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Membership Forms Get Online Membership Form Get Mail-In Membership Form BRAW Forms Hub Please check back soon! In the meantime, you can access active forms directly below. MAIL-IN Nesting Report Form Nesting Data Submission INDIVIDUAL Entry Nestbox Weekly Field Record MULTIPLE Nest Box Weekly Field Record Field Activity Collection Seasonal Task "To Do" Tasks Winter Tasks (December - February) Spring Tasks (March - May) Summer Tasks (June - August) Fall Tasks (September - November) Membership Forms Get Online Membership Form Get Mail-In Membership Form Membership Forms Get Online Membership Form Get Mail-In Membership Form BRAW Forms Hub Please check back soon! In the meantime, you can access active forms directly below. INDIVIDUAL Entry Nestbox Weekly Field Record MULTIPLE Nest Box Weekly Field Record Field Activity Collection Seasonal Task "To Do" Tasks Winter Tasks (December - February) Spring Tasks (March - May) Summer Tasks (June - August) Fall Tasks (September - November) Membership Forms Get Online Membership Form Get Mail-In Membership Form BRAW Forms Hub Page renovation in progress. Please check back soon! In the meantime, you can access active forms directly below. Membership Forms Get Mail-In Membership Form Get Online Membership Form Nesting Data Submission ONLINE 2025 Nesting Report Form MAIL-IN Nesting Report Form Field Activity Collection INDIVIDUAL Entry Nestbox Weekly Field Record MULTIPLE Nest Box Weekly Field Record Seasonal Task "To Do" Tasks Winter Tasks (December - February) Spring Tasks (March - May) Summer Tasks (June - August) Fall Tasks (September - November)

Watch educational videos on bluebird trail monitoring, nest box setup, predator control, and seasonal care. Curated by BRAW for new and experienced monitors. Bluebird Video Library Bluebird Basics & Cavity Nest Boxes

Our Mission To broaden the base of state residents who help Eastern Bluebirds and native cavity nesters by erecting, maintaining and monitoring nest boxes. Our Vision To maintain healthy and stable populations of Eastern Bluebirds and other native cavity nesters in the state. Code of Ethics BRAW members are encouraged to follow North American Bluebird Society (NABS) Code of Ethics encourages birders to protect wildlife, the natural environment, and the rights of others through a set of guidelines. Recent debates over posting rare bird locations, baiting, and the general question of harassment caused NABS to update these guidelines and address those concerns. Our History When BRAW was organized in 1986, it was estimated that the Eastern Bluebird population in its historic range had declined by 90% during the preceding 50 years due to changes in agriculture practices, competition from the House (English) Sparrow and European Starling, severe weather in its central and southern winter range, and the loss of nest sites, such as tree cavities and hollow wooden fence posts. BRAW works to bring to light the efforts of Wisconsin citizens who had been helping bluebirds in the past and those who have recently joined their ranks. Since 1994, BRAW has entered monitors’ data into a computer data base and as a result, through computer analysis of the data, it has gained great insights into the complexities of how management practices and box design affect bluebird population dynamics. Through workshops, the Annual Membership meeting, and through publication of research findings in the Wisconsin Bluebird newsletter, BRAW shares successful birding techniques while hopefully avoiding some of the mistakes painfully learned by earlier bluebird enthusiasts. BRAW seeks to expand public knowledge and enthusiasm for the Eastern Bluebird so that a growing number of people will have the desire to aid cavity nesters and have the knowledge about how to best accomplish this in their own communities. Quick Links Donate About Bluebirds & Resources Starting A Trail Give A Membership Gift County Coordinator List Newsletter Archive Become a member today! Renew Membership Online Shop BRAW Store Contact Us Histtory, Mission, Vision

