Cave House to Host Bluebird Researcher

Kevin Berner will be the next speaker for the Cave House Museum of Mining and Geology. His presentation will be about how you can attract bluebirds to your yard and how to monitor your nest boxes. Schoharie County had been known as the Bluebird Capital of New York State in the 1990s and early 2000s due to the high rate of bluebird production. Former Cobleskill High School agriculture and conservation teacher Ray Briggs was the most critical individual in getting the public involved in helping in the recovery of bluebird populations. He formed and was the first president of the Schoharie County Bluebird Society. That group documented nearly 2000 bluebirds successfully fledging from county nest boxes some years. What had been a rarity locally and throughout their range became a common sight in this area. 

Berner was a professor in the Fisheries, Wildlife, and Environmental Science Department at SUNY Cobleskill for 30 years before retiring in 2017. He conducted bluebird research for a quarter century often with the help of his students. Many of them authored or coauthored research papers with him. His research efforts concentrated on identifying which nest box designs were most attractive to bluebirds while deterring use by invasive bird species. He served as the Research Chairman for both the North American Bluebird Society and New York State Bluebird Society. 

Berner’s presentation will be held at the Cave House Museum of Mining and Geology, 136 Blowing Rock Road in Howes Cave, NY 12092. The Museum and grounds will be open for exploration on Sunday, August 11th from Noon until 4 P.M. The Bluebird Talk will be at 2 P.M. The Museum and presentation are free and open to the public. Several bluebird houses are installed on the Museum grounds.

As a nonprofit, NYS-chartered educational institution, the Cave House Museum promotes an understanding of the importance geology and mining plays in our lives.

Our next Open House and Presentation will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2024!