BLUE Volume 71 Number 3 JAYSeptember 2013

Publication Mail Agreement #40063014 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Administration Centre Printing Services 111-2001 Cornwall Street Regina, SK S4P 3X9 Email: [email protected] Front Cover: White Birch - Randy McCullough Back Cover: Mystery photo - Vicky Kjoss

Prairie crocus (Anemone patens): top – typical flower form; bottom left – rose flower form; bottom right – white flower form. (from article page 135) – Vladimir Kricsfalusy

Top - Figure 1: Eared grebes for comparison; typical Eared Grebe (near) and chestnut red foreneck (far) © 2012 Heather Cuthill Bottom - Figure 2: Eared Grebe showing chestnut red foreneck © Don Delaney Desert firedot lichen -Bernard de Vries Blue Jay Vol. 71 No. 3 September 2013 117 - 164

Birds ARE EARED GREBES WITH A CHESTNUT RED FORENECK ABSENT FROM NORTH AMERICAN POPULATION? André Konter...... 118

LONG-EARED OWL NESTING PHENOLOGY AND HABITAT IN CENTRAL ALBERTA Lisa Takats Priestley, Chuck Priestley ...... 124

AN OBSERVATION OF GROUND FEEDING AND COPROPHAGY BY A COMMON NIGHTHAWK IN NW MANITOBA Richard Staniforth, Rudolf Koes...... 132

Plants NOTES ON BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY OF THE PRAIRIE CROCUS (ANEMONE PATENS L.) AND ITS CURRENT STATUS IN SASKATCHEWAN Vladimir V. Kricsfalusy, Yakiv P. Ponomarenko...... 135

Photo Essay SNOWY OWL - GYRFALCON SCRAP, WHITE BUTTE, SK Anne Brigham...... 149

Notes and Letters AN ICONIC OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA, THE IS LIGHTING UP THE PRAIRIE SKY Jeff Boone...... 153

WHOOPING CRANE WITH LEG BAND SIGHTED NEAR MOSSBANK, SK Don Smith...... 156

Lichen Series Caloplaca trachyphylla (Tuck.) Zahlbr. Bernard de Vries...... 157

Mystery Photo ...... 158

71 (3) September 2013 117 BIRDS ARE EARED GREBES WITH A CHESTNUT RED FORENECK ABSENT FROM NORTH AMERICAN POPULATION? ANDRÉ KONTER, National Museum of Natural History, 25 rue Münster L-2160 Luxembourg e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract produces a chestnut red coloration Examples of Eared Grebes in the upper breast and foreneck (Podiceps nigricollis californicus) of the breeding plumage in Black- in breeding plumage with necked Grebes. At some distance, chestnut red feathers in their they resemble Horned Grebes upper breast and foreneck seem (P. auritus). In Europe, a total of to be absent from the North seven individuals displaying the American ornithological literature, condition were recorded. The first while seven records exist in was collected in 1883 at Lake European Black-necked Grebes Velencze in Hungary.1 The next (P. n. nigricollis). A photo search observation was much later, in identified seven Eared Grebes, 1969.2 It was followed by a record three of them in Canada, affected in 1974,3 two records in 1994,4 by the mutation that may simply a record in 2005 (García Rios, have been overlooked until now, unpublished) and a last record in so the character trait could be 2009 (Konter, in press). Except for widespread in the californicus the first observation and García subspecies. Rios’ sighting from Spain, all other observations were from Germany. Introduction In contrast, the North American During a study on colour mutations ornithological literature seems to affecting the plumage of grebes be silent; not a single record of (Podicipedidae), I noticed that one an Eared Grebe with a chestnut aberration typical for P. nigricollis red foreneck could be found. was considered very rare in The question arose: whether European Black-necked Grebes individuals affected by the genetic (Podiceps nigricollis nigricollis) mutation had passed unnoticed, while it appeared to be completely or whether they were really absent absent in North American from North American populations. Eared Grebe populations (P. To check this, I went through over n. californicus). The mutation two thousand of my own photos of

118 Blue Jay Figure 1: Comparison; typical Eared Grebe (near) and chestnut red foreneck (far) (see back inside cover for colour image) © 2012 Heather Cuthill Eared Grebes and I also surveyed and dark brown whereas photos published on the internet. phaeomelanin is responsible for warm reddish-brown to pale buff A short introduction to genetic colors. Both melanins together mutations affecting the can give a wide range of grayish- pigmentation of birds brown colors.5 The coloration of the plumage and bare parts of birds results If melanin deposition in feathers from color pigments. Overall, is altered, aberrant individuals there are many different color result. Old age or sickness may pigments. Most common in cause this, while other aberrations birds are melanins followed by are caused by genetic mutations. carotenoids. Grebes rely almost In the latter, we generally entirely on melanins for their recognize six different results. coloration. There are two different Three of them (leucism, dilution forms of melanin. Depending on and melanism) can be caused by concentration and distribution several different mutations, while within the feather, eumelanin the other three (albinism, brown is responsible for black, grey and ino) are all caused by a single genetic mutation.5 71 (3) September 2013 119 The following explanations are in three different ways: by an largely based on van Grouw.5, 6, 7 altered distribution, by the deposit Albinism is caused by a complete of higher quantities including in absence of both melanins in parts previously uncolored and by feathers, eyes and skin. Generally, a change in the form of melanin all-white plumage, red eyes, produced. pink feet and a pink bill result. Leucism is caused by a total lack The mutation of interest here is of both melanins in some or all the third type of melanism. It was feathers. It may affect bare parts, first described by Harrison8 who but does not affect the eyes. If noted that where the chestnut- all feathers are white, leucism red melanin appeared, it seemed is total, otherwise it is partial. to replace the other melanin Brown expresses by a qualitative pigments. He9 proposed to refer to reduction of eumelanin only. it as erythromelanin. Campbell and Due to an incomplete oxidation, Lack10 considered the abnormal what is ordinarily black or grey change to chestnut-red occurring becomes brown and bleaches in individuals of some species, further. A quantitative reduction to be a mutation resulting in a of one or both melanins is called qualitative reduction of eumelanin. dilution. Dilution may take several Today it is clear that there is no forms, depending on whether one third type of melanin. However, or both melanins are affected. we still lack a detailed explanation Most common are a quantitative on how the change from, in the reduction of eumelanin only (isabel case of Eared Grebes, black to dilution) or of both melanins chestnut red plumage occurs. For (pastel dilution). The degree of the time being, we may continue dilution is variable. Affected colors to call the result erythromelanism. will look faded and may bleach further. A qualitative reduction of Material and methods both melanins without that the To check the occurrence of red- quantities produced are changed necked Eared Grebes in North is called ino. What is ordinarily American populations, I revisited black becomes very pale brown to all own photos of the species cream; what is ordinarily reddish- taken during visits to Manitoba to yellow-brown remains hardly and Saskatchewan (July 2006, visible. The iris turns pinkish, May 2008), Alberta (July 2012), the feet and bill pink. Finally California and Oregon (July melanism is an abnormal deposit 2009, May 2011) and Utah (July of pigments that may express 2010). In addition, I searched

