Nature Views - a forum for environmental discussion - published by Nature Saskatchewan

Issue 179 Fall 2014

Table of Contents Bulldozers Bring a Trail of Destruction to Grasslands National Park

2 From Your President Branimir Gjetvaj

3 From Your Editors My report from Grasslands National Letter to the Editors Park (GNP) published in the last New Staff issue of Nature Views was on an Margaret Skeel Graduate Student upbeat note. This one is nothing Scholarship Winner but…

4 Turning Leaves During a visit to the GNP in late June Electric Cars of this year I heard a rumour of a new Plovers on Shore trail being constructed on the 70 Mile Butte, just south of Val Marie. I could 5 Financial Summary not reach the area due to flooding New Members from the Frenchman River. Determined to check out the extent 6 Called to the Qu’Appelle of alleged trail construction, I Fall Meet Registration Form returned to the park a week later. The Call for Resolutions scene I encountered horrified me beyond any expectations. 7 Fall Meet Equipment used for construction of bladed trails on 70 Mile Butte in Volunteers In 2013, Parks Canada started Grasslands National Parks. Photo by Branimir Gjetvaj. New Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre construction on two bladed trails on Opens in Regina the iconic 70 Mile Butte. A shorter Eagle Butte loop trail meanders through rugged badland formations for about 2 kilometres, whereas the main 70 Mile Butte loop trail is approximately 5 km long. The trail construction 8 Nature Saskatchewan Awards - Call for involves removal of topsoil with subsequent deposition of hard-packed gravel. This is supposed to reduce Nominations erosion, which is going to be a serious problem because of the clay substrate the trails are being built on. I was told that the Eagle Butte trail is finished and should hold with regular maintenance. The 70 Mile Butte 9 New Board Members trail is in the initial stages of development; the berm still rims the trails edge and causes channeling of rainwater. Thanks to a wet spring, the trail is in extremely bad shape. Signs of heavy erosion are visible 10 Baillie Birdathon 2014 everywhere. The switchback area on steep slopes has been heavily impacted, with a large amount of soil LMBO material slumping onto the trail. Ground Breaking Bird Migration Research Explanation we received from Parks Canada staff is that the new trails 11 Turtle Lake Sanctuary had to be built because of erosion IBA Video due to increasing foot traffic. This is Linking Communities hard to believe, just by comparing the amount of erosion along the foot- 12 Lichens in Regina wide old trail (established by the Western Grebes compaction of soil and vegetation from pedestrian traffic) and the new 13 Nature Canada 75th Anniversary bladed trail which in places is up to SK Grasslands 2 metres (6 feet) wide and cuts over Funding Available for Rangeland BMP’s 1 metre (3 feet) deep into the butte slopes. The new trail is massively 14 Tick Populations Growing overbuilt, and probably not needed in the first place. The annual 15 Donors visitation to the GNP is slowly NatureCity Festival Wins Award increasing and currently stands at Trail switchbacks cut deeply into the prairie landscape; at places 7,000 – 8,000 visitors a year (some 16 Upcoming Events the trail is over 2 m wide and 1 m deep. Photo by Branimir Gjetvaj. estimates peg this number at 10,000). Parks Canada staff recently mentioned that GNP could see up to 40,000 visitors. I have serious doubts about this estimate, for the following reasons: the village of Val Marie can only accommodate 20 – 30 people, visitors have to drive on bad roads for 70 or 110 km to purchase gas, access to food is limited, and Parks Canada information / welcome centre is closed two days a week (or not open at all) for 10 months in a year. This is not exactly a dream destination for family vacation, the target audience desired by the park managers.

The Parks Canada zoning system classifies various areas in national parks according to their need for protection. Built in an area designated by the GNP Management Plan as Zone II or ‘Wilderness’, construction of the new trail contradicts the zoning regulation which stipulates that “the perpetuation of ecosystems with

cont’d on pg 2

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Humanity in Harmony with Nature Page 2 Fall 2014 Nature Views

From Your President NATURE VIEWS

Tara Sample Nature Views provides a forum for discussion, a means for the dissemination of information about environmental issues to the people of Saskatchewan and promotes the aims and objectives of Nature Saskatchewan. Nature Saskatchewan is also known Greetings everyone! as the Saskatchewan Natural History Society.

I would like to start off by expressing how honoured I feel to be president of such Nature Views is published four times a year by Nature Saskatchewan. Receiving the an amazing organization as Nature Saskatchewan. Since I first became aware newsletter is a benefit from membership in Nature Saskatchewan. Views expressed in Nature Views are not necessarily those of Nature Saskatchewan. of the organization as a student back in 1999, I have been impressed by the dedication of the membership, board and of course by the wonderful staff that Submissions and comments are invited. Send materials to this Nature Views Nature Saskatchewan manages to attract. editor: Rob Warnock, 3603 White Bay. Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 7C9. Phone: (306) 586-2492. Materials can be sent by email to: [email protected]

I cannot think of a more important task than is set out in our Society’s mission to Layout: Angela Dohms engage and inspire people to appreciate, learn about and protect Saskatchewan’s Proof reading: Angela Dohms and Rob Warnock natural environment. We live in a strange new digital world where it is possible for Final proof approval: Rob Warnock people to understand a great deal about our global environment without ever actually Submission deadlines: feeling connected with the natural world. Spring issue: January 15 Summer issue: April 1 Fall issue: July 15 Winter issue: October 15 I consider myself very fortunate to have had adults in my life that encouraged me to connect with nature. This encouragement came in the form of simple activities Advertising Rates: Full page (14.5" X 10") ...... $400.00 like berry picking and walks through the forest with my grandparents to incredible 1/2 p. (7" X 10") ...... $200.00 gestures like my father abandoning his plans for a new road into our yard because 1/4 p. (7" X 5") ...... $115.00 his young daughter discovered a patch of Yellow Lady-slippers growing along his 1/8 p. (3.5 X 5") ...... $ 65.00 intended route. 1/16 p. (3.5" X 2.25") ...... $ 40.00 Classified ads ...... 50 cents/word Non-governmental organizations will receive a 10 percent discount on their ads in As an adult, I truly appreciate the gift given to me. My connection with nature has Nature Views. These rates DO NOT include GST or PST. influenced my educational and career choices and also how I spend my spare time. I have come to realize that had these adults not shared their knowledge The editors reserve the right to edit articles for clarity and space limitations. Materials preferably submitted in RTF format or as a text file with images submitted with me or took into account the things I valued; my life would likely be very separately in .jpg or .tif format. More detailed submission guidelines are available on the different. Nature Saskatchewan website (www.naturesask.ca). All material printed in Nature Views may only be reprinted with permission from the author. We protect the things we feel connected with. As dramatic as it sounds, our This issue of Nature Views has been printed by the Weyburn Review, Weyburn. species’ survival depends more on each and every one of us feeling connected Circulation: 2200 ISSN: 1207-5450 with nature than how much is collectively known about the environment. The challenge for our Society and all of us individually continues to be helping people OFFICE AND PROGRAM CONTACTS of all ages establish their own connection with nature. Executive Director Jordan Ignatiuk Species at Risk Manager Melissa Ranalli Conservation & Education Manager Lacey Weekes Communications Manager Ellen Bouvier Office Coordinator Becky Quist Bulldozers Bring a Trail of Destruction to Habitat Stewardship Coordinator (Rare Plant Rescue) Kirsten Martin Habitat Stewardship Coordinator (Oper. Burrowing Owl) Kaytlyn Burrows Grasslands National Park Habitat Stewardship Coordinator (Shrubs for Shrikes) Ashley Fortney Habitat Stewardship Coordinator (Plovers on Shore) Ashley Fortney Saskatchewan PlantWatch Coordinator Lacey Weekes cont’d from front page NatureQuest Coordinator John Murray Inner Nature Jeanne Corrigal minimal human interference is the key consideration,” and “the maintenance of Last Mountain Bird Observatory Alan Smith Turkey Vulture Tracking/Birds of Saskatchewan Book C. Stuart Houston visual integrity of the landscape, through uninterrupted vistas, is also a major consideration.” Marking a deep scar on the landscape, the new trails are visible BOARD OF DIRECTORS from almost every corner of the 70 Mile Butte. In the words of one visitor, the “70 Honourary President J. Frank Roy Past President Donna Bruce Mile Butte will never be the same.” OFFICERS President Tara Sample Vice-president Vacant Two endangered species; the Mormon Metalmark and the Greater Short-Horned Treasurer Ed Roger Recording Secretary Vacant Lizard have been recorded on and around the 70 Mile Butte. Every year Parks Canada closes a large area adjacent to the 70 Mile Butte trail, to prevent disturbance DIRECTORS Nicole Dunn Vinessa Currie-Foster Joan Feather Branimir Gjatveg to nesting Golden Eagles. How is the trail construction and increased visitor Hamilton Greenwood Suzanne Henry Vladimir Kricfausy Rob Wilson traffic going to impact these species? Parks Canada already has a huge difficulty controlling invasive plant species in the park. Ripping up topsoil for the trail will EDITORS only increase this problem. Nature Views Rob Warnock and Angela Dohms Blue Jay Kerry Hecker and Lowell Strauss Special Publications Anna Leighton Planning for the construction of the two ‘multi-use’ trails was done with minimal consultation with stakeholders. The last GNP Management Plan Advisory LOCAL SOCIETIES AND AFFILIATES PRESIDENTS Committee meeting was held a few years ago. During the meetings we were Chaplin Tourism Committee Clem Millar Fort Qu’Appelle Natural History Society Keith Stephens assured that any new trails will cause “minimal impact” on the landscape. Trails Indian Head Natural History Society Irv Escott would be set by mowing the grass and by setting up discrete yellow markers to Kelsey Ecological Society Kathleen Pitt direct foot traffic. Bike and equestrian access would only be allowed on existing Meadow Lake Woodlanders (Junior Forest Wardens) Neil Marsh trails (i.e. no new trails would be built for that purpose). We were told not to worry Nature Moose Jaw Russ McKnight Nature Prince Albert Carman Dodge about cyclist venturing into the open prairie as sharp cactus needles would take Nature Regina Dale Hjertaas care of any bicycles wondering off the beaten path. Well, running a bulldozer Neudorf Nature Trails & Wild Bird Sanctuary Keith Gerstner through prairie definitely took care of that limitation. Saskatoon Nature Society Inc. Joan Feather Southwest Naturalists Norma Hain Weyburn Nature Society Val Thomas (Secretary) Since the implementation of federal budget cuts in 2012, Parks Canada has lost Wolseley Nature Conservation Society Richard Solberg 23% of conservation staff on the national level. The number of scientific staff Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail Association Martin Phillips positions has decreased by over a third. The GNP unit has lost the majority of Yorkton Natural History Society Geoff Rushowick their biologists and ecosystem specialists. The capacity for a fully functional and scientifically credible monitoring and reporting on the status of ecological integrity For more information, please contact Nature Saskatchewan in the park has been severely compromised. In light of this, the aggressive MAILING ADDRESS construction of multi-use trails on the 70 Mile Butte is particularly troubling. Even Room 206 more troubling is an indication that Parks Canada is planning to build more multi- 1860 Lorne Street use trails in both West and East Block of the park. If you have any questions or Regina, SK concerns about Parks Canada’s relaxed interest in protecting wilderness in the S4P 2L7 Grasslands National Park, please contact me at 306-382-2642. I would like to PHONE: 306-780-9273 OR 1-800-667-4668 (in SK only) hear your opinion. Thank you. FAX: 306-780-9263

E-MAIL: [email protected]

WEBSITE: www.naturesask.ca

Conservation Now...For The Future Page 3 Fall 2014 Nature Views

From Your Editors Letter to the Editors It has definitely been a stormy summer so far, but we have also been able to enjoy some sunshine and warm weather recently. Our thoughts go out to all those affected by the floods last month as well. Letter to the Editors … Nature Views We welcome our new staff member Rebecca (Becky) Quist, and our new board members: Nicole Dunn, Ed Roger, Hamilton Greenwood, Dean Cattell, RE: Nature Saskatchewan Communications Manager and Vladimir Kricsfalusy. We congratulate Jason Unruh who is the recipient of the 2014 Maragaret Skeel Graduate Student Scholarship. Jason will continue Although I’m not conversant with all social media systems, I do understand the to work on his Master’s degree in Biology, focusing on the impacts of oil and importance for an organization to be accessible through the latest communication gas development on the abundance of songbirds, at the University of Regina mediums. under the supervision of Dr. Mark Brigham and Dr. Stephen Davis. We look forward to seeing his completed research. We would also like to extend a In this regard, the Nature Saskatchewan Board are to be commended for their welcome to our new members, and a thank you to all of our generous donors foresight in seeing the need for and facilitating the creation of a communications and volunteers. position within our organization. The well laid out and informative Nature Saskatchewan Annual Report 2013-14 is but one example of the value of a This issue is packed with society news and articles about the Last Mountain dedicated communications officer. Bird Observatory, Plovers on Shore, Linking Communities and Turtle Lake Nature Sanctuary. Also be sure to check out the latest news from Nature Fraser Hunter, Regina Canada, Bird Studies Canada and Sask Prairie Conservation Action Plan (PCAP). Our Stewards of Saskatchewan teams are out in the field working A segment of Nature Views is designated for Letters to the Editors. Feel free to hard this summer and we look forward to hearing about their summer results. voice your opinion and inform members and the Nature Saskatchewan directors about issues relevant to our Society. Letters to the Editors provides valuable Please mark your calendar for the next Fall Meet in Lumsden, September 19- comments about Nature Views’ articles, programs and ensures we keep on 20, 2014. Full details on the Fall Meet and the registration form are in this track! Letters may be edited for clarity and length. issue. Hope to see you there! We extend our thanks to the Lumsden Valley Community Association for hosting the Fall Meet this year. Nominations for the Nature Saskatchewan Awards presented at the Fall Meet are now open, 2014 Margaret Skeel Graduate Scholarship and due by August 31st, 2014. While registering for the Fall Meet, consider if Winner there is anyone you would also like to nominate for an award.

