In late March, the Greater Princeton Branch of AYLUS (GPA) resumed its Bluebird Nest Watch Program with Mercer County Park. GPA volunteers enjoyed this interesting youth volunteer project.
Eastern Bluebirds were once a common bird in New Jersey. With habitat loss and competition from introduction of aggressive, non-native birds, the populations of these beautiful birds declined. Through the efforts of caring people, esp volunteers who aid the nesting of bluebirds and other native bird species by monitoring boxes for nesting attempts by non-native birds, Bluebirds are nesting successfully at Mercer County Park.
The Mercer County Park Commission has five bluebird box monitoring locations available. One is at the Mercer Meadows Pole Farm/Princeton Country Club (Lawrence/Pennington), one at Mercer Oaks Golf Course (Hamilton/West Windsor), one is at Mountain View Golf Course (Ewing), and two at Mercer County Park (Hamilton/West Windsor). Monitoring is typically a once per week commitment from about March through August.
GPA Volunteers including Ethan Xu, Charlotte Xu, Kathie Wang, Fangyi Chen, Victor Yu, Lina Yang, Leena Chang, Gina Shen, Audrey Ma, Charles Ma, Chloe Tan, and more, gathered at the Mercer County Park on March 27th (2 hrs for all) so new members could receive a Bluebird Nest Watch Training from the experienced members.
