MBTCS News & Updates
Lethbridge Christmas Bird Count 2024: A look at our local winter birds
The Lethbridge Christmas Bird Count 2024 brought together 80 dedicated participants who tallied an impressive 55 bird species and 31,020 individual birds across the city and surrounding areas. Highlights included new records for Western Meadowlark, American Dipper, and Northern Saw-whet Owl, along with high counts for Mallards, Downy Woodpeckers, and Northern Shrikes.
Embracing NestWatch: enhancing Mountain Bluebird conservation
Discover how the Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society (MBTCS) is enhancing conservation efforts for Mountain Bluebirds by integrating the NestWatch app into trail monitoring—empowering trail monitors and bird enthusiasts alike.
MBTCS Executive Meeting update
On September 16, 2024, the Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society (MBTCS) Executive Committee gathered for their latest meeting, with important updates and decisions shaping the future of our efforts to protect and nurture bluebird populations.
Wrapping up 2024: Nesting season insights from Trail Monitors' Annual Reports
As the 2024 nesting season concludes, we extend our gratitude to all monitors who have submitted their annual reports. Please remember to clean your nest boxes and send any changes in your monitoring status or contact information to Trail Master by the end of September.
Spring Surprises: Trail Monitors share late spring observations
The spring weather and its effects have sparked a lively conversation among our board members, and we're excited to share these observations with you. We also invite you to share your perspective to help us understand spring’s impact on local bird populations.
CBC walks Nest Box Trail with MBTCS President Jim Leitch
On May 31, Ose Irete, CBC Journalist, took a walk with Jim Leitch, MBTCS President, on his Mountain Bluebird Nest Box Trail near Lethbridge. Take a look at the video for an understanding of what to expect when you become a Trail Monitor.
Discovering the wonders of nature at MBTCS’ spring orientation
Our spring orientation was a tremendous success, providing both educational value and an unforgettable wildlife experience. The day offered new members a firsthand opportunity to appreciate the beauty and diversity of local wildlife, with a special focus on the cherished bluebirds that our society is dedicated to protecting.
Trail Master Spring Report
Thank you to all monitors for caring for the bluebird nest boxes. Our Trail Master is accepting requests for nest box renovation to be done after the 2024 nesting season.
Call to Action: support Mountain Bluebird conservation in Southern Alberta
We thank our current donors for their generosity and invite new supporters to join this vital cause. With your help, we can ensure that the skies of Southern Alberta will remain adorned with the Mountain Bluebird for years to come. Let's stand together for wildlife conservation; your support is more critical than ever.
Unwanted guest in Bluebird nest box
Some times we have to deal with unwanted pests that find our nest boxes too irresistible. We are curious if you ever had an issue you wanted to share with others on the website?Here is a story from Jim Leitch, MBTCS president, that he shared back in 2016…
The Remarkable Journey of the Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society
The Mountain Bluebird, facing threats from habitat destruction and invasive species, found a champion in Duncan Mackintosh and the budding community of conservationists he inspired. This marked the beginning of the Mountain Bluebird Trails, an initiative rooted deeply in community effort and ecological stewardship.
President’s Spring Report
Spring has arrived, I think, but we certainly can't draw that conclusion if we use the weather as the determining factor. We know spring has arrived for sure when we hear about early sightings of the beautiful mountain bluebird. Some of those early sightings were in mid to late March this year. Most of our feathered friends arrive to begin their nesting process in April and early May.
Building a Mountain Bluebird nest box: A guide to supporting local wildlife
Every nest box you build is more than just a woodworking project; it's a lifeline for a Mountain Bluebird. You help in the conservation of these magnificent birds, but you're also setting the stage for years of joyful bird watching.
Imagine enjoying a cup of coffee and watching as your efforts pay off with a flurry of bluebird activity—that’s something truly special.
Mountain Bluebirds: 5 key insights from 50 years of nest box monitoring
Learn from our 50 years of experience!
MBTCS newsletter: your gateway to Bluebird conservation in Southern Alberta
Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of a meaningful movement dedicated to preserving the enchanting spectacle of bluebirds in Southern Alberta. Join us in making a lasting impact on our local environment!
Summary of MBTCS Annual General Meeting
The Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society (MBTCS) held its 2023 Annual General Meeting on April 6, 2024, at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre in Lethbridge. The meeting, chaired by MBTCS President Jim Leitch, was attended by 43 members both in-person and via Zoom.
Spring Orientation is June 1
We often talk about monitoring our “trails”. So what is a “trail”? A trail is a series of bluebird nest boxes strategically placed in order to entice a pair of mountain bluebirds to build a nest and raise their family (or families).
If you would like to see what a working trail looks like, you are invited to join Jim Leitch, President of MBTCS, on his trail in west Lethbridge.
Bluebird update from Southeast Saskatchewan
We received this wonderful reader submission from a bluebird lover in southeast Saskatchewan near Estevan. What a nice surprise to hear what is happening with bluebirds in that province, where we often hear very little.
50th Anniversary AGM featuring Myrna Pearman (video)
Check out video of the Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society’s 50th anniversary milestone Annual General Meeting held on Saturday April 6, 2024, at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society celebrates 50 years
The Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society is thrilled to celebrate their 50th anniversary milestone at the Annual General Meeting on Saturday April 6, 2024 at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Myrna Pearman is the featured guest speaker!