Transcontinental Bluebird Trail

Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2000 20:10:26 -0400
From: Haleya Priest
Subject: Re: [Bluebird] NABS Transcontinental Trail

Haleya Priest, Amherst MA

Tina, I don't know how to answer your question but this trail is on a public golf course and there are two ways to register trails on the TBT trail: 1) a private trail 2) a public trail. The public trail gets put on a special map and must be available for tours, etc. H


Tsapling"at"aol.com wrote:

Wouldn't listing a trial as a public trail have legal ramifications ie
creating access on your land so that when you go to sell it, the public has a
right to claim their rights in the land?

Tian
 

Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001 15:13:54 -0500
From: Jeff Newsome jeffn"at"rivnet.net
To: bluebird-l"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Question

If I have 8 or more bluebird boxes on a golf course is this considered a bluebird trail with TBT if it is can i order the TBT signs to put up around the course?

jeff

Date: Mon, 04 Jun 2001 12:27:46 -0400
From: Barb DeLong delong24"at"msu.edu
To: BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Babies, Babies and More Babies!

Mama and Daddy Blue have been bringing their babies around from tree to tree around our house the past few days in the morning and at night when I put out mealies  for them. This morning I looked out my back window and mama was sitting on top of my garage, I then saw daddy fly over the house and toward the trees and sure enough I saw 4 of the 5 babies sitting in the tree, 3 were a snuggling next to each other, the other one seems to be a lot more aggressive in getting food. We haven't seen the 5th baby yet so we're not sure if it is still around or not.

Went over to my parents house about 8 miles away - they had put up a bluebird house hoping to get blues in, but instead got a pair of Black Capped Chickadees (BCCH). Mom said they had seen the dees going in and out carrying things in, but when we looked 2 weeks ago, the nest was really small and it was just grasses. We looked last night and there were 5 babies and 1 egg. When the 'dees took over this box, she had a pair of blues come sit on the box and were looking in, so they went out and bought another box and put it out front where there was more room for the blues. A day or so later she had a pair of tree swallows checking out the box. I looked in it last night and they have started making a nest, we hurried up and roughed up the inside of the box, like someone suggested on this list. We were dive-bombed a couple of times, the TRES were chattering  at me as they swooped down.

My mom also has a pair of house finches with a nest in a hanging flower basket that has 5 eggs in it.2 feet away she has a barn swallow nest (that's been there 4 springs) but were not sure if there are babies yet or not - last time we looked there was 3 eggs, but that was 2 weeks ago. There are so many feathers stuffed into this nest you can see if there are eggs or babies.

Seeing my blues and all the eggs and babies at my parents house, made me feel great that we had so much birding going on and had new babies going out in to the world.

The one main question I have and hopefully all of you knowledgeable people can answer for me. NABS says that a bluebird trail consists of 5 boxes, but I'm not sure if they have to be in a row, line, etc. I would like to register my 2 boxes, my parents 2 boxes and my in-laws 2 boxes as a trail and wonder if I can do that - like I said before, my parents are about 8 miles away and my in-laws are 2 miles away. If someone could answer that for me, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

Barb DeLong
Eaton Rapids, MI

Date: Mon, 4 Jun 2001 13:27:04 -0400
From: "Randy Jones" randyj"at"enter.net
To: delong24"at"msu.edu, BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Re: Registering your trail

Randy Jones
Allentown PA
Lehigh Co. Coordinator, BSP

----- Original Message -----

From: "Barb DeLong" delong24"at"msu.edu
To: BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 12:27 PM
Subject: Babies, Babies and More Babies!

The one main question I have and hopefully all of you knowledgeable people
can answer for me. NABS
says that a bluebird trail consists of 5 boxes, but I'm not sure if they
have to be in a row, line, etc.

CERTAINLY NOT. WE HAVE 29 IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AT 15 LOCATIONS. NO THREE ARE IN A LINE.

I would like
to register my 2 boxes, my parents 2 boxes and my in-laws 2 boxes as a
trail and wonder if I can do that -
like I said before, my parents are about 8 miles away and my in-laws are 2
miles away. I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THAT. NO GUIDANCE AT THE NABS WEBSITE?

