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Every spring, individuals of all ages venture out of Saskatoon to participate as citizen scientists along the Mary Houston Bluebird Trail, a project initiated in 1969. The trail extends approximately 80 kilometers from just south of Langham, Sask. to just north of Hanley, Sask., featuring small birdhouses attached to fences every 400 meters.
These 250 nest boxes serve as essential habitats for migrating birds, monitored by dedicated volunteers. Greg Fenty, a biologist and retired environmental educator, leads the initiative for the Saskatoon Young Naturalists, a group affiliated with the Saskatoon Nature Society. The Bluebird Trail focuses on monitoring bluebirds and tree swallows to track their productivity and survivorship, aiding researchers in understanding population changes.
Historically, bluebird populations faced declines due to habitat loss and pesticide use until the 1950s when conservation efforts intensified. Bluebirds, known to migrate over 3,000 kilometers south, can live up to eight years on average.
Volunteers are trained by Fenty to handle and band birds properly, distinguishing between species and genders. This hands-on experience not only educates adults but also offers a unique learning opportunity for children to observe bird life cycles and witness them take flight.
Pi Srithammawut and his son Pacer, newcomers to Canada since 2024, joined the Bluebird Trail project to explore their new environment. Their involvement sparked a newfound interest in nature, prompting questions about bird life and family care.
Betty McBride, another volunteer, enjoys bringing her grandchildren to the trail, where they engage in bird handling and learning experiences that enrich their lives and foster a connection with nature. Maycie McWillie, inspired to become a biologist by her childhood experiences at the Bluebird Trail, emphasizes the impact of hands-on citizen science in shaping her career path.
The annual return of banded bluebirds highlights the project’s success, with many birds revisiting the same boxes each year. The initiative also includes workshops where children build wooden bird boxes before the nesting season to replace old or damaged ones.
As spring approaches, volunteers will begin monitoring and banding birds under Fenty’s guidance, emphasizing the importance of outdoor activities that combine fun with scientific learning. The project aims to promote biodiversity awareness while engaging participants in nature conservation efforts.