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Did bluebirds once sing on Lopez?
Dec 18, 2023
By Kwiaht
The distribution of birds in the San Juan Islands has been changing -- even in the relatively short period of time since the first orchards were planted and fields plowed by settlers in the 1860s. How have changes in our island culture affected ecosystems? Why have some changes differed between islands?
Western Bluebirds, for example, were once widespread in the islands including Lopez; and no, they were not linked to Garry Oaks, which were nearly absent from Lopez when bluebirds still sang here. And Steller’s Jays; they have disappeared from every island since the 1940s--except Orcas, where they still thrive! (Hint: This doesn’t have anything to do with being blue, but in the case of Steller’s Jays, it may actually have something to do with acorns!) Why would these birds only survive on Orcas?

Come join Kwiaht director Russel Barsh for a free public presentation on the biogeography of the San Juan Islands:

How did everything get here?

Thursday, December 28, at Lopez Center, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm.
Steller's Jays plant acorns (Photo: Mayne Island Conservancy)