ranges, venturing into populated areas.

Bear Safety: Why Grease Traps Matter

As bears search for food in the fall, they are often drawn to human settlements, increasing the likelihood of conflicts. Through the Bear Wise Jackson Hole partnership, Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation aims to reduce these encounters by helping local businesses and homeowners manage attractants effectively. This includes providing grease traps designed to prevent bears from accessing cooking oil and food waste, which are high-calorie attractants, particularly during hyperphagia.

Why Grease Traps Matter

  • High caloric density: Grease offers a tempting, high-energy food source that can attract bears to restaurants and homes.
  • Preventing conflicts: Just like bear-resistant trash cans, these traps prevent bears from accessing grease, reducing their chances of becoming conditioned to human food sources.

Protecting bears and people: Proper waste management minimizes the potential for bears to linger near human settlements, making it safer for both wildlife and residents.

What You Can Do to Help

Bear safety in Jackson Hole is a shared responsibility. Whether you’re a local resident, business owner, or visitor, you can play a role in fostering coexistence by adopting Bear Wise practices:

Secure Garbage

Use bear-resistant containers.

Store Food Safely Outdoors

Keep pet food, livestock feed, and birdseed out of reach.

Carry Bear Spray

Always have bear spray accessible when recreating outdoors.

Support Local Initiatives

Encourage and support the installation of bear-resistant grease traps and trash receptacles.

Working Toward Coexistence

As bears prepare for hibernation, keeping them safe from human conflicts is essential. Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation takes a proactive approach to minimizing risks by addressing attractants and promoting education on bear behavior. Together, we can ensure a safer environment for both humans and bears, protecting Jackson Hole’s iconic wildlife.

JHWF’s Blogs

Won’t You Join us in Celebration?

Won’t You Join us in Celebration?

By the JHWF Staff As wildlife conservation professionals, we remind ourselves to celebrate the successes. Sometimes we get so wrapped into understanding and mitigating the challenges facing wildlife that we feel frustrated. In these moments, it is sometimes in our...

Beaver Project

Beaver Project

By Jeff Burrell and Hilary Turner Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation is excited to announce a new partnership with beaver researcher and hydrologist Jeff Burrell and a new project for interested Nature Mappers – Beaver Project! In Beaver Project, Nature Mappers will...

A Weekend on the Wind River Indian Reservation

A Weekend on the Wind River Indian Reservation

By Charlie Brandin The great debate - bison or buffalo? I spent last weekend at the Wind River Indian Reservation learning how western science (which classifies the animal as bison) and indigenous knowledge (which classifies it as buffalo) come together for an...

Nature Mapper Profile: Meet Kathy O’Neil and John Norton!

Nature Mapper Profile: Meet Kathy O’Neil and John Norton!

By Hilary Turner As Nature Mapping Jackson Hole nears its landmark 1000th certified Nature Mapper, I thought it would be fun to write an article featuring a couple of newer Nature Mappers who were just trained in the last year. Many of you have participated in Nature...

Meet our Summer Bird-Banders

Meet our Summer Bird-Banders

This year, Vicki Morgan and Kevin Perozeni will head up our MAPS bird-banding stations at Boyle's Hill and the Kelly Campus of the Teton Science Schools. Vicki will be returning for her third summer in a row, while Kevin will be joining us for the first time! Vicki...

Nature Mapping Summer Challenge with Maven® Binocular Giveaway

Nature Mapping Summer Challenge with Maven® Binocular Giveaway

Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation is proud to partner with Maven® Outdoor Equipment Company in a Nature Mapping Summer Challenge! Maven® has graciously donated a pair of C.1 10x42 binoculars (MSRP $425) to the JHWF to be given away to a Nature Mapper who completes the...

Spring Emergents and Arrivals: First of Year (FOY)

Spring Emergents and Arrivals: First of Year (FOY)

Nature Mapping Enews – April 4, 2022 – Written by Frances Clark “I saw my first robin!”  “I saw bluebirds!” “Did you hear the sandhill cranes the other day?”  “No, but I heard meadowlarks up in Antelope Flats.” “The bears are out.” “Have you seen an...

