Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 19, 2025

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 19, 2025

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 19, 2025

Picnic Table Campsite #4

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 19, 2025

Lark Sparrow

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 19, 2025

A Very Blue Bird!

Male in Brilliant Breeding Color despite Rain and Clouds!

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

Photo of the Day- May 19, 2025

Those entering Makoshika State Park may notice birds with striking blue feathers flying around the rugged landscape and that’s all thanks to one local birder who has spent a great deal of time over the last 13 years managing the many birdhouses scattered throughout the park.

Lew Melby is often found throughout the summer months hiking trails in Makoshika checking on a total of 85 birdhouses that are in place for the parks acclaimed mountain bluebirds.

“I’m kind of a birder,” he said.

Melby took over managing the birdhouses around 2010 after his predecessor — and good friend — Vern Lindquist handed the job over to him.

There were only about 50 birdhouses scattered throughout Makoshika State Park when Melby started managing them.

“I’ve kind of expanded it and, at times, I’ve made mistakes, put them in places where they weren’t used by bluebirds and hopefully I’ve learned a little bit,” Melby said.

Getting a start was not as easy as it might seem, however, as he had to figure out how to deal with bull snakes causing an issue by eating bluebird eggs.

“I tried quite a few different things,” Melby said, noting he eventually just let the snakes run their course until the issue went away. “I put chicken wire around the posts, I tried grease, I tried everything and finally I just decided that … I guess they have as much right as a bluebird.”

In preparation for the bluebirds to show themselves this year, Melby finished cleaning all 85 birdhouses just a couple of weeks ago, a task he says takes quite a bit of time yet it is worth it once bluebirds start to nest in them.

He said he genuinely enjoys managing the birdhouses, as it gives him an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and Makoshika State Park on a regular basis.

“I like it because I get some exercise, I see a lot of different birds, I see other wildlife and it gets me out in the outdoors,” Melby said. “I get to enjoy the park.”

Cleaning and preparing the birdhouses for bluebirds is not the only job Melby must do, rather he is also in charge of checking them to see if the bluebirds are actually using them or if another species of bird decided to occupy them.

“You can tell by the nesting material what kind of bird it is,” he said.

Other birds that Melby often finds making homes within the birdhouses include tree swallows, wrens and, in some rare cases, a different kind of bluebird.

He noted a mountain bluebird builds its nest completely out of grass, whereas tree swallows build with a mixture of grass and tree feathers, and wrens simply fill the birdhouse with sticks.

Additionally, Melby tracks show many bluebird eggs are laid and how many fledge at the end of the season, which is around the middle to the end of July.

According to his observations and research over the last 13 years, mountain bluebirds lay anywhere between five to seven eggs, which he said is an easily manageable number compared to if he were to track tree swallows and wrens.

“I keep track of how many bluebirds fledged,” he said, adding he then submits numbers for the year to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. “You could not keep track of how many wrens fledge … If you did those with 85 boxes, you’d go crazy because wrens lay up to eight or nine young and then after they get done, another wren may nest in there.”

Aside from his duties of managing the birdhouses, Melby also takes time to take students and members of the communities on short hikes to see the bluebirds, how their nests are made and how he tracks each bluebird.

“I like when the kids show up because I try to teach them a little bit about birds,” Melby said. “I try to make it educational.”

He believes the bluebirds are a wonderful sight for locals and visitors alike as they wander Makoshika State Park, and he wants to ensure the bluebirds continue to return year after year.

“

Quite a few birders come into the park, so it’s an attraction that people like to see,” Melby said.

His next bluebird hike is scheduled to occur during Buzzard Day on June 10 at 8 a.m.

Heidner B. Glendive birder takes joy in management of Makoshika State Park bluebird houses.  Ranger-Review May 26, 2023

What a beautiful pair!

Female is flying- Male followed shortly!

Mountain Bluebirds

Makoshika State Park, Montana

Photo of the Day- May 20, 2025

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 20, 2025

Note the Russian Olive seeds possible brought in by Least Chipmunk

Mountain Bluebird Nest #9

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 20, 2025

Mountain Bluebird Nest

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 20, 2025

Mom is Trying to get back Home!

Mountain Bluebird and Western Meadowlark

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 20, 2025

Mom is Trying to get back Home!

Mountain Bluebird and Western Meadowlark

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 20, 2025

Mom is Trying to get back Home!

Mountain Bluebird and Western Meadowlark

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 20, 2025

Mom is Trying to get back Home!

Mountain Bluebird and Western Meadowlark

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 20, 2025

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 20, 2025

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 20, 2025

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 20, 2025

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 20, 2025

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 20, 2025

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 20, 2025

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 20, 2025

Mountain Bluebirds

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 20, 2025

Red-headed Woodpeck

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 20, 2025

American Goldfinch

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 20, 2025

Black-billed Magpie

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 20, 2025

Cedar Waxwing

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 20, 2025

Eastern Kingbird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 20, 2025

Least Chipmunk

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 20, 2025

Least Chipmunk

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 20, 2025

Dad Bringing in Food!

Mom is in the Nest Box!

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

Photo of the Day- May 21, 2025

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 21, 2025

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 21, 2025

Horned Lark on the Nest Box!

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 21, 2025

Dad Chased the Horned Lark Away!

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 21, 2025

Mom Entered the Nest Box!

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 21, 2025

Dad is Guarding the Nest Box!

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 21, 2025

Dad is Looking to see that Mom is Okay!

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 21, 2025

Dad Caught a Bug!

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 21, 2025

Flying to the Nest Box Opening!

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 21, 2025

He has the Bug at the Box Opening!

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 21, 2025

He Gave her the Insect and Now is Look at Bluebird Emblem!

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 21, 2025

Out to Find More Food!

Mountain Bluebird

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 21, 2025

American Goldfinch

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 21, 2025

Horned Lark

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 21, 2025

Spotted Towhee

Makoshika State Park, Montana

May 21, 2025