MARSHALL — If someone wants to learn about birdwatching, one of the best people to talk to is Cindy Sabinske.

She spoke Tuesday morning at the Adult Community Center in Marshall. Her talk focused on the Eastern Bluebird, a bird found throughout the eastern United States, including Minnesota.

The bluebird is slightly smaller than a robin. It builds its nest in cavities, competing with a variety of other birds for nesting sites.

Minnesota’s bluebirds winter in Missouri and Texas. Over the past several years, Sabinske has maintained a group of 27 nests at Camden State Park.

Most of the nests attract tree swallows. There were three sets of bluebirds this year, however, compared with none in 2021. At that point, bluebirds faced negative weather conditions when they tried to migrate north in the spring.

“They’re rare in our local area,” Sabinske said. “They face natural enemies, including other birds. We’ve also had a large amount of habitat loss. The Department of Natural Resources wants to help them bounce back.”

Several carefully designed nest devices are intended especially for bluebirds. The bluebirds build their nests in the devices with grass that they weave into the shape of a bowl.

Extruder devices are often attached to the nest boxes to keep out natural enemies. Soap and Vaseline can be applied to the exterior to ward off harmful insects such as wasps.

The boxes are often placed along mowed trails to allow bluebirds to feed on helpful insects. Along with parks, nests are being used at sites such as golf courses and utility lines as well as backyards. Sabinske enjoys birdwatching at her backyard in Ghent.

Bluebirds nest for a period of 21 days. A nest can be used more than once during a summer season. They’re monitored on at least a weekly basis and results are reported to environmental groups.

“The monitoring is a very important part of the process,” Sabinske said. “It helps when we try to identify the best places for nests. Volunteers accept the responsibility for monitoring nests and cleaning the houses after the chicks leave. It takes a commitment.”

She finds that it’s worth the time to have nests because of the many great moments that happen when nests are checked.

She recalled one instance when four chicks were bouncing around inside their house. They were getting ready to leave the nest.

Another time she opened a nest and found four chicks that were waiting to be fed. They responded to her by widely opening their mouths.

“All four mouths opened right away” she said. “They never made a peep but they opened their mouths. It was hilarious.”

She had an aunt who was a avid birdwatcher. She herself has been watching birds for many years and enjoys sharing her interest.

“It’s been a long time,” Sabinske said. “My family has gotten involved. It’s a fun hobby and it’s not expensive. One of the goals is to create interest among young people.”

Near the end of her talk she told the audience about how an online application takes recorded sounds and uses them to identify birds. She usually finds at least several new birds each year.

“I feel like I’m in school,” she said. “There’s always more to learn about birds, and I’m always learning. That’s not a bad thing.”

Arlene Schoephoerstar of Marshall, one of the audience members, said after the program that she used to feed many different birds. At age 91, she still feeds finches with thistle seed.

“I enjoyed the program,” she said. “I didn’t know much about bluebirds. My yard has had many other kinds of birds.”

Loryn Stelter of Marshall said the program tied in well with the knowledge he’s gained by feeding birds in his yard.

“We have several feeders,” Stelter said. We get a really good variety of birds. I enjoy doing it and I liked the program,”

Adult Community Center program coordinator Jenni DeRuyter said she connected with Sabinske through the state’s Bluebird Recovery Program.

“When I contacted them they recommended her,” DeRuyter said. “She has a lot of knowledge. I’m glad she was willing to share it.”