Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail Association Inc.

Saskatchewan, Canada

Mallard in Flight - Photographer Unknown


 

The area of the Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail Association extends  from the Manitoba border west to #9 Highway.  The Southern part of the area begins with the Qu’Appelle Valley  and  its northern boundary  lies  north of # 10 Highway.  

The area was once almost devoid of trees and bush. It is part of the prairie with agricultural settlement. With  the control of the prairie fires more and more areas of poplar, aspen, and willow bush thrived. There are many small lakes and large sloughs throughout the area. Flowers bloom in abundance and fruits have produced banquets for people and other mammals, including the birds. In recent years agricultural lands have been drained. While some habitat has been destroyed, other has been maintained. Various individuals and organizations have worked to protect the wetlands and to enhance the community knowledge and awareness of environment and environmental concerns. 

An increased number of birders are recording the sightings of more and more species. Apparent changes in migratory patterns has meant larger numbers of geese and cranes  in both spring and  the fall and  an extension  of nesting areas for these birds   and larger numbers of song birds.

Although this website provides information regarding a number of birding trails in this part of Saskatchewan, there are currently five birding trails within the YFBTA region: The Carlton Trail Regional Park, Cherrydale Golf Course and Nature Preserve, Kaposvar Trail, Leflay Trail and Slough View Park. Membership in the YFBTA comes from various parts of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. We will include birding trails  on this website which are not found  in  the YFBTA area.  If you have a birding trail which may be of interest to visitors of this website, please contact the webmaster.

 

Yellowhead Highway # 16  and Yellowhead Flyway  Birding Trails Area


YELLOWHEAD FLYWAY BIRDING TRAIL ASSOCIATION (YFBTA)

YFBTA is a not-for-profit charitable organization  which works to promote awareness of the importance of wildlife and spaces for wildlife.  YFBTA promotes conservation, preservation, awareness and tourism.  

In 1999 a group of concerned individuals began to work on a trail along the edge of Anderson Lake in Saltcoats.  The trail has been developed on private land through the generosity of the Art Klause family.  In 2000 the trail, named the Leflay Trail,  was officially opened. 

During a meeting April 10, 2003 a decision was taken to form a regional birding trail association.  June 5, 2003 marked the inception of the Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail Association (YFBTA).  This organization boasts members from Langenburg, Churchbridge, Bredenbury, Stockholm, Dubuc, Saltcoats, Esterhazy, Yorkton, Canora and other locations.  The YFBTA continues to grow. 

YFBTA works to promote awareness of the importance of preserving and protecting spaces for wildlife to exist.  YFBTA works to promote these spaces and to facilitate tourism. 

Our goal continues to be one of growth.  Increased membership makes YFBTA a stronger and more influential organization.  We urge past members to stay with us by renewing their memberships.  We welcome new members.  You may find that you cannot be an active member.  You may wish to merely attend a few meetings where you will be warmly welcomed.  You may be content to enjoy our newsletters (to which you can contribute).  You may wish to join some of our committees and/or our board of directors.  

Your membership is one more voice advocating for wildlife and wildlife habitat.  Your membership expresses a concern about the falling populations of many of our birds.  Your membership is an expression of interest and concern.  Your membership strengthens YFBTA’s invitation to visitors to stop and spend some time while we educate them about the sights and experiences they can find within our region. 

The YFBTA is affiliated with Nature Saskatchewan which publishes “Nature Views” and “The Blue Jay”.  YFBTA operates this  website www.yfbta.com.

A YFBTA MEMBERSHIP PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES

  • to show concern about protecting wildlife and habitat for wildlife

  • to promote eco-tourism in your area

  • to act as a mentor to youth

  • for learning about wildlife and its environment

  • to participate in wildlife conservation practices

  • to participate in YFBTA programs

  • enjoy and receive our YBTA newsletter   "What's flying around ....."

  • contribute writing and / or digital photographs to our newsletter and/or our website

  • meet like-minded individuals

  • share interests, concerns, sightings and observations

  • attend regular meetings of the board of directors who work on your behalf

  • become a member of the board

  • to promote awareness of the importance of wildlife and of suitable places to visit

  • become actively involved with trail development, management and maintenance

  • connect on a regular basis with fellow members

  • to support our work even if you cannot be active

  • to share your creative ideas

  • to facilitate participation of youth groups in YFBTA programs

  • to contribute to the growing influence of the YFBTA

 YFBTA Membership Form

(Print and Mail Membership form)


You are invited to submit letters, articles, photos and stories or anecdotes for publication on this site. Your suggestions as to how we can improve this web site are also welcome.

