VOLUME 48 | NUMBER 3 | FALL 2018 SUGGESTED RETAIL: $10.00 CDN Nature CELEBRATING OUR NATURAL HERITAGE

THE STORY OF A VERY UNUSUAL COMMON LOON FAMILY. FEATURE STORY STARTS PAGE 22. BONNIE AND VICTOR HALL

feature article Baby “Loon” Story

NATURE ALBERTA A Very Merry Christmas to All From Nature Alberta! Nature Alberta: FALL 2018 3

Celebrating our natural heritage Nature Alberta is composed of natural history clubs from across the province. The aims of the Federation are: (a) To encourage among all Albertans, by all means possible, an increase in their knowledge of natural history and understanding of ecological processes; (b) To promote an increase in the exchange of information and views among natural history clubs and societies in Alberta; (c) To foster and assist in the formation of additional natural history clubs and societies in Alberta; Contents (d) To promote the establishment of natural areas and nature reserves, to conserve and protect species, communities or other features of interest; NATURE ALBERTA VOLUME 48, NUMBER 3, FALL 2018 (e) To organize, or coordinate symposia, conferences, field meetings, nature camps, research and other activities whether of a similar or dissimilar nature; (f) To provide the naturalists of Alberta with a forum in which questions Editor’s Page BY BROOK SKAGEN...... 2 relating to the conservation of the natural environment may be discussed, so that united positions can be developed on them, and to Alberta Issues in Brief...... 4 provide the means of translating these positions into appropriate actions. BOARD OF DIRECTORS May Species Count for Birds 2018 BY JUDY BOYD...... 6 PRESIDENT: Linda Howitt-Taylor VICE PRESIDENT: Kerri Charest Nature Alberta News...... 9 SECRETARY: Claudia Lipski TREASURER: Thomas Kwan Eyes on IBAs: The Kestrel Cavity BY BROOK SKAGEN...... 12 PAST PRESIDENT: Lu Carbyn APPOINTED DIRECTORS: Lu Carbyn, Ellyn Davidson, Linda Howitt-Taylor, Brian Joubert, Thomas Kwan In Memoriam: Jack Park...... 14 ELECTED DIRECTORS: Claudia Lipski, (BLN); Wayne and Joan Walker (CFNS); Kerri Charest, (ENC); Kim MacKenzie (ANPC); Elizabeth Watts (FEIS); Book Review: The Magnificent Nahanni: The Struggle to Protect Angela Turner (GN); Jennifer Okrainic (LLBBS); Ted Nanninga (LNS); a Wild Place...... 15 Margot Hervieux (PPN); Tony Blake (RDRN) STAFF: Brian Ilnicki (Exec. Dir.)

Interesting Use of a Bluebird Nestbox! ...... 21 CORPORATE MEMBER CLUBS Alberta Native Plant Council, Box 52099, Garneau P.O. , AB FEATURE ARTICLE – Spring Lake Baby “Loon” Story T6G 2T5 BY BONNIE AND VICTOR HALL...... 22 Naturalists, Box 1802, Stettler, AB T0C 2L0 Edmonton Nature Club, Box 1111, Edmonton, AB T5J 2M1 Friends of Elk Island Society, Box 70, 9929 – 63 Ave, Edmonton AB, T6E 0G9 Up Close Naturally: Ravens BY MARGOT HERVIEUX...... 26 Grasslands Naturalists, Box 2491, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8G8 Birding Society, Box 1270, Lac La Biche, AB T0A 2C0 Enlightenment – The Dying Age? BY LORNE FITCH...... 28 Lethbridge Naturalists Society, Box 1691, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4K4 Nature Calgary (CFNS), Box 981, Calgary, AB T2P 2K4 Comparison of Mammal Detections Using Trail Cameras and Peace Parkland Naturalists, Box 1451, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4Z2 Snow Tracking in Grazed and Ungrazed Aspen Parkland Naturalists, Box 785, Red Deer, AB T4N 5H2 at , Alberta BY LISA TAKATS PRIESTLEY...... 31 AFFILIATES: Alberta Lake Management Society Friends of Jasper National Park Alberta Lepidopterists’ Guild Friends of Little Beaver Lake Society Lending a Helping Hand BY MYRNA PEARMAN...... 39 Alberta Mycological Society Grant MacEwan Mountain Club Beaverhill Bird Observatory J.J. Collett Natural Area Foundation Celestial Happenings BY JOHN MCFAUL...... 43 Naturalist Club Kimiwan Lake Naturalists Bighill Creek Preservation Society Bird Observatory Environmental Support Society Little Creeks and Rough Fescue BowKan Birders Appreciation Society Calgary Area Nestbox Monitor Society Purple Martin Conservancy Calgary Bird Banding Society Riverlot 56 Natural Area Society PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY NATURE ALBERTA, Cochrane Environmental Action Stewards of Alberta’s Protected Areas 11759 GROAT ROAD, EDMONTON, AB T5M 3K6 Committee Association PHONE.780.427.8124 FAX.780.422.2663 Crooked Creek Conservancy Society The Wagner Natural Area Society EMAIL. [email protected] Crowsnest Conservation Society Vermilion River Naturalists Edmonton Native Plant Group Weaselhead/Glenmore Park Ellis Bird Farm Preservation Society EDITOR.DENNIS BARESCO ASSISTANT EDITOR.BROOK SKAGEN Fort Saskatchewan Naturalist Society Watershed and Lake Friends of Blackfoot Society Stewardship Assoc. [email protected] CIRCULATION.JAYNNE CARRE LAYOUT.BROKEN ARROW SOLUTIONS INC.

