VOLUME 40 | NUMBER 1 | SPRING 2010 SUGGESTED RETAIL: $7.50 CDN Nature Alberta CELEBRATING OUR NATURAL HERITAGE

JIM UFFELMANN

feature article The Ten Last Years of Birding at Beaverhills Lake

NATURE ALBERTA TWO TURKEY VULTURE NESTLINGS, ABOUT 62 AND 64 DAYS OLD, ABOUT TO MAKE THEIR FIRST FLIGHTS. SEE STORY, PG 32. LEN PETTITT

SEE “WILDLIFE STARRING…THE AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN” STORY, PG 30. SANDRA HAWKINS

MANY WILD HORSES ARE EXTREMELY SHY AND ELUSIVE, EVEN MORE SO THAN DEER, ELK OR MOOSE. WHOAS (WILD HORSES OF ALBERTA SOCIETY) NAMED THIS MAGNIFICENT STALLION “THE GHOST”, BECAUSE HE RARELY SHOWS HIMSELF. SEE THE STORY ON PAGE 18. BOB HENDERSON Nature Alberta: SPRING 2010 1

Celebrating our natural heritage Nature Alberta is composed of natural history clubs from across the province. The aims of the Federation are: (a) To encourage among all Albertans, by all means possible, an increase in their knowledge of natural history and understanding of ecological processes; (b) To promote an increase in the exchange of information and views among natural history clubs and societies in Alberta; (c) To foster and assist in the formation of additional natural history clubs Contents and societies in Alberta; (d) To promote the establishment of natural areas and nature reserves, to NATURE ALBERTA VOLUME 40, NUMBER 1, SPRING 2010 conserve and protect species, communities or other features of interest; (e) To organize, or coordinate symposia, conferences, fi eld meetings, nature camps, research and other activities whether of a similar or Editor’s Page BY DENNIS BARESCO ...... 2 dissimilar nature; Letters to the Editor ...... 3 (f) To provide the naturalists of Alberta with a forum in which questions relating to the conservation of the natural environment may be Alberta Issues in Brief ...... 5 discussed, so that united positions can be developed on them, and to provide the means of translating these positions into appropriate actions. Nature Alberta News ...... 9 BOARD OF DIRECTORS In Memoriam: Ernie Kuyt ...... 11 PRESIDENT: Chuck Priestley VICE PRESIDENT: Ted Hindmarch Up Close Naturally: First Insects and Spiders! BY MARGOT HERVIEUX ...... 12 SECRETARY: Vacant TREASURER: Peichen Gu Nature Diary: “Sharp-shinned Hawk & April Snowstorm” PAST PRESIDENT: Sandra Foss BY DEBBIE AND ALAN GODKIN ...... 13 APPOINTED DIRECTORS: Dennis Baresco, Dawn Dickinson, Jim Gendron, Peichen Gu, Ted Hindmarch, Chuck Priestley, Don Stiles Close to Home: Nature Photography in Alberta BY JOHN WARDEN ...... 14 ELECTED DIRECTORS: Chrissie Smith (ANPC); Claudia Cameron, (BLN); Scott Jubinville (CFNS); Lu Carbyn, (ENC); Grant Henry (FMFNS); Marty Drut, Book Review: The Meteorites of Alberta ...... 17 (GN); Ted Johnson (LLBBS); Lloyd Bennett (LNS); Margot Hervieux (PPN); Tony Blake (RDRN); Iris Davies (VRNS); Western Canada’s Wild Horses: STAFF: Philip Penner (Exec. Dir.); Christine Brown; Vid Bijelic The Struggle for Legitimacy BY CLAUDIA NOTZKE ...... 18 CORPORATE MEMBER CLUBS The Ten Last Years of Birding at Beaverhills Lake BY DICK DEKKER ...... 22 Alberta Native Plant Council, Box 52099, Garneau P.O. Edmonton, AB T6G 2T5 Profi le: Lu Carbyn ...... 29 Buffalo Lake Naturalists, Box 1802, Stettler, AB T0C 2L0 Wildlife! Starring…the American White Pelican BY SANDRA HAWKINS ...... 30 Nature Calgary (CFNS), Box 981, Calgary, AB T2P 2K4 Edmonton Nature Club, Box 1111, Edmonton, AB T5J 2M1 Process and (Maybe) Promise: Wing Tagging Alberta Fort McMurray Field Naturalists Society, 152 Cote Bay, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 4R9 Turkey Vultures BY R. WAYNE NELSON, RICK MORSE, FLOYD KUNNAS, AND DAVID MOORE ...... 32 Grasslands Naturalists, Box 2491, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8G8 Profi le: Greg Pohl ...... 37 Lac La Biche Birding Society, Box 1270, Lac La Biche, AB T0A 2C0 Lethbridge Naturalists Society, Box 1691, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4K4 Opinion: Rights of “Mother Earth” BY TED HINDMARCH...... 38 Peace Parkland Naturalists, Box 1451, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4Z2 Red Deer River Naturalists, Box 785, Red Deer, AB T4N 5H2 First Hand: Red-necked Grebe Rescued at Lake Bonavista BY DON STILES ..40 Vermilion River Naturalists, 5707 - 47 Avenue, Vermilion, AB T9X 1K5

It’s Spring! BY DENNIS BARESCO ...... 42 AFFILIATES: Alberta Lake Management Society Friends of Jasper National Park Celestial Happenings BY JOHN MCFAUL ...... 43 Alberta Lepidopterists’ Guild Grant MacEwan Mountain Club Alberta Naturalization Network Society Heritage Tree Foundation of Canada Nature Alberta Book Store ...... 44 Alberta Stewardship Network J.J. Collett Natural Area Foundation Beaverhill Bird Observatory Lee Nature Sanctuary Society Beaver River Naturalist Club Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory Big Lake Environmental Support Society Purple Martin Conservancy PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY NATURE ALBERTA, BowKan Birders Riverlot 56 Natural Area Society 11759 GROAT ROAD, EDMONTON, AB T5M 3K6 Calgary Bird Banding Society Stewards of Alberta’s Protected Areas PHONE.780.427.8124 FAX.780.422.2663 Cochrane Environmental Action Association [email protected] Committee The Wagner Natural Area Society Crooked Creek Conservancy Society Weaselhead/Glenmore Park SUBSCRIPTION $30.00 PER YEAR; $55 FOR TWO YEARS Crowsnest Conservation Society Preservation Society Edmonton Naturalization Group Wizard Lake Watershed and Lake EDITOR.DENNIS BARESCO Ellis Bird Farm Stewardship Assoc. Foothills Land Trust Wood Buffalo Bird Club [email protected] Fort Saskatchewan Naturalist Society CIRCULATION.TED HINDMARCH Friends of Blackfoot Society LAYOUT.BROKEN ARROW SOLUTIONS INC. PRINTING.PERCY PAGE CENTRE.ISSN 0318-5440

THANKS TO THE PROOFREADERS WHO ASSISTED IN PRODUCING THIS ISSUE: CELEBRATE NATURE ALBERTA ELAINE CATHCART, SANDRA FOSS, MARILYN ROSS, VAL SCHOLEFIELD, IT’S OUR 40TH BIRTHDAY IN 2010!!! JUNE VERMEULEN. MANY THANKS TO THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS EDITORIAL DISCLAIMER WANT TO SUBMIT ARTICLES NATURE ALBERTA DEADLINES ARE: The opinions expressed by the authors in this publication do not necessarily refl ect those of the editor and the Federation of Alberta OR PHOTOS? SPRING ISSUE.FEBRUARY 14 Naturalists. The editor reserves the right to edit, reject or withdraw GUIDELINES ARE AVAILABLE ON SUMMER ISSUE.MAY 15 articles submitted. While due care will be taken of all manuscripts, photos THE NATURE ALBERTA WEBSITE: FALL ISSUE.AUGUST 15 or artwork submitted, FAN cannot be held responsible for any loss or WWW.NATUREALBERTA.CA WINTER ISSUE.NOVEMBER 15 damage to such articles. 2 NatureAlberta Editor’s Page BY DENNIS BARESCO

FROM BIRDS TO BEES The listing fervour runs from “not for success. It would also, I might add, Spring and Summer are upon us, the least interested” to zealousness. provide an increased quality of life for and naturalists are heading out Either end of the scale and virtually everyone – well, except those to immerse themselves in the everything in between is just fi ne; it’s whose only criteria for quality is how many wonderfulness of nature – whether all part of being a naturalist. toys they have! Which brings to mind the in local natural areas, wild places, old bumper sticker, “He who dies with the lakes and rivers, or even their own TRICKLING UP most toys – wins!” An astute philosopher backyard. Birders take along pencil Exactly one year ago, I wrote in this later reminded everyone: “But he’s still and paper: to add to their life list, column: “Naturalists can be forgiven dead!” start a new annual species list, or if they get a tad discouraged when log observations at specifi c sites. reading, watching or listening to BETTER LATE THAN NEVER Some fl ower watchers do the same. the news. Hard times for nature From Pelicans to Sasquatch, Beaverhills I once kept a bird “lot list” for my abound.” Not much has changed in Lake to Wild Horses, Meteorites to Turkey yard on Riverside in Medicine Hat. the past year; overall, the outlook Vultures, a rescue at Lake Bonavista to Noticing that many of the species for nature has deteriorated, and profi les of two outstanding naturalists – were landing in a large, tangled, not just in Alberta. No need to list there is a little bit of everything in this Red-osier Dogwood outside the assailing or the assailants – quarter’s issue of Nature Alberta! you already know the list. Almost my kitchen window, I started a If you are thinking that this issue is a tad all of it can be lumped under “dogwood list”. I was quite amazed late, you’re right. Your Editor has been three main categories: insatiable – my list at that single bush reached too busy lazin’ about and enjoying Mother greed; unyielding ideology; and forty-seven species! It also proved Nature’s Spring blessings (blizzards and an egotistical disregard for nature to me that spraying pesticides for all!) and that other great Spring blessing: (and the future). I suppose there’s aphids on bushes like dogwood the start of another Major League Baseball a fourth category – weak will – that was, at best, a silly endeavour. season. Okay, I say that with tongue-in- perhaps prevents the combating of Between the birds and ladybugs, cheek (except the baseball part); goodness the other three. Not easy barriers to my dogwood maintained excellent knows there is no shortage of old and new overcome. health and vitality. issues with which to deal. Fortunately, More and more naturalists are Perhaps that is why people are naturalists don’t discourage easily, and they branching out with life lists for more and more turning to local keep their sanity by occasionally renewing invertebrates such as Araneae (the improvements regarding the themselves with the spirit of nature. environment and nature: that is, Order of spiders) and insect Orders If it is any consolation, confronting those to build respect, awareness and like Lepidoptera (butterfl ies, moths), who would destroy the environment is not a nature ethic at a local level, the Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants), a new phenomenon; said Ansel Adams theory being that it will “trickle Coleoptera (beetles), Diptera (fl ies), (1902-1984): “It is horrifying that we have up” until we are led by those Odonata (dragonfl ies, damselfl ies), to fi ght our own government to save the with ethics and humane ideals. Of Orthoptera (grasshoppers) and environment.” Still, on the other end of course, groups like Nature Alberta Hemiptera (bugs). In the May the scale, environmental appreciation is as (or Nature Canada) still must work Nature Alberta E-Newsletter, it old as human society. Aristotle (384-322 at the provincial (or national) level, is suggested that an interesting BC) said: “In all things of nature there is but a strong and motivated local activity might be to keep a list of something of the marvelous.” Those quotes movement for conservation would just one group of Hymenoptera: pretty well sum up the philosophy of the open new avenues and opportunities Bumblebees. active naturalist. SPRING 2010 3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR On the Covers: FRONT COVER As Jim Uffelmann’s cover photo illustrates, the American “RE CALLS” Avocet is quite possibly the most exquisite bird in Alberta: No, not another Toyota model. striking colour, streamlined body, long legs, and very slender Re: the four coyote calls described up-curved beak. It likes sparsely-vegetated lakes and sloughs, in the winter 2010 Nature Alberta which made Beaverhills Lake a prime spot for the species. In [“Songs of the West”, pg 32], this issue’s Feature Article, Dr Dick Dekker tells his story of there’s one more - the ululating “The Ten Last Years of Birding at Beaverhills Lake” starting on page 22. cry that you can hear occasionally. It’s easily distinguished from INSIDE FRONT COVER the yip yip yip which is sharper, Turkey Vulture is not exactly the province’s more abrupt. I recorded it once most lovable bird; nevertheless, it is a at Spruce Coulee in Cypress Hills fascinating species – and a truly great as part of a long coyote repertoire and beautiful soarer! These two nestlings one night, and I’ve heard the (about 62 and 64 days old) are about Peigan women from south west to make their fi rst fl ight. The authors of Alberta make exactly the same the story “Process and (Maybe) Promise,” on page 32, have call in their dances just before studied Turkey Vultures for years and have developed a real ending a song. I don’t know what affection for them. it signifi es. American White Pelican, another bird with a huge wingspan DAWN DICKINSON and superb soaring capabilities, is viewed differently and much more positively than vultures. Indeed, if there is any Alberta bird that could be called awesome, our pelican is it. See the story, NEW BOOK “Wildlife Starring…” on page 30. Just a quick note to let you know Wild Horses are, in human terms, somewhat of a contradiction: beautiful, that my NEW book, Growing Pains undoubtedly – but equally controversial. One of the main reasons for - A Planet in Distress, is fi nally controversy is scientifi c investigation butting against old perceptions or vested available at usual outlets (Chapters, interests. Claudia Notzke addresses the issue in the story “Western Canada’s Coles, Amazon, etc.) You can also Wild Horses: The Struggle for Legitimacy,” on page 18. (For an earlier Nature fi nd out more about it on my new Alberta story, see “REAL Wild Mustangs”, by Robert Alison, Summer 2008, Vol 38, No. 2, pgs 10-13.) POPULATION IN SYNC website, www.populationinsync.net, where INSIDE BACK COVER you can read the book reviews and Spring is a visual endorsements. feast! Out come the Plains Garter I am so excited that I just had to Snakes from their share this great news with you. Also, winter hibernaculae. I have book signings scheduled for Bumblebees busily the Crowsnest Pass, Lethbridge, and forage the multitude of fl owers. And new life abounds – in this case, a Fort Macleod, so please watch your Mountain Goat youngster. Photographer Bonnie Mullin, whose photos you local paper for dates and places. have seen many times in Nature Alberta, was right there to catch the moment. Please sign my guest book on my BACK COVER website, and I would welcome any There is a serene loveliness about the Milk River that is a comments or suggestions you may natural subject for photographers; Ian Gardiner has captured have. that essence in this issue’s “Nature gallery” photo. The Milk VALORIE M. ALLEN (403-553-4400) River fl ows along the southern edge of the province, draining into the Missouri River. 4 NatureAlberta