You may email  your  contributions  to the web site:  john.s @imagewireless.ca  or by mail to:

John Sawkey - Webmaster YFBTA  - Box 460 Saltcoats, Saskatchewan  S0A 3R0

 


Burrowing Owl  Slide Presentation

North American Birds
Photo Gallery

 
by Peter LaTourrette

http://www.birdphotography.com/index.html 
 


YFBTA Bylaws Christmas Bird CountBIRD TRAILS COMING EVENTS Birds of SaskatchewanYOUTH PROGRAMS Visitors' ResponsesLINKS Kathy's Korner HOME MEMBERSHIPHistory of YFBTANewsletter Articles YFBTA In The News Loon Initiatives In Case You Are Interested

 Links to previous articles posted on this site have been transfered to "In Case You Are Interested".


Notice of next regular YFBTA meeting to be posted as soon as the information is received.


YFBTA to host Fall Meet of Nature Sask - Walter Farquharson

Isabel M. Priestly - Mary I Houston

Habitat loss and the conservation of prairie songbirds - Nicola Koper

A Place Worth Visiting - Marlene and Don Brock

Clark's Nutcracker Sighting : December 2008 - Edith Mann

Barred Owl Sighting at Good Spirit - Terry and Joan Popoff

George Murray: New member of YFBTA Board of Directors - Lauretta Ritchie McInness

 YFBTA Loon Initiatives 2009 - Rob Wilson

An Improvement in the Odds: A Sky of Relief over Yorkton - Rob Wilson

The Last Word - John Sawkey

Christmas Bird Count 2008

Bird Symposium held at Churchbridge


Great places to visit - enjoy nature - relax - enjoy activities - walk - good food - and excellent scenery - any time of the year.    You are welcome!


Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatchewan is a registered non-profit organization that is committed to educating the public about wildlife issues, providing rehabilitation and ensuring the return to the wild of rescued injured and truly orphaned wildlife.

                 Visit : http://www.wrsos.org


 

 

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

 

 Additional photos by Shelley (Scott) Farquharson at Marcelin, Saskatchewan


 

 

 

Shasta Daisies at Slough View Park -  June 2009

 

Photos of a variety of ornamental miniature crabs which provide food for birds and other wildlife.

 

 


PROTECTING CANADA’S BOREAL FOREST FOR BIRDS:

Be a Part of the “Save Our Boreal Birds” Campaign 


Each spring more than half of America's birds flock to the Canadian Boreal forest to nest. Please visit the following interesting website.

http://www.borealbirds.org/


NEWSLETTER ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN "WHAT'S FLYING AROUND...

   Birds of Yorkton-Duck Mountain " By C. Stuart Houston and William Anaka


ADULT/YOUTH BLUEBIRD HOUSE PROJECT


History of Leflay Trail , Carlton Trail Regional Park and Kaposvar Trails updated with photos.  Also  updated are Cherrydale Golf Course and Nature Preserve  , The Ravine Ecological Preserve ,The Barvis Marshes and Maddaford Marshes .

The View at Slough View Park 2006: Pictorial Visit (This page may take several minutes to download.)


10 Easy Steps to Help Migrating Birds

Every spring, more than a billion birds fly home to Canada to start their families. In fact, more than 90 per cent of Canadian birds are migratory. You can give them a helping hand by following this easy 10-Step Program.

http://www.naturecanada.ca/bird_cons_involved_10ways.asp


Kathy's Korner

Winter Travel : The Bed and Breakfast Route - by Kathy Morrell

(These are also excellent places to visit or stay in summer.)

Please check Kathy's Korner for the many articles she has written during the past.


"Saying Goodbye Is The Most Difficult Thing in Life

And We Never Learn To Be Good At It."


If you want to be happy, lower your expectations.

If you want to be great - raise them.


"The Very Best We Can Give Each Other Is Our Love,

Not Our Advice, and Certainly Not Our Judgment"


Please read Visitors' Responses - Recent submissions.  Please tell us your story.

Website Updated July 3, 2009

All rights reserved. Photos and articles  belong to contributors.

 

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