Join BRAW or renew your membership online. This form supports new members, gift memberships, and donations to help protect Wisconsin’s bluebirds. ONLINE MEMBERSHIP FORM Use This Form to: Apply for Membership Renew Membership Give A Gift Membership Donate Today Form Filling Instructions 1. Fill-in the form below if you plan to apply, renew, or gift a BRAW Membership, and pay online. 2. Fill-in the contact information blanks 3. When done - review entries, then if OK click SUBMIT, and wait a second for payment page to appear. 4. Please answer all questions on payment page by using black arrow at end of response box. 5. Click to pay using your credit card or PayPal. Buy Now Part 1- Provide Your Contact Information Fields marked with an * are required. First Name Last Name Street Address City State Zip / Post Code County Email Phone Number Part 2 - Membership Preference Use Checkbox to Select Desired Membership * Required Gift Annual Membership (Online subscription is emailed to your gift recipient) - $10 USD Student/Teacher Annual Membership (Online WB Newsletter included) - $15 USD Annual Membership (Online WB Newsletter included) - $20 USD 2 Year Annual Membership (Online WB Newsletter included) - $ 40 USD 3 Year Annual Membership (Online (WB Newsletter is mailed) - $60 USD Individual or FamilyMembership (WB Newsletter is mailed) - 25 USD 2 Year Individual or Family Membership (WB Newsletter is mailed) - $50 USD 3 Year Individual or Family Membership (WB Newsletter is mailed) - $75 USD Life Membership - $300 USD Part 3 - Identify Membership Type Note: You cannot gift yourself a membership. Nature of the Membership * Required This is a RENEWAL Membership. This is a NEW Membership. This is a GIFT Membership. Enter name, address, and email of gift recipient. Use this space to enter a message to gift recipient. Submit Form Your membership form has been received. Please wait for the payment to appear on screen. Your content has been submitted Whoops! Something went wrong! Give it another try a little later! Revised 3.29.25.agr Your content has been submitted Your content has been submitted

One of the most exciting an rewarding experience of being a member is to take care of a Bluebird Trail. this page contains useful resources related to monitoring a trail. Links to printable trail monitoring forms are available here for recordkeeping. Monitoring A Trail Once your trail or boxes are up and ready, it is important to monitor them. This will allow the bluebirds to thrive in the best possible conditions. Blue birders are urged to monitor all nest boxes under their care on a weekly basis using monitoring forms. Monitoring Forms Form 20S Multiple Nest Box Weekly Field Record Monitor’s Short Form Form 22 Individual Nest Box Weekly Field Record EZ Form The Annual Bird Nesting Survey Summary EZ Form Frequently asked questions Where should you put the nest boxes to avoid predators? Do not put boxes on wooden fence or electrical posts. The cheapest and most convenient mounting system uses 3/4” electrical conduit. Cut 10’ conduit to 6’-8” lengths. Flatten 4” at end bury 18” of conduit. To the remaining 5’ conduit attach two 3/4” clamps and screw to box. Two 3/4” pieces can be joined with a coupler to make a 6’-8” post. See more… Racoons In the summer of 2012, Leif Marking and assistants videotaped raccoons climbing fence posts covered with PVC tubing. Previously, it was thought that such protected posts not be climbed by them. It was also thought that one detect raccoon predation raids by nesting materials being pulled from boxes. The Marking team found that raccoons remove eggs and pop them into their mouths like we do M & M’s without removing nesting materials. Numerous monitors ask me what causes the loss of eggs with the nest left perfectly intact. We must now suspect that many of these losses are due to raccoons. To prevent raids of your nest boxes by raccoons, two preventive measures are suggested:Use wool or a wire brush to smooth off oxidized PVC and/orSmear car wax paste on the post. House Sparrows House Sparrows are exotic, introduced species from Europe. They have no legal protection from the USFWS in North America. They have a strong, seed crushing beak that easily out-competes the slender/weaker insect-eating beak of other. The best way to prevent these pests from occupying your nest boxes is to keep them away from livestock (especially cattle) or homes with feeders using millet and/or cracked corn as these locations attract large numbers. But these pests can fly up to ½ mile to occupy a box, so considerable habitat is lost nest boxes unless another alternate is used. And the best alternative is a Van Ert trap (VanErt Sparrow traps: 22684 US 69, Leon, Iowa 50144, 641-446-6471, fvanert@grm. net, www.vanerttraps.com (cost is about $10 + S&H) Van Ert are easy to insert and highly effective when used properly. should be set only when the sparrow is building a nest or has already constructed one. Then, all nesting materials should be removed from the box (including eggs). Usually, the male is trapped and that is a good thing because he is the “enticer” of the female. Trapping a female is not as effective as the male