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR…CONTINUED COYOTE DENSITY YourYour Winter 2010 feature canids over many years and in Long-tailed Weasel can be blamed artiarticlec Considering different habitats, I have seen on the ubiquitous Coyote. And, CCoyotesoy was fortuitously them attain high local densities, in recent times, after the coyote cocomplementedm by my particularly in regions where their expanded its vast range to the pipiece on the fearless winter food is augmented with B.C. west coast, the Red Fox CCoyote, while your road kills or dead cattle dumped has all but disappeared. In my nnote on the species by livestock owners. Under these books and papers, I have written aadded interest. conditions, it is folly to believe extensively about the running HoHowever, your that Coyotes do not have a battle between these two. And statement [in “Citizen Coyote”, lethal impact on other animals. frankly speaking, at anyplace – pg 30] that “Biologists also agree Apart from preying on rodents on farmlands, in the mountains, that Coyote populations have no and deer, they compete directly or the city – I would rather see lasting effects on other wildlife and indirectly with the smaller Reynard than his common cousin. populations” invites comment. predators. In my opinion, the DICK DEKKER, PHD. Having watched these adaptable threatened status of the prairie

RESPONSE: The question, as always, is: how good is the evidence? Here’s the old scapegoat, citizen Coyote again! In his letter to the Editor (above), Dick Dekker gives his opinion that the threatened status of the prairie Long-tailed Weasel can be blamed on the ubiquitous Coyote. Evidence please! Are the results of research studies of the Long-tailed Weasel’s decline in numbers available? Have there even been any studies? Considering the Any intelligent massive changes that have occurred in the prairies over the last couple of centuries it would be diffi cult to ascribe reduction of the weasel population fool can make to a single species, moreover one which has lived alongside the Long-tailed things bigger, more Weasel for many more centuries. complex, and more Road kills and ranchers’ dead cattle provide scavenging opportunities for violent. many carnivores including Coyote. This is not abnormal since to some extent It takes a touch they take the place of dead bison on which Coyotes scavenged in the 19th and preceding centuries. If Coyotes are spending more time scavenging of genius - and a these days then they must have less time available to go mousing, so small lot of courage - to rodent populations should benefi t. Populations of Coyotes have increased move in the opposite and decreased over time and the author of the article “Citizen Coyote” wrote direction. that “Coyote populations have no lasting effects on other wildlife populations” [emphasis added]. But the letter by Dr. Dekker to the editor concludes that “it ALBERT EINSTEIN is folly to believe that Coyotes do not have a lethal effect on other animals.” It does not appear that anyone was making that argument. Any mouse that is pounced on can expect a lethal effect! DAWN DICKINSON

Your letters commenting on any aspect of Nature Alberta or its articles are welcome! Email them to [email protected] mail/fax to addresses on pg 1, under “Contents”. SPRING 2010 5

ALBERTA ISSUES IN BRIEF

Grizzlies’ Future Still Up in the Air The offi cial population count of in the Calgary Sun, Mar 9 2010). As Grizzly Bears in Alberta is 691, to the small numbers but scattered with only 359 breeding adults. The distribution: “What it’s pointing to question now is: what does that is a situation where, at some point mean? in time, we may very well need to look at a harvest,” said Knight. One sector says we should open up hunting – not everywhere, but at What next? Nature Alberta will least in areas where there may be continue to press for intelligent, too many Grizzlies. Another sector science-based management says that the population is too small decisions, not just over the hunting to be sustainable and extinction will controversy, but for habitat be the end result from the many protection and the reduction of causes of Grizzly mortality. mortality from the many other causes – many of which require The government is hedging, though no more than political will. At leaning towards a hunt. “We have this point, it is up to the Alberta a suspension in hunting and that Government Cabinet, through suspension will remain for this Minister Knight, to decide what particular point in time,” said future, if any, is in store for Sustainable Resource Development Grizzlies in the province. (SRD) Minister Mel Knight (quoted

UPDATE On June 3, the Alberta Government designated Grizzlies a threatened species. What that will mean for the species depends on the actions actually taken. CHUCK PRIESTLEY

Wetlands The Sierra Club Prairie has obtained “Apparently the oil & gas and and economic services that would a leaked copy of the most recent mining industries hold the trump cost billions if we had to achieve Alberta Wetlands Policy that shows card in this province when it them through other means. Over the extent of industry infl uence comes to environmental policy,” 60% of Alberta wetlands in settled over environmental decisions for commented Sheila Muxlow, Interim areas have already been lost. For the province. The confi dential Director of the Sierra Club Prairie. more information, contact: document reveals an undermining “Public stakeholders are expected Sheila Muxlow of the work of the Alberta Water to engage honestly through offi cial Interim Prairie Director Council, a multi stakeholder group government lines, while the oil and Sierra Club that has been developing the tenets gas industry can waltz in the back (780 660 0312) of the wetlands policy. The policy, door and change all the decisions,” already a compromised position to asserted Muxlow. [From a Sierra Club Prairie news release] get the buy-in of 25 multi-sectoral Wetlands provide water security for groups, was radically changed after the province as well as substantial backdoor industry pressure. ecological, social, environmental 6 NatureAlberta

Bighorn Protection Calls Bolstered by Grizzly Report Calls to protect one of Alberta’s The March 2010 report last great unprotected watersheds states clearly: “A large received a recent boost with area of grizzly habitat, the publishing of the province’s particularly south of new report, Status of the Grizzly Highway 16, currently Bear in Alberta. The 4,000 square appears to be a kilometre Bighorn area, which population sink, but could sits east of Jasper and Banff support a self-sustaining National Parks, has suffered from population if human- motorized abuse, and it is now caused mortality was clear that Grizzly Bears are one reduced. …To reduce

more victim of that abuse. mortality, motorized BIGHORN RIVER VALLEY ERIK LIZEE access to bear habitat “The new grizzly report underlines must be minimized and human what we [and Nature Alberta] to the Land-Use Framework activities that lead to confl icts with have been saying for a long, long process, also recognize the bears must be mitigated.” time,” says Nigel Douglas, Alberta majority of the Bighorn area as Wilderness Association (AWA) As well as being important Nationally Signifi cant. conservation specialist. “Grizzlies wildlife habitat, the Bighorn is the For more information: in the Bighorn region are in source of drinking water for many trouble, and motorized access Albertans. Nigel Douglas, must be reduced if they are going AWA Conservation Specialist The Alberta Government’s own to survive.” (403) 283-2025 studies, produced to give direction

Tarsands Good News A provincial court judge has The Alberta government has and Western Grebes. The park rejected Syncrude Canada’s expanded the size of Sir Winston is home to more than 200 bird attempt to dismiss the case Churchill Provincial Park by species. Cindy Ady, Minister of against it regarding the deaths adding about 423 hectares. The Tourism, Parks and Recreation, of 1,600 ducks in one of its addition of all islands in the east said: “Expanding the park toxic tailings lakes. The federal basin of Lac La Biche increases further recognizes the province’s government has argued that the size of the park to 662 commitment to preserving this the lakes violate Canada’s hectares. The expanded park internationally signifi cant bird environmental laws and the includes Currant, Birch, Red Fox sanctuary.” Migratory Bird Act. and Pelican Islands, as well as two Recreational activities that un-named islands. High Island While most tarsands companies currently occur on the lake and Black Fox Island Natural would love to fi nd a solution in the east basin of Lac La Areas have also been consolidated to the mess they created, they Biche like boating, fi shing and into the provincial park. might be more motivated to do snowmobiling will not be affected. so if serious prosecutions hang Lac La Biche has the international Other activities such as hiking, over their heads. designation of Important Bird Area picnicking and rustic camping will for having a globally signifi cant continue to be allowed on the number of nesting California Gulls islands in designated areas. SPRING 2010 7

Carbon Capture & Storage Useless? A study from Houston University “nonsense” and stated that storage?”) Economides suggests claims what most people already CCS defi es the laws of physics. that the carbon could eventually suspected: carbon capture and The British Geological Survey produce “so much pressure that storage (CCS) “is not a practical is hoping to produce a peer- it fractured the rock and allowed means to provide any substantive reviewed analysis of the study the carbon to migrate to other reduction in CO2 emissions, soon. zones and possibly escape to the although it has been repeatedly surface.” There is little argument that CCS presented as such by others.” is tremendously expensive per Still, if governments and taxpayers The study claims that proponents ton of carbon and that no one can be persuaded of CCS – of CCS, including governments, really knows both what will regardless of its value or validity have vastly overestimated the happen to the carbon and what – it would allow industry to build technology’s value. Industry the long term effects are. (For a new coal fi red power plants and has refuted the claims in the good article on this, see www. call them climate-change friendly. report, citing some small-scale naturealberta.ca, under “Issues: successes, but co-author of the Are we digging ourselves into document, Michael Economides, a hole with carbon capture and has dismissed the criticism as Learning about the Energy Industry Turbines and Transmission Lines The Alberta government has announced that it will be taking The number of applications it has been tantamount to heresy its promotional message to and plans for industrial in some circles. However, the schools to ensure that students wind facilities in Alberta is potential problems it creates get the truth about the oil, substantially increasing, along for the environment are now tarsand and gas industries and with the accompanying electrical being examined more closely climate change initiatives. Energy transmission lines. Nature by a variety of sectors, and the Minister Ron Liepert denied that Alberta’s concern is centered concerns that we may be in the government will be imposing on the varying degrees of the throes of “way too much of propaganda. Instead, he said, ecological and wildlife damage a good thing” are deepening. “We should always be looking being done, though the many Nature Alberta is working with for opportunities, and I would other problems (ineffi ciency, those sectors on approaches to say especially [among] young taxpayer subsidies, health and be taken to move forward with people. They tend to be easily social issues, industrialization of greater caution and concern for infl uenced, and from a social the landscape, misinformation) the whole environment. media standpoint, they’re the most cannot be ignored, active and that’s the easiest way to especially considering spread information, whether it is what may be grossly right or wrong.” exaggerated benefi ts Part of the message will be to to wind energy’s inform young people on the touted solution to value of carbon capture and climate change. storage technology, to which Wind energy is a the government has directly controversial subject; committed at least $2 billion. simply questioning 8 NatureAlberta

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly THE GOOD: assault the social, spiritual and Supreme Court ruling, subvert Federal Environment Minister economic well-being of some the Parliamentary process, silence Jim Prentice announced, on May First Nations communities and Canadians who would otherwise 20th in Lethbridge AB, that the permanently remove fresh water participate in environmental government will be putting seven from the system. The Council of assessments, and strip away million dollars towards conservation Canadians is working on a legal the federal role in responsible and restoration in Waterton Lakes challenge in hopes of ending this environmental decision-making.” National Park. The focus will be unconscionable aggression. So once again, the government is on fescue grass, Whitebark Pine threatening an election if they are and Limber Pine. Mr. Prentice THE UGLY: not allowed the changes, which acknowledged that the Park has Last year’s Federal Government Devon Page says, “would deliver not seen any major investment for budget contained items unrelated a body blow, if not a death strike, decades. That should change since to the budget that were designed to the idea of environmentally the federal government has initiated to eliminate 100 years of protection sustainable development in actions towards ecological integrity for Canada’s navigable waters. Canada.” Ugly indeed! in Canada’s national parks. The government’s message to the opposition was simple: Let us Less Environment, THE BAD: remove environmental protection The Federal Government is or we’ll call an election. It worked. More Energy deliberately reclassifying some Now the government is back for a As budgets tend to do, the lakes and rivers across Canada, second time. 2010 Alberta budget, essentially outlining government priorities, turning natural, living bodies of Included in the latest budget bill angered some and cheered others. freshwater into lifeless, toxic waste are amendments to the federal Alberta Environment’s budget was dumps. The government will allow environmental assessment rules. cut $17.5 million and Sustainable mining companies to use the According to a report by Devon Resource Development will lose water bodies as dumping grounds Page (Executive Director of 112 positions. As well, some for mine tailings and rock waste, Ecojustice Canada) in The Hill energy sector environmental hence increasing the companies’ Times (www.thehilltimes.ca), monitoring will be cut back. The profi ts. The new rules will wipe out Canada’s Politics and Government Department of Energy, however, fi shing, wildlife and pristine lakes, Newsweekly, the proposed changes was blessed with an increase of poison streams and groundwater, “purport to sidestep a recent $50 million.

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Nature Alberta NEWS

HONOURING EXCELLENCE Dedicated naturalists – that is what drives conservation efforts in Alberta. Each year, Nature Alberta recognizes dedication at its Annual General Meeting Awards Celebration. This year, on

April 10th in Edmonton, six A FINE DINNER, RECOGNITION OF ACHIEVEMENT AND JASON DOMBROSKIE’S EXCELLENT naturalists were honoured PROGRAM ON LEPIDOPTERA HIGHLIGHTED NATURE ALBERTA’S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. VID BIJELIC

The magazine Nature Alberta doesn’t happen overnight. One member of the Executive, she For a profi le on Greg, see page of the more important aspects is is not eligible for an award; she 37. The award was presented by proofreading: the job of ensuring is, however, eligible for a big Dr Felix Sperling, President of the that errors in punctuation, “Thanks!” Guild. structure, spelling and other aspects are caught before the magazine is printed. For over four years, four faithful volunteers have consistently proofed every issue. In recognition of their valuable contribution, Nature Alberta has honoured Elaine Cathcart, Marilyn Ross, Val Scholefi eld NATURE ALBERTA EDITOR DENNIS BARESCO FELIX SPERLING PRESENTS THE 2009 FRANK and June Vermeulen with the PRESENTS THE 2009 VOLUNTEER AWARD AND ALICE HARPER MEMORIAL AWARD TO 2009 VOLUNTEER AWARD. In TO ELAINE CATHCART (LEFT) AND VAL GREG POHL. VID BIJELIC presenting the award, Editor SCHOLEFIELD (CENTER). VID BIJELIC Dennis Baresco remarked how Named for a respected Alberta each of the four always fi nds The Frank & Alice Harper naturalist, the Loran Goulden several items that have escaped Memorial Award is presented to Memorial Award is given the notice of the others. Sharp an individual who has contributed annually by Nature Alberta eyes are a blessing that everyone signifi cantly to the continued for outstanding contributions greatly appreciates! It must be success of their local naturalist to natural history in Alberta noted that Nature Alberta has a organization. Greg Pohl, of the through: fostering amateur natural fi fth proofreader, Sandra Foss, Alberta Lepidopterists Guild, was history study; contributing to our who has been equally dedicated this year’s very worthy recipient. knowledge of Alberta natural to the job. Since Sandra is a history; supporting conservation of 10 NatureAlberta

Alberta’s natural heritage; showing PAST PRESIDENT SANDRA FOSS PRESENTS THE 2009 leadership; and a willingness to LORAN GOULDEN MEMORIAL AWARD TO LU CARBYN. share knowledge. It was with JAYNNE CARRE great pleasure that Past President Sandra Foss presented the Award NOTE: NEW! A new criteria for the Honourary Life to Lu Carbyn, present Director Membership Award have now been developed and for Edmonton Nature Club. A approved by the Board at the AGM. profi le of Lu is on page 29.

EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTORS Edmonton Nature Club. He is Co- Ted Hindmarch is now in charge. At the NAMED owner and Moderator of the Yahoo April Nature Alberta meetings, it was The Nature Alberta 2010-11 Albertabird List_serv and last year suggested that the Issues Committee Executive and slate of Appointed became Nature Alberta Magazine’s be proactive on issues of a provincial Directors were approved at the circulation manager. Ted’s birding nature. With the huge number of AGM on April 10. interests have been expanded to environmental problems in Alberta, include local plants and butterfl ies, Nature Alberta must prioritize its APPOINTED DIRECTORS 2010-11: and he has continued his self- involvement. More local issues should Dennis Baresco, Dawn Dickinson, education into the natural history of be handled by the local clubs. Nature Jim Gendron, Peichen Gu, Ted Cold Lake and Alberta. In 2007, Ted Canada handles many national issues. Hindmarch, Chuck Priestley and received the FAN Volunteer award Philip Penner, NA Executive Director, Don Stiles. for his work on collecting and has attended the Northern Gateway coordinating information in the Cold Project (sending tarsands oil to Kitimat) EXECUTIVE for 2010-11: Lake area for the Alberta Breeding and the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline President: Chuck Priestley Bird Atlas project in the Cold Lake process. Chuck is a biologist with eleven area. years of academic and professional NEW MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES Treasurer: Peichen Gu work experience for a variety A new membership structure for Nature Peichen is currently a student, of industry clients, government Alberta was approved by the Board of seeking her Chartered accountants agencies, non-governmental Directors at the AGM. There are two designation. She has a wide variety organizations and environmental main changes, both of which resulted of experience in the banking consulting companies. Chuck from many requests and inquiries. and his wife Lisa co-own STRIX business in northern Alberta, and Ecological Consulting. He has has used Quickbooks (our “system”) First, a category for groups, businesses, been Chair of the Beaverhill Bird in a previous job as a Manager of and like organizations has been Observatory’s Board of Directors for a Medical clinic. She comes with established. This will allow those who the past eight years and became a excellent references, and is looking would like to join Nature Alberta to do member of Nature Canada’s Board forward to learning more about so without joining one of the two major of Directors in 2009. He has been Nature Alberta, and what we are all and offi cial Club categories. about! She is keen to expand her involved with Nature Alberta in Second, four categories of individual accounting knowledge into the non many different ways over the last membership will be introduced: profi t world! few years. Adult, Student, Family and Life; all of the individual members will receive Vice President: Ted Hindmarch Secretary: The position is presently Nature Alberta magazine as part of Ever since he was a lad, Ted has vacant. the membership. This is being done to been interested in birds and nature. NEW CHAIRMAN FOR ISSUES clear up some confusion over just who This has led to him taking on a COMMITTEE is a member versus a subscriber. very active naturalist role with the The position of Chairman for the Beaver River Naturalist Society, the Issues Committee is one of the Further details and initiation of the Board of Nature Alberta, and the functions of the Vice President, so “perqs” of being a member of Nature SPRING 2010 11

Alberta will be forthcoming soon. IT’S COMING! SEPT 24 One thing is certain: it is an TO 26! exciting time for Nature Alberta as Nature Alberta is planning it celebrates its 40th Anniversary a 40th Anniversary Gala and develops numerous programs Celebration – and you are all In and benefi ts for naturalists of all invited! A wonderful setting stripes. along the Red Deer River, Memoriam at the Deer Valley Meadows RUN ‘N FUN! facility at Alix AB, will be the Nature Alberta again partnered venue. Mark your calendar with the Running Room for the weekend of Sept 24 in Edmonton for a pair of to 26! “Hypothermic Half Marathons” The 40th Anniversary on Feb 14th and 28th. Executive team is planning activities, Director Philip Penner sends an speakers and fi eld trips; full enormous thank you to all the details will be released later. volunteers who helped out. “All Committee members are your enthusiasm and cheering,” Claudia Cameron (Chair), Ernie Kuyt said Philip, “was contagious and Lu Carbyn, Ted Hindmarch, much appreciated by the runners.” Christine Brown, Dawn The natural world lost a great friend Partnering with the Running Room Dickinson and Dennis recently when well-known biologist makes the Hypothermic Half a Baresco. worthwhile and fun initiative to and conservationist Ernie Kuyt passed be involved in. “We will continue ONE MORE REMINDER away suddenly, on Friday, May 21, at to look for ways to grow the race Nature Alberta has been age eighty-one. through our partnership with the adopted as the new brand Running Room as well as through name of the Federation Mr. Kuyt was born in the Netherlands in potential sponsor organizations,” of Alberta Naturalists. So 1929 and emigrated to Canada with his said Philip. whenever and wherever family shortly after the Second World War. you see “Nature Alberta” or Ernie’s pursuit in the fi elds of biology and “NA”, remember – it’s still conservation led him to Saskatchewan FAN! Federation of Alberta where he met and married Elsie Kulyk, the Naturalists will remain our lady with whom he would go on to spend offi cial, legal name. an adventurous 50 years. Ernie joined the Canadian Wildlife Service in 1960, and enjoyed a successful career in wildlife conservation, of which 25 years were dedicated to working with Whooping Cranes, culminating in his being awarded the Order of Canada. Nature Alberta readers may remember his most recent article for our magazine in the Winter 2010 issue, “A Back Yard Bird Bander’s Banter.” Ernie is survived by his loving wife Elsie, NATURE ALBERTA TREASURER daughter Pamela (Mike) Stroh, and son (PAST) DON GORDON STILL HAS Jonathan. Nature Alberta sends its sincere LOTS OF ENERGY AS HE “RUNS condolences to Ernie’s family. FOR FUN”! GROUND BEETLE PREDATING 12 NatureAlberta AN EARTHWORM. SOEBE

Up Close Naturally: First Insects and Spiders! BY MARGOT HERVIEUX

Even when the snow is lingering in the woods, there are already insects and spiders out and about.

The fi rst of these creatures survive in the leaf litter. They are busy the ground is exposed. These active the winter as adults, rather than searching for early sources of predators dine on a wide variety of eggs or pupae, so they have a nectar and pollen and exploring caterpillars and other insect prey. head start on spring. the forest fl oor in search of new Those big, slow mosquitoes that nest sites. After the queen hatches appear early in the spring have also her fi rst batch of young, the just emerged from hibernation in workers will take over the job of the leaf litter. Once the ponds warm looking for food so she can focus up, other species of mosquito will on egg production. complete the aquatic stages of their A few of our butterfl ies also life cycle and fl y forth in search of a over-winter as adults. As soon blood meal. as the days warm you can see Mosquitoes are one of many aquatic the orange and brown Milbert’s insects that become active as the Tortoiseshell. The large, brown snow melts. Even temporary ponds and yellow Mourning Cloak and WOLF SPIDER. FIR0002 in fl ooded fi elds and ditches are the commas, with leaf-like under- alive with creatures that provide wings, will be on the wing shortly Look around on a sunny porch important food for migrating ducks after. A great spot to see these or fallen log and you might and shorebirds. butterfl ies is on a tree trunk where fi nd a wolf spider. These large, sap is leaking from a wound. Surviving the winter is a major brown spiders don’t spin webs challenge for soft-bodied creatures but catch their prey by running Ladybugs also survive the like insects and spiders. For most and pouncing. Wolf spiders stay winter in the leaf litter or in our it is easiest to get through the cold active under the snow all winter buildings. Some hibernate on their months as an egg or pupa but for long. They are excellent mothers own while others, like the little those that can make it as an adult and later in the year you will see two-spotted, cluster in groups. there is little competition for spring the females carrying egg sacs and Many over-wintering ladybugs are resources. even baby spiders. pregnant females so, come spring, their focus is on egg laying. They The large bees feed on insect eggs and pollen and wasps that we until the fi rst aphids hatch. see early in the season are queens Some ground beetles stay active that spent the under the snow and can be found winter dormant in gardens and woods as soon as

Margot also writes a column for the Peace Country Sun, archived MOSQUITO. copies of which are available at www.peacecountrysun.com. ALVESGASPAR SPRING 2010 13

DEBBIE GODKIN Nature Diary: “Sharp-shinned Hawk & April Snowstorm” BY DEBBIE AND ALAN GODKIN

Well over a hundred Dark-eyed in our yard for three days during attempt to catch a Junco. On the Juncos – the highest concentration a spring snowstorm. I took the fourth day the snow quit and the of Juncos we’d ever seen during picture from my living room sun broke though the clouds, and spring migration – and one female window of the Hawk perched as if on cue, all the Juncos, as well Sharp-shinned Hawk took refuge on a poplar branch after a failed as the hawk, left.

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! 14 NatureAlberta

Close to Home: Nature Photography in Alberta Sasquatch Country – Walking With the Ancients BY JOHN WARDEN

I don’t think that my Dad thought of himself as a bush-pilot. But at least for part of his fl ying career, that’s what he was.

JOHN WARDEN He fl ew little twin-engine airplanes, which runs alongside Abraham has anyone else noticed the similarity in and out of small makeshift Lake for nearly twenty kilometers. between these two words? The river airstrips at construction sites in I’ve never been to the dam, but originates at the Saskatchewan Glacier the bush across Alberta and in I’ve spent quite a bit of time at in the nearby Columbia Icefi eld. the North. He did go on to fl y Windy Point and up on Windy Sasquatch aside, this is amazing corporate business jets, but I Point Ridge above Abraham country, and it’s close to home. remember him telling us stories of Lake. The name is appropriate; fl ying into the bush. this can be a really windy place and when the water is low in the The Bighorn Dam, west of lake, it can appear to be quite Nordegg, was being built in the desolate, almost spooky. The sort late 1960’s and my Dad fl ew into of place you might expect to fi nd the Dam construction site a few a ‘Bigfoot’. times. Sitting around the supper table one night he told us stories It turns out that Windy Point is that he had heard from the workers famous for Bigfoot sightings. at the dam site, stories about a Who’d have thought? There are ‘Bigfoot’ or ‘Sasquatch’. They told at least two reported sightings of stories about a big hairy creature Sasquatch right at Windy Point that had been seen regularly and more reported sightings in around the camp. They were sure the area.1 Personally, I’ve never that it was a Bigfoot and not a seen a Bigfoot and I don’t really Grizzly Bear that had raided one want to, but if you were going of the lunch shacks out on the to see one in Alberta, apparently construction site one night. your chances are better at Windy Point than in Sherwood Park! Flooding behind the dam created Abraham Lake, the largest man- Abraham Lake is fed by the North made lake in the province. You can Saskatchewan River. Hmm… see a bit of the Bighorn Dam from Saskatchewan and Sasquatch, the David Thompson Highway,

1 http://www.bigfootencounters.com/creatures/tallest_bigfoot.htm SPRING 2010 15

JOHN WARDEN

I was introduced to Windy Point of the trees on Windy Point Ridge on the highway and ancient trees by the Edmonton Bonsai Society are old…ancient even. There are everywhere you look. You can back in the mid 1980’s. It’s just a trees at Windy Point that appear walk down to the river and the few kilometers east of the David to be three or four hundred Point, or climb up onto the ridge. Thompson Resort and we would years old or older. Walking It’s worthwhile to take the time to go to the point and up onto the amongst the ancient trees there explore both areas. ridge to study and marvel at the is a special experience. It is quiet Whirlpool Point is perhaps naturally dwarfed and twisted and clean and seemingly full of an even more amazing place spruce and pine trees that are a natural energy. It’s a spiritual than Windy Point. The North found there. For thousands of place, perhaps even a sacred years, the wind has come roaring place. Sunbeams fi lter through down the valley and has stripped the branches and needles of the the soil and nutrients away from old trees like sunshine through Windy Point Ridge. The trees the stained glass windows of have twisted with the force of churches. Warm, golden light that the wind and they cling to life makes you feel special, just to be in pockets of soil. These are there. The trees are like ancient naturally dwarfed trees. Japanese sentinels perched high on Windy Bonsai gardeners, growing and Point Ridge, watching time and shaping trees in small pots, are perhaps the occasional Sasquatch mimicking the natural effects that march through the valley. nature has had on the trees at Another thirty or forty kilometers places like Windy Point. west of Windy Point, past There are stunted trees at Windy Siffl eur Falls and the Kootenay Point but, where there is enough Plains Ecological Reserve, is soil, trees will also grow to Whirlpool Point. There is no regular sizes. Big or small, many sign, just a good-sized pull-out

JOHN WARDEN JOHN WARDEN 16 NatureAlberta

Saskatchewan River makes a A highlight of Whirlpool Point is ninety degree turn at this location found right on the bank of the and the bend in the river causes river – an ancient Limber Pine. a whirlpool effect in the water. One of the oldest trees in Alberta, The trees here are just amazing. it is estimated to be a thousand or It’s like being dropped into a more years old2. This is one cool parallel dimension where man tree. It’s not very tall and the entire has not intruded for a thousand trunk has a twisting characteristic years. It’s a place that you want that you’ll begin to recognize if you to share with someone special, hang around really old trees. It’s the but talking out loud would be kind of tree that you need to touch improper, like talking in church. I to assure yourself that it’s real, that could say that the trees are Limber it’s alive. You’ve heard about tree Pines or Whitebark Pines; I don’t hugging: give it a try. And while really know the difference. But you’re pondering this great old you can see these kinds of old, tree, do the math in your head. ancient, worn and weathered, This old tree has been here, on the There’s rarely any traffi c on the twisted and beaten trees down in bank of the river since well before highway down below, there are no the Crowsnest Pass and up on the Columbus came to America. That’s signs, no buildings and no people. It’s Whaleback. There’s another little a lot of living and reproducing – so quiet that it seems you can hear pocket of trees like these along pinecones everywhere! the trees breathing, naturally, with the the Trans Canada Highway as All around Whirlpool Point are rhythm of the mountains. you’re driving towards Banff, and these very old Limber Pines and it’s more up on the Cardinal Divide The stories from my Dad and others of an easy and fascinating opportunity and here at Whirlpool Point. Sasquatch in the Abraham Lake area to walk amongst these ancient trees. These are special trees that create are fun and interesting. Because of the But you’re not done yet. Hiking up special places. trees though, I’ve come to appreciate from the highway and scrambling Windy Point and Whirlpool Point as up onto Whirlpool Ridge offers its spiritual places. They are places that own rewards. The view is fabulous, can provide perspective for our own and there’s another great old Limber lives and our own small place in the Pine about half way up, clinging Cosmos. But they are also places of to a rock face on a ledge. This is connection. If Sasquatch have come to a spirit tree. It’s big and brave and visit this area, I’m sure it’s because of bold, tenaciously clinging to life the trees. Perhaps they too have felt a with its roots wrapped around a need to connect with the very essence massive rock. The tree is old…and of nature by walking amongst the beautiful. ancients. I’m told there was a ‘controlled burn’ that got away from the forestry workers The ancient pine-tree, and burned a part of Whirlpool Point Ridge since I was last there. I worry Watching for a thousand years - about what I’ll fi nd when I go back. I Men with fire. almost don’t want to go back, but – the HAIKU BY JOHN WARDEN magic pulls at me.

