Reports track our progress

President’s message from Sandy Seibert

Here we are again getting close to the end of the bluebird nesting season. Where does the time go? Before any more time gets away from us, we all have one more important task to complete to bring the season to a gratifying end. It is time to record what you and your bluebirds have accomplished this year.

There are numerous reasons to submit your data. When the information is gathered it allows us to know the health of the bluebird population. It tells us where we have been successful and where we need to do more work. The numbers are used when applying for grants and for research.

This year there is another reason to fill out the report form. Because of printing and postage expenses, starting this year the directory will only be mailed to those that send in their report.

For those of you who would prefer, you can now send your information by way of the internet. Just log onto the website www.bbne.org, and you will be able to submit your data. After all the information is compiled, the completed report will be available on the
website.

When completing the report form please keep the following in mind. If using the paper form, please use the report form that is in this newsletter rather than an outdated form. It is very confusing when trying to enter data that is not in the same format.

If you have boxes in two counties, use two forms. Do not attempt to enter the data for two counties on the same form. This often becomes very difficult to decipher.

Include all of the personal information asked for (address, county, zip code, etc.) There are so many forms submitted each year that it is unfair to the volunteer entering the data to have to look up information that is missing.

Complete each statistical section as accurately as possible. When numbers are left out, the total figures are skewed causing the data to look inaccurate.

In the comment section on the back of the form, include any problems you encountered, your successes or anything about your trail you think others would be interested in hearing about. Many of these stories will be printed in future BANners.

WRITE LEGIBLY. If your information cannot be read, it cannot be entered into the computer. Submit your form as soon as possible. It is a tremendous job entering all of the data that is submitted. The sooner everyone submits their forms, the sooner the compiled information can be returned to you.

If you know someone who has bluebird boxes and is not a BAN member, give them a copy of your form to fill out or take a few minutes, give them a call, and completely fill out the form for them. It would be a good time to ask them to become a member of BAN.

Remember, we need your statistics whether you fledged hundreds of bluebirds or none at all. As members of BAN, we are doing a tremendous job of bringing back bluebirds to the Midwest. We do, however, need to know each year how our work is progressing. Please take the time to completely and accurately fill in your report form and mail it as soon as possible.