VOLUME 40 | NUMBER 4 | WINTER 2011 SUGGESTED RETAIL: $7.50 CDN Nature Alberta CELEBRATING OUR NATURAL HERITAGE

REDHEAD DRAKE AT COOKING LAKE. BRIAN GENEREUX

feature article Cooking Lake

NATURE ALBERTA A BEAUTIFUL SKY HIGHLIGHTS THE SPECTACULAR COOKING LAKE! SEE THE FEATURE STORY, PG 22. GERALD ROMANCHUK

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GREEN ENERGY TUG-OF-WAR accept as fact and our ability to production. From what I’ve read and heard, separate fact from promotion or We can’t there’s little doubt that wind myth. really blame them; that’s their mandate. Clean coal? Not quite energy on an industrial scale is Reading business-oriented as dirty, maybe. But clean? one of the best ways out of our news and/or articles certainly Good luck with that, most dependency on fossil fuels and aids in clarifying what is going experts say. one of the major methods of on with alternative energy. reducing human-caused, climate- That clarity helps us greatly When it comes to oil, we altering emissions. Clean, green to determine our approach to have exploration, production, energy on an industrial scale is the energy tug-of-war. What sales, use and plans for the widely supported by government, we read in business news is aforementioned continuing the alternative-energy industry, that exploration, development, virtually unabated – even environmental groups and the sale and use of the major fossil from potentially dangerous public in general. Solar (and to a fuels – coal, oil and natural and/or destructive sources lesser extent at this point, geo- gas – continue, almost in a like off-shore, the Arctic and thermal and tidal) are also in the frenzy. There is no intention the tar sands. The profi ts green energy mix, but wind seems whatsoever to reduce the are staggering, which is to be the major thrust. use of fossil fuels; in fact, the why conserving oil is pretty Those who complain about the intent is to increase the use well limited to rhetoric. ecological effects of industrial- to whatever the market will Carbon capture? Even if it scale wind energy are told quite bear. Governments in North does someday work (about simply that if we do not reduce America are almost all on which most experts are very emissions, the effects will be far board (notwithstanding their skeptical), it is prohibitively worse, far more devastating to pronouncements). The reason? expensive with very limited the natural world. Of course, it’s Money, to put it simply. usefulness (hence a negligible effect on emissions) and not that simple because, although Don’t believe me? Well, we unknown consequences for that statement is true, it makes a have a giant coal corporation underground geology. not-very-subtle assumption that pushing for a coal port on the wind energy is one of the best Washington coast for shipping We have an explosion of solutions. Is it? Much depends on millions of tons of coal to Asia. natural gas fi nds (hence what we read and hear, what we That port is but “the tip of the the declining prices) from (rapidly melting) iceberg unconventional sources for the coal industry,” like shale gas and coalbed as the Rainforest Action methane. Fortunately, natural Network put it. The coal gas is much cleaner than coal industry everywhere and oil, because no one has continues to try to expand any intention of reducing markets and boost the amount used – quite the

THE ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT INCREASES SUBSTANTIALLY AS THE NUMBER OF TURBINES INCREASES. WWW.WIND-WATCH.ORG WINTER 2011 3 opposite, particularly in the tar sands, which according to an article in CCPA Monitor (Vol On the Covers: 17, No. 1, May 2010), will by 2012 be using FRONT COVER enough natural gas every day to heat 11.5 The Redhead (Aythya americana), a diving duck, can million homes in Canada for 24 hours. be found throughout most of Alberta. More than Gosh, that all sounds very negative. any other duck species, the Redhead exhibits nest However, we should look on the positive parasitism: the laying of eggs in another bird’s nest; in side. Shouldn’t expanded wind energy this province, Mallards and Lesser Scaups are the most essentially force the reduced use of fossil common hosts. Brian Genereux’s photo has perfectly fuels? To that, we could ask: exactly how? captured the beauty of the Redhead drake. Electric cars, for reasons already well INSIDE FRONT COVER explained elsewhere, are an impractical Dark storm clouds…a lovely rainbow…calm and pipe dream for now and probably years refl ective water: it is scenes like this, by photographer to come. Just one of the many problems Gerald Romanchuk, that constantly remind naturalists is the requirement for massive expansion why they are naturalists, why the natural world has such of the hugely expensive transmission grid meaning and value…and why preserving areas like (Hydro-Quebec has said that it can only Cooking Lake is so signifi cant for our well-being and the future. The Feature Story begins on pg 22. accommodate about 1,000 plugged-in electric cars). INSIDE BACK COVER Because wind energy is so ineffi cient and Long-eared Owls (Asio otus) overwinter in Alberta, erratic, back-up power plants (mostly coal albeit in small numbers. Secretive, mostly quiet throughout the world) must be on stream and exclusively a nocturnal hunter during breeding and producing electricity all the time. Not a season, it is seldom seen. Finding it on a fence post in single coal plant has been decommissioned the open prairie in winter, as Mark Schiebelbein did, is because of wind energy. a treat for birders and photographers! See the story, pg 33. How facts are framed provides insight into wind energy promotion. How many Softly coloured with a red cap and pink blush, it is easy to see why the Common Redpoll (Carduelis times have you read, “Power from the fl ammea) is called “the Christmas bird.” Holle Hahn new windfarm is the equivalent of taking was delighted when a fl ock showed up at her feeder. 100,000 cars off the road!” Not only is The number of redpolls showing up in winter is hit ‘n that comparing apples ‘n oranges, but it is miss: sometimes in abundance, other times very few, rather humourous, since not a single one of occasionally none. Canada’s approximately 17 million cars and While Moose (Alces alces) are not that easy to fi nd trucks have been taken off the road; from in the Cypress Hills, Rick Price seems to have a knack the number of those announcements I’ve for it. Four Moose were introduced into Cypress Hills read, there should be almost NO cars left on Provincial Park in 1956 and seem to have become, if the road. not abundant, at least well established. I mention that because one of the often hidden problems with such announcements, and likewise those touting the number of BACK COVER homes that windfarms could power, is that Like our other two smaller weasels, the Long-tailed unless it is specifi cally stated, we don’t Weasel (Mustela frenata) turns white in winter, except know if they are referring to potential or for the tip of its tail. Found mostly in the southern half actual power production. If potential, it is of the province, it is a fascinating creature to watch, like claiming that your car could go 120 km should the opportunity ever arise. Long-tailed Weasels on only one litre of gas. Well, it could if it also make splendid and artful photographic subjects, as Len Pettitt’s photo illustrates perfectly. See the story (and a photo wasn’t for gravity, friction and resistance. A that shows how the predator can become prey!) on pg 6. THOUGH EXPENSIVE AT THIS POINT, SOLAR 4 NatureAlberta ENERGY IS IDEAL FOR ROOFTOPS, AND MANY GREAT PROJECTS ARE IN THE WORKS. BUT IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, IT IS A DIFFERENT STORY parallel can be applied to wind ECOLOGICALLY. PHOENIX SOLAR PROJECT farms, where effi ciency runs, on average, 20% to 35% – and often barely at all when the need is greatest. One person suggested energy companies are defi nitely that it’s like buying a car that trying to reduce emissions and only runs 20 to 35 per cent of pollution from fossil fuels, but the time: not a great investment the promotion and campaign if you are paying for it yourself! to save the planet from climate change through wind energy Britain may be forced to, and If all that is the case, we might often appears to be mostly hype Japan is re-evaluating. ask sceptically, why isn’t the to appease environmentalists. media reporting all this? Why the There’s another reason for pulling widespread support, promotion, However, as has been reported back, at least in some jurisdictions: subsidies and huge growth in by numerous sources, the the realization that many the wind industry? To the fi rst subsidies, coupled with windfarms are being built with, question, the media has been the recent and continuing at best, little or token concern reporting it; the Globe & Mail, economic tsunami, have led for the natural environment. For for example, has had many many countries with the most a long time, the approach has articles over the last few years experience in industrial wind been that, if it’s declared green, carefully and factually outlining and solar energy production it’s good for the environment and many of the problems of wind to put on the brakes. Denmark no more analysis is required. As energy. To the second question, is the country most often cited Michel Chevalier, a columnist with business news has provided the by proponents as the model real estate publication REM online. main answers for a long time cleanest-of-the-clean: How many com, says: “Most of us used to and those answers are now times have we heard: “Denmark think that green is good, and that creeping into mainstream news gets 20% of its electricity from wind energy is renewable and and politics. One example: In wind power; why can’t we green, so it’s good, without doing late February and in reference follow their lead?!” Good point, any research and with limited to “Clean Energy” from wind except Danish researchers knowledge” (“Opinion: The case and solar (Ontario has stopped discovered in 2005 that while against industrial wind turbines”; calling it “Green Energy”), wind turbines saved consumers REM online.com; Feb 2, 2011). Ontario Energy Minister Brad $200 million in energy costs, That view of things is most Duguid put it best: “We’re these same consumers paid the prevalent with the public, but also creating thousands of jobs. We’re wind industry $280 million in with environmental groups whose attracting billions of dollars of subsidies. Denmark has now members should really know investment . . .” and then, in stopped subsidies for wind better. Whatever happened to what a skeptic might have seen power and only allows new the precautionary principle? After almost as an aside, the vague, turbine installations off-shore. all, the evidence has been piling political de rigeur, motherhood France and Spain are drastically up for years that wind energy statement, “…and we’re building cutting wind and solar subsidies, is potentially damaging – from a cleaner brighter future for our economic, social, rural quality kids.” of life, tourism, health, water That’s right: more and more, quality, wildlife, land degradation, alternative energy is becoming One statistic you never hear property value, democratic and simply a new mega-industry; it’s about Denmark: it generates environmental perspectives. (And the economy, jobs and profi t on about half its electricity from yes, despite efforts to pooh-pooh the backs of consumers and/or coal – a proportion that, despite health problems as “all in their taxpayers. To their credit, most its former obsession with wind power, hasn’t varied in a decade. WINTER 2011 5

heads,” thousands of people and risk management. (His bad. But there are many bad can testify that their ailments are Globe & Mail article is superb – things about our approach to real, not psychological.) Says well worth a reading.) “green energy,” such as: ignoring Chevalier: “Forging ahead and or brushing off the very serious Dr. Nathwani also says that “less consciously ignoring mounting negative effects; the absence well known is a contradiction negative evidence is seriously of serious energy conservation at the heart of green energy irresponsible.” It is worth noting strategies; the single-minded focus technologies – namely, the that it takes very little effort to on mega-sized industrial wind large environmental footprint fi nd the evidence from credible projects (as opposed to the more associated with resources such sources. sensible and friendlier small scale as wind, solar and biomass.” methods); and what appears to be That may be changing a bit. He points out that “energy from a pervasive attitude that we must Ontario recently announced a renewable resources will require maintain our consumer lifestyle, moratorium on offshore wind anywhere from 100 to 10,000 even if it means that the natural farms, “perhaps the fi rst sign” times the land area compared world is ravaged beyond repair. says Dr. Jatin Nathwani “in an to conventional resources. awakening, a more sophisticated Such an expansion of land-use And then there is the elephant understanding of the requirements, in relation to the in the room: wind energy will ramifi cations of implementing useful unit of energy output, not reduce emissions (key ‘green’ energy options. does not rule them out, but word is “reduce”), one reason Much closer attention to the they do raise a red fl ag about perhaps being that energy use is environmental impacts of such ‘green’ assertions.” Strangely, increasing faster than wind energy systems . . . is required” (Globe people seem to have a blind production, another being that no & Mail, “Red fl ags on green spot when it comes to the total one appears to have any intention energy”; Wed, Feb.16, 2011). land requirement effects of wind of reducing the use of fossil fuels Dr. Nathwani is a professor and energy: it’s not just skyscraper- until they are all gone. Ontario Research Chair in Public sized turbines dotted here and It is hoped that environmentalists Policy for Sustainable Energy there; it’s also roads, substations and naturalists will have a look Management at the University and huge transmission lines. at the dark side of wind energy of Waterloo. He has authored or From all of the above, you before continuing to blindly board co-authored three books, and might think that I feel wind the “wind bandwagon.” That at over 70 reports and technical energy is bad. I do not think least might add a bit of balance to publications related to energy that and it is not necessarily the green energy tug-of-war.

INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDES SUBSTATIONS AND HUNDREDS OF KILOMETERS OF TRANSMISSION LINES. WWW.WIND-WATCH.ORG 6 NatureAlberta

GREAT HORNED OWLS CONSIDER WEASELS AS PREY AND WILL TAKE ONE IF THE OPPORTUNITY ARISES. LEN PETTITT

LETTERS TO Add Great Horned THE EDITOR Coyotes, Foxes and Owls to the Mix! Long-tailed Weasels: the BY LEN PETTITT (CAMROSE, ALBERTA) I am a new subscriber to Nature Horned Owl with a weasel in discussion Alberta and after reading its talons. (How often might this “Coyotes, Foxes and Long-tailed happen and not be seen?) In the last edition of Nature Alberta (Fall Weasels” [Fall 2010] thought In 2009 around our area there 2010), following a “Letter to the Editor” that I should contribute to the seemed to be a shortage of by Dick Dekker, I invited readers to given information. I am not a mice and voles, a food source share their thoughts, whether from a professional but a long time for both weasels and Great professional aspect or through personal outdoor person and observer of Horned Owls. I photographed experience, on the predator-prey wildlife. relationship between Coyotes, Foxes and a Great Horned Owl holding Long-tailed Weasels. Dr Dekker’s letter I believe coyotes and foxes a recently-taken weasel. As a was in response to a letter by Dawn contribute to the demise of young teenager some 60 years Dickinson in the Spring 2010 magazine, some mustelids. However I ago living in Manitoba I had on where she was commenting on a note think another predator, the Great occasion seen weasels up in by Dr Dekker in that same issue. It all Horned Owl, has quite a lot to trees and don’t know if it was started with the Winter 2010 cover story, do with the down-sizing of the to escape predators or not. So “Considering Coyotes.” Reader Len weasel family! I have personally they have been doing this for Pettitt’s response is to the right. seen more than one Great some time.

Your Editor welcomes any further comments by readers on this whole fascinating subject. Please email your thoughts to [email protected]. WINTER 2011 7

DEBBIE GODKIN Nature Diary:Muskrat BY DEBBIE AND ALAN GODKIN Our fi rst barn was a garage package that we adapted for our horses. We used an old kitchen cupboard as a feeding station for the cats and horses, and for storing a large garbage can that held the oats.

As I did every morning, I went to While doing chores I noticed but hurried off into the stall when it fi ll a pail with oats, but abruptly some movement behind the saw me. After feeding the horses and pulled my hand back out of the cupboard. It was the muskrat the cats, I watched from the doorway can. A muskrat was sitting quietly eating oats the horses had spilled. to see if the muskrat would return. in the oats. Being that the can was For the next few days the muskrat Sure enough, within a few minutes half empty, the muskrat couldn’t was content to eat the spilled it emerged through the hole and get back out. I tipped the can oats and drink water from the climbed up on top of the cupboard onto its side and the muskrat cats’ dish. But then one morning and joined the cats. It seemed to have made a quick exit. I thought that upon entering the barn, I spotted acquired a taste for cat food. was the last I’d see of the little the muskrat sitting amongst the Over the next month the muskrat critter, but the next morning it barn cats on top of the cupboard. was either waiting with the cats for was back in the oats. I had put When I approached, it scurried breakfast when I entered the barn the lid on the night before, but down behind the cupboard, onto each morning, or eating spilled oats. it was bent up, so I hammered it the cement fl oor, and through a The muskrat showed up in the barn back into shape. hole (which hadn’t been there the during a warm spell in February and night before) into the horse stall. The next day when I went into didn’t leave until the spring thaw late the barn, the lid was intact, and The next morning the muskrat in March. there was no muskrat to be seen. was sitting up with the cats again,

Like many naturalists, Debbie and Alan Godkin, from Westlock AB, have numerous stories of their experiences with nature – stories they love to share with other naturalists in this “NATURE DIARY” series! 8 NatureAlberta

ALBERTA ISSUES IN BRIEF

Science? Bah, Humbug! UPDATE: Land Alberta’s twenty-four year history the recommendations of the Stewardship Act of inaction, decline and failed Scientifi c Subcommittee. The Alberta Land Stewardship Act recovery of Woodland Caribou “Despite endless reports and (Bill 36) generated a huge outcry took another downwards lurch surveys,” says Cliff Wallis, AWA from all walks of life in Alberta. when the Alberta government President, “nothing meaningful The Bill effectively gave Cabinet admitted that it would be ignoring has been done [in the past total control of the province’s land the advice of its own scientists to 24 years] to keep industrial base and prohibited Albertans change this charismatic species development and motorized from challenging any Government from threatened to endangered. access out of caribou habitat. The decision without fi rst getting “The government’s own scientists caribou’s disappearance seems its permission. In response to are sounding the alarm here,” says assured.” this revolt against the Bill (and Nigel Douglas, Alberta Wilderness AWA is asking for the Minister several other similar actions), the Association (AWA) Conservation to release the Subcommittee Government has announced Bill Specialist. “So why is it that documents or it will initiate a 10, the Alberta Land Stewardship everything gets dragged through request under the Freedom of Amendment Act, which the this industry-based politicized Information and Privacy Act. government claims will clarify the process that ends up with nothing “This is a further betrayal by the intent of the original legislation. being done? The losers are the Minister, the Hon. Mel Knight, and According to a March 1, 2011 caribou in the end.” the Deputy Minister of Sustainable message from Morris Seiferling The government’s Endangered Resource Development, Eric (the Stewardship Commissioner Species Conservation Committee McGhan, who as recently as of the Land Use Secretariat), “Bill (ESCC) makes recommendations November 2010 promised action 10 will create a review process to the minister of Sustainable on caribou habitat protection to for people who believe they are Resource Development on the the Alberta Caribou Committee,” directly and adversely affected status of Alberta wildlife. The notes Wallis. by a regional plan. It will also ESCC is a ‘stakeholder’ committee, For more information: require public consultation including representatives from during planning and that draft Cliff Wallis, AWA President: the Alberta Forest Products regional plans be provided to (403) 271-1408; Association, Canadian Association the Legislature before being of Petroleum Producers and Nigel Douglas, AWA Conservation approved.” the Western Stockgrowers’ Specialist: (403) 283-2025 Albertans are encouraged to Association; Nature Alberta is also (From an Alberta Wilderness read Bill 10 and comment on on the Committee. As a non-expert Association Press Release, Feb 22, it. One thing that may be a committee, it often take scientifi c 2011) concern is the statement, “for advice from its own Scientifi c THINKSTOCK.COM people who believe they are Subcommittee. But when the directly and adversely affected Subcommittee recommended in by a regional plan.” This is a December 2010 that the plight of common government tactic used Woodland Caribou was so dire to severely limit criticism and that they should be downgraded public involvement. Comment to: from threatened to endangered, its Christopher.Vandenborn@gov. advice was ignored. The Alberta ab.ca, [email protected], government is refusing to publish and [email protected] WINTER 2011 9

The Great Alberta Land Giveaway On February 3rd, the Alberta Giveaways (offi cially called after all, who wouldn’t accept government announced that “Transfers”) have been going millions of dollars worth of they would give away 84,381 on for several years.2 However, land for just one dollar? Also, acres of public land to sixteen according to Evan Berger, the Municipalities gaining this different rural municipalities. First PC Member of the Legislative massive windfall may not sell the “Potatogate” – now “the Great Assembly, these transfers land off; they may, for example, Alberta Land Giveaway!” were halted in 2009 and 2010. protect native prairie, grazing Now, according to the Feb 3rd ranchland, wildlife habitat. But The amount of land involved in announcement (and ten days that’s not the issue. The issue the “Great Giveaway” is about after Ed Stelmach announced is that the land is no longer 125 square miles or fi ve times that his resignation), the transfers owned by Albertans, and the of Potatogate. As with the potato will speedily continue – unless new owners are free to turn them folly, this potential travesty has Albertans again raise their voices into potato farms, industrial-sized already generated widespread and demand a stop to such wind energy facilities, off-road anger, condemnation and disbelief objectionable decisions. vehicle playgrounds, or any other from many different sectors across development. the province. Apparently, some It should be noted that the government backbenchers are Municipalities cannot be blamed; equally appalled.

Some of the key issues: 1According to the government press release, 35,345 acres in eleven municipalities “will be a) Why is this land transfer retained because of their importance for soil and watershed protection and for the maintenance of biodiversity.” Said SRD Minister Mel Knight: “Our government will keep these sensitive areas being announced in advance as public land. These lands will continue to provide valuable wildlife habitat and grazing and of the release of the South recreation opportunities for Albertans.” Unfortunately, no other information on these “sensitive Saskatchewan River Land Use areas” was forthcoming. Framework? 2The land being transferred has been labeled by the government as “Tax Recovery Lands”: lands b) What sort of environmental which were once private but have been under provincial management for 70 to 80 years because of tax forfeiture. The government claims that the understanding was always that they would be review – if any – did the transferred to the municipalities. Government do to come up with the 35,345 acres it intends to keep?1 c) What input did regional Charges Laid biologists from Alberta Sustainable Resource Alberta Environment has laid improperly Development have in the charges against Statoil Canada Ltd. diverted identifi cation of lands to be for allegedly contravening parts from various protected? Was critical at-risk- of its water licence and providing water bodies species habitat considered in false or misleading information for use in these decisions? regarding water withdrawals at plant operations. The fi rst court its in situ facility near Conklin, appearance is set for April 6 in d) Why is the government so Alberta. The charges relate Edmonton. intent on getting rid of native to separate incidents in 2008 From an Alberta Environment prairie, one of the world’s through 2009 in which water was most endangered landscapes? Press Release, February 10, 2011 10 NatureAlberta

Eyes on IBAs

Beaverhill Lake IBA Site Number 001 BY LISA PRIESTLEY AND CHUCK PRIESTLEY

“And so Beaverhills Lake has endeared itself to many who have come and gone…So far it has survived both natural and man-made vicissitudes but it will take care and planning to ensure that the migrant birds will still come thronging to its shores as they have done through the centuries.” - Robert Lister (The Birds and Birders of Beaverhills Lake. 1979)