THANKS TO THE PROOFREADERS WHO ASSISTED IN PRODUCING THIS ISSUE: CELEBRATE NATURE ALBERTA SANDRA FOSS, SARAH LEETE, VAL SCHOLEFIELD. SERVING NATURE FOR OVER 45 YEARS!!! MANY THANKS TO THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS

WANT TO SUBMIT ARTICLES NATURE ALBERTA DEADLINES ARE: EDITORIAL DISCLAIMER OR PHOTOS? SPRING ISSUE.FEBRUARY 28 The opinions expressed by the authors in this publication do not GUIDELINES ARE AVAILABLE ON SUMMER ISSUE.MAY 31 necessarily reflect those of the editor and the Federation of Alberta THE NATURE ALBERTA WEBSITE: FALL ISSUE.AUGUST 31 Naturalists. The editor reserves the right to edit, reject or withdraw articles submitted. While due care will be taken of all manuscripts, WWW.NATUREALBERTA.CA WINTER ISSUE.NOVEMBER 30 photos or artwork submitted, FAN cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to such articles. Brook Skagen 4 NatureAlberta

Editor’s Page BY BROOK SKAGEN, ASSISTANT EDITOR Sentinels of the River Floodgate With October marking the peak of fire overtop a canvas of silt and Cottonwood forests are the autumn in southeastern Alberta, chilled air. only natural forests of the I found myself frequenting the southern prairies, occurring in The foliage of vibrant reds and valley. I became the nutrient-rich soils of river yellows provided stark contrast captivated by the transformative floodplains. Plains Cottonwood to the deep, dark furrows of world the winding paths wove (Populus deltoides) are the most ancient bark which bridged the me through, gripped by the way robust of three cottonwood cottonwood canopy with our vivid strokes of warmth delicately species in the river valley, world below, each patch of lichen coloured each blade of grass relying on recurrent flooding and crack of wood a testament to and barely-holding-on leaf, as if to provide saturated substrate the age of these river sentinels. the land itself were a portrait of free of competing vegetation.

 AUTUMN LEAVES, OF RED AND GOLD . BROOK SKAGEN 2018 FALL 2018 5

On the Covers:

FRONT COVER Bonnie and Victor Hall recently documented a pair of Common Loons Ancestors of the singed, that attempted to raise, not a baby loon which you would hope for flooded, and renewed, and expect, but rather a gosling. The parents, sadly, didn’t appear to notice the difference – or perhaps they did, but decided to raise it generations of cottonwoods anyway! The fascinating story begins on page 22. have towered over prairie channels for thousands of years, bearing witness INSIDE FRONT COVER to the herds of grazing Good tidings we bring bison, raging wildfires, and To you and your kin; sweeping floods which Good tidings for Christmas shaped Alberta’s prairies. I And a happy New Year! can’t help but feel humble We wish you a Merry Christmas as I saunter through the We wish you a Merry Christmas stand. We wish you a Merry Christmas And a happy New Year!

Sources INSIDE BACK COVER MULTISAR. 2015. Cottonwood The Common Yellowthroat is . . . well, Forests (Information relatively common; it can be found throughout Brochure). 4pp. Available North America. Seeing it is another matter. at: http://multisar.ca/wp- It spends much of its time in thick brush content/uploads/2015/10/ and often close to water. If it wasn’t for its cottonwoods2.pdf rather loud and unique voice, “wich –i – ty, wich –i – ty, wich –i – ty”, it might often escape notice. Lu Carbyn, fortunately, saw this specimen. Why is Claudia Lipski smiling? There are probably many reasons, not the least is the award she received. See the story on pg 9. Bald-faced hornets are said to be beneficial due to their predation PAVAN PARK IN LETHBRIDGE. of flies, caterpillars, and spiders. However, they exhibit an extremely BROOK SKAGEN 2018 aggressive defensive nature. They vigorously defend the nest, with workers stinging repeatedly. And if they don’t get you that way, they can also squirt or spray venom from the stinger into your eyes, causing immediate eye watering and temporary blindness. See the story of a strange nest site, pg 21.

BACK COVER House Finches have discovered that people provide them with amazingly plentiful and superb nest sites: nestboxes, ledges, corners of buildings – but hanging baskets? Never let it be said that a House Finch will look the proverbial gift horse in the mouth. Myrna Pearman relates the occurrence and unusual nesting habit of Haemorhous mexicanus starting on pg 39.

Want to Switch your subscription from hard copy to the full Phone today: (780) 427.8124; or Switch? COLOUR e-version and get even GREATER enjoyment Email us: [email protected] or of Nature Alberta while REDUCING paper use. [email protected] 6 NatureAlberta

ALBERTA ISSUES IN BRIEF

UPDATE: Black Bear Cubs Given Reprieve WITH INFORMATION FROM THE CALGARY HERALD In the Summer edition (Vol 48, us,” said Clio Smeeton, president basis, and the province said it will No 2) of Nature Alberta, Clio of the Institute. “In the case of work with the Cochrane Institute Smeeton told how two orphaned Maskwa and Charlie, the decision during the winter to “monitor the Black Bear cubs that she was is to keep them over winter, bears and to ensure that every caring for at her Cochrane which is a brilliant thing.” (The action aligns with evidence and Ecological Institute would likely cubs have been given the names best practice.” be in mortal danger if she was Charlie and “Maskwa” – which Smeeton said the cubs were forced to release them in October, is Cree for “bear”.) Smeeton likely born between January and which is when Alberta Fish and said rehabilitated bears released February and would have spent the Wildlife ruled it must occur. Now in their first year have only a upcoming winter hibernating with however, the cubs are more than 30 per cent chance of survival their mother. While the province’s twice as likely to survive in the — much lower than the 80 per decision means Maskwa and wild after the province agreed cent survival rate for bear cubs Charlie have a much better chance to allow the pair to be held until released in their second year. of survival, Smeeton said there is early next year. The ban is still in place for a no guarantee the bears will make it The province met with ecologists, whole plethora of other species, to adulthood. “They could still be who feared the cubs would end including Grizzly Bear cubs. The eaten post-release, but they have a up in the stomachs of larger new Black Bear protocol allows better chance now,” she said. predators if released on the for exemptions on a case-by-case provincially mandated date of Oct. 15. The result: The Institute has been given permission to hibernate the bears until 2019. “A lot was discussed and I’m very happy to say that the cubs will be wintered here with

CHARLIE, A CINNAMON- COLOURED BLACK BEAR CUB, IS ONE OF TWO BRUINS WHO WILL HIBERNATE AT THE COCHRANE ECOLOGICAL INSTITUTE THIS WINTER AFTER THE PROVINCE DECIDED NOT TO FORCE THE CUBS’ RELEASE UNTIL 2019. CLIO SMEETON FALL 2018 7

