Former Gov. Mike Foster Parterners With LBBS To Establish Bluebird Trail

[Evelyn Cooper]

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk212/EvelynCooper/Foster2.jpg

Former Governor Mike Foster, an avid birder, and member of the Louisiana Bluebird Society has partnered with LBBS in establishing a bluebird trail on the grounds of Oak Lawn Manor. Located in Franklin, LA. Oak Lawn Manor serves as Gov. Foster’s private home. In mid February, the 25 box bluebird trail was established on the expansive lawn and will be monitored by Gov. Foster and Oak Lawn Manor personnel. The house and grounds are open to the public year round.

Even though Governor Foster has not seen Bluebirds on his property, he has hopes that they can be attracted there by the nest boxes placed for them. Evelyn Cooper, President of LBBS, presented the beautiful cypress nest boxes on behalf of LBBS to him. She states that she has reports from bluebirders south of I-10, particularly at New Iberia and Abbeville saying they have nesting bluebirds, which is not far from his property. Cooper says there’s a saying “if you put the boxes up, they will come”. She states if Florida and south Texas can be successful in enticing bluebirds where they’ve never been, we can too!

You can read more about LBBS and Oak Lawn Manor at: www.labayoubluebirdsociety.org and www.oaklawnmanor.com.

This article appeared in newspapers all around the state of Louisiana. On Saturday March 14th, a little over three weeks after the bluebird boxes were installed, Gov. Foster called me and told me he has a bluebird nest in one of them. Needless to say, we are elated. When we left him the day he was presented with the boxes, he said he’d be surprised if he ever got any because he had never seen them on his property. He has ideal habitat. LBBS’ goal is to increase the population of the Eastern Bluebird below I-10 in South Louisiana. Looks like we are on our way!

Evelyn
Delhi, LA

[Jean Pell]

Hi Evelyn,

I truly enjoyed reading this and viewing the pictures. What a very beautiful place.

What you said "if you put the boxes up, they will come" renews my hope of having Bluebirds again this year.

Due to the fact that Bluebirds have chosen to nest there....you must be "glowing" with joy.

Wonderful Story!

Jean
Taylorsville,GA

[Evelyn Cooper]

Gov. Foster and I have communicated several times since he first found the nest made of grass. He told me a few days after that, he saw a Carolina Chickadee going in and out of the box. I am sure if there was a bluebird start on the nest, the Chickadee has taken it over. Carolina Chickadees use green moss to builld the most part of their nests and they line it on top with fine hair or plants available. I feel certain he had another species to start the nest that was made of grass. My daughter and I plan to visit with him April 18th when we are down that way for Earth Day in Baton Rouge. I told him to save the nest so I could examine it.

LBBS members in New Iberia just 20 miles north of him have Bluebirds nesting. She sent me a picture of eggs that had laid over a week ago and you can see how beautiful they are in the picture below. Knowing for sure that Bluebirds are that close to the Governor's place (and probably closer), I feel sure he will have them nesting on his property, which is ideal habitat.

Evelyn
Delhi, LA


http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...eriaBBEggs.jpg

[Evelyn Cooper]

Two nesting seasons are about to end and Gov. Foster still had no Bluebirds, at least he thought.

The first season, he had Prothonotary Warblers and Carolina Chickadees. This year, he had only Chickadees. His trail is on the Bayou Tech in Franklin, LA. He called me last week and told me that he had not seen any activity in about a month and decided they would clean out the boxes. One of his helpers came running to him excitedly telling him they found a different looking nest with three little blue eggs. After examination, he called me and I asked that he send me a picture of the nest and eggs. He did send a good picture of the nest but did not get a good one of the eggs. He didn't want to intrude too much. I will get pictures of the eggs when the month is up if they don't hatch. We doubt they will because I told him to do the grass trick. This to put a piece of grass in the entry hole and if something is going in and out, it will be pushed out. He did it the first day and overnight and it was still there. I feel the female abandoned for some reason, probably the eggs are infertile maybe from the heat.

At any rate, we are so very excited! He could hardly believe it! This is the fartherst south in Louisiana we've had a report of Bluebirds nesting so far.

Evelyn


http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...er/Foster1.jpg

[Evelyn Cooper]

Here's pictures of the little blue gems I promised. We are thrilled to know the Bluebirds found Gov. Foster's trail and it holds promise for the next season. Even for whatever reason the eggs were abandoned, we feel sure Bluebirds will find their way back next nesting season. We are excited!

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...FosterEggs.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...osterEggs1.jpg

Evelyn

[Evelyn Cooper]

Update from Gov. Foster:

Gov. Foster called me Wednesday with excitement that he could hardly contain. He was checking the trail and opened a nestbox and there sat a female Bluebird on a nest. That is the first Bluebird he has ever seen in his life and he is 81 years old. I say a big "Congrat" to the Gov.!

The trail has Prothonotary Warblers and Carolina Chickadees nesting and he was so surprised to find a nesting Bluebird. It was in on the third cycle last year when he found the abandoned bluebird eggs, so I wonder if it is the same female.

Patience, patience, patience!!! It pays off!

Evelyn

[Evelyn Cooper]

On June 22, 2012, Gov. Foster called me to report that he had four bluebird babies to fledge. He also said he had a brood of Prothonotary Warblers about to fledge. As far as I know, he is still the farthest south in Louisiana to report nesting bluebirds. I read a report on LABird Listserv out of Baton Rouge that a nesting bluebird pair were near Audubon Park in New Orleans this week and it seems to be the first one reported in New Orleans.

I am certainly happy for Gov. Foster.

Evelyn