Located about 40 km east of signifi cant congregations of species Beaverhill Lake in nationally signifi cant Edmonton, Beaverhill Lake is very that use the lake as a staging area concentrations (greater than 1% of the important during migration for during spring and fall migration. national population). Also, an estimated waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, During spring migration, high 40,000 to 70,000 ducks use the lake as and raptors such as Peregrine Falcon concentrations of Greater White- a staging area and moulting area during and Bald Eagle.1 This large shallow fronted Geese and Snow Geese spring and fall migration (Coopers and lake (139 km2 and 2.3 m Lybrand 1989). Over 20,000 depth when water is high) shorebirds use the lake as a Even though species assemblages may also provides breeding staging area during migration habitat for a variety of change among years, the site clearly remains (Saley 1994). During a single day species of concern such important for large numbers of birds as water in May 1995, 52,334 shorebirds as Piping Plover, Short- levels fl uctuate in and around the lake. were recorded. Colonial nesting eared Owl, and Sprague’s birds, including American White Pipit during the summer. Pelicans and Double-crested Due to these attributes, the lake have been recorded, with greater Cormorants, nest on Pelican Island and was designated a National Nature than 1% of the global population Dekker Islands when water levels are Viewpoint by the Canadian Nature which qualifi ed their abundance high. Fairweather (1999) and Dekker Federation in 1981, and a Wetland as “globally signifi cant” in the (1998) have listed about 291 bird of International Importance under context of IBA designations. Spring the Ramsar Convention (1987). concentrations of four species of arctic breeding shorebirds Beaverhill Lake was the fi rst Beaverhill Bird Observatory coordinates (Pectoral Sandpiper, Black-bellied Important Bird Area (IBA) the Alberta Nocturnal Owl Survey. More Plover, Long-billed and Short- designated in Canada (1997) (Krikun than 200 volunteers participate in this billed Dowitcher) consist of greater and Holroyd 2001). The lake was program each year across the province. than 1% of the global population. selected as an IBA because of American Avocets breed at

1See Nature Alberta, Vol 39, No 3, Fall 2009: “Peregrine Catches Hudsonian Godwit”; and “Herring Gull Actively Hunting Ducks”, both articles by Dick Dekker. WINTER 2011 11

A LEAST FLYCATCHER – ONE OF THE MOST COMMON NESTING BIRDS AT BEAVERHILL NATURAL AREA – SNUGGLES INTO ITS NEST. L & C PRIESTLEY species that have been recorded at the subject of much discussion fl ocks of migrating shorebirds. Beaverhill Lake either on the lake and conjecture.3 These changes When the lake is dry, as has or in the surrounding area.2 in water level are what make been the case recently, foxtail the lake such an important site. barley takes over creating large Lake levels have fl uctuated During dry years, large mudfl ats seed banks for small mammals dramatically over the past form creating habitat for massive which attract raptors in large century, and recently have been concentrations. On 17 April 2006, 191 Short-eared Owls, four Red- FIGURE 1. Changes in Beaverhill Lake levels based on Alberta Environment (1968-1986), tailed Hawks, 25 Northern Harriers, Lister (1979), the Alberta Lake Atlas online, and personal observations. two Rough-legged Hawks, and one Snowy Owl were observed at one time from Francis Point lookout (Priestley et al. 2008). In the summer of 2010, three Short- eared Owls and two Northern Harrier nests were found in a small study area on the south end of the lake (Holroyd, pers. comm.). Even though species assemblages may change among years, the site clearly remains important for large numbers of birds as water levels fl uctuate in and around the lake.

2See Nature Alberta, Vol 40, No 1, Spring 2010 for Dick Dekker’s Feature Story “The Ten Last Years of Birding at Beaverhills Lake” summarizing his personal observations from 2000 to 2009. 3See the Feature Story, “Will Beaverhills Lake ever regain its former greatness” by Dick Dekker in Nature Alberta, Vol 37, No 4, Winter 2008. 12 NatureAlberta

THE YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMONLY BANDED BIRDS AT BEAVERHILL BIRD OBSERVATORY. L & C PRIESTLEY

Beaverhill Bird Observatory steward of the Beaverhill Lake about timing your visit and to see (BBO) is a non-profi t charitable Natural Area, a protected area or download maps and to fi nd out organization that was established on the southeast end of the lake. about the latest bird sightings. in 1984. BBO incorporated in Today, BBO is also caretaker of 1988, and is the second oldest Beaverhill Lake IBA. Over the Acknowledgements bird banding station in Canada. last 25 years, teams of biologists Alberta’s Important Bird Areas project The BBO mandate is to promote and summer students along with would not be possible without generous community interest in birds and groups of dedicated volunteers support from our partners. We really the natural world and to conduct have been banding and counting appreciate the growing number of people that have signed up to be studies of migrant and resident birds in and around the Natural caretakers at IBAs. We thank Alberta birds. In 1987, BBO became Area. The main focus of BBO’s Conservation Association, Alberta monitoring and research programs Sport Recreation Parks and Wildlife has been on obtaining long-term Foundation, Bird Studies Canada, datasets. Initial work started at Nature Canada and TD Friends of the Environment Foundation for their Beaverhill Lake with a focus on contributions to this program (listed migrating songbirds. Over the alphabetically). The Important Bird years, the scope of programs Areas Program is a program of BirdLife carried out by BBO have International, is co-managed in Canada expanded to include provincial, by Nature Canada and Bird Studies national and international Canada and is coordinated across the country by a growing team of provincial programs for a variety of partners, including Nature Alberta. species including Loggerhead Shrike, Burrowing Owl, Alberta amphibians and North American Sometimes it’s spelled “Beaverhill” and other owls (Priestley 2007). times “Beaverhills” (with an ‘s’ on the end). According to Chuck Priestley: “Technically it If you have the opportunity to should be with an ‘s’ but for some reason that visit Beaverhill Lake, you really was dropped from the name. All maps [and should. This is one of Canada’s most other references] now do not use the ‘s’; natural gems. The folks at the the “offi cial” IBA name is also without the ‘s’.” BBO would be pleased to So it would appear that either way could be welcome you. Please visit www. seen as correct. beaverhillbirds.com for details

LONG-TIME VOLUNTEER AND BBO BOARD MEMBER AL DEGROOT INSTALLS A NEW DECK AT THE BBO. AL HAS WORKED REALLY HARD FOR MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS! L & C PRIESTLEY KATIE CALON, BBO’S HEAD BANDER, HOLDS YOUNG NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS. BBO MONITORS 100 OWL NESTBOXES IN AND WINTER 2011 13 AROUND BEAVERHILL LAKE. L & C PRIESTLEY

Fairweather, Roy. 1999. 1999 Priestley, D.L, G.L. Holroyd, and C. Beaverhill Lake Sight Records Priestley. 2008. Short-eared Owl Report. Online: www.connect. invasion at Beaverhill Lake, AB, ab.ca/~snowyowl/99sr/99bhl_sr.htm Winter 2005-2006. Blue Jay 66(3): Krikun, R.G. and G.L. Holroyd. 2001. 131-138. Beaverhill Lake Important Bird Area Saley, H. 1994. Beaverhill Lake Conservation Plan. Alberta Important Interpretive Plan. Orchis Bird Areas Program and Beaverhill Communications Design. Prepared for Bird Observatory. 26 pp. Town of Tofi eld, Alberta Economic Priestley, D.L. 2007. Beaverhill Bird Development and Tourism, and Observatory 1996 to 2006 (20 year Alberta Environmental Protection. report). Beaverhill Bird Observatory, Edmonton, AB. 25 pp. Lister, R. 1979. The birds and birders of Beaverhills Lake. Edmonton Bird Club, Edmonton, AB. 264 pp. Literature Cited Alberta Lake Atlas. 2011. Beaverhill Lake. Online: http://sunsite. ualberta.ca/Projects/Alberta- Lakes/view/?region=North%20 Saskatchewan%20 Region&basin=North%20 Saskatchewan%20River%20 Basin&lake=Beaverhill%20 Lake&number=68&page=Introduction Coopers and Lybrand. 1989. Beaverhill Lake Tourism Master Plan – Final Report. Prepared for Town of Tofi eld and Beaverhill Stakeholders Committee. Dekker, D. 1998. Prairie Water – Wildlife at Beaverhills Lake. University of Alberta Press, Edmonton, AB. VISITORS AT THE BBO WATCH HEAD BANDER KATIE CALON TAKING A LEAST FLYCATCHER OUT OF A MIST NET. L & C PRIESTLEY

Advertising in Nature Alberta

Nature Alberta is now accepting a limited Full details, including rates and sizes, are available at: number of advertisements for future issues. online: www.naturealberta.ca Ad rates vary from $35 (business card size) to email: [email protected] $249 (full page), X2 for colour. phone: (780) 427 – 8124 IT IS EASY TO SEE HOW PIKE ARE SOMETIMES 14 NatureAlberta CALLED “GATORS”! LUC VIATOUR (WWW.LUCNIX.BE) Up Close Naturally: Underwater Predators BY MARGOT HERVIEUX When most people hear the word predator they think of wolves, eagles or big cats, but there are also predators under the water. In Alberta lakes, that top spot is held by pike and walleye. NORTHERN PIKE. WIKIPEDIA/USFWS NATIONAL IMAGE LIBRARY

The Northern Pike or Jackfi sh the reeds or in weedy patches and a hot summer day or by checking rivers (Esox lucius) is one of our largest then darting out, with surprising from bridge crossings. Though not as big fi sh, reaching lengths of 1.2 metres speed, to catch their prey. They as Pike, Walleye can reach 85 cm (34 in) (4 feet) and weights of up to 17 will take all kinds of fi sh as well as in length and weigh up to 7kg (15 lbs). kg (37 lbs). They are common frogs and mice. Large Pike will also Like Pike, Walleye spawn in the early throughout most of the province. snatch other animals such as young spring. They move to rocky shoals or Their distinctive, narrow shape Muskrats and ducklings. gravel bars where the females will lay gives them speed and their rows of One good time to spot a Pike is from twenty- to ninety-thousand eggs. The sharp teeth make them a force to during spring spawning. As the ice eggs remain in the gravel for two or three be reckoned with. retreats, the fi sh gather in shallow, weeks. Silt from erosion or human activity marshy water to fi nd mates and can suffocate eggs during that time. lay their thirty thousand eggs. The Pike and Walleye are fascinating fi sh. eggs are sticky and cling to the Thanks to careful management, both are vegetation, keeping them out of the recovering well from serious over-fi shing mud on the bottom. in the 70s and 80s and we can look WALLEYE. forward to them remaining an important WIKIPEDIA/ The other important predator in our part of their watery world. USFWS lakes is the Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), often called “pickerel” Like all fi sh, Pike continue to (but see the sidebar). These fi sh Pickerel-Perch-Pike! grow throughout their lives. They can be recognized by the two fi ns can live for 25 years and that on their back, the fi rst of which is Nothing illustrates the value of scientifi c Latin allows them to reach signifi cant spiny, and the white patch on their names like the potential hodge-podge of English size even in our colder waters. tail fi n. They are named for their names we have for many fi sh species. Both Pike Aside from Lake Sturgeon, only large, glassy eyes which are well and Walleye are classic examples. The number of Burbot and Lake adapted for seeing in dark water. common or colloquial names for Pike is almost Trout get close endless: from swamp shark to gator to just plain Walleye can be found scattered to this size in “Jack”. Walleye in Alberta, as elsewhere, is often throughout Alberta in lakes and Alberta. called pickerel when in fact it is a perch. True rivers where they feed on all kinds pickerel are a pike. But there’s only one species of Pike hunt by of small fi sh and aquatic insects. pike in Alberta – the Northern Pike. Thus, though hiding among Fish watchers can look for Walleye we have fi ve species of perch, we have no when boating in shallow water on pickerel perch. Actually, we do have a “pickerel” Margot also writes a column for the Peace Country Sun, archived – which is what a young pike is called. There is a copies of which are available at www.peacecountrysun.com. good tongue-twister in there somewhere! WINTER 2011 15 Andrew & The Tyee Renowned Calgary writer and journalist Andrew Nikiforuk has become The Tyee’s fi rst “writer in residence.” Andrew will be contributing a regular column to The Tyee under the heading of “Energy and Equity.”