will attract another female. Rarely, both are trapped together. Dispose of the sparrow, put a clear, plastic sack (held tight at the bottom) over the nest box. Open the door and the sparrow will fly out and can be penned against the side of the box and disposed of. In 60-75% of the time, only one trapping is necessary to clear up the nest box for protected songbirds. In two years of ALAS studies, almost 100% of boxes with removed sparrows have produced young from other songbirds, mainly bluebirds. The major problem faced by trapping sparrows is how long to leave the traps in place. I use two approaches: Set trap and return after monitoring the rest of my boxes or Set trap and return the next day. By that time, the sparrows are dead, but if you have trapped a swallow or bluebird, they will still be alive and can be released unharmed. My experience is this: “Leaving traps in nest boxes rarely leads to the deaths of accidentally trapped but protected songbirds, if the trap is left no longer than 12 hours”. See also this PDF made by a bluebird lover. Black Flies Black flies are a menace like no other to cavity nesting song-birds. In Wisconsin, blackflies are limited mainly to the south-drift less areas of the state. The counties there have many slow-moving but low-pollution streams that are ideal for of black flies. Female black flies are the real culprit of this insect. Like female mosquitoes, they are attracted by CO2 given off by incubating hens or immobile chicks and bite them for a blood meal. Females are driven off their eggs by the persistent biting of black flies but chicks can’t get away from black flies and are killed by dozens of black fly bites. Anyone who finds a brood of chicks killed by black flies will not soon forget it. But we now have a way to prevent black fly deaths: Use Permethrin-10 poultry insecticide. Dilute it to 0.50% concentration and place it into an aspirator bottle such as a “Windex Bottle”. When you find black flies around your nest box (swarms hover like a large fruit fly) use this protocol to prevent the hen from abandoning the nest box and the death of the chicks: Spray the opening and all cracks on the box, both inside and out If there are eggs in the nest, put a small, clear jar over the eggs and spray the nest thoroughly If there are chicks in the nest, make sure they are at least 3 days of age—mist thoroughly (spray does not harm the eyes) The 2nd week: Spray the hole and cracks on the outside of the box only, again plus the nest if the eggs have not hatched and spray the chicks for the 2nd and final time. If you recognize that black flies are being attracted to your boxes, you can almost eliminate black fly problems entirely, if you use these techniques. Woodpeckers Woodpeckers can cause great destruction to nest boxes as they use them as roost-sites in fall, winter and early spring. Hairy Woodpeckers occupy boxes the most followed by Downy Woodpeckers. We have tried to keep woodpeckers out of our boxes by placing thin wafers of aluminum or ¼” plastic over the damaged holes. Nothing has worked well as woodpeckers have the striking ability to “chisel” materials used to patch the damage. Heavier metal can be used, but is too costly to be useful for large trails. The only practical solution is to leave the boxes open in the winter to keep woodpeckers out (even then, they sometimes do damage). We use wire to keep the doors open as “good Samaritans” walking past boxes completely open, sometimes close them as an act of good will during the winter. Wires can be unwrapped and boxes closed on March 15 to accommodate early arriving bluebirds. These wires can also be used to keep lids open for a week after the first bluebird has fledged to increase the likelihood that the bluebird will produce a 2nd brood. Another advantage to keeping the boxes open during the winter is that chickadees and House Sparrows do not use the boxes for roost sites during the winter. This approach levels the playing field for bluebirds coming to nest in the early weeks of the season. Nest, Egg & Chick Removal for bluebirds, chickadees, Tree Swallows (1, 2, 3, 4) and House Wrens (4): What are the Procedures approved by USFWS in Dec., 2006" Partial or complete nests w/o eggs: 1st week; 2nd , 3rd weeks no change, then remove; restart week count if more building occurs; if wet, remove, replace with dry, fine grass or pine needles (white pine preferred). Touch eggs each week; if they are warm, they are being incubated; if they then turn cold, they have been abandoned and are dead; to test your judgment, remove a single egg and crack it open. If the egg is viable (has a moving