Above: Video highlighting SJPT’s recent Western Bluebird translocation on San Juan Island
In early June, Preservation Trust stewardship staff partnered with the Ecostudies Institute to translocate a pair of Western Bluebirds and their three nestlings to San Juan Island from a thriving population at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) near Olympia. With help from dedicated volunteers, we constructed a mobile outdoor aviary to temporarily house the birds.
After about ten days in the aviary, the family was released into the surrounding meadow. One by one, three nestlings took their first flights, following their parents to a nearby Garry oak. Within 15 minutes, the curious parents were already investigating a nearby nestbox! With such a promising start, we’re keeping our fingers crossed for a second brood before the season is through.
The recently translocated Western Bluebird parents diligently investigating the nearby nestbox | Staff Archive
What is Wildlife Translocation?
Translocation is a crucial conservation tool used to reestablish species where populations have dwindled. For wildlife populations that have plummeted in their native habitats, translocation involves moving animals from a healthy population to a new or re-established one. It’s a complex, science-driven process and often a necessary step to help wildlife rebound.
But success largely depends on choosing the right release site. For this Western Bluebird family, the Preservation Trust partnered with Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm to select a site with an open meadow adjacent to a mature Garry oak, providing ideal foraging grounds and potential nesting cavities.
Acclimation in Aviaries
These temporary homes, complete with perches, a nest box, and access to food and water, allow the birds to acclimate to their new surroundings. This protected environment also shields them from predators, significantly increasing their chances of thriving once released.
Nearly Two Decades of Dedicated Conservation
The San Juan Islands Western Bluebird Reintroduction Project began back in 2007. For nearly two decades, the Preservation Trust has fostered their recovery. In those early days, preparing for translocations was a major seasonal focus, with as many as five aviaries assembled each year.
Fast forward to today: this translocated family marks our first in two years. Though still vulnerable, this is a joyful and important indicator that the regional bluebird population is growing stronger on its own.
A baby Western Bluebird | Staff Archive
Check out a quick Instagram reel of the outdoor aviary build:
High Hopes for the Future
Ongoing support from dedicated volunteers and landowners has kept these birds returning to the islands, and the Bluebird Project would not be possible without their support. If you’re interested in supporting this stewardship activity, please reach out to us at info@sjpt.org.