A Case of Poaching? The site Tourists Against Trophy and confirmation that Hunting (TATH) recently ran an this report is in fact article and picture, which was accurate. Brendan Cox, taken, according to TATH, in Communications Advisor, Kananaskis area in September. It Justice and Solicitor shows a grizzly (allegedly illegal), General, Communications a bighorn sheep illegal to hunt in and Public Engagement POACHERS. this area, a trophy bull elk, bows with the Government of and guns out of season, and a Alberta, answered immediately: We continue to receive and black bear – and three men posed “Hi there. In case you haven’t gather information. No charges with their kills. heard back from anyone else have been laid, and no further One of the hunters carries a First on this, I can tell you that fish information is available at this Nations card; the other two are and wildlife officers received time.” trophy hunters. TATH are told a statement asserting that all Given that only one of the men wildlife authorities are aware the animals were harvested was apparently of the First but are not responding. This under the authority of treaty Nations and that all three of them is a matter that hopefully will rights. All required documents appear masked, we still have be addressed; TATH has “every were produced, and required some questions. We will follow up reason to believe it is not an registrations were completed. if and when we know more. isolated issue.” Nonetheless, we have received Nature Alberta has contacted (on several complaints regarding the Nov 14) Report a Poacher and photo, and as part of standard Fish and Wildlife for clarification procedure, we are investigating.

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online: www.naturealberta.ca Full details, including rates and sizes, are available at: email: [email protected] phone: (780) 427 – 8124 8 NatureAlberta

BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, SEEN ONLY May Species Count AT FORT MACMURRAY. AUDUBON.ORG for Birds 2018 BY JUDY BOYD

The number of species went down in 2018: from 271 last year to 264 this year; but the number of individual birds went up: 185,676 last year to 207,440. In 2017, the three most numerous species were the Franklin’s Gull (29,431), Canada Goose (12,184), and Red-winged Blackbird (10,071).

In 2018, the 3 most numerous This year, 30 species were found Warbler, Black-throated Green species were the Franklin’s in only one location around the Warbler, Harris’s Sparrow at Fort Gull (38,215), Canada Goose province: McMurray (first time counted (10,561), and Cliff Swallow since 2006); Dusky Grouse, American Black Duck, Black- (10,453). Wild Turkey, Black-chinned backed Woodpecker, Bay-breasted FALL 2018 9

Hummingbird, Clark’s Fort McMurray and Milk River; American Coot, Tree Swallow, Nutcracker at Crowsnest Pass; Winter Wren at Fort McMurray Barn Swallow, Clay-coloured Clark’s Grebe, Bullock’s Oriole and Lac La Biche; Veery at Sparrow. This year 10 species at Taber/Vauxhall; Yellow Crowsnest Pass and Waterton; were found in all but two areas: Rail, White-rumped Sandpiper, Common Nighthawk at Northern Shoveler, Lesser Scaup, Blackburnian Warbler, Rusty Medicine Hat and Waterton; Red-tailed Hawk, Killdeer, Black- Blackbird at ; Yellow-breasted Chat at billed Magpie, American Crow, Western Sandpiper at Milk Medicine Hat and Milk River. House Wren, European Starling, River; Dunlin, American Pipit, Common Yellowthroat and Last year we had 3 species in Nelson’s Sparrow, Snowy Chipping Sparrow. all areas. This year we had 7 Egret (count week bird - first species in all areas: Canada time counted since 2006), Goose, Mallard, Blue-winged Little Blue Heron (count Teal, American Robin, Yellow week bird - first time counted Warbler, Song Sparrow, and since 2006) at Calgary; Red-winged Blackbird. Burrowing Owl, Northern Mockingbird, Scarlet Tanager Last year 10 species were at Brooks; Steller’s Jay at found in all but one area, Waterton; Nashville Warbler and 5 species were found in at Lethbridge; Indigo Bunting, all but two areas. This year Common Redpoll at Medicine 8 species were found in all Hat; Golden-crowned Sparrow but one area: Ring-necked at BowKan. Duck, Wilson’s Snipe, Sora, 21 species were found in 2 locations around the province: Whimbrel, Ruddy Turnstone, Long-billed Dowitcher were seen at Brooks and Calgary; Red-breasted Merganser at THE THIRD MOST NUMEROUS SPECIES WAS CLIFF SWALLOW. BIRDSCALGARY.COM Brooks and Taber; Pectoral Sandpiper, Lark Bunting at Brooks and Milk River; Least Sandpiper at Brooks and Cold Lake; Bobolink at Brooks and Medicine Hat; Rough-legged Hawk, Great Gray Owl at Calgary and ; Barred Owl at Calgary and Crooked Lake; American Three-toed Woodpecker at Calgary and Fort McMurray; Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Tundra Swan at Calgary and Crowsnest Pass; Sedge Wren, Chestnut-sided Warbler at Calgary and Cold Lake; Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at 10 NatureAlberta

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Nature Alberta NEWS

AGM Dec 8 Nature Alberta (Federation of Alberta Naturalists (FAN)) will be holding our Annual General Meeting of Members on Saturday, December 8, 2018 starting at 3:00 pm. The meeting will be held at the offices of Land Stewardship Centre located at 17503 – 45 Avenue, Edmonton. Watch the next edition for information on what has occurred. Awards Given 2018 FRANK AND ALICE HARPER AWARD: CLAUDIA LIPSKI BY MARIE PAYNE, CHRIS PFEIFLE, MARK AND JENNIFER HIGGINS

their extraordinary work for the member of various nature Lethbridge Naturalists Society. clubs and attends activities all across Alberta. She is always The Buffalo Lake Nature Club an eager advocate for Nature nominated Claudia Lipski for Alberta and their public/ this award for 2018. Claudia citizen-science programs has been a very active member and activities, sharing Nature of the BLNC for almost 15 Alberta brochures and years. Over the years, she has information with others. She held most of the positions is comfortable networking on the Executive, and, in with individuals or large 2008, she was President / groups, from young children to Secretary, Reporter and the renowned scientists. Nature Alberta Alternative Representative. In 2010, Claudia’s love of nature is Named for respected Alberta Claudia became the fulltime contagious; her enthusiasm naturalists, Frank and Alice representative on the Nature encourages others to learn Harper, this award is presented Alberta board, a position she about and participate in annually to an exceptional still holds today as well as activities related to Alberta’s individual in recognition of his serving as secretary. natural history. She has or her outstanding dedication been an instrumental force Claudia is a self-taught to a natural history club, or for Citizen Science and Naturalist and eager to attend clubs, in Alberta. Recipients’ Stewardships projects within programs and seminars to accomplishments follow the the Buffalo Lake Nature Club. expand her knowledge and example set by the Harpers in Also, she has been a great understanding. She is a 12 NatureAlberta

