Guest author Karen Graham works as a bluebird monitor with the Southern California Bluebird Club. During nesting season (April through August), Karen checks the nest boxes in Deerfield Park weekly to count chicks, monitor their well-being, and help in case of trouble. Karen recently began working with her HOA to encourage the installation of native plants in the common area landscape. This article recently appeared in the Deerfield Community Association’s quarterly newsletter.

As a bluebird monitor with the Southern California Bluebird Club, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the enchanting presence of Western Bluebirds in Deerfield Park. These vibrant birds, with their stunning blue plumage and warm orange underbellies, are more than just a delightful sight; they are integral to our ecosystem.

Western Bluebirds help control insect populations and play a vital role in seed dispersal through their diet of insects, berries, and fruits. However, the survival of these beautiful creatures is increasingly threatened by habitat loss and the dominance of non-native plant species in our landscapes.

During the nesting season from March to August, I monitor the light blue nest boxes hanging in the trees at Deerfield Park. Each visit brings moments of joy as I count eggs, observe hatchlings, and watch chicks grow. Yet, I also witness the challenges these birds face in an environment that is not as supportive as it could be. We can make a significant impact by integrating native plants into our landscaping to create supportive habitats for Western Bluebirds and other wildlife.

Native plants are crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems. They provide food and shelter for a variety of wildlife, including butterflies, caterpillars, and other beneficial insects essential to the diet of Western Bluebirds.

California native plants are specially adapted to our climate and soil conditions, making them more resilient than non-native species. By planting native flora, we can promote biodiversity and create a thriving environment for our local wildlife.

Western Bluebirds primarily feed on insects, making them natural pest controllers. They thrive on a diet rich in caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles, and other insects during the warmer months. However, when insects become scarce, bluebirds turn to fruits and berries to feed themselves and their offspring. 

Unfortunately, not all berries are created equal. Native wildlife has adapted over thousands of years to subside on native fauna.

Last nesting season, two bluebird clutches in Deerfield Park failed because the parents fed their chicks fruit from non-native carrotwood trees. These trees, while attractive, are not ideal food sources for bluebirds, leading to unhealthy nesting environments.  The fruit produced an excess of wet droppings that ultimately contributed to the death of the chicks. This unfortunate situation underscores a common problem faced by bluebirds and other native wildlife when non-native species dominate our landscapes.

To support Western Bluebirds and other native wildlife, it is essential to incorporate native plants into our landscaping. These plants provide food and shelter for beneficial insects that bluebirds rely on. Here are some excellent choices for your garden:

1. Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia): A native evergreen shrub with bright red berries in fall and winter that are a vital food source for many birds, and white summer flowers that attract butterflies and other insects. 
2. Lemonade Berry (Rhus integrifolia): This hardy shrub produces berries that attract various birds and provides cover for wildlife.
3. White Sage (Salvia apiana): An important food source for bees, butterflies, and birds.
4. Ceanothus (Ceanothus sp.): Known for its beautiful blue flowers, this shrub attracts pollinators and supports a variety of native insects.
5. Coffeeberry (Frangula californica): Its berries are a food source for many birds, including bluebirds, and it supports local insect populations.
6. California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum): This low-growing plant provides nectar for butterflies and is a host for various caterpillars.
7. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): This resilient plant not only provides nectar for butterflies but also attracts predatory insects that help control pest populations.
8. Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis): The stunning pink flowers of the redbud are a great source of nectar for pollinators and provide cover for nesting birds.

Supporting Western Bluebirds in Deerfield Park and beyond requires a collective commitment to enhancing our local ecosystems. By integrating California native plants into our landscaping, we can create healthy and supportive habitats for these charming birds and the myriad of other wildlife that share our environment.

Together, we can foster a thriving ecosystem that ensures the survival of the Western Bluebird and enriches our community’s natural beauty. Let’s work hand in hand to protect these birds and the habitats they depend on, making a difference one garden at a time.