120 Blue Jay the internet for photos of Eared on the foreneck on 16 July 2011. Grebes on http://www.flickr.com/ This individual engaged in a using the search string “Eared body shake and was of particular Grebe photos”. interest in that it displayed a completely brownish red belly. Results While the chestnut tinges on the Three of my own photos upper breast and lower neck were showed Eared Grebes in not very pronounced, the unusual breeding plumages with chestnut pigmentation of the belly was red in their foreneck and upper striking. At Klein Park, Calgary, breast. At Hammock Marsh, Alberta, a female in complete Manitoba, an individual displayed breeding plumage showed a a bright chestnut upper breast in chestnut red upper breast and July 2006. In its lower foreneck, lower half of the front neck on 1 chestnut tinges existed while the June 2012 (Figure 1). D. Delaney upper neck was entirely black. At photographed a grebe in breeding Farmington Bay, Great Salt Lake, plumage with chestnut red lower Utah, I photographed on 1 July foreneck and upper breast (Figure 2010 an Eared Grebe which had 2; see inside back cover) at John the foreneck and upper breast E. Poole Wetland, St. Albert, interspersed with many chestnut Alberta on 20 May 2013. feathers. Out of some distance, Finally, on the internet page this area looked rather red. A grebe www.apogeephoto.com, A. Long in complete breeding plumage showed a photograph of a nesting with an intense chestnut upper Eared Grebe with chestnut red breast and foreneck interspersed upper breast and foreneck. Place with some black feathers was and date of his picture were not present at Lower Klamath Lake, indicated, but it was probably California, in May 2011. taken around 2001 in Colorado. On flickr.com, an additional four I may add that at least two of the examples were retrieved. R. erythromelanistic individuals bred Michal photographed an Eared successfully as they were caring Grebe in breeding plumage with for chicks, one was nesting and a chestnut red upper breast two others appeared to be paired and foreneck at Henderson Bird to normal Eared Grebes. Viewing Preserve, Las Vegas, Nevada, on 5 July 2009. At Discussion Ventura Marina, California, M. Similar to Europe, a total of eight Forsman took a picture of a Eared Grebes having chestnut grebe with chestnut red tinges red feathers in their upper breast

71 (3) September 2013 121 and foreneck were found in the parental stock. In this case, North America, in a much shorter DNA investigations should reveal time frame. Three of them were genetic differences to Podiceps recorded in the Canadian prairie nigricollis californicus that would states. This suggests that the only warrant subspecies status. mutation may be widespread and To what extent the mutation is simply overlooked in Canada causing erythromelanism in Eared and in the USA. Grebes may be dominant or recessive cannot be directly Affected Eared Grebes resemble investigated in the field. There, the now extinct Colombian Grebe we may only find out to what Podiceps andinus. The latter is by extent the expression of the trait some considered a species of its is widespread. Its occurrence own, by others a subspecies of P. may occasionally challenge the nigricollis. It is conceivable that in identification skills of birdwatchers ancient times a small population as at some distance confusion of Eared Grebes in which the with Horned Grebes becomes gene for chestnut melanism was possible. The very limited number widespread became isolated of observations suggests that in the Bogota highlands. erythromelanistic Eared Grebes Considering that melanism is present a curiosity that contributes generally a Mendelian dominant,11 to genetic variability in the species erythromelanistic grebes had a rather than anything else. The good chance to completely invade trait as such does not seem to this subpopulation rather rapidly. provide any disadvantages with Even with recessive alleles, this respect to health or fitness to could have been achieved. In the individuals concerned. The general, low population sizes pairing and breeding success of strongly contribute to loss of the individuals retrieved a priori genetic variation. On average, supports this statement. The this increases the level of occurrence of these aberrant homozygosity.12 Through sexual individuals and their chances selection, the genes for the for successful pair bonding expression of the trait and the genes and breeding should be further for mating preferences for the trait investigated in the field. may then become genetically correlated.13 Assortative mating Acknowledgement may thus have produced a I am grateful to the reviewers subpopulation of Eared Grebes and editors of Blue Jay for their with a different appearance from welcome comments and drafting

122 Blue Jay proposals that contributed to the quality of the final article. 7. Van Grouw H (2010) How to Many thanks to the editors for recognise colour aberrations in gaining permission and to the birds (in museum collections). photographers for granting J. Afrotropical Zoology, special permission to use the two photos issue: 53-59. of erythromelanistic grebes. 8. Harrison CJO (1963) Grey and References fawn variant plumages. Bird Study 1. Rokitansky G (1952) Ein seltenes 10:219-233. Kleid des Schwarzhalstauchers. Vogelkundl. Nachr. Österreich 1:5. 9. Harrison CJO (1965) The chestnut-red melanin in 2. Harengerd M (1971) schizochroic plumages. Ibis Sammelbericht für die Zeit von 107:106-108. November 1968 bis März 1971 (Teil 1). Anthus 8:17-21. 10. Campbell B, Lack E (1985) A 3. Dittberner H, Dittberner W dictionary of birds. T & A D Poyser. (1984) Zu Ökologie, Brutbiologie und morphologischen Merkmalen 11. Gross AO (1965) Melanism des Schwarzhalstauchers in North American birds. Bird- (Podiceps nigricollis). Mitt. Zool. Banding 36:240-242. Museum Berlin 60, Suppl.: Ann. Orn. 8:57-88. 12. Bensch S, Hansson B, Hasselquist D, Nielsen B (2000) 4. Koop B (1995) Rothalsige Partial albinism in a semi- Schwarzhalstaucher Podiceps isolated population of Great Reed nigricollis in Schleswig-Holstein. Warblers. Hereditas 133: 167- Limicola 9:223-226. 170.

5. Van Grouw H (2013) What 13. Dale J (2006) Intraspecific colour is that bird? The causes variation in coloration in Hill EG, and recognition of common colour McGraw KJ: Bird coloration, Vol. 1, aberrations in birds. British Birds Mechanisms and measurements. 106:17-29. Harvard University Press, 6. Van Grouw H (2006) Not every Cambridge & London (p. 3-40). white bird is an albino: sense and nonsense about colour abberations in birds. Dutch Birding 28:79-89.

71 (3) September 2013 123 LONG-EARED OWL NESTING PHENOLOGY AND HABITAT IN CENTRAL ALBERTA LISA TAKATS PRIESTLEY1 , CHUCK PRIESTLEY2 1 Beaverhill Bird Observatory 2 STRIX Ecological Consulting The Long-eared Owl (Asio initiated by Alberta Environment otus) is a secretive nocturnal and Sustainable Resource owl found in open and sparsely Development (Alberta ESRD) to forested habitats across North encourage raptor banders and America and Eurasia between 30° researchers to collect additional and 65°N latitude.12 In Alberta, information on nest locations and it is found in the Boreal Forest, breeding habitat use of birds of Foothills, Grassland, Parkland, prey. This program developed and Rocky Mountain Natural into the Prairie Nest Record Regions, where they prefer Scheme and Alberta Raptor Nest fragmented habitats containing Card Programs. The Alberta dense woodlands or shelterbelts Raptor Nest Card data are stored for nesting and roosting and with Beaverhill Bird Observatory open areas for hunting.7 It is and data are submitted to Alberta a year round-resident, but it's ESRD and the national NestWatch overwintering ecology is relatively Program run by Bird Studies unknown.2,7 The Long-eared Owl is considered `Secure` in Alberta,1 although information on populations, trends, specific habitat use and even distribution are poorly understood.9,12 Banding data from Saskatchewan suggest there is inconclusive evidence for population declines, and that populations are cyclical.10

The first step in managing wildlife populations is having knowledge of distribution and abundance.14 Owls are elusive, which makes them difficult to study and monitor.8 In 1988, a volunteer raptor nest card program was

124 Blue Jay Canada. The Beaverhill Bird flight feathers developing into their Observatory has been analyzing second week with vanes erupting the phenology of a variety of as they are ready to leave the raptor species from data collected nest in the third week. All data in the nest card program.16,17,18,19 was entered into Microsoft Excel This paper addresses the timing for analysis. of nesting and breeding habitat of Long-eared Owls nesting in The estimated date of Long- central Alberta, based on nest eared Owl hatching was calculated banding data collected between by subtracting the age (in days) of 1987 and 2011. the oldest-aged young from the date of banding. Laying date Methods was estimated by subtracting The study area was located in the number of days required for o central Alberta (latitudes 52.5 to incubation from the estimated o o o 54.6 , longitudes 110.5 to 114.2 ), hatch date. Fledging date was surrounding the city of Edmonton. estimated by adding the number Nests were located in the Aspen of days required for fledging to Parkland and Boreal Natural the estimated hatch date. The Regions. Nests were found by time required for incubation and one or more of: 1) visiting known fledging was determined as the nesting sites of other species largest number of days reported that build the stick nests; 2) in published literature. The looking for birds on territory in the estimated number of days needed spring; or 3) through contact with for incubation and fledging used landowners who found pairs or for this paper were 28 and 21 days nests on their land. For each nest, respectively.6,12,23 banders collected information on nest type (natural or man- Results and Discussion made), nest height, tree height, There were 59 nest records nest habitat, surrounding land submitted for Long-eared Owls. use, and banding data including The average laying date was an estimate of the age (in days) May 7 (range Apr. 11 to June 11) of the young at the banding (Figure 1), the average hatching time.3,20 The age at banding date was June 4 (range May 9 to was determined by experienced July 9), and the average fledging banders using descriptions of date was June 25 (range May 30 growth and development.20,23 to July 30) (Figure 2). In Idaho, Developmental changes include, first clutches were usually laid eyes open at five days, second between mid-March and mid- natal down at two weeks, and May.11 71 (3) September 2013 125 14- Jun 09- Jun 04- Jun 30- May 25- May 20- May 15- May Date 10- May 05- May 30- Apr 25- Apr 20- Apr 15- Apr 10- Apr

6 4 2 0 Number of Nests of Number

Figure 1. Estimated egg laying dates of the Long-eared Owl in central Alberta 1987 to 2010.

