The sure signs of Spring are showing up everyday now that March is here! The snow is melting and the grass is showing spots of green in the fields and yards.

One of my 2022 resolutions was to get out in the fresh air and do more positive things for myself, my community and for the environment. Several projects that have much merit have popped up into my everyday activity radar.

One is a cleanup of the local streams and roadways before we green up in the next month. All the rain and flooding activity cleared back the weed cover and I see plenty of cans and bottles littering the area. I organized an Earth Day Project for April to do a Litter pickup for my area.

It may be a good suggestion for our readers to look over their areas and tackle the blight of careless people leaving litter in your community!

I get some great exercise and the environment gets a good clean up!

We were very sad when a logging operation dropped trees near us and left a mess in their aftermath. Fortunately, my good neighbor, Vilma, allowed me to cut up some firewood for the local sportsmen’s club to be used for warming up a bunch of kids at the Boyers Kid’s Fishing Day! What’s better than a bunch of kids getting free hot dogs on a campfire and some early season trout fishing to get outdoors.

Cutting, hauling and splitting firewood will give you a nice workou,t too! The fresh air and sunshine do a body good, too. Stacking up brush piles in the woods is a welcome sight for many forms of wildlife as well.

Another project to consider is developing a Blue Bird Trail along a roadway or field area. I have several miles stretch of boxes that need tending, repairs and observations. With about a dozen boxes stretched out along the trail, you can be pretty busy in your effort. There are many plans for boxes that are blue bird specific and many of the businesses that offer birding supplies sell the boxes as well.

One thing for sure is that the initial project will take some effort in sweat equity and some financial resources in wood, screws, nails, paint or stain, and posts. You can adapt your trail with what might be available like fence posts or salvaged wood, but don’t do anything that will cause a ruckus with landowners.

My wife keeps a journal/log of each box activity and if it needs repairs or adjustments. Blue birds are very partial to old wood style boxes, weathered boards that are salvaged from an old shed, barn or outbuilding are especially attractive to these cavity nesting birds. The more natural the nesting boxes look, the more they are likely to use it. Do not place your boxes too close together as the birds are territorial and will not nest in close proximity together.

Keep in mind that you will also attract other species of birds as well, some desirable and others not so desirable. I have found tree swallows, black capped chickadees and wrens in my boxes and they are welcome. One enemy of all of these birds is the house sparrow, who will destroy eggs and young birds to steal nests. They need to be removed and discouraged to nest on your trail. They are very persistent birds and it may become a battle of wills to keep them out.

Blue birds will lay beautiful blue eggs and can have several nests each season. Interestingly enough, the first birds that hatch will assist the parents in caring for the next batch of young birds. Once you have a steady visitor to your boxes and trail, they will likely return each year and become another harbinger of Spring.

The lovely blue backs and the russet red of their under belly will definitely brightenup your days when they arrive.

If you would like to work an established trail, you can get more information at the PGC offices, at Moraine State Park, Jennings Nature Center, the PA Blue Bird Society and the Audubon Society to name a few resources. The PGC offers pre-cut kits for you and the family to put together if you want to try a couple of boxes near your garden or backyard as well!

Until we meet again, get outside and grab some exercise and fresh air … it will do you good!

Jay Hewitt is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle