ABOUT Laurie: 

Laurie Raulerson is currently an Occupational Therapist at Jo Kelly and a few other schools at FWISD.  As a hobby, she has been volunteering as a Texas Master Naturalist since 2016. This is a group organized by Texas Parks and Wildlife and Texas Agri-Life. Laurie loves learning about nature!  One of the projects that she took on as a master naturalist is that of learning about and monitoring Eastern Bluebird boxes. Laurie has been doing this for 3-4 years during the nesting season which runs roughly between the middle of February to July (sometimes later).

It all started for Laurie in 2010 or so, when she was walking near her home in Aledo when she saw a brightly colored blue bird on a lawn. "It wasn't the familiar Bluejay that I often see. It was something completely new to me. I was so impressed by its beauty; I couldn't wait to learn more."

She did some research and learned that the native Eastern Bluebird was, at one time, on the endangered species list. Part of its decline was due to the unavailability of places to nest. Eastern Bluebirds build their nests in cavities such as a hollowed-out tree. Many folks today don't realize the benefits to the environment to leave dead trees. 

Putting up Eastern Bluebird boxes has been one way to help this beloved bird recover.
"Like many others, I was dazzled by the vibrant blue coloring of the male Eastern Bluebird." 

The bluebird work Laurie does is with Project Bluebird founded by Jim Marshall in 2007. Currently, she monitors 6 boxes on the Trinity Trail and 1 at Jo Kelly School. She inputs all her data in Nestwatch (The Cornell Lab of Ornithology). Nestwatch is a nationwide nest monitoring program designed to track the status and trends in the reproductive biology of birds.

A Little about Bluebirds:

From 1920-1970 there was such a major decline in the bluebird population that birders were certain that they would become extinct. While I'm not sure of the date that the Eastern Bluebirds came off the endangered species list, I am happy to report that they are no longer on the endangered species list. 

Bluebirds at Jo Kelly School:

During the 2021-22 school year Laurie was eating lunch outside under the magnificent oak trees by the fabulous Jo Kelly playground. When she saw a beloved Eastern Bluebird, she wondered if it would be possible to install a bluebird box there. Oh, the possibilities!

Evidently the Eastern Bluebirds think that Jo Kelly is a special place too! By May 24th, we had 5 eggs! The parent bluebirds had set up a nest in a remarkably short amount of time!