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Each spring, individuals of all ages depart Saskatoon to participate as citizen scientists along the Mary Houston Bluebird Trail.
Established in 1969, this trail stretches approximately 80 kilometers from just below Langham, Sask., to slightly above Hanley, Sask.
At intervals of 400 meters, small birdhouses are mounted on fences, serving as vital nesting sites for migrating birds under the care of dedicated volunteers.
Greg Fenty, a biologist and retired environmental educator, leads this volunteer initiative for the Saskatoon Young Naturalists through the Saskatoon Nature Society.
According to Fenty, the Bluebird Trail comprises a series of nest boxes along a rural road, monitored for bluebirds and tree swallows to assess breeding success and longevity.
This monitoring aids researchers in tracking changes in bluebird and tree swallow populations over time.
Historically, bluebird populations declined until the 1950s due to habitat loss and pesticide use, prompting increased conservation and monitoring efforts.
Bluebirds can live up to eight years on average, embarking on a migration journey of over 3,000 kilometers south.
Every spring, families gather at the Mary Houston Bluebird Trail to learn about conservation by monitoring young birds.
Volunteers receive training from Fenty on proper bird handling, banding, species identification, and the significance of males, females, and various bird species. Fenty holds a scientific permit from the Canadian Wildlife Service for bird banding.