resource when setting up the responsible for overseeing the person to keep up with; she program and speaker schedule EBF bluebird trail and banding travels far and wide to attend for the BLNC. both Mountain Bluebirds and seminars, talks, meetings Purple Martins. She seems to and walks, bird banding, or Claudia is always sharing be the happiest when leading nest box trails. Despite her her knowledge with others young children: teaching them busyness, she is very reliable especially with children. In the to observe, experience and and never neglects her past she was very active as a appreciate nature. responsibilities. Girl Guide leader. Presently, she oversees the development and Claudia is a very generous These are some of the delivery of school programs, and helpful person, always extraordinary traits that make special events and the knee- thinking of others and offering Claudia Lipski deserving of the high nature programs at the to volunteer for many different Frank and Alice Harper Award. Ellis Bird Farm (EBF) and is projects. She is a difficult

2018 LORAN GOULDEN MEMORIAL AWARD: DAVE EALEY BY LU CARBYN

out 5 different BBS (Breeding Alberta Naturalist (now Nature Bird Survey) routes for over Alberta). He compiled articles 20 years (a remarkable relating to recent literature record) and became involved, on Alberta’s natural history almost continuously, in CBC for many years. He served on (Christmas Bird Counts) the Alberta Fish and Wildlife from the time he came to Advisory Committee on behalf Edmonton in the mid-1970s. of FAN for a number of years That involvement included and became involved in the not just being a participant planning and development of but also a leader coordinator the first Alberta Bird Atlas. of the zone captains, compiler Dave worked as a wildlife and coordinator of the data consultant throughout western collected. He served as Dave Ealey has been awarded and northern Canada. One treasurer and president of the the 2018 Nature Alberta Loran project conducted in the Edmonton Bird Club in the Goulden Memorial Award. mid-1980s was of particular mid-1990s and was involved in Dave has been a tireless worker longstanding importance. He leading birding field trips for on behalf of conservation in carried out the first survey many years in the Edmonton Alberta for many years. He of natural areas within area. graduated with a B.Sc. Honours the boundary of the City degree from Queen’s University Dave did not direct his of Edmonton. This was a in 1974 and with an M.Sc. from efforts only at the local level. thorough examination, outside the University of Alberta in He served as treasurer and of the river valley and ravine 1977. president of Nature Alberta system, of the numerous small (at the time the organization natural communities and Volunteer conservation was known as FAN) and wetlands that then existed activities included carrying was an assistant editor of the within the city limits. This FALL 2018 13 survey has been built on and avoid criticism of conflict with In summary, Dave Ealey is very refined by succeeding surveys his job as Communications worthy of receiving Nature and has influenced Edmonton’s Officer for Alberta Sustainable Alberta’s highest recognition Natural Systems Policy and Resource Development. He for exemplary service to practice. remained a member though, Alberta’s conservation efforts. and continued to frequent He worked tirelessly over a Professionally, Dave Ealey was and volunteer in the Area, 40-year period and doing so the provincial Communications conducting annual May Bird in a very professional manner Officer, Web Coordinator and Counts, for example, and - keeping a low profile yet Issues Manager for Alberta eagerly rejoined the Society’s achieving a great deal in Environment and Sustainable board soon after his retirement supporting numerous groups in Resource Development. He from his government position their efforts. retired after 23 years in the in 2012. He served as the provincial government. He also Society’s treasurer for 3 years has many years of experience and recently became president. as a technical and freelance editor for private consulting Dave came to Wagner Natural agencies and for government Area Society as an inspiration departments. He has been to an aging board, several of active, for many years, with the whom had served for over Alberta Society of Professional 25 years and some of whom Biologists as a director, treasurer were now suffering from and chair of the Awards mobility problems. Dave Committee. was not entirely fresh blood, because of his earlier service, More recently Dave Ealey has which meant that he already taken on two new areas of understood the challenges of responsibilities – the first is managing natural areas as a Nature Alberta & assisting a group of volunteers volunteer steward, but as a in a bird banding project in one new retiree free to indulge his of EALT’s potential land trust passion for natural history and areas: The Visser Conservation its communication, he was Nature Alberta wants you to know Lands, located in northeast fresh enough! that Nature Alberta has its own Edmonton, extend over 233 YouTube channel now. All kinds acres and include precious of “good stuff” is there for you to agricultural lands and the view. Visit: largest patch of old growth forest within city limits. He also youtube.com/naturealberta rejoined the Wagner Natural Area Board of Directors and has been very instrumental in reviving activities with that natural area. Dave had originally joined the board of directors of Wagner Natural Area Society (founded 1982) in the 1990s but reluctantly had to resign to 14 NatureAlberta

Eyes on IBAs Brook Skagen The Kestrel Cavity BY BROOK SKAGEN

Kleeee kleeee… kleeee kleeee … an excitable chatter carried through the coulee, its tone new to me, yet so familiar. I silently strolled across the campground in search of the source, sprinkling my boots with morning dew as blades of Kentucky Bluegrass bowed with every step.

