|
|
 |
|---|
|
|
|
The TransNebraska Bluebird Trail (TNBT) Project Last spring members of Bluebirds Across Nebraska voted to begin development of the TNBT in 1999-2000 to facilitate the expansion of BAN's efforts to restore the population of bluebirds throughout the entire state of Nebraska to their historic numbers. The Nebraska trail will become a component of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail (TBT) being launched by the North American Bluebird Society (NABS) in May, 2000. BAN was identified, along with the Ohio Bluebird Society, as one of the early participants in the establishment of the TBT. BAN was selected because of our accomplishments in increasing the numbers of bluebirds fledged in Nebraska and Western Iowa and because of our development of a successful County Coordinator Program. The TNBT is visualized as a "coordinated network" of bluebird trails composed of two major arteries spanning approximately 1000 miles across Nebraska and Western Iowa from east to west (primarily along corridors adjacent to Highway 20 and I-80) with laterals or spurs that connect bluebird nest box trails in counties to the north and south of each of the main arteries of the trail. Limited segments of the trail are already in place. The TNBT project will be accomplished in stages by identifying public and private lands along each arterial corridor which can be used to site a series of bluebird nest boxes. BAN volunteers will then build nest boxes to be distributed to county coordinators to install on the segment of the trail running through their particular county. Additional nest boxes will be distributed to county coordinators in these and adjacent counties to develop a network of trails that will link together and interconnect with the main arteries of the trail. By increasing bluebird habitat through the provision of artificial nesting cavities, we expect to increase the population of bluebirds over the entire state and hope to eventually triple or quadruple the numbers of bluebirds now fledged in Nebraska. The overall plan of the TNBT, a 9- or 10-year project, calls for completion of a minimum of 100 miles of arterial trail across Nebraska each year. Additional segments that link county trails and/or interconnect county trails with one of the arteries of the TNBT will also be completed each year. Development of the TNBT scheduled for year 2000 includes segments of the Cowboy and Nature Trail (34 miles between Norfolk and Neligh, the eight-mile segment east of O'Neill and five-mile segment east of Valentine) in Northeast Nebraska and in Cherry County that are now open to public use. Additional bluebird trails planned for year 2000 include the Steamboat Trace Hiking and Biking Trail between Nebraska City and Peru and the Mo Pac Hiking and Biking Trail between Lincoln and Elmwood. The remainder of the 100 miles of arterial trail will be developed on public and private lands in counties along the I-80 corridor between Grand Island and North Platte. BAN and its county coordinators will provide the leadership for developing the trails and for recruiting members of BAN and other concerned citizen groups and individuals to help monitor and maintain the TNBT. Regular monitoring of the nest box trails during the nesting season is essential to the successful fledging of bluebirds and ultimately to the success of the TNBT and the statewide bluebird restoration effort of BAN. The motto, "The best bluebird box is a monitored one" reflects our concern that nest box trails should not be established unless they are monitored on a regular (preferably weekly) basis during the nesting season. By siting the trail in parks, recreation areas and along biking and hiking trails where possible, the presence of the "Gems of Blue" will add to the aesthetic value and appeal of these frequented public spaces. The TNBT will provide continuing environmental, educational and social benefits to citizens of all ages. Walking a bluebird trail creates an awareness and appreciation for the environment around you. Additional benefits will be derived when citizens from across the state work together to restore bluebird habitat in order to return bluebirds to the Nebraska countryside---an effort that will be enjoyed and appreciated by Nebraskans for generations to come. BAN is seeking a grant from the Environmental Trust Fund to purchase building materials for 600 boxes to establish 100 miles of the TNBT each year for three years. The boxes will be manufactured and installed with volunteer labor of BAN members. Additional funds are being requested to support the educational efforts of 12 new county coordinators for the TNBT, for production and distribution of educational materials, and for appropriate entry signs for the TNBT.