2 Heritage Trees of Alberta, Heritage Tree Foundation of Canada, 2008. SPRING 2010 17 BOOK REVIEW

The Meteorites of Alberta REVIEW BY: CHRISTINE BROWN When I was asked to do this review I was a little wary, as I am no astronomy or meteorite expert. However, as the book’s cover boasted the human side of the history of Alberta’s meteorites, I was at the very least intrigued.

The book contains some The author has aimed this book Anthony J. Whyte. University of Alberta very interesting history of the at both amateur and professional Press. ISBN: 978-0-88864-475-6. $34.95 Cnd meteorites that have fallen on astronomers. Luckily for the Alberta’s soils. These consist of amateur, he included both fi ve iron meteorites and ten stony the periodic table and a short what the research may mean. It meteorites. Although many of the glossary. In his introduction also feels that every paragraph meteorites’ histories between their he describes the differences describes new research on the fi nd and their research are short, a between the iron and stony meteorite. With such an excess few, like the Iron Creek Meteorite, meteorite, and how these of data the importance of the are several hundred years long. are further classifi ed. He also research is lost to the average One, the Bruderheim Meteorite, describes the methods by which reader and a quiet Saturday read is considered to be the most the chemistry of the meteorites is turns into an afternoon of painful researched in the world, and its measured. study. chemical measurements are now Each chapter on each meteorite used as a standard by which to This book is not a complete loss. is separated into History and measure new technology. For those interested in learning Science. Unfortunately, these more about meteorites, I feel that The book also goes into the science sections fall apart for it can be an important resource. history of astronomy in Alberta those reading this book as It not only gives an Albertan with the development of the amateurs. The vast majority of perspective but also conveys the Meanook and Newbrook the research on meteorites is importance of the Alberta fi nds Observatories, as well as the on their chemical composition. and research to the science of Meteorite Observation and This will tell us the history of astronomy, although a little extra Recovery Project. A chapter the meteorite and our solar study and second read may be describes the active search for system. The author tells us what required. several meteorites and another information the researchers on how average people can fi nd have tried to fi nd through evidence of a cosmic death to the their chemical analysis of the dinosaurs in Alberta. A description meteorites, but with little to no of where Alberta’s own impact summary of the researchers’ craters can be found is also given. conclusions or his own on 18 NatureAlberta Western Canada's Wild Horses: The Struggle for Legitimacy BY CLAUDIA NOTZKE

“The Horse War” (Cowley 2010) and “A Herd for the Killing” (Powter 2010): these were the headings of articles in the recent popular press in Alberta.

Such headlines bear eloquent to wonder about a "conspiracy of and was carried out by R.E. Salter (Salter testimony to the beleaguered state silence" and a disconcerting lack of 1979; Salter and Hudson 1979&1980); it of western Canada's wild horses. determination and political will on did not document forage or behavioural the part of those investigating such competition with either wildlife or Only numbering in the hundreds incidents. As far as the government domestic cattle. Independent and peer- (in contrast to their equally was concerned, there appeared reviewed research into the ecology besieged cousins in the United to be overwhelming evidence to and ethology of these animals is badly States whose numbers amount to the effect that the death of wild needed and provides great opportunities approximately 60,000 – less than horses was totally inconsequential for up and coming biologists. half of whom still roam free), their for the authorities. Much of this major population concentrations indifference (and ambiguity) can …OR WILDLIFE are found on British Columbia's be associated with the ongoing In contrast to this seemingly entrenched Chilcotin Plateau, in Alberta's debate of just what these horses government attitude many scientists Rocky Mountain Foothills and are. (paleoecologists, mammologists, range Saskatchewan's Bronson Forest. scientists) view the wild horse in North These animals have been ALIEN… America as returned wildlife (Martin subjected to mindless cruelty, with Many government agencies 2005:194; Flannery 2001:295; Morin the body count of shot horses in consider wild horses as 2006:303; see also Burckhardt 1996). central Alberta alone amounting domesticated escapees and The horse coevolved with American to more than thirty over the past invasive species with no dollar ecosystems over 4 million years before decade. In Alberta, it was only value attached to them as either becoming extinct 11,000 years ago, due in January 2010 that the RCMP livestock or huntable wildlife. to a combination of human overhunting laid the fi rst charges in any of As "alien" species they must be and climate change. It was reintroduced the killings, and at this point, doing what all alien species do: by the Spanish ca 500 years ago and the outcome of impending court compete with "native wildlife" spread throughout the Americas, in proceedings is entirely open. and damage "native ecosystems." many cases reoccupying its ancient Up to the point where these fi rst This is powerful mythology and ecological niche. Despite “domestication” charges were laid, one was left makes them a challenging cause to the modern horse Equus caballus is champion. The only scientifi c work genetically equivalent to Equus lambei, ever conducted on wild horses in a horse, according to fossil records, Alberta dates back to the 1970s that represented the most recent Equus

DR. NOTZKE WITH A SPANISH MUSTANG COLT ON THE BLACKFEET RESERVATION IN MONTANA Claudia Notzke is a geographer and Associate Professor in the International Program of the Faculty of Management at the University of Lethbridge, where she teaches courses and conducts research in the fi elds of environmental management and sustainable tourism. She is an avid equestrienne and outdoors enthusiast, and horses, wild and tame, have always been part of her life. Her current research program focuses on management challenges related to wild horses. She has enjoyed the company of wild horses throughout western Canada and the western United States, Sable Island/Nova Scotia, Germany and Mongolia. SPRING 2010 19

HARSH WINTERS AND PREDATORS SEEM TO EFFECTIVELY CONTROL WILD HORSE POPULATIONS. BOB HENDERSON subspecies in North America law, within a new category for to be “nature’s calendar” and the prior to extinction. To speak with management considerations. As time frame in which to explore the Kirkpatrick & Facio (2010:5f; see a form of wildlife, embedded legitimacy of the horse’s ecological also Forsten 1992 and Hofreiter et. with wildness, ancient behaviour status in our environment. This is not al. 2001): patterns, and the morphology Australia or New Zealand, where the and biology of a sensitive prey horse is indeed an “alien introduced The key element in describing species, they may fi nally be species”, its well-deserved cultural and an animal as a native species is released from the "livestock- historical status notwithstanding, nor is (1) where it originated; and (2) gone-loose" appellation. it a “goats on the Galapagos” scenario! whether or not it co-evolved with its habitat. Clearly, E. caballus did both, here in North America. BLIND SPOTS ECOLOGICAL OPPORTUNITIES There might be arguments Using the 16th century as a baseline Government managers' preoccupation about "breeds," but there are no of what “natural” North American with wild horses' anticipated ecological scientifi c grounds for arguments ecosystems should look like is damage tends to ignore ecological about "species." totally arbitrary. Paleoecologist Paul opportunities presented by horses. Martin’s term “Columbian curtain” • Where there is a greater number The non-native, feral and exotic fi ttingly describes this blind spot. of species in a given ecosystem, designation given by agencies While there will never be absolute having evolved and evolving a are not merely refl ections of their certainty about what led to the complementarity and a diversifi cation failure to understand modern extinction of North America's of niches, there is also a healthier science but also a refl ection megafauna, there is overwhelming and more stable ecosystem, whose of their desire to preserve old scientifi c evidence to the effect checks and balances are well ways of thinking to keep alive that horses did not disappear from established. The African savannah is the confl ict between a species this continent where they evolved the best example. (wild horses), with no economic over millions of years without the value anymore (by law), and the “help” of newly immigrated and • From fossils we know that the economic value of commercial very effi cient stone age hunters. grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees of livestock. It is diffi cult if not impossible for the Americas coevolved with a much greater variety of large herbivores Native status for wild horses most people to think in terms of than exist today. would place these animals, under “geological time”, but this ought 20 NatureAlberta

• New World vegetation has evolved in the presence of herbivory by horses. • Of all herbivores, horses tend to be the most effective “seeders.” Whereas cud-chewing cattle (and other ruminants such as buffalo, deer, antelope, and sheep) thoroughly masticate and destroy a majority of seeds they may ingest, the horse does not. Its ineffi cient post-gastric digestion

system passes grass seeds, and HORSES IN THE WILD DISPLAY INTRICATE SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR. BOB HENDERSON by “banking seeds” insures the perpetuation of its own forage. implemented in Alberta, but management requirements are much • Due to their upper incisors, capture (with no limits on less onerous, since wild horse numbers horses nip off plants above the numbers) is being facilitated are smaller and more importantly, ground, rather than ripping plants with no concern for the impact already subjected to the infl uence of a up by their roots, thus frequently on wild herds or the fate of the full range of large predators. killing them (as sheep and cattle captured individuals. In 2004 In November 2009, there was a can do.) the Wild Horses of Alberta precedent-setting development in Society (WHOAS) prepared a • Other benefi ts: horse trails being Saskatchewan: Bill No. 606 (a private well thought-out review of the used by other species; crusted member's bill), An Act to protect the Horse Capture Regulations, which snow removal by horses to access Wild Ponies of the Bronson Forest, was deserves more attention than it forage and water, benefi tting passed in the Saskatchewan Legislature. cattle, elk, deer and antelope; has been getting. It proposes removal of coarse stands of protection as well as management OPEN MINDS grass, reducing fi re hazard and (where and when necessary) of What is needed most of all is a providing spring grazing for wild horses on all public lands change in attitude towards our free- other species; providing prey for rather than just designated capture roaming horses. Resource managers, predators. areas and placing wild horses conservationists and others who (Downer 1977/2007; McCrory 2002; under the jurisdiction of the Henderson pers. comm. 2006) Fish and Wildlife Division rather oppose the horse’s presence in the wild should try to open their minds to In several European countries semi- than the Public Lands and Forest Division of Sustainable Resource the possibility that the wild horse is wild horses are used as ecosystem not just a foreign domestic interloper engineers, reoccupying their Development. It also puts great emphasis on the enforcement of or recent barnyard escapee. While ancient ecological niches and in herds in Alberta, Saskatchewan and many cases boosting biodiversity. regulations and stronger measures against individuals who illegally British Columbia differ in their natural There are also potential cultural, and cultural history, there is every genetic and economic (tourism!) graze and release domestic horses on public lands. indication that these animals are of opportunities. varied origin, some in all likelihood I would advise caution in descending from Spanish bloodlines, REVISITING MANAGEMENT following the United States 1971 others of more recent domestic origin. These observations should Wild Free-Roaming Horse and What they share is natural smarts and justify revisiting resource Burro Act without a thorough genetic diversity acquired through managers’ approach to the study of its many loopholes, generations of natural selection, wild horse question. Currently pitfalls and implementation features no longer present in many of no “management” is being problems. Furthermore, our our domestic breeds. SPRING 2010 21

Management decisions for wild horses should be made based on actual observations and research fi ndings and verifi able data, not assumptions and prejudice. We owe it to the horse’s unique role in our own history and culture to acknowledge it as a biological being in its own right, not just as a servant of Man.

