Bluebird Man is now available for purchase!  You can buy DVDs at the Wild Lens Store, or you can watch the full film online!

Bluebird Man is the story of Al Larson, a 91-year-old citizen scientist who for 35 years has been monitoring and maintaining over 300 nestboxes for bluebirds in Southwestern Idaho.  The half hour documentary was released on DVD and VOD in March of 2014 and will be airing on Idaho Public Television in May.  The film has also been selected to screen at this year’s International Wildlife Film Festival in Missoula, MT.

So order your DVD now at the Wild Lens Store, or simply click play on the embedded video below to watch it online or download a digital copy.  Once you’ve watched the film, let us know what you think!  Write a review on our Vimeo on Demand page or leave a comment on the film’s facebook page!

Want to set up your very own bluebird trail?  We’ve partnered with the North American Bluebird Society (NABS), the non-profit organization responsible for the continent-wide citizen science program that has resulted in the bluebird’s dramatic recovery.

Bluebird trails can be large or small.  Al Larson’s bluebird trails include over 300 nestboxes, but just a handful of boxes in your backyard can still make a difference and be just as fun to monitor and maintain!  There are many factors to consider when setting up your first bluebird trail such as your geographic location, habitat type, and food availability.  Luckily, the North American Bluebird Society has some fantastic information on their website geared specifically towards folks who are interested in getting their first bluebird nestboxes set up.

Visit the NABS factsheet page to get started, and be sure to sign up to become a member so you can receive their quarterly newsletter to stay updated on the latest bluebird news!

The North American Bluebird Society holds an annual conference that serves as a meeting point for bluebird experts and citizen scientists from across the continent.  We are extremely honored to be co-hosting this year’s event here in Boise, ID!

The conference will be held June 13th through the 15th, and will include a banquet dinner and reception, followed by a special screening of Bluebird Man.  Activities will include field trips to Al Larson’s bluebird trails in Prairie, ID and the Owyhee Mountains, as well as trips to a variety of birding hotspots and Intermountain Bird Observatory research sites.  This is a perfect opportunity to see Mountain and Western Bluebirds, along with a wide variety of native Idaho birds and wildlife across a diverse array of habitat types.

Registration for this unique event is now open.  Visit the NABS website today to download the full conference registration. The conference registration deadline is May 22, 2014.

Interested in volunteering on one of Al Larson’s bluebird trails in Idaho?  Check in with the Golden Eagle Audubon Society and let them know!

The Golden Eagle Audubon Society (GEAS) was the first chapter of the Audubon Society established in Idaho in the 1960s.  Al Larson played an instrumental role in the founding of this chapter and remains an honorary board member of the organization today.  Over the past couple of years the GEAS has begun facilitating volunteers to help Al monitor and maintain his bluebird trails.  This is a crucial step towards ensuring that Al’s bluebird trails are maintained for generations to come.  To learn more about how to get involved, visit the GEAS website, sign up to become a member (only $15 per year), and send an email to field trip coordinator (AKA the bluebird dispatcher) Pam Conley.