126 Blue Jay Of the 59 nests, 6 failed (no There were habitat data young fledged) and 53 were available for 57 Long-eared Owl considered successful (one or nests. Fifty-four nests were more young were ready to fledge stick nests and three were man- at banding time). Egg counts made platforms. Twenty-six were present for 25 nests, and stick nests were described in averaged 4.9 eggs per nest (range further detail as being originally 3 to 7, SD=0.93). Murray (1976) built by American Crow (Corvus found the average clutch size for brachyrhynchos) (6), Black-billed Long-eared Owls in North America Magpie (Pica pica) (16), Cooper`s was 4.5 eggs per nest (range Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) (2), 2-10), and number increased Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter as you went north and west. striatus) (1), and squirrel (1). Of the successful nests (n=52) Most (44%) nests were found in the average brood size was willow, and the average height of 3.7 young per nest (range 1-6). nests was 14.8 feet (range 7 to Average number of young fledged 36 feet, SD=7.04). Nests were per successful nest reported found most often in Grassland/ ranged from 3 to 4.5 in the United Shrubland (Table 2), and were States.5,12 usually in isolated groups of trees or shrubs surrounded by Table 1. Long-eared Owl nest-tree types in central Alberta. Nest Tree -type Number of Nests (%) Black Spruce (Live) 11 (19) Maple (Live) 1 (2) Trembling Aspen (Live) 6 (11) White Spruce (Live) 14 (25) willow (Dead) 2 (4) willow (Live) 23 (40)

Table 2. Habitat-types surrounding Long-eared Owl nests in central Alberta. Habitat-type Number of Nests (%) Coniferous Forest 6 (11) Forest (type not specified) 2 (4) Grassland/Shrubland 28 (49) Mixedwood Forest 14 (25) Parkland 5 (9) Urban Treed/Shrub 2 (4)

71 (3) September 2013 127 crops. Other habitats described vegetation.11,23 They are capable nearby included horse pasture, of short flights at 35 days and overgrown fields, unoccupied and are fed by parents for up to 11 occupied farmsteads. Many nests weeks.22 Therefore, occupied were found in the same woodlots Long-eared Owl nests and the for multiple years, and on the rare adjacent habitat should not be occasion the same nest was used cleared from mid-April through in multiple years. mid-August in central Alberta.

Throughout their North American Acknowledgements breeding range, Long-eared Owls Funding from Alberta Ecotrust, have been found nesting in dense Alberta Conservation Association, or brushy vegetation amidst open Alberta Sustainable Resource habitats.12 They used hedgerows Development, Alberta Sport, along farm fields in Montana (D. Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Holt pers. comm. 2010). Typically Foundation, Community Spirit stick nests were used and of Program, AGLC, Nature Canada 130 nests found in southwestern Charles Labatiuk Fund and Idaho, 91 were built by Black-billed Beaverhill Bird Observatory is Magpie, 38 by American Crow, greatly appreciated. The new and one in a cliff cavity.13 Long- raptor nest card template was eared Owls also commonly use produced in cooperation with nests built by Common Ravens Alberta Sustainable Resource (Corvus corax), Cooper’s Hawks, Development, Canadian and various Buteo spp.3,4,21 Wildlife Service, Federation of Alberta Naturalists, and Population declines of Long-eared Bird Studies Canada and is Owls have been caused by habitat available on Beaverhill Bird alteration, forest succession, Observatory’s website at http:// urbanization, competition with www.beaverhillbirds.com/ Great Horned Owls (Bubo bboraptorsnests.htm. We thank virginianus), loss of habitat for prey Ray Cromie, Al DeGroot, Hardy species, rodenticides, shooting, Pletz, Violet Pletz, and Beaverhill and habitat loss.9,12 If habitat Bird Observatory for their data alteration is to occur, occupied contributions. The continuing nest sites need to be protected. cooperation of landowners is Although young Long-eared Owls of great value to this program. leave the nest at about 21 days, We thank the editors and an they are still flightless (branching anonymous reviewer for their stage), and reside in surrounding comments on an earlier draft of this paper. 128 Blue Jay References General Technical Report NC- 1. ALBERTA SUSTAINABLE 190, St. Paul, MN. RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (2010) The general status 3. Bent AC (1938) Life histories of of Alberta wild species 2010. North American birds of prey, pt. Alberta Sustainable Resource 2. U.S. Natl. Mus. Bull. No. 170. Development, Edmonton, AB. On-line at: http://www.srd.alberta. 4. Bloom PH (1994) The biology ca/FishWildlife/SpeciesAtRisk/ and current status of the Long- eralStatusOfAlbertaWildSpecies/ eared Owl in coastal southern tatusOfAlbertaWildSpecies2010/ California. Bull. S. Ca. Acad. Sci. SearchForWildSpeciesStatus. 93:1-12. aspx 5. Bull EL, Wright AL, Henjum MG 2. Beck BH, Beck JA Jr (1997) (1989) Nesting and diet of Long- Winter owl surveying in central eared Owls in conifer forests, Alberta. Page 518 in J. R. Duncan, Oregon. Condor 91:908-912. D. H. Johnson, and T. H. Nicholls (eds.) , Biology and conservation of owls of the Northern Hemisphere: 6. Cramp S (1985) The birds of the 2nd International Symposium, western Palearctic. Vol. 4. Oxford February 5-9 1997, Winnipeg, Univ. Press, Oxford. Manitoba. U.S.Department of Agriculture, Forest Service,

71 (3) September 2013 129 7. Federation of Alberta Naturalists Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved (2007) The atlas of breeding from the Birds of North America birds of Alberta, a second look. Online: http://bna.birds.cornell. Federation of Alberta Naturalists, edu/bna/species/133doi:10.2173/ Edmonton, AB. Pp. 278-279. bna.133

8. Fisher JT, Takats Priestly L, Muhly 13. Marks JS, Yensen E (1980) T, Huggard D, Bayne E, Nielsen Nest sites and food habits of S (2011) Recommendations for Long-eared Owls in southwestern an owl monitoring pilot study in Idaho. Murrelet 61:86-91. northeast Alberta. Rare 14. Mosher JA, Fuller MR (1996) Monitoring Team, Ecological Surveying woodland hawks with Monitoring Committee for the broadcasts of Great Horned Owl Lower Athabasca, Alberta. Online: vocalizations. Wildlife Society http://emcla.ca/wp-content/ Bulletin 24: 531-536. uploads/2012/05/EMCLA-Owl- Report-2011_FINAL.pdf 15. Murray GA (1976) Geographic variation in the clutch sizes of 9. Holt DW (1997) The long- seven owl species. Auk 93:602- eared owl (Asio otus) and forest 613. management: a review of the literature. Journal of Raptor 16. Priestly L (2005a) Phenology Research 31(2): 175-186. of three raptor species in central Alberta based on nest banding 10. Houston CS (2005) Long- records. Blue Jay 63(1): 26-30. eared owls, Asio otus: a review of North American banding. 17. Priestly L (2005b) Northern Canadian Field Naturalist 119(3): goshawk and barred owl 395-402. phenology in Alberta. Nature Alberta 35(2): 10-12. 11. Marks JS (1986) Nest-site characteristics and reproductive 18. Priestly L (2008) The nesting success of Long-eared Owls phenology of Northern Saw-whet in southwestern Idaho. Wilson Owl and Boreal Owl in central Bulletin 98:547-560. Alberta. Nature Alberta 38(3): 20-25. 12. Marks JS, Evans DL, Holt DW (1994) Long-eared Owl (Asio otus), 19. Priestly L, Degroot E (2010). The Birds of North America Online Nesting phenology and fledging (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell success in central Alberta. Nature Alberta 39(3): 35-38. 130 Blue Jay 20. Pyle P (1997) The identification 22. Ulmschneider H (1990) Post- guide to North American birds: part nesting ecology of the Long-eared 1. Slate Creek Press, Bolinas, CA. Owl (Asio otus) in southwestern 732 pp. Idaho. Master’s Thesis. Boise State University, Boise, ID. 21. Stophlet JJ (1959) Nesting concentration of Long-eared 23. Wijnandts H (1984) Ecological Owls in Cochise County, Arizona. energetics of the Long-eared Owl Wilson Bulletin 71: 97-99. (Asio otus). Ardea 72:1-92.