Be sure to check out the upcoming events throughout the issue and mark Rob Warnock, Margaret Skeel Graduate Scholarship Committee Member some time on your calendar to participate in the many field trips offered by the Saskatoon Nature Society. Our summer is short, we should get out and enjoy Every year Nature Saskatchewan awards a scholarship to a worthy Saskatchewan it while we can! university graduate student. The Selection Committee favors applicants whose research will increase knowledge of all aspect of the natural world, foster its The Nature Saskatchewan Annual Financial Reports are now available. Details appreciation and promote its conservation. The applicants for the scholarship can be found in this issue and the full reports can be requested from the are judged on their academic qualifications, extracurricular activities but are Nature Saskatchewan office. primarily judged on their field of interest and their research project, which must be compatible with the aims of the Society and our Vision and Mission We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Lorne Rowell, who statements. served as a Past President of Nature Saskatchewan. Our Vision: Humanity in Harmony with Nature Our Mission: To engage and inspire We hope you have been enjoying recent issues of Nature Views and we people to appreciate, learn about, and protect Saskatchewan’s natural welcome your feedback (bouquets or bricks), as it is your publication. Have a environment. safe and wonderful summer and fall. We are pleased to maintain the amount of the scholarship to $2,000 this year for Rob Warnock and Angela Dohms the winning applicant. When I say winning applicant I have to say that all 4 of the very worthy applicants this year were winners. The selection committee members (Nicole Dunn, Vinessa Currie-Foster, Branimir Gjetvag and Rob Warnock) are very excited and inspired at the quality, innovation, and creative thinking put into the applications we reviewed. The Nature Saskatchewan office has contacted Nature Saskatchewan Welcomes New Staff every applicant requesting further communication and updates, and have encouraged them to submit their results for consideration in the Blue Jay. If you Rebecca (Becky) Quist, Office Coordinator would like more information on the projects submitted please contact our office.

With several years experience in the customer service/retail industry, I am ecstatic And now, congratulations to the Nature Saskatchewan Scholarship winner, Jason to be working at Nature Saskatchewan as Office Coordinator. Unruh!

Growing up just east of Regina, With a strong academic background in having spent some springs environmental and conservation sciences learning to canoe on the (graduated with a B.Sc. with Great Distinction Qu’Appelle River, summers at the University of Regina), Jason is endlessly chasing after salamanders, interested in conservation and ecology. He has grasshoppers behind my worked for Canadian Wildlife Service, National house, camping, hiking in Research Council of Canada and the Limnology Saskatchewan and Canadian Lab at the University of Regina. Jason has Rockies with winters spent participated in a variety of songbird surveys in building snow forts, I have grassland habitats and a number of water learned what beauty there is to sampling and eutrophication studies in southern be discovered in this beautiful Saskatchewan. Jason will continue to study land we call home. grassland birds as part of his Master’s degree in Biology at the University of Regina under the Becky Quist at Gulfoss, Iceland. Photo supervision of Dr. Mark Brigham and Dr. Stephen I have always had a passion to courtesy of Becky Quist. be a voice for those who cannot Davis. His thesis will look at the impacts of oil Jason Unruh. Photo speak for themselves, in regards to our natural systems and the creatures within and gas development on the abundance of courtesy of the University of and to help where I can. grassland songbirds. Regina.

Still debating on my future career within the environmental field (I used to want to Apart from his academic pursuits, Jason loves camping and spending the outdoors be a volcanogist!), I have several hobbies/interests which support conservation with his young family and he has been a very active volunteer. He is a member and local sustainability, including; permaculture and growing your own food, of the University of Regina NSERC Advisory committee, worked as a volunteer at earthships and off-grid living as well as supporting local growers, producers and the Royal Saskatchewan Museum Artifact fundraiser, was a Regional Science businesses. I also love learning about cooking, baking, history, science and art. Fair judge, is an observer for the Bird Window Project and worked as a volunteer On a regular day, you can usually find me spending time with my husband for both the Regina Lutheran Care Home and the Regina Open Door Society. Hugh, and dog Buddah. We are very pleased to be awarding Jason the scholarship and look forward to him presenting his research to our membership!

The Voice of Nature for Saskatchewan Page 4 Fall 2014 Nature Views In Search of Plovers: The Experience of Nature Turning Leaves Saskatchewan’s Summer Staff Emily Putz and Marika Cameron, Habitat Stewardship Assistants, Nature Saskatchewan In Memoriam From June 2 to June 5, 2014, Lorne Rowell we had the opportunity to participate in the annual Piping Long-time member Lorne Rowell passed away on May 16, 2014. Lorne was a Plover census on Lake Past President of Nature Saskatchewan. He was very proud of his involvement Diefenbaker. The Piping Plover in the campaign to establish Grasslands National Park, and in seeing the start of project is led by Corie White at Operation Burrowing Owl during his service on the board. He was named a the Water Security Agency. Fellow of Nature Saskatchewan in 1995. This excursion was our first opportunity to get out into the Lorne was also very involved in the Fort Qu’Appelle Nature Society, and participated field for summer 2014, and was in annual bird counts. He established and maintained many miles of bluebird a great opportunity to see houses, and loved to share his knowledge of the geology and natural history of some interesting shorebirds. Piping Plover with a broken wing. Photo the Qu’Appelle Valley. It was a place he loved and treasured. Along with several other by Emily Putz. volunteers we spent the week The Beautiful Valley Qu’Appelle walking slowly along the beaches of Lake Diefenbaker looking for Piping Plovers. The goal was to cover the entire length of Lake Diefenbaker shoreline by the end God had a vision of beauty of the week. This was a very valuable experience, and we learned a lot during the Way back when the world first began course of the week. Of hills, lakes and trees in a valley And then he devised a plan This was the first time that either of us had seen a Piping Plover, but were soon looking for the “moving rocks”, listening for their distinctive “peep-lo” call, all the From the north, he sent glaciers a skimming while avoiding the muddy sinkholes (we definitely broke in our new hiking boots Right up to the place we now stand that week!). A highlight from the week was finding a new nest and watching the The melt water washed out the valley protective parents do a “broken wing display” to try and lure us away from the And carved the lakes in the sand nest. Later, the Plover Project summer staff took a few measurements and GPS recording, and a nest enclosure was set up to protect the nest from predators The natives enjoyed the valley like crows, and small mammals. We then left the nest alone and the parents They lived on all kinds of game hurried back to continue incubation. A few weeks later we had the opportunity to One Indian brave in the summer return to the nest site and see one of the tiny puffball chicks. The parents were He gave me my beautiful name as protective as ever and frequently sat on the chick to keep him warm.

I am the beautiful valley In the process of looking for the I am the Great Spirit’s plan plovers, we also spotted a I am the beautiful valley number of other interesting The beautiful valley Qu’Appelle birds. Sanderlings were in the area in the dozens, using the The years have gone by in a hurry lake as a stop-over site while And things have not always gone well migrating. Other shorebirds in For man polluted the valley the area included American The beautiful valley Qu’Appelle Avocets, Sandpipers, and Killdeer (the Piping Plover So, please take care of your valley lookalike). There were also Treat it as if it were gold Sprague’s Pipits in the area, and Remember, all of creation their distinctive “descending trill” Is a wonderful thing to behold was constantly heard in the background. Some Ravens Piping Plover. Photo by Emily Putz. I am the beautiful valley along the shoreline let us know I am the Great Spirit’s plan when we wandered too close to their territory. I am the beautiful valley The Beautiful valley Qu’Appelle The week went by quickly and was filled with adventures as we tented in Douglas Provincial Park for the first two nights…until we were rained out! Curious ground Lorne Rowell 1993 squirrels almost hitched a ride home with us when one climbed into our car looking for a treat. It was a valuable experience and we definitely learned so much in the process. We would love to have the chance to help out with the Obituaries and Tributes census again in the future!

Readers are welcome to submit memorials for family and friends who were 2013-14 Nature Saskatchewan Annual Report involved in Nature Saskatchewan or one of the Local Societies. Memorials should be brief and photos are permitted. and Financial Statements Available

Nature Saskatchewan’s 2013-14 Annual Report and audited financial statements are available from the Nature Saskatchewan office upon request Interested In Electric Cars? and online at: www.naturesask.ca/useful-resources/documents-of-interest.

We recently purchased a used electric car in BC (not many available in the Save the Date! Prairies). My wife and I LOVE IT! It has an electric drive train with a total electric range of 60-70km, plugs into a standard outlet for an overnight charge and has a Come join the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan in celebrating our 20th small gas engine that powers an on-board generator giving unlimited range (I got Anniversary! about 6l/100km driving back from Vancouver). It has won dozens of awards including 2009 Green Car Vision Award, 2011 Green Car of the Year, North American NPSS Annual General Meeting and Conference February 6-7, 2015, TCU Place, Car of the Year and for its first two consecutive production years it topped Consumer Saskatoon, SK “Native Plants - Past, Present and Future” Reports’ owner satisfaction list. I think it is ideal for anyone living in the city or within 30km or so. It is relatively expensive new, but used ones are available in We will once again feature an exciting line-up of speakers from across Quebec where significant government grants reduce the cost. I am looking at Saskatchewan and beyond (including a special keynote speaker). Topics will forming an informal cooperative to bring some of these 1-2 year-old cars in at include rare plant conservation, ecosystem management, the latest in native affordable prices. I am planning to have an evening get-together this fall to discuss plant research and much, much more. Back by popular demand, we will also the car, allow people to test drive it (you will be impressed), and discuss bringing host a film screening. As part of the celebration, we will also look back at the in cars from Quebec. Let’s move towards a more sustainable future and save many milestones in native plant conservation and education that the NPSS has some money at the same time! Anyone interested, please contact me: Lynn been involved with. Oliphant, e-mail: [email protected] phone or 306-374-1068. Please visit www.npss.sk.ca or contact Chet Neufeld at (306) 668-3940 or [email protected] for more information or to register. Conservation Now...For The Future Page 5 Fall 2014 Nature Views

2013-14 Nature Sasktchewan Financial Summary

Nature Saskatchewan Welcomes These New Members

Rachel Allen Peter Ashcroft Michael Bayda Denise Bezoplenko Katrin Bohn James Brokenshire Brant Broome Marika Cameron Aubrey Cartier Arnie Ens Chris & Laura Foley Ted & Susan Gaudet Mavis Gessner Larry Going Christopher Harris Heather Heim Lorne Heshka Marilyn Hoppe Greg Hutchings Elizabeth Jmaeff Galen Kennel Michael Lahey Dawn Loewen Samantha Magnus Natural History Society of Northumbria Wes Pearson Martin Phillips Emily Putz Becky Quist Daniel Schroh Cory Sheffield C Sipko Marilyn Totten

Income Tax Receipts

Nature Saskatchewan issues an income tax receipt for each donation. This helps you to have your receipt handy when you need it. Your support is greatly appreciated! If you have made a donation and don’t receive a tax receipt make sure you contact our office.

