All,

I have completed review of the data for 2026 and we have seen a dramatic improvement in the Nesting success rate compared to 2025. We made extensive changes in predator prevention schemes since 2025, and the results are listed below. See the 2026 Newport News Cardinal Golf Course Bird Box Trail Breeding Summary by clicking HERE.

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2025​

         Species           Total nesting attempts    Total eggs    Total nestlings    Total fledglings    Nesting success rate
Carolina Chickadee                    1                             3                      0                            0                              0%
Eastern Bluebird                      63                          243                   140                        98                            41%
                    

2026

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       Species           Total nesting attempts    Total eggs    Total nestlings    Total fledglings    Nesting success rate

Carolina Chickadee                    2                             5                      5                            5                             100%

Eastern Bluebird                      56                          222                   194                        184                            83%

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I thank all of you for your dedication this year!

A special thanks to:

• Bill Boeh our former Trail Leader who outlined a plan to improve our nesting success rate and assisted in making the course changes..

• Cindy Schulz, who set up and monitored the SignupGenius scheduling application.

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Future plans:

• Continue to maintain the boxes on the Cardinal Trail.

• Boxes on the Deer Run course will be cleaned annually; decrepit boxes will be removed.  Mounting poles will remain in place in case future trail leaders decide to actively monitor the Deer Run course.

Ellis Maxey