Lamar Dixon Expo Center Bluebird Trail

10/22/2024

Our five-year old Bluebird Trail at the lake area of Lamar Dixon Expo Center began with eight nest boxes. Several boxes were replaced over the years due to disappearance or damage. This year, only three of the eight boxes were left standing; three were removed due to facility changes and two were demolished by the lawn mowers. Thankfully, our last successful nest box with four feathered nestlings survived tree removals, bull dozing, and road installation. Their fledging was right on time and it is assumed the four are on the journey to adulthood. Our 2024 breeding season ended up with five nests and eleven fledges. With so many adverse issues facing the success of the trail the committee decided to remove the remaining three boxes.
All of us learned a lot about Eastern bluebirds over the last five years. We know the trail inspired folks to become bluebird watchers, lovers, and even landlords! On behalf of the 54+ Bluebirds we fledged, we send a very large thank you the volunteers, Ascension Master Gardeners, the Louisiana Bayou Bluebird Society and everyone who encouraged and helped us along the way!

02/21/2024

Ruby-throated hummingbirds will be here soon! Many of us in Mississippi will be seeing ruby red-throated hummingbirds by the end of March.

They will remain here until November before returning to Central and South America. Ruby-throated hummingbirds generally only migrate throughout the eastern half of the U.S. Other species of hummingbirds may appear in our area, but the ruby-throated is the most common.

Tips for attracting hummingbirds:
🔸Prepare a homemade nectar for them to feed on. Mix four parts water and one-part sugar and boil for two minutes. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature before filling the feeder. The mixture will spoil in the heat, so change the mixture every three to five days.

🔸Always clean the feeders well with hot soapy water and rinse before the first use and each time you refill them throughout the season to help reduce bacteria growth. You can store any leftover mixture in the refrigerator for easy use.

🔸Putting red food coloring into the homemade nectar to help attract hummingbirds to the feeder is not necessary and provides no benefits to the hummingbirds. Most feeders are red, and that helps attract the birds.

🔸Hummingbirds are pollinators and feed on a variety of plants commonly found in landscapes. Plants like begonia, petunia, nasturtium, and zinnia are great annuals to incorporate into your yard. Other perennials and shrubs hummingbirds are fond of include butterfly w**d, lantana, azaleas and salvia.

🔸They also need a water source. Consider purchasing a mister to attach to your water hose or a shallow birdbath with perching rocks.

02/07/2024

Some of the Bluebird Trail Team met to do some housekeeping and install two boxes that required moving due to changes at the center. A few minutes after installation a pair of bluebirds were checking out the new box! We noticed another box had visitors too. Hoping for a good year!

01/16/2024

02/13/2023

https://fb.watch/iG3BZznVro/

10/13/2022

Did you know about the Baton Rouge Audubon Societies Amite River Wildlife Sanctuary located in Ascension Parish?

The Baton Rouge Audubon Society (BRAS) is a local volunteer chapter of the National Audubon Society.

09/19/2022

https://fb.watch/fExsiuyQhl/

08/16/2022

Bird nesting season is completed here now, and we visited the trail to clean out unused nests and failed eggs. All is well except for Box 8 which is MIA. We looked around for any pieces but it has vanished, rebar and all. No additional information from the Lamar Dixon administration and we are not hopeful of any recovery. So we are down to seven boxes now.

07/26/2022

Turn your garden into a cool respite for wildlife on hot summer days.

07/26/2022

https://www.birdnote.org/listen/shows/how-birds-stay-cool

You’ll never see them sweat