The Voice of Nature for Saskatchewan Page 6 Fall 2014 Nature Views

2014 Fall Meet Registration Form Called to the Qu’Appelle One per Household Jordan Ignatiuk, Executive Director, Nature Saskatchewan (Please Print)

Nature Saskatchewan’s members responded to the call and met for a wonderful Name(s):______weekend in the beautiful Qu’Appelle Valley. ______

The building known locally as ‘The Address:______Fort’ served as the gathering place for registration and City/Town:______refreshments on Friday night. Local displays and silent auction Province:______Postal Code: ______items were set up for viewing. The program kicked off with Phone (including area code):______greetings from the local society and the mayor of Fort Qu’Appelle. E-mail:______The guest speaker for the evening was Philip Brass, an Ojibwa artist Registration Fees for Nature Saskatchewan Fall Meet and hunter, who offered an Registration includes your Friday evening snacks and Saturday bus tour, lunch, indigenous perspective on Land and banquet. Stewardship in the 21st Century. The evening concluded with If paid BEFORE September 6, 2014: $95.00 each X ____ = $______details for Saturday’s tours. If paid AFTER September 6, 2013: $105.00 each X ____ = $______Apprehension of all the wet weather was put to rest in the Youth registration (under 16): $75.00 each X ____ = $______morning as the skies were clear and bright. Members were split Extra banquet tickets: $35.00 each X ____ = $______Looking at mushrooms. Photo by Fraser into groups and boarded two Hunter. buses for transport to the Fish Total Fee: $______Culture Station, the Stushnoff Century Farm and Crow’s Nest Coulee. A tour of the Fish Culture Station provided information on Saskatchewan game fish species and the process of raising fish Please rate your activity level: from eggs to fry and their ultimate release to restock and supplement many Active/Fit ______Physical activity difficult ______lakes throughout the province. At Stushnoff’s, the opportunity to stand on a remnant of the Qu’Appelle trail used by Middleton’s troops on their journey to Dietary needs______Batoche was just across the farm access road. Exploring the native aspen parkland provided sightings of flowers and birds. A visit to honey bee hives or an Memberships (check all that apply): observation hive and the meticulous care and data recording of Purple Martin Nature Canada______Nature Saskatchewan______houses were incredible learning experiences. Jim Harding provided a history of Nature Regina ______Lumsden valley Community Association ______human use of the valley and the story of the Métis homestead in Crow’s Nest Coulee along with a tour of his energy efficient, solar and wind powered home. Registration deadline: September 13, 2014

Everyone met back at the Make your payment to Nature Regina. Fort for lunch where some kids’ programming had Mail registration form and payment to: started later in the morning Nature Regina led by Nature Sask- Box No. 291 atchewan Board members Regina, Sask Vinessa Currie- Foster and S4P 3A1 Christie Thomson. The groups switched tours for Please Note: Nature Saskatchewan will be filming portions of the fall meet to the afternoon and be used in a promotional video that will be available online. We will be asking unfortunately they were participants to sign a media release form on registration night. If you would interrupted by a rather not be on film, please feel free to let us know while picking up your thunderstorm. The social registration package. hour and banquet were again hosted at the Fort. The guest speaker, Dr. Call for Resolutions Cory Sheffield, Curator of Curious Purple Martin. Photo by Lacey The resolutions considered during the Business Meeting at each year’s Fall Meet Invertebrate Zoology at the Weekes. Royal Saskatchewan are very important expressions of member concerns on environmental issues. Museum, gave us an in-depth presentation on bees, focusing on his research of The Nature Saskatchewan Board of Directors is responsible for acting on all diversity, ecology and conservation of native bees. resolutions that are passed by the members. This includes sending resolutions directly to the responsible government ministry, and further action and/or meetings The Annual General Meeting was held Sunday morning to hear reports and to with government and others, as deemed appropriate. welcome Tara Sample as the new Board President as well as to elect new members and say a big thank-you to those stepping down. After a 10-year Anyone wishing to submit a resolution for consideration at the 2014 Business term, policy determined Lorne Scott would have to take a break from official Meeting, to be held on Saturday, September 20th, is asked to send a written draft representation. Also leaving was Treasurer and former President, Bill MacKenzie, to the Nature Saskatchewan Office ([email protected]) no later than Monday, Christie Thomson, Lorelei Wilson and Arlene Karpan. Joining the Board as August 25th. This provides an opportunity to receive feedback from members of Treasurer is Ed Rodger, as Conservation Director, Dean Cattell, and as Directors the resolutions committee that can help to improve your resolution. It also helps at large, Nicole Dunn, Hamilton Greenwood and Vladimir Kricsfalusy. The Meet us prepare for the meeting. Please note that resolutions not submitted to the was a huge success with many compliments to the local society for a ‘job well Nature Saskatchewan office by 5 pm on Tuesday, September 16th will be considered done’. only with the agreement of a 2/3 majority of those attending the business meeting.

Resolution Guidelines: 1. Resolutions must be in keeping with the society’s mandate, bylaws and goals. 2. All resolutions must be submitted in writing. 3. A resolution is, essentially, an exercise in communication. Simple, clear language and focus on one topic or issue is most effective. 4. Supporting information presented in “Whereas” statements must be accurate and factual. 5. Resolutions should be no longer than one page, and preferably less. Conservation Now...For The Future Page 7 Fall 2014 Nature Views

2014 Nature Saskatchewan Fall Meet - Regina - September 19 and 20, 2014

Nature Regina and the Lumsden Valley Community Association will be hosting Only 20 minutes north of Regina, NCC has protected a 1300-acre expanse of Nature Saskatchewan’s Fall Meet on September 19 and 20, 2014. We will spend native grasslands, woodlands, river and flood plains. This beautiful and ecologically the meeting exploring the beautiful Qu’Appelle Valley and some of the conservation rich property will be one of our major destinations during the field trips. The tour initiatives along the Valley. The Qu’Appelle is beautiful in its own right and provides will also visit the site of a nearby proposed subdivision development and we will a corridor of habitat through a heavily cultivated area. We hope you will join us to briefly discuss work our organizations have done to develop an Integrated Concept enjoy and learn about this beautiful area. Plan for this area.

The meeting will feature Friday evening at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum and Big Valley and Valeport Marsh Saturday field trips to the beautiful Qu’Appelle Valley. The Nature Conservancy of Canada has been acquiring lands in the Qu’Appelle and visits to these new A second NCC property in the Qu’Appelle, and also part of NCC’s conservation conservation areas will be among the highlights of the field trips. plan for the Qu’Appelle Valley, is the Big Valley Property. This 552 acre parcel is adjacent to the 2734 acre Valeport Marsh, managed by Ducks Unlimited Canada The Saturday events will start from the Ramada Hotel at the corner of Victoria and Ministry of Environment. Big Valley protects attractive hillside grasslands, and Broad in downtown Regina. This will also be the location for the Saturday wooded coulees and at least one spring while Valeport Marsh attracts waterfowl meeting and banquet (Oak Room). On Friday evening the registration, reception and other wetland birds and is an important fish spawning area. We will explore and meeting will be at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum. A block of rooms has both. been set aside at $139.00. Please call the Ramada at 1-800-667-6500 to reserve your own room and indicate you are with Nature Saskatchewan. Route 99

Friday, September 19 – Royal Saskatchewan Museum Our tours will travel between these two protected areas along the Qu’Appelle Valley. This stretch of the valley is a popular destination for naturalists. The 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM – RSM route will provide a chance to enjoy the valley and, with luck, some beautiful fall · Registration – RSM Lobby; colours. · Snacks, coffee, tea, cash bar (provided by Friends of Royal Sask Museum and Nature Regina); Tour 1 · Museum Gift Shop and galleries open. Leaving the Ramada at 8:00 AM, Tour 1 will proceed straight north along Highway 6 and visit the Fairy Hill area. Most of the morning will be spent exploring this Nature Regina has always met at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum and many NCC property. We will then proceed to the Valeport recreation site for a bag Nature Saskatchewan meetings have been held there over the years. The RSM lunch. The Valeport recreation site offers a shady opportunity to rest, and some will again host us at this Friday evening event. excellent birding along the lake, marsh and wooded habitats. After lunch the tour will visit the Big Valley Property, then return to Regina for 4:00 PM. The Museum galleries will be open providing a great opportunity to see the outstanding exhibits at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum. With friends to greet Tour 2 and so many exhibits, you may need to plan a return visit Sunday to finish your Leaving the Ramada at 8:00 AM, Tour 2 will proceed NW on Highway 11 and visit Museum tour. the Big Valley Property and Valeport Marsh, arriving at Valeport recreation site at 12:00 to join tour 1 for lunch. After a rest and chance to explore at Valeport, we’ll 7:30 PM Program – RSM Theatre hop back on the bus at 1:00 PM. The afternoon tour will travel the Qu’Appelle · Welcome from Dr. Harold Bryant, Director of Royal Saskatchewan Valley along Route 99 to visit the Fairy Hill Conservation Area, and then return to Museum Regina for 4:00 PM. · Welcome from Nature Regina and Lumsden Community Valley Association 4:15 PM – Nature Saskatchewan business meeting at Oak Room at the Ramada. · Outline of plans for Saturday field trips · Larry Morgotch Images of Nature Event – this means you, showing your 6:00 PM – Cocktails (cash bar) Oak Room photos. · Toward an Integrated Concept Plan for the Fairy Hill Area 6:30 PM – Banquet (Oak Room)

We will not be competing for the Larry Morgotch Award this year but will be 7:30 PM – Nature Saskatchewan Award presentations having an Images of Nature session with an emphasis, not on competition, but on sharing your love of nature through photography. Both Regina and Saskatoon 8:00 PM – Presentation (Please check Nature Saskatchewan website for Societies hold successful annual members photography nights, and we are hoping announcement of speaker) for an even stronger turn out here. Please bring 10 or 15 photographs on a memory stick or disc or as slides, whatever works, and show us what has caught Sunday, September 22 your attention in the natural world. We hope this approach brings many photographs and participants to the session. Whether its landscapes, chickadees, 8:00 – 9:00 AM - Bird walk in Wascana Park wildflowers or a trip to the rain forest, if you’re a naturalist with a camera you probably have something to share. Please plan ahead, don’t do like this writer Accommodations has done in the past and think of it only as you are getting ready to leave for the meeting. Plan ahead, select some photos. Hotels A block of rooms has been set aside at the Ramada at $139.00 per night. Please Saturday, September 20 call the hotel to make your own reservation. Phone: 1-306-569-1666 or 1-800- Breakfast on your own 667-6500. The number of rooms being held for Nature Sask at this rate is limited so please book early. 8:00 AM - Meet at the Ramada to take buses for field trips. There will be two groups; both will visit the same areas, but in reverse order to avoid crowding. There are many other hotels in Regina if the Ramada does not suit your needs. Two potentially lower cost options are Motel 6 on the east side of the city at 250 NCC Fairy Hill South Property Victoria Ave East (306 565-2251) or the Knights Inn at 1009 Albert Street (306- 525-3737).

New Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Opens in Many Thanks to These Nature Saskatchewan Regina Volunteers: Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre opened its doors in April in Regina. It Important Bird Areas Program is the third wildlife rehabilitation centre in Saskatchewan. The other centres Harold and Ella Melvin are in in Moose Jaw and Saskatoon. It has so far cared for 100 animals and is licenced to care for birds, mammals and reptiles. It is associated with the Last Mountain Bird Observatory well-established Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre in Kristin Bianchini Jamie Harder Ontario. Bert Dalziel Ron Jensen Harold Fisher Brenda Kramarchuk For more information visit the centre’s Facebook page at https:// Shelly Fisher Veronica Norbury www.facebook.com/SalthavenWest. Ilsa Griebel Don Weidl

The Voice of Nature for Saskatchewan Page 8 Fall 2014 Nature Views

Nature Saskatchewan Awards: Call for Nominations

Each year at the Fall Meet, Nature Saskatchewan recognizes outstanding service 1. Volunteer Recognition Award and contributions that Society members, and/or affiliate and partner organizations have made towards Nature Saskatchewan’s objectives and goals. Recently, This award was created in 1996 to acknowledge an individual Nature Saskatchewan the Awards Committee has recommended that the awards be restructured slightly. member who has devoted significant time and energy to promoting the objectives Clear criteria have been established in terms of purpose, eligibility, and nomination of the Society, including contributions made at the local society level. Priority for procedure. This year, we are seeking nominations for three classes of awards – this award will be given to a Nature Saskatchewan member whose volunteer work Volunteer Recognition Award, Fellows Award, and Conservation Award. has helped to enhance the public awareness of the Society (this may include The Volunteer Recognition Award and Conservation Award can be conferred on contributions to a Society conservation project or program). It may be appropriate the same individual or organization more than once. in some years to have this award shared by more than one person, if they have worked together on the same project, or on closely related projects. The Cliff Shaw Award will also be presented at the Fall Meet. The recipient is chosen by the Blue Jay editors. Eligibility Nature Saskatchewan members who have provided valuable time and effort in Local societies throughout Saskatchewan play an important role in furthering contributing to the Society are eligible. Local societies are encouraged to nominate conservation and appreciation of nature at the local level. There are always someone from their local group who is a Nature Saskatchewan member, recognizing those who step up to the plate to organize meetings and outings, go the extra that Nature Saskatchewan values their contributions to the overall goals of the mile to help others connect with nature, or work silently and tirelessly behind Society. The nominee must be a current member of Nature Saskatchewan. This the scenes. It’s time those contributions were recognized. We encourage anyone award can be conferred on the same person more than once. from a local society to consider nominating someone from your local group who is a Nature Saskatchewan member, who deserves recognition for any of these 2. Fellows Award awards. Note that nominees for the Volunteer Recognition Award and Fellows Award must hold a current membership with Nature Purpose of the Award Saskatchewan. A motion was passed at the 1987 Annual General Meeting creating a new class of honorary membership entitled “Fellows of the Saskatchewan Natural History In the interests of space, we are including the Nomination Procedure only for Society”. This award recognizes an extensive and continuing contribution of time the first award, since the procedure is the same for all three awards. The criteria over many years to the Society and its objectives. Up to five recipients may be and names of past recipients can be found on the website here: http:// chosen annually. Once selected, Fellows hold that title as long as they remain www.naturesask.ca/what-we-do/awards. The office can also send you a copy members of the Society. It is the highest honour the Society can bestow upon by mail, if you prefer. a member.

Nomination Procedure Eligibility · Nominations can be made by Nature Saskatchewan members, directors, Eligible individuals are members of Nature Saskatchewan who have provided an and staff. Local societies should consider nominating someone from outstanding time and work contribution to the Society over many years. These their local group. contributions have been significant, and may have come in the form of leadership, communication, authorship, social media outreach, research, and other areas. · Self-nominations will not be accepted. The contributions have been cumulative or ongoing, and represent long-standing service or commitment to Nature Saskatchewan and its objectives. · Nominations are to be made in writing and submitted by the published deadline. 3. Conservation Award

· Nominations are to include the following information: Purpose of the Award In addition to advocacy and other forms of conservation action, it is important that o The nominee’s name, address, and phone number; Nature Saskatchewan recognize, as it has done since 1953, those both within and beyond the organization who have done “meritorious work in the interest of o The nominator’s name and contact information; conservation in Saskatchewan.” o Details of the nominee’s efforts. Nature Saskatchewan’s Conservation Award will be presented to an individual or · The Awards Committee will independently rate the nominations, and organization whose total contribution to conservation is outstanding, whether in confirm that the nominee holds a current membership with Nature relation to a particular project or in a number of roles over a period of years. Saskatchewan. Eligibility · Chairperson of the Awards Committee will bring the recommendations Individuals, affiliate and/or partner organizations, not-for-profit associations, to the Board. institutions, community groups, businesses, government and non-government organizations that have contributed significantly to conservation in Saskatchewan. · If ratified, the President or his/her delegate shall confer the respective This award can be conferred on the same individual or organization more than Awards to the recipients at the Fall Meet. once. The deadline to submit nominations for awards is August 31, 2014. CALLING ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS All Nature Saskatchewan Awards consist of the following: · The announcement of the recipient’s name at the Fall Meet. The Board has agreed to continue the approach with respect to the Larry · The presentation of a certificate recognizing the contribution. Morgotch Memorial Award for photography. Over the past few years, entries for this award, which recognizes excellence in photography, have fallen · An announcement in Nature Views recognizing the distinction. considerably. To encourage more people to share their photos, this year on a continuing trial basis we will be staging the Larry Morgotch Photo Event ...Coming to Saskatoon! to acknowledge excellence in nature photography as exemplified by Larry Morgotch. The event will celebrate nature through photography, without the element of competition. No one will receive an award; instead, all contributions Reprinted from Saskatoon Nature Society July-August 2014 Newsletter will be enjoyed and appreciated.

In 2016, Saskatchewan’s Prairie Conservation Action Plan (PCAP) and partners Members attending the Fall Meet are invited to present photos of their choice will host the Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference (PCESC) on Friday evening that portray any aspect of nature from anywhere. Videos in Saskatoon. Held every three years, PCESC is of national and international can also be shown. Just bring your photos or videos on a memory stick or importance. USB flash drive, or a CD when you come to the Fall Meet. Digital images may be individual files, assembled as a Power Point or similar type of It brings participants interested in conserving prairie and its species together presentation, or an executable file. Name the files so they display in the from a variety of backgrounds including government organizations, NGOs, correct order. Individual files must be in JPG format with the longest dimension academia, aboriginal groups and community groups. Saskatoon Nature Society no more than 1300 pixels. If your presentation was made using a Macintosh has been invited to lend a hand by encouraging volunteers to get involved: help computer, try it first on a PC to make sure it runs correctly. Your presentation will be needed with sponsorships, agenda, registration, etc. The more the merrier! should be a maximum of 5 minutes. We’ll have a computer and digital projector already set up. For more information or to sign up, contact Tara Davidson at [email protected] or inquire with [email protected]. Information about past Here’s a chance to showcase some of your favourite images of nature without conferences can be viewed at www.pcesc.ca. the pressure of competition.

Conservation Now...For The Future Page 9 Fall 2014 Nature Views

Welcome to New Nature Saskatchewan Board Members

These new board members below were elected to the Nature Saskatchewan Dr. Hamilton Greenwood is the department head with SIASTs Natural Resource board on June 22, 2014 in Fort Qu’Appelle at the Annual General Meeting. Technology Programs at Woodland Campus in Prince Albert. With almost 3 decades of post-secondary instruction at SIAST, SUNTEP and the University of Nicole Dunn, Director, Regina Saskatchewan, Hamilton has been recognized with teaching and service awards the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, SIAST (Woodland Campus) I grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Student Association, the Saskatchewan Career and Work Association, and the which is where my love of nature, Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation for his commitment to sustainable resource conservation, and the great outdoors management. With a passion for landscape and wildlife photography, Ham travels began. My summers in Northern widely throughout Saskatchewan with a camera always close at hand. Ontario were spent camping, fishing, hiking, and doing whatever other Dean Cattell, Conservation Director activity that allowed me to spend time outside. I completed an Honours I grew up on a farm near Asquith, Bachelor of Science in Biology and where my love for the outdoors Chemistry in 2007 from Trinity College began. I enrolled in the at the University of Toronto. I moved Renewable Resources program to Saskatchewan in 2008 and began at Kelsey right after high school a Master of Science degree in and began working for Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Nicole Dunn. Photo courtesy of Nicole government in 1981. I worked which I completed in 2012. I’ve Dunn. with the Forestry Branch in enjoyed working in three different capacities at Nature Saskatchewan (under my Prince Albert, and then moved to maiden name, Fergus): as Habitat Stewardship Assistant to Rebecca Magnus a seasonal conservation officer for the Shrubs for Shrikes (SFS) and Plovers on Shore (POS) Stewards of position at the Geikie River. In Saskatchewan programs, as Habitat Stewardship Coordinator for SFS and POS, 1987, I became a full time officer and as Assistant to the Conservation and Education Manager under Deanna at Southend and spent the next Trowsdale-Mutafov. Currently, I’m working for Bayer CropScience in Regina as a 7 years between Southend and Quality Assurance Technician, using my Chemistry degrees. I continue to have Wollaston Lake. I transferred to a great love of nature, wildlife, and conservation and am proud to say that I spent Mistatim in 1994, then to 42 nights (a new record!) sleeping in a tent while camping in 2013. I look forward Pierceland in 1996. In 1997, I Dean Cattell. Photo courtesy of Dean to working with Nature Saskatchewan’s Board of Directors supporting their vision chose to move into the Parks Cattell. of “Humanity in Harmony with Nature”. world, and worked as a Park Program coordinator until 2005, when I moved into the Park Supervisor role until Ed Rodger, Treasurer, Regina my retirement this spring. I have had varied experience throughout the years, from wildlife, fisheries, forestry, fires etc. Ed Rodger is a Regina resident. Though he has been away for Personally, I have been heavily involved with Leave No Trace Canada, an many periods of work, travel or environmental education program that strives to reduce the impact caused by study, he has called non-motorized recreation. I am a founding member and the first board chair, and Saskatchewan home for his currently sit as the vice-chair. I have a keen interest in backpacking, kayaking entire life. Ed attended the and archery hunting. I am married to a local Pierceland girl who teaches and we University of Regina for his have three active children 13, 11, and 5. Bachelor’s degree, and also did a Master’s in Environmental Vladimir Kricsfalusy, Director, Saskatoon Science at the University of Calgary, specializing in water Dr. Vladimir Kricsfalusy is an resources management and Associate Professor with the environmental information School of Environment and systems. Ed recently left his Ed Rodger. Photo courtesy of Ed Rodger. Sustainability (SENS) where he long-standing employment at contributed his extensive SaskTel. For his last 16 years there he was an information technology director, experience to the community as first in charge of information systems for SaskTel Mobility, and then in charge of a Conservation Biologist. IT planning for SaskTel. His hobbies include music, gardening, birding, cross- Recently, he has been appointed country skiing and beekeeping. Ed combines his birding with an interest in travel to the Academic Programming and photography. In pursuit of this, in the last few years he has made two trips Appointment for Sustainable each to Iceland and South America to see and photograph birds in various habitats. Environmental Management at He is currently a monitor with the Important Bird Areas program under Nature SENS. Dr. Kricsfalusy’s research Sask. Ed is married and has a daughter in university. interests include studies in plant taxonomy and biodiversity, Hamilton Greenwood, Director, Prince Albert protected areas, conservation and management of endangered species, as well as studies of vegetation communities and Photo courtesy of Vladimir Kricsfalusy. habitats.

Dr. Kricsfalusy has supervised several graduate students working on current issues of biodiversity and conservation, and how they relate to environmental sustainability. He forged important connections between SENS and Redberry Lake Biosphere Reserve as well as other community partners across Saskatchewan. He is a participating scientist in the Native Prairie Restoration Initiative, a series of restoration and stewardship projects which aim to make an important contribution to conserving and restoring fescue prairie within the Redberry Lake Reserve.

Hamilton, “The Old Coot”. Photos courtesy of Hamilton Greenwood.

Nature Saskatchewan is now on Facebook and Twitter!

Nature Saskatchewan is now on Facebook and Twitter! To find us, search “Nature Saskatchewan” on Facebook, and “NatureSask” on Twitter. There are also links to these pages on our website. We hope you’ll follow us!”

The Voice of Nature for Saskatchewan Page 10 Fall 2014 Nature Views

Baillie Birdathon 2014 Last Mountain Bird Observatory – Preliminary Results - Spring 2014 Marla Anderson, Last Mountain Bird Observatory/Important Bird Areas Summer Assistant, Nature Saskatchewan A. R. Smith, Bander-in-charge, Last Mountain Bird Observatory, E-mail: [email protected]

Migration Monitoring: 24th consecutive spring of coverage (23rd of standardized coverage).

First Day of coverage: 9 May. Last day of coverage: 31 May. Total days of coverage: 23 of a possible 23 (100%).

