FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) – Local volunteers are doing their part to help keep rare bird species in Northwest Arkansas.
Rick Jones, and other volunteers with the Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks, use bird houses to encourage the birds to continue to nest in the Fayetteville area.
“The forest habitats in the Ozarks is being fragmented by development,” Jones said.
Jones attributed the declining population of Bluebirds to the rapid growth of the region, and humans cutting down dying trees.
“The invention of the chain saw was one of the factors that led to fewer dead trees being left for cavity nesting birds,” Jones said.
Several times each week, Jones checks on the bird houses, and counts the number of Bluebird eggs inside.
“There is increasing competition for limited resources,” Jones said.
Each bird house comes with a tool which protects the nest from predators.
Jones said he wanted the public to be aware of the declining population of Bluebirds.
“Anything that I can do and the citizens of Fayetteville can do, to preserve habitat and to see that their lives are not threatened is a good thing,” Jones said. “It gives me great satisfaction to see young birds leave this box. And, knowing I played a role in seeing that happen.”