References Burckhardt, J. W., 1996. Herbivory in the Intermountain West: BOB HENDERSON An Overview of Evolutionary History. Historic Cultural Impacts and Lessons from the Past. Idaho Forest, Wildlife, Depending on their natural and cultural history, different and Range Experiment Station, Station Bulletin 58. herds of free-roaming horses tend to show varying Cowley, P., 2010. The Horse War. Red Deer Advocate, April characteristics. Many of the wild horses west of Sundre like 3, 2010. this young stallion, display the "dun factor": a dorsal stripe Downer, C.C., 1997, 2007. Wild Horses: Living Symbols of down their back as well as stripes on their withers and legs. Freedom. Minden, Nevada. These primitive markings are widely thought to indicate Flannery, T., 2001. The Eternal Frontier. An Ecological History descent from Spanish horses, particularly Sorraias. Based of North America and its Peoples. Grove Press, New York. on their conformation, colouring, preliminary DNA test Forsten, A. 1992 Mitochondrial-DNA Timetable and the Evolution of Equus: Comparison of Molecular and results and archival evidence (all of which is under further Paleontological Evidence. Ann. Zool. Fennici 28:301-309. investigation) it is suggested here, that this population Henderson, R. 2006. Personal Communication. may be descended from early Spanish stock more than two Hofreiter, M., Serre, D. Poinar, H.N. Kuch, M., Paeaebo, S. centuries ago, which was joined by heavier horses released 2001. Ancient DNA. Nature Reviews Genetics 2(5):353-359. in the early 20th century. Kirkpatrick, J.F., and P. M. Facio, 2010. Wild Horses as Native North American Wildlife. Revised January 2010. The Science and Conservation Center, ZooMontana, Billings. Salter, R.E., 1979. Biogeography and Habitat-Use Martin, P. S., 2005. Twilight of the Mammoths. Ice Age Behavior of Feral Horses in Western and Northern Extinctions and the Rewilding of America. University of Canada. Proceedings: Symposium on the Ecology California Press, Berkeley, Los Angeles, London. and Behavior of Wild and Feral Equids. University of Wyoming, Laramie, September 6-8, 1979, pp.129-141. McCrory, W., 2002. Preliminary Conservation Assessment of the Rainshadow Wild Horse Ecosystem, Brittany Triangle, Salter, R.E., and Hudson, R.J., 1979. Feeding Ecology Chilcotin, British Columbia, Canada. Submitted to Friends of Feral Horses in Western Alberta. Journal of Range of the Nemiah Valley. Management 32(3), 221-225. Morin, P., 2006. Honest Horses. Wild Horses in the Great Salter, R.E., and Hudson, R.J., 1980. Range Relationships Basin. University of Nevada Press, Reno & Las Vegas. of Feral Horses with Wild Ungulates and Cattle in Western Canada. Journal of Range Management Powter, G., 2010. A Herd for the Killing. Explore, May 2010, 33(4), 66-271. pp.38-45, 64-65. BOB HENDERSON In contrast to “The Ghost” (see “On the Covers”), young bachelor stallions tend to be boisterous and curious, like these three beauties (left) ... or this obliging young stallion near Nordegg (right). Western Canada's remaining BOB HENDERSON wild horse herds mostly occupy forest ecosystems. In view of initiatives in European countries where free-roaming horses have been re-introduced into forests to boost biodiversity (for example Germany's Hutewald Project) a study of the wild horses' ecology in western Canadian forests would be a worthwhile endeavour. 22 NatureAlberta

FEATURE ARTICLE The Ten Last Years of Birding at Beaverhills Lake BY DICK DEKKER

Beaverhills Lake east of Edmonton, Alberta, was one of the major staging areas in western North America for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. However, by 2009 its formerly huge size of 140 square km had dwindled to zero.

Its demise was a serious set- 68 days I visited other parts of over 45 years. Its wide vistas offered back for local birdwatchers, the lake to check out the waders, a peaceful and magic refuge from an who used to fl ock to its shores geese, ducks, divers, and gulls. As increasingly noisy and hectic city. This ever since 1920, when the late a lifetime raptor afi cionado, I paid article, in chronological order, presents Professor William Rowan and his special attention to the falcons and some of the highlights of my mostly technician Robert Lister began eagles hunting the waterbirds. As solitary wanderings. their collections of the lake’s the lake became shallower, it was avian riches. In 1948, the south interesting to observe the changes 2000 shore became a seasonal Mecca in littoral habitat, such as the May 1. On this year’s fi rst visit, I for members of the Edmonton drying up of emergent vegetation checked the Ducks Unlimited weir Bird Club. My own intensive fi eld and the succession of plants blocking the inlet of Amisk Creek. observations started in 1965, and colonizing the former lake bottom. Winter snow had been below average I visited the lake every spring By road the distance from my and there was no infl ow of meltwater. and fall, less often in summer and Edmonton home to the lake’s east Thousands of Snow Geese were winter. During the last decade side was exactly 100 km one way. bypassing the area and heading farther of its existence, from 2000 to Thus, to get there during the past north. During the remainder of May, 2009, I averaged 25 day trips per ten years alone, I have driven a I walked various sections of the lake year, concentrating on a section total of 52,800 km, whilst the price shore. Numbers and species of waders of shore overlooking the last of gasoline went up and up and were not out of the ordinary, except remaining pool of shallows in the lake levels went down. The money on May 28, when I counted 18 Red East Bay. came out of my own pocket, but Knots, more than I had seen in some I walked that 4 km stretch of to my mind, those ten years of years. Once quite common, these wet ground a total of 178 times. discovery were worth every penny waders have declined everywhere in Returning by the same route, I spent. North America. The fall season was sat down for an hour or more again unremarkable, but on September The ecological dynamics of this on a stony point where a 40 cm 23 there were about one thousand once world-famous and now high boulder served as a water Black-bellied Plovers, an unusually dead wetland have fascinated me level marker. On an additional large number for this locality. SPRING 2010 23

BRIAN GENEREUX

2001 former shores, leaving a wide belt normally far less numerous than After an unremarkable spring of mudfl ats. By late May, whilst Semipalmated, Least, and Pectoral passage of geese and shorebirds, inland sloughs dried up, wading Sandpipers. White-rumped May 21 stood out in my diary birds concentrated at the lake and Sandpipers were present too, but with a sighting of 22 Buff- reached unprecedented numbers required a careful look to confi rm breasted Sandpipers. Some exceeding 50,000 and probably their identifi cation. Farther out decades ago, this species could approaching double that estimate. on the water, dense fl ocks of be counted by the hundreds. This surpasses the maximum Red-necked Phalaropes rose On August 31, I saw two of 52,000 shorebirds recorded high into the sky at the approach Upland Plovers, a locally rare in May of 1995 when Ducks of Peregrines and Merlins. On southern species that used to be Unlimited crews, driving ATV’s, May 9 and again on May 27, I a regular on the pastures along conducted a census of the entire had very close views of a gang of the north shore. In September, lake. Their report became the seven Parasitic Jaegers hunting the number of sandpipers was basis for a successful application shorebirds. On September 8, out again unexceptional. Tens of to add the lake to the prestigious on the drying mudfl ats, there were thousands of Snow Geese list of Western Hemisphere as many as 40 Killdeer. Also stayed into the fi rst week of Shorebird Reserves. On May 27, American Avocets were more October. 2002, about half of the thousands numerous than normal, but still of shorebirds 2002 thronging the east This year turned out to be shore were Stilt the second driest ever since Sandpipers and regional weather records began Sanderlings, 120 years ago. With only 260 which are mm of annual precipitation, the lake retreated far from its SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS ON BEAVERHILLS LAKE. BRIAN GENEREUX 24 NatureAlberta

well below the huge numbers seen Gosche reported 1,500 American stayed until May 16, when I saw during the next two years. Avocets. My rough estimate of about 500 lifting off from the east avocet numbers was one thousand shore and fl ying inland to feed on 2003 on October 5, and there were stubble fi elds. Another interesting The month of May was again still more than 700 on October phenomenon this spring was the superlative for shorebirds. On the 21. Snow Geese, using the lake concentration of Rough-legged 18th, I carefully determined the as a daytime resting and staging Hawks and Northern Harriers, mean number per linear metre site, stayed late into October and evidently attracted by the local of shore, and then extrapolated reached overwhelming numbers. explosion of small rodents (Meadow that fi gure to the circumference Impossible to count or even Voles) in the matted vegetation of the entire lake in its present estimate, their fl ocks might have covering the former lake bottom. much reduced size. Added to the contained in excess of 100,000 On the late afternoon of April 30, huge fl ocks of phalaropes and birds. while scanning the area through dowitchers foraging far off-shore, binoculars, I counted 11 Short-eared my estimate worked out to at least 2004 Owls fl ying far and near. Later that 100,000 shorebirds. They stayed As always, Canada Geese were spring and early summer, the owls several days and attracted many back in early March, and already performed their peculiar courting migrating Peregrine Falcons; on April 2, thousands of Snow display. The migration of shorebirds on May 22, I tallied 20 sightings. Geese were passing over the south began rather early. On May 10, I Often there were two or more side of the lake. On April 9, my recorded tens of thousands of falcons simultaneously stooping at impression of their number was dowitchers and sandpipers, all the waders. Engaged in peregrine again in the order of 100,000. over the shallows and vast mudfl ats. studies elsewhere, I did not visit The only way to obtain a realistic It was quite a spectacle to see their the lake during the return migration estimate of geese numbers of fl ocks billowing up into the sky, of arctic shorebirds, which starts that magnitude is through aerial alarmed by Peregrine Falcons or in early July. Other local birders photography of roosting fl ocks. Merlins. On May 16 and 19, I again saw masses of sandpipers in White-fronted Geese were made an effort to calculate the total the East Bay. On August 2 and present by the hundreds until the avian population of the lake by 10, Brian Genereux and Stan second week of May. Ross Geese extrapolating the mean number of birds per linear metre to the entire extent of shoreline. And again I reached a fi gure of around 100,000 shorebirds. The relative proportion of species was diffi cult to assess, but it seemed that the Semipalmated Sandpiper was the most numerous by far. Tens of thousands stayed until May 24, until they were suddenly gone the next day after a warm southerly wind had sprung up overnight.

2005 This was again an interesting year. Realizing the value of keeping score of the migrations at this vanishing Ramsar site, I increased my visits

KILLDEER. RAYMOND TOAL SPRING 2010 25

DOWITCHERS ON BEAVERHILLS LAKE. BRIAN GENEREUX

to a total of 41 days: 5 in April, way north or to a local roosting easily be missed during this time of 10 in May, 3 in June, 3 in July, site. year when few birdwatchers visit the 5 in August, 7 in September, 5 lake. On August 2, there were still Return migrations began early that in October, and 1 in November. about 40 Hudsonians, but none on year. On June 1, my walk along On April 2, there were hundreds August 10. On the 19th, I spotted East Bay was enlivened by many of Canada Geese and thousands 3 Black-necked Stilts, always rare small fl ocks of Sanderlings, of Snow Geese along the south on the main lake. Another rarity easily totalling 2000 birds. They and west shores. Small fl ocks for this time of year was 4 Buff- were gone on June 16. On of sandpipers arrived in the fi rst breasted Sandpipers. The most July 2, there were about 200 week of May and built up to a common wader was the Long-billed Semipalmated Sandpipers total of about 1000 on May 8. Dowitcher. Far and near, they and three Baird’s in addition to By mid May, there were many numbered about one thousand. At a hundred or so Red-necked thousands. On May 22, I count- the end of the month, many Black Phalaropes. By July 9, scattered estimated 50,000 Semipalmated Terns had joined the clouds of along the entire shore, there Sandpipers along my 4 km of Franklin’s and Bonaparte’s Gulls were many Lesser Yellowlegs, East Bay shore. On the 26th of hawking lakefl ies over the water. some 40 Marbled Godwits, and May, the last of the northern three Hudsonians. On July 26, I By September 8, the peeps had migrants included some 100 counted at least 500 Hudsonian greatly declined. During my usual Black-bellied Plovers and Godwits. Others were too far walk along East Bay I saw 60 untold masses of Red-necked away for certain identifi cation. Sanderling, 200 Baird’s Sandpipers, Phalaropes. In early evening This record and the June sighting 20 Semipalmated, 10 Pectoral, and 2 of the same day, I counted 27 of 2000 Sanderlings shows how Least. In the last week of September, ravens fl ying by, perhaps on their the passage of some species could there were still 700 dowitchers, 200 BRIAN GENEREUX 26 NatureAlberta

awe of what I 2007 had seen that This year began with a surprisingly good day, my notes snowmelt runoff from the lake’s huge included this watershed in the Beaver Hills to the phrase: “several west. Both major inlet creeks -- Amisk hundred in the south and Ross in the north -- thousand kept running well into June. The Lister shorebirds!” Lake weir was overfl owing vigorously, On May 24, I releasing its dammed-up waters into the guestimated dry basin of what used to be the main the phalaropes lake. Flooded out of their shelters in the Black-bellied Plovers, 50 Golden alone at about 100,000. On one protective vegetation, Meadow Voles Plovers, several hundred White- memorable day, when several became vulnerable to predators. On April fronted Geese, and a few dozen other local birders were present, 14, scanning through binoculars from Tundra Swans. In earlier years, I saw six Peregrine Falcons a point on the south shore, I counted when the water was deeper, in simultaneous pursuit of a at least 16 Short-eared Owls and 10 numerous migrating swans used dowitcher. It made a miraculous Rough-legged Hawks in addition to the lake as a traditional staging escape by plunging down in the many ravens and harriers, quartering the site, dredging up the roots of middle of a group of swimming ground for prey. The life-giving waters the abundant Sago Pond Weeds, ducks, which kicked up water to rose to restore the lake to about one which have now practically gone. ward off a persistent attacker. third of its former size. Walking my 4 km Predictably, tens of thousands survey route, I was pleased to see that the of Snow Geese stayed well into During June, as the East Bay shrunk marker stone was completely inundated. October. On November 1, the lake in size, ducks were concentrated Meanwhile, dormant roots and seeds was frozen except for some holes into great rafts, consisting of 50 % of Bulrush and Cattail began to sprout, kept open by the last of the geese. shoveler, 20 % teal, 15 % mallard, and by mid August extensive stretches In late afternoon, as seen from the 10 % gadwall, and 5% pintail. of the formerly open waterline became west shore, several thousand Snow During two summer visits -- on July overgrown. Another noticeable change Geese fl ew inland to feed on the 15 and 30 – there was a scattering was the return of sticklebacks, minnows, stubble fi elds, which they shared of the usual waders, including and aquatic crustaceans, apparently with scattered fl ocks of Snow yellowlegs, dowitchers, Stilt fl ushed into the lake by the overfl owing Buntings. Sandpipers, avocets, Hudsonian, and Marbled Godwits. Willets weirs inland. The fi shes supplied a food base for pelicans and grebes, which 2006 had been scarce all year. A single had been absent for several years. Also As seen from the south end, the Whimbrel made my day on July 30. By early August, the last attracted by the enriched marsh habitat former lake bed looked like a were a dozen or more Black-necked vast wasteland stretching to the remaining pool had become too shallow even for ducks. Unable to Stilts, which established a nesting colony horizon. On April 11, half a dozen in the wet meadows south of Lister Lake. Short-eared Owls and Northern dive at a falcon’s attack, they had fl own away to deeper water. Here Another two pairs nested successfully on Harriers were winging to and East Bay. fro over the matted vegetation. and there on the wet mud, a few As is usual, shorebird migrations Baird’s Sandpipers, Black-bellied By contrast, the 2007 spring passage began during the fi rst week of Plovers, and Killdeer were running of shorebirds was very poor. The May and peaked during the third about, snapping up fl ies. By the explanation was simple. All dried- week. There were thousands fi rst of September, all water had up sloughs in the region had been of Semipalmated and Baird’s dissipated and the fl ats turned the rejuvenated by snowmelt, and Beaverhills Sandpipers, many hundreds colour of chalk. On windy days, Lake was no longer the only available of Stilt Sandpipers, and tens dust devils swirled high into the wetland for feeding. By the third week of thousands of Red-necked sky and sheets of soda salts shifted of May, fl ocks of peeps and plovers Phalaropes. On May 21, in downwind like drifting snow. along my route were no larger than a SPRING 2010 27