Number of staff: 3 (Marla Anderson, Jordan Rustad, Alan Smith). Number of volunteers: (Kristin Bianchini, Bert Dalziel, Harold Fisher, Shelly Fisher, Ilsa Griebel, Jamie Harder, Ron Jensen, Brenda Kramarchuk, Veronica Norbury, Don Weidl). Number of person-days effort: 83 (last year 47). Number of visitors: 69 (last year 70).

Observation effort: census, casual and incidental observations. Trapping effort: 12 12mx30mm mist nets and one 12mx35mm mist net for 1524 net hours; 509 birds/1000 net hours (1992-2013 average: 405).

Number of species observed: c. 100. Number of species captured: 52 (1992-2013 average: 47). 2014 Birdathon team. Photo by Lacey Weekes. New birds captured: 776 (1992-2013 average: 483); 63 birds of 17 species returned to LMBO after one or more years. Two Barn Swallows were the first of their The weather channel predicted rain for Saturday May 17, the day of the Baillie kind to return to LMBO, one from 2011, the other from 2012; this brings the Birdathon, but luckily as I awoke to the birds calling I could see the sun was number of species with one or more returns to 26. Three Yellow Warblers shining. The morning was beautiful. It was sunny and calm with just a few banded in 2007 were the oldest recaptures; one of these was already at clouds dotting the blue sky. I sat on the deck of the bird observatory with a cup least two years old when banded on 28 May of that year so its minimum of tea and of course my binoculars as I waited for my birding team members to age is now a ripe 9 years. arrive. I was anxious to start but it was only 7:30 am and the others wouldn’t arrive until 8:00. As I waited I already saw two Barn Swallows, a Brown Thrasher, Species Peak: 29 May, 23 species. a Swainson’s Thrush, and of course the American Robin, to name a few. A good Banding peak: 22 May, 81 birds. start I thought. Soon the others arrived and our group had nine birders ready to set out. We started with a walk around the park making our way down to the Top 10 captures: lake and back to the fields. The lake had most of the usual birds – pelicans, House Wren 86 Clay-coloured Sparrow 49 cormorants, gulls, and quite a few ducks. We were lucky to see the Bald Eagle, Least Flycatcher 81 American Robin 38 which appears to have built a nest on the island with the Pelicans. As we made White-throated Sparrow 69 Yellow-rumped Warbler 29 our way back to the fields two Broad Winged Hawks were spotted soaring above Swainson’s Thrush 67 Baltimore Oriole 23 us. What a sight! I knew we would find a few hawks today but Broad Winged Yellow Warbler 50 Orange-crowned Warbler 17 Hawks were a bonus for me. Lincoln’s Sparrow 17

After the park we hopped in the cars and made our way to the northern part of the Comments: In spite of the late spring, LMBO recorded the fourth best spring for lake. I had been out all week finding some good birding spots and I had a few new birds captured as well as a record high for returns. Species highs were stops along the way. The first stop was north up the road where earlier in the recorded for summer resident House Wren (86), and migrant Ruby-crowned Kinglet week I had seen an Osprey. Hoping it was still around we made our way there, (9), Gray-cheeked Thrush (15) and White-crowned Sparrow (13). On the other sadly no Osprey but we did see a Great Blue Heron! Onward we traveled, after hand, another migrant, the Northern Waterthrush, was conspicuous by it absence. adding a few more sparrows and ducks to our list, to the next spot a Ferruginous On 21 May a new species, a Black-billed Magpie, was banded bringing all time Hawk’s nest. The nest was in a field and could be seen from the road. The heat number species captured in the spring to 100; the only other record is of one waves shimmered up from the ground as I pointed out to the group where the banded on 5 Oct 2003. nest was. It took us a bit to see the hawk and then decided if that is what it really was until it flew up off the tree confirming our guess. On the other side of the Person days were nearly double over last year this was due in part to a one-week road we spotted a Nelson’s Sparrow and a falcon, although there was some training course for graduate students Kristin Bianchini, Ilsa Greibel and Veronica debate as to whether it was a Peregrine or a Prairie Falcon. Our last stop was Norbury. the Wildlife Sanctuary and National Wildlife Area at the north of the Lake. I had hopes to catch of glimpse of the bittern I was able to get a photo of earlier in the Disclaimer: these are preliminary results and may be subject to revision. week but to no avail. However, we were able to add Tundra Swan, Black-crowned Night Heron, and Cliff Swallows to our list among many other things.

By this time it was 12:30 and the clouds started rolling in so we headed back to the Park for lunch. One last sighting of a Baltimore Oriole and my birding team Ground-breaking Migration Research headed home. It was an eventful birding morning and we saw 76 birds. I was determined to add to that so after the group headed home I kept on going. Managing Reprinted from Bird Studies Canada April 18, 2014 E-newsletter to add a few more bird to the list including a Merlin, American Kestrel, and a Belted Kingfisher making a Grand Total of 88 birds! Thanks to everyone who Bird Studies Canada is proud to be involved in one of the most comprehensive came out birding with me and for all those who donated to this worthy cause. I studies of migratory birds ever undertaken in Canada. The MOTUS Wildlife Tracking was able to raise over $400 towards bird research. System will enable researchers to track the real-time movements of radio-tagged birds (as well as bats and insects) with unprecedented precision. This spring, researchers are deploying over 200 automated radio telemetry stations in southern Ontario and Atlantic Canada. Each station can detect and track radio-tags within a range of roughly 20 km. National Conservation Plan Unveiled Other project partners are setting up smaller temporary arrays along the US Reprinted from May 23, 2014 Bird Studies Canada E-newsletter eastern seaboard, in western Canada, and on Hudson and James Bay. Ultimately, a network of automated telemetry arrays will be established throughout the Prime Minister Stephen Harper has launched Canada’s new National Conservation Americas, giving researchers a better understanding of how flying migratory animals Plan, which aims to enable Canadians to conserve and restore lands and waters, use and move through the landscape. Their findings will support informed, and make it easier for city residents to connect with nature. The plan includes ecologically sound wildlife management, policy, and regulation decisions. significant investments to secure ecologically sensitive lands, support voluntary conservation and restoration actions, and strengthen marine and coastal The MOTUS Wildlife Tracking System is a joint project of Bird Studies Canada, conservation. It also proposes new initiatives to restore wetlands, and to encourage Western University, Acadia University, and the University of Guelph. We gratefully Canadians to connect with nature at protected areas and green spaces in and acknowledge the cooperation of many individual landowners. Major funding support around their communities. Learn more on the Government of Canada website at: is provided by the Government of Canada through the Canada Foundation for http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2014/05/15/pm-launches-national-conservation- Innovation, Environment Canada, and the partner organizations. plan.

Conservation Now...For The Future Page 11 Fall 2014 Nature Views

Notes from Turtle Lake Nature Sanctuary Linking Communities - A Saskatchewan Education Exchange Darlene Roth, Turtle Lake Nature Sanctuary Steward Lacey Weekes Conservation and Education Manager Nature Saskatchewan. For the hundreds of birds seeking feeding and resting areas during their annual migrations the Sanctuary is ideally located. It is a place where wildlife and their habitats are protected from harm, combined with a strawberry meadow, marshland, farmland and miles of shoreline of Turtle Lake is a haven for many species for sure.

Do a personal favour and treat yourself to a soul healing walk and a chance to sync yourself to the wonders of creation. Your meditation can begin on the beautiful north lakeshore trail. Stroll by and hear calming waves breaking against the rocks. Be sure to venture beside the frog pond. Allow your mind to open up to each colourful image, every pungent smell and hear all the beautiful sounds of your surroundings. Take a pen or pencil for your bird checklist; see how many birds you can find. For the beginner bird watcher remember they are not all at the lake at the same time. This will beckon a repeat visit. With the search for the return of the Turkey Vulture I have not seen any at the lake. Sightings have been seen at Unity and Denzil, SK, giving sky watchers a treat. Back at the lake, Barn Swallow numbers have increased. It is nice to see these swift flying Grade 3 Central School class. Photo by Marla Anderson. birds. Pelicans are plentiful as well. Their grace of flight makes them cool to watch on the water. My goal is to photograph these giants of the sky this The Linking Communities Project is the collaborative efforts of Nature Canada, summer. Chaplin Tourism Association and Nature Saskatchewan to protect populations of shared bird species through education, outreach, research, monitoring and applied I have talked about what we love about nature….the shade from trees, the colourful conservation. This year it was our turn to host the Linking Communities education flowers, the soft grass trails beneath our feet, and the beautiful music of birds all exchange in Saskatchewan. The group consisted of environmental educators around, just to name a few. I would like to mention the importance of taking care from Canada, USA, and Mexico. of nature through conservation which essentially means not leaving our mark on nature. This includes not breaking branches, picking flowers, taking “treasures”, We began the tour in Swift Current on June 6th. After spending the morning and especially not leaving trash behind. getting to know each other we headed to Central School to spend the afternoon with the Grade 3 class. We were split into groups where we talked about migration, Creation is so important but to some, you never make time for it. Our society habitat conservation and shorebird adaptations. All the students participated in a dictates a “busier than thou” lifestyle in which constant activity is required but simulated migration across North America. They got a real sense of what migratory not much of it involves nature. For the health of our souls we need to take time birds go through to reach their destination from their breeding grounds in the North to explore. Whether this means logging off the electronic devices, deciding less to their wintering grounds in the South. cabin or camp site work will do, saying no to social events, turning off the TV or putting your cell phone out of reach is up to each of us individually. There is The next morning we heard many great presentations. Ted Cheskey and I spoke nothing better and more inspiring than the beauty of the natural world. Take that on Nature Canada and Nature Saskatchewan’s involvement with the Linking first step you won’t regret it. See you on the trails be sure to sign our visitor log Communities program. Merci Rapolti a University of Saskatchewan MSEMS at the main gate. Feel free to add anything you would like to see in the way of Student spoke on her project, “Creating a Successful Shorebird Monitoring Program improving your visit to the Sanctuary. at Chaplin Lake: A Citizen Science Approach.” Yae Bryner and Don Paul updated us on the Utah Linking program and Abel Castillo spoke about the new programs Canadian BirdLife Partners Launch New IBA they are conducting in their schools in Mexico. Video In the afternoon we headed to the Southland Hutterite Colony where we had a tour of their school. We spent time with the children viewing the wetland, a wonderful Reprinted from Bird Studies Canada June 6, 2014 E-newsletter teaching resource right in their backyard. That night we attended the Chaplin Nature Centre annual fundraiser supper and auction. We all had a lot of fun It’s Canadian Environment Week, (https://www.ec.gc.ca/sce-cew/) held in the raising money for such a great cause. Somehow, after all the excitement and first week of June to coincide with World Environment Day (http://www.unep.org/ good food we mustered up enough energy to assist Dr. Christie Morrissey and her wed/). Just in time for these celebrations, we’re pleased to share a new video students with banding shorebirds on Chaplin Lake. Dr. Morrissey is an Assistant that showcases Canada’s Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas Program (http:/ Professor with the Department of Biology/School of Environment and Sustainability /www.ibacanada.ca/). The brief, 90-second video highlights some of Canada’s at the University of Saskatchewan. Her research is looking at contaminants in cherished bird species, the special places they call home, and the dedicated shorebirds across North and South America. We were lucky to see two Semi- volunteers – or IBA Caretakers (http://www.ibacanada.ca/care_what.jsp?lang=en) palmated Sandpipers banded, weighed, measured and a small blood sample taken. – who are working to help safeguard Canada’s Important Bird Areas (IBAs). They were both released unharmed.