Moose Day 2022

Moose Day 2022

By Frances Clark A valiant cadre of over 95 volunteers ventured out on a frigid morning to scout for moose with great accomplishment. The latest count, still to be verified, is 94 moose. This compares well with Moose Day 2021 when 109 volunteers recorded 106 moose....

Thanks for a Great Hosted Moose Day!

Thanks for a Great Hosted Moose Day!

We'd like to extend a special thank you to all the new participants and visitors who joined us at Rendezvous Park in sub-zero temperatures on the morning of February, 26th for Hosted Moose Day. While only one of our hiking groups spotted a moose, it's important to...

JHWF Receives Bear Wise Jackson Grant

JHWF Receives Bear Wise Jackson Grant

Did you know that Teton County experiences an average of 71 human-bear conflicts per year? Sadly, in 2021 alone, six grizzly bears were euthanized because of human food-conditioning.   Now more than ever, we believe bears need our...

Why Should I Care About Winter Range?

Why Should I Care About Winter Range?

By Morgan Graham, Teton Conservation District Growing up in Pennsylvania, I was not intimately familiar with the concept of winter range. Seasonal shifts were marked by hundreds of Canada geese gorging on leftover corn and soybeans. Over time more and more of those...

Beavers: We need them but they need our help

Beavers: We need them but they need our help

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Protect our Bears by Keeping Them Wild

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Meet the Neighbors to Nature Volunteers

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August is for the Shorebirds

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OCTOBER IN JACKSON HOLE MEANS BEARS PREPARING TO HIBERNATE

OCTOBER IN JACKSON HOLE MEANS BEARS PREPARING TO HIBERNATE

What Pre-Hibernation Means to the CommunityAs October arrives in Wyoming, it marks a pivotal time for both black bears and grizzlies. The region’s bears are now entering the critical pre-hibernation phase, preparing to settle into their dens for the winter. This...

Protecting Wildlife in Teton County, Idaho and Wyoming

Protecting Wildlife in Teton County, Idaho and Wyoming

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LIVING SAFELY WITH BEARS IN JACKSON HOLE

LIVING SAFELY WITH BEARS IN JACKSON HOLE

Dealing with Bears in Your Own Backyard

At the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation, we strive to create a safe environment for both residents and wildlife. One of our critical initiatives, as part of our Bear Wise Jackson Hole partnership, is promoting and helping to install bear-resistant fencing. This measure is vital for protecting both your property and the bears that roam our beautiful region.

Bear-resistant fencing is not just a protective barrier; it’s a lifeline for bears and humans alike. These fences prevent bears from accessing gardens, chicken coops, honeybee boxes, and livestock. When bears are drawn to these attractants, they pose a threat to property and human safety. Unfortunately, bears that become accustomed to human food sources often have to be relocated or, in some cases, euthanized. By installing bear-resistant electric fences, we can help ensure that bears stay wild and safe, allowing us to coexist harmoniously.

Preventing bear conflict at your home involves reducing access to attractants. This includes properly securing garbage, pet food, and any other potential food sources. Bear-resistant fencing is a crucial part of this effort, as it keeps bears away from areas where they might find food, thus reducing the likelihood of dangerous encounters.

Bear Safety Tips: Backcountry Encounters

When enjoying the outdoors and backcountry, it’s essential to follow specific safety guidelines to prevent bear conflicts. Seeing a bear in the wild is a remarkable experience, but it’s crucial to remember that bears are powerful and potentially dangerous animals. Here are some essential safety tips to keep in mind while enjoying the natural beauty of Jackson Hole:

Stay in Your Vehicle

If you encounter a bear while driving, please remain in your vehicle. Either pull over at a designated pullout or keep moving to avoid blocking traffic and causing stress to the bear.

Give Bears Space

Whether you’re in your car or on foot, always maintain a distance of at least 100 meters from bears. This distance ensures that bears don’t feel threatened or stressed by your presence.

