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Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club: bluebird and tree-swap results reported at Red Hook meeting
Summary
A monitoring letter presented to the Red Hook Tree Preservation Commission reported nine bluebird eggs (all hatched, eight fledged) and 18 tree swallow eggs (14 hatched and fledged) at Rec Park West; commissioners discussed nest-box design and future placement.
Secretary Linda Keeling presented a letter from the Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club at the Jan. 20 meeting summarizing 2025 monitoring of eight bluebird nest boxes at Rec Park West. The letter, from Susan Gilnack (chair of the bird club), thanked the town for access and reported the monitoring results: bluebirds laid nine eggs, all nine hatched and eight fledged; tree swallows laid 18 eggs with 14 hatching and fledging. The letter also noted an ongoing house sparrow problem being managed by volunteers.
Commission member Dave Grover said boxes are now sometimes built with a "double roof so the box doesn’t heat up as much," a modification intended to improve nesting success in warm conditions. Liaison Jacob Testa suggested that when a nearby farm property is sold, the commission or volunteers should approach new owners about placing nest boxes there to expand habitat.
Commissioners agreed to include the letter in the minutes and to consider nest-box placement as part of site planning for Rec Park West.
