The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Are you looking for a free educational outdoor experience to engage a child in appreciating birds and developing observational skills? Families are invited to participate in a Friends and Neighbors of the Deschutes Canyon Area (FANs) project to monitor nest boxes for native cavity-nesting birds.

The youth will select a few nest boxes already placed on trees in the Terrebonne area and agree to visit them during the nesting season. The youth will learn about the birds that occupy them and observe such things as: how many eggs are laid, how many chicks hatch, and how many chicks fledge. If the baby birds are banded by a wildlife specialist the youth can be present to help with that procedure also, including holding the chicks. Once the nest is empty it needs to be cleaned out. Basic record keeping is part of the project.

There is no charge, and whole families may be involved with each child “adopting” a box. The project coordinator is Robin Galloway, a FANs member who was formerly a 4-H educator. COVID safety rules will be applied to all aspects of the project. For information or to sign up contact Robin by emailing [email protected] by March 15.