Never Feed a Bear

Feeding bears can lead to them becoming habituated to humans, which often results in dangerous conflicts. A bear that becomes accustomed to human food sources is at a much higher risk of being euthanized. Always secure your food and never leave it unattended.

Carry Bear Spray and Make Noise

When you’re outside your vehicle, always carry bear spray and know how to use it. Making noise by clapping or shouting can alert bears to your presence, preventing surprise encounters.

Be Bear Wise: Get Involved and Stay Informed

Bear Wise Jackson Hole is dedicated to providing resources and education to help our community live responsibly with bears. By following these guidelines and utilizing bear-resistant fencing at home, and being mindful of bear safety tips in the backcountry, we can enjoy the presence of bears in Jackson Hole while ensuring both our safety and theirs. At the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation, we are committed to promoting coexistence through education and practical solutions. Together, we can protect the wildlife that makes our region so special.

For more information on how to get involved and learn about bear safety, visit Bear Wise Jackson Hole.

JHWF’s Blogs

Won’t You Join us in Celebration?

Won’t You Join us in Celebration?

By the JHWF Staff As wildlife conservation professionals, we remind ourselves to celebrate the successes. Sometimes we get so wrapped into understanding and mitigating the challenges facing wildlife that we feel frustrated. In these moments, it is sometimes in our...

Beaver Project

Beaver Project

By Jeff Burrell and Hilary Turner Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation is excited to announce a new partnership with beaver researcher and hydrologist Jeff Burrell and a new project for interested Nature Mappers – Beaver Project! In Beaver Project, Nature Mappers will...

A Weekend on the Wind River Indian Reservation

A Weekend on the Wind River Indian Reservation

By Charlie Brandin The great debate - bison or buffalo? I spent last weekend at the Wind River Indian Reservation learning how western science (which classifies the animal as bison) and indigenous knowledge (which classifies it as buffalo) come together for an...

Nature Mapper Profile: Meet Kathy O’Neil and John Norton!

Nature Mapper Profile: Meet Kathy O’Neil and John Norton!

By Hilary Turner As Nature Mapping Jackson Hole nears its landmark 1000th certified Nature Mapper, I thought it would be fun to write an article featuring a couple of newer Nature Mappers who were just trained in the last year. Many of you have participated in Nature...

Meet our Summer Bird-Banders

Meet our Summer Bird-Banders

This year, Vicki Morgan and Kevin Perozeni will head up our MAPS bird-banding stations at Boyle's Hill and the Kelly Campus of the Teton Science Schools. Vicki will be returning for her third summer in a row, while Kevin will be joining us for the first time! Vicki...

Nature Mapping Summer Challenge with Maven® Binocular Giveaway

Nature Mapping Summer Challenge with Maven® Binocular Giveaway

Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation is proud to partner with Maven® Outdoor Equipment Company in a Nature Mapping Summer Challenge! Maven® has graciously donated a pair of C.1 10x42 binoculars (MSRP $425) to the JHWF to be given away to a Nature Mapper who completes the...

Spring Emergents and Arrivals: First of Year (FOY)

Spring Emergents and Arrivals: First of Year (FOY)

Nature Mapping Enews – April 4, 2022 – Written by Frances Clark “I saw my first robin!”  “I saw bluebirds!” “Did you hear the sandhill cranes the other day?”  “No, but I heard meadowlarks up in Antelope Flats.” “The bears are out.” “Have you seen an...

Moose Day 2022

Moose Day 2022

By Frances Clark A valiant cadre of over 95 volunteers ventured out on a frigid morning to scout for moose with great accomplishment. The latest count, still to be verified, is 94 moose. This compares well with Moose Day 2021 when 109 volunteers recorded 106 moose....

Thanks for a Great Hosted Moose Day!

Thanks for a Great Hosted Moose Day!

We'd like to extend a special thank you to all the new participants and visitors who joined us at Rendezvous Park in sub-zero temperatures on the morning of February, 26th for Hosted Moose Day. While only one of our hiking groups spotted a moose, it's important to...

