MBTCS News & Updates
Time to submit your data for the season
It’s time to submit your 2025 Mountain Bluebird monitoring data. Each nest box report helps track bluebird populations, guide habitat management, and support conservation in southern Alberta. Download the PDF or Excel data sheet, complete it, and return to Joe Michielsen. Volunteer updates can be shared with Steven Shumborski.
Nature on my Bluebird Trail... plus Black Bear momma and cubs!
MBTCS member Sherri Bohnert enjoyed a memorable day on the Bluebird Trail, capturing both bluebird activity and unexpected wildlife. Her visit featured fledging Mountain Bluebirds, butterflies, wildflowers and even a black bear with three cubs. Sherri’s photos highlight how each trail walk offers new surprises and a reminder to be thankful for nature’s gifts.
A mouse in the house!
Trail Monitor Joe Michielsen shares lessons from finding deer mice in nest boxes. Early spring checks are vital for safe cleaning, preventing disease, and ensuring bluebirds have nesting sites ready each season.
Trail Master’s Spring Report
Our society has approximately 2,660 nest boxes with more added as nest box trails are identified and added to the inventory. There are 103 trail monitors on record! Trail sizes are being reduced to 20 or 30 boxes each so more people can be involved.
Observation on New Bluebird Trail Monitors Recruitment
Recruiting monitors is an ongoing requirement to maintain the trails and keep the nest boxes in usable condition for bluebird nesting. Proximity to the mountains, recreational areas and parks provides a draw, bringing people to the foothills for recreational activities. Monitoring a bluebird trail can be one of the activities that people and families engage in when they are in bluebird habitat.