Last Mountain Bird Observatory is a bird banding station located in Last Mountain Regional Park. We are a migration monitoring station, capturing birds in the spring (May 8-31) and in the fall (August 8 – October 7). Birds are banded to track migration routes and to help determine population trends. Many of Canada’s birds are declining, and banding stations provide crucial data to understand which species are in trouble and insights into why they are declining. We are open to the public, providing a rare opportunity for people to view birds up close and see scientific data collection in action. We accept volunteers of all skill levels to assist in the banding and monitoring of birds at the station. Visitors and volunteers can camp in the regional park, which provides a number of amenities. If you are interested in visiting or volunteering, email Jordan Rustad, bander in charge, for more information.
Last Mountain Bird Observatory (LMBO) is one of the only monitoring stations in Saskatchewan and has been a member of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network (CMMN) since 1992. The CMMN is comprised of over 25 observatories across Canada under the umbrella of Birds Canada. The objective is to monitor all landbird species. The emphasis is on priority species that are not being adequately monitored by other programs. Please feel free to stop by LMBO this summer, and take the opportunity to observe bird banding. It is open to all families and the general public. Bird banding is a weather dependent activity. Birds in mist nets are exposed to the elements, and because of their small size are sensitive to cold and heat, damp, and wind. We open the mist nets when wind is below 30 km/h, temperatures are between 5°C and 30°C, and when it is not raining or snowing. Last Mountain Bird Observatory is located in Last Mountain Regional Park (LMRP) on the northeast shore of Last Mountain Lake, near the town of Govan. To find LMBO, turn west 5 km north of Govan at the sign for Last Mountain Regional Park, and follow the gravel road for 15 km to the LMRP gate. Once through the park gate, follow the road to the end, and LMBO is on your left. There is no cost to participate in our programming at LMBO. However, there is an entry fee to LMRP. To make camping or other arrangements related to the Park, please directly contact LMRP. If a group plans to visit LMRP outside the hours for which Nature Saskatchewan is providing programming, the group and its leaders are on their own regarding activities.
Find LMBO on Google Maps We welcome all those interested in volunteering at LMBO. For full information on becoming a volunteer please take a look at our LMBO volunteer policy. Here are some resources for LMBO that you might find useful:
LMBO began in the fall of 1989 with a modest banding program, and since 1990 has undertaken intensive landbird migration monitoring. Information gathered provides us with insights into population trends, longevity and movements of birds. On average, 3000 birds of 73 species are banded annually, and since 1990 LMBO has banded over 100,000 birds of 126 species. The total number of birds moving through the area is much higher since banding occurs in only a small section. The five most abundant species banded are: Yellow-rumped Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Clay-colored Sparrow, Alder Flycatcher, and Least Flycatcher. The majority of the migrating songbirds are neotropical migrants (birds breeding in northern latitudes of the Americas and wintering in the tropics).
The birds are monitored through the use of a daily census and systematic use of mist nets (finely woven nets strung between poles along hedgerows). Birds are removed from the nets and tagged with uniquely numbered bands. Data on species, age and sex is also recorded, and all information is forwarded to the Bird Banding Office in Ottawa.
Migratory songbird populations are monitored, as many species are in serious decline due to loss of breeding and wintering habitat. LMBO, located about 100 km south of the boreal forest, is ideally situated to capture data on forest migrants. Nearly 50% of North America's bird species (about 327 species) rely on the boreal forest at some point in their life cycle, with 3 billion of its landbirds (30%), 26 million of its waterfowl (40%), and 7 million of its shorebirds (30%) nesting in the boreal region. Up to 5 billion birds – adults and their young – migrate south from the boreal each fall. Due to many impacts on the North American boreal forest, its future is uncertain: about 30% of the boreal has been allocated for industrial uses (logging, oil and gas, mining and hydroelectric dams); timber companies in Canada cut ~2.5 million acres of timber per year which in some areas is equal to rates in tropical rainforests. Many of North America's most rapidly declining birds are among those most reliant on the boreal forest for their survival; over 40 landbird species that breed in the boreal are in decline.
In May, you can participate in the Great Canadian Birdathon, a program of Bird Studies Canada. This is part of our campaign to raise funds for the observatory and, at the same time, to gain knowledge and have a great time with birding experts. All ages and levels of expertise can participate!
Individuals and small groups are encouraged to stop by the LMBO; however, larger groups of more than 10 people are encouraged to contact the Nature Saskatchewan office to arrange a group visit.
To arrange a visit, please contact Jordan Rustad or 306-539-9415.
If you are a school or community group and would like to organize a visit, please contact Lacey Weekes or 306-780-9481.
Map of Last Mountain Regional Park