Virginia Bluebird Society (VBS)
ORMN Project Contact: Linda Bueno - linda_bueno(at)msn.com
Project Background
The Virginia Bluebird Society (VBS) was founded in 1996 to promote bluebirds and other native cavity nesters. VBS is affiliated with the North American Bluebird Society (NABS) and is a Chapter of the Virginia Society of Ornithology (VSO). VBS goals are to promote bluebird conservation projects among its members and other groups; establish and support a statewide network of bluebird trails; create a consistent protocol for monitoring and record keeping of nest box trails; be a resource for research and data collection of native cavity nesters in the State of Virginia; and develop educational programs and materials to promote bluebird awareness.
The Virginia Bluebird Society (VBS) was founded in 1996 to promote bluebirds and other native cavity nesters. VBS is affiliated with the North American Bluebird Society (NABS) and is a Chapter of the Virginia Society of Ornithology (VSO). VBS goals are to promote bluebird conservation projects among its members and other groups; establish and support a statewide network of bluebird trails; create a consistent protocol for monitoring and record keeping of nest box trails; be a resource for research and data collection of native cavity nesters in the State of Virginia; and develop educational programs and materials to promote bluebird awareness.
CS (Citizen Science) Activities with Virginia Bluebird Society (VBS)
Bluebird Trail Installation
ORMN volunteers who wish to create a new bluebird box trail and have it approved should talk to the project contact above.
ORMN volunteers who wish to create a new bluebird box trail and have it approved should talk to the project contact above.
- Location: Any location within the ORMN service area.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Involvement in bluebird trail installation may include exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes and insect bites/stings. Some walking over moderate terrain may be required. Installation of boxes requires use of digging and pounding tools and implements to secure boxes and baffles to poles.
- Special Requirements: None.
- Time Commitment: Installation of a bluebird trail takes several hours, depending upon the number of boxes to be installed, and requires a team effort.
Bluebird Trail Monitoring/ Maintenance
ORMN volunteers monitor bluebird box trail weekly during spring and summer to check for nesting and record number of eggs, nestlings and fledglings; report data to the Virginia Bluebird Society county coordinator on required forms; maintain boxes year round; install additional bluebird boxes to existing trail if necessary in coordination with county coordinator.
ORMN volunteers monitor bluebird box trail weekly during spring and summer to check for nesting and record number of eggs, nestlings and fledglings; report data to the Virginia Bluebird Society county coordinator on required forms; maintain boxes year round; install additional bluebird boxes to existing trail if necessary in coordination with county coordinator.
- Locations: Generally on public property, however, as long as you report the data you collect to the Virginia Bluebird Society your volunteer hours can be counted even if the trail location is your own property.
- Clarke County: State Arboretum of Virginia at Blandy
- Culpeper County: Culpeper Sports Complex; Lenn Park, Spilman Park, Yowell Meadow Park, Rockwater Park
- Fauquier County: Environmental Studies on the Piedmont; P.B. Smith Elementary; Sky Meadows State Park
- Greene County: Greene Hills Country Club; Greene Community Park; Farm Colony
- Madison County: Hoover Ridge
- Orange County: Lake of the Woods; Locust Grove;Taylor Center/Prospect Heights Middle School; Montpelier;
- Rappahannock County: Rappahannock County Library; Rappahannock County Park; Smith Hill Farm
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Involvement in bluebird trail monitoring may include exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes and insect bites/stings. Walking over flat to moderate terrain is required. Installation of boxes requires use of digging and pounding tools and implements to secure boxes and baffles to poles.
- Special Requirements: None.
- Time Commitment: Monitoring a bluebird box trail each week takes about one hour for every 12 boxes. Time commitment depends upon the terrain and the amount of activity in the boxes. Maintaining the trail takes several hours each year – generally in the late winter/early spring in preparation for nesting season and again in the late summer/early fall to prepare the boxes for winter. Record-keeping time is minimal, but must be accomplished weekly to ensure all data is properly recorded, and at the end of the season to prepare the required reports.
ED (Education) Activities with Virginia Bluebird Society (VBS)
Bluebird Education
ORMN volunteers give presentations to public groups on the VBS and ORMN-monitored bluebird trails, using a prepared script and presentation.
ORMN volunteers give presentations to public groups on the VBS and ORMN-monitored bluebird trails, using a prepared script and presentation.
- Locations: Varies depending on the location of the group requesting the presentation.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Involvement in outreach and educational presentations requires dealing with the public and keeping records of interactions.
- Special Requirements: If youth are participating in the bluebird education, ORMN volunteers must review the Risk Management policy on the Virginia Master Naturalist website, paying special attention to the “Above Suspicion Policy.”
- Time Commitment: The presentations to public groups are usually one hour or less, but require considerable preparation time to ensure the speaker is well versed in the presentation and in the use of video-equipment. A PowerPoint presentation, DVD, projector and screen are available for use by anyone in the chapter.