If someone could
answer that for me, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!
Barb DeLong
Eaton Rapids, MI

Date: Mon, 04 Jun 2001 23:45:57 -0500
From: ds"at"comteck.com
To: "BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu" BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Re: Registering your trail

How do you register your trail? I only have 1 pair of BB's using only one box I do have 2 other nestboxes w/ wanting to add more? What do I need to do? This subject peeked my curiuosity.

Joleen in Indiana

Randy Jones wrote:

Randy Jones
Allentown PA
Lehigh Co. Coordinator, BSP
----- Original Message -----
From: "Barb DeLong" delong24"at"msu.edu
To: BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 12:27 PM
Subject: Babies, Babies and More Babies!

...

Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2001 06:22:08 -0400
From: "Randy Jones" randyj"at"enter.net
To: ds"at"comteck.com, BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Re: Registering your trail

Go to the NABS website and they will tell you what to do. I believe it's www.nabluebirdsociety.org.

Randy Jones
Allentown PA
Lehigh Co. Coordinator, BSP

----- Original Message -----

From: ds"at"comteck.com
To: BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2001 12:45 AM
Subject: Re: Registering your trail

How do you register your trail? I only have 1 pair of BB's using only
one box I do have 2 other nestboxes w/ wanting to add more? What do I
need to do? This subject peeked my curiuosity.

Joleen in Indiana

Date: Tue, 05 Jun 2001 09:28:20 -0400
From: Haleya Priest mablue"at"gis.net
To: ds"at"comteck.com
Cc: "BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu" BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Re: Registering your trail

Register your trail through Cornell's Nestbox Network and The Transcontinental Bluebird Trail found on the NABS website. You can get both URLs at the Bluebird REF GUIDE:

http://www.bluebird.htmlplanet.com or
http://www.crosswinds.net/~bluebirdguide/

Date: Thu, 07 Mar 2002 10:24:15 -0500
From: bluebirdhollownj"at"netscape.net (Liz Zimmermann)
To: bluebird-l"at"cornell.edu (BLUEBIRD-L)
Subject: TBT

I'm wondering the same thing. What's up with that site? I joined NABS mainly to join TBT...and it went off the webpage a few days after I joined!#%$&*("at"! Hope it's running by spring!
--

From: "Pauline, Mountain City TX" bluebirds"at"austin.rr.com
To: "BLUEBIRD-L" BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Kridler's endorsement of "Birdhouse Network"
Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2002 10:09:47 -0500

To join Cornell's Birdhouse Network (as Keith Kridler suggested), go to http://birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse/ . A discount is offered to NABS members.

Pauline Tom
Mountain City (no mountains) TX

Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Most of us are doing this simply for the joy seeing these birds brings into our daily lives. Others are spending every waking hour banding, building more boxes or researching and studying about these birds. With the data collection system that Cornell has set up we can track % of EVERYTHING pertaining to the birds we love and see where different parts of the country are having problems. I don't think there is any other aspect of research that could be used as a continent wide indicator of the health of our planet than if everyone joined and reported their nestbox results!

Everyday there are species of plants or animals or insects that are pushed over the edge and exterminated forever somewhere on this planet. Even if you only have one nestbox in your yard YOU CAN do something to help fill in the gaps in the BIG picture of LIFE simply by joining Cornell's nestbox program and reporting your nesting results. Who knows the species we may help the most might just be our own! KK

Date: Thu, 18 Jul 2002 10:19:28 -0400
To: Bluebird-l"at"cornell.edu
From: Tina Phillips cbp6"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Offer to NABS members

Dear NABS/Bluebird-L members:

As you know, during the early life of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail, participants were able to gather nest-box data and submit that data to a central location for recording. Unfortunately, due to situations beyond their control, the NABS on-line data gathering has been discontinued.

Over the course of the past several years, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology has expanded its data-gathering activities through The Birdhouse Network (TBN). The Lab is beginning to publish the research results that have been obtained because of this extensive nest box data-gathering effort. Many volunteers are participating in this important work being done by the
Lab.

