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Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society
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Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society
About
Donate
Events
Gallery
News
Resources
All about: Mountain Bluebirds
Nest Box Building
Trail Monitoring
Annual Reporting
Partners & Links
History
Frequently Asked Questions
Take Action
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All about: Mountain Bluebirds
Nest Box Building
Trail Monitoring
Annual Reporting
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Featured
MBTCS Website Year in Review - 2024
Jan 1, 2025
MBTCS Website Year in Review - 2024
Jan 1, 2025

MBTCS’s 2024 website soared with a 36% traffic boost. Our top articles showcased Mountain Bluebird migration, nest box building, and volunteer resources; pus we engaged readers across North America! Read more about how our website helps to support Mountain Bluebirds conservation by sharing tips and connecting our community through insights for an impactful 2025!

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Jan 1, 2025
Lethbridge Christmas Bird Count 2024: A look at our local winter birds
Dec 20, 2024
Lethbridge Christmas Bird Count 2024: A look at our local winter birds
Dec 20, 2024

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.

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Dec 20, 2024
Embracing NestWatch: enhancing Mountain Bluebird conservation
Oct 28, 2024
Embracing NestWatch: enhancing Mountain Bluebird conservation
Oct 28, 2024

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.

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Oct 28, 2024
The Remarkable Journey of the Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society
May 15, 2024
The Remarkable Journey of the Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society
May 15, 2024

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.

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May 15, 2024
Mountain Bluebirds: 5 key insights from 50 years of nest box monitoring
Apr 27, 2024
Mountain Bluebirds: 5 key insights from 50 years of nest box monitoring
Apr 27, 2024

Learn from our 50 years of experience!

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Apr 27, 2024
50th Anniversary AGM featuring Myrna Pearman (video)
Apr 6, 2024
50th Anniversary AGM featuring Myrna Pearman (video)
Apr 6, 2024

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.

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Apr 6, 2024
Highlighting Nature Conservancy of Canada’s work in Southern Alberta
Mar 18, 2023
Highlighting Nature Conservancy of Canada’s work in Southern Alberta
Mar 18, 2023

As part of our Annual General Meeting we are happy to share updates from the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). We are happy to have several videos of their current initiatives and programs in areas that bluebirds habituate.

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Mar 18, 2023
Citizen Science Projects to Help Birds
Mar 15, 2023
Citizen Science Projects to Help Birds
Mar 15, 2023

If you love birds, then you are likely looking for ways to help birds thrive! Citizen science is a great way to help improve our understanding of birds.

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Mar 15, 2023
‘How to build your own Bluebird Trail’ from Myrna Pearman’s YouTube Channel
Mar 11, 2023
‘How to build your own Bluebird Trail’ from Myrna Pearman’s YouTube Channel
Mar 11, 2023

We are thrilled to share a video from Myrna Pearman’s YouTube channel - specifically this great overview of the Mountain Bluebird Trail Monitoring Guide!

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Mar 11, 2023
Website Year in Review 2022
Jan 7, 2023
Website Year in Review 2022
Jan 7, 2023

Explore highlights from our website’s statistics from 2022! Discover how many visitors explore our website and where they came from. Leave a comment to help us plan our 2023 content.

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Jan 7, 2023
Where do Mountain Bluebirds migrate to in Winter?
Oct 5, 2022
Where do Mountain Bluebirds migrate to in Winter?
Oct 5, 2022

Mountain Bluebirds (Sialia currucoides) are an absolute delight during the early spring and summer in Southern Alberta. When they quickly disappear in September it is clear that the seasons are changing, and autumn has arrived. Where do the Mountain Bluebirds go when they leave Alberta?

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Oct 5, 2022
Bluebird hybrids: help needed with study
Apr 7, 2022
Bluebird hybrids: help needed with study
Apr 7, 2022

Western bluebird numbers appear to be increasing in southwestern Alberta, which suggests they are expanding their range. As they expand, low starting numbers may force them to breed with the more abundant mountain bluebird and produce hybrids… To ensure we don’t miss any sample opportunities, we need the help of citizen scientists and bird enthusiasts from within the community.

