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10 Easy Steps to Help Migrating Birds
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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
(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
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
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.
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
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.