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Each spring, individuals of all ages venture out of Saskatoon to the south to participate as citizen scientists along the Mary Houston Bluebird Trail.
Established in 1969, the 80-kilometre trail stretches from just below Langham, Sask. to slightly above Hanley, Sask.
At intervals of 400 meters, small birdhouses are attached to fences along the trail. These 250 nest boxes serve as artificial hollow trees, offering essential habitats for migratory birds under the watchful eye of volunteers.
Greg Fenty, a biologist and retired environmental educator, leads the volunteer initiative for the Saskatoon Young Naturalists through the Saskatoon Nature Society.
According to Fenty, the Bluebird Trail consists of a series of monitored nest boxes placed alongside a rural road to track the breeding success and survival rates of bluebirds and tree swallows.
This data aids researchers in comprehending the fluctuations in bluebird and tree swallow populations over time.
Historically, bluebird populations faced a sharp decline until the 1950s due to habitat loss and pesticide usage. Subsequently, conservation efforts and monitoring have intensified.
Bluebirds, with an average lifespan of up to eight years, cover over 3,000 kilometers during their migration.
Every spring, families gather at the Mary Houston Bluebird Trail to learn about conservation by monitoring baby birds.
Volunteers are taught by Fenty how to safely handle and band birds, distinguishing between genders and species. Fenty possesses a scientific permit from the Canadian Wildlife Service, necessary for bird banding.