We have a network of 2,700+ Mountain Bluebird nest boxes

Our mission

Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society (MBTCS) is dedicated to studying, conserving, and helping restore the natural range of the Mountain Bluebird across Southern Alberta, Canada.

We do this by providing nesting sites to replace and compensate for the loss of nest sites by land clearing, and provide nesting sites that can only be used by birds the size of the Mountain Bluebird or smaller.

MBTCS works to bring together Trail Monitors from across Southern Alberta - spanning Medicine Hat & Cypress Hills area in the east to Pincher Creek & Oldman River headwaters in the west, and north from the Calgary Bluebird Monitors to the southern Montana Bluebird Trails. We currently have a trail network of over 2,700+ nest boxes!

Our history

“Mountain Bluebird conservation in Southern Alberta was pioneered by the late Duncan Mackintosh of Lethbridge, Alberta, who started setting out nestboxes in 1974. He soon had a core of volunteers, and the group called itself Mountain Bluebird Trails (MBT). In 1980, Duncan met with Art Aylesworth of Ronan, Montana, and the Montana Bluebirders joined MBT.

In 1994, Duncan and Art agreed that, from a logistical point of view, it would be more efficient for bluebirders on each side of the border to run their own organizations. Duncan led the Alberta group, which was officially renamed Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society (MBTCS) in 1995.

At the time of his passing in 1995, Duncan and more than 50 volunteers were looking after 3,000 boxes spread out over 31,080 square kilometre area across southwestern Alberta, from Medicine Hat to the Crowsnest Pass.

Today MBTCS continues to be run by an enthusiastic group of bluebirders who monitor thousands of bluebirds each year, host workshops, and conferences, and actively promote the conservation of all native, cavity-nesting birds.”

Excerpt from Mountain Bluebird Trail Monitoring Guide by Myrna Pearman

Our importance

Since 1980, our efforts to restore the range of the Mountain Bluebird in southern Alberta has been a success.

The dwindling number of birds was and still is partially due to predation and the impact of people on the landscape.

Adverse weather and abundance of ground dwelling insects, their main food source, are two natural factors that also affect bluebird populations. When nesting, the Mountain Bluebird must compete with a number of species of birds such as the introduced English Sparrow and the native Tree Swallow which will take over their nests.

Our volunteer members have been successful in getting mountain bluebirds to return to areas where they were not seen for many years.

With countless volunteer hours, several thousand bluebird boxes have been constructed, installed on fence posts, and maintained every year to provide nesting sites for bluebirds. These bluebird boxes are in groups called “trails” assigned to a Monitor, and MBT boxes range within Alberta from the BC border to the Saskatchewan border and in the north from Claresholm south to the United States border.

The Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society maintains contact with other bluebird societies, the government (Environment Canada/Parks Canada) and the Calgary Zoo.  MBTCS is an active member of the North American Bluebird Society which has adopted part of the Trans-Continental Bluebird Trail at Heritage Acres, near Pincher Creek, AB. Our organization works closely with the Ellis Bird Farm near Lacombe.

The Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society is registered with both the Federal Government of Canada and the Alberta Government as a society with charitable status.

You can get involved

Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society (MBTCS) membership is free for everyone to join. Volunteers are always needed and encouraged.

MBTCS has no income other than donations. We do not receive any funds from government or other societies or groups. The only funds we have are through donations and grants.

Make a donation to our Society to help us build and maintain the nest boxes and Bluebird Trails!

Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society is a registered charity with Canada Revenue Agency.

• All donations made online through Canada Helps receives an instant charitable tax receipt!

• All cash or cheque donations of $20 or more will be acknowledged with a charitable tax receipt.

All spending directly benefits the Mountain Bluebirds!

You can be involved as a passive Member of MBTCS or an active volunteer. Whether as an advocate, Trail Monitor, fundraiser, or any aspect of our organization - we appreciate your help!