The 2024 nesting season had many successes! This year, the first egg was laid on April 3rd by an Eastern Bluebird. The first hatch was on April 21st, and the last fledgling to leave the nest, a Tree Swallow, was on July 22nd. Fledglings are defined as young birds who have successfully left the nest. In our 8 total nest boxes, there were 14 nesting attempts, 62 total eggs, 49 young hatchlings, and 45 fledglings. We had 7 successful Tree Swallow nests and 5 successful Eastern Bluebird nests. The Tree Swallows had a 100% success rate from nesting to fledgling, and the Eastern Bluebirds had an 80% success rate. Our Tree Swallow rate is above the state average for 2024, and our Eastern Bluebird rate is right in line with the state average!
The benefits have not just been visible in the nesting birds, but also in the students, faculty, and staff on campus spending additional time in engaging with the natural habitat on campus. We have also received many inquiries about the project from curious students. We hope to continue spreading awareness of the benefits of native species and conservation efforts.
Before the 2024 Nesting Season, 2 additional nest boxes were added to the campus to increase habitat for nesting birds.