71 (3) September 2013 131 AN OBSERVATION OF GROUND FEEDING AND COPROPHAGY BY A COMMON NIGHTHAWK IN NW MANITOBA RICHARD STANIFORTH1, RUDOLF KOES2 1336 Glenwood Crescent, Winnipeg. MB. R2L 1J9. Email: richard_ [email protected] 2135 Rossmere Crescent, Winnipeg, MB. R2K 0G1. Email: rkoes@ mts.net The common nighthawk, of small buildings in a partially- Chordeiles minor, reaches its cleared area with scattered white, northernmost summer range black spruce and white birch. near the northern boundaries of The weather was overcast, the the Canadian Prairie Provinces. air smoky from nearby forest Although the IUCN lists its status fires and the temperature about as “of least concern”, its decline in 12° C. Our observations were recent years has been alarming, made using 7 x 42 and 10 x 42 leading to it being classified as binoculars. “threatened” by COSEWIC in 2007. The first observation of the common nighthawk was as it Our observations took place flew past one of us (RFK) just on 9 July 2013 at about 1900 hr outside the cabin at less than 2 at the Bain Lake fishing outpost m distance. This was a startling (58o 54’ 48”N; 99o 13’ 55”W.) experience because of the bird’s of Gangler’s North Seal River close proximity and the rapidity Lodges, in northwest Manitoba. of its flight. The outpost consists of a number

Line drawing of common nighthawk - Rudolf Koes 132 Blue Jay Then, when both observers Common nighthawks are virtually were inside the cabin, a bird never seen feeding on the ground (presumably the same individual) because like other members of flew through the same clearing the nightjar family, they are aerial in a very fast manner, passing feeders. We speculate that this our window less than 10 m away bird was eating the remains of at a height of about 4 m above carnivore feces to supplement the ground. This happened more its diet with calcium carbonate. than once. We observed that Barclay has shown that bats and these “fly-pasts” by the bird were those birds that are primarily part of wide circles of about 80 m aerial insectivores may have life diameter. On the last observed history consequences due to the “lap” the bird landed on the sandy limited amounts of calcium in their ground in the clearing directly in diets. Female birds deplete their front of our observation window. own calcium stores to meet the It spent a few minutes on the demand of growing offspring; in ground observing its surroundings, this case the bird found a ready then picked up and ate some source of calcium. 1 Secondly, it is ants. It then shuffled around important to reiterate that this was and ate more ants. It appeared not a random event because the to be searching in a determined bird appeared to be purposefully manner. It then picked up and ate searching for both ants and feces. about 7 or 8 white objects from the Its repeated flight circuits over the ground. Total observation time on clearing were possibly to examine the ground was about ten minutes; the items and to check the safety/ the bird eventually flew away and feasibility of landing to eat them. was not seen again.

After observing these events we went outside to identify the remaining white objects. We discovered that they were old, bleached feces of a carnivore. Ken Poitras, the camp manager, told us that the scats were those of a gray wolf and had been present since the previous year (2012). There are no domestic dogs in the area. Common nighthawk on post - Anne Brigham 71 (3) September 2013 133 Acknowledgements We thank Ken Gangler and Ken Poitras for their kind hospitality at Gangler’s lodges, and also Christian Artuso and Bonnie Chartier of the Manitoba Breeding Bird Atlas project who sponsored and facilitated our trip. We also thank the editors and an anonymous reviewer for their useful suggestions.

References 1. Barclay, R.M.R. 1994. Constraints on reproduction by flying vertebrates: Energy and calcium. The American Naturalist: Common nighthawk on post 144(6): 1021-1031. - Anne Brigham

Common nighthawk on post - Anne Brigham

134 Blue Jay PLANTS NOTES ON BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY OF THE PRAIRIE CROCUS (ANEMONE PATENS L.) AND ITS CURRENT STATUS IN SASKATCHEWAN VLADIMIR V. KRICSFALUSY1, YAKIV P. PONOMARENKO2

1School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, 117 Science Place, Saskatoon SK S7N 5C8, Canada email: [email protected] 2Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon SK S7N 5E2, Canada email: [email protected]

INTRODUCTION tolerate human influence to some The prairie crocus (Anemone extent. However, its conservation patens L. sensu lato) is a perennial is of growing concern in some parts herb widespread through the of the world, especially in Europe temperate regions of the Northern where the general population Hemisphere, comprising a few is dramatically declining and different subspecies.1 It ranges hence this species is included from Europe to North America, in the European Red List of passing through Central, North vascular plants,2 as well as in and Eastern Europe as well as national Red Data Books of most Central and North Asia, and European countries where this reaching the central part of North plant is present. In North America, America covering a wide range of A. patens is relatively well climatic and habitat conditions. It represented in the United States should be noted that A. patens and Canada and has limited legal var. multifida Pritz. is confined protection in some of the states to the eastern section of the and provinces of these countries. species’ distribution range (Asia– This plant is strongly associated North America), while the western with native prairies,3 which are section (Europe) is dominated by some of the most endangered A. patens var. patens. Overlapping ecosystems of North America. of these taxa occurs in Central For the whole continent, native Asia. mixed and short-grass prairies have declined to less than 20% of A. patens is considered to be their original extent.4 In the prairie resistant to disturbances and can provinces of Canada, although it

71 (3) September 2013 135 is a widespread and familiar plant, In North America A. patens is much is still unknown about the considered to be the provincial species’ biology and ecology as flower of Manitoba and the state well as the processes that may flower of South Dakota. It also threaten its local survival, for appears on the Coat of Arms example in Saskatchewan, where of Manitoba and of the City of the range of A. patens has been Winnipeg. Recently, a special contracting over the past few monument was erected in Arden, decades, particularly in the vicinity Manitoba to celebrate A. patens of major urban centres like Regina as a heritage plant.12 The image of and Saskatoon.5,6,7 A. patens has also been profusely used in collectable items, including A. patens is an important postage stamps in many countries species not only from a biological and the world’s purest gold coin in and ecological perspective but Canada.13 also from a cultural point of view, being present in horticulture, The goals of this study of traditional medicine, folklore A. patens are to (i) clarify its and symbols. As a widespread taxonomic status, (ii) expand plant across North America, A. the current knowledge of biology patens has been used by many and ecology of the species, and native tribes as a treatment for (iii) contribute to biodiversity several illnesses. For example, conservation in Saskatchewan. in Saskatchewan the Blackfoot applied a poultice of crushed METHODS leaves topically as a counterirritant. Study Site They also used this plant to speed During May–July of 2011 and birth delivery by taking a decoction 2012, we conducted studies of the of the plant.8,9 A. patens has an biology and ecology of A. patens important symbolic value among and surveyed its distribution North American native peoples, in Saskatchewan, placing a as well as some Scandinavian particular emphasis on provincially and Slavic nations in Europe. As protected areas. Surveyed sites in ancient Greece, this plant is a included Prince Albert National herald of the arriving spring.10,11 Park, The Battlefords Provincial A. patens is also present in more Park, Cypress Hills Interprovincial “formal” symbolism. In Europe this Park, Redberry Lake Biosphere species is adopted as the official Reserve, and several conservation floral emblem of two provinces – areas in the city of Saskatoon Häme and South Karelia, Finland. and its vicinity: Beaver Creek,

