By Dennis Lindeke

The summer of 2015 was a fantastic one for bluebirds along the Gateway Trail. A total of 62 of these beautiful birds were fledged from the 18 houses along the trail.  The houses are placed along 7 miles of the trail from Wildwood Elementary School in Mahtomedi up to Pine Point Park in Grant.  The houses were placed by members of the Bluebird Recovery Group of the Audubon Society, and they were checked and maintained weekly by a biking group from St. Andrews Lutheran Church (The Holy Rollers).

In 2014, 38 bluebirds were fledged along the trail from 14 newly placed houses.  This year, four more houses were added near Wildwood school.  These new houses, plus returning pairs, resulted in a 63 percent increase in nesting success.

Yay!

Photo of bluebird eggs along the Gateway Trail by Paul Hoff