JHWF Receives Bear Wise Jackson Grant

JHWF Receives Bear Wise Jackson Grant

Did you know that Teton County experiences an average of 71 human-bear conflicts per year? Sadly, in 2021 alone, six grizzly bears were euthanized because of human food-conditioning.   Now more than ever, we believe bears need our...

Why Should I Care About Winter Range?

Why Should I Care About Winter Range?

By Morgan Graham, Teton Conservation District Growing up in Pennsylvania, I was not intimately familiar with the concept of winter range. Seasonal shifts were marked by hundreds of Canada geese gorging on leftover corn and soybeans. Over time more and more of those...

Beavers: We need them but they need our help

Beavers: We need them but they need our help

By Jeff Burrell - Hydrologist and former director of the Wildlife Conservation Society Northern Rockies Program. Cover Photo from Neil Herbert (Yellowstone National Park) There’s been a growing appreciation of the important role beavers can play in creating and...

Protect our Bears by Keeping Them Wild

Protect our Bears by Keeping Them Wild

Holy cow. I am impressed at the boldness of bear 399. She is a survivor and is imparting this skill and resourcefulness on her four cubs. How did we get from the near extirpation of grizzly bears to bears walking through Jackson? The incredible foresight of the...

Meet the Neighbors to Nature Volunteers

Meet the Neighbors to Nature Volunteers

By Hilary A. Turner, JHWF Neighbors to Nature (N2N) is a community science project supported by the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation (JHWF) and our partners – The Nature Conservancy of Wyoming (TNC), Friends of Pathways (FOP), and the Bridger-Teton National Forest...

August is for the Shorebirds

August is for the Shorebirds

Hilary Turner | Nature Mapping Program Coordinator Fall migration is a fun time for birders and it is the only time of year we Wyomingites get to examine many members of one of my favorite groups – the shorebirds. These members of the order Charadriiformes can be...

OCTOBER IN JACKSON HOLE MEANS BEARS PREPARING TO HIBERNATE

OCTOBER IN JACKSON HOLE MEANS BEARS PREPARING TO HIBERNATE

What Pre-Hibernation Means to the CommunityAs October arrives in Wyoming, it marks a pivotal time for both black bears and grizzlies. The region’s bears are now entering the critical pre-hibernation phase, preparing to settle into their dens for the winter. This...

Protecting Wildlife in Teton County, Idaho and Wyoming

Protecting Wildlife in Teton County, Idaho and Wyoming

Protecting Wildlife in Teton County, Idaho and WyomingBlurred Boundaries between Teton County Idaho and WyomingMigrating wildlife do not recognize human-imposed boundaries.lDid you know Teton County, Idaho, has a Wildlife Advisory Committee appointed by the County...

Owls of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Owls of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Did you know that March is when many owls become more vocal and increasingly noticeable on the landscape? To prepare for this exciting time of year, we’re thrilled to host our second Continuing Education Seminar of the year, with Teton Raptor Center’s Dr. Katherine Gura!

Owls of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem” will take place live over Zoom on February 29th from 6-7 pm. Once you RSVP via JotForm, you’ll receive a Zoom link via follow-up email.

Gura will help participants learn how to identify the species of owls that occur in the area using both visual and auditory cues. She will also discuss owl ecology as it pertains to identification.

Gura is interested in behavioral ecology and the effects of environmental change on wildlife. She earned her Ph.D. in Ecology at the University of Wyoming. Prior to attending the University of Wyoming, Gura worked as a field biologist at Teton Raptor Center and has conducted avian research in Wyoming for 14 years. She received a B.A. from Middlebury College, and she originally hails from North Carolina. During her free time, Gura enjoys trail-running with her bird dogs.

