Bobolinks, a threatened species of songbird, is thriving in Regina’s Wascana Centre.
The Bobolink population in the park has jumped to six times the annual average.
Ecologist with the Provincial Capital Commission, Sarah Romuld says the park has turned out to be the perfect place for the birds.
“They’ve adapted to nest in taller grassland habitats, so as we have taller, grassy areas, they’ve kind of made use of that space there, nesting, and foraging” said Romuld. “And because there’s no walking paths by it, it’s not disturbed, and it becomes a very safe space for them.”
Romuld says that the increasing population of Bobolinks in the park is a good thing for both the city and the birds themselves.
“The fact that they’re here and they’re multiplying is a sign to us that we’re managing the area properly, that we’re taking greater efforts and greater strides to have a more natural area, and a more diverse habitat for various nesting birds and wildlife as well, including the Bobolink,” said Rumold.
Romuld says that the Bobolink’s song is very unique and sound like a computer-generated bird call, or if a DJ mixed with a songbird. She adds that the Bobolink is rather easy to spot.
“The male is mainly black in colour, they have white stripes on the back that kind of resemble a reverse tuxedo, and they have this rather large yellow patch on their neck and back of head that you can distinguish quite easily,” said Romuld.
Visitors can best spot the impressive songbird throughout the Wascana Marsh, which runs from Broad Street to Fleet Street, an area which contains both grassland and wetland areas.