136 Blue Jay Cranberry Flats, Crocus Prairie, of A. patens in the study site within Kernen Prairie, McKercher, a 10 m × 10 m plot that was staked Northeast Swale, Peturrson’s out over a representative part of Ravine, Saskatoon Natural the population. The site location Grassland, and Wanuskewin and the following conditions of Heritage Park. For more details the population were recorded: on the distribution of A. patens in elevation (obtained using a Saskatchewan refer to the study Garmin eTrex handheld GPS by Kricsfalusy et al.7 unit), aspect, slope position, percent vegetation cover, litter, On 19 July 2011, we sampled a bare soil, and type and degree of patch of fescue prairie on private disturbance (grazing, trampling, land about 25 km northwest of burning, burrowing, and invasive Hafford which is located within species). All higher vascular the Redberry Lake Biosphere plant species within the plot were Reserve area (Figure 1). In the recorded, along with their percent process, we found a flowering cover. population of A. patens growing Soil samples were taken so that on a heavily grazed pasture that they contained a mix of the upper was separated from the fescue 30 cm horizon where the roots of prairie by a fence. Some of the A. patens are mainly distributed. plants were evidently flowering Rangeland type was estimated repeatedly, because they bore based on land surface and soil well-formed seed heads from profile examination according to spring flowering as well as newly Thorpe.14 opened flowers. The new flowers were smaller and paler in colour RESULTS & DISCUSSION than those we had observed Taxonomic Considerations in other populations during the A. patens is commonly regular April-May flowering known under several names season. Because of this unusual in different parts of the world, mid-summer flowering event, we such as prairie crocus, prairie re-visited this site next year, on 7 smoke, prairie pasqueflower, July 2012. This time there was no eastern pasqueflower, observed mid-summer flowering, American pasqueflower, and only a few plants had flowered European pasqueflower, sticky and fruited earlier in the spring. pasqueflower, pulsatille, pulsatille multifide, crocus anemone, Sampling Approach cutleaf anemone, gosling plant, We performed a detailed survey lionsbeard, wild crocus, windflower

71 (3) September 2013 137 Figure 1. Location of the study population of Anemone patens near Hafford, Saskatchewan (N 52°50’32” W 107°39’39”). and others. A. patens belongs to crocus of Europe, which in fact the buttercup or crowfoot family belongs to the genus Crocus in (Ranunculaceae). It is interesting the iris family (Iridaceae). that the major common name, prairie crocus, is incorrect and While the vast majority of misleading from a scientific point taxonomic treatments of the flora of view. It was given to this plant of Europe and Asia include this by the European settlers that taxon under the genus Pulsatilla colonized the American prairies, Miller, most American authors as it reminded them of the true prefer to place it in the genus 138 Blue Jay Anemone L. According to Dutton by G.A. Stevenson, hence the et al.,15 A. patens is represented name. Later, this form was found by the var. multifida in North in two different locations near America. However, there still Carlyle, Saskatchewan by Silcox remains some controversy over in 1995 (#142755 SASK)19 and in the taxonomic status of A. patens. 1998 (#145264 SASK).19 We also Review of the major treatments observed a few plants identified and existing databases of the flora as f. stevensonis during our field of Canada shows that the primary surveys in the city of Saskatoon name for this taxon until the (Northeast Swale) in 2012. late–20th century was A. patens var. wolfgangiana, after which the Features of Life Cycle majority of sources have used A. The mid-summer flowering patens var. multifida. Although individuals in the population of A. patens var. wolfgangiana is A. patens located northwest of still being used by some authors Hafford (see Figure 1) were found (Table 1), A. patens var. multifida to have abnormally light-coloured has priority and it should be (almost white) tepals, in contrast applied as the legitimate name in to the normal pale lilac flowers. modern floristic treatments. Although looking very similar to the plants with white flowers identified There are two “atypical” colour as A. patens f. stevensonis, the forms of A. patens, with rose individuals in the study population and white flowers respectively cannot be classified as belonging (Figure 2). A. patens var. rosea, to this form. They are most likely characterized by pink flowers, has individuals with bleached flowers. been described by Cockerell16 in Because of the late flowering these North America. We found some plants were exposed to higher plants belonging to the var. rosea solar radiation and temperature during our field surveys in the city regimes than in the spring which of Saskatoon (Crocus Prairie) caused flower bleaching. in 2011. Albino individuals of A. patens have been described as The mid-summer time of var. albo–lutea in Europe17 and f. flowering (July) was also highly stevensonis in North America.18 unusual, given that the normal The holotype of the latter form is flowering ofA. patens in the region deposited in the AAFC National occurs from April to early May.7 Collection of Vascular Plants and To the best of our knowledge, the specimen was collected in no records exist of en masse 1960 near Brandon, Manitoba flowering of A. patens in mid-

71 (3) September 2013 139 Figure 2. Prairie crocus (Anemone patens): top – typical flower form; mid – rose flower form; bottom – white flower form. (see inside front cover for colour images) – Vladimir Kricsfalusy

140 Blue Jay Table 1. Primary scientific names ofAnemone patens in the Canadian floras and floristic databases 28 35 30 31 36 32 34 33 Taxon 18 29 Looman and Best 1979 Moss 1983 Scoggan 1957 Scoggan 1978 Boivin 1968 Burchill 2002 Harms 2006 FOIBIS 2005 Aiken et al. 2007 2012 VASCAN

Anemone patens L. + + +

A. patens L. var. multifida + + Pritz. A. patens L. var. + + + + wolfgangiana (Besser) Koch Pulsatilla patens (L.) Miller + ssp. multifida(Pritz.) Zämelis

summer. There are only some explanation for the mid-summer indications that extent of the repeated flowering we observed formation of leaf rosettes and of in the study population. Given flowering and fruit-bearing shoots that the population is located depends on weather conditions on intensive pasture, it is quite such as winter temperatures, likely that the flowers produced snow cover, autumn precipitation, in the spring failed to set seed temperature, and sunshine due to grazing and trampling duration in spring.20 by cattle, which stimulated the development of the new fully According to Borisova,21 formed flowering buds. This is floral buds contain fully mature supported by the fact that in floral organs by June, allowing 2011, new flowers significantly some individuals to flower for a outnumbered old (dried) flower second time in the early autumn stalks from spring flowering, with (September) in Kazakhstan. In most of the observed generative our opinion, this is the most likely plants showing new flowers only.

71 (3) September 2013 141 Secondly, the summer of 2011 (Poa pratensis), smooth brome was relatively wet for this climatic (Bromus inermis), white sweet region, and the input of moisture clover (Melilotus albus), yellow may also have been a flowering sweet clover (M. officinalis), and stimulus. The consumption of the dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). newly formed floral buds in the Overall, this grassland community mid-summer repeated flowering experiences moderate to severe would also explain the relative health alteration caused mainly lack of flowering plants in the by overgrazing and establishment following season (2012). of invasive plant species. Based on the vegetation structure Community Ecology and and species composition this Management community is identified as only 52% The A. patens population similar to reference community near Hafford was situated on a Plain’s Rough Fescue – Northern pasture located on a gentle south- Wheat Grass – Western Porcupine facing slope (3°). It was evidently Grass (Festuca hallii – Elymus strongly grazed and trampled by lanceolatus – Hesperostipa cattle, with a significant amount of curtiseta), which occurs in optimal bare soil (30%), and showed no growth conditions with reduced evidence of any recent burning. grazing impact. The vegetation community can be interpreted, according to the In North America A. patens is classification by Thorpe14, as strongly associated with native Western Porcupine Grass – grasslands,3 particularly the Northern Wheat Grass – Sedge endangered fescue prairie.22 – Pasture Sage (Hesperostipa Fescue prairie, which has declined curtiseta – Elymus lanceolatus to less than 1% of its original range – Carex sp. – Artemisia frigida) in Saskatchewan, is an important type on the Loam Ecosite in the grassland type for A. patens. In the Aspen Parkland ecoregion. The study vegetation community, the vegetation cover was dominated cover of rough fescue (Festuca by several graminoid species hallii) was estimated as being only and a variety of forbs. In total, 3%, compared to 7% (of biomass) 33 vascular plant species were in the reference community.14 recorded within the 100 m2 plot This indicates a decline of rough (Table 2). Most species were fescue and its potential loss in native, but there was a significant overgrazed grassland habitats. presence of invasive plants such as Kentucky blue grass A. patens has been reported to