Andrew is the author of the to energy, and what we sacrifi ce award-winning book Tar Sands: sometimes when we make energy Dirty Oil and the Future of a the centre of our lives.” Continent, a knowledgeable, fact- The Tyee is an independent daily based, must-read for everyone online magazine “dedicated to regardless of whether they are in publishing lively, informative news favour or against the tar sands. His and views, not dumbed down columns in The Tyee are straight- fl uff.” Their promise: “At The Tyee, forward, thoughtful, intelligent you’ll fi nd investigative reporting and trustworthy. no one else is doing.” While based What does Andrew hope readers in B.C. with much of their material will take away from his “Energy related to that province, The Tyee and Equity” columns? “I leave reports continually on issues in that up to readers,” he said in an other provinces, including Alberta. interview with The Tyee. “I hope Many of their stories – B.C. themed to tell some good stories, profi le or not – have a relevance to the some interesting people, perhaps entire country. The magazine cause you to laugh or cry, offer reports on a wide variety of topics, To read The Tyee online and/or to some better insight into human including books, the arts, “Life” subscribe: www.thetyee.ca. condition and our relationship and “Mediacheck”.

Due to a printing error, the inside covers of the last edition of the Our Apologies hard copy magazine were in black and white instead of colour. Our sincere apologies. If you are subscribed to the E-version of Nature Alberta, you received full colour. Note: Because of the lateness of the last edition, the normal “Starry Nights” column was out of date and was replaced with the Feb-April article. Thus, there is no “Starry Nights” in this issue, but it will return with Spring. 16 NatureAlberta

Close to Home: Nature Photography in Alberta

On the Wings of Change BY JOHN WARDEN The Merlin launched from the fence along our backyard, a dart-shaped “arrow with eyes” fl ying straight at our window.

JOHN WARDEN

It was raining hard. She fl ared And so marked the beginning of hemmed in and overshadowed her wings just short of the a transition. The very fi rst bird we by other homes. We can see the house and perched on the saw from the window of our new sky. We can watch the morning railing of our deck, out of the home was this little female Merlin, sun bring our little ponds to life. wind, but not out of the rain. the magician of aerial combat, We have sunrises and sunsets and the huntress. She hung around oh, that gorgeous golden light just I was fl abbergasted. Never for three days, allowing me to before dusk. before had I seen a Merlin so get a couple of nice shots from close. I could see beads of rain Once the sun is gone, we have our back deck. Now that’s nature running off her beak. She was the inky blue blackness of photography “close to home”. no more than six feet away, night. There is a meandering Then she was gone, on to a new just on the other side of the place, like my window from where I was wife Debra and watching. What should I do: I, migrating from enjoy the moment, for surely one home to that’s all it would be, or should another. I run downstairs for my camera? I stayed with the moment and Our new home watched her, rain bedraggled, is everything but beautiful. Suddenly, she we had hoped was alert, on target. She hadn’t for and more. stopped by for a visit. She had It backs onto a followed a large blue dragonfl y couple of small out of the rain and now, she storm water attacked. No contest. It was a ponds, so there dragonfl y dinner for the Merlin, is an openness translucent wings sticking to our view. We sideways out of her mouth. Oh, are no longer my kingdom for a camera!

JOHN WARDEN JOHN WARDEN WINTER 2011 17

path around the ponds and an on the ponds. But the geese were to the ponds and under the moon observation deck built out over already starting to gather. On a and the stars. It’s as if there was the water. We can stand on the westward approach to the ponds, a plan out there in nature that we platform and look out over the the geese fl y right by our back were always supposed to live here water, and up at the stars and deck, almost at eye-level, so close and now we do. Perhaps John the moon. We’ve seen both the we can hear the wind in their Denver said it best, “coming home harvest moon of September and feathers and see the sunlight in to a place you’ve never been the hunter’s moon of October, their eyes. It’s exciting, and it just before”1. hanging low and orange in the seems right that we live here, next evening sky and refl ected by the surface of our ponds. I continue to be awed by the wonder of moonlight on water. Somehow it’s not something I expect to see. But I look for the opportunity now and when I do see it, it’s something special. The soft moonlight speaks of romance, but also of intrigues and creatures in the night. We moved into our new home in mid August when the plant life was still green, leaves still on the trees and mallards and coots still

JOHN WARDEN 18 NatureAlberta

The weeks pass and as we settle The mountain ash trees along the and swarm in the icy blue winter sky, into our new home, the season is path by our ponds are heavy with can the warming breezes of spring transitioning along with the birds. berries and attract the waxwings be far behind? Surely it can only be a The ponds are covered now in ice of winter. In the cold, quiet, few more weeks, or…months. and several feet of snow. But still, desolate depths of an Edmonton And with spring will come the geese there is life. Kids have cleared the winter the fl ashing brown and and ducks and swans and maybe snow from the ice and are playing yellow of hundreds of waxwings even our Merlin. Transitions and shinny hockey nearly every day. moving in a single-minded aerial migrations, opportunities – arriving And of course, there are the dance is for me, not just a sign on the wings of change. waxwings. of life but a triumph of life over winter. So as the waxwings wheel

1Rocky Mountain High, John Denver, John Deutschendorf; Mike Taylor

RICK PRICE

WildWell-known Medicine Hat photographerBabies Rick Price has a number of his videos on YouTube, but the latest is sure to bring a warm smile to your face. “Wild Babies” is a 4 min, 49 sec slide show of Rick’s photos of baby animals: deer, ground squirrels, coyotes, burrowing owls, foxes, bison and many more. Enter “Wild Babies d50r50p YouTube”, sit back and enjoy a lovely show! WINTER 2011 19

Support Nature Alberta through a Birdathon This May Calling all Birdwatchers! Young or mature, skilled or novice! Want to have a lot of fun and help birds, nature and Nature Alberta at the same time?

How? Do a BIRDATHON! Get your Baillie Birdathon on-line at www. Hey! A wonderful Bobolink Birdathon friends, co-workers, extended bsc-eoc.org/support/birdathon/. T-shirt is even available! There are family involved in sponsoring draws for special Young Birdathoner When registering, in the space you on a fun, enjoyable day prizes, and all participants get one provided which states “I want of bird watching this May. It’s chance to win most prizes, regardless to direct some of the money I challenging, exhilarating, and – of amount raised in BIRDATHON, and raised to another conservation beware – addictive! Birdathoners an additional chance for every $250 organization”, designate Nature just can’t help coming back for raised. Alberta, 11759 Groat Road more, year after year! Edmonton AB T5M 3K6; Executive As stated in the Birdathon kit: “Don’t Nature Alberta requests your Director: Philip Penner. For rule out doing your BIRDATHON on a support! Use this wonderful past- those already pledging to one foreign vacation. Many participants time and the Baillie Birdathon of our provincial conservation do this and we love to hear about to provide support to both Bird clubs/organizations or Canadian their adventures! It’s fun to do a Studies Canada (BSC) programs Migration Monitoring Network BIRDATHON with friends. More eyes and and Nature Alberta provincial- sites, please continue that support. ears certainly fi nd more birds, while level education, conservation and sharing the day’s experiences increases Getting your sponsors can be made awareness programs. enjoyment and adds to the memories. easy. The information required Don’t feel you need to tally a big bird As BSC states:”You don’t need will be sent to you on registration. list or sponsor list to be successful in to be an expert about birds; E-mail or provide sponsors with a BIRDATHON. The BIRDATHON motto is: everyone’s efforts are important. brochure available on the Baillie “Have Fun!” You can spend part of a day, or a Birdathon website, along with your whole day (up to 24 consecutive participant name/number. Potential Get more information or register online hours), and check off the sponsors will fi nd an on-line through BSC’s web site; you can also species you see on the provided donation page where they select download the Birdathon kit: www.bsc- checklist”. So plan for an outing you and provide their sponsorship eoc.org/support/birdathon/. Register in May-perhaps through your amount. The more traditional by May 1 for a chance at an Early Bird participation in a provincial May pledge sheets are also provided, Draw. And we hope you designate species count or select any other especially for those who wish to Nature Alberta on your registration outing to your special birding sponsor by species. form. area(s) - and then register for the

Register for the Baillie Birdathon on-line at www.bsc-eoc.org/support/birdathon/. 20 NatureAlberta [Nature Alberta invites and encourages readers to check Ryan’s blog for many of his fascinating fi eld notes articles. He usually posts a set once per week. http://akayokaki. blogspot.com.] AKAYO’KAKI A’PAWAAWAHKAA BY RYAN HEAVY HEAD; SIKOOHKOTOKI, KAINAISSKSAAHKOYI My Walk through Ecology, Dreams, Natural Education and Experience in Blackfoot Territory.

Journaling a record of reciprocations respected educators, capable of has a wolf spider egg sac attached to the between niisto, nikso’kowaiksi, transferring us knowledge of how bottom. These eggs are a very distinct ki kitawahsinnoon…facilitated to live sustainably in the upper salmon-orange color, protected in a by an endeavor to progressively Missouri and upper Saskatchewan sheath of white silk, two disks glued engage with niitsi’powahsin, watersheds. Heavy Head works as together at their edges. The second wood akaitapiitsinikssiistsi, the coordinator of Kainai Studies I turn, which is sunk a bit deeper in the nipaapao’kaanistsi, at Red Crow College, on the earth, is home to several minute ground iiyaohkimiipaitapiiyssin, ki Blood Reserve, where he teaches beetles and about half a dozen baby niitsitapisskska’takssin. fi eld courses in phenology and snails traditional foods. [Note: The Blackfoot translations are on the 13:32. My next stop is at the Beaver-felled following page] poplars on the extreme end of north- SIX-LEGGED THAW pond. This is always a productive insect Ryan Heavy Head and his wife site, though never quite as populated as Adrienne are caretakers of a January 28, 2011 the old planks found here and there on Beaver Bundle for the Blood Tribe 12:48. Sspopiikimi - out here by the wet meadows. I set to work turning of southern Alberta. The Beaver my lonesome this afternoon, to see large branches and pieces of the trunks. Bundle is the most ancient medicine how things are faring after the full Again there are wolf spider eggs, and also bundle in the Blackfoot tradition. week we’ve had of warm chinook a still-cold soil centipede. I encounter a It is the embodiment of a treaty weather. Walking in, north-pond is couple small, live spiders - one of them a between human beings and those still ice-covered, but as per snow crab of some sort, the other a shiny little who have lived here far longer - only the drifts remain. brown-black creature. From the sawdust the plants and animals who the 13:07. With the ground mostly piles I fi nd, there are either poplar borers original humans agreed to treat as thawed, I know that it will be or wood ants dug in here. I also see lots a progressively of evidence of the voles nesting under exciting insect these logs, but no food caches or live season from here rodents. I’m surprised to fi nd none of the on out. I don’t even fuzzy caterpillars hibernating here that get far past the bat were so numerous at this very location tree before I fi nd a last winter couple small pieces 13:57. I fi nally climb the levee and drop of wood worth into the north-wood in hopes of locating turning over. Neither fresh tracks in the muddy soil. But piece is more than the ground seems to be absorbing the a foot long, but melt very well, and it’s really not damp both are home to enough to retain any small mammal little families. The impressions, so I cross around by the fi rst chunk I turn river and return to the levee-walk. Here,

