The Windsor Knolls Middle School Bluebird Box project first started during the 2008-2009 school year with the start of the 'Green Team' club.  The project was a collaborative effort with Technology Education; during the wood working unit, students measured, cut, and assembled approximately 30 bluebird boxes. Later in the school year the Green Team club painted the boxes with natural colors. 

The following school year (2009-2010), science teacher Kate Boller decided to do her thesis on bluebirds. Supplies such as poles and hardware were purchased through a Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) Schoolyard habitat program grant.  The grant funding covered the costs for installing a total of 10 boxes. They were installed in March 2010 by Kate Boller, myself, and community member Chuck Dinkleman. 

The bluebird boxes were installed in pairs, which reduces the chance of other birds invading the boxes. They were placed in different topographic areas; two high in a meadow, two lower in a meadow, and four by a stream. Because bluebirds start nesting early in the year, we did not think that they would lay eggs in the boxes this year. To our surprise, nests were built and eggs were laid in two boxes near the stream!

Inside a WKMS bluebird box: A bluebird and nest with five bluebird eggs

A few weeks ago, the Green Team club checked the boxes for hatched birds.  We heard babies when the box was tapped. I lifted up the top of box and took video of 5 babies looking up for food.  A week later the babies were sleeping and appeared to have doubled in size! 
 
On a side note, several sycamore trees that were recently affected by sycamore anthracnose appear recovered and healthy.  I also took a class to the stream to search for aquatic insects and found that the stream is rated excellent based on the following insects that were collected:  mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, and more!