Sherry Griffiths and Nancy and Tim Kerr have been named the 2022 Pennsylvania State Parks Cavity-Nesting Trail Monitors of the Year.

At a brief, informal, and surprise ceremony on Friday, former Chapman Environmental Education Specialist Jen Moore and current Environmental Education Specialist Emily Hunt presented the award to the volunteers.

“Every year, they ask for nominations,” Moore said.

She had no doubt that the Chapman group was worthy, but she wasn’t sure she could nominate more than one person.

Times Observer photos by Brian Ferry Chapman State Park cavity-nesting trail volunteer Sherry Griffiths takes a peek inside a bluebird box at the park after she and fellow volunteers Nancy Kerr, and Tim Kerr, were named the 2022 Pennsylvania Cavity-Nesting Trail Monitors of the Year.

When she was told she could, she put them on the list.

“You guys totally took over this trail and made it your own,” Moore said. “You guys are always out here.”

“You work hard and we appreciate all that you do,” Hunt said.

The volunteers were surprised by the award.

“How sweet,” Nancy Kerr said.

“I’m flattered,” Tim Kerr said. “Thank you.”

“We do it because we like to do it,” Nancy Kerr said. “It’s fun to see the cycle.”

About once a week, the volunteers visit the 27 bluebird boxes – technically cavity-nesting boxes – around the park.

“We look in all the boxes and monitor what activity is going on,” she said.

If there are birds, they count them. If there are eggs, same. If a bird is building a nest, they report that.

“That information goes into a statewide database,” Griffiths said.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Nancy Kerr said. “It’s so interesting to watch this whole process.”

They don’t always find bluebirds in the boxes.

“About 80 percent are tree swallows,” Griffiths said. “There are also wrens and chickadees.”

They enjoy seeing any birds in the boxes, but they hope for bluebirds.

“We get a few bluebirds,” she said. “Those are the ones we cherish.”

“We’re happy however many bluebirds come,” Nancy Kerr said. “They’re special.”

The volunteers know their birds won’t stay forever. “We hope the nests stay in tact and the babies fledge and leave the nest,” Nancy Kerr said. “We’re excited when they’re gone.”

“The trail up here is in good hands,” Moore, who is now the environmental education specialist at Greenwood Furnace State Park in Centre County, said.