few dozen, or at most a couple Throughout September, it the meltwater went straight into of hundred, a far cry from the was routine to see several the parched and cracked ground. preceding years. Another change Peregrines and Merlins, and in During the fi rst two weeks of May, was the return of a few nesting mid September Richard Klauke geese and gulls were common, and Wilson’s Phalaropes and reported a Gyrfalcon. I had there were a couple of hundred Marbled Godwits, formerly seen this big falcon several days avocets in East Bay. Sandpipers common around the entire lake earlier but failed to identify it increased to several thousand on but absent during the drought correctly because I seldom carry a May 19 and 24, but the pelicans years. Migrants on their way telescope during my long walks. and other fi sh-loving birds had south began to make their My previous earliest fall record gone. During June and July, on appearance in mid July, when I for the Gyrfalcon was September the extensive fl ats of sand and grit, recorded hundreds each of Lesser 25. In most years, during summer I was delighted to come across Yellowlegs and Hudsonian and early fall, the Prairie Falcon several Piping Plovers. On July 15, Godwits. Two weeks later, on shows up at the lake too, where it one pair was guarding four chicks. July 31, the Hudsonians were hunts shorebirds. In this wetland On that same date, there were gone. In early August, numerous habitat, Prairie Falcons are easily many Stilt Sandpipers probing sandpipers, many of them mistaken for Peregrines. Gerald the shallows. During August the Pectorals, were foraging in wet Romanchuk obtained an excellent remaining pool of water continued grass. Along shore, I counted 13 photo of a Prairie Falcon as to shrink, but the wet mud attracted Willets and 10 Marbled Godwits. it passed right overhead. On good numbers of peeps as well as The lake bed must have been September 10, my diary entry a few plovers until August 29. On rich in aquatic foods, such as the reads tens of thousands of September 19, I saw no water at larvae — called bloodworms — ducks and geese. This wealth all. Like last year, Black-bellied of midges, for the build-up of of waterfowl attracted many Plovers were the last to hang dowitchers was spectacular. eagles. On September 30, Gerald around. and I counted 10 immature Bald From September 9 to October Eagles roosting in the trees near 7, anywhere from fi ve to ten 2009 the Mundare road. On that date, thousand dowitchers were Another very dry spring. In early I also watched a Golden Eagle probing the shallows far and May, a few migrants were attracted hunting ducks. In the meantime, wide. As well, the lake was a by the shallow pool of snowmelt the lake continued to drop and by place of plenty for fi sh-eating and wet mud near the centre of the October 7 my marker stone was species. Common and Forster’s former East Bay. On May 16, there entirely free from the water line. Terns were hovering over the was a fair range of species including This means that the lake had lost water, and some 200 White about half a metre in level over Pelicans collected on a gravel bar the summer. On October 22, the near the location of their former last of the shorebirds included breeding colony. In addition, after a dozen Black-bellied Plovers, a long absence, I saw the odd their sad whistles haunting my Western Grebe. Three Hooded walk over the ever widening Mergansers represented the fi rst mudfl ats. specimens of this beautiful species I had ever seen on the main lake. As usual, Franklin’s, Bonaparte’s, 2008 and Ring-billed Gulls fi lled the This was another poor spring sky, and on September 27, I for runoff despite a fair amount spotted a Sabine’s Gull, which of winter snow. Apparently, was later photographed by Gerald Romanchuk. Birds of prey were well represented. AMERICAN AVOCET. JIM UFFELMANN 28 NatureAlberta

20 Red-necked Phalaropes, 2000 huge and world-famous wetland of thousands, surpassing all previous Semipalmated Sandpipers, 50 vibrant with the wings and cries records for central Alberta. The fi nal days Semipalmated Plovers, 10 Stilt of thousands of birds. In less than of the lake were again quite dramatic and Sandpipers, 2 Baird’s, 3 Sanderlings, ten years, it went from a teeming sudden. By the fall of 2009, all shorebirds, 3 Black-bellied Plovers, 20 Golden avian treasury to a wasteland. As ducks, geese, and gulls had left. Plovers, 12 dowitchers, and one the water levels dropped, the fi rst It was interesting to observe how quickly each of Whimbrel and Marbled birds to abandon the lake were the great scar of new land was covered Godwit. This day became my last the fi sh-eating and island-nesting up with a succession of quick-growing ever to walk the survey route. I species: pelicans, cormorants, plants sprouting from the fertile mud. decided that another visit, involving grebes, and terns. The collapse Marsh Ragwort bloomed and went 200 km of driving, did not seem of reedbeds and marsh led to the to seed early, to be replaced by vast worthwhile. That spring the weather departure of bitterns, night herons, beds of Foxtail Barley. As soon as the continued warm and windy without blackbirds, and rails. Nesting soil fell dry, the prominent colonizers major rains. At the lake, all birdlife habitat also vanished for ducks, were Many-fl owered Aster, Oak-leaved would soon vanish into dry air. Marbled Godwits, Willets, and Goosefoot and Western Dock. After two Wilson’s Phalaropes. By contrast, growing seasons the former lake bed was the shrinking lake and widening SUMMARY transformed into a knee-high jungle of mudfl ats attracted masses of migrant Water is the wellspring of life. sedges, reedgrass and thistles, stretching sandpipers and waders. In May of Conversely, its absence spells death. as far as the eye could see. In my lifetime, I know of no more 2005-2007, my rough estimate of striking example than the rise and their total number was in the order Dick Dekker, PhD., is a wildlife ecologist fall of Beaverhills Lake, a once of magnitude of several hundreds living in Edmonton.

The past ups and downs of Beaverhills Lake

During its heyday, Beaverhills Lake September 2009, all of this had come to precipitation in 2008 and 2009, respectively received a number of conservation naught. 309 and 293 mm, was well below the 30-year accolades. In 1987 it was designated mean of 450 mm, and by early September An eutrophic sheet of shallows lying in a Wetland of International Importance of 2009 the last puddles had evaporated. It a fl at agricultural plain, Beaverhills Lake under the Ramsar Convention. In 1996, it remains to be seen, whether annual snowmelt has gone through extreme highs and became a Western Hemisphere Shorebird and rainfall will ever be suffi cient again to lows. Historically, as far as is known, the Reserve and a Wetland for Tomorrow restore this once famous wetland to its former cycle reached its highest point at the under the North American Waterfowl splendour. turn of the 18th century. After 1920, the Agreement, signed between Canada, the water level gradually dropped to a deep USA, and Mexico. Alberta did its share low in the 1950s, until it rose again to For further information, see the following publications by listing the southeast corner and some an intermediate peak in 1974. After two by Dick Dekker. islands in the north as Provincial Natural decades of relative stability, the lake 1998. Prairie Water – Wildlife at Beaverhills Lake. Areas to be protected and preserved went into a gradual decline as a result University of Alberta Press, Edmonton. (Updated unimpaired for future generations. In of 35 years of upstream water diversions and enhanced from the 1991 publication). addition, in 1985, the Canadian Nature superimposed on a series of years with Federation declared Beaverhills Lake 2004. Beaverhills Lake in the drought years 2001- below average precipitation. During the a National Nature Viewpoint, and the 2004. Nature Alberta 34(3):10-12. fall of 2006, the lake came close to point Beaverhill Bird Observatory set up shop in 2005. The water crisis at Beaverhills Lake. Nature zero, but the following spring, due to the same year. Finally, in 1997 the lake’s Alberta 35(4): 10-13. a vigorous infl ow of snowmelt, it was status was raised another notch when 2008. Will Beaverhills Lake ever regain its former restored to roughly one-third of its 1980s BirdLife International ranked it as a Birding greatness? Nature Alberta 37(4):26-30. size. Unfortunately, the total annual Spot of Global Signifi cance. Sadly, by PROFILE SPRING 2010 29

Loran Goulden Lu Carbyn Memorial Award recipient For a list of his publications, see: www.wildbirdgeneralstore. com/carbyn/books.html BY SANDRA FOSS Dr. Lu Carbyn's research interests have included avian ecology, ecosystem biology (grasslands), and studies on mammals in several western and northern Canadian national parks. He became a biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service in 1967, a research scientist in 1974, and has served on assignments in Poland and Portugal.

From 1989 to 1993, he headed the “I wrote my fi rst article for a of interested individuals, as well as a Canadian Swift Fox Reintroduction wildlife journal when I was National Park staffer and a CBC-TV fi lm program as chairman of the nine years old and I got a prize crew. He taught this further education Recovery Team. Dr. Carbyn is for it,” he says. “It was for my course to naturalists in WBNP for the Canadian member of the observations of cattle egrets.” His several years, sharing what he knows International Union for the family moved to New Brunswick about the wolves, bison, birds, ecology Conservation of Nature and Natural when he was 11 and he quickly and ecosystems of WBNP. Resources (IUCN) Wolf Specialist became absorbed by the new He and his wife Jaynne operate the Group and Canid Group, and is temperate forests which were Wildbird General Store in Edmonton, currently an Emeritus Research so different from the dry African which gives him another venue for Scientist with the Canadian Wildlife savanna. Lu met a fascinating old delivering his numerous wildlife Service in Edmonton, Alberta. trapper named Henry Fagan, who education projects, particularly to got Lu into a northern Canadian An adjunct professor with the groups of small children, but also to frame of mind. Fagan also taught University of Alberta, Dr. Carbyn Edmonton Nature Club members and the young Carbyn how to fi nd and works with graduate students. He many others. As an NA Director, Lu trap bobcats, mink and red foxes – is currently offering a course called is active with the Young Naturalists skills which would serve him well Wildlife-Human Activities: Confl icts, committee and has been a Board in years to come. Assessment and Mitigation; the Member of the Edmonton Nature Club course gives University of Alberta In the early ‘80s he was one of for many years. students an appreciation of the the driving forces behind the He has spoken about his work with issues and concerns in this province. establishment of the Clifford E. Lee wolves and bison at a conference in Wildlife Sanctuary near his acreage He has been invited to provide Texas and he's been invited to be home. advice on wolves in the United the guest speaker at the U.S. premier States, Mexico, Poland, Italy and Every year since 1985, he's showing of an IMAX fi lm on wolves. Portugal. As a consultant, he is travelled to Wood Buffalo Park He helped David Suzuki fi lm a Nature involved with the conservation to observe its wolves and bison. of Things (CBC) episode in Wood efforts in Nebraska of media His research originally started as Buffalo Park in the mid ‘80s, but it was magnate Ted Turner. a government project, and he has his work with BBC fi lm makers that continued for more than a decade brought the wolves of the north to a Ludwig Carbyn grew up in Namibia, at his own expense in order to huge audience. in southern Africa. His forester provide continuity. father taught him many of the basics Lu has spent much of his life educating about nature. As a young boy, he I fi rst met Lu on a University of folks about Alberta’s wildlife and spent hours sitting under a camel Saskatchewan course (trip) in Wood ecosystems, and is a most appropriate thorn tree watching the myriad birds Buffalo National Park (WBNP), recipient of the Loran Goulden around a local water hole. where he was teaching a number Memorial Award. 30 NatureAlberta

Wildlife! Starring… the American White Pelican BY SANDRA HAWKINS

Some may believe that the American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) is a bird designed by a committee! Others will marvel at its functionally elegant design.

No matter how one may look DESCRIPTION map refer to the reference, “Species at upon this bird, it is an endangered The AWP is one of the largest Risk in Alberta.” species in many parts of its former birds in the world with a wing range. Although its population span of up to 3 m and weighing DIET is still considered to be low in 5-8 kg. These are large white Shallow-water fi sh, amphibians and Alberta, it has recently been birds with black-tipped wings. crustaceans make up the greatest part removed from the provincially Their legs may be pale yellow to of the American White Pelican’s diet, endangered list. In eastern light orange in colour, while the although they sometimes will forage Canada, however, it is largely bill and gular pouch are fl esh- in deeper water when fi sh may be extirpated and a pelican sighting coloured or yellow. A fl attened close to the surface. They mostly feed is cause for excitement. protuberance is evident on the in daylight, but during nesting season American White Pelicans (AWP) upper part of the bill during they may be forced to feed at night as are a migratory species. They breeding season. There is no well. Lone foragers and co-operative return to Alberta near the end of differentiation in the outward groups (usually more successful April and begin their southward appearance between sexes, but than single birds) intermingle. When migration in late September before juvenile birds usually display grey foraging in groups, the birds try to the freeze-up. The winter range feather patches on the back of the drive fi sh such as carp and minnows encompasses the US Gulf States neck and on top of the head. The into shallow water where the prey (especially Texas and Florida), irises of juveniles are brownish, may then be scooped up by their bills eastern Mexico, Baja California while those of their parents tend and stored in the expandable gular and parts of western Mexico. to be an orange/yellow. In the pouch. There are some that winter on wild, the life span of the AWP inland waterways with the Salton is 12-14 years, although one has COURTSHIP AND NESTING Sea in southern California being been recorded to have lived for Upon arrival at the breeding colony, the most notable. over 26 years (Knopf and Evans, seasonal monogamous pair bonds 2004). are formed after a round of courtship displays that include bowing, head DISTRIBUTION swaying, tandem strutting and circular American White Pelican courtship fl ights. Highly synchronous distribution in Alberta ranges from colonial breeding takes place on the border with the USA north to islands separated from shore by the 60th parallel wherever suitable deeper water. The separation from the locations may be found on lakes mainland provides an added safety in the aspen parkland, prairie and measure for the nesting birds. boreal forest. For a distribution Nests are not elaborate. They are simple scrapes (on fl at ground with

SANDRA HAWKINS SPRING 2010 31

A POD OF PELICANS. SANDRA HAWKINS AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS FISHING A PELICAN DUO. SANDRA HAWKINS COOPERATIVELY. SANDRA HAWKINS easy access) in areas that are the most serious threat for these REFERENCES not subject to fl uctuating water birds. Fluctuating water levels due Species at Risk in Alberta, Government of levels and free from mammalian to human or natural causes may Alberta (Includes map of present and predators. Two eggs, chalky white also damage nests and force the historical ranges in Alberta) in colour, laid two days apart pelicans from their established www.srd.alberta.ca/BioDiversityStewardship/ SpeciesatRisk/SpeciesSummaries/ are the norm. There is a single colonies. Effects from pesticides documents/SpeciesatRisk- brood. Damaged eggs are not and mercury, especially in AmericanWhitePelicanJuly2009.pdf replaced and nests are abandoned wintering locations, also take a Erlich, Paul R., David S. Dobkin, and Darryl if both eggs are lost. Both parents toll. Wheye, 1988, The Birder’s Handbook: A participate during the 30 days Field Guide to the Natural History of North Since 1977, Alberta’s Wildlife Act of incubation when the eggs are American Birds, Simon and Schuster, New has designated seven breeding continuously protected under York, N.Y. areas as Wildlife Sanctuaries the webs of their feet. Food is Knopf, F. And R. Evans, 2004, American White where ”It is illegal to enter or Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), regurgitated and the young are approach within 800 m (1/2 The Birds of North America Online, 57: brooded for 15-18 days. The mile) of these critical nesting sites 1-20. http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/ second chick in a brood often dies between April 15 and September species/057, http://animaldiversity.ummz. from starvation. umich.edu/site/accounts/ information/ 15” (Additional information is Pelecanus_erythrorhynchos.html Young pelicans are able to fl y available from the “Species at Risk Where to fi nd American White Pelicans at 11-12 weeks, and by the time in Alberta” web site listed below). in Alberta: http://talkaboutwildlife.ca/ they reach the 14 week mark they The American White Pelican is profi le/?s=11 tend to move to another lake to part of every Albertan’s heritage; feed. Prior to fl ight, young birds habitat enhancement projects and of varying ages gather together on-going funding are critical. The in groups called pods with older future is in your hands. chicks offering some protection to the younger birds. At this stage, the parents get a well-earned break.

