Trails added to state parks project

In addition to his continuing success in fledging amazing numbers of bluebirds and recruiting numerous new bluebirders and members, Otoe County Coordinator Gordon Hopp has also inspired several bluebirders to become new county coordinators.

One of BAN’s newest county coordinators is Dick Watts of Burwell, who will serve as coordinator for Garfield and Loup Counties. Gordon and Ardie Hopp spent a beautiful spring weekend in Burwell when they delivered boxes and coordinator materials to Dick. They were guests of Rich and Ilene Norris at their cabin.

On the day they arrived, Dick set up a display table in the cafe he owns along with wife, Delores - the Homestead Knolls Cafe and Sporting Center close to the east end of the dam on the Calamus Reservoir - and seven memberships were sold in a three-day period. Dick, Rich and Gordon set up a bluebird trail of 38 boxes around the reservoir and hatchery. Dick, along with Rhonda Bailey, wife of park superintendent Dave Bailey, will monitor the other boxes. The Hopps reported that while setting up the trails, lots of wildlife was seen, including prairie chickens, prairie dogs, burrowing owls, four eagle nests (two with nesting pairs), sharp-tailed grouse, white tail deer and mule deer.

Hopp also signed on Greg Dankleff from McCook who has set up a trail at Red Willow Reservoir, and Todd Crownover of Bon Homme County in South Dakota.