142 Blue Jay Table 2. List of vascular plant species recorded in the study population of Anemone patens near Hafford, Saskatchewan; vegetation community: Western Porcupine Grass – Northern Wheat Grass – Sedge – Pasture Sage (Hesperostipa curtiseta – Elymus lanceolatus – Carex sp. – Artemisia frigida); sampling plot: 10 m x 10 m Plant Species Cover, % Forbs Androsace septentrionalis L. <1 Anemone patens L. 12 Antennaria aprica Greene 15 Boechera grahamii (Lehmann) Windham & Al-Shehbaz <1 Artemisia campestris L. <1 Artemisia frigida Willd. 15 Astragalus agrestis Douglas ex G. Don <1 Erigeron caespitosus Nutt. 1 Geum triflorum Pursh 3 Heterotheca villosa (Pursh) Shinners <1 Melilotus albus Medik.* 1 Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam.* 2 Oxytropis sericea Nutt. 1 Packera cana (Hook.) W.A. Weber & Á. Löve <1 Potentilla concinna Richardson 1 Potentilla pensylvanica L. 1 Solidago missouriensis Nutt. 1 Solidago spathulata DC. 1 Symphyotrichum ericoides (L.) G.L. Nesom <1 Symphyotrichum laeve (L.) Á. Löve & D. Löve 1 Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg.* <1 Thermopsis rhombifolia (Nutt. ex Pursh) Nutt. ex Richardson 1 Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. 5 Graminoids Elymus lanceolatus (Scribner & J.G. Smith) Gould ssp. lanceolatus 10 Elymus trachycaulus ssp. subsecundus (Link) Á. Löve & D. Löve <1 Bouteloa gracilis (Willd. ex Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths 1 Bromus inermis Leyss.* 3 Carex duriuscula C.A. Meyer 20 Festuca hallii (Vasey) Piper 3 Avenula hookeri (Scribner) Holub 1 Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. 5 Poa pratensis L.* 10 Hesperostipa curtiseta (Hitchcock) Barkworth 20 Clubmosses Selaginella densa Rydb. 20 * Invasive plant species. 71 (3) September 2013 143 flourish in the moderately grazed urbanization and agricultural areas on prairies as it is not heavily development,6 as well as a decline relished by livestock.3,23 Our in populations because of a lack observations confirm these results of natural ecological processes and show that both an excess of or disturbances, such as grazing disturbance and the absence of it and fire,24 and impact of invasive are critical threats to the survival of plant species.25 Overall, A. patens A. patens. Adaptations for variable is considered to be apparently environmental conditions and secure (N4) at a national level for management practices (different the whole United States.26 This types of ontogenetic development, species is not protected under capacity for regeneration, etc.) the US Endangered Species Act, provide this species with a series however its conservation status of mechanisms for coping with has been reviewed and ranked mild disturbances.7 On the other in six states: Wyoming (S4 – hand, the life history strategy of apparently secure), Montana (S4), A. patens is based on individual Utah (S1 – critically imperilled), survival rather than long range Illinois (S1), Iowa (S4), and Kansas dispersion and colonization of new (SH – possibly extirpated). areas.7 This makes A. patens a weak competitor, unable to thrive In Canada A. patens is not in ungrazed, overgrown areas. A protected under the Species at high density of tall grasses, forbs Risk Act. The species is classified or shrubs and large amounts of as apparently secure (N4) at a litter will inhibit regeneration of A. national level by NatureServe.26 patens due to heavy competition. Nonetheless, the conservation Therefore, light to moderate status of A. patens varies between grazing and management provinces. It is considered to be practices that reduce litter, control secure in Alberta, British Columbia, coarse grasses and open small Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and patches of bare soil for seed as “may be at risk” in Nunavut and germination favour populations Ontario. Moreover, A. patens is of A. patens. included in a list of Rare Vascular Plants of Ontario.28 Conservation Concerns The current status of A. Ironically, in order to be patens in North America does protected, A. patens must be under not cause particular concern; some imminent (rather than long- however there has been reduction term) threat of extinction. However, of the species range due to because habitat fragmentation is

144 Blue Jay already threatening this species in 1. Hultén E, Fries M (1986) Saskatchewan, studying its effects Atlas of North European vascular and long-term monitoring to get a plants north of the Tropic of better idea of how individuals Cancer, Vol. 1. Koeltz Scientific and populations of A. patens Books, Königstein. cope with anthropogenic impact is of important scientific and 2. Bilz M, Kell SP, Maxted N, conservation interest. Although Lansdown RV (2011) European species that are still relatively Red List of vascular plants. common, such as A. patens, can Publications Office of the hardly be expected to be given European Union, Luxembourg. legal protection, their association with threatened species may help 3. Wildeman AG, Steeves TA them in many cases. At the same (1982) The morphology and time, threatened plant species of growth cycle of Anemone patens. native prairie may benefit from Canadian Journal of Botany the results obtained during the 60:1126–1137. study of A. patens, which can reveal useful information about 4. Gauthier D, Wiken EB (2003) vegetation community dynamics Monitoring the conservation and trends. of grassland habitats, Prairie ecozone, Canada. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 88: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 343–364. We would like to thank John Kindrachuk for help with access 5. Esparrago J, Kricsfalusy V to the study site in Hafford, (2014) Urban conservation and SK (Redberry Lake Biosphere habitat preferences of Anemone Reserve). We also thank V. Harms patens L. in North America. for reviewing the manuscript Landscape and Urban Planning, and his constructive and helpful (in press). comments. This research was partly supported by a President’s 6. Kricsfalusy V, Gupta C, NSERC grant from the University Li M (2014) Distribution and of Saskatchewan to the first author, habitat affinities of Anemone and University of Saskatchewan patens L. (Ranunculaceae) Summer Student Employment in Saskatchewan, Canada. Program (USTEP) funding to the Canadian Field Naturalist (in second author. press).

71 (3) September 2013 145 7. Kricsfalusy V, Ponomarenko 14. Thorpe J (2007) Y (2014) Life cycle of the prairie Saskatchewan Rangeland crocus (Anemone patens L.) Ecosystems, Publication 4: in natural populations of North Communities on the LoamEcosite. America. Natural Areas Journal Saskatchewan Research Council, (in press). Regina, SK.

8. Howarth D, Keane K (1995) 15. Dutton BE, Keener C, Ford Wild medicines of the prairies. Root B (1997) Anemone L. In: Editorial Woman and Dave Publishers, Committee of Flora of North Alvena, SK. America (ed) Flora of North America, Vol. 3. Oxford University 9. Moerman DE (2009) Native Press, New York and Oxford, p American medicinal plants: An 139–158. ethnobotanical dictionary. Timber Press, Portland and London. 16. Cockerell TA (1888) West American Scientist (San Diego) 10. Brown A (1954) Old man’s 5: 5. garden. Grey’s Publishing, Sidney, BC. 17. Zämelis A (1926) Beitragezur Kenntnis des Formenkreises 11. Keane K, Howarth D, Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill. Courtney P (2009) The standing Acta Horticulturae Botanica, people: field guide of medicinal Universitatis Latvensis 1: 81–106. plants for the prairie provinces. (2nd ed). Saskatoon, SK. 18. Boivin B (1968) Flora of the Prairie Provinces, Vol. 16, No. 3. 12. Small E, Catling PM, Brookes Université Laval, Québec City, B (2012) A biodiversity treasure. QC. Official plant emblems of Canada. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 19. SASK (2011) The W.P. Fraser Ottawa, ON. Herbarium of the University of Saskatchewan (SASK). 13. Royal Canadian Mint (2010) Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Gold Coin – Prairie Crocus. Available from http://herbarium. Available: http://www.mint.ca/ usask.ca (accessed on 23 May store/coin/99999-gold-coin- 2011). prairie-crocus-2010-prod820002 [Accessed April 8, 2012] 20. Wójtowicz W (2000) Biologia, wymagania siedliskowei

