First Brood Results on the Bluebird Trail

We’re not just farm that grows lavender, elderberries, and mushrooms—we’re nurturing native wildlife, too. One of the ways we do that is through our bluebird trail, and we’re thrilled to share the results of our first brood of the season!

If you’ve ever spotted a flash of blue along our trails, chances are you’ve seen one of our Eastern Bluebirds. These stunning songbirds have become a symbol of hope and renewal here on the farm, and each year, we monitor their nesting success with the help of the NJ Bluebird Society.

What’s a Bluebird Trail, and Why Do We Monitor It?

A bluebird trail is a series of nesting boxes placed in open spaces to provide safe habitat for native birds like the Eastern Bluebird. Bluebirds are cavity nesters—meaning they rely on natural tree holes or man-made boxes to raise their young. Due to habitat loss and competition from invasive species, their numbers have dropped over the years.

By offering clean, predator-safe nesting boxes and tracking their progress, we help support population recovery—and contribute valuable data to long-term bird conservation efforts. Each baby bird we band helps researchers understand migration, survival, and breeding patterns.

First Brood Recap: The Numbers

This spring, we kept a close eye on several boxes across the farm. Here’s what happened during the first brood:

• Box 1: 4 eggs laid – 3 hatched and banded

• Box 3: A surprise twist—7 baby chickadees took up residence!

• Box 4: 4 eggs – all hatched and banded. Now home to a second nest with 5 new eggs!

• Box 5: 4 eggs – 3 hatched and banded. A second nest is in progress with 2 eggs

• Box 6: 5 eggs – 5 healthy bluebirds hatched and were banded

• Box 7: 5 eggs – 5 hatched and banded

• Box 10: And finally… a chicken has claimed this box. Farm life always keeps us on our toes! 🐓

In total, we saw 22 eggs laid and 20 baby bluebirds banded during the first brood. That’s a wonderful success rate, and we’re already seeing signs of round two. Eastern Bluebirds can raise up to three broods in a single season, so we stay busy monitoring boxes well into summer!

Preparing for Second Broods

Did you know that bluebirds do not reuse their nests? After a brood fledges, we remove the old nest to prepare the box for the next one. A clean box reduces the risk of parasites and disease and gives the next generation a fresh start. If we don’t remove the old nest in time, bluebirds may build directly on top of it, which can limit space and cause crowding issues for the next set of chicks as they grow.

We carefully check each box to confirm all babies have fledged before cleaning it out. In some cases, new nests appear within days—it’s incredible how fast these birds get to work!

How Our Farm Supports Wildlife

Our bluebird trail is just one piece of a much bigger picture. At Copper Knoll Farms, we’re committed to being a wildlife-friendly farm. From forest management to encourage diverse habitats, to planting pollinator gardens and creating bird-safe zones, we believe our land should nourish all who call it home.

When you visit or shop with us, you’re not just supporting local agriculture—you’re helping us maintain these vital conservation efforts. Every purchase helps fund the care and upkeep of our trail, nest boxes, and the time it takes to monitor these precious birds.

How You Can Help

Here are a few simple ways to support our wildlife work:

• Shop our handmade farm goods—your purchase goes further than you think

• Share this post with a fellow bird lover

• Join our email list to stay updated on wildlife news, farm happenings, and seasonal offerings

Thank You for Helping Us Make a Difference

We’re celebrating a successful first brood and already preparing for the second. We’ll continue to share updates as the season progresses, and we’re so grateful to have you along for the journey.

From the bluebirds to our family—thank you for helping us make our farm a haven for native wildlife.