Welcome to the Bluebird Monitoring User Group!
What are User Groups? User
Groups are created to help group individuals who share something in common
together for quick filtering, reporting, scheduling, and sharing private
opportunities and information. This could be a shared skill set, scheduling
availability, or training completion, or affiliation with the same company,
school, or church.
Welcome
to the Bluebird Monitoring User Group! This group is open to Five
Rivers MetroParks volunteers serving as qualified Bluebird Monitoring volunteers throughout Five Rivers MetroParks. These volunteers have
completed volunteer onboarding as long-term volunteers and have completed
Bluebird Monitoring training.
Monitoring eastern bluebird nest boxes helps us track local population trends, understand how bluebird populations are reacting to environmental changes, increase the number of bluebird nesting sites, and provide us with a great activity to connect with our parks and learn more about wildlife.
Volunteers will check bluebird nest boxes and complete a data form of what they observe. This involves removing nesting material from old boxes, basic bird ID, and attention to detail. A volunteer or volunteer team should monitor the nest boxes 1-3 times every 2 weeks during the month (and at the location) they register to support. Please wait at least 3 days in between nest box checks. This is an independent volunteer opportunity and you must complete the training and review the hour-reporting video before signing up
Parks (click to explore the map of nest box locations):
You will find private volunteer opportunities
listed at the bottom of this User Group page once you have successfully joined
or have been added to this User Group.
Training Documents, Resources & Reminders
Responding to an Opportunity & Hour Reporting
Important: Click here to review how to respond to a shift and how to add hours and review the information below. The Bluebird Monitoring opportunity is a flexible, independent volunteer role, meaning you can monitor the boxes at this location anytime during the month you sign up for.
To participate, you’ll need to respond to the shift posted on the first of each month. By doing so, you’re committing to monitor the boxes throughout that entire month—not just on the first day. The shift on the first serves as a placeholder to track participation, and you are not required to monitor on that specific day. You may visit at any time during park hours throughout the month.
Once you've signed up, you’ll receive an automatic check-in reminder email on the first of the month. After each time you monitor, you can log your hours using one of two methods:
- On the Get Connected webpage: Use the "Add Hours" feature.
- On the Causer mobile app: Check in to this opportunity directly.
When you add hours for this opportunity, select 'Yes' in the Hour Type field, and from the drop down opportunity list, select the opportunity you're adding hours for. Then, edit the Hour Details (Date & Hours Worked). Please select the User Group "Bluebird Monitors" so that your volunteer hours are attributed to this group.
The continued efforts of the Bluebird Monitors will be tracked through this group, and the combined impact of all its members documented here. You can view your individual impact on your Volunteer Resume and track the collective impact of this group on the User Group Resume.
You can check in to your shift directly via that email or download our Cause Connect App and check in via the App. Download Causer from the App Store or Google Play for FREE.
Ranger Response Needed
Should you have an issue arise during your monitoring that requires the presence of a Ranger, you will call the Ranger Dispatch at 937-225-HELP. Please be prepared to provide the following information when communicating with County Dispatch:
- That you are in a MetroPark facility
- Nature of the call i.e. injury theft, suspicious person, etc.
- You need to SEE a MetroParks Ranger at ________(location)
- You are a Volunteer conducting Bluebird Monitoring
- Leave your name and cell phone number in the event they need to call you back
Want to Branch Out?
Your skills, time, and talents could make a big difference in other areas, too! Based on your involvement in this group, check out these other opportunities with shared themes, skills, or goals:
Welcome to the Team!
Volunteer Services is available if you have questions or need assistance in signing up.
Contact us at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275.
We are here to support YOU so that you can support Five Rivers MetroParks!
Thank you for volunteering!
