Help Heritage Park Naturalists Monitor Bluebirds

With the early arrival of warm weather, bluebirds are already returning to in Farmington Hills. In fact, naturalist Ashlie Simons says, some pairs never left. 

Right now, 40 bluebird boxes sit on top of poles stationed in the south end of the park, and volunteers are needed to monitor them. Last year, about 30 people took part in the project, which contributes to Cornell University's NestWatch data base. 

"The purpose of monitoring different birds, especially bluebirds, is their population is declining because of habitat loss," Simons explained. "They used to live in harmony with farming ... They would build nests underneath fence posts. Now, there's a lot of competition to find areas to nest and find food."

The houses give bluebirds an opportunity to successfully nest and raise their young, she added. 

, anyone interested in monitoring bluebirds can take part in a training offered at the . Simons said attendees will be given basic information about how monitoring works, along with a guide and a laminated sheet that shows photos of the different kinds of birds they may encounter. 

"They'll also collect data on a whole list of desirable species, like house wrens, tree swallows and chickadees," Simons said. 

Among the "undesirable" species are house sparrows, which are common in this area and will compete with the bluebirds for the nesting boxes – to the point of killing babies and destroying eggs. 

"That's one of the management things we talk about, is what to do if you have a house sparrow nest in your (bluebird) box," she said. Last year, someone also had to deal with a small wasp's nest, which involved scraping it away from the wood. 

Simons said volunteers fill out data collection sheets, and that information is forwarded to NestWatch. The project's website shares data from more than 5,000 nests watched in Michigan and 127,000 around the country. 

Those who decide to make the once-a-week commitment to monitoring will be certified and receive a "Friends of the Park" t-shirt to wear while they're visiting their bluebird boxes. But even those who decide monitoring isn't for them will receive information about other opportunities for them to volunteer their services. 

Monitors will get started right away – bluebirds were returning to the houses the same day they were installed, Simons said. While there is no age restriction for the program, children under age 12 should be accompanied by an adult. 

"Even if you've never been a bird watcher, this is a really good entry point," she said. "And we're always here (at the Nature Discovery Center) to answer questions."

For more information about bluebird monitoring or the training, held March 21, at 6:30 p.m., contact Simons, 248-477-1135 or asimons@­fhgov.­com.