March 01, 2023
The Annual Nest Box Clean Out Day at the Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center (formerly Wastewater) will be held on March 25, 2023 from 9 a.m.-noon. County employees and volunteers from area nature clubs come together to clean and prepare over 300+ nest boxes for the upcoming nesting season. Cleaning nest boxes before the nesting season begins provides cavity-nesting species such as the Eastern Bluebird and Tree Swallow with quality nesting habitat.
Volunteers meet at the Maple Island Road entrance to the Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center, 698 N. Maple Island Road. Volunteers will then be assigned nest boxes to clean in a designated area. Arrangements can be made for a demonstration on how to properly clean nest boxes on the day of the event for first-time volunteers. This event is held in rain, snow, or shine, so please dress accordingly and bring gloves. This event requires walking outdoors on uneven ground.
Volunteer opportunities are also available during the nesting season (May-July). Volunteers choose a day during the nesting season where they monitor approximately 40 nest boxes which can take approximately 1.5hrs. Volunteering is a great way to learn more about cavity-nesting species, contribute to citizen science, and see nature up close! It also allows everyone to get a bit of fresh air and exercise. Data gathered during the nesting season is reported to the Michigan Bluebird Society and Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Nest Watch website where it is compiled with data throughout Michigan and the United States. Volunteer commitment can be as little as one day during the nesting season or multiple days. Volunteers are eligible to receive one free bird nesting house as a thank you for donating their time and effort during the season (not for the clean-out day).
We appreciate all the support and help to maintain the nesting habitat at our facility!
If you are interested in volunteering contact Anita Friend at (231) 724-3457 between 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday or email at [email protected].
Here is a video about how to monitor a nest box: