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


 My Battle With Cancer -  by  John Sawkey

Books - Latest Research - Information


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 transferred to "In Case You Are Interested".


Bird Symposium April 17, 2010

 Detailed Information to Follow

YFBTA : Annual General Meeting Wednesday, February 24, 2010   7:00 p.m.

Saltcoats Sterling Room


A Duty to Care - Rob Wilson

Sightings of Wing Tags Adds to Our Knowledge - Dr. Stuart Houston

Chimney Swifts in Saskatchewan? - Laurel McDonald

Owl Assistance - Bev Kirk

Hawk Assisstance. My Husband and Nature-nut Wannabees - Cindy Smith

Message from Jan Shadick - President of Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatchewan (WRSOS)

Prairie and Parkland Monitoring Program - Katherine Brewster

Grade 1 Students and M.C. Knoll School Studying About Birds in our Area - Marg Wlock

Birding by Water - Ron and Gerri Knudsen

Tour of the Kaposvar Trails - Judy Parker

We Need to Preserve Nature in the Natural State - Paula Maier

The Last Word - John Sawkey


Christmas Bird Count (2009) conducted in the Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail region

Bird Photos by Rob Wilson

Can you identify these birds?

 


The Birth of a Hummingbird

The egg is smaller than a tic tax and a quarter fits the opening of the nest! This is truly amazing.

Be sure to click on NEXT PAGE at the bottom of each page. There are five pages in all. A lady fo9und a hummingbird nest and got pictures all the way from the egg to leaving the nest.

It took 24 days from birth to flight. You will probably never see this in your lifetime again.

http://community-2.webtv.net/Velpics/HUM/


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


www.wild-bird-watching.com


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

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


May your lights shine brightly in 2010.

Health, Happiness and Prosperity.


People who try to whittle you down are only trying to reduce you to their size.

Even a woodpecker owes his success to the fact that he uses his head.

The doors of opportunity are marked "Push" and "Pull".


Blue Christmas

 By Elvis Presley and Martina McBride digitally mastered in 2008.

Elvis born January 08, 1935 - August 16, 1977. Martina was born on July 29, 1966.

http://release.theplatform.com/content.select?pid=5mCzgDf_lCZ3uKBDkKLY2_dqmD4_S0yF&UserName=Unknown


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

Website Updated February 7, 2010

All rights reserved. Photos and articles  belong to contributors.

 

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