My eyes immediately fixated on a cavity bored into the side an old balsam poplar tree, its bent branches creaking in the prairie wind; I moved closer. As the sound grew in volume and intensity, I was able to make out not one, not two, but four distinct voices coming from the tree. Then, a curious face peeked out from the poplar, its eyes partially masked by shadows and distinct stripes; I was face to face with an American Kestrel (Falco sparverius). I had conducted many site monitoring visits at the McGregor Lake and Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA), always sure to stop and search for migrant birds amidst

AMERICAN KESTRELS WILL UTILIZE OLD WOODPECKER HOLES, TREE HOLLOWS, AND ROCK CREVICES AS NESTING SITES, WHERE THEY WILL LAY AN AVERAGE OF 4-5 EGGS. THE NESTLING PERIOD LASTS APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS. BROOK SKAGEN FALL 2018 15

THOUGH THE AMERICAN KESTREL IS ALBERTA’S MOST WIDESPREAD FALCON, THE SPECIES HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS ‘SENSITIVE’ IN THE PROVINCE DUE TO SIGNIFICANT DECLINES IN THE PRAIRIE AND PARKLAND REGIONS. KEN ORICH 2018 the planted stands of poplar and July of last year. I was equally Subregion, land use in the spruce in Little Bow Provincial astonished to find that the nest surrounding area is dominated Park. From Western Tanager and was successful, as another juvenile by cropland, cattle, and industry. Baltimore Oriole to Bald Eagle poked its head from the safety of Like most large waterbodies in the and Chestnut-collared Longspur, the tree trunk. Yet there it was, the prairies, both McGregor Lake and I’ve been fortunate enough to nest of a small and mighty prairie Travers Reservoir were developed document an extraordinary array raptor, right in the heart of the as a means of storing water from of species within the prairie IBA. campground, barely fifty meters the Little for use in I have even seen Kestrels in the from a children’s playground and irrigated farming. The distant park on more than one occasion, freshly-raked beach, with white reflection of rotating wind turbines silently swooping from tree to tree blades of winding turbines faintly located just south of the IBA are in search of prey, unbeknownst rotating in the distance. always in view. Nonetheless, the to the splashing swimmers, importance of these reservoirs Habitat within the McGregor bobbing boaters, and campground extends far beyond that of their Lake and Travers Reservoir IBA loungers below. agricultural purpose, with tens of and surrounding area is far thousands of migrating waterfowl However, I was surprised to find from pristine. Located in the and waterbirds sharing the open the Sensitive species breeding south of Vulcan County, within water of these man-made lakes amidst so much activity in the Mixedgrass Prairie Natural 16 NatureAlberta

with swimming, splashing and and geese on the move, or does Sources smiling campers annually. the knock-off shoreline leave Bird Studies Canada. 2018. Important Bird their options limited? If fledging Areas Canada: McGregor Lake and It’s environments like Little Bow warblers are found foraging on Travers Reservoir (webpage). Available Provincial Park that cause me at: https://www.ibacanada.org/site. Russian Olive branches, did they to ponder not only the value jsp?siteID=AB016 choose the shrub, or did the shrub of “artificial” habitats, but the Cornell University. 2017. All About Birds: leave little choice? very definition of them. Do American Kestrel (webpage). Available the cavities of planted poplars These are but some of the at: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/ American_Kestrel/lifehistory provide the stable security the questions I am left with as I watch Alberta Environment and Parks. 2015. Alberta kestrel family needs, or do the falcon family perform their Wild Species General Status Listing they merely perform as cheap morning routine, wrapping up (2015). Available at: https://open.alberta. counterfeits when compared to another morning spent in an IBA ca/publications/alberta-wild-species- a stand of cottonwood trees? Do with a beaming smile, sense of general-status-listing-2015 the funnelled waters of these wonder, and new answers on the reservoirs provide an adequate workings of nature to uncover. place of rest for weary ducks Happy Birding!

MemoriamIn JACK PARK. Jack Park SEPTEMBER 25, 1933 - SEPTEMBER 25, 2018 THE BREEDING BIRD SURVEY (BBS) FAMILY

It is with deep sadness that we coordinator (1971-2018). He his wife of 55 years, Eleanora, as inform you of the death of our was instrumental in bringing the well as his family and friends. beloved regional BBS coordinator BBS to Alberta and maintaining Jack was such an integral part of for Alberta (recently retired), Jack volunteer interest and enthusiasm the BBS family that we would like Park. for the survey. This loss will be to honour him. We have enquired felt across the birding community Up until just this past June, he about the possibility of donating throughout all of Canada as his had been the only coordinator to a charity in his honour, dedication to birds was without that Alberta had ever had and measure. Our thoughts are with our longest-serving volunteer FALL 2018 17

BOOK REVIEW The Magnificent Nahanni: The Struggle to Protect a Wild Place REVIEWED BY GEORGE W. SCOTTER

Since the early 1970’s a plethora permanently protect this iconic of articles and books were national park. published on the Nahanni The book starts with a forward National Park Reserve and the by Harvey Locke, a leader in the surrounding area. The subjects efforts to expand the National of these are wide ranging from Park Reserve, acknowledgements, river guides, to natural history, to Gordon Nelson. 2017. University of introduction, and a note on books with photographic images Regina Press. 304 pages. $34.95 CAD, terminology. The main text of of the scenery and wildlife of the Paper. the book is divided into three watershed. parts. Part I “The Wonders of the Other books detail the life and Nahanni: Planning for a National journals of R. M. Patterson, Park Reserve” comprises three boundaries of the reserve a British adventurer who chapters. Chapter 1 extols the were clearly gerrymandered to challenged the wilderness of many natural wonders of the reduce conflict with mining, the Nahanni from 1927 – 1929. Nahanni, some of which are Dall’s sheep hunting, and First Based on his adventure in the illustrated in 30 coloured plates Nations’ interests. However, Nahanni, Patterson’s best-selling later in the book. Nelson often the reserve was created book “The Dangerous River” turns to the writings of Patterson without detailed consultation was published in 1954. The and other travellers such as Pierre and consideration of the First latest book The Magnificent Berton, Fenley Hunter, and Dick Nations of the region. As a Nahanni: The Struggle to Turner to illustrate the beauty result, the Dehcho and Sahtu Protect a Wild Place by Gordon and nearly pristine features of this peoples resisted expansion of Nelson includes some of the wildland. the reserve until cooperation same material as the others but In Chapter 2 Nelson analyses by Parks Canada led to with greater emphasis on the the ideas, policies, and practices suitable conditions for an natural and human history and behind the creation of the small agreement. The cooperative particularly on national park reserve that was process and the conditions of the four decades formed in 1976. The original the agreement are described long struggle to by Nelson.

