Trail Monitor Stories: Memories along the trail

Every Bluebird Trail has a story.

For some Trail Monitors, it begins with a love of birds or conservation. For others, the trail becomes something more. It is a place for family, friendship, tradition and time spent together.

Trail Monitor Lisa Salonen recently shared this beautiful story about monitoring her trail with her father, Esa, and the memories they continue to make together.

Trail Monitor Lisa Salonen and her father, Esa, have spent several seasons monitoring bluebird boxes together and making memories along the way.

At 83, Esa Salonen is still quick to hop out at each stop and help check the nest boxes along the family’s trail.

My dad, Esa Salonen, is turning 83 in August and has been helping to monitor the boxes along our trail with my daughter and I for the past several years.

We head out together to check the boxes regularly throughout the season, and he always looks forward to our outings.

I drive and Dad is always first to hop out as soon as we pull up to a box. He takes my hand to walk to and from each box, carefully helping each other.

We originally had a trail north of the Oldman Dam before being assigned our current one south of Pincher Creek. Later, I took on Lois Everett's Route 9 when she was no longer able to do it. We still send each other photos of our drives, and a few weeks ago she joined me for a drive along the trail so we could visit her old boxes together and see how the birds were getting on.

My dad and I treasure our drives together along the trail. We admire the birds and flowers, and chat about things like, "Not many sandhill cranes this year," or, "Lots of killdeer this year!"

The trail is peaceful, familiar, and full of simple joys. Spending this time together, trying to make memories that last when others are fading, and sharing something meaningful is a gift that we will both always cherish.

The Salonen family’s trail south of Pincher Creek offers quiet landscapes, abundant wildlife and plenty of time to enjoy the journey between nest boxes.

Thank you, Lisa, for sharing your family’s story with us!

Stories like this remind us that trail monitoring is about much more than checking nest boxes. It connects people with nature, with one another and with a conservation tradition that can be shared across generations.

Do you have a trail story to share? We would love to hear about the people, places, birds and moments that make your trail special. Submit your story to MBTCS for a chance to be featured.

And if you are inspired to become part of the story yourself, consider getting involved with Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society. Whether you monitor a trail, volunteer or support our work, there is a place for you in helping protect bluebirds for generations to come.