In late November 2022, we received a grant application from Rustin Rawlings, MD.  Dr. Rawlings hoped to create a Bluebird Nesting Box Trail at High Plains Arboretum.  

Our volunteers had birded this area as part of our annual spring and winter birding surveys and occasionally saw Mountain Bluebirds in the area.  But many of us felt that this location was ideal for Mountain Bluebirds and we wondered why more were not nesting in the area.

When our Board received Dr. Rawlings’ application, they were enthusiastic and quickly approved funds to complete the construction of half of the requested boxes, and in 2023 the other portion was also approved.

Today the High Plains Arboretum has 15 nesting boxes which are regularly surveyed by trained CHPAS volunteers with data submitted to Cornell University’s “NestWatch“.

In 2023 and 2024 the nest boxes were inhabited by Tree Swallows and House Wrens.  But in 2025, there were three (3) Mountain Bluebird nests with  a total of 15 fledglings.

“This project is not just for birds and not just for birdwatchers, but for the greater Cheyenne community.  There is something magical about getting to witness the intimate details of a bird’s life and if successful this project will allow us to do just that. It can provide educational opportunities for many in the community as well as important research data on an international level. And the beauty and songs of our native birds will only enhance the experience of visitors at the historic and beautiful High Plains Arboretum.”                                       – Rustin Rawlings, MD, 2022