George Scotter was the study team leader that prepared the report on the ecology of the South Nahanni and Flat River areas that outlined possible boundaries for a National Park Reserve. Other members included Norman M. Simmons, Hilah L. Simmons, and Stephen C. Zoltai. 18 NatureAlberta

Nelson could have pointed out more clearly that Parks Canada’s original concept for a national park in the Nahanni was little more than the wild river bounded by a narrow strip of land on either side. The Canadian Wildlife Service study team (Scotter et al. 1971) proposed a much larger reserve than originally suggested by Parks Canada, for which they were strongly criticized by some Parks Canada staff. The boundaries of the reserve, as determined by Parks Canada, were considerably smaller than that proposed by the study team, DALL’S SHEEP EWES WITH THEIR LAMBS NEAR THE SAFETY OF ROCKY CLIFFS ON THE but much larger than the original TLOGOTSHO PLATEAU. NORMAN M. SIMMONS wild river concept. The almost total exclusion of the Nahanni Plateau and Tlogotsho caribou, Grizzly and other large Territories, Norman Simmons, Plateau, both prime habitats for animals that inhabit the Nahanni proposed the establishment of Dall’s sheep, was particularly watershed. They understood that a national wildlife area to fully galling to the study team. The protecting the whole watershed protect Dall’s sheep on the study team clearly understood was the ideal; but politics, mining Tlogotsho Plateau, but without that the principles of park interests, outfitting for Dall’s success. sheep, and indigenous peoples’ planning were being overlooked In Chapter 3 Nelson describes rights did not allow that to be and that the reserve was much new concepts about landscape considered in the 1970’s. Later too small to meet the year-long ecology, conservation biology, in his career as Superintendent habitats requirements of the and the ecological integrity theory. of Game for the Northwest Improved tools such as remote sensing, DNA determination from hair samples, and geographical information systems (GIS) were providing much improved information on the large animals and their habitats. Both the new concepts and results from use of the improved research tools by the geomorphologist and

CARIBOU AND OTHER LARGE ANIMALS ARE WIDE RANGING AND IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO MEET THEIR YEAR-LONG REQUIREMENTS IN THE SMALL RESERVE AS ESTABLISH IN 1976. THE SIX-FOLD INCREASE IN THE SIZE OF THE RESERVE IN 2009 BETTER MEETS THE HABITAT REQUIREMENTS OF LARGER ANIMALS. NORMAN M. SIMMONS FALL 2018 19 limestone expert, Derek Ford, as well as the ecological work of John Weaver, indicated that the reserve was much too small in size. The ecological integrity concept supported long-term traditional uses such as hunting, fishing, and other activities. That combined with a more co- operative approach by the federal government with indigenous peoples and conservation organizations, resulted in a six- THE ROOF, FLOOR, AND WALLS OF GROTTO VALERIE CAVE, IN FIRST CANYON, ARE FESTOONED fold expansion of the Reserve in WITH STALACTITES AND STALAGMITES WITH UNUSUAL COLORS. DALL’S SHEEP SKELETONS DATING 2009. BACK ABOUT 2500 YEAR WERE ALSO PRESENT IN THE CAVE. GEORGE W. SCOTTER Part II is titled “Why and how the Natural Qualities of the Nahanni chapters, again emphasizing the A second major challenge identified were Conserved in the Past.” ecological integrity of the Nahanni by Nelson related to boundaries Chapters 4 and 5 focus on the fur and the reasons for it. for the Nááts’ hch’oh National trade and native trade networks in Park Reserve. Three options with Part III “The Struggle Continues” is both the early nineteenth century a schematic of those options are covered in two chapters. Chapter and in the later part of that presented. The government chose 8 describes the major challenges century. These chapters consider the least protective, excluding and opportunities facing the the fur trade in the Pacific some key caribou and Grizzly reserve. Chief among those threats Northwest including the Russian habitat as well as lands considered are mining activities, particularly trade in what is now Alaska and sacred by the indigenous people. the Prairie Creek mine a few northern British Columbia. Nevertheless, much of the Nahanni kilometres north of Deadmen River headwaters were protected Chapter 6 considers the mining Valley on the South Nahanni in the Nááts’ hch’oh National Park and mixed economy of the River. Nelson summarizes a long Reserve. Combining these two areas Nahanni region. Sporadic list of specific concerns about the constitutes one of the largest park prospecting for gold and other potential impacts of the mining complexes in the world. Without minerals continued from the operation on the unique karst the collaboration and consensus Klondike gold rush days until the topography, the abundance of of the Dehcho and Sahtu Dene 1960’s. Larger mining companies wildlife, and possible pollution First Nations, it would never have largely replaced individual of Prairie Creek and the Nahanni happened. The 40 years of struggle prospectors. Neither the fur trade, River. The tungsten mine on the - by many people, organizations nor native trading, nor prospecting headwaters of the Flat River, such as The Canadian Parks and by individuals had notable impact which operates sporadically Wilderness Society, Nahanni River on the Nahanni. Because of its depending on mineral prices, may Adventures and indigenous peoples remoteness, difficult access, severe have toxic waste and cleanup - to have the greater part of the climate, and ragged terrain the problems. Potential impacts of watershed protected was well worth ecological integrity of the Nahanni new mines near Macmillan Pass the effort. The area now protected was unimpaired during this two- and Howard’s Pass, near the is about nine times larger than the century long period. Chapter 7 is Yukon/Northwest Territories original reserve. a summary of the previous three boundary, are not mentioned. 20 NatureAlberta