RYAN HEAVY HEAD WINTER 2011 21 at the extreme end of the forest from there to the subpond, I turn BLACKFOOT TRANSLATIONS! main, there is a group of eight over some more boards. Under one of Sspopiikimi: Turtle-Waters, my name magpies scouring the shale trail them I fi nd a very cozy mouse nest, for an oxbow pond of the Oldman for something. They fl y into the but no food stores. Under a couple of River near Lethbridge that is inhabited forest canopy at my approach, and the others, there are clusters of still- by a thick population of painted though I search a patch of the trail cold sidewalk carabid beetles and a turtles. myself, I see nothing of interest. few active meadow slugs I’m presently seated under a tree Ksisskstakioyis: Beaver-Lodge 15:20. The next place I head is to the off the side of the trail, waiting to spring at south-pond. There are two Akayo’kaki A’pawaawahkaa: see if they’ll return to the ground mallards here, but they retreat as soon Many-Wardings-Off Walks-About – the and, hopefully, to what it is they’re as I come within view. The kingfi sher fi rst part being my Blackfoot name eating is also here, and she trills as I pass. Sikoohkotoki: Black-Rock, the area 14:21 . The magpies, of course, The dead pike who got trapped known also as Lethbridge never return. I take another shot by the ice a couple weeks ago are at fi guring out for myself what’s still fl oating in the open pool of the Kainaissksaahkoyi: Blood-Territory so interesting. The only edibles spring. I’m surprised that not even the Niisto: Myself I fi nd are the odd bulberry and coyotes have waded in to pull them some fairly decomposed coyote or out. The one fi sh that I’d dragged to Nikso’kowaiksi: My-Relations raccoon dung. Perhaps the magpies shore last week is completely eaten. Kitawahsinnoon: What-Nourishes- were not searching the trail for any All that remain are the dangerous jaw Us, otherwise known as Blackfoot one thing in particular, but it seems bones, set with many rows of shark- Territory odd to me that so many should like teeth [photo below]. I lift one gather together here if there is no more small board before climbing Niitsi’powahsin: Original-Language abundant food back up on the levee to return to the Akaitapiitsinikssiistsi: Stories-Of- car. Underneath, I fi nd a single beetle 14:50. I hike through the forest The-Ancestors larva of unknown species. Somewhere main and out to the wet meadows, Nipaapao’kaanistsi: My-Dreams out on the river, I hear the whistle- where the big bulrush patch is. Joey wing of a goldeneye in fl ight Iiyaohkimiipaitapiiyssin: Way-Of- Blood reported seeing magpies Life-Of-Those-Who-Belong-To-The- carrying sticks by his house the 23:40. All attempts to control the fl ow Water, referring to those who have other day, and I’m curious to see that sustains life will meet resistance, taken care of Beaver Medicine Bundles if any out here are building or and result in damage, injury, and repairing their nests already. I sit on eventual death. But if you engage with Niitsitapisskska’takssin: Blackfoot- a log at the edge of the forest and the fl ow so intimately that your needs Knowledge-Paradigm watch for about twenty minutes, and its nature feed one another, to but no luck. Then I head down the benefi t to the ksisskstakioyis [“beaver of the whole lodge”] to fi nd out whether, by ecosystem, chance, they’ve broken through then you the thinning ice yet. There is a spot have become between their house and their food fl ow, in the cache that looks like it might have manner of a been opened, but is now iced over, beaver. though this could have been from much earlier in the season. If we continue to get these warm periods, I’m sure it won’t be long before they have fresh air again. Moving

RYAN HEAVY HEAD 22 NatureAlberta

FEATURE ARTICLE Cooking

GEORGE HALMAZNA From Algae to Eagles! BY DENNIS BARESCO

If you travel 27 km east of invertebrates and plankton. As The Cooking Lake Moraine, with Edmonton, you will come upon shallow lakes often are, the its knob and kettle topography, is a large, stretched-out, twisted waters of Cooking Lake are an extremely valuable landscape. body of water that, depending extremely fertile – providing Located in the Prairie Pothole on the time of year, may be habitat for everything from algae Region of Canada, an area alive with waterfowl, shorebirds, to eagles. internationally known for its highly productive wetlands and thus within the boundaries of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, it is dotted with shallow sloughs, ponds, lakes and bogs. Because of its multiple values, some relatively large areas are protected: Elk Island National Park; the Blackfoot Grazing Reserve; Ministik Game Bird Sanctuary; the North Cooking Lake Natural Area. The Ministik,

BATHYMETRIC MAP OF COOKING LAKE. EACH LINE REPRESENTS A 1.5 M CHANGE IN WATER DEPTH. FROM: THE AB LAKE MANAGEMENT SOCIETY. VOLUNTEER LAKE MONITORING PROGRAM, COOKING LAKE 2006 REPORT WINTER 2011 23

Lake

WIKIPEDIA

Joseph and Oliver Lakes Important for the duck deaths in a tailing The food chain, though, starts Bird Area (IBA), though IBA’s are pond, the “creative sentencing” microscopically with phytoplankton: not legally protected, has global initiative and the wisdom of an Diatoms (Bacillariophyta – a class signifi cance for congregating Alberta provincial court judge. of unicellular algae) early in the waterfowl during the fall migration season, progressing to explosive Considering that a considerable [See Nature Alberta, Vol 39, No 3, algal blooms of blue-green algae portion of the Cooking Lake Fall 2009, pgs 31-34]. and green algae as the water Moraine has been cultivated temperature rises in mid-summer Most recently, a group of for agriculture and that country to around 20˚C. Copepods (small, organizations brought another residential subdivisions have aquatic crustaceans) and other 1,350 acres into the protective taken over a large area, protecting zooplankton, along with massive fold: the Golden Ranches. The continuous tracts of habitat is very numbers of Chironomids (midges, purchase of the Golden Ranches sensible at this point – for wildlife often just called “lake fl ies”) plus is a tremendous conservation and conservation, yes; but also for other invertebrates results in the opportunity which was greatly human quality of life, recreation, blessed fertility of Cooking Lake. assisted by a large fi ne to Syncrude ecological goods and services and just plain aesthetics and Of course, as the water levels rise enjoyment. and fall, sometimes dramatically, so does the variety of wildlife. As Dick Dekker writes, bird Nevertheless, Cooking Lake remains watching at Cooking Lake is a a site that naturalists should try to wonderful and exciting recreation visit at least once, if not often. for naturalists. Both shorebirds and waterfowl make good use of the lake for breeding and for moulting, but especially during migration. Water-associated birds An odd name, Cooking Lake? CYCLOPS SPP, A COPEPOD, CARRIES ITS bring the birds of prey: Bald For the Cree, who camped there, EGGS ON THE OUTSIDE OF ITS BODY. Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, gulls, it was perfectly logical to call COPEPODS ARE THE MOST NUMEROUS hawks. the lake opi-mi-now-wa-sioo – ANIMAL IN THE WORLD. IAN GARDINER “a cooking place”. 24 NatureAlberta The Golden Opportunity of Golden Ranches BY DENNIS BARESCO

The Golden Ranches – a 1,640 acre Alberta wetland and ecological gem representing a golden opportunity for conservation, education and compatible recreation! Located on the shores of Cooking Lake and North Cooking Lake and within the Cooking Lake Moraine Natural Area, Golden Ranches is internationally signifi cant as one of the stopover points for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds, habitat for many plants and a vital link in a 377 sq km conservation corridor. With eight kilometers of shoreline, an upland riparian area, grassland and mature forest, and a largely intact landscape for wildlife, it is small wonder that the potential for its conservation has generated so much excitement. The ecological protection of the Golden Ranches began with the purchase of 136.5 acres in August 2009. In the eighteen months since then, over $7.5 million worth of land has been acquired to increase the acreage to 1,350 acres, with the ultimate goal of conserving the entire 1,640-acre (664-hectare) ranch. GOLDEN RANCHES PROPERTY. ALBERTA CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION The realization of this opportunity took great effort by a committed Association (ACA), Alberta Fish “It’s not that often that a conservation group of organizations along & Game Association (AFGA), opportunity unites seven organizations. with the very willing cooperation Ducks Unlimited Canada, Nature For there to be so much common ground of a landowner dedicated to Conservancy of Canada (NCC), there has to be something special about the conservation of the entire Edmonton and Area Land Trust, the place,” explains AFGA’s Brad Fenson. ranch. Seven organizations Beaverhill Initiative and the County “It is located right within key areas worked together to bring about of Strathcona. Suncor Energy already designated and ties everything the conservation of Golden provided early endorsement and together so well.” Ranches: the Alberta Conservation fi nancial support. WINTER 2011 25

Indeed, though located only 27 km conservation partners to conserve east of Edmonton, the property is and restore wetland habitat in an an essential ecological link to Elk area where development is a threat Island National Park and Blackfoot to wetlands. My hope is that this Grazing Reserve to the north, and case sets a precedent; where there Ministik Bird Sanctuary to the is a signifi cant value attached to south. It also lies within the North environmental violations and that American Wetlands Conservation Act the penalties are used to mitigate targeted area as important habitat impacts by applying them to the for migrating and nesting waterfowl. natural resource that was damaged.” “It’s a challenging, exciting exercise With the ranch so close to heavily- in open communication among populated Edmonton, Sherwood the partners and the willingness Park and area, the opportunities to try something new,” says NCC’s are many for showing conservation Juanna Thompson. “For a project at work amidst the surrounding of this magnitude, we need to development. As ACA’s Conservation take a creative, outside the box magazine states: “The site will be approach to ensure everyone’s unique in that it will support a priorities and goals are met. But broad range of low impact visitor all the partners share the same activities without the limited access essential conservation objective: to and designated use restrictions of protect this prize piece of Alberta’s neighbouring protected areas. This wetlands.” low impact, minimal management approach will also help conserve ASSISTANCE FROM CREATIVE the habitat in its most natural state.” SENTENCING The project partners will be drawing A very unfortunate event led up a Property Management Plan to to an opportunity to secure the ensure meaningful stewardship and funds necessary to fulfi ll the management of the area. purchase of the property. In a Bird watching, wildlife viewing, tremendously important decision hunting, hiking, education fi eld by an Alberta Court, and as part trips, absorbing nature, partnerships of the “creative sentence” for in conservation, coexistence with the duck deaths in a Syncrude other sectors, committed people toxic tailing pond, $900,000 of and groups…Golden Ranches, the Syncrude’s fi ne was awarded golden opportunity and experience! to the consortium of groups for key wetland conservation. “The The information in the above article and the quotes are from ACA’s Conservation Magazine creative sentencing penalty,” said (Spring/Summer 2009, Vol 13; and Fall/Winter Todd Zimmerling, President and 2010, Vol 15), and from the NCC website. CEO of ACA, “allows Alberta Conservation Association and our

For more information on Golden Ranches: Visit: www.ab-conservation.com Contact: Brad Fenson (AFGA): 780-437-2342. Contact: Lisa Monsees (Communications Manager, ACA): 780-410-1994 Contact: Nature Conservancy of Canada: 403-262-1253; 1-877-262-1253 ALBERTA CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION 26 NatureAlberta Birding highlights at Cooking Lake in 2009 and 2010 BY DR. DICK DEKKER

