Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Househunting bluebirds need your help

Dr. Chuck Price and Katie Funke, BMD Scholar and engineering major, install a predator guard on a bluebird box near the Children's Learning Center. Photo Credit: LaVerne Jones HI-RES | WEB RELATED VIDEO:  RELATED AUDIO:  Contact for more information: Wendy Knipe Bredhold Media Relations Specialist, News & Information Services 812/461-5259 email A harbinger of spring, househunting bluebirds have already been spotted on the USI campus this year. Hundreds of the birds have fledged at USI due in large part to the efforts of Dr. Charles Price, professor of science education, and volunteers who maintain the USI Bluebird Trail. The Bluebird Trail is about 2 1/2 miles around the perimeter of campus. Established in 1972, the trail fell into disrepair but was reestablished in 1996 and now supports 38 nesting boxes along the campus perimeter. View a slideshow of images from the USI Bluebird Trail. Price will lead the 15th annual USI Bluebird Trail Clean-up Day from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, February 27. Participants will walk the trail to ensure that nesting boxes are clean and ready for nesting season. Volunteers should wear weather-appropriate clothing, boots, and gloves. Other items needed to clean and repair the boxes will be provided. Anyone is welcome to help. Participants will meet at the Grimes Haus on the Bluebird trail at 9 a.m. Price said the birds usually start nesting in March, and the young are born in April. A biology or science education major gathers nesting data from the houses each year. Hundreds of fledglings have survived to young adulthood in the years since the program began. For a map and more information, go to www.usi.edu/bluebird or call Price at 812/464-1939.

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