of learning where the Dehcho and Sahtu peoples, both young and old, could come into contact with their land in a historical way might be considered. Reclaiming the past and embracing the future may be positive benefits for the indigenous peoples of the area. The last chapter is devoted to a thoughtful analysis of new planning and management theories for national parks and similar areas. The concept of ‘total protection’ without human interference is challenged. Arguments for fundamental shifts in the paradigm for management of such areas are presented. There is an examination of the roles of indigenous peoples and local communities and institutions in the administration and management of such areas. These new theories will be tested over time, and undoubtedly additional ones will be suggested. Comparisons are presented between what was done in the Nahanni with other places in the world. The emphasis is on the significance of co-operation in research, planning, and management of national parks and similar areas by government, non-governmental conservation organizations, and indigenous peoples. GLACIER LAKE, WITH MOUNT SIR JAMES MACBRIEN TOWERING TO 1770 METRES. THE The three parts are followed by AREA, WHICH IS RENOWNED FOR ROCK CLIMBING, WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RESERVE two appendices, detailed chapter ESTABLISHED IN 1976. GEORGE W. SCOTTER by chapter notes, references, and an index. Thirty coloured photos Benefits may include increased lifestyle. Other benefits could and 15 maps are included as well. tourism for the economic include development of a research Gordon Nelson is an influential advantage of the indigenous centre to better document the thinker, a well-respected voice, peoples that may help them people of the area and other and a scholar on protected maintain a more traditional aspects of the ecosystem. Centres area management and FALL 2018 21 public involvement. He has done research on planning, conservation, land use, and on national parks since the 1960’s; publishing numerous papers, reports and books on those subjects. Since Nelson is one of the keenest students on park and protected areas, I had high expectations while reading and reviewing his latest book. He did not disappoint! The book will be of wide interest to park and wilderness planners, landscape managers, scientists, historians, conservationists, decision makers, travelers to the Nahanni, indigenous peoples, and the curious public. VIRGINIA FALLS WITH WATER PLUNGING TO THE FABLED SOUTH NAHANNI RIVER Nelson discusses glacial retreat, IS A PARAMOUNT FEATURE OF NAHANNI NATIONAL PARK. THE RIVER BELOW WAS global warming, climate change SPARED FROM THE PROPOSED HYDRO DAMS. GEORGE W. SCOTTER and the possible increases in wild fire. According to Price et al. (2013), the climate of northern population was responsible. outline the power potential on Canada is changing, with increase The worm was considered to be the South Nahanni. That report in temperatures in the boreal harmless to White-tailed Deer but is of historical significance in the forest occurring more rapidly than fatal to caribou. If the population fight to preserve the Nahanni and in the past, particularly in the of White-tailed Deer continue to should be mentioned. move northward and increase in northwest. Based on the recent On page 114 Nelson cites the numbers could they be a threat to fire situation in western Canada, cave and karst explorations of caribou in the reserve because of wild fires may be one of the major the adventurer, Jean Poirel and the potential disease issue? challenges to the reserve. Parks mentions there were about 120 Canada’s fire response policy may A few minor items should be Dall’s sheep remains in Grotte need to be revised with that in noted. In the early 1970’s the Valerie. On 19 September 1971 mind. proposal for hydropower dams Scotter and Simmons (1976) A more speculative threat is a on the South Nahanni River was a classified the remains according possible disease issue. Scotter major issue. Several possible sites to age classes and sex. Only 92 (1974) documented White-tailed for dams were identified with the Dall’s sheep were found within Deer in the lower Nahanni and area immediately below Virginia that cave. It appeared that skulls other parts of the southwestern Fall having the greatest potential from six large rams had been District of the Mackenzie. for power production. What were removed. Is the discrepancy in Caribou disappeared from Cape Canadians to have – a power numbers due to counting errors Breton in the 1920’s and after dam or a national park? Nelson or additional looting and, if so, by being reintroduced in 1968 and mentioned the conflict but not whom? Looting of specimens of 1969. It was hypothesized that a with the emphasis that it deserved. such paleo-zoological interest is brain disease caused by a worm He failed to cite the report by T. inexcusable. Scotter and Simmons found in the White-tailed Deer Ingledow & Associates (1969) that were careful to take only hair 22 NatureAlberta

and small fragments of horn and River Basin, Yukon and Northwest Canadian Field-Naturalist 88(2): cartilage for Carbon-14 dating. The Territories. Department of Indian 487-489. hair and fragments were dated as Affairs and Northern Development, Scotter, G. W. and N. M. Simmons. 1976. Ottawa. Unpublished report. 139 pp Mortality of Dall’s Sheep (Ovis dalli) about 2,500 years old. plus maps and appendixes. within a cave, Nahanni National The Magnificent Nahanni: The Price, D. T., R. I. Alfaro, K. J. Brown, Park, Northwest Territories. Journal Struggle to Protect a Wild Place M. D. Flannigan, R. A. Fleming, E. of Mammalogy 57(2): 387-389. H. Hogg, M. P. Girardin, T. Lakusta, has made two short lists for Scotter, G. W., N. M. Simmons, H. L. M. Johnston, D. W. McKenny, J. H. Simmons, and S. C. Zoltai. 1971. awards to date, one for a leading Pedlar, T. Stratton, R. N. Sturrock, I. Ecology of the South Nahanni educational book published in D. Thompson, J. A. Trofymow, and and Flat River areas. Canadian Saskatchewan and another under L. A. Venter. 2013. Anticipating the Wildlife Service, Edmonton, Alberta. the environment and ecology consequences of climate change for Unpublished report. 186 pp plus 6 theme by INDIE, the association Canada’s Boreal forest ecosystems. maps. Enviromental Reviews 21(4): 322- of university and small press 365. publishers in North America. Both Scotter, G. W. 1974. White-tailed Deer awards would be well deserved. and Mule Deer observations in the southwestern District of the Literature Cited Mackenzie, Northwest Territories. Ingledow & Associates Limited,T. 1969. Power survey of the Liard

THE SAND BLOWOUTS, ABOVE YOHIN LAKE, ARE UNUSUAL FEATURES WHERE FINE-GAINED SANDSTONE HAS BEEN WIND- ERODED INTO ORNATELY SCULPTURED TERRACES AT RABBITKETTLE HOT UNUSUAL SHAPES. THE ERODED ARCHES, CAVES, AND PEDESTALS ARE SPRINGS, RANGING FROM A FEW CENTIMETRES TO THREE SURROUNDED BY A FLOOR OF POWDER-FINE SAND AND THOUSANDS METRES IN HEIGHT, DESCEND IN STEPS FROM CLEAR, WARM- OF SMALL ROUND BALLS OF SANDSTONE ABOUT THE SIZE OF WATER AT THE TOP. GEORGE W. SCOTTER MARBLES. GEORGE W. SCOTTER FALL 2018 23 Interesting Use of a Bluebird Nestbox!