146 Blue Jay możliwości uprawy zachowawczej 26. NatureServe (2012) Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill. Biuletyn NatureServe Explorer: An online Ogrodów Botanicznych 9: 45–54. encyclopedia of life. Version 7.0. Available from http:// 21. Borisova IV (1961) Pulsatilla www.natureserve.org/explorer patens s.l. In: Lavrenko EM (ed) (accessed 23 May 2012). Steppe vegetation of Northern Kazakhstan. Academy of 27. Oldham MJ, Brinker SR Sciences of the USSR Press, (2009) Rare Vascular Plants of Moscow-Leningrad, p 84–87. Ontario. (4th ed). Natural Heritage Information Centre, Ministry of 22. Vujnovic K, Wein RW and Natural Resources of Ontario. Dale MRT (2000). Factors Peterborough, ON. determining the centrifugal organization of remnant Festuca 28. Looman J, Best KF (1979) grassland communities in Alberta. Budd's Flora of the Canadian Journal of Vegetation Science, 11: Prairie Provinces. Research 127-134. Branch, Agriculture Canada. Publication 1662. Canadian 23. Bruynooghe J, McDonald Government Publishing Centre, R (eds) (2008) Managing Hull, QC. Saskatchewan Rangeland. Available from http://www. 29. Moss EH (1983) Flora of saskforage.ca/publications/ Alberta. (2nd ed). Revised by ManagingRangeland.pdf Packer JG. University of Toronto (accessed on 30 June 2011). Press, Toronto, ON.

24. Godwin B, Thorpe J (2004) 30. Scoggan HJ (1957) Flora of Ten-year vegetation changes at Manitoba. Available from http:// Saskatoon Natural Grassland. home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~burchil/ Saskatchewan Research Council plants/ (accessed on 1 July 2011). Publication 11658-1E04, Regina, SK. 31. Scoggan HJ (1978) Flora of Canada, Vol. 3. National Museum 25. Williams JL, Crone EE (2006) of Canada, Ottawa, ON. The impact of invasive grasses on the population growth of Anemone 32. Burchill C (2002) List of plant patens, a long-lived native forb. families and genera in Manitoba. Ecology, 87/12: 3200-3208. Available from http://home. cc.umanitoba.ca/~burchil/plants/ (accessed on 30 June 2011). 71 (3) September 2013 147 33. Harms VL (2006) Annotated 35. Aiken SG, Dallwitz MJ, catalogue of Saskatchewan Consaul LL et al. (eds) (2007) vascular plants. Available from Flora of the Canadian Arctic http://www.parc.ca/saskflora/info Archipelago: descriptions, (accessed on 30 June 2011). illustrations, identification, and information retrieval. [CD–ROM]. 34. FOIBIS (2005) Flora Ontario National Research Council of – Integrated Botanical Information Canada, Ottawa, ON. System Phase I. Newmaster SG, Ragupathy S. University of 36. VASCAN (2012) Database Guelph, Guelph, ON. Available of vascular plants of Canada. from http://www.uoguelph.ca/ Available from http://www. foibis/ (accessed on 30 June canadensys.net/activities/ 2011). development/vascan (accessed on 21 April 2012).

Prairie Crocus - Lowell Strauss

148 Blue Jay PHOTO ESSAY SNOWY OWL - GYRFALCON SCRAP, WHITE BUTTE, SK On 4 February 2012, my husband and I were out hiking in White Butte, SK, and I was playing photographer. We found a few female snowy owls along the back road into Regina. One owl, perched on a telephone pole, was most perturbed by something in the area, and despite me directly underneath it kept staring off in the distance. Then it took off and landed on the ground nearby. It started posturing in weird ways with wings spread, so I thought another owl was in its territory. Suddenly a blur came in - a falcon! The gyrfalcon passed at the owl twice, with talons open. The owl hopped around and was quite incensed, all puffed up and cranky. The gyrfalcon went up to the top of the pole and glared back at the owl. Meanwhile the owl remained puffed up and most likely called out rude things to the falcon, ending with: “You're nothing more than a prairie chicken!” Ha. That last was just my imagination. - Anne Brigham, Regina SK

71 (3) September 2013 149 150 Blue Jay 71 (3) September 2013 151 152 Blue Jay NOTES and LETTERS AN ICONIC INSECT OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA, THE FIREFLY IS LIGHTING UP THE PRAIRIE SKY. JEFF BOONE City of Saskatoon, Saskatoon, SK, S7L 7K6 email: [email protected] Based on a number of inquiries, are similar in appearance more people were observing to their close relatives the soldier, fireflies in 2013. There were a half net-winged and click .2 dozen requests regarding fireflies The signature feature is their and attention from local media. It is flash, which is produced through unclear why fireflies were suddenly oxidation of a group of proteins seen with such frequency, but it called lucerifases.3 This reaction may be related to the rising water takes place in their abdomen and table in Saskatchewan creating produces the characteristic glow more habitat for fireflies. Several or bioluminescence. 2,3 In many of the species in Saskatchewan species the larvae, pupae and prefer palustrine environments adults are bioluminescent. In including wet meadows, marshes, larvae and pupae, bioluminescence creeks and sloughs.1 is aposematic,4 signalling to predators the presence of Fireflies are a family of distasteful compounds. There beetles, called the Lampyridae. are several colours of flashes in There are over 2000 species Saskatchewan.1 It is common to worldwide including nine see amber flashes produced by species in Saskatchewan (Royal Pyractomena or green or yellow Saskatchewan Museum records). flashes produced by . Five of the nine species have been found in aspen parkland,1 Adults in many species use the ecoregion surrounding signalling to attract mates. Typically Saskatoon, although these records males will produce flashes and are likely biased by the fact that then wait for a female to respond, more collecting has occurred creating a chorus of flashes. In an in this region (Larson personal unusual twist on this behaviour, communication). According to some species of firefly mimic the records at the Royal Saskatchewan flashing pattern of another species Museum one species of firefly, the in order to lure an unsuspecting winter firefly ( corrusca), male.5 They then capture and eat has been found as far north as them. This occurs in the genus Lake Athabasca. 71 (3) September 2013 153 Figure 1. A Pennsylvania firefly (Photuris pennslyvanica) resting on a lily petal. © Stephen Luk

154 Blue Jay Photuris, nicknamed the femme 1. Hooper RR, Larson DJ. Checklist fatale fireflies. In Saskatchewan of Beetles (Coleoptera: Insecta) of we have one femme fatale species Saskatchewan. that has been found in the eastern aspen parkland (Figure 1). 2. Luk SPL, Marshall SA, Branham MA (2011) The fireflies on Ontario There are several species of (Coleoptera Lampyridae). Journal firefly where the adults are not of Identification No. 16. bioluminescent and consequently are seen less identified.2 3. Fraga H (2008) Firefly Saskatchewan is home to four luminescence: A historical of these non-luminous species perspective and recent including the winter firefly, so developments. Photochemical & named because of its activity in Photobiological Sciences 7:146- the early spring.2 158.

Much is still unknown about the 4. de Cock R, Matthysen E biology of many species of firefly. (1999) Aposematism and However some are known to feed Bioluminescence: Experimental 6 on soft bodied invertebrates. evidence from Glow-worm Larvae One species in Saskatchewan, (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). Pyractomena dispersa, is possibly Evolutionary Ecology 13:619-639. a specialist predator of snails similar to close relatives Pyractomena 5. Lloyd JE (1965) Aggressive 6 borealis. It is the most frequently mimicry in Photuris: firefly femmes collected species in the Royal fatales. Science 149:653-654. Saskatchewan collection and has been collected from May to August 6. Hummel JD (2004) Digital (Royal Saskatchewan Museum Collection, E.H. Strickland records). Entomological Museum, University of Alberta. http://entomology. Are you interested in spotting museums.ualberta.ca/searching_ fireflies or adding them to your species_details.php?s=5431 collection? They are often easy to observe in riparian areas next to streams, rivers, or lakes lighting up the night sky. In the daytime they often go unnoticed. Try sweep netting in grassy areas. You may catch lightning in a bottle.

