LMU’s favorite Western Bluebird couple, Blue Ivy Carter and Sage, came back for a third year in a row this past spring to fledge a new brood of chicks in Box #2! Not only did we have this lovely pair raising a family, but in February of this year we put out a third bird box near the Loyola Boulevard entrance (box #3), in a row of Jacaranda trees, and by March there was a NEW pair taking up residence. One of our students, Noah, who was assigned to watch the birds as part of his commitment working with CURes, named them “Alex and Casey.” Meanwhile we got a big surprise was when Ian Kimbrey, Bluebird Bird Nest Guru, https://www.instagram.com/cheepcheephomes/, discovered a THIRD PAIR in Box #1 (located in a pine tree to the right of the Sacred Heart Chapel). Last year a pair of House Wrens took up residence in this box, but this year a new pair of Bluebirds occupied the nest. We named them “Ozzie and Harriet.”
Over the summer our 3 pairs of Western Bluebirds at LMU successfully raised their first broods from their first clutches, and 2 of the 3 had successful second clutches. Needless to say, it’s been a very good year for Bluebirds in the area! Ian reported that the three bluebird nest boxes at LMU fledged a total of 23 chicks this year, more than double last year’s total of 11. Since the first nest in 2022 we have added a total of 40 bluebirds to the campus population!
That LMU total doesn’t include the surprise nest down in Playa Vista, on the riparian corridor trail, where, in nest box #28, another pair successfully fledged five chicks of their own this past summer!
Over 30 boxes were installed along the wood fencing adjacent to Bluff Creek when Playa Vista Elementary School shortly after the new school opened in 2012. Some of those boxes were creatively painted with themes as part of family projects to raise money for programs at the new elementary school. Over the next 12 years the nest boxes, originally erected to attract Tree Swallows and/or Western Bluebirds, had sporadic occupancy by House Wrens. It wasn’t until 2024 that not only did a pair of Bluebirds nest (in box #28), but also a pair of Tree Swallows (in box #54). It just goes to show you, if you build it… eventually, they will come!
If you would like to watch some videos of our LMU bluebirds please click on the YouTube links below:
Blue Ivy Carter and Sage https://youtube.com/shorts/ZcD0jOfT310
Sage flying out of nest box with fecal sac https://youtube.com/shorts/1rCQsubvvC8
Alex at the entrance to his Box #3 https://youtube.com/shorts/DkaEqYNA8RU
Bluebird baby being fed by Dad with Yellow Warbler photo bombing! https://youtube.com/shorts/fho-z6o29bA
Baby Bluebirds Snuggling https://youtube.com/shorts/NixiY2Pkfa8
Harriet and Junior at Mealworm Tray https://youtu.be/PC12PRnd7cQ
Harriet Gathering Mealworms for Babies https://youtube.com/shorts/KkiJvj98tbE?feature=share
Sage Goin’ for the Live Ones https://youtu.be/S4TLSohAptk
Casey Stuffing His Beak https://youtube.com/shorts/NBn127l964E?feature=share