embryo), leave the remaining eggs—but if the embryo does not move (= dead) or the egg is empty, remove cold eggs and nest. It is also possible for dead eggs to be incubated well after they should have hatched (up to four weeks), and are warm to the touch. Leaving eggs in a nest this long simply “robs” the nesting pair of precious time in the season when they could be rebuilding a productive nest. To prevent this problem, estimate the date for the last egg being laid (one egg is laid/day). Add 19 days to that date (14 for incubation; 5 for a delay in incubation) and when the monitoring date hits the 19 days or beyond, remove a single egg and repeat the procedure in #2). Chicks starving/lethargic: foster into nests with chicks of similar age, + or – 2 days [place with slightly younger, if possible]: 85% reared by adoptive parents in a 4-year study by the ALAS in central WI. House Wrens Only: If a partial nest of sticks is in your nest box the 1st week, remove them; the 2nd week, remove them and tape the opening. In two weeks, open the box and repeat. The 2nd taping should be left until the end of the season because no other species can nest in the box in the territory of a wren or you can choose to allow the wren to complete its nesting. If egg cup or eggs are found at any time, you should allow the natural cycle to continue. Kent Useful Resources Bluebird Chick Development The First 14 Days By Jack Bartholmai and Pat Ready Life Cycles Eastern Bluebirds Photos by Jack Bartholomai Tree Swallows Photos by Pat Ready and Jack Bartholmai Chickadees Photos by Pat Ready and Jack Bartholmai House Wren Photos by Pat Ready and Jack Bartholmai Nest Guide to Cavity Nesters Eastern Bluebird, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, House Wren, House Sparrow Species Identification of Cavity Nesters The Monitoring Program at Discovery Park, TN This short educational video provides an example of what a Bluebird Monitoring Program is all about.

BRAW is Wisconsin’s voice for bluebird conservation. Since 1994, it has collected and analyzed data on bluebird populations, sharing insights through workshops, meetings, and newsletters. BRAW aims to expand public knowledge and enthusiasm for Eastern Bluebirds, encouraging community efforts to aid cavity nesters. What We Do - Activities and Services BRAW’s volunteer and members generously donate thousands of hours annually to ensure that bluebirds and other cavity nesters survive and thrive in Wisconsin. WE CREATE AWARENESS ... ... of challenges faced by cavity nesting birds. In 1964 there were only an estimated 600 nesting bluebird pairs left in the state. The decline was most likely due to multiple factors, e.g., changing agricultural practices, competition with English sparrows and starlings, weather, lack of suitable nest cavities, and habitat loss. Each year BRAW members’ nest boxes alone fledge thousands of bluebirds, plus numerous tree swallows, chickadees and other birds. WE EDUCATE STATE RESIDENTS... ... about building, locating, maintaining and monitoring nest boxes. BRAW’s 900 members who maintain and monitor over 7,000 nest boxes throughout the state bring a wealth of experience to those wanting to learn how to do it. WE COORDINATE STATEWIDE CONSERVATION EFFORTS... ... geared to sustaining bluebird populations and creating habitat for all cavity nesters. BRAW’s County Contacts facilitate these efforts, plus serve as “go to” help sources. WE SERVE AS AN ONLINE RESOURCE... ... for organizations and individuals to obtain information about bluebirds. Our website www.BRAW.org supplies a wide array of useful resources. WE CONDUCT SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS... ... to promote building, monitoring and maintaining nest box trails. From garden expos to seed store seminars to school workshops, BRAW members spend hours in face-to-face contact with the public. WE KEEP OUR MEMBERS INFORMED... ... via a quarterly newsletter Wisconsin Bluebird, social media, emails, and an Annual Convention that features informative speakers. Networking focuses on sharing best practices for nesting success and practical experience. WE SPEAK for BIRDS... ...While not lobbyists, its officers and Board of Directors publicly voice BRAW’s opinion about issues that impact birds, especially cavity nesters. For example, with help from the North American Bluebird Society and elected representatives, BRAW was able to get Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) properties in Wisconsin opened for erecting bluebird nest boxes. WE SUPPORT RESEARCH... ... BRAW provides funds for field research that helps improve nest box design, as well as refines management tools to increase fledgling production. Current studies have looked at use of wren guards and skylight next boxes to discourage House Sparrows. You can help Eastern Bluebirds and other cavity nesters by becoming a member of BRAW. learn more about our memberships Rev.7.27.24/gk