Read the related BirdLife International news story Our last day of the exchange was (http://www.birdlife.org/americas/news/canadian- spent touring the Western birdlife-partners-launch-new-iba-video), and visit Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve the IBA Canada YouTube Channel (http:// Network and Important Bird Area www.youtube.com/channel/UC9NTQOBYh sites of Reed Lake and Chaplin qJFhAfh35W7AtQ) to view the video in English Lake. We saw tons of birds http://youtu.be/bnanklSbtK8 or French(http:// including the White-faced Ibis. youtu.be/CS3yC1pOgwA). We had a chance to hike some native prairie trails along the The IBA Program is a global BirdLife International South Saskatchewan River initiative to identify, monitor, and conserve the where we saw many beautiful world’s most critical sites for birds and prairie plants and some not so biodiversity. There are nearly 600 IBAs in beautiful wood ticks. After we Canada. BirdLife co-partners Bird Studies Taylor Abbott rescuing an Eared Grebe from checked each other for ticks we Canada and Nature Canada jointly manage the barbed wire. Photo by Ted Cheskey. sat down for a farewell supper country’s national IBA Program, in collaboration at the Mainstay Inn at Palliser with regional partners across the country and Park. It was a fantastic tour lead by the wonderful Lori Wilson with Chaplin Tourism with the support of hundreds of volunteers Association. Everyone on the tour had great passion for environmental education nationwide. and wetland conservation. We learned a lot from each other and were re-energized to continue the important work each of us does for shorebird conservation. On our There are many ways to get involved (http:// last day of the tour we came across an Eared Grebe hung up on a barbed-wire www.ibacanada.ca/involved.jsp?lang=en)! To fence. We were able to free the grebe and transport it back to Regina. The vet support Canada’s Important Bird Areas Program, was able to examine it to determine there were no fractures. It was then taken to join the network of Canadian IBA volunteers (http:/ the Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre West in Regina where /www.ibacanada.ca/care_program.jsp?lang=EN, it could rest and be released back into the wild. What a great way to end the tour! participate in a Citizen Science monitoring Check out the global news report: http://globalnews.ca/news/1395470/local-couple- program at an IBA, connect with IBA Canada on helps-save-wildlife-with-new-centre. Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ IBACanada), or donate to the national or regional program partners.

The Voice of Nature for Saskatchewan Page 12 Fall 2014 Nature Views

Are There Lichens in Regina? (Part 3)

Bernard DeVries in Regina was influenced by heavy motorized traffic and to some extend by industrial plants. Although the overall diversity of lichens and number of species was low, RESULTS lichens do occur in Regina, predominantly on American Elm and Balsam Poplar. Furthermore the built-up inner core showed a distinct effect on lichen diversity A total of 48 epiphytic species were recorded in Regina; the most common were Physcia aipolia (Hoary rosette lichen), Physcia stellaris (Star rosette lichen), and growth due to heat retention and rate of evaporation (The drought hypothesis Xanthoria polycarpa (Pin-cushion sunburst lichen), and Xanthomendoza fallax of Rydberg 1959). (Hooded sunburst lichen). In addition 11 non epiphytes were recorded, bringing the total lichen flora of Regina to 59. Of the epiphytic crustose lichens Lecanora ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS symicta (Fused rim-lichen), Lecanora sambuci (Rim-lichen), Caloplaca cerina The author is grateful to the volunteers who assisted in field work. Thanks are (Grey-rimmed firedot lichen) and Xylographa parallela (Black woodscript) were also due to Nature Regina whose generous grants helped finance the project. the most common. Some saxicolous species Aspicillia cinerea (Cinder lichen), Caloplaca saxicola (Smooth firedot lichen), and Xanthoria elegans (Elegant REFERENCES sunburst lichen) commonly occurred on sandstone in cemeteries. Becket, P.J., L.R. Boileau, D. Padova and D.H.S. Richardson. 1982. Lichens and mosses as monitors of industrial activities with uranium mining in The coverage of epiphytes on different tree species and sampling plots varied northern Ontario. Environmental Pollution (Series B) 4:91-107. significantly. However, species with a high frequency had also a high coverage. Brodo, I.M. 1972. Lichens and Cities. National Research Council, Ottawa. For example the most frequent lichen Physcia aipolia had the coverage of 26% in pages 325-328. 323 sampling plot while the coverage of rare epiphytes did not exceed 1%. The ———,S.D. Sharnoff, and S. Sharnoff. 2001. Lichens of North America. Yale high coverage of crustose lichens Candelariella vitellina (Common goldspeck University Press, New Haven, USA. lichen), and Lecanora hagenii (Hagen’s rim-lichen) was recorded on trees adjacent de Vries, B. 1987. A Preliminary Survey of Lichens in Regina. Unpublished to streets and avenues. Manuscript. Esslinger, T.L. 2011. A cumulative checklist for the lichen-forming , lichenicolous The highest number of lichens was recorded on the bark of Ulmus americana and allied fungi of the continental USA and Canada. North Dakota State (American elm). On bark of trees along roads with heavy motorized traffic and I University: http://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/˜esslinge/chcklst/chcklst7.htm. industrial areas such typically epilithic lichens as Caloplaca cerina and Physcia First Posted 1 December 1997. Most Recent Version (# 16) 18 June caecia (Blue-grey rosette lichen) were found. Several common soil lichens 2010, Fargo, N.D. Updated # 19), 23 March 2014. Cladonia pocillum (Rosette pixie-cup), Collema tenax (Soil jelly lichen) and Gilbert, O.L. 1965. Lichens as Indicators of Atmospheric Pollution in the Tyne Xanthoparmelia chlorochroa (Tumble-weed lichen) were found in a marginal native Valley. Ecology and the Industrial Society, Oxford University Press, grassland strip on Graig’s Municipal Golf-course. London, UK. pages 35-47. Gray, C.M. 1999. Urban Air Monitoring Program 1993-1997. Saskatchewan As expected the highest epiphyte richness was recorded in the suburbs and Environment and Resource Management. Regina, SK. page 27. parks while in the built-up and industrial areas (including the city core) only 8 Hawksworth, D.L. and F. Ross. 1976. Lichens as Pollution Monitors. Studies epiphytes were found. Species tolerant to air pollution Candelariella vitellina, in Biology No.66. London, UK. Phaeophyscia orbicularis (Mealy shadow lichen), and Physcia adscendens Johnson, D., L. Kershaw, A. MacKinnon and D. Vitt. 1995. Plants of the (Hooded rosette lichen) mainly grew on trees with eutrophicated bark. Western Boreal Forest and Aspen Parkland. Lone Pine, Edmonton, AB. Laundon, J.R. 1967. A study of the lichen flora in London. Lichenologist 3: 277- Indicators of the moderately air polluted transition zone are Candelariella vitellina, 327. Lecanora hagenii and Lecanora symicta (Fused-rim lichen). The total number of LeBlanc, F. and J. DeSloover. 1970. Relation between industrialization and the lichens in a sampling plot of this zone varied from 3 to 5. The unpolluted outer distribution and growth of epiphytic lichens and mosses in Montreal. zone is characterized by Physcia stellaris (Star rosette lichen) and Canadian Journal of Botany 48:1485-1496. Xanthomendoza fallax. ——, D.N. Rao and G. Comeau.1972. The epiphyte vegetation of Populus balsamifera and its significance as an air pollution indicator in Sudbury, DISCUSSION Ontario. Canadian Journal of Botany 50: 519-528. As expected the diversity of epiphytic lichens in the core area of Regina was low. Nimis. P.L., C.Scheidegger, and P.A. Wolseley. 2002. Monitoring with Lichens. However, the number of lichens in similar sampling plots in the transitional and Kluwer Academic Publishers. Dordrecht, The Netherlands. 408 pages. urban zones in Regina was considerable higher. The presence of terrestrial and Purvis, W. 2000. Lichens. Smithonian Institution Press. Washington, DC. 112 epiphytic lichens in Regina could be explained by the location of the city at the pages. intersection of grasslands (mainly cultivated), the wooded Aspen Parkland and Rydzak, J. 1959. Influence of small towns on the lichen vegetation. Part VII. possible nearness of the wooded Qu’Appelle Valley to the north for lichen Discusion and general conclusions. Annales Universitais Mariae Curie- dispersal. The common tree species in Regina Ulmus americana (790 Sklowdowska. Lublin, Polanski. (16): 275-323. investigated) and Populus balsamifera mainly in parks (135 investigated) are ——,1968. Lichens as Indicators of the ecological conditions of the habitat. characterized by the highest number of epiphytic species. Annales Universitatis Mariae Curie-Sklowdowski. Lublin, Polanski. (10): 131-154. The paucity of lichens growing on trees along streets and avenues may indicate Sanderson, M. 1948. The climates of Canada according to the new Thornthwaite that tree bark was heavily polluted by toxic dust, and explains the occurrence of classification. Scientific Agriculture 28: 501-570. some epilithic lichens Caloplaca saxicola (Smooth firedot lichen) and Physcia Skorepa, A.C., and D.H. Vitt. 1976. A Quantitative Study of Epiphytic Lichens caesia (Blue-grey rosette lichen), suggesting that tree bark and air in Regina’s in relation to SO2 Pollution in Western Alberta. Information report NOR- core and transitional areas are becoming increasingly dusted with particulates X-161. Northern Forest Research Centre, Edmonton, AB. emitted from the increasing number of motorized traffic. Skye 1956. The influence of air pollution on the fruticose and foliose lichens CONCLUSIONS around the shale-iron works at Kvarntorp. Svensk botanische tidskrift. The study has shown that epiphytic lichens are indicators of atmospheric pollution 52: 133-190. as noted in the gradient from the air polluted inner city to the unpolluted suburbs, Thomas, M.K. 1953. Climatological Atlas of Canada. Meteorological Division, showing an increase in lichen diversity. It was also established that air pollution Department of Transport, Ottawa. 256 pages.

Special Concern for Western Grebes

Reprinted from May 23, 2014 Bird Studies Canada E- wintering distribution. Because the species congregates newsletter in large numbers, it is vulnerable to a variety of threats.

Two bird species were assessed at the most recent meeting COSEWIC also reconfirmed that the Prairie subspecies of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in of Loggerhead Shrike is Threatened, and that its eastern Canada (COSEWIC), held in Halifax. Owing to population counterpart in Ontario and Québec is Endangered. Like declines that have been taking place on its Pacific coast most other grassland birds, shrike populations continue wintering grounds, COSEWIC assessed the Western to decline across NorthAmerica. Grebe as a species of Special Concern. Jon McCracken (Bird Studies Canada’s Director of National Programs), who To learn more about these status assessments, and co-chairs COSEWIC’s birds subcommittee, says that we those for the other fauna and flora that were covered at don’t yet know the extent to which some of the decline Western Grebe. Photo by Nick Saunders. the meeting, visit the COSEWIC website at http:// may just represent a geographic shift in the grebe’s www.cosewic.gc.ca/eng/sct5/index_e.cfm.

Conservation Now...For The Future Page 13 Fall 2014 Nature Views Partners Come Together in the Name of Native Nature Canada 75th Anniversary Celebrations Prairie Nature Canada is celebrating its 75th anniversary this September! As a start to our year-long festivities, we are launching a photography contest designed to get Reprinted from Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan July 2014 E- Canadians outdoors and to encourage you to explore and fall in love with nature newsletter across the summer months. It’s a simple way for you, your family and friends to enjoy nature whether nearby in your neighbourhood, at your cottage or during your summer vacation. It is our hope that by spending time in nature you will experience and learn about our natural heritage. From June 1st to August 31st, amateur photographers and nature enthusiasts alike can share their nature photos with us. A select few from a variety of categories will be chosen by our panel of judges, and will be posted on the Nature Canada website in September for voting by the public. The winning photo(s) will be featured in our yearly calendar sent to our nature-loving members, amongst our variety of other prizes!

