In the late 1980s, the Bureau of State Parks developed a nest box monitoring program as part of a national effort to provide nesting habitat for the once declining Eastern bluebird population. The success of this endeavor led the Bureau of State Parks to expand the program to include monitoring of additional, native, cavity-nesting birds, such as chickadees, tree swallows, purple martins, wood ducks, and American kestrels.
Conservation Volunteers maintain nest boxes; monitor nest boxes and collect data weekly from April through September; and compile the data for the annual report, following guidance by Pennsylvania state park staff.
The nature of the program gets volunteers outdoors while interacting with a variety of cavity-nesting bird species. It can be a truly rewarding experience along with being a great way to spend time exploring a Pennsyvania state park.
Anyone who is interested in learning more about the Cavity-nesting Trails Program (PDF) or how to become a Conservation Volunteer should contact their local state park.
For questions about the Cavity-nesting Trails Program, please contact the coordinator.