Myrna Pearman sent this photo by Dr. Margo Pybus to NA. Myrna suggested it might be Bald-faced Hornet but wanted to check with Dr. Kenneth Fry, Instructor of the School of Animal Science and Horticulture at Olds College. Ken responded:

MARGO PYBUS Judging by the size of the nest, that it is an aerial nest, and by the construction, it is possible it is the nest of the Bald-faced Hornet, Dolichovespula maculata. To be certain you would need to open the nest and there should be a few adults inside (dead at this point in time so safe to inspect). Dolichovespula maculata is called the “Bald-faced Hornet” but it is not a true hornet [it is a yellowjacket wasp -- Ed]. There are no true hornets native to North America. It is called a “hornet” because its size is reminiscent of the large true hornets in the Old World and was called a “hornet” by European colonists that encountered it here in North America. True hornets are in the genus Vespa. There is one species, V. crabro, that has been introduced to North America but it is limited to the northeastern U.S. There are six species of Dolichovespula in Alberta and all are normally aerial nesters. The species in the genus Vespula are normally ground nesters (13 species in Alberta). Thank you, Ken!

BALD-FACED HORNET 24 NatureAlberta

FEATURE ARTICLE

MAY 5, 2018: THE ICE IS OFF OF THE LAKE, AND WE ARE LAUNCHING THE NESTING PLATFORM. THE LOON BEGAN TO FOLLOW TO ENSURE PROPER PLACEMENT FOR THEIR LIKING. Spring Lake Baby “Loon” Story PHOTOS AND DOCUMENTATION BY BONNIE AND VICTOR HALL

MAY 13, THE LOONS ARE STARTING TO NEST; BOTH PARENTS TAKE TURNS SITTING ON THE EGGS.

WAITING PATIENTLY…GETTING CLOSE TO HATCHING (JUNE 6). THEY ARE NOT OFF THE NEST VERY MUCH. FALL 2018 25

OUR FIRST SIGHTING OF THE BABY WAS ON JUNE 12. WE OBSERVED THE OTHER ADULT BRINGING FOOD TO THE NEST ON JUNE 10. WE THOUGHT IT WAS FOR THE ADULT ON THE NEST AS IT WAS CLOSE TO HATCHING THE EGG. IT SEEMS IT MAY HAVE BEEN TO FEED THE YOUNG ONE AS THE WEATHER JUNE 9, 10 AND 11 WAS RAINY, WINDY AND COLD. THIS IS FIRST FAMILY PHOTO TAKEN ON JUNE 13.

ARE THERE STILL EGGS ON THE NEST? THE CHICK (ON THE LEFT BESIDE THE PLATFORM) CANNOT GET UP ONTO THE PLATFORM ON JUNE 14. IT WAS SWIMMING AROUND THE PLATFORM COOING AND CRYING AS IT WAS BY ITSELF. THE OTHER ADULT HAD SWUM AWAY FOR A SHORT WHILE, LEAVING THE CHICK WITH THE ADULT ON THE NEST. THE BABY “LOON” MADE IT ONTO THE PLATFORM, BUT IT HAD TO JUMP FROM THE ADULTS BACK; OTHERWISE IT COULD NOT GET UP ON ITS OWN.

SURFING ON JUNE 18. VERY NOTICEABLE THAT THIS WAS NOT A SPECIAL TYPE OF LOON CHICK - IT WAS A GOSLING! ARE THERE STILL EGGS ON THE NEST ON JUNE 22, SINCE 26 NatureAlberta SHE IS STILL SITTING? ON JUNE 24. DUCKS STARTED TO TAKE OVER THE PLATFORM, SO WE DECIDED TO BRING IT IN TO DOCUMENT WHAT WAS ON THE LOON NEST BEFORE ANYTHING BECAME DAMAGED. THIS BROKEN GOOSE EGG WAS ALL THAT WAS ON THE NEST, NO LOON EGGS AT ALL, UNLESS THEY WERE ABANDONED, AND CROWS TOOK THEM OFF THE NEST. HOWEVER, IN PAST YEARS WE NOTED THAT DUE TO THE LOOSE STRAW ON THE NESTING PLATFORMS, THE LOONS COVER THEIR EGGS TO PROBABLY KEEP THEM WARM WHILE THEY ARE FEEDING, PLUS TO HIDE THEM FROM PREDATORS.

GROWING QUICKLY, IT’S GETTING A BIT AWKWARD TO CLIMB UP ON JUNE 28. BY JUNE 30, THE CHICK IS GETTING TO BE MORE THAN HALF THE SIZE OF THE ADULTS. THERE’S NOT MUCH ROOM LEFT FOR SITTING.

JULY 3, IT IS STILL BEING FED MINNOWS, BEGINNING TO LOOK THINNER AND NOT AS HEALTHY.

JULY 7, IT IS GETTING TOO BIG AND HEAVY FOR THE LOONS; IT’S STARTING TO SINK THEM. SINCE THE GOSLING HAS NEVER BEEN ONTO LAND, THE LOONS KEPT CALLING IT BACK WHEN IT’S HEADING TO SHORE. THE ONLY WAY THE GOSLING COULD GROOM ITSELF WAS TO BE ON THE BACK OF ONE OF THE ADULTS. THE GOSLING WAS RIDING ON THE BACK OF THIS ADULT ON JULY 7 AND MUST HAVE GOTTEN TOO HEAVY. THE LOON REARED UP TO GET THE GOSLING OFF OF ITS BACK. IT SLID RIGHT OFF. FALL 2018 27

THE GOSLING IS STILL NEEDING TO RIDE ON THE PARENTS ON JULY 14. THE PARENTS ARE SITTING PRETTY LOW IN THE WATER. SOMETIMES IT IS HARD TO SEE THE ADULT.

THIS IS THE LAST PHOTO TAKEN ON THE LAST DAY WE SAW THE GOSLING, ON JULY 17.

ON JULY 18, WE OBSERVED THE ADULTS LOOKING FOR THE GOSLING. THEY WERE CALLING TO IT, WOULD PUT THEIR HEAD UNDER THE WATER, BRING IT UP AND CALL AGAIN. THEN THE ONE ADULT BEGAN DIVING, LOOKING UNDER THE WATER, COMING UP AND CALLING AGAIN. THIS BEHAVIOR CONTINUED