The Bluebirds Are Coming

March 11 at Kenton County Public Library/Durr branch

Kenton County Parks & Recreation and Kenton County Public Library ~ Wm. E. Durr branch will present a program about Eastern Bluebirds on Thursday, March 11.

First, you will participate in a workshop in which participants will learn about nestboxes and how and where to install them, beginning at 7:00 pm. Interested parties grades 6 and older are invited to participate.

Then, at about 7:30 pm, a meeting will be held for those interested in becoming monitors for the Northern Kentucky Bluebird Trail. If you are serious, we will assign you a series of nestboxes that you will be responsible for, which means that you will regularly visit, inspect, monitor, and record the activity at those nestboxes.

What, exactly, does a monitor do? Monitors generally work in teams of two from May and into August, and record their observations for a series of numbered nestboxes, noting such data as first nest-building activity and which species is using the nestbox. Other important data is collected, such as when the first egg appears, date the first egg hatches, and when the brood ´fledges', or leaves the nestbox as self-supporting individuals. Monitors also remove pests from the nestboxes, such as wasps, ants, and blowflies.

Each monitor will receive a packet of information, including a booklet titled ´Eastern Bluebirds ~ Nesting Structure Design and Placement', which is also available from the Kenton County Cooperative Extension Service, and a list of related Internet sites to visit.

Why do folks enjoy monitoring? "Monitoring is a once-a-week walk in the park involving some minimal record-keeping. It's an outdoor activity that may take an hour or so, once a week," says Steve Trauger, Kenton County Recreation Programs Coordinator. "It's the thrill of discovery and experiencing first-hand, the wonder of nature. Knowing that you are helping Mother Nature and that you are doing a good thing is what it's all about. And, you never know what other wildlife you'll see on your weekly forays into the parks!"

You can register online at http://www.kentonlibrary.org/events/index.php?ptype=1&loc=0&kw=bluebirds. Call the Durr branch at (859) 962-4030 or KCP&R at (859) 525-PLAY for more information.

The Wm. E. Durr Library is located at 1992 Walton-Nicholson Rd., Independence. Directions: From I-275, take exit 79 (Covington/Taylor Mill) and go south on KY 17 for approximately 10 miles. Turn right on Walton-Nicholson Rd. Go about mile and the library will be on your right. The address is 1992 Walton-Nicholson Rd., Independence, KY 41051.

With spring just around the corner, Eastern Bluebirds may soon be scouting for new nesting sites. And you can help get ready for new home occupancy! The Bluebirds are coming! The Bluebirds are coming! And we'll see you on Thursday, March 11!

For news of upcoming programs, activities, and events to be held in Kenton County's parks, call the Parks & Recreation office at (859) 525-PLAY (7529). Ask about signing up for a once-a-week e-mail update of What's Happening in Kenton County's parks.