Over the past 5 years, the Lab and NABS have developed a strong partnering relationship as evidenced by the recent publication of "The Bluebird Monitor's Guide" and development of the Bluebird-L Reference Guide web site. In an effort to expand this relationship, both Cornell and NABS encourage those who have a continuing interest in a data-gathering/research component of trail monitoring to join The Birdhouse Network. This includes people who monitor one nest box or hundreds of boxes! It is not too late to accomplish this for the 2002 nesting season.

As a special offer to NABS members, a TBN membership is being offered for only $12. This 20% discount is the same rate that Cornell Lab of Ornithology members receive to participate in any of the Citizen Science projects. This annual fee will include a yearly subscription to Birdscope, the Lab's quarterly newsletter, and enable NABS members to access and enter data in TBN's database.

In order to receive the 20% discount, NABS members must let us know when they sign up that they are NABS members. On the web sign-up form please check off that you are a NABS member and tell us where you heard of our project (Internet, newsletter, list serve, etc.). This will ensure that you receive the discount. You may also join TBN by sending a check for $12 to the address below, but again, be sure to tell us of your NABS affiliation. For instructions on joining TBN and getting started entering data, visit http://www.birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse/NABSmembers.html Please note, you will receive a Lab ID# 10-14 days after you join, after which time, you can enter your data.

We hope this is the beginning of a long and productive relationship between NABS and Cornell. We realize that NABS has several thousand dedicated nest box monitors who would like their nest box observations to be contributed to a nationally recognized database aimed at the study and conservation of native cavity-nesting birds. NABS realizes that Cornell is ideally suited to take on the technological and research requirements of such an endeavor. Together, we hope to promote environmental awareness and conservation action to preserve our native cavity nesters.

We look forward to including you in this dynamic partnership!

Sincerely,

Tina Phillips
. To Sign Up Via the Web visit: (credit card required) http://www.birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse/signup.html

. To Sign Up Via the Phone, call: (credit card required) (800) 843-2473 and be sure to tell the operator you are a NABS member

To Sign Up Via the Mail send your $12 payment (payable to The Birdhouse Network) and a note regarding your NABS affiliation to:

The Birdhouse Network
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
159 Sapsucker Woods Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14850

Tina Phillips
The Birdhouse Network
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
159 Sapsucker Woods Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14850

(607)254-2482
cbp6"at"cornell.edu
Join TBN at: http://birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse

Date: Wed, 18 Dec 2002 10:55:35 -0500
To: Bluebird-L Bluebird-L"at"cornell.edu, Ma Blue mablue"at"gis.net
From: Haleya Priest mablue"at"gis.net
Subject: What is TBN and TBT?

Haleya Priest Amherst MA
Someone asked me about my reference to sending in data to the TBN and the TBT. Here is a simple overview of both:

The Birdhouse Network (TBN) is one of many programs run by Cornell Lab of Ornithology. These are the folks who are hosting our Bluebird-L listserv. The Birdhouse Network focuses on cavity nesters. They have a research program where monitors like us enter our monitoring data through their online data entry program. This includes a one time data entry about each nestbox you are using (location, size of box, type of box, etc) and then each nesting attempt is recorded on line (first egg date, clutch size, fledge date, etc).

This data is then utilized for research purposes which is published in Bird Scope - The TBN's official newlsetter. This research and its results help us learn so much more about our natural cavity nesters! Also, once your data is entered, you can print out information about your trail to look over - such as total eggs that were laid and totals of successful fledges. It will also print out all information you've entered about your trail. This is great for record keeping. And it allows one then, to using these printouts, to enter nesting information on the TBT (explanation follows) and your state's NABS affiliate organization's year end nesting survey. One must be a member of the TBN to enter data at a small cost of $12.00 annually which also entitles its members to the Bird Scope newlsetter. The TBN website: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse/  (go to Data Gateway)

The Transcontinental Bluebird Trail (TBT), is the North American Bluebird Society's (NABS) program for entering trail and nesting activities on line. Because of several problems that were out of NABS control, the program had to take a hiatus this past year or two. However, during this time, the TBT has been "re-invented" (send your thanks to Jim Mclochlin!) and is just now ready for data entry!

