Dominic Nevares, Conservation Corps of MN and Iowa located at the Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge in Bloomington contacted BBPMN asking if we could do a bluebird presentation for the 24 Conservation Corps students he was working with for the summer. The students were interns who received their positions through a competitive project. Kathy Meinhardt from the Hennepin County Bluebird Group assisted and by Lisa McIntire stepped up to take on the challenge. With the availability of nests, eggs, and bluebird chicks on Kathy’s bluebird trail she and Dominic were able to coordinated the presentations and field trips on the same day.
Lisa helped with setup at the Wildlife Refuge, questions and the field trips. Kathy said, “It was the first time I had presented to students. They were enthusiastic, asked a lot of questions, and enjoyed the presentation and field trip”. She was able to share the various stages of development; nest, eggs, and chicks, using pictures she took the previous week. The students were able see just how quickly the chicks had developed in just one week. Thanks to both Kathy and Lisa for sharing the beauty and opportunity of being bluebird stewards to these young conversationists..
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County corrdinators Jan Wallin, Jeanne Wilkinson and Richard Sherva staffed a bluebird table at the 2025 Sherburne Wildlife Refuge annual Fall Festival. Jan recieved this note following the event.
Dear Jan, Bluebird Program of Minnesota,
Thank you for your participation in the 30th Annual Wildlife Festival on Saturday, September 27! We welcomed around 1,200 visitors, many of whom enjoyed stopping by your booth and learning more about Native American history. This event wouldn’t be possible without dedicated partners like you!
I’ve attached a photo taken by our event photographer, Bruce Ellingson. Please feel free to use it with attribution!
We’d love to have you join us again next year for the 31st Annual Wildlife Festival on September 26, 2026.
Thank you again,
Jade
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2025 was a great year for Bluebirds on my trail. I fledged 208 this year compared to 135 last year.
What was so unusual, was that in my 37 years of monitoring Bluebird nest boxes, I have had only
one Brown-headed Cowbird egg in a nest. This year I found four Cowbird eggs in four different
nests! I wonder if some female Cowbirds are getting small enough to get in the boxes or if they are
backing up to the hole and dropping the egg in. I am thinking more that they are getting in the
box, because the Cowbird eggs are right amongst the Bluebird eggs. It will be interesting to see
if this happens again next year.
I also found a female Bluebird dead on a nest over 4 eggs. I wish I knew what happened.
Mary Roen
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On September 13, 2025 – The Hennepin County Bluebird Group held their annual Bluebird breakfast. The group had two common themes this year: more unhatched eggs and more chick mortality, which doesn’t seem to be related to gnats or flies, and an almost complete absence of chickadees. They are worried about the chickadees. – submited by Lisa McIntire – assistant to Hennepin County coordinator Jack Hauser
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On March 25, 2025 – Bluebird Program friend, Kathy Meinhardt did a presentation for the Izaak Walton League at their Clubhouse on West River Rd in Minneapolis.
With deep regret we wish to inform all of our bluebird friends of the passing of Swift County Coordinator – Bill Hoberg on January 25, 2025.
Bill’s name appears in annual Trail Reports dating back to 1990.
He has been the Swift County Coordinator for at least 10 years.
This past fall as the Bluebird Progam introduced the Regional County Coordinator concept, Bill agreed to be the assistant Region coordinator for the Western part of Minnesota. He will be missed in the Bluebird world!
Here is a link to the full story https://www.zniewskifuneralhome.com/obituary/william-bill-hoberg
On Saturday, December 7, 2024 – Bluebird Program board members Nancy Engel and Brianna Frisch hosted a bluebird table at the Minnesota Ornithological Union 2025 Paper Session at U of MN St. Paul Student Center.Lots of good conversation about bluebirds with people who really know a thing or two about birds!_________________________________________________________________________
Why Birds Hit Windows—And How You Can Help Prevent It
For birds, glass windows are worse than invisible. By reflecting foliage or sky, they look like inviting places to fly into. And because the sheer number of windows is so great, their toll on birds is huge.
The good news is that you can greatly reduce the danger your home’s windows pose to birds with some simple remedies.
Click here to see 5 ways you can protect water quality with your fall yard care 