The Birds and Butterflies Committee adjusted goals based on complications due to Hurricane Florence. Instead of installing several new Bluebird Trails, we decided to visit previously installed trails to determine how much damage had occurred.
With this information we can focus next year on replacing severely damaged or missing birdhouses. While visiting all those sites, we were pleased to find that many of the birdhouses had bluebird nests and our installations had been successful in helping to increase the bluebird population.
Airlie Gardens requested replacement of six houses and posts, which we purchased and delivered. The Arboretum requested three houses and posts, which we also purchased and delivered.
We continued with our decision to provide small plaques to be attached to these houses and posts, designating them as having been provided by the Cape Fear Garden Club. Hopefully this will encourage management of the public venues where we have installed Bluebird Trails to contact us when the houses need repairs or replacement.
Our committee participated in the placement of a fairy garden at the Arboretum during the Garden Tour. We decorated a large metal 12-foot arbor using the theme of a Fairy Garden Tea Party. A photo of our fairy garden was in the Wilmington Star News April 13th edition accompanying an article written by Heather Kelejian. Based on the feedback we have received the Arboretum will make plans for our committee to repeat the installation of our design during 2020.
Our committee was the recipient of a memorial of $200 from the family of Beverly Smith last year. Using those funds, we have begun the initial stages of planning a hummingbird project that will involve volunteers from our committee participating in the Ruby Throat program. This will require observing and compiling information about hummingbirds over a period of a year.