FUTURE OF THE AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN IN ALBERTA Disturbance (and the resulting loss of habitat) from humans, be Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare it from industrial, residential or feet and the winds long to play with your hair. recreational sources (including KAHLIL GIBRAN the vandalizing of nests) poses 32 NatureAlberta

Process and (Maybe) Promise: Wing Tagging Alberta Turkey Vultures BY R. WAYNE NELSON, RICK MORSE, FLOYD KUNNAS, AND DAVID MOORE

If we dream big, and add some hard work and good luck, maybe we will fi nd answers to some big questions. With about 20 Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) nests being found each summer in abandoned farm buildings in our east-central Alberta study area (Nelson et al. 2008), by the end of the 2007 nesting season it appeared that marking nestling Turkey Vultures with wing tags might be a feasible way of discovering much more about this elusive and enigmatic bird.

In early August 2008 we spent with three black letters (we tag to detail, and great concern for the a fascinating day learning the only the right wing). bird’s welfare. The Saskatchewan wing tagging technique with team that taught us had gained much Turkey Vultures and a few other Brent Terry, Marten Stoffel, and experience in tagging almost 300 non-vulturine species of birds Michael Blom, the team that Stuart nestling vultures in the previous fi ve cool down with evaporation by Houston had organized for that years with no evidence of injury or using urohydrosis (defecating on sixth year of tagging nestling mortality as a result of the tagging one’s legs). Even though vultures Turkey Vultures in Saskatchewan. process or the tags themselves. do bath in water, this guano on Wing tags, like bird bands, are their legs can accumulate outside The young vulture should be roughly approved and coordinated by and inside traditional bird bands 57 days old, mostly feathered, and the Bird Banding Offi ce of the and cause leg abrasions and life- around 5-7 days prior to making its Canadian Wildlife Service, Ottawa, threatening problems. After Ed fi rst fl ight at an age of about 60-64 and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Henckel discovered this problem days old. Earlier in the season, we or Service, Patuxent, Maryland. in the mid-1970s, the banding cooperators visit most of the vulture Before a person can apply wing of Turkey Vultures was banned, nests in order to age the nestlings (see tags, the Banding Offi ce requires and wing-tags were tested for Nelson et al. 2009) and predict the that the person is trained and suitability and safety. approved by someone who is already approved to apply wing WING TAGGING – THE tags. Stuart described it as being PROCESS sort of like practicing medicine in some third world nations: “See The process is not complicated one; do one; teach one.” For ‘rocket science’, but there are Alberta vultures, we were issued some ‘touchy-feely’ elements that the combination of yellow tags require concentration, attention

WAYNE APPLIES THE EARTAG THAT HOLDS THE WING TAG IN PLACE, AS ALORA NELSON HOLDS THE NESTLING VULTURE’S FEET AND THE BAG OVER ITS HEAD. LEN PETTITT SPRING 2010 33 best date to visit them for wing tagging. Our experience handling large raptors was of some help (we grab the bird’s legs to immobilize it, then carefully fold its wings), but a vulture’s claws are of little concern relative to its beak, and we always have to watch out for that beak! We take the captured bird to a well- lit and debris-free work area in its abandoned building, or just outside. We may slip the bird into a long, somewhat snug box for weighing WAYNE HOLDS THE VULTURE’S LEGS AND MEASURES TARSUS LENGTH, AS RICK and temporary holding, and when HOLE-PUNCHES THE RIGHT PATAGIUM FOR A WING TAG. ALORA NELSON we are ready to tag it we slip its head, upper body, and folded is properly threaded onto the ear (tendon?) that we do not want to left wing into a dark cloth bag. tag and is lying against the upper damage. Finding the right spot With the left hand, the assistant and lower surface of the wing. for the hole through the patagium holds the bird’s legs and the cloth is the most diffi cult part of the But fi rst we spray rubbing handles of the bag (hood) that process, and sometimes it takes alcohol onto the upper and lower is over the bird’s head and beak, us 10 minutes to fi nd just the right feathers of the bird’s patagium. and lays the bird on its breast on spot. As desired, for almost all of The alcohol, while providing our equipment tub with the bird’s the holes that we have punched some sterility to the skin that right wing exposed. The assistant’s through the patagium there has will be punched, also wets and right hand is free to help the been no bleeding whatsoever; a mats the fl uffy down feathers that person who is doing the tagging. few have bled a tiny amount. With almost obscure this area of skin. obvious differences, the process is In front of the bird’s elbow, We then can see the skin itself, somewhat akin to piercing human between its shoulder and wrist, and the pinfeathers that we want ears and putting eartags in the ears there is a piece of strong, very to avoid, and any visible blood of livestock. It is not recommended fl exible skin that connects the vessels that may remain in the for the faint-of-heart! upper arm to the forearm – the patagium. As the young vultures patagium. (Check it out on a near their dates of fi rst fl ying, After some measurements are chicken wing.) At the right spot in most of the visible blood vessels taken, the tagged young vultures the patagium we want to punch in the patagium shut down. are put back into their familiar an approx. 4mm diameter hole Through the patagium we can space, and we quickly depart. with a Tandy leather punch, easily see light and any signifi cant On one memorable occasion, as and through that hole in the blood vessels that remain and we left the old farmhouse, one of skin we will insert a trimmed, must be avoided. We also want the freshly tagged young vultures standard sheep ear tag. With the to be at least 1cm back from the watched from an upstairs window. appropriate pliers we clamp the leading edge of the wing because We could only guess what it was two parts of the ear tag together, of an important thicker area there thinking! after we ensure that our wing tag 34 NatureAlberta

PRODUCTIVITY AND When a nest site is DISTRIBUTION lost (e.g., a building In our fi rst year of tagging (2008), collapses), does the we tagged 20 nestling vultures at 11 vulture pair then nest nests, and we visited several other in other buildings in nests too late for tagging. In 2009 the nearby vicinity? we tagged 35 nestlings at 21 nests; What happens when at two of those nests we were a one member of a day or two too late, and one of the pair dies? How does two siblings fl ew before we could a pair of vultures catch it for tagging. And in the fall split the incubation, of 2009, from our ever-increasing brooding, and company of informants we learned feeding duties about three additional vulture nests, between the sexes each of which reared two fl ying (we are trying to young; i.e., a total of 43 young address that question vultures at 24 nests in 2009. by using cameras The accompanying map shows at a few nests)? Do the widespread distribution of the pairs of vultures known vulture nests and their 2009 ever have helpers successes in this broad area east of at their nests for Edmonton. These nests have been incubating and found largely by chance. With only rearing young, and if so are the helpers one exception, all of the vulture TURKEY VULTURE NEST SITES AND nests that we know about have relatives? What mortality factors FLEDGING SUCCESS IN 2009 IN EAST- arisen from sightings reported to us CENTRAL ALBERTA. by others. How many other vulture are signifi cant to nests are there within this study our vultures? Where area? do our vultures, from with those cameras is a very different this extreme northern edge of their challenge! But strategically placed breeding range, migrate and spend POPULATION DYNAMICS, motion-sensitive cameras (preferably DEMOGRAPHICS, DISPERSAL – their winters? without visible fl ash) may be an AND BIG DREAMS Many of these questions require that important tool for obtaining data Why do we go to all this trouble to a number of vultures are identifi ed and answers, when combined with wing tag young vultures? Because a number of times at their nest sites, wing tags or other individual ID there is so much basic biology by means of their wing tags or some features on the parent vultures (e.g., that is still unknown about Turkey other identifying features. This may it may be possible to use the whitish Vultures, and marked vultures may require huge amounts of time with tubercles on adults’ faces). So, help answer some of those many telescopes in order to spot and ID simply observing and identifying any questions…such as: At what age the parents as they arrive or depart returning and nesting vultures are a do young vultures settle down and from their nest buildings. Is that big challenge. breed? How far from their hatching even possible? As another means of And of course we are hoping that place do young vultures breed? trying to ID individual vultures and our tagged vultures return to breed Once they have nested, do vultures learn about their parental duties, in the same general area - or at least stick with that nest site and mate, in 2009 we began experimenting the same general region - where or do they move to other nesting with some “trail cams” that normally they were hatched. There is a hint sites in future years? Do they take are used outdoors and for big that this may be the case in some some years off and ‘hang out’ in game – we have discovered that of the early results from the vulture the neighborhood, but don’t breed? photographing vultures indoors tagging studies in Saskatchewan, SPRING 2010 35 where at least one of the vultures from their fi rst tagged cohort in 2003 was known to have been in Saskatchewan, paired at a building, but not yet nesting, in 2009. But, even if young vultures do return to near home to settle and nest, and if we and others are able to persist with this study for a few decades, over the years will we get enough sightings of tagged vultures to answer some of these big, important, population biology questions? Of course it is possible that Turkey Vultures have a very different reproductive-dispersal CO-AUTHOR RICK MORSE HOLDS AAM. ABOUT A MONTH LATER AAM WAS HIT BY A CAR ABOUT A strategy from some other large MILE FROM HOME. ITS BROKEN WING WOULD NOT MEND AND IT WAS EUTHANIZED. WAYNE NELSON species that are relatively well understood (e.g., Peregrine Falcons, us into buildings to eat young TRAVELS AND DEATHS OF Bald and Golden Eagles), and it vultures. Indeed, in our seven YOUNG VULTURES may be that most of the breeding years of visiting vulture nests we vultures in our area were hatched We have received no reports of our have found only one instance of at nest sites very far away, that very individual tagged vultures far away predation or scavenging upon a long distance dispersal is the norm, on migration, but in mid-January nestling vulture, and it appears and that most of our tagged young 2009 an e-mail reported that two that they have various means vultures will in turn settle at sites so Turkey Vultures with yellow tags on to successfully repulse potential far away that we (and others) will their right wings (i.e., east-central predators (including hissing and not fi nd them. That’s a very bad Alberta vultures) had been observed vomiting). From three different dream! in Venezuela (the observers could lines of evidence in our data, not read the letters on the tags). A Regardless, to fi nd out what we and from the experience of our few Saskatchewan-tagged vultures can about this vulture population, Saskatchewan colleagues, we have been reported from Venezuela we will continue to spend large are fairly sure that our visits too. amounts of time afi eld and and our wing tagging have not A major value of bird banding is will continue to rely on vulture caused nest abandonments or associated with the death of the bird observations from serious and failures and have not caused carrying the band. The same applies casual birders alike. parent vultures to shift to other to wing tags. In our project we are nesting locations in subsequent hoping to observe living vultures DISTURBANCE AT VULTURE years. Whether we make only that are individually recognizable NESTS quick visits to nests, make wing because of our wing tags; therefore Always in the back of our minds is tagging visits to nests, or visit the death of a young vulture with a the concern that our visits to vulture nests in mid-late September after wing tag comes as a very unpleasant nests may be placing nestling vultures are mostly gone, we fi nd surprise. To date we’ve had two vultures at additional risk or causing that between 20 and 30% of the such reports. One of the 20 tagged parent vultures to abandon nests vulture nests that we visit in one nestlings from 2008, AAM, was in the current or future years. year will be vacant (or at least not barely a month into fl ying when it Even at nests that can be reached productive) in the following year. was hit by a car about a mile from without a ladder we have had no The wet, cool, slow spring of 2009 its home; under rehabilitation in indication that predators follow appeared to contribute to the 30% Edmonton its broken wing would fi gure for that year. 36 NatureAlberta

Jim MacGregor, Allan Zimmerman, and especially Len Pettitt and Alora Nelson.