The idea behind the TBT is that we "loosely link" all of our nestboxes across the US and Canada to form one grand Transcontinental Bluebird Trail - that can be viewed on line via the TBT maps. One can also read about specific registered trails via the TBT website. One may not wish to enter data for research purposes, but to simply register their trail on the TBT. Monitor's can thus choose how extensive they want to be involved with entering data on the TBT. However, information entered on the TBT will not (at this time) be used for research purposes.

The other exciting thing the TBT offers is an Adopt-A-Box service for folks who do not wish to or cannot monitor their own boxes. One must be a member of NABS to register their trail on the TBT. http://nabluebirdsociety.org/  http://www.tbt.nabluebirdsociety.org/ Remember, without us, this research could not be accomplished!

 I hope you all consider joining both the TBT and TBN to help our natural cavity nesters. They need us now more than ever!
:-) H

Haleya Priest mablue"at"gis.net
The online Bluebird Reference Guide: http://birds.cornell.edu/bluebirds/
Mazzzchusetts Bluebird Association: http://herper.tripod.com/mbahome.html
Cornell's Birdhouse Network: http://birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse/
North American Bluebird Society: http://nabluebirdsociety.org/ 

From: "Jim McLochlin" bluebirdbox"at"cox.net
To: "Bluebird-L" bluebird-l"at"cornell.edu
Cc: "Doug LeVassseur" emdlev"at"clover.net, "Jim Williams" two-jays"at"att.net
Subject: Introduction of the new TBT
Date: Wed, 1 Jan 2003 08:00:52 -0600

The New TBT
(Or - The TBT and/or The TBN)
The Transcontinental Bluebird Trail (TBT) is back on-line (at
www.tbt.nabluebirdsociety.org ) after a brief period of instability. The TBT was originally developed and placed on-line in 2000. After a couple of years the original website developer and the TBT parted ways. This left NABS with no choice but to shut down the TBT.

Originally it was thought that all of the TBT data was lost. That turned out to not be true, instead what was lost was the data input format. NABS did learn quite a bit from this experience and the new TBT was developed to exploit this knowledge.

In that short period of instability NABS recommended that its members report their data to The Birdhouse Network (TBN) operated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (CLO). So now it is possible to report data to two entities. So why should you? Actually that is a very good question; here is a comparison of the two programs so that you may better decide which one is best for you, or maybe both.

Both the original TBT and the TBN were developed and announced at about the same time with some overlapping similarities. This included the support of research of cavity nesting species. The TBN still has a good focus in that regard, with very strong support and backing from the CLO. Of all the failings of the new TBT this could be considered the largest. There is one thing learned from the original TBT; NABS discovered that a very small percentage of its members were interested in submitting research quality data through a web site (this should not be perceived to mean that the TBT has lost its research focus, instead it is felt that greater numbers of the NABS membership will support a simpler format). The time commitment to input trail data was quite high and the reasons most gave for not registering their trail or submitting their data was time. It becomes apparent that although NABS members could be considered the elite of the bluebird world for most it is still a hobby. Hobbies for the most part are supposed to be a fun activity. The new TBT follows that philosophy. The format for registering a trail and entering data is much simpler and for many members who belong to a NABS affiliate it will appear to be the same data requested by the affiliate. NABS desires a standard affiliate approved format for data entry to the TBT. This could result in one data entry at the NABS level being reflected back (or forward) into the affiliate database.

The original TBT did not offer a hardcopy option for trail registration and data entry. The new TBT and the TBN do (although the new TBT has yet to work out the details of doing so). The TBN does charge extra for this service, at this time the TBT hopes to work this out through volunteer data entry and trail registration.

Further differences/similarities between the TBT and TBN are outlined in Table 1 (the table is included in this Message but is more legible in
it's original format at www.tbt.nabluebirdsociety.org ). The choice of
which or both programs is yours. NABS recommendation for those who wish to enter detailed research quality data is the TBN, and for those who wish to share the success/failures of their trail and to become part of the continent wide bluebird trail the TBT is the obvious answer. The answer for your trail may be both. Whatever your decision is the birds will certainly benefit from your time.

To log onto the TBT you will need your NABS membership ID number and a password. If you never logged onto the old TBT or did not change your password it is the default password of the TBT. If you did log on and changed your password on the old TBT that password was retained. If you need help with your password or for any questions with the TBT please email tbt"at"nabluebirdsociety.org.