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Apr 7, 2022
Website Year in Review 2021
Jan 1, 2022
Website Year in Review 2021
Jan 1, 2022

Explore highlights from our website’s statistics from 2021! Discover how many visitors explore our website and where they came from. Leave a comment to help us plan our 2022 content.

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Jan 1, 2022
30 years of Bluebird Monitoring of the Carol Porter Mountain Bluebird Trail at Cypress Hills
Dec 11, 2021
30 years of Bluebird Monitoring of the Carol Porter Mountain Bluebird Trail at Cypress Hills
Dec 11, 2021

In the last 30 years of monitoring of the Carol Porter Trail there have been three seasons with low numbers of bluebirds fledged: 2002, 2009, and 2021. The weather appears to be the main factor in the number of bluebirds fledged.

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Dec 11, 2021
Share your MBTCS History
Jun 26, 2021
Share your MBTCS History
Jun 26, 2021

As our 50th anniversary approaches we are asking for you to share your stories, photos, and history of the Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society! Help us document our history and the impact over the years.

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Jun 26, 2021
Nest box spacing - Top Recommendations for Various Habitat Locations
Mar 13, 2021
Nest box spacing - Top Recommendations for Various Habitat Locations
Mar 13, 2021

Spacing is one of several factors to consider when you install a new nest box. The right spacing will help you maximize occupancy for Bluebirds while minimizing other occupants. It also enhances the habitat’s available resources, giving the Mountain Bluebirds who raise their young in the nest box with the best chance of success!

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Mar 13, 2021
Nest box placement - Top 7 Recommendations
Feb 28, 2021
Nest box placement - Top 7 Recommendations
Feb 28, 2021

Placement is one of several factors to consider when you install a new nest box. Where you put the nest box will help you minimize repairs or the need for replacement. It will also help provide the Mountain Bluebirds who raise their young in the nest box with the best chance of success!

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Feb 28, 2021
Mountain Bluebird Learning Resources & Research
Mar 21, 2020
Mountain Bluebird Learning Resources & Research
Mar 21, 2020

Thank you to all Bluebird enthusiasts for increasing our collective knowledge about these wonderful animals. Below is a select bibliography for this website. These references will help you to take your study of Mountain Bluebirds (Sialia currucoides) to the next level. Please let us know about other great resources we can add to this page!

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Mar 21, 2020
Nest box paint: yes or no? The results are in!
Oct 27, 2019
Nest box paint: yes or no? The results are in!
Oct 27, 2019

In November 2017 I installed 21 new nest boxes on the Birds Eye Ranch east of Waterton Park. The land owners have seen bluebirds in the area but there have not been any nest boxes in the area for many years. Ten of the boxes were new plywood, 11 of the boxes were painted grey.

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Oct 27, 2019
Observation on New Bluebird Trail Monitors Recruitment
Mar 1, 2019
Observation on New Bluebird Trail Monitors Recruitment
Mar 1, 2019

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.

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Mar 1, 2019
About Parasites found in Mountain Bluebird Nest Boxes
Nov 1, 2018
About Parasites found in Mountain Bluebird Nest Boxes
Nov 1, 2018

The fly larvae that feed on the young bluebirds are common flies. I collected a number of the larvae and pupae from bluebird nest boxes this summer and put them in a jar. Then I left them for a couple weeks until the adults emerged from their cocoons, and what came out? Common flies, nothing special, just the everyday flies you see everywhere in fields and around cattle.

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Nov 1, 2018

 

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Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society focuses on researching, preserving, and revitalizing the habitat of Mountain Bluebirds throughout Southern Alberta, Canada

Registered Canadian Charity #895894467RR0001

Contact MBTCS

Mailing Address:
c/o Box 71
Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 3Y3

Donate Now at CanadaHelps

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