LITERATURE CITED Nelson, R. W., F. Kunnas, and D. Moore. 2008. Turkey Vulture update. Nature Alberta 37(4):14-21. Nelson, R. W., D. Moore, F. Kunnas, and R. Morse. 2009. Turkey Vultures: a photographic guide for aging nestlings. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Fish and Wildlife Division, Alberta Species at Risk Report No. 124. Edmonton, AB. 44 pp. Downloadable at: http://srd. alberta.ca/ ACI STANDS IN ITS HOME WINDOW AT ABOUT 67 DAYS OLD AND PROBABLY FLYING FOR A FEW fi shwildlife/speciesatrisk/projectreports. DAYS. WAYNE NELSON aspx

not mend, and it was euthanized; Foundation for a grant in 2009 AUTHORS’ INFORMATION the preserved skin is at the Royal that covered a portion of our RWN [retired in 2006 from FWD, St. Paul]; Alberta Museum. On 26 September very considerable gasoline 4218 – 63 Street, Camrose, AB T4V 2W2; Tel. 2009, a young vulture, ABK, tagged costs and for some trail cams (780) 672-4363; E-mail: [email protected]. east of Two Hills on 7 August for experimental use to monitor RM, 8 Gaylord Place, St. Albert, AB T8N 0S8; 2009, hit a powerline near Kinley, comings and goings at three Tel. (780) 405-7389; E-mail: ricmorse@shaw. Saskatchewan, almost 400 km vulture nests. The vulture project ca. southeast of its hatching place; it would not be possible without was seen spiralling down into a the many observant folks who FK, Wildlife Management, Fish and Wildlife crop, and was taken to the Western kindly report to us “a vulture on Division; #416 – 5025 - 49 Ave., St. Paul, AB College of Veterinary Medicine in a building”, the many landowners T0A 3A4; Tel. (780) 645-6405; E-mail: fl oyd. Saskatoon, but its injuries were who graciously allow us to [email protected]. so major that it was euthanized. access their land to search for DM, Wildlife Management, Fish and Wildlife Do most or all of the east-central young vultures in long-forgotten Division; #8, 4701 – 52 Street, Vermilion, AB Alberta Turkey Vultures initially buildings, and our occasional fi eld T9X 1J9; Tel. (780) 853-8137; E-mail: dave. head southeast on their fall assistants including Jim Struthers, [email protected]. migration? Each bird, each wing tag, has a fascinating story to tell. Please report all sightings of wing tagged vultures; see Nature Alberta 37(2):12-13 for color combinations and contact people from Alberta and elsewhere; or check the Nature Alberta website: www.naturealberta. ca (click on “NEWS”). And please report all sightings of vultures on buildings to the authors. A NESTLING SHOWS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ITS WING TAG. We thank the Alberta Sports, WAYNE NELSON Recreation, Parks, and Wildlife PROFILE SPRING 2010 37

Frank and Alice Harper Greg Pohl Memorial Award recipient

BY FELIX SPERLING

Greg Pohl was one of the founding members of the Alberta Lepidopterists’ Guild (ALG) in 1999, and since then he has served this Nature Alberta Affi liate Club continuously as either secretary/treasurer or president.

He has managed their Greg has been publicly active an insect collecting policy that is email listserve, which has at multiple levels, including supportive of watchers as well as been essential for regular organizing major outreach collectors, encouraging an ethical communication among members, events and encouraging new environmental stance that is also and he has organized and members from across Alberta. a foundation for evidence-based provided most of the content He was the primary ALG conservation management. for their website*. He has organizer of a strong response In short, Greg Pohl has been overseen the adjudication and to the EnCana proposal to the heart and soul of the Alberta disbursement of their awards, drill in the Suffi eld National Lepidopterists’ Guild, and has and personally arranged to Wildlife Area. He has also been incredibly hard working in fund the Wolley Dod Award for served conscientiously on allowing this new club to thrive. the best Lepidoptera discovery Alberta’s Endangered Species In doing so, he has also helped of the year. In 2003 he was a Conservation Committee to strengthen Nature Alberta as key member of the organizing (Scientifi c Subcommittee), and well as nature appreciation across committee that hosted an on the Committee on the Status Alberta. The entire membership of international Lepidopterists’ of Endangered Wildlife in ALG joined me in our enthusiastic Society meeting in Olds. Canada (COSEWIC) Arthropods nomination of Greg Pohl for the Throughout the past decade, Specialist Subcommittee. Most Frank and Alice Harper Memorial Greg and his family have recently, Greg was instrumental Award. regularly hosted ALG meetings at in working with Nature their home. Alberta to amicably develop

*ALG website: http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/uasm/alg/index.html 38 NatureAlberta

OPINION Rights of “Mother Earth” BY TED HINDMARCH

Disappointed and disenfranchised by the results and exclusion from decisions made in Copenhagen in December 2009, 30,000 representatives from developing countries and indigenous groups world-wide spoke out over Earth Day April 19-22 in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

The World People’s Conference President Evo Morales made a The conference statements on Climate Change and the public call for the World People’s indicate clearly that participants Rights of Mother Earth, have Conference on Climate Change felt a primary cause of the no doubt that the Copenhagen and the Rights of Mother Earth. current state of our climate Accord failed in taking the Its goal would be to principally is the consumer-based, necessary steps needed to save analyze: growth-oriented and heavily Mother Earth, her peoples and industrialized economic system 1) The structural causes of her wildlife from the destructive and over-consumptive lifestyles of climate change; ravages of Climate Change. developed nations. On Earth Day 2) Propose alternative models for 22 Apr, the People’s Agreement On January 5, 2010, just 18 days Living Well in Harmony with was ratifi ed. (http://mother-earth- after the conclusion of the climate Nature; journal.com/2010/04/bolivia-the- summit in Copenhagen, Bolivian 3) Discuss and agree upon a peoples-agreement), and stated Universal Declaration for the the following: Rights of Mother Earth; It is imperative that we forge 4) Work out the mechanisms that a new system that restores would permit carrying out a harmony with nature and among World Referendum on Climate human beings. And in order for Change; there to be balance with nature, there must fi rst be equity among 5) Develop a proposal to create a human beings. We propose to the Climate Justice Court. peoples of the world the recovery, The conference declared the revalorization, and strengthening rights of the Mother Earth are of the knowledge, wisdom, and the right to life, the right to ancestral practices of Indigenous regenerate her bio-capacity, the Peoples, which are affi rmed in right to a clean life, and the the thought and practices of right to harmony and balance “Living Well”, recognizing Mother with all, among all and from Earth as a living being with all. which we have an indivisible, interdependent, complementary SPRING 2010 39 and spiritual relationship. To • peace among the peoples green-house gas emissions in face climate change, we must and with Mother Earth. Canada, following the US lead at recognize Mother Earth as the Copenhagen. Bill C-311 sets out A number of Working Groups source of life and forge a new science-based reduction targets met and forged additional system based on the principles of: for greenhouse gas emissions and conclusions and proposals. It a plan for regular assessments • harmony and balance will be interesting to see if this of how the government is among all and with all grassroots initiative will have any progressing toward those targets. things; impact when these proposals Bill C-311 will commit the are brought forward at the 2010 • complementarity, solidarity, government to take action on United Nations Climate Change and equality; climate change - with greenhouse Conference scheduled to be held gas reduction targets of 25% • collective well-being and in Cancun, Mexico, from Nov. 29 below 1990 levels by the year the satisfaction of the basic to Dec. 10. It is the fi rst round 2020, and 80% by 2050. necessities of all; of formal UN climate talks since • people in harmony with the Copenhagen conference last Ted Hindmarch is Vice-President of Nature nature; December. Alberta and Chairman of the Issues • recognition of human Meanwhile, Canada moved closer Committee. beings for what they are, not to passing into law Bill C-311, the what they own; Climate Change Accountability Act, when it passed 2nd reading • elimination of all forms of on 14 Apr 2010. This will be an colonialism, imperialism important fi rst step to changing and interventionism; the course towards reduction of

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First Hand: Red-necked Grebe Rescued at Lake Bonavista BY DON STILES

On Nov. 30, 2009 I got a call from Terry Korolyk that he had seen an immature Red-necked Grebe under the dock at the island in the center of Lake Bonavista in Calgary.

Terry is a keen bird watcher who way would they let anyone in to Lynda Yewen had heard it checks the lake on an occasional retrieve the bird. squawking under a spruce tree basis. The lake was in the directly east of the island and Dec. 8 – Call from Terry at 12:00 process of freezing over and this notifi ed the staff. It had moved noon. He had seen the grebe was the last open water left. As back north from where it was (walking across the lake southeast grebes need a fair distance to get spotted earlier by Terry. The bird from the island and then) at the airborne, Terry was wondering if was quite feisty but bloodied south end of the lake compound the grebe could be rescued before somewhat, probably from crash and wondered if I could go rescue it was fi nally frozen in. landings. Luckily, Lynda had it as he had to go to work. heard it or it may never have I went to the lake and checked At 1:00 PM I went to the lake. The been found. She was one of the with staff. They said it was not foreman, Chris Soby, and I walked few (the only person?) who was possible to get on the lake as it to the south end and searched walking in the lake compound was frozen too much to get a boat thoroughly for the grebe but that day. Ted Downard then drove out and not frozen enough to didn’t fi nd it there or see it from the grebe to his home in Willow walk on. any of the pathways on the way Park and took a picture of it. It This information was passed along back. We spent one hour at this. was picked up that evening by to Sara (ph: 403-239-2488) at the At 3:00 PM, volunteer driver Sara of the CWRS. Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation from the CWRS, Ted Downard, It appeared that the bird had Society (CWRS), (near the Calgary came by and we decided to try found it necessary to move from Correctional Centre in northwest once more. We walked to the its spot in the open water under Calgary), who was willing to take south end of the lake compound the dock due to its freezing over, the grebe if it could be captured. again and searched the southeast and had moved about the lake by Dec. 4 – Call from Terry – the bird corner without success. When we fl ying or hopping short distances is still there. had fi nished this, foreman Chris at a time. Apparently, it couldn’t came by on his quad and said Dec. 5 – Call from Terry – the get airborne, as it needed open the grebe had been found and bird is still there. He called the water to do this. It had moved he had captured it and put it in a staff at the lake and they said no an estimated 400 m (1/4 mi) to cardboard box.

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. SPRING 2010 41

SARA JORDAN-MCLACHLAN, CALGARY WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTRE the south end of the lake where Dec. 22 – Sara of the CWRS Jan. 25, 2010 – Thank you note and Terry saw it and then a similar reported that the grebe was doing picture received from Sara Jordan- distance back later on. (Jerry Pilny fi ne, eating fi sh, and that it would McLachlan of the CWRS. “The grebe of the Nature Calgary Bird Study be kept over the winter as most of is still doing well and is still feisty Group suggested that the bird was its habitat was now frozen over. as ever! You would think with me a late hatch and that it was too It would be released in the spring handling him every day to put him in immature to get airborne.) when there would be open water our kiddy pool that he would calm for it. down but to no avail.”

UPDATE According to Sara, the grebe was released at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary when all the warm weather arrived in later April. Another successful rescue completed! 42 NatureAlberta SSpringpit'sring BY DENNIS BARESCO Spring 2010 began with the March 20 Spring Equinox and ends on June 21 – the day after Father’s Day – when the Summer Solstice occurs.

Flowers, fl owers and more fl owers: the calendar Spring – March 20th to June 21st – is Spring has returned. The earth is a fl ower-watcher’s earthly garden of delights. like a child that knows poems. Whether it is the fi rst Crocuses or Moss Phlox, the early bursts of dandelion yellow, RAINER MARIA RILKE a fi eld of lupines, orchids springing through the forest fl oor or any of the hundreds of other fl owering plants, the array of colours, Sitting quietly, doing nothing, scents and sizes signifying Alberta in bloom spring comes, and the grass in Spring is, as Robin Williams said, “nature’s grows by itself. way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’”. ZEN PROVERB

In the spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours. MARK TWAIN

RAINDROPS ON ROSES! BONNIE MULLIN SPRING 2010 43

CELESTIAL HAPPENINGS Starry Nights Spring/Summer: May to July BY JOHN MCFAUL

FEATURED CONSTELLATIONS – OPHIUCHUS AND SERPENS

Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer, is life. The periodic sloughing The Sun does pass through one of the larger constellations and off of the old skin by snakes is Ophiuchus from November is best seen in the southern sky symbolic of the renewal of life. 30th to December 18th. Thus in from June to August. It occupies When Ophiuchus was placed in modern times this constellation is a large portion of the celestial the heavens, he had the snake the thirteenth constellation of the stage below Hercules. The head of with him. The twining snake Zodiac. Its bottom boundary lies Ophiuchus lies just to the east of around a staff is symbolic of between Scorpius and Sagittarius. the head of Hercules. Associated medicine today. with Ophiuchus is Serpens, the Serpent (snake). The head of the serpent (Serpens Caput) is to the west and the tail (Serpens Cauda) is CELESTIAL HAPPENINGS to the east of Ophiuchus. Ophiuchus is associated with Sun: Rise - May 1 (05:59 MDT), June 1 (05:11 MDT), July 1 (05:09 MDT) the story of the Greek god Set - May 1 (21:04 MDT), June 1 (21:53 MDT), July 1 (22:06 MDT) Aesculapius, the founder of Note: Times are for Edmonton medicine. Aesculapius was a son Moon: Full – May 27, June 26, July 25 of Apollo who was taught the art New - May 13, June 12, July 11 of medicine and healing from the Partial Lunar Eclipse: June 26 starting at 4:16 AM. Will reach maximum just centaur Chiron. More importantly before moonset at 5:31 AM. Almost the top 50% of the Moon will be in he was able to bring the dead back shadow at maximum eclipse. to life. This power is revealed in the constellations by his ability to Planets: Mercury will be very low in the eastern sky just before sunrise in May. Its best restore life back to Orion who was appearance will be at the end of July low in the western sky just after sunset. killed by Scorpius. Venus will be seen low in the western sky from May to July. With each month it will be a little higher in the sky. By the end of July it will form a close grouping Pluto, the Roman god of the with Saturn and Mars. On July 15th the thin crescent Moon will be close by. underworld and the realm of the dead, became quite alarmed at the Mars will move from high in the southern sky in May to low in the west in July. depletion of the number of dead At the end of July it will be very close to Saturn and Venus. entering his kingdom due to the Jupiter is a morning object low in the southeast in May. By July it will be higher healing powers of Aesculapius. in the southeast before sunrise. Thus he petitioned Jupiter to Saturn starts off high in the southern sky in May. By July it will have moved kill Aesculapius with one of his into the western sky where it takes part in a close conjunction with Mars and thunderbolts – after which he was Venus at the end of the month. placed amongst the stars. Meteor Shower: Eta Aquirids, May 5 (before sunrise), 20/hour It was Serpens, the snake, who gave Delta Aquirids, July 28, 20/hour Aesculapius the power to restore The rate of meteors observed is for dark skies well away from city lights and with no Moon. 44 NatureAlberta

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“THE WATER OF THIS RIVER POSSESSES A PECULIAR WHITENESS, BEING ABOUT THE COLOUR OF A CUP OF TEA WITH THE ADMIXTURE OF A TABLESPOONFULL OF MILK. FROM THE COLOUR OF ITS WATER WE CALLED IT MILK RIVER.” SO WROTE CAPTAIN MERIWETHER LEWIS – OF LEWIS AND CLARK FAME – IN HIS JOURNAL IN 1805. THE COLOUR IS THE RESULT OF FINE-GRAINED SEDIMENTS – “ROCK FLOUR” – SUSPENDED IN THE WATER. IAN GARDINER

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