Introducing BRAW's 2023 Recognition Award Recipients As another year comes to a close, BRAW pauses to recognize the contributions of those who have made special efforts on behalf of bluebirds, the environment and the organization. “I’m always amazed at the dedication exhibited by these individuals to the restoration of the Eastern Bluebird and protection of our environment,” said President Steve Sample. RECOGNITION AWARD CATEGORIES Carol McDaniel Bluebird Lifetime Achievement Educator of the Year Communicator of the Year Bluebirders of the Year Facilitator of the Year Each award recipient received an elegant glass plaque with a blue scuplted base engraved with their name and award category. To learn more about this year's award winners please read on. Carol McDaniel Bluebird Award Sue Cashman Sue Cashman, of Darlington, received the 2023 Carol McDaniel Bluebird Award. According to BRAW President Steve Sample, “the purpose of the award is to recognize persons who have demonstrated a strong dedication to the restoration of the Eastern Bluebird.” The retired teacher recalled that when growing up “my mother loved birds. There also were other folks who shared their interest in birds, especially from a science view.” Cashman is known for her efforts to help bluebirds through the Lafayette County Bluebird Society and the Bluebird Nest Nature Center store in Darlington. Carol McDaniel and Cashman shared both a friendship and an interest in bluebirds. “Carol would visit some of my classes to teach about the Eastern Bluebird,” explained Cashman. Upon her passing, the McDaniel family donated a sum to BRAW which was used to create the Carol McDaniel Legacy Fund. “It is fitting that Sue Cashman is the first recipient of this award to honor Carol McDaniel, who was not only a past president of BRAW, but also of the North American Bluebird Society,” added Sample. Cashman suggested that folks can carry on McDaniel’s legacy “by seeking support from elected officials for legislation that helps birds.” Nominations of current BRAW members for this award are open through August 1, 2024. Check our website www.braw.org for details and an application form. Lifetime Achievement Award Fred & Mary Craig Fred and Mary Craig, of Holmen, received the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award. Fred was also honored with Board of Directors Emeritus status. They were recognized for their work in designing better bluebird houses, conducting field research to improve box management, doing public education and monitoring trails. In announcing the award, President Steve Sample noted that their effort was “a together project from day one.” There was a time when the couple checked more than 100 boxes outside of Holmen, as far north as Merrick and Perrot State Parks, and then south of La Crosse in Timber Coulee country. It would take two days to monitor the boxes. “In a typical year, bluebirds using our boxes would produce over 700 fledglings,” said Fred. “They would also annually average another 60 or so Black-capped Chickadees, Tree Swallows and other cavity nester fledglings,” added Mary. Both were a familiar sight on the Brice Prairie Conservation Area. “We enjoyed meeting new BPCA members and introducing them to bluebird monitoring,” said Mary. “It is heartwarming to get a smile from property owners when they see their first nest full of eggs.” As for the future, both agreed that: “We need to encourage more families to get outdoors and connect with the bluebird population. It definitely is a rewarding hobby.” Educator of the Year Award Paul Noeldner, of Maple Bluff, received the 2023 Educator of the Year Award. According to BRAW President Steve Sample, “Noeldner has led bird education efforts through Madison FUN Friends of Urban Nature workshops and Bird Buddies programs to establish bluebird box trails. Interest in birds started at a young age. Noeldner said “as a young farm kid I used my little binoculars to identify different species of birds. Later on, as a student at UW-Madison, I learned about doing field research and the power of data in understanding our environment.” Now, Noeldner shares his expertise by helping put on “Learn to Make a Bluebird Box” workshops. “Our Madison FUN partner groups and Bird Buddies team are key to educating the public,” he explained. According to Noeldner, “The