It is ironic that a decade dried up, I switched over to sandpipers, predominantly of drought which wiped Cooking Lake. In 2009, I made Semipalmated, with about 5% a total of 16 visits: two each per other species, including Baird’s, Beaverhills Lake totally off month in May, June, July, August, White-rumped, and Stilts. In the map has led to greatly and October, and six visits in addition, I counted about 80 improved opportunities for September. Here too, the water Black-bellied Plovers and 3 Red birdwatching at Cooking Lake. levels had been dropping, leaving Knots. Far out on the lake, the vast mudfl ats, but opening up the surface was dotted with Red- In past years, few Edmonton shoreline for easy access. At each necked Phalaropes. They often birders checked out Cooking Lake, visit I walked a 5 km stretch of fl ew up in dense formations, although it is conveniently located the southeast shore, returning the alarmed by Peregrine Falcons. within view of highway #14 and same way. Sadly, most of the soft Once, there were two falcons on the way to Beaverhills Lake. littoral zone was chewed up by simultaneously swooping down I only stopped off at Cooking ATVs, the modern-day curse of in pursuit of prey. One of them Lake during freeze-up time when the countryside. But, in pleasant succeeded in making a catch and the last of the ducks crowded contrast to Beaverhills Lake, there carried it along inland. together in a few waterholes. Most are no cattle grazing on the south In early evening, when I sat of them were probably cripples, and east shores of Cooking Lake. victims of the shooting season down on a stony point littered or lead poisoning. One or more with soda-encrusted boulders, at SOME OF THE BIRDING least 27 Sabine’s Gulls fl ew by. Bald Eagles could usually be HIGHLIGHTS OF 2009 seen standing on the ice nearby, Some of these pretty gulls alighted and with patience there was a May 25, 2009 on the water, and my telescope chance to watch them trying to A great day, sunny with light revealed the diagnostic yellow- capture one of the splashing and winds and a high of 21 C. tipped bill. Back home, I e-mailed diving ducks. However, during Unevenly spread along the this rare sighting to several local spring and summer I seldom shoreline, there were several birders. A few days later, when visited Cooking Lake because a thousands of migratory Gerald Romanchuk visited the wide belt of bulrush and cattails obstructed the view of the water, GERALD ROMANCHUK and shorebirds were scarce due to the absence of mudfl at habitat. My very last day trip to Beaverhills Lake, after 45 years of frequent visits every spring and fall, was May 16, 2009 (See: “The Ten Last Years of Birding at Beaverhills Lake.” Nature Alberta, Spring 2010). After that pivotal date, when the remnant pool of shallows had all but completely WINTER 2011 27

again Semipalmated, with roughly 10% Sanderlings as well as a few Least and Baird’s, and a single Stilt Sandpiper. Gulls seemed less numerous than before with the majority being Franklin’s and Ring-bills. Countless phalaropes were swimming far out on

THE SILHOUETTE OF A PEREGRINE FALCON IN FLIGHT IS AN IDEAL VISION OF AERODYNAMIC the lake, but I saw no sign of BEAUTY! GERALD ROMANCHUK hunting falcons today. Among the waterfowl were quite a few Eared Grebes and Buffl eheads. lake, he failed to see Sabine’s May 28, 2009. Gulls, but recorded an even rarer There were not as many June and July, 2009 bird: a Snowy Plover. After he sandpipers as three days ago and On June 4, migrant shorebirds alerted his birding contacts, the they were spottily distributed. were gone except for two small little plover was subsequently However, along one kilometre of fl ocks of peeps. As to the locally located by a number of other muddy east shore, at an average breeding waders, Killdeer seemed people. Prior to that day, Gerald of one bird per linear metre, I scarce but Avocets were common: had several times checked out count-estimated 1000 peeps [a on June 26, a colony of about a shallow bay near the Cooking generic, group term for several 30 included at least one large Lake airport and seen a good species of small shorebirds]. chick, and on July 8, I counted selection of waders as well as one In addition, I saw at least 200 six juveniles. The highlight of or two Peregrines on most visits. sandpipers along the next June 26 was a Piping Plover. kilometre. The majority were

A MIXED FLOCK OF AVOCETS, SHOREBIRDS, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS AND ONE REDHEAD. BRIAN GENEREUX 28 NatureAlberta

grounds included a scattering Hudsonian Godwits. Sandpipers of Lesser Yellowlegs, Black- were generally scarce. Those bellied Plovers, and a few small close enough for identifi cation fl ocks of peeps. After a warm turned out to be Pectorals and week, the shallow waters had Semipalmated, with the odd Baird’s receded farther out and the or Least, and a single Stilt. Scanning stench of rotting algae was the deeper water well off-shore overwhelming. through binoculars, I discovered hundreds if not thousands of Red- August, 2009 necked Phalaropes. Gulls were GERALD ROMANCHUK The shoreline was packed also numerous: mostly Franklin’s, with thousands of loafi ng Bonaparte’s, and Ring-billed, with Its alarm behaviour betrayed that ducks. Fearful of people the odd Herring Gull. it might be nesting. On July 10, with or without shotguns, all there were two protesting adults, waterfowl fl ushed with a roar September, 2009 and on July 28, I saw two nearly of wings well ahead of my On Sept 6, several fl ocks of White- full-grown chicks scurrying about approach. Several hundred fronted Geese passed by, totalling with a parent. On the same date, Lesser Yellowlegs were less about 800 birds, and dozens of in the shallows around a stony jumpy. Here and there, I Water Pipits twittered along the islet, I counted approximately walked by a couple of foraging shore. The highlight of the month 400 Avocets, 50 Marbled Godwits, Greater Yellowlegs, Marbled was a Parasitic Jaeger. Scanning and 80 Hudsonian Godwits. Godwits, and Willets. At one the lake I had picked it up far away. Other migration arrivals on their location, there were dozens of When it went down on the water, way back from northern breeding Long-billed Dowitchers and 24 I kept it in focus of the binoculars.

BOTH LESSER AND GREATER (PICTURED) YELLOWLEGS CAN BE SEEN DURING MIGRATION AT COOKING LAKE. BRIAN GENEREUX WINTER 2011 29

and May were a disappointment. the number of yellowlegs was Based on my long experience at reduced to three. But the Avocets Beaverhills Lake, huge differences had doubled their number and I may occur from year to year, counted 6 Hudsonian Godwits. perhaps depending on continental Between May 1 and May 26, weather patterns, which may BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS. GERALD ROMANCHUK I visited the lake on ten days, force migrants to bypass Alberta usually in the afternoon. During and travel through Saskatchewan a warm spell in the second Some ten minutes later, it fl ew up instead. Local weather was week, millions of chironomids again and approached closely to generally cold and windy. There (lake fl ies) rose like a smoke pursue and harass a Ring-billed was no snow melt run-off and screen over the shore. Their Gull, giving me a perfect view lake levels were about as low as larvae (blood worms) provided of the jaeger’s diagnostic tail. in the fall of 2009, despite several the shorebirds with plenty Shorebirds became progressively good spring rains. scarcer but still included a fair of food, and the sky was full variety. Apart from a few peeps, My fi rst visit of April 23 seemed of screaming Franklin’s Gulls I came across 30 Sanderlings promising. Walking the same hawking the midges. stretch of south shore as last year, and 12 Black-bellied Plovers, On May 10, there were about 80 I saw about 50 each of Avocets as well as some species I had dowitchers and the odd Willet and Lesser Yellowlegs in addition not recorded before at this lake, probing the shallows. The fi rst to one Hudsonian Godwit and such as one Golden Plover, one small fl ocks of peeps showed up one Killdeer. The surprise was Ruddy Turnstone, and two Buff- on May 14, when the weather two Black-necked Stilts, my fi rst breasted Sandpipers. Avocets turned very cold. In ensuing remained locally common until sighting of this the end of the month, with 300 species at Cooking still present on October 1. On the Lake. Three days 17th, my last visit of the year, the later, the stilts only waterbirds seen were ducks. were gone and

BIRDING HIGHLIGHTS OF 2010 Spring 2010 A GULL TWISTS Compared to the previous year, TO NAB A MIDGE. shorebird migrations in April GERALD ROMANCHUK

COOKING LAKE WATER LEVELS AND ANNUAL PRECIPITATION By mid September 2010, it had already become evident that The remainder of autumn was quite dry and the mudfl ats began this year was going to be a fairly wet one. At the Edmonton to widen alarmingly. Kilometres from shore, as viewed through the International Airport, the accumulated precipitation had already binoculars, Avocets and gulls could be seen standing in water that surpassed the 30-year mean of 450 mm. On December 31, the did not come up to their bellies. What conditions will be like this Edmonton Journal reported that the year’s total ended up at 511 coming spring remains to be seen. As of late February 2011, the city mm. Unfortunately, despite frequent rains between April and of Edmonton has received its fair share of snow. All of it and more is August, Cooking Lake went down and down. In the spring, I had badly needed to bring Cooking Lake back up to what it was twenty placed a marker stone at the water line. By mid September, the lake or thirty years ago. Hopefully, we are due for a big spring run-off. By level had dropped about 20 cm. This confi rms something I learned comparison, in 2010 southern Alberta and parts of Saskatchewan and at Beaverhills Lake: summer evaporation greatly exceeds rain fall. Manitoba have been hit hard by spring and summer fl oods. Giving For this reason, it is vitally important that infl owing streams should the cyclic nature of the local climate, one of these years it is central not be dammed. Alberta’s turn. 30 NatureAlberta

days, the largest fl ocks I saw Summer and Fall, contained no more than one 2010. or two hundred birds, mostly Walking my familiar Semipalmated Sandpipers and route up the a few Baird’s. Stilt Sandpipers southeast shore and occurred in similarly modest back the same way, numbers. On May 17, checking I visited the lake out the bay near the airport, on 12 dates: two in Gerald Romanchuk reported June, three in July, the longest list of species so far, two in August, and including one each of Whimbrel, fi ve in September. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS. GERALD ROMANCHUK Black-bellied Plover, Red Knot, In June there were and Sanderling. thousands of loafi ng ducks, gun-shy as Wind direction appeared to play Being a falcon afi cionado, my usual, and fl ushing with a roar of a major role in concentrating highlight of the fall was seeing wings a long way ahead of my the shorebirds. On May 19 and an adult male Peregrine climb approach. Billions of lake fl ies 22, with cold northwesterlies high over the lake to intercept provided a feast for thousands blowing, I saw no sandpipers at a Magpie. Pursuing it on a of Franklin’s Gulls. But except all along my 5 km walk, but the downward course back to land, for the odd Killdeer and Spotted upwind airport bay contained the falcon had time for three or Sandpiper, I saw no evidence about 200 Stilt Sandpipers and four swoops before the dodging of nesting shorebirds. Up to smaller peeps, as well as 30 target dropped into the bushes. one hundred Avocets were just Black-bellied Plovers, 2 Red This is the fi rst time ever that I idling. Their numbers varied over Knots, and 1 Turnstone. After have seen a Peregrine hunt the summer, until they suddenly a day of rain, the temperature wily Magpie. dropped to just above freezing. increased to several thousand on Hundreds if not thousands of September 23. swallows and Purple Martins Shorebird migration numbers SHORELINE PLANT SUCCESSION were cruising low over the lake, were below last year. picking up insects from the Dowitchers, Pectorals, and In a cursory manner, while walking the shores, I monitored the changes in vegetation. After surface. By contrast, on May Sanderling were spread widely the disappearance of bulrushes and cattails, 24 and 26 when the wind blew but never numerous. The the former lake bottom went through the strongly from the southeast, best day was August 26, with same stages as I had noted during the drying I saw not a single migrant some 300 Lesser Yellowlegs, phase of Beaverhills Lake (See the article in shorebird in the airport bay, 200 Pectorals, and the odd Nature Alberta, Spring 2010). In spots, the but there were several hundred Semipalmated, Least, and Baird’s earliest colonizers were Marsh Ragwort, soon sandpipers and about 30 Sandpipers, in addition to three to be replaced by clusters of Multi-fl owered plovers on the east side of the Ruddy Turnstones. After the Asters and Goose Foot. Dependent on soil lake. Red-necked Phalaropes frosty nights of mid September, conditions and moisture, vast fi elds of Foxtail were similarly affected by shorebird numbers were even Barley began to dominate, until they too wind direction. Although they scarcer, with here and there a were forced to give way to more permanent never reached the very large few dozen Dowitchers and the grasses and forbs. This coming spring, it will be interesting to see how far the waters aggregations of the previous odd small fl ock of peeps. One or will rise and fl ood the shores. The higher spring, between May 16 and 26 a two Golden Plovers hung around the better to recover from a decades-long few fl ocks could be seen on the with a hundred or so Black- drought. Drowned and rotting plant detritus water well off-shore. bellied Plovers until well into will become a nutritional bonanza for billions October. of blood worms, hatching into swarms of lake fl ies, to the despair of the hiker, but the benefi t Dick Dekker, Ph.D., is a Wildlife Ecologist living in Edmonton AB of the lake’s avian inhabitants. NOTE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AN ADULT PEREGRINE IN WINTER 2011 31 FLIGHT (TOP) AND AN IMMATURE (BOTTOM) MIKE TABAK

