After 21 Years, Mary Miller “Retires” as Bluebird Trail Coordinator
Tampa Audubon would like to thank Mary Miller for her 21 (!!) years of service as our Bluebird Trail Coordinator. Mary and Tampa Audubon volunteers monitor and maintain eight Bluebird Trails, with a combined total of 116 boxes, in Hillsborough County.
We’d also like to welcome Sherry Keller as her replacement! Janet Amendola, also a Tampa Audubon member, is equally willing to help Sherry as her assistant. Thank you Sherry and Janet!
In the story below, Mary shares how she became involved in the program and how the program has grown and rewarded her over the years.
By Mary Miller
Bluebird Trail Coordinator
Twenty-one years ago, I saw a notice in Tampa Audubon Society’s newsletter asking if anyone was willing to take over TAS’s Flatwoods Park Bluebird Trail that was installed in the 1970s. I had just retired from my job as Recycling Coordinator for the District School Board of Pasco County and was looking for something interesting to do with my free time. I was encouraged and supported by my husband, John, to volunteer for the position.
The only thing I knew about Eastern Bluebirds was that their populations had been steadily declining since the early 1900s. Thinking that this would be a good learning experience, I volunteered. It turned out to be one of the best things I’ve ever done!
I learned all about bluebirds, found ways to improve the safety of their boxes, and learned to make better places for chicks to grow and fledge. Along the way, I met people who were also interested and became volunteers in making boxes, predator guards, and many other things that needed to be done for the chicks to succeed. Several Eagle Scouts and Girl Scouts also pitched in by making new boxes and predator guards for the trail. This enabled us to upgrade the 38 existing boxes, and add more for a total of 56.
Along the way, I was approached by other people who wanted to start BB Trails at nearby parks and asked if they could help. Now the trails have expanded to eight, and each trail has wonderful monitors. Our monitors are Sonya Rose at Carrollwood Village Park, Patricia O’Brien-Giglia at Hunter’s Green, Joni Hartzler and husband, Gary Krotz, at Lake Park, Sherry Keller at Lettuce Lake Park, Nancy Eydmann at Lithia Springs Park, Mic McCarty and Lynn Mitchell at MacDill Air Force Base, and Roxie Custalow at Sargeant’s Park (she also assists at Flatwoods Park).
This job turned out to be one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done, and I really enjoyed it. However, after twenty-one years, I decided it’s time to step down as Tampa Audubon Society’s BB Trail Coordinator.
I am very fortunate that Tampa Audubon member Sherry Keller has been helping me for the last six years, and I’m delighted that she has offered to take over as the BB Trail coordinator! In addition, Janet Amendola, also a Tampa Audubon member, is equally as willing to help Sherry.
So, as of January 1, 2027, Sherry and Janet will be the new BB Trail Coordinator and Assistant. I’m so happy I found two people who are eager to continue this program!
I’d like to thank everyone who has helped on this long journey, and I'm especially happy that Sherry and Janet volunteered to take over! I’m willing to still be involved and will be supportive in any way I can!