Madison Parks Department, Badgerland Bird Alliance, Friends of Cherokee Marsh, Wild Warner, BRAW and Friends of UW Lakeshore Nature Preserve help support bluebird trails and educational outings.” Noeldner feels that humankind can help birds by “connecting with environmental and conservation groups to support ethical actions on birds’ behalf.” In accepting his award, Noeldner noted that "he was especially grateful for help from wife Barbara and monitors, plus BRAW members Pat Ready and Stephen Lang." Paul Noeldner Communicator of the Year Dan Small, of Westby, received the 2023 Communicator of the Year Award. The long-time host of Outdoor Wisconsin on Milwaukee PBS and PBS Wisconsin, and contributing editor for the Wisconsin Outdoor News, was cited for being an “important and significant environmental spokesperson for Wisconsin.” According to BRAW president Steve Sample, Small has “worked to educate the public about the state’s many plant, insect and animal species, including the Eastern Bluebird.” In reflecting on his contributions, Small noted: “Throughout my 50-year career, I have encouraged viewers, listeners and readers to learn about the interconnections between birds and other wildlife, and their dependence on a healthy, diverse environment. We need to consider our role as participants in the natural world and as its stewards.” Small’s interest in birds began on family camping trips. “Those experiences helped me understand the complexity of our natural world and led me to a career communicating about its wonders and the many activities that can bring us closer to wild things.” To help birds now and in the future, Small suggests “becoming more aware of the impacts our actions have on nature and preserving natural travel routes used by migrating birds to provide food and safe resting areas.” Dan Small Bluebirders of the Year Dale and Doris Moody, of De Forest, received the 2023 Bluebirders of the Year Award. They were cited for their efforts in helping restore the Eastern Bluebird population of Wisconsin by working with individuals and groups. Together they monitor 89 nest boxes on trails in Iowa and Lafayette counties. Since 2001 bluebird pairs using those boxes have produced nearly 6,000 fledglings. During their travels to other countries, they’ve observed that “nowhere else is there so much focus on bird migration, habitat and protection as in the U.S.” As far as how humankind can help birds, the Moody’s agreed that: “We need to protect habitat, conduct research into bird viruses, and educate people about the importance of birds in nature’s cycle of life.” Dale & Doris Moody Lifetime Achievement Ralph Konrath, of East Troy, received the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award. Konrath, age 90, was cited for tirelessly promoting bluebird awareness over the years. This year he put up and monitored a pair of successful nest boxes in the Oak Grove Cemetery near the entrance to Old World Wisconsin in Eagle Township. The retired Big Cat House and Bird Building employee of the Milwaukee County Zoo at one time monitored three dozen nest boxes at the Whitnall Park Golf Course, plus another 70 in Adams County. Konrath’s interest in birds started eight decades ago. “My grandmother taught me how to monitor bluebird houses,” said Konrath. “She also showed me how to discourage invasive species like house sparrows and starlings.” Growing up on a farm eventually led Konrath to become involved with taking care of animals and birds as a profession. In retirement, he focused on pigeon racing. His main concern now is “that people take care of the environment for all plants and wildlife.” Ralph Konrath Facilitator of the Year Curt Caslavka, of Middleton, received the 2023 Facilitator of the Year Award. He was recognized for his work in increasing prairie habitat for birds. Additionally, President Steve Sample pointed to Caslavka’s efforts at Pope Farm Conservancy and Goose Pond Sanctuary to educate the public about the environment and birds. Growing up in a rural community with nearby natural areas to explore, Caslavka had an interest in wildlife early in his life that later led to seeking a degree in Biological Sciences. While on the academic staff of the UW-Madison, he helped create the Biocore Prairie at the Lake Shore Nature Preserve. “Preserving existing wildlife sanctuaries and creating new habitat are the keys to helping birds retain their population numbers,” observes Caslavka. One thing he believes humankind can do now and in the future is “volunteer time and provide financial support to organizations that protect habitat and the environment for birds.” Curt Caslavka