New at Refuge - "Bluebird Buggy"

Visitors at Hagerman NWR these days may see a new vehicle rolling quietly along Harris Creek Trail once each week. The vehicle, an E-Z-Go, is dedicated to the monitoring of the Bluebird nest boxes along Harris Creek Trail, and was put into service July 15.

In keeping with the Refuge efforts to go green, the vehicle is electric powered. To charge the battery, an electrical cord is simply plugged into a charger in the Equipment Shed. The vehicle has good power for climbing grades and is simple to operate. There is minimum disturbance to wildlife while the vehicle is running. As a bonus for the monitors, it also fun to drive!

Only one more thing is needed - a name! Bluebird Buggy is under consideration.

Note: Lucky people attending the Grand Opening Ceremony on September 8, 2011, may get a shuttle ride from the parking area to the new Visitor Center in the Bluebird Buggy.

For more information about the nest box monitoring project at the Refuge or other Friends activities, please see friendsofhagerman.com, and for complete Refuge information, click Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge.

Photo by Dick Malnory shows monitor Jack Chiles stopping by nest box, in new vehicle.