Rehoboth Ramblings

Befriending Bluebirds and the Palmer River
Two new local organizations have come to my attention this month; one is the Rehoboth Bluebird Society and the other is the Friends of the Palmer River. Both are dedicated to preserving and enjoying our beautiful natural environment in Rehoboth.

Bluebirds have long been a symbol of happiness and lately their numbers have been increasing, another happy thought. Now some Rehoboth residents are planning to create the Rehoboth Bluebird Society, according to Hank Coleman. He says that the purpose of this organization will be to educate the public about bluebirds and provide nesting boxes along with information about cavity nesting birds, so people can attract these beautiful little birds to their own yards. Anyone interested or with any questions is encouraged to call Hank at 508-243-0244, or Thurston Tarter at 508-328-7145.

Hank says, “In the late 1990s we began installing bluebird boxes at various locations throughout Rehoboth. Initially, our focus was open space provided by golf courses. Within three years we had bluebirds at Crestwood, Rehoboth, and Middlebrook golf courses. Over the ensuing years the nesting pairs of bluebirds increased. Placement of boxes was increased to include lands under management of the Rehoboth Land Trust, Tranquil Lakes Nursery, Otis Dyer's farm property on Fairview Avenue and Hazelton golf course (formally Sun Valley).”

“With the increasing bluebird population, homeowners began attracting bluebirds to their property. Over the past year I have heard from numerous people who are seeing small flocks of bluebirds. Last year we fledged more than 100 bluebirds.” Hank adds that over 50 bluebirds are fledging annually from the nesting boxes on the Dyer property alone. He also wants homeowners to know that placing nesting boxes on their property contributes to general wildlife conservation.

The Rehoboth Bluebird Society will emphasize the importance of nesting box design, placement and monitoring. For $25.00 annually, they will provide one free nesting box with instructions, on-site advice on box location, and education through email updates. Nesting boxes are also available from Munroe Feed on Fairview Avenue, along with dried mealworms, a favorite treat of bluebirds and a proven way of attracting them to your yard.

Hank says that when we emerge from the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, the Rehoboth Bluebird Society hopes to add seminars, field trips, and programs for kids. “When requested we will visit homeowners to discuss box placement and provide additional educational material. In the future we intend to solicit corporate sponsors and accept individual donations to help defer cost for boxes.”

Eastern bluebirds are among the birds featured in a new book called “Finding Sanctuary: An Artist Explores the Nature of the Mass Audubon” written and illustrated by Barry Van Dusen. This big and beautiful book is a collection of art from the Museum of American Bird Art in Canton, a place well worth a visit. Right now you will need a reservation to visit their art gallery, but they also have a couple of miles of trails for outdoor exploration.

Friends of the Palmer River
Another new organization worthy of note is the Friends of the Palmer River. This is a watershed advocacy group that welcomes everyone who enjoys playing in or around the Palmer River watershed as well as those who just appreciate it from a distance, according to its chairperson, Katy Rourke Wilson. 

Katy says, “Basically anyone who feels a connection to the river for whatever reason is welcome in our organization.  We started meeting on January 7th and have a large, enthusiastic membership base already.  Our events and initiatives will begin this spring and summer once Covid is no longer a looming threat.  Our objective is to give a voice to the river and the thousands of animals who make their home in the watershed.”

Other officers of the group are Laura Dias Samsel, co-chair, Robert Crellin, treasurer, and Kristie Rabbitt, clerk. They encourage anyone interested in the group’s activities to visit the Friends of the Palmer River Facebook page to like them and follow upcoming events. Check out the beautiful photos and artwork of the river that members have posted. I’m looking forward to sharing more information about this group later this spring. You can contact The Friends of Palmer River at palmerriverfriends@gmail.com.