Balancing Progress and Conservation: A Sustainable Approach to Northern South Park Ensuring Open Space Protections

Balancing Progress and Conservation: A Sustainable Approach to Northern South Park Ensuring Open Space Protections

By JH Wildlife

What’s in store for Northern South Park

Since 2020, the owners of this land have been engaged with local government and community groups regarding the development of their private property in Northern South Park (NSP). The landowners’ intent is to subdivide and develop a 200+ acre section south of Jackson. An option currently being considered would develop the area densely to accommodate as many as 1,800 housing units (the majority of which would be deed-restricted). Alternatively, the landowners could decide to split the land into 35 acre lots. While exactly how the development plays out is still a bit complicated, what can be expected is the future landscape of NSP is likely to resemble something much different than it does in its current layout of cattle pastures and cottonwood-lined irrigation ditches.

A schematic from the 2022 Neighborhood Plan shows a version of how “passive open space” (light green) might be configured to allow wildlife to move through the development.

How might future development impact wildlife?

Even in scenarios of highest density housing development we anticipate wildlife will use NSP in similar ways to nearby neighborhoods. Although open space will certainly be lost, as agricultural fences come down (including a current 6′ woven and barbed-wire fence which parallels High School Road from the high school to South Park Loop Road) deer and moose will have easier access to the NSP property. New landscaping may increase attractants and potential phasing-out of elk feedgrounds and the termination of elk hazing in NSP may also encourage new movement patterns through the area. Then there’s Flat Creek on the eastern boundary of the proposed development area. Even within the Town of Jackson, Flat Creek serves as an important movement corridor and habitat for everything from beavers, fish and songbirds, to ungulates and other large mammals. Mule deer wintering on the butte across Highway 89 often access this section of Flat Creek for food, water and cover and we expect they will continue to use the creek, even after the buildout of NSP.

So can Northern South Park be developed in a way that reduces the impact on wildlife?

We believe the answer is yes! Currently, Teton County Planning staff are drafting site-specific Land Development Regulations (LDR) and a new zoning overlay in anticipation of NSP buildout. We joined many of our partner organizations in submitting letters to the Planning Commission. While you can read our full letter here, it essentially covers three main recommendations: 1) the application of wildlife-friendly fencing standards, 2) defined Flat Creek setbacks, and 3) protect open space within the developed area to accommodate wildlife movement.

Wildlife-Friendly Fencing Standards: We encouraged the alignment of wildlife-friendly fencing standards in NSP with the current Teton County LDRs to avoid confusion. We also suggested that open spaces and parks remain clear of fencing so as not to entrap wildlife that happens to wander in.

Since 2021, 18 Wyoming Species of Greatest Conservation Need have been reported by JHWF’s Nature Mappers in the Rafter J neighborhood. These data show that the HOA-owned parts of the Flat Creek corridor, as well as the habitat mitigation area, are important for these species. Ideally, NSP would be developed in a similarly responsible way, which would allow for the continued use of the creek corridor by wildlife.

Flat Creek Setbacks: We advised that development not occur within at least 150′ of Flat Creek. A good example of responsible development near Flat Creek is the Rafter J neighborhood. Rafter J’s Flat Creek setbacks, often hundreds of feet in width, are owned and maintained by the Rafter J homeowner association and this protected area supports breeding populations of Wyoming Species of Greatest Conservation Need (WY SGCN) such as Willow Flycatcher and Calliope Hummingbird, along with a large suite of other riparian-associated species. Rafter J also has a habitat mitigation area which supports an impressive community of wetland birds. If NSP can be designed in a similar way, water quality would benefit, as would flood mitigation. This would also help preserve a north to south movement corridor through some of NSPs most valuable habitat.

Open Space: Our recommendation is that NSP design accommodate for wildlife movement through and out of the neighborhood though the preservation of linked, “passive” open space. The NSP Neighborhood Plan, released in 2022, contains sketches of how this open space might be connected and used to allow wildlife passage through the developed area. Ideally, open spaces would maintain a 200-meter minimum width (and larger outside of bottlenecks) based on local research by (Wachob and Smith, 2003). However, if this isn’t practical given the density of the development, these corridors could be combined, to increase width, or laid out near existing open space along the Flat Creek Corridor or southern end of the development area to adjoin with existing open space.

