Spring Orientation a Success!

Mountain Bluebird Trail Conservation Society (MBTCS) hosted the annual Trail Orientation on June 5, 2021 with 7 people in attendance. President Jim Leitch, provided a tour of his Bluebird Trail in West Lethbridge. The three hour morning walkabout was an ideal opportunity to see a working trail, demonstrate technique with practical advice, and see some amazing sights along the way.

As this was the second Orientation held during the pandemic, we had good practice to implement proper social distancing! The Orientation provided prospective Trail Monitors with a chance to learn about the life cycle of Mountain Bluebirds and what to expect. Joe Michielsen, MBTCS past-president, supplemented the tour with his knowledgeable experience, providing participants with a richer understanding.

Thanks to Kathy Koenig, Joe Michielsen, Jan Warren, and Jim Leitch for sharing photos from the tour. Check out some of the observations below.

We hope you can join us on our next Spring Orientation - usually held on the first Saturday in June - stay tuned to our event page or sign up for our newsletter!

Plenty of Mountain Bluebirds were present nearby throughout our Orientation!

President Jim Leitch explains the ins and outs of monitoring Nest Boxes and how to be an effective Trail Monitor

We were able to take a closer look in the nest boxes to get a sense of the success rate

Bluebird eggs!

Bluebird nestlings!

Bluebird fledglings!

Bluebird fledgling up close!

We observed Violet Green Swallows occupying one of the nest boxes

Foraging food for their hungry young

The Bluebirds were busy the entire time we were there!

Cottontail Rabbit we spotted along the way

We were observed closely by the resident deer!