This contest is open to members of Nature Canada as well as youth, amateur and professional photographers. Please follow this link for complete rules and regulations, http://naturecanada.ca/initiatives/photo-contest/rulesregs/. SK PCAP partners at the signing ceremony in Regina. Photo courtesy of SK PCAP. So go outside, breath in the fresh air, and take some photographs while you’re at it! To kick off Native Prairie Appreciation Week, Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan ( SK PCAP) partners came together in Regina on Monday, June 16 For any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Nicole at nmiddleton@ to sign on the dotted line for prairie! The signing ceremony marked the official naturecanada.ca or at (613)562-3447 ex229. renewal of the new five-year Framework (2014-2018). It was overwhelming to have so many individuals in one place all pledging commitment to prairie conservation and SK PCAP for another five year period! There was good media presence on-hand during the ceremony, so hopefully you heard or saw some of the television/radio coverage later of this event. It was an excellent opportunity to bring native prairie issues into the public eye. For complete details on the SK What Does the Future Hold for SK Grasslands? PCAP Framework, look for the Framework Renewal document on our website at http://www.pcap-sk.org/rsu_docs/documents/PCAP_framework_2014.pdf. Reprinted from Bird Studies Canada April 18, 2014 E-newsletter

Bird Studies Canada recently participated in the 2014 Public Pastures – Public Boreal Forest Needs Half Report Interest (PPPI) (http://pfrapastureposts.wordpress.com/) Annual General Meeting in Regina, SK. PPPI draws together rural and urban Canadians who share an The North American Boreal Forest has been dubbed “North America’s Bird Nursery” interest in conserving the great public grasslands of Saskatchewan. In due to its impressive role in supporting migratory birds. The statistics are Saskatchewan, management of 1.8 million acres of land in 62 former Prairie astonishing: Farm Rehabilitation Administration community pastures is being transferred from the federal government to the province. This is a land area larger than Prince Between 1 and 3 billion birds representing more than 300 species flock to the Edward Island, and includes some of the largest remaining tracts of intact native boreal each spring to find summer nesting habitat. grasslands. Once the young have hatched, 3-5 billion birds migrate back south toward their Topics discussed at the meeting included: the process of transfer from the federal winter habitat—many as close as the U.S. and some as far south as the Tierra to the provincial government; the effects on the cattle producers who use the del Fuego. pastures, and their communities; the effects on species at risk and habitat protection; oil and gas developments on the pastures; First Nations concerns; More than 1 billion of these birds become common wintering birds that can be and protecting heritage sites on the pastures. found throughout the U.S.

Visit our website to read the article “Prairie Grasslands in Peril?” at http:// This new scientific report Boreal Forest Needs Half takes a closer look at this www.birdscanada.org/download/BWCfa13.pdf from the Fall 2013 issue of our amazing relationship and what we can do to preserve the hundreds of species magazine BirdWatch Canada. that intimately rely on this vast, mostly-intact forest. To provide birds the best fighting chance of surviving the duel threats of habitat loss and climate change, at least half of the boreal forest should be protected from industrial development. This continues the ever-growing research concluding that larger, interconnected protected areas are necessary in order to maintain our planet’s amazing collection of biodiversity. Funding Available for Implementation of Rangeland BMP’s For the report and other information visit: http://borealbirds.org/birdsneedhalf.html.

Saskatchewan Forage Council June 2, 2014 Lessons from “Martha” Reprinted from Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan June 2014 E- newsletter Reprinted from Bird Studies Canada July 25, 2014 E-newsletter

The Saskatchewan Forage Council (SFC) is pleased to be working with the The last Passenger Pigeon, Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) on a project funded by the “Martha”, died on September 1, Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) to demonstrate Best 1914. Her species, which had Management Practices (BMP’s) on rangeland. The SFC is the Saskatchewan numbered somewhere around 5 partner on this project that will include implementation of rangeland BMP’s on billion birds just 50 years earlier, the Canadian Prairies as well as in the US and Mexico. died with her. How was it possible for the most abundant bird on the In Saskatchewan, the aim is to work with producers to set up demonstration planet to become extinct so projects on native rangeland that are aimed at improved range health, improved quickly? What factors grazing plans, and other BMP’s that will demonstrate a positive impact on native contributed to the decline – and prairie. crash – of the Passenger Pigeon population? And what have we Painting by Louis Agassiz Fuertes. As such, the Saskatchewan Forage Council (SFC) is looking for producers who learned from the biggest species are interested in implementing BMP’s on native rangeland. With funding from the extermination that’s ever taken CEC, the SFC will be able to provide financial assistance for a limited number of place at the hands of man? projects whose end goal is the conservation of native prairie. If you or producers you work with are planning on implementing BMP’s on native prairie this summer Bird Studies Canada’s Director of National Programs Jon McCracken considers (2014) are interested in working with the SFC, please contact Executive Director, these questions in a feature article for the Summer issue of our magazine Leanne Thompson at (306) 969-2666 or [email protected] to see if your project BirdWatch Canada. Visit our website to read Jon’s reflection on the centennial of may be a fit. Funding may be available to offset costs such as fencing, water site the species’ extinction, “One Hundred Years after Martha, the Last Passenger improvements, invasive weed control or other investments to improve the Pigeon” at: http://www.birdscanada.org/organization/images/news/pdfs/ sustainability of native grassland grazing systems. BWCsu14PAPI.pdf.

The Voice of Nature for Saskatchewan Page 14 Fall 2014 Nature Views

Tick Populations Growing in Numbers Each Spring

Kimberly J. Epp The media, false information, and innuendoes had people quite worried – and really a lot of it was blown out of proportion this past spring and summer of 2014. Even though the population is consistently growing, we don’t usually notice them as they don’t usually extend past May. The invasive ticks are able to over-winter, can have 1,000 to 3,000 eggs per one female each year. And although we have ticks throughout the province, it was still obvious that some areas of our province had more ticks. The Beechy and Claybank areas were just two examples. It seemed like almost every day a friend of mine, who lived in that area, would report on Facebook that she had another 20 ticks found crawling on her. Do a thorough tick check. You won’t want to see a few ticks climbing around the bed with you! If bitten, pull the tick out with tweezers. You can use Vaseline to pop it out first. But don’t try any other methods. After the tick is off you may want to keep the tick in an old pill bottle or container, record where and when you found it for possible future testing especially if you develop unusual symptoms. There are common-sense steps you can make when walking around in tick habitat during tick season as well. For example, you (and your pet, too) can wear a repellant with DEET, you should dress in light-colored clothing, tuck your pants into your socks, and I would personally recommend a light-colored cap – in which you could tuck your hair in possibly if the ticks are abundant. Both the common native and invasive ticks have no known predators. Plus they are able Female Dog tick to right. Smaller male to the left. Photo by Kimberly Epp. to over-winter without problems, while the eggs laid in the fall will be ready to “hatch” in the early spring – bringing our tick populations more and more. They Ticks, ticks in your hair. Ticks, ticks everywhere! If you haven’t been aware of like to lay them in the leaf litter, so make sure you rake it up at this time of year. the abundance of ticks in the past, it would have been nearly impossible not to notice – or at least hear about them this past spring and summer. Ticks are Both pets and wild animals are susceptible to Lyme and other diseases that usually active in April and May. With a late, wet and cool spring season the long ticks carry. Pets can be treated at the local vet. Human patients aren’t so lucky grasses in which ticks thrive stayed in their spring-like state… in fact the season with our doctors. Wild animals really suffer over the spring (and now into the had extended into July with no end in sight. summer). Being unable to remove any ticks themselves, they must endure the agony of having all of these mini monsters taking their blood – and their energy. The subject of ticks, along with the diseases that can come from them is a topic Eventually the ticks are filled with blood enough to pop off. But there is always I know only too well. April 21st, 2001. I remember that day well. It was the end more looking for a free easy meal. They lay in wait of their next meal, and then of life as I knew it. Beginning the long, painful existence as the result of a tick jump onto any passing mammal. It doesn’t matter what mammal it is. I think bite, and of which ultimately prevented me for working in the environmental about the fawns of the Mule and White-tailed Deer. They are often made to hide education field I loved. That day I was tired and not feeling well. A friend and I had and be still at the edges of forests and in the long grasses. They may be hidden just arrived in Winnipeg for a conference - as I walked into a room several of my and camouflaged, but to the ticks they are an easy meal. I imagine that the ticks symptoms came on – several of which have never gone away. All due to the would gather in the ears as well on these little fawns. bacteria some ticks (and now, even some mosquitoes!) carry – especially the tiny Black-legged ticks. These ticks originally invaded Canada with the help of If you see a small animal with many engorged ticks, such as the cottontail migrating birds. Although there are still many “arriving” each spring, the populations rabbit, as photographed below, to help it may be to save its life. You can call the seem to have grown substantially each year. Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatchewan at (306) 242-7177 and they will direct you to the nearest rehabilitator and also advise you of what you can do at The problems with diagnosing and treating tick-borne illnesses has forced many that time. people (who could afford) to go to other countries. Canadian doctors have been really against the whole subject, as well as not well versed on it. Our provincial So how could you help lab, for example, advised that only one case of a patient with Lyme disease has a small mammal like ever been recorded in Saskatchewan, when in fact there have been hundreds. the Cottontail Rabbit, The first known case was back in 1995. Patients have had to go elsewhere for with ears susceptible to diagnosis, but that didn’t mean your doctor would prescribe the strong antibiotics dozens of engorging required to kill off the bacteria when you return – even with the diagnosis. The ticks? The first thing diagnosis in itself is quite complicated if one knows little of it. To be treated that would help to do is incorrectly is worse than not being treated at all. The bacteria travels from the have certain items in blood into the tissues. So because of this there are no accurate tests. There is your car in case the Elisa test you can get tested in the US, costing $500, but even still, unless situations like this you get tested within first few weeks or months, it is less than 50% accurate. happen. A dark box This depends on how long you have been ill as well. Our Canadian doctors were with blankets, or even still having the belief that there were no ticks, or if there were, then there were no better a pet carrier with diseases. Or that they are only found in certain areas in the south. Some blankets within as well Tiny Cottontail Rabbit with many engorged dog/wood doctors have gone so far as to “fire” their patients – only because they were as a water bottle ticks around its ear – where the vessels and lack of asking for antibiotics for Lyme disease. All of this is why a Bill was passed just attached. Then you will fur make it easier for the little ‘vampires’ to draw blood. in June 2014, called the C-557 Lyme Disease Bill which basically allows for want to have another Photo taken at Living Skies Wildlife Rehabilitation treatment here in Canada and that treatment cannot be refused. If it is done small blanket to cover Centre where Wildlife Rehabilitator Jan Shadick cares correctly! We still need “Lyme Literate” doctors! the animal with to help for many animals each year. Photo by Kimberly Epp. keep it calm and less Lyme disease Specialist, Dr. Ernie Murakami has seen thousands of patients stressed. To actually catch one of these tick-infested animals, there are several from all over Canada. And yet, this country is still under the assumption that it ways. You could have a dip net with the long handle, and cover the animal, then just does not exist. Or, with the tricky diagnosis don’t realize things – such as use gloves and put it into your carrier. Cover your carrier box, as darkness is there are no accurate blood tests. It is a clinical diagnosis only. Plus, with a less stressful for the animal. Don’t allow children to stress the animal out further healthy immune system, some may only get symptoms months after the fact. by speaking loudly or looking closely at the animal. Remember, it is a wild Ilnesses like Lyme disease have been one of the fastest growing diseases animal. You can also use gloves to grab the ears, then carefully reach down and everywhere else in the world except in Canada - where the non-native and invasive carry it into your nearby carrier. And the rehab specialist on the phone may black-legged (or deer) ticks don’t ever cross over the border! Have you ever advise you differently, depending on the animal. To help to save a life is a wonderful wondered why Canada has the highest population of Multiple Sclerosis patients thing, and one you will feel proud of! in the world, and (supposedly) almost no cases of Lyme disease? Both are mainly clinically diagnosed, and both have similar symptoms. Something to Remember that both the common native and invasive ticks have no known ponder over, isn’t it? Apparently, of course, the migrating birds have to stop at the predators. Plus they are able to over-winter without problems, while the eggs border crossings as well to “declare their baggage” – those unwelcome ticks! laid in the fall will be ready to “hatch” in the early spring which raises our tick population each year. Remember this, be aware of this, and prepare for this! How would you know if you had Lyme disease? Do you remember getting bit by a tick, with a bulls-eye (or other) rash around the area afterwards? Not everyone “Nature is wonderful; no doubt about it! But at the same time our natural world can remember, or even know if they have been bitten, which is also why it is has dangers lurking around every corner. The Black-legged Tick is only one difficult to diagnose. The invasive black-legged tick is often no larger than a example. Just a tiny creature, but this tiny creature can completely destroy your freckle. And if you are bitten - and this doesn’t mean that the tick had drawn health and your life. It is only one example of the dangers lurking “beyond your blood as their mouthparts can spread diseases with their bites - on your head (or backyard”, and of what we need to become more aware of. Because nature is other “special” areas) you may not ever know it. All of this is why it is important ever-changing - and we need to be willing to change along with it.” to take precautions when heading out of doors.