Virginia Rail, another Wyoming Species of Greatest Conservation Need, has been documented breeding in the Rafter J habitat mitigation area. These wetland specialists do not persist outside of intact wetland ecosystems, indicating the health and importance of the Rafter J habitat mitigation area.

If you’re interested in following the development of this issue, the next planning commission meeting is on January 8th! Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns about the process and we’ll answer them to the best of our ability. We are optimistic development can occur in a manner consistent with values outlined in our community’s Comprehensive Plan!

Bluebird Update 7/3/2023

Bluebird Update 7/3/2023

By Kyle and Vicki

What purpose does our nestbox trail serve?

Mountain bluebirds are a cavity nesting species which rely mainly on holes in trees, often created by woodpeckers, to raise their young. This species of bluebird is believed to be on the decline in the West due to factors such as habitat loss and competition for limited cavity nests from invasive species like house sparrows and European starlings.

A fledgling bluebird from box 44 is fed by an adult on Monday at the Fish Hatchery. Photo Vicki Morgan.

Mountain bluebirds are among the first nesting songbirds to return to the Jackson Hole area each spring. There is likely some evolutionary strategy at play here; by returning when the ground is largely still snow covered bluebirds risk exposure to lack of food and cold temperatures, but gain an advantage over rival species when it comes to snagging limited nesting sites.

Our trail of volunteer-built nestboxes on the National Elk Refuge’s western boundary not only provides bluebirds with much needed nesting locations, but allows scientists a chance to gain a more complete understanding of the overall health of this sub-population.

How are the bluebirds faring this spring?

Overall, we’re confident 2023 has been a good year for bluebirds. While we won’t have a full dataset until the end of the summer, reports from our banding team and volunteers indicate bluebirds both returned to the trail and nested in relatively high numbers this spring.

While spring conditions imperiled some nestlings early in the season, wet conditions are likely to foster increased numbers of insects later in the summer which may benefit second rounds of nests. Photo: Vicki Morgan.

At one point, 16 active nests were recorded, more than were active over the entirety of last season. According to Lead Bird Bander Vicki Morgan, who surveys boxes and organizes volunteer data weekly, there are currently two to three boxes with nestlings about to fledge, and between four and six boxes where bluebirds are on their second attempts at nest building.

Several fledglings from box 44 were even “hanging out” at the Fish Hatchery parking lot, where they were being fed by their parents as of Monday morning (don’t all go to photograph them at once!).

The success of nestboxes this year can at least partially be attributed to last year’s batch of fledglings. At least four nest boxes contain female bluebirds which were banded last year as chicks. These birds migrated away last winter and have since completed successful return journeys back to the National Elk Refuge to build their own nests, usually within hundreds of meters from where they themselves hatched. The fancy phrase for this is “site fidelity.”

What are the challenges facing this year’s nesters?

Still, bluebirds on the nest box trail have faced challenges in 2023. While nest building jumped off to a quick start, insects were slow to emerge due to late-spring weather patterns and a handful of nests failed with a lack of available food for nestlings. While nest failure is a natural and normal process, it doesn’t mean it can’t be frustrating to witness young birds not make it, especially when you’re rooting for team bluebird! Several of our boxes have also experienced predation in recent weeks. Our best guess is that weasels are the culprit – snakes can also fit through nest box holes but generally devour young birds whole. Weasels on the other hand are prone to leaving  behind “nestling bits” as evidence of their transgressions.

A 2023 fledgling with this year’s diagnostic color-band combination. Photo: Vicki Morgan

Are the nestboxes helpful for the birds?

We believe they are. Although not all nestling birds survive (you’re welcome weasels – for the buffet), the fact that many bluebirds do successfully fledge indicates the Mountain Bluebird Nestbox Project is likely having a net positive effect. Two years ago, a bird banded on our trail was recaptured and released in Texas during winter migration. And each year more and more “resights” of birds banded in previous years pour in. It’s going to take more than one productive year to help ensure the longevity of this species in our region, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get excited about this season’s results!

Celebrate Wildlife!

Enjoy monthly updates from JHWF and join us in creating a more wildlife-friendly community!

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