Bluebird Monitoring

April 15, 2026 • 10:00 PM – 11:00 AM
Black Butte Ranch Lakeside Bistro

At the Black Butte Conservancy, we are actively engaged in improving the Western Bluebird population in the Black Butte region. Our volunteer team monitors 70+ boxes at Black Butte Ranch and on Forest Service land in Glaze Meadow. Careful notes are taken during each site visit, and the data is uploaded to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s NestWatch site. During the off-season, the team cleans out and repairs boxes, getting them ready for another season. 

While Western Bluebirds face threats such as habitat loss and competition for nesting sites, our conservation efforts aim to mitigate these challenges and ensure the continued survival of this cherished species.

As a volunteer, you will:

• Attend a training session prior to monitoring

• Complete the NestWatch Code of Conduct and Certification Quiz, prior to the start of monitoring

• Monitor a subset of bluebird boxes, approximately 1 - 1.5 hours per week, 1-2 visits per week, during the nesting season from mid-May to mid-August. Some trails are uneven ground. Good balance and stamina in the heat a must.

• Record your findings on the NestWatch site or in a field notebook, using NestWatch standards.

If you are interested in joining the 2026 Bluebird Monitoring Team, please attend our first training session on April 15, 2026, 10am - 11am, at the BBR Lakeside Bistro.