Conservation Now...For The Future Page 15 Fall 2014 Nature Views

Nature Saskatchewan Thanks These Generous List of Available Speakers Donors Our local societies have expressed a need for a list of speakers willing to present at member meetings. We would love to be able to provide them with a diverse list Nature Saskatchewan General Last Mountain Bird Observatory: of speakers that have expertise on a variety of topics. If you would like to be Programs: Joseph and Sylvia Chorney included in this list please email your contact information along with the topic(s) E. Blanche Wilson Joyce Christiansen you would be able to present. This list will be distributed to our local societies Robert Alvo Gordon Dash only and you would never be obligated to attend a meeting that you do not choose P. Lawrence Beckie Harold Fisher to attend. Andrew Belyk G. Murray and Edna Lewis Bevan Forbes Foundation Jim Harding’s Column on Sustainability Available Online Joanne Blythe Bob Gehlert After the Spring Meet in Fort Qu’Appelle many members have asked for Jim Mike Bray Brian Jeffery Harding’s column DESEGREGATING OUR STORIES: A KEY TO HUMANITY’S Muriel Carlson Marilyn Meyer SUSTAINABILITY. This column was inspired after doing tours for Nature Mary Christie J. Frank Roy Saskatchewan’s AGM held in Fort Qu’Appelle during the summer solstice. If Conexus- Board of Directors Donald A. Weidl you would like to read the column in full please go to http://crowsnest Louise and Dave Cook Mary L. Wright ecology.wordpress.com/ Louetta and Robert Cormier Mae Elsinger Nature Legacy Fund: Request for Western Painted Turtle Observations Irv Escott Doug and Irene Schmeiser VAST Resource Solutions Inc. is preparing the update status report for Western Colette and Mel Fischer Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii; hereafter: WPT) in Canada for COSEWIC. Don Forbes Bird Species at Risk Program: In 2006, three populations were assessed by COSEWIC (Pacific Coast – Ken Gardner Violet Budd Endangered, Intermountain-Rocky Mountain – Special Concern, Prairie/Western Bob Girvan Mrs. Elaine Dohms Boreal- Canadian Shield – Not at Risk). This status update report will address all Larry Grenkow Georgiana Hodges three populations. Mildred Harper Louise Krueger Dale and Paule Hjertaas James W. Luthi WPT habitat is summarized as: Joseph Hnatiuk Jack MacKenzie C. Stuart and Mary Houston Isobel McLeish Ideal habitat must include both natural pond habitat and suitable nesting areas, Gord Howe Lynne Reeve preferably adjacent to the water bodies. Aquatic habitat often consists of shallow, Jordan Ignatiuk Edith May Shannon slow moving waters in ponds or lakes. During nesting, adult females select Elizabeth Jmaeff David Stirling warm, unvegetated south-facing sites with soils that are dry, light in texture and Arlene and Robin Karpan TD Friends of the Environment free of roots or large stones to lay their eggs. During the winter season, turtles John Krowina Foundation will overwinter beneath the water’s surface in sometimes very anoxic conditions. M. Ross Lein Brenda Lepitzki Rare Plant Rescue: We ask you to take a few moments to think about any observations you may Bill and Audrey MacKenzie Leonard J. Hutchison have and submit them with locations (include a picture for confirmation if available) Gerald Machnee Gwen Jamieson to [email protected]. The Nature Saskatchewan office will then pass on all Clifford Matthews Ruth Smith observations to the Saskatchewan Data Centre. You may very well have Lila McDermaid Marilyn Totten knowledge with respect to wetland habitats and other aspects directly applicable Ardythe McMaster to WPT status and assessment. John Meldrum Nature Savings Plan Contributors: Jonathan Melville Robert Alvo Thank you very much for your time and information. If you have any questions, William Monro Keith Bell please do not hesitate to contact VAST Resource Solutions Inc. at William Nell Lori Caron [email protected] or [email protected] Dale Nostbakken Kristin Catherwood Wendy Paquin Joseph and Sylvia Chorney Dorothy Riemer Louise and Dave Cook NatureCity Festival Wins Award Nick and Jennifer Saunders Dr. Yvonne G. Cuttle Doug and Irene Schmeiser Rev. Suzanne Edgar Josef Schmutz Gwen Gordon Reprinted from Saskatoon Nature Society July-August 2014 Newsletter Carol Anne Scott Christina Havard Paul Soron Jocelyn Hextall The Festival was awarded special recognition from the Regional Centre of Expertise T.W. Stewart Ina Hill on Education for Sustainable Development Saskatchewan (RCE Saskatchewan). Colette and Richard Stushnoff Gary Howland This program recognizes “innovative projects, research, and other activities Hellen Taylor A.R. Iverson promoting Education for Sustainable Development in the prairie region”. The Ivor and Orca Thokle Johanna and Ken Jensen recognition award was the sixth annual event and took place on May 7, 2014 at Weyburn Nature Society Ron and Julie Jensen Government House in Regina. Both Saskatoon Nature Society and Nature Marilyn and Lyle Wilson Ken Kingdon Saskatchewan were actively involved in planning and promoting the second annual Rob and Joan Wilson Tom Lawton Festival, May 24–31. Congratulations and thanks to everyone who helped make Judge David H. Wright Robert J. Long it another great celebration of nature in the city! Susan Yanosik Randy Lundy Catherine Zeilner Deena McNichol Alison Philips BirdLife Releases 2014 Red List Update Margaret Skeel Graduate Student RBC Dominion Securities Scholarship Fund: Julianna M. Robin Reprinted from Bird Studies Canada July 25, 2014 E-newsletter Lynn and Helen McCaslin Lyle Saigeon O’Neil Richard Candace Savage The conservation status of 361 newly-recognized bird species has been assessed Danna Schock for the first time by BirdLife International as part of the 2014 Red List update for Grasslands Trust Fund: Margaret Skeel birds. This year’s Red List update recognizes 10,425 bird species in total, with Trish Santo Hellen Taylor a new high of 213 bird species classified as Critically Endangered (the highest Hendrik Vanderpol category of extinction risk). For details of species assessments, key habitats New Life Members: Guy Wapple requiring immediate conservation attention, and more, please see “One tenth of Donna Bruce Pattie Wilkinson bird species flying under the conservation radar” on the BirdLife website at http:/ David Weiman /www.birdlife.org/worldwide/news/Red-List-for-birds-2014.

IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find $100 REWARD pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Any person sending a photograph of the following: a wing-tagged Turkey )assesses the risk of extinction of a species should no conservation action be Vulture with a white alphanumeric letters on a dark green tag, or an active taken, and is the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global vulture nest with young in the nest in a deserted building or cave not previously conservation status of plant and animal species. BirdLife International is the known to the tagging crew, can claim $100. Cash or tax-deductible charitable Red List Authority for birds for the IUCN Red List. The BirdLife Preventing donation receipt for $100 from Nature Saskatchewan on showing the precise Extinctions Programme (http://www.iucnredlist.org/)is counteracting an location of that nest while young remain present. Notify Stuart Houston at increasingly diverse array of threats to birds by delivering conservation action – 306-244-0742 before 9 pm. underpinned by science – where it is most needed.

The Voice of Nature for Saskatchewan Page 16 Fall 2014 Nature Views

Upcoming Events

Saskatoon Nature Society Field Trips

All are welcome to participate in field trips; bring your friends. Carpooling for out- Bus Route 1 Exhibition departs downtown terminal at 1:01 pm and arrives at of-town trips is arranged at the meeting place. There are no fees unless indicated; WDM about 1:20 pm however, participants are expected to share gasoline costs and should make Leader: Robert Johanson (306-653-2610) arrangements with the driver to do so. Phone the trip leader if you have any questions. Participants can return early if they wish. Members with CB or FRS Saturday, October 11, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM radios should bring them on out-of-town trips. Check our website at Whooping Crane Trip www.saskatoonnaturesociety.sk.ca for last minute changes or cancellations and We will drive in search of any reported Whoopers within 100 km of the city. Bring to download checklists. For information on city buses, phone 306-975-3100. a lunch. Meet at the NW corner of the parking lot for the Centre at Circle and 8th Mall. Saturday, August 23, 8:00 AM–10:30 AM Note New Location. Forestry Farm Park Birding Bus: Route 50 Lakeview departs downtown terminal at 7:31 am, U of S terminal We will walk through the park searching for fall warblers and other songbirds. at 7:38 and arrives at Mall bus stop on 8th St about 7:50 am. Meet at the south side of the main parking lot. No Bus Service. Leader: Michael Williams (306-242-5383) Leaders: Heather and Kyron Giroux (306-955-2473) Monday, October 13, 9:30 AM–11:30 AM Saturday, September 6 Woodlawn Cemetery and Weir Fall Bird Count Work up an appetite for Thanksgiving dinner by strolling through Woodlawn Join us to survey the Saskatoon district during the fall migration period. Novice Cemetery and visiting the weir. We’ll look for late fall migrants and early-returning birders will be assigned to an experienced leader. To register for the count, winter residents. phone Michael Williams by September 4 at 306-242-5383 or email Meet at the Cemetery’s gate, just off 33rd St. [email protected]. Leader: Michael Williams (306-242-5383).

Saturday, September 13, 2:00 PM–7:00 PM Young Naturalists Fall Picnic at Pike Lake Provincial Park The Young Naturalists is all about nature activities for kids and their families. We will drive the back roads on the way to the park and then walk the nature Each program offers trail. Bring your picnic supper. Meet at the Western Development Museum interesting activities geared for children aged 5 to 11 years. Children must be parking lot on Lorne Ave. Bus: Route 1 Exhibition departs the downtown terminal accompanied by a parent or guardian. Enrolment is limited on most programs, at 1:31 pm and arrives at the meeting place about 1:50 pm. so register early. To register or for more information, call 306-975-3042 or e-mail Leader: Hilda Noton (306-374-0674) [email protected]. Visit the Young Naturalists’ website for more information. www.saskatoonzoosociety.ca/programs/young-naturalists/ Saturday, September 27, 1:30 pm – 9:00 pm Outlook District Crane and Goose Trip Young Naturalists’ Grasslands Hike We will drive to look for concentrations of cranes and geese. Bring warm clothes Friday, August 15, 1:00 PM and a picnic supper and a flashlight. You may wish to bring a lawn chair or A walk on the habitat around Saskatoon’s Northeast Swale. Pre-registration is blanket to sit on when we view the cranes flying to the river at dusk. required. Meet at the Northeast Swale (map included with your registration). Meet at the Western Development Museum (WDM) parking lot on Lorne Ave. Cost: Free Some Useful Saskatchewan Nature and Wildlife Websites

Saskatchewan birding blog run by Nick Saunders at http://saskbirder. Fatbirder - Saskatchewan at http://fatbirder.com/links_geo/america_canada/ blogspot.com/ saskatchewan.html.

Birding in Saskatchewan at https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Saskbirds/ Tourism Saskatchewan at http://www.tourismsaskatchewan.com/things-to-do/ info outdoor-adventure/wildlife-viewing

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If you are planning on moving and wish to continue receiving Nature Views and Blue Jay, PLEASE notify the Nature Saskatchewan office in Regina at 306-780- 9273 or 1-800-667- 4668 (in SK only) during regular business hours Monday to Friday or anytime by fax at 306-780-9263 or e-mail at [email protected]. It is a waste of money and resources when you don’t as it costs Nature Saskatchewan for all returned mail. Thank you.

o Yes, I want to become a member of Nature Saskatchewan. Membership Fee $ ______I wish to make a tax-deductible donation to Nature Saskatchewan to support: o Please renew my membership o Operation Burrowing Owl $______o Land Conservation Fund $______o Last Mountain Bird Observatory $______Name: ______o Nature Legacy Fund $______Address: ______o Margaret Skeel Graduate Student Scholarship Fund $______City/ Town: ______o General Society Programs $ ______Province: ______Postal Code: ______Phone: ______Email: ______TOTAL PAYMENT $______Occupation/ Interests: ______I would like to pay by: o Cheque/money order o Visa o Mastercard Category One Year Three Year Five Year (Please make cheques payable to Nature Saskatchewan) Individual o $ 25 o $ 65 o $ 95 Income Tax receipts available for donations over $10.00. Family o $ 30 o $ 75 o $115 Card Number: ______Student o $ 15 Senior >64 o $ 20 o $ 50 o $ 75 Card Name: ______Foreign o $ 30 o $ 75 o $ 115 Institutional o $ 30 Signature: ______Expiry Date: ______Life o $ 600 Fall 2014 Nature Views

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