By Barbara Palmgren
The “Bluebird of Happiness” symbolizes joy, hope and good fortune, an idea shared in folktale and song. While not currently endangered, though they were once in decline due to habitat loss and invasive competitors, they still face threats; so, continued habitat support is critical.
The most effective solution involves installing specially designed nest boxes. And that’s exactly what one U.S. Air Force retiree, Al Cook, did in 2022. Combining his hobby of carpentry and gardening, he began building birdhouses to address the housing shortage these birds faced. Al started with six birdhouses in his own backyard and then built and gave away 10 to surrounding neighbors. After one year, in his yard, he viewed 12 baby bluebirds. Keeping in contact with those who have used his birdhouses over the past several years, Al documents over 100 new fledglings which, as adults, are flying around in Okaloosa and Walton Counties.
I met with Al and Valparaiso Garden Club president, Kat Spieker, to see these birdhouses. Lovingly crafted, each has a side door, so one can look in at the eggs and birds. When Al wants to visit and check on a bird, he gently knocks on the side of the birdhouse first. Its’s always polite to knock before entering.
Kat has two of his birdhouses in her yard and enjoys seeing bluebirds whose fledglings often hide in nearby azalea bushes to avoid predators. Both she and Al are master gardeners in their respective counties and Al is also a member of the Valparaiso Garden Club. Kat lives in Valparaiso and Al resides in Freeport.
Al donates his birdhouses. His dedication to bluebird conservation by gifting and educating others about bluebirds, is his way of staying active and contributing to the environment and the community. Once a birdhouse is installed, Al continues to check on these special homes. He put birdhouses in cemeteries, four local UF extension display gardens, farms and places where there is an abundance of insects. For these places, Al returned twice a month to be sure no “varmints” decided to invade the space. It’s easy to check inside the birdhouse with that special side door and latch.
Al told me that there are expensive houses that have Wi-Fi with cameras inside the birdhouse, so you can see eggs and watch fledglings being fed. One determined mother shoved a large caterpillar all the way down her young one’s neck. Some of these units have solar panels and thermometers to provide the perfect temperature. If it’s too hot, small holes can be drilled in the side of the house. There are holes in the bottom of birdhouses to allow for adequate ventilation.
Kat added that the bluebirds in her backyard love it when the grass is mowed, so they can more easily “shop around” for food. Bluebirds have excellent eyesight and can see potential meals 50 yards away.
The photo take for the interview was in the pollinator garden of the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida. This garden is the result of dedicated work by the Valparaiso Garden Club that meets the second Wednesday, May through September. All garden lovers are invited to attend meetings.
Listening to these two master gardeners swap stories of the joy that these birds brought to their lives made me realize that our local area is in debt for the gift they continue to give—not only the community, but all the new bluebirds that now continue to spread happiness and joy.
