The Black Hill Visitor Center hosted its annual Bluebirds Forever Festival on May 20, to celebrate the thriving existence of eastern bluebirds in Montgomery County.

Along with celebrating the success of the native bird, the festival focuses on providing the public with information on how to support local bluebird populations in private yards and gardens.

The work of area volunteers who work to monitor and build 540 nest boxes for the birds throughout the 34,000-acre park system have continued to help increase local bluebird numbers, according to the Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission Department of Parks, Montgomery County.

“2011 was our best year so far,” said Rob Gibbs, parks’ natural resources manager, in a press release. “Over 1,300 baby bluebirds were fledged from park nest boxes. Our numbers have been going up steadily since the program began keeping records in 1992, thanks to the dedication of our volunteers.”

The free festival is co-sponsored by Friends of Black Hill Nature Programs and the Maryland Bluebird Society and was held this year around the Black Hill Visitor Center in Boyds. A presentation of Quest for a Nest, a play by children for children, and opportunities to create bluebird-themed crafts were among the features of the event.