Les Roslund of Easton, Maryland (formerly from Valley, Nebraska) contacted Bluebirds Across Nebraska via the internet. In an e-mail to Steve Eno, Les wrote: "An internet source for bluebird information gave your email address as the contact point for that impressive group called Bluebirds Across Nebraska. As a native Nebraskan who still goes back there for visits several times a year, I have a question for you: What is the likelihood of my getting bluebirds to use a box that I plan to install on the Cemetery grounds near Weston, NE (about 7 miles west of Wahoo)?" Les went on to briefly tell of his father's early experiences with bluebirds. Les received an immediate response along with a request that he share his father's story through BAN's newsletter. Les graciously agreed and submitted the following: My father, Willard Roslund, was born in 1900 and lived on a Nebraska farm in Saunders County close to Weston, Nebraska. In early spring of 1913, when he was 12 years of age, he was inspired by the following experience (excerpt from a letter written in 1977): "The first time I saw a Bluebird was when I was 12 years old. Dad had a cattle yard north of our buildings on the home place. One early spring evening I was walking north on the east side of the west fence of that yard when I saw a Bluebird pop out of a woodpecker's hole in an old dead willow tree. I was surprised to see it come out of a hole, so I peeked down into the hole and saw several little blue eggs in a little nest. I remember also being surprised that any bird had already laid eggs, for it was in early April and still quite cold. Our family did not have any books about birds, so I and my younger brothers had to learn about birds by ourselves. Until that time, I had not known where Bluebirds built their nests. Anyway, that observation gave me the idea of making artificial nesting places for Bluebirds." Dad subsequently made several nesting places, using the wooden fence posts that were prevalent at that time. He would select a fairly old and weathered post, cut off the top, hollow it out, drill a hole in it, and then secure it back onto the post with the help of a little barbed wire. He wrote further: "Our home was at the top of a small hill. Dad sowed alfalfa over the entire hill. East of the hill was a fence separating the alfalfa from a blue grass pasture. That fence was an ideal place to put my first nesting box. I did not get it in place until the following spring (1914), but it wasn't long until I had a pair of Bluebirds nesting there. I kept making more nesting places until I must have had about eight scattered along pasture fences on Dad's farm. The nests east of our house were near enough that I could hear, on still mornings, the sweet warble of the birds as they took up house-keeping. The male sings several little songs in a row, mixed with other beautiful warbles to form the most beautiful bird songs that I ever heard." "Those nest places would not work now (1977). I didn't make the holes small enough to keep starlings out. But in those days, starlings had not spread to Nebraska. We didn't have any trouble with house sparrows because my brothers and I did not allow any house sparrows to hatch out on our farm. So the Bluebirds didn't have much competition, and they really multiplied. One nice October morning a few years later, I saw a flock of over 500 Bluebirds in our pasture along our creek. Maybe my nesting places had something to do with all those birds." My father retained his love for birds throughout his life. As an adult, he married and moved to his own farm near Valley, NE. In his farming operations he would always watch out for the Killdeer nests, and would carefully drive around them with his equipment. He retained hedge rows along fences to serve as traffic routes for wildlife long after it became popular to clear them out. Barn Swallows were encouraged to make use of the nesting spaces on the property. In his later years, when he no longer had chickens on the property, he obtained bags of feathers from relatives who did have chickens, and would scatter feathers in the spring at the time the Swallows were nesting. If conditions were dry, he would add water to a couple of the low spots in the yard to ensure mud for the nests of Swallows and of Robins. Several times in the last 10 years of his life (he retired from full-time farming in 1972 and died in 1982) he spoke of going over to Weston early in the morning in the springtime and listen for the songs of the Bluebirds. I am quite sure that he did indeed go there a few times, but was never able to find any Bluebirds around. I know he would be pleased to hear of the work of Bluebirds Across Nebraska, and would be absolutely delighted to know that Bluebirds are now returning even to Weston. Editor's Note: BAN is pleased to report that member Paul Pleskac of Weston, Nebraska fledged two broods of Bluebirds out of a Gilbertson PVC box this past season.
