Spring Bluebird Trail Orientation a success!

Mountain Bluebird Trail Conservation Society (MBTCS) hosted the annual Trail Orientation on June 6, 2020 with 8 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.

With proper social distancing, prospective Trail Monitors had 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.

We were lucky to enjoy many incidental things, such as a huge pincushion cactus, bee swarm, yellow bellied marmots, rattlesnakes, and many different species of birds. It was a great chance to explore a wonderful coulee environment!

Thanks to John Dubbelboer and Joe Michielsen for sharing photos from the tour. Check out some of John’s commentary and observations below.

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

Dad with a juicy bug for the kids.

Momma bird posing on a rock.

Dad flying in with a food delivery.

This shows the contrast in colouration between Mom (left) and Dad (right).

One of these Bluebird eggs has been damaged, likely by another bird. This nest has likely been abandoned. Typical clutch sizes are 5 or 6 eggs. Roughly 15% have two sets in one season.

The birds hatch without any fluff or feathers. Kind of like baby mice.

After a while the fluff starts to grow in.

Later, the feathers start to grow in, with a few bare spots.

Then the feathers grow some more, and cover all of the skin.

Finally, the feathers start to look real, and with some colour.

These white eggs are from a Tree Swallow’s nest in one of the Bluebird boxes.

And these brown eggs belong to a House Wren.

This baby was very close to leaving the nest – maybe a couple more days.

Demonstrating how to hold the chick for banding of the leg for identification purposes.

Female foraging insects on the ground.

Huge pincushion cactus – 1/3 of a metre across!

There were even some marmots on the trail by the river.

Bluebird house complete with raccoon protection – they will eat the chicks if not secured!

Honey bee swarm in a nearby tree.

Look up - a Swainson’s hawk!

Look down - a prairie rattlesnake!

And as we were leaving, we saw a Meadowlark!

It was a great day to learn about Mountain Bluebirds!