Polk County Conservation

The purpose of the central Iowa bluebird monitoring program is to provide habitat for and protection of bluebirds. Bluebird populations face the threat of habitat loss due to encroachment of urban construction as well as the usurpation of nesting cavities by European Starlings and House Sparrow, both of which were illegally introduced into the United States. Organizations partnering within the bluebird monitoring program address the bluebird habitat issue through bluebird box trails and weekly trail monitoring. Bluebird boxes are designed with openings too small for the European Starlings to enter through and monitors exclude House Sparrows from the boxes throughout the nesting season. The boxes and weekly monitoring efforts help to provide protection from predators and other threats and to benefit other bird species. Volunteer Bluebird Monitor Responsibilities: - Close and prepare their designated boxes between 2/15 and 3/15 each year - Perform weekly nest monitoring checks April 1st through August 31st, or until the last fledgling has left - Submit bluebird hatch record summary data using the designated online form to the wildlife programs volunteer coordinator no later than September 15th. - Submit bluebird monitoring volunteer hours at the end of each month Hatch record summary data should be submitted online at https://forms.gle/TLY2gztkd5K9qfAV9