Barn swallow, bobolink project response unexpected, says Island Nature Trust

The Island Nature Trust says it's overwhelmed by efforts this year to protect two threatened farmland bird populations on P.E.I. and it will continue the campaign next year.

Numbers of both barn swallows and bobolinks have decreased drastically over the past few decades.

The nature trust says the reasons are complex, but that early hay harvesting and the loss of traditional barns and outbuildings have played a role.

Program co-ordinator Shannon Mader says the nature trust reached out to rural Islanders this year through social media and presentations, suggesting ways they can help.

She says more than 100 people have stepped up.

"People have responded in a way we really didn't anticipate," said Mader.

"And people have been opening up their barns and making sure they keep them open for barn swallows, putting up nest ledges in barns that may not have had suitable nesting habitat. And a lot of people have also delayed cutting their hay to avoid the bobolink breeding season."

Mader cautions it will take years before they know how successful the program is in helping restore barn swallow and bobolink populations.