LIVE BIRDS: Many years ago, a local birder called this reporter
excitedly, “Come quick. There’s a bluebird in our yard.”
Bluebird, we thought. What’s the big deal?
Needless to say, we had mixed up the common bluejay with the
very uncommon bluebird. We went to our birder’s backyard sanctuary
on West Corydon Street and surreptitiously watched as this gorgeous
bird may its appearance. We’ve never forgotten it, or seen another
bluebird since.
Bluebirds have been making a comeback in the past decade or so
but still aren’t as common as the bluejay.
But now the Pennsylvania Game Commission is making a bluebird
sighting way easier. In fact, if you have a computer and Internet
access, you don’t even have to leave your chair.
The Game Commission is webcasting a live video feed from a
bluebird nestbox on the grounds of its Harrisburg Headquarters. We
checked it out and, at the moment, there’s not a whole lot of
activity but we imagine that will change once the birds “get
busy.”
“The best way to get Pennsylvanians — in fact most Americans —
excited about wildlife is to show them what makes wildlife so
irreplaceable and priceless,” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission
executive director.
“We decided to set up and use this live webcast to help us
educate the public about the importance of wildlife, how to make
backyards friendlier to wildlife and also provide a way for folks
to simply get closer to bluebirds. Last year, it was a huge hit,
and we expect that the broadcasting of this year’s activities again
will be well received.”
The nestbox camera provides the public a closer look at the
entire nesting process of bluebirds. “I’m not sure how many people
have ever seen a bluebird form a nest by plowing the materials with
its wings. But nest-forming is a fascinating example of nature at
work. And it’s something you’ll never see unless you’re checking
out our nesting camera,” he said.
New this year is the installation of an infrared video camera,
which will enable visitors to tune in anytime of day or night.
The live feed is easily accessed from the Game Commission
homepage.