Young Peregrines learning their trade at Cooking Lake BY DR DICK DEKKER

During my long walks along one before it splashed down. the shores of Cooking Lake, Circling back, the falcon began spotting a hunting Peregrine a long series of swoops at the swimming target. At each close always made my day. pass, the duck submerged, kicking September 29, 2009, was most up a spray of water. Two or three interesting with more than a large gulls eagerly approached. dozen sightings. All falcons that One of them descended by the came close enough for me to see duck and started to stab and plumage details proved to be pull it until it stopped moving. young of the year, as determined Meanwhile, the falcon, claws by their brown backs and streaked dangling, tried again and again bellies. Over a two-hour period to retrieve his prey. He twice in late afternoon, a smallish male landed on a shoreline stone for a Peregrine provided a fascinating brief rest, presently resuming his impression of the problems attempts. The drama ended with immature falcons encounter in the arrival of a Bald Eagle, which learning their trade. picked up the fl oating carcass without stopping. From his resting place on a shoreline stone, he made several The Peregrine retreated to a perch fast sorties over the lake to some distance away. Sitting down meet fl ying ducks that promptly on a boulder, I kept him in the dropped out of the way. After binoculars. After fi fteen minutes or so, he again headed out over the the opposite shore, vanishing several frustrated attempts, he from view. Such long distance came back at great speed low lake. Accelerating to great speed, he swooped at ducks rising from attacks are typical of experienced over the water, passing by at very Peregrines. close range. In the next split- the shallows, but they at once second he overtook a small fl ock dropped back out of harm’s way. May 26, my last spring day of of Northern Shovelers and may Suddenly, the falcon climbed to 2010, was quite memorable have actually hit and wounded overtake a high-fl ying gull and as well. With a cool east wind seized it from behind. Holding blowing, the wide expanse of on, he fl uttered steeply down, water at the terminus of my but he could not carry his catch walking route contained several and was forced to release the gull thousands of phalaropes, far just above the water. Departing and near. When a fl ock fl ushed at once with furious wingbeats, from the surface, I aimed the the falcon gained altitude until binoculars just in time to see them he descended far away towards overtaken by an adult Peregrine,

A PEREGRINE SOARS OVER A FLOCK OF NORTHERN SHOVELERS. GERALD ROMANCHUK 32 NatureAlberta

A GREATER YELLOWLEGS IN AN ALERT POSE. DUCKS AND SHOREBIRDS, EVEN THE LARGER ONES, MUST BE CONSTANTLY ON GUARD FOR HUNTERS LIKE PEREGRINES AND EAGLES. THAT IS ONE OF THE For exciting, detailed descriptions on how ADVANTAGES OF FLOCKS: SAFETY IN NUMBERS. BRIAN GENEREUX peregrines hunt – and how their prey avoids being caught – there is no better book that Dick Dekker’s Hunting Tactics of Peregrines and which seized its prey at once and the glasses. Eventually, after many Other Falcons (Hancock House Publishers, Surrey, carried it back to shore. Later that minutes, it came back upwind, B.C.). Illustrated with photos and paintings, afternoon, another falcon, a dark its wings set and passing high this excellent book is available from the Nature immature, launched half a dozen overhead like a black trident. I Alberta Bookstore: attacks on the phalaropes far out was hoping that it would make its www.naturealberta.ca (secure website). over the water, stooping down next attack in good view, but it from various angles but each time fl ew on, gradually descending and To read Lisa Priestley’s review of Hunting Tactics missing the target. Giving up, boosting its speed with a burst of of Peregrines and Other Falcons, see Nature the falcon fl ew away and soared, wingbeats until it dropped out of Alberta, Vol 40, No 2, Summer 2010. drifting downwind over the lake sight far away. and dwindling to a tiny speck in

It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - CARL SAGAN WINTER 2011 33

First Hand: Owl Irruption! BY GRASSLANDS NATURALISTS

One of Medicine Hat’s most exciting birding events of this winter has been a one-week irruption of owls just south of the city.

The fi rst report came from Rob Gardner when he observed an astounding 6 Short-eared Owls all at one time on January 18 along the Black and White Trail near the junction of County Road 114. These birds stayed in the vicinity for approximately the next week. Phil Horch saw a single bird on January 22 in the same area and then Mark Schiebelbein, who lives in that area, saw both Short-eared Owls and Long-eared Owls together, hunting. He even took a wonderful photo of one of the Long-Eared Owls (see the inside back cover). On January 23, Rob and Corlaine Gardner observed three more Short-Eared Owls south

of Seven Persons and were able to get photos A LATE JANUARY 2011 SHORT- of one of them. EARED OWL PUTS ON A DISPLAY! It seems that the owls had good mouse- CORLAINE GARDNER hunting in these areas at least for a short time. By the beginning of February, they appeared to have moved on to other hunting grounds. From “Exciting Sightings” by Phil Horch, Sagebrush Chronicle, February 2011

If you have a fi rst-hand experience with nature, send it in and share it with other naturalists. After all – there are 8 million stories in the Nature City. Yours…could be one of them. 34 NatureAlberta

HONEYBEE HONEYCOMB WITH EGGS AND LARVAE. WIKIPEDIA/ WAUGSBERG

Alberta Honey: “Bee” Sure In 2010, Alberta beekeepers produced about 12,700 tonnes of honey, according to an AB Government website – defi nitely enough for all of us!

Buying pure, fresh, Alberta honey honey into the U.S. and Canada at The problem is huge – “part of is a no-brainer, but as it turns out, below production costs, making it the largest food fraud in U.S. there is another reason to make impossible for our beekeepers to history”, according to the Globe sure the honey you purchase is compete. & Mail story – and increasing. It Alberta honey: to fi ght crime and could lead to the collapse of the The easy solution is high tariffs keep from poisoning yourself. North American honey industry, or to ban honey from China, as which means huge problems for It may surprise many people to Europe has done. However, the agricultural products (which we learn that China supplies most of Chinese honey criminal cartel, all eat) dependent on pollination. the world’s honey. However, it in conspiracy with brokers and is likely no surprise to fi nd that corporations from Germany Tough regulations, rigourous Chinese beekeepers “are notorious and elsewhere, get around that monitoring and strong for keeping their bees healthy through fraud, forgery, shell with antibiotics banned in North companies, false labeling – you America because they seep into name it, they do it – by laundering honey and contaminate it; packers honey through countries like there learn to mask the acrid India (the EU has banned honey notes of poor quality product by from there as well), Indonesia, mixing in sugar or corn-based Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, syrups to fake good taste” (Globe Russia, Taiwan, Singapore, South & Mail, Thurs Jan 5, 2011). Lead Korea, and Thailand (some of

and dilution with water are also which are claiming to export BALLARD APIARIES HONEY, FROM problems – plus, China has been honey, even though they do not ALBERTA’S PRISTINE PEACE RIVER: JUST accused of illegally dumping have a honey industry!). ONE OF MANY LOCAL HONEY PRODUCERS. WINTER 2011 35

WIKIPEDIA/YVAN LEDUC enforcement would be the best For more information, do your of nature’s golden sweetener.” by solutions, but that could take the own Google search; there are Jessica Leeder; Thursday, January U.S. years (Canada, apparently, many sites that address the issue. 5, 2011. For an in-depth analysis, doesn’t even admit to a problem!). read the book, The Honey Trail, The full story (from which the by Grace Pundy. There is not much we can do article above is gleaned) is well about honey added to prepared worth reading; the Globe & Mail: foods (other than writing “Honey laundering: The sour side companies asking them not to use any honey from outside North America), but we can make sure that any pure honey we buy is Canadian – preferably Alberta or Saskatchewan.

The good thing about science is that it’s true whether you believe in it or not. - NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON Lorne Fitch is an esteemed Professional Biologist, Adjunct 36 NatureAlberta Professor with the University of Calgary and a retired Alberta Fish and Wildlife Biologist. He is a well-known speaker, writer and photographer, living in Lethbridge AB. “Noah and the Fish” is the fi rst in a series of articles by Lorne.

Noah and the Fish A Lesson for our Time BY LORNE FITCH, P. BIOL.

Occasionally, when it rains excessively, I think of the reported biblical fl ood and the fi rst major biodiversity conservation initiative.

I speak, of course, of Noah’s efforts rampant species racism of the breath of life”. God’s goal was pretty recorded in Genesis, to collect a fi rst conservation effort. Noah clear, “Every living substance that I have minimum of two of everything and took “clean beasts, and beasts made will I destroy from off the face of save them from that apocalyptic, not so clean, and of fowls and the earth”. In summary, this was to be spiritually cleansing fl ood. of everything that creepeth upon a clean sweep of his creation. Anything the earth”. The instructions were missing on the gang plank to the ark, What concerns me about this specifi c to “everything on the dry you might ask? apocryphal tale is the apparent land in whose nostrils was the biodiversity bigotry, if not There is stunning silence in this biblical tale on the subject of fi sh and other aquatic creatures. Similarly there is no reference to plants, except for the olive leaf brought back eventually by a dove. Presumably a 150 day period of inundation would have been enough to do in most plants. That an olive tree survived extended fl ooding is miracle in its own rite. The bible is mute on the effect of the fl ood duration on fi sh, but it seems axiomatic they survived, maybe even prospered. Maybe fi sh were originally revered as righteous creatures, not requiring divine protection from the cleansing fl ood. If that were true, the ancient perspective and respect has been lost. But, fi sh and plants don’t “creep”, as in the original instructions, and so it seems to me they were overlooked. This is the condition that persists into modern times.

