Bluebird trails

Because of climate and land use changes, Eastern Bluebird populations dropped to record lows by the 1960’s. In 1978, the North American Bluebird Society was founded to promote the recovery of bluebirds and other cavity nesting birds. Today our chapter volunteers maintain 41 nestboxes across four locations in Montgomery County. Data from those nests is submitted to national and state databases and used for advocacy and conservation initiatives.

Our volunteers monitor our bluebird trails weekly during the breeding season using protocols established by the Virginia Bluebird Society and Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. We report our data to these organizations to be combined with other state and national data. In addition to Eastern Bluebirds, our trails typically host Tree Swallows, House Wrens, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, and even Prothonotory Warbler. 

Our chapter trails are located at:

• Blacksburg High School

• Blacksburg Middle School

• Price's Fork Elementary School

• Historic Smithfield

This project promotes understanding of how human alteration of the environment affects birds and their breeding behaviors and how to minimize those negative impacts. Nationally, bluebird trails have reversed the dramatic population losses of the 20th century and give volunteers an intimate look at the secret life of nesting birds.

Chapter involvement with bluebird trails has inspired some members to establish trails on their own properties and other public lands. All the golf courses in Blacksburg now host trails monitored and maintained by master naturalists.