Table 1

Primary focus
TBT - Membership involvement and use.
CLO research.

Access to database
TBT - Full access to the database is open to all NABS members and to NABS designated researchers. NABS members have increased access rights to the database through the website for review of live data. Public access is restricted by the website interface. Personal information access is limited to the database administrators. TBN - Full access to the database is open to staff of CLO and to CLO designated researchers. Public access is restricted by the website interface.

Data entry
TBT - Simple one form year end summary data (with update and delete functionality). Open only to NABS members. TBN - Detailed multiple forms, reporting all details of nesting activity on the trail. Open only to TBN members.

Cost to participants
TBT - Part of NABS membership. Adopt-A-Box is $35
TBN - $12 to $15 per year.

Support
TBT - Six member committee, with a single person web site developer (All volunteer). Backing of NABS and Wild Birds Unlimited. TBN - Paid staff and volunteer support (?). CLO uses Birdsource for database and programming support. Backing of CLO.

Analysis
TBT - Currently none, although the NABS research committee could use this database for its purposes and report to NABS members through "Bluebird." TBN - CLO has a strong research background and reports its finding to members through its newsletter "Birdscope."

Involvement
TBT - Open directly to NABS members and to the general public through the "Adopt-A-Box" program. TBN - Open directly to TBN members and to the general public by donations.

Data entry time commitment (20 box trail)
TBT - Five to ten minutes.
TBN - One to two hours. Less if adequate records are maintained.

Frequency of input data
TBT - Yearly, at the end of the season. End of year summary data. TBN - Yearly at season end, data on each individual box for each nesting.

Future
TBT - Will evolve to support the needs of the majority of the NABS membership. TBN - Although in an advanced state the TBN can take full advantage of its research capability from its past.

Of course I believe the accuracy of this document is 100% correct. If you find errors please send them to tbt"at"nabluebirdsociety.org.

From: WatercressFarm"at"aol.com
Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2003 10:57:16 EST
Subject: Transcontinental Bluebird Trail
To: BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu

I am trying to gather information on the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail that spans Canada, from Manitoba to Saskatchewan. I would like some history on this trail, including current length, no. of nestboxes & volunteers, etc. My internet search has been unproductive as details were not available on the
few sites I found. I would greatly appreciate any help.

Thanks,

Regina Grimm
Titusville, PA

From: Jim McLochlin, bluebirdbox"at"cox.net
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 7:53 PM
Subject: NABS TBT

Although not an analytical report here are some basic number from the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail (TBT) sponsored by the North American Bluebird Society as of 2/20/04

# of Registered Trails 2002 - 74, 2003 - 83
# of Boxes 2002 - 4255, 2003 - 5663
# of Boxes used by Eastern Bluebirds 2002 - 1687, 2003 - 1495
# of Boxes used by Mountain Bluebirds 2002 - 186, 2003 - 705
# of Boxes used by Western Bluebirds 2002 - 21, 2003 - 42
# of Successful Broods by Eastern Bluebirds 2002 - 1036, 2003 - 661
# of Successful Broods by Mountain Bluebirds 2002 - 164, 2003 - 513
# of Successful Broods by Western Bluebirds 2002 - 23, 2003 - 42
# of Eastern Bluebirds fledged 2002 - 6480, 2003 - 4226
# of Mountain Bluebirds fledged 2002 - 821, 2003 - 2608
# of Western Bluebirds fledged 2002 - 101, 2003 - 181

If you are interested in reviewing these and other numbers from the TBT please visit http://www.tbt.nabluebirdsociety.org The TBT accepts trail data from NABS members and NABS affiliates. NABS members can enter trail data for any year back to 2000. It is never too late to enter your data. A more thorough analysis of the data is being undertaken at this time by the NABS Research committee chair (Bernie Daniels).

Jim McLochlin Omaha, NE 41.279N -96.060W NABS Director, TBT Chairperson, and NABS Web Site Chairperson http://nabluebirdsociety.org The NORTH AMERICAN BLUEBIRD SOCIETY is a non-profit conservation, education and research organization that promotes the recovery of bluebirds and other native cavity-nesting bird species.