NOAH’S ARK BY EDWARD HICKS, 1846. WINTER 2011 37

Biodiversity conservation has you mention Tiny Cryptanthe the increasing footprint. We are not of their smacked of the Noah syndrome response is “tiny what?” Porsild’s world, yet everything we do affects ever since, largely ignoring aquatic Bryum will evoke a wrinkled brow that aquatic world. We terrestrial, air creatures and plants. Because and Western Spiderwort will have breathing humans have never really of this, species in these groups the listener’s eyes glaze over. Short got our minds around fi sh although are the most critically imperiled of the few botanists in this country, our jaws are around them frequently. provincially, nationally and globally. many of us couldn’t distinguish This speaks to a key task of ecologists, Noah wasn’t an ecologist; he was a these plants from pansies, or celery. biologists, educators and resource carpenter, so it really isn’t his fault. Ironically, we are more conversant managers – creating awareness Noah didn’t know, but that fi rst with introduced garden-variety amongst the public, politicians and conservation effort set the stage for plants than the native ones that industry of these species. A little bit others failing to understand and defi ne our landscapes. About of ecological literacy about plants and implement initiatives to maintain 12,000 years of Rough Fescue fi sh would go a long way to creating all biodiversity. Not just the critters growth gave us the black soils a greater constituency that knows, that run, jump, fl y and breathe that sparked the development cares and values all biodiversity. I will air on dry land – the charismatic of the province and still sustain know we have “made it” when a plant megafauna – but everything. agriculture. Only belatedly, after or a fi sh gets top billing in people’s The ones that swim, take root most of it disappeared did we minds as an item of biodiversity and extract oxygen in other ways confer upon it the designation concern. A new and large generation need the same attention and of “Provincial” grass. Even that of “fern-feelers” and “fi sh-squeezers” is publicity Noah gave the terrestrial produced some inspired snickering, desperately required. animals. In Alberta we have mostly from the benches in the Although jam-packed, the original ark imperiled populations of Bull Alberta legislature, about other could only have been partially fi lled Trout and Westslope Cutthroat “grass”, the non-native one that is with earth’s biodiversity treasures. Trout. Over most of their range the typically inhaled. Sadly, most of The perhaps metaphorical fl ood classifi cation of the current status the species in dire straits are the story gives the mistaken impression of these species might be termed uncharismatic microfauna, or fl ora; these treasures, the life on earth (but “extinguished”. To some extent too small, too unseen, too cryptic not in the water), could be easily people might recognize the term or too localized to be recognized gathered up and housed in a small “trout”. The reality is that most and appreciated. place. The delusion continues in our people couldn’t tell a trout from a This is especially true for fi sh, living thinking that a few scattered parks and fi sh stick, let alone understand the largely out of our sight in a world protected areas will suffi ce to conserve relevance of the St. Mary Sculpin, alien to us terrestrial creatures. It biodiversity. As a pathway to future another fi sh species in short supply. is just beginning to dawn on us inclusiveness it would be helpful to Most people are woefully ignorant that fi sh are important indicators of understand and acknowledge these of fi sh species - their presence, the health of our world. A world, I signifi cant biblical oversights and how, biology, importance, distribution might add, that is 70% water – so perhaps subconsciously, they have and status. much so we should have called it infl uenced past conservation efforts. “Aqua” not “Earth”. As earthlings, The ark story needs a rewrite with an living on dry land, we have given update! Today’s ark (i.e. the Earth) short shrift to our fi nned neighbors. can ill afford to ignore any species. The closest many of us get to fi sh Otherwise we build our conservation is when we take them out of a initiatives on a great story but an old ST MARY’S SCULPIN. DFO-MPO.GC.CA package and eat them; globally one with poor ecological thinking. we have been eating them at an The original story is found in Genesis; Grizzly Bears have hogged the astonishing and unsustainable pace. we now need the genesis of a new endangered species spotlight, Many of the rest we are squeezing awareness and inclusiveness for the with good reason. But when out of their place with our ever conservation of all species. 38 NatureAlberta

ISTOCKPHOTO.COM Bats and Beavers Scientists have discovered that insect-eating bats have a very handy ally in European forests: the beaver.

By felling trees, beavers thin birds) that hunt fl ying insects – refl ected from fl ying insects. But out the forest canopy, removing were signifi cantly more active for most bats of Polish forests, obstacles that get in the way as around the beaver-modifi ed beavers are very handy to have bats pursue their fl ying-insect streams. around. prey. Scientists from the University In addition, beaver dams create Summarized from: Bat Conservation Times, of Gdansk in Poland undertook waterlogged areas that attract Vol 9, No 1, January 2011 their study to demonstrate that insect prey favored by bats. European beavers, which were Beaver-fl ooded and –logged extinct in Poland until their forests supported the highest bat reintroduction after World War activity. Unfortunately, beaver EDITOR’S NOTE: If you know of any II, are important in maintaining ponds are quickly coated with similar studies in Alberta, Nature Alberta healthy woodlands. They found duckweed, which interferes with would like to hear from you. that aerial hawkers – bats (or echolocation and masks echoes WINTER 2011 39

This two-day Arctic Grayling symposium will be composed of Grande Prairie AB a series of 20 minute presentations and a fi eld visit to nearby grayling streams. The presentations will be organized into four June 7-9, 2011 sessions, each focusing on a primary theme: Biology and Natural History; Monitoring Approaches; Threats to Conservation; and Management Strategies. Hosting the symposium are Trout Unlimited Canada, Golder Associates, and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (Fish and Wildlife), in association with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, University of Alberta (Department of Renewable Resources), Alberta For details or to register: Conservation Association and the American Fisheries Society (Mid- Canada Chapter). www.tucanada.org 40 NatureAlberta

Wildlife! Starring… Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicu) BY DENNIS BARESCO

WHAT IS IT? a beaver’s) tail for use as both How does a Muskrat open its What is a Muskrat? It’s not a rudder and, when swimming mouth and chew on stems and really a rat. Though it seems to underwater, a propeller; and an roots while underwater without be a beaver of sorts, the only accomplished swimmer. However, drowning? It does so by closing relationship is that they are both it would take much more than the lips behind the teeth, with rodents. So what is a Muskrat? that for a species to have the the incisors protruding; in other Answer: It is a very big mouse – success which Muskrats have words, it chews with its mouth but what a mouse! It has made attained. closed, like a beaver. water its home and has adapted It is an understatement to say superbly to an aquatic lifestyle. a Muskrat is an accomplished HOME SWEET HOME As an animal that lives, breeds, swimmer. An adult swims Muskrat houses may not seem eats and raises a family in the seemingly without effort and as awesome as beaver dams, but water, the Muskrat has many appears tireless – perhaps these domed structures of mud, characteristics necessary to ensure, because of lots of experience: it cattail stalks and pond weeds not just survival, but tremendous can swim and dive when only – which look like just a heap success. It has developed some three weeks old. A Muskrat is of plant garbage – serve their expected qualities: dense, good at holding its breath: two very practical purpose and are waterproof and buoyant fur; hind to three minutes normally, but it relatively ingenious structures. feet that, though only partially can stay underwater for fi fteen And of course, much of the webbed, act as paddles for or so minutes. While this length construction material also doubles propulsion through the water; of time is not unique to Muskrats as food! If cattails, bulrushes a fl attened but narrow (unlike – beavers can as well – it is a and reeds are in short supply, a defi nite advantage when the need Muskrat will construct a living arises! area in a bank burrow. Then there are the winter GERALD ROMANCHUK “push-ups”: domes of frozen vegetation and mud which cover a hole in the ice. After the surface freezes over, a muskrat chews holes in the ice and builds the dome over the hole. Once covered with snow, the dome is, in effect, an insulated WINTER 2011 41

GERALD ROMANCHUK mini-lodge for one, used for rest, all winter, even if their pond is battles end in death for at least feeding and, of course, breathing. covered with thick ice – hence one of the participants. The holes will ice over thinly, but the value of the push-ups. It is For the female, all that matters is the muskrat keeps them open somewhat amazing that they can that she is impregnated. A month with continual visits, even though even fi nd food during winter, after mating, she gives birth to the surrounding ice may get to be considering that it may be under anywhere from one to eleven a metre thick. a metre of ice and snow, in young (she will normally have a freezing-cold water and almost second litter in the season). Seeing complete darkness. MUSKRAT MENU these blind, hairless, and almost Besides a variety of vegetation, completely helpless newborns, Muskrats eat smaller animals like LIFE AND DEATH it is hard to believe they will be frogs, fi sh and mussels. Muskrats Spring break-up signals the swimming adroitly in only three do not hibernate nor do they start of mating activity. The weeks, but their development normally store food, so they competition between males for is speedy. Weaned after about must continue their food search females is ferocious, and many three weeks, they will be on their

They’re everywhere! Muskrats are distributed across almost all of North America, including all of Canada except the tundra. One reason for the broad distribution is the common occurrence of wetlands in North America – which in turn, is one of the reasons, along with prolifi c breeding, for the species’ great success. Though heavily trapped for its fur and eliminated in areas in which wetlands have been drained, Muskrats remain abundant overall. 42 NatureAlberta

own, independent of their parents For all its successful adaptations, at a prairie slough even though (whether they like it or not!), Muskrats have numerous enemies, there is no other habitat for miles when only four to six weeks old. including Mink, Northern Pike in every direction. But wandering and (as usual) humans. One around on dry land is dangerous, Like most rodents, Muskrats die thing Muskrats didn’t develop as they are an easy target for young, either through accidents or for success was escape from almost every terrestrial predator predation. Three or four years of predators in particular situations that spots or smells them. age is old, at which time they tend like crossing dry land. Muskrats to become much less wary and [Information for this article is from: The can migrate considerable distances thus an easy meal for predators. Sustainable Resource Development website; in the search for a new home The Mammals of Canada. 1974; and other – up to ten miles, which helps sources.] SUCCESS VERSUS PREDATION explain why they suddenly appear If you happen to corner a Muskrat, do not pick it up unless you are wearing steel gloves! With its long cutting teeth, well- “Muskrat Love” known courage and reputation as a vicious fi ghter when provoked A rather odd topic for a song it was, but Captain & Tennille’s 1976 cover of or cornered, a Muskrat can cause “Muskrat Love” hit # 4 on Billboard. Sound effects on the record (using a serious injury, whether to a synthesizer) were meant, as Wikipedia puts it, “to evoke the imagined sound human, a predator or a neighbour of muskrats courting.” Muskrats can, in fact, be heard making sharp, whining entering its home territory. sounds during mating season, but you may just hear a different tune of Muskrats fi ghting – “Muskrat Hate”?

GERALD ROMANCHUK WINTER 2011 43

GeoDiscover Portal: www.geodiscoveralberta.ca You can now access more than 140 layers of free land-related data and services through the GeoDiscover Alberta portal.

This portal provides a single window to search and fi nd the credible, up- to-date information needed to better manage activities on the landscape and is the most comprehensive program of its kind in Alberta. The data and map services come from various Alberta government ministries and agencies and include: Administrative Boundaries; Township System; Access; Cadastral (urban and rural); Mineral Agreements; Utilities; Land-Use Management; First Nations land; Parks and protected areas; and Land-use Framework regional planning maps and data. Sharing geospatial information will enhance land and resource stewardship and improve service delivery to Albertans. Please visit the GeoDiscover Alberta portal to explore the data and services, training materials and frequently asked questions: www. geodiscoveralberta.ca. This is just the beginning, and GeoDiscover Alberta will evolve with time; as more ministries and agencies join, there will be more information and tools available for all sectors. 44 NatureAlberta

A WINTER VISITOR IN ALBERTA, SNOWY OWLS ARRIVE IN MID-NOVEMBER, LEAVING IN LATE MARCH FOR THEIR ARCTIC BREEDING RANGE. ADULT MALES ARE MOSTLY WHITE; FEMALES AND, ESPECIALLY, JUVENILES HAVE BLACK BARRING OVERALL. “SNOWIES” - LIKE ALL OUR OWLS - MAKE WONDERFUL PHOTOGRAPHIC SUBJECTS. ROB MCKAY

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COMMON REDPOLLS – THE “CHRISTMAS BIRD”! – TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HOLLE’S FEEDER. HOLLE HAHN

A TYPICAL SNOW DAY IN THE CYPRESS HILLS! RICK PRICE VOLUME 40 | NUMBER 4 | WINTER 2011 Naturegallery

DO LONG-TAILED WEASELS CLIMB TREES, AND IF SO, WHY? SEE THE STORY, PG 6. LEN PETTITT

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