FROM THE PRESIDENT As I write this letter the temperature is in the mid-forties and the trees are starting to change colors. This is a signal to all good Bluebirders, just like the shorter days are a signal to the birds. They flock up and move to warmer places and we must make sure our annual trail reports have been filled out and turned in. I don't think there are any hormones involved in the need to fill the reports out but there is definitely a need. These reports are a record of hours spent helping the object of our affection. Whether the numbers from your trail excited you or if you are still upset about how many problems your Bluebirds encountered, the need to share this information is important. This year's booth activity went very well with successes like the State Fair, the Apple Jack Festival, Husker Harvest, Festival of Colors and other local events. I would like to thank all of the members who gave so freely of their time. With their efforts our educational message was delivered and many new members were gained. The booths are empty now and the trails don't require our attention but the Bluebirds still need us. As I mentioned in the last newsletter the raffle and auction at the annual conference are coming up and we need items for both. Winter is a good time to put your talents to work. During the cold weather, consider using the time spent inside to read up and become more educated on the Bluebirds. This may have a positive effect on your trail next year. It may also make you better skilled when spreading the word about Bluebirds. Several good Bluebird books are available through BAN. Dorene Scriven's, Bluebird Trails - A Guide to Success, is considered by many to be the "Bluebirder's bible". Another excellent book is Connie Toop's, Bluebirds Forever. Other things to look forward to: the October 24 meeting at Mahoney State Park, the second annual BAN Christmas party, December 4 at Lee's in Lincoln, the February 20 meeting at Mahoney State Park and we can't forget the Conference April 8 at Waverly. Winter will soon be upon us but I suggest we use the time to get ready for next year and enjoy the company of our fellow Bluebirders. Bill Seibert, President
COUNTY COORDINATOR HIGHLIGHTS
Frontier County Don Brockmeier is a newcomer to our list of County Coordinators who had this to share about himself and his interest in bluebirds: "I am a banker is Eustis, Nebraska, population 460. Although busy with many civic organizations I try to take some time each week to work on my trail or help others in the area to get started with bluebirds. I have set up a display in the lobby which encourages people to come to my office to discuss their interest in bluebirds. Since nature photography is another of my interests, photographing bluebirds and their activities is just another way to enjoy them and to show others close up the beauty of the species we are trying to propagate. It gives me a real pleasure to teach others about the bluebird especially the younger people who may not setup a trail, but with a greater understanding will be gentler on our environment. If others have an interest in photographing bluebirds, I would be glad to help them. To monitor the trail I use a Palm Pilot with Quicksheet. After entering the data into the Palm Pilot, it can be downloaded to my desktop and printed out." This past year Don shared his interest in bluebirds with a wide variety of groups in his area. He spoke and showed his bluebird slides to both a grade school class and a women's club; he put out a bluebird display for a local garden tour; and in June he took a 4-H club he and John Holm had worked with on building and mounting boxes last year out to see the boxes. "It gave me the chance to explain the importance of establishing a trail, monitoring it, and the beneficial effect of the bluebirds to our environment."
Phelps County Ann Liska Lambert, her husband Tom and baby daughter Shanda live west of Elwood, just south of beautiful Johnson Lake. Besides two full-time jobs at home - baby Shanda and an excellent registered Agnus herd -- Ann is a family practice physician assistant in Holdrege who also finds time to do hospital and emergency room work. In her "free" time, Ann enjoys bluebirding, feeding birds, gardening, horses, hunting, and their ducks. This past year Ann became an active member of BAN and volunteered to act as the Phelps County Coordinator. She attended the County Coordinators meeting this past spring at the Enos in Raymond where she shared some valuable ideas and headed home with her county coordinator materials. In her first year as coordinator, Ann put up an educational bluebird display at a local country craft fair, gave a BAN recruiting presentation at her home, and put on a bluebird presentation at a retirement home in Wayne, NE. Ann reports that she already has other programs lined up for next year.
Those who attended BAN's "First-ever Holiday Dinner/Party" last December knew it wouldn't be the last! The event was well attended and everyone had a good meal and a great time, topped off by an entertaining gift exchange where you didn't know what you'd go home with until the last person had opened their gift. The party was such a success, we're going to do it again! An added holiday treat will be provided by Ron Cisar. Ron is a biology teacher from Omaha who creatively shares his original songs, music and photography. Many of the BAN officers & directors saw Ron perform at an awards ceremony earlier this year and decided Ron's presentation would be great to share with everyone at the Holiday Party. We hope you will join us this year. Here are the details:
WHEN: Saturday, December 4th, at 6:00 p.m. Those wishing to participate in the gift exchange are requested to bring a gift suitable for either a male or female recipient. Gifts should be in the $10 - $15 range. No business will be discussed at this gathering, but no doubt bluebirds will. RSVPs would be greatly appreciated, but if you decide that you can join us at the last minute, you'll be more than welcome. Just show up for good company, conversation, food and fun!
Finleys (402) 873-7550, bbcdf@hotmail.com Enos (402) 783-3011, cleno@aol.com Directions to Lee's: Located at the intersection of West VanDorn Street & Coddington Avenue. From I-80: take the Highway 77 South / West Bypass exit; go to West VanDorn Street exit; go west on West VanDorn to Coddington. If you're not familiar with Lincoln, call Steve or Cheryl Eno for directions.
|