71 (3) September 2013 155 WHOOPING CRANE WITH LEG BAND SIGHTED NEAR MOSSBANK, SK I went out Nov 12, 2012, about 5 miles west of Mossbank, and saw a pair of Whooping Cranes. I wish I could have got closer, they were quite far away, but I didn't want to scare them. Over the years I have seen more Whooping Cranes, but this seems to me very late for them to be here. When I worked on the farm back in the 1950's, six Whooping Cranes came out of Old Wives' Lake, and as I remember they stayed around for about a week or so, but that was in September. I went out to look for the cranes the next day (Nov 13, 2012) and got a little closer to them. I could see with my binoculars that one of the cranes had a band on its leg. - Don Smith, Box 202, Mossbank SK. S0H 3G0

156 Blue Jay SERIES: LEARN YOUR LICHENS BERNARD DE VRIES

Scientific Name: Caloplaca trachyphylla (Tuck.) Zahlbr. Common Name: Desert firedot lichen. Synonym(s): None Description: Desert firedot lichen is one of our most colourful lichens with its orange to reddish-orange body (thallus) on open grasslands. One of its characteristics besides its vivid colour are the lumpy and parallel radiating lobes with thick, convex, rough tips which can’t be lifted from its substratum without damaging its lower surface (cortex). The centre consists of small often closely attached irregular structures. The many fruiting bodies (apoyhetia) are small and centrally located with a broad margin. Habitat: On exposed rock in open grasslands. Growth Form: Somewhat foliose (leaf-like) marginally, but centrally crustose (crust forming). Provincial Status: A common temperate species of open grasslands. Comments: This lichen can sometimes be seen with the gray and dense centrally located globose (sphere shaped) isidia (peg-like vegetative outgrowths) Xanthoparmelia mexicana (Salted rock- shield), especially in more arid locations (see insert). Desert fire-dot lichen resembles in many ways Xanthoria elegans (Elegant sunburst lichen), but this species has a more reddish colour and a lower cortex (protective layer) which can be lifted intact and has a broader distribution. Another species of mistaken identity can be Caloplaca saxicola (Smooth firedot lichen) which has shorter, smoother, lobes and occurs in the same habitat as Desert firedot lichen. Note: This is the third in a series of our lichen flora, and the author hopes you enjoyed them and found it a learning experience. Please send comments to Bernard de Vries: [email protected] (see inside front cover for colour photo)

71 (3) September 2013 157 MYSTERY PHOTO Mystery photo September 2013: What is this bird?

Blue Jay Reader Vicky Kjoss sent us our mystery photo. She writes: “I am attaching a photo that may be of interest to Blue Jay; it was taken on Crane Beach in Ipswich, Massachusetts, US. I figure that since we have this species in Saskatchewan, theoretically an individual like this might show up some day. In any case, it might be of interest to people who have never seen one like it. I sure thought it was cool.”

Please send your answers to the Blue Jay editors [email protected] - See back cover for colour photo

158 Blue Jay ANSWER TO THE JUNE 2013 MYSTERY PHOTO:

Part I Dear Editors The photo is of an adult cicada, probably Okanagana rimosa, although for reasons given below the species limits in this genus of cicada are in doubt. Okanagana rimosa is a spectacular insect, heavy bodied and about 30 mm in length (including folded wings) and mainly black with orange to red trim. The are better known from their sound rather than by sight. They are the insects with the loud, sometimes seemingly incessant, buzzing song that goes on during the heat of summer days. The song is produced by males which are signalling to females. The specimen in the photo has its wings moving but wings are not the source of the song (such as in the case of grasshoppers and their relatives). Rather sound is produced by the vibration of a pair of tymbals (tautly stretched cuticle similar to the head of a drum) at the base of the insects abdomen. Also on the base of the abdomen are a pair of ears (tympanic membranes) through which air vibrations can be sensed. Cicadas can be very loud in their sound production but they have a neat trick that allows them to turn their ears off while they are singing so they don't have to listen to themselves (a useful trait for rock musicians also). The abundance of these insects is difficult to assess. They are widely distributed in southern Saskatchewan, including the Cypress Hills. When they are out and singing, they are difficult to miss for their song can be heard from a long distance (several hundred meters) away. Thus the presence of one or just a few insects is noticed. In

71 (3) September 2013 159 addition to this, cicadas are famous for their long life cycles. Okanagana rimosa has been reported as having a four year life cycle1 which means that the adult is around for only a week or so whereas the majority of the life is passed as a nymph or larva that lives underground feeding on sap of roots of various shrubs and trees. At a given time there are probably many more larvae around that adults. This species is always associated with shrubs and trees so on the prairies it has a patchy distribution corresponding to the patches of woody plants. Identification of cicadas has been problematical. Populations are generally small and fragmented in space as well as time. There may be four genetically separated populations all occurring in the same area but each emerging in a separate year. This means there is a lot of opportunity for population fragmentation with each subset developing its own set of characteristics. Also, it has been suggested that mating calls may vary with there being co-occurring sibling species that differ in their calls and mating.2 One way to see a cicada is to locate it from its call. This is easier said than done though. From a distance one can quickly locate the general area from where the sound is coming but as you approach the cicada usually senses your presence and stops singing. Wait a while and it will resume so by stealth and patience you can locate the source of the sound and hopefully find the insect (but they will often fly away as you approach). However, it is surprising how difficult it can be to spot such a large insect even when you are within a meter or so and have the sound as a guide. Some time ago I discovered that in my yard when I was mowing grass with a gas mower, cicadas would sing as I went by and the noisier I was the more persistent their calls. Possibly they were sensing me as darn big and noisy rival male. Based on this, I suggest one hunt singing male cicadas with a running chainsaw in one’s hand rather than by using stealth.

References 1. Ives W, Wong H (1988) Tree and shrub insects of the prairie provinces. Canadian Forestry Service, Northern Forestry Centre, Edmonton. Information Report NOR-X-292. 327 pp.

2. Maw H, Foottit R, Hamilton K, Scudder G (2000) Checklist of the Hemiptera of Canada and Alaska. NRC Research Press. Ottawa. 220 pp. - Dave Larson Box 56 Maple Creek, SK S0N 1N0

160 Blue Jay Part II Reprinted from http://library.thinkquest.org/28049/why_do_periodical_ cicadas_adopt_.htm (accessed 10 Aug 2013)

Cicadas are said to be periodical if almost all of the cicadas in a given location mature into adults in the same year. The Magicicada septendecim, a most notable periodical cicada, has the longest life cycle of any insect. There are 3 species with 13-year life cycles and another 3 species with 17-year cycles. They are synchronized perfectly that they are nearly absent as adults in the 12 or 16 years between emergence.

Why do these cicadas possess such a long life cycle? What is the significance of having a life cycle being a prime number of years (13 or 17 years)?

Actually, their long life cycles and synchronous emergence help them to escape from natural population control by predators and parasites. If the predator has a life cycle of 2 years, then the cicada has to avoid having a life cycle which is a multiple of 2, otherwise it will be very likely for the cicada to meet its predator. And if the parasite has a life cycle of 5 years, then the cicada has to avoid having a life cycle which is divisible by 5. Consequently, if the cicada has a life cycle being a relatively large prime number (e.g. 13 or 17), then it can avoid coinciding with predators and parasites, since a prime number does not contain any factor except 1 and itself.

For example, if the cicada has a life cycle of 17 years and its parasite has a life cycle of 5 years, then they will only meet every (17x 5) = 85 years, which is the least common multiple of the two numbers. This enables the periodical cicada to escape from the natural population control, and this also accounts for the astounding population density of the cicada – it can get as high as 1.5 million cicadas per acre!

Mr. Clint Rousseaux correctly identified our mystery photo, and was the lucky winner of a draw for a prize from Nature Saskatchwan!

71 (3) September 2013 161 Blue Jay, founded in 1942 by Isabel M. Priestly, is a journal of natural history and conservation for Saskatchewan and adjacent regions. It is published quarterly by Nature Saskatchewan, 206-1860 Lorne Street, Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 2L7.

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