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What
is a Bluebird Trail? It is a series of bluebird nesting boxes,
set up at appropriate intervals in keeping with the bluebird's
territorial requirements. Bluebird trails have been established
in many areas and are monitored by volunteers to maximize
nesting success and record data on nesting box usage and
the results of nesting attempts by both bluebirds and other
species. Over the years, bluebird trails have played a major
role in bringing bluebird populations back after they had
been decreasing for many years. For more information on
bluebird trails throughout the United States, and to learn
what you can do in your own yard for bluebirds, check out
the North
American Bluebird Society's website or the New
York State Bluebird Society's website.
POLES AND PVC PIPE NEEDED - PLEASE DONATE!
As of May 2011, the Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club monitors 16 Bluebird Trails and 203 nest boxes throughout Dutchess County on public and private land. We are always seeking to establish new trails. Nest boxes are mounted on metal poles that are 1 1/2” – 3” in diameter and are 6’ – 7’ long. Each pole is inserted 18” – 24” into the ground with a PVC pipe approximately 4” in diameter and 30” long mounted below the nestbox as a predator guard. We are always in need of used donated metal poles and PVC pipes. We can pick up donated material. Please contact
to donate. Thank you.
Florence Germond
began the Dutchess County Bluebird Trail in 1962 and continued to
coordinate it until her death Oct. 13, 1994. During the first year,
1962, 4 boxes were not used, one was damaged, and one was stolen.
In the one box used by bluebirds, two broods were raised.
Peggy Fasciani
was coordinator in 1995, Dorcas Brower was coordinator from
1996 through 2009, and Susan Gilnack has been coordinator since 2010.
You can browse
the data below to see what a difference the Dutchess County Bluebird
Trail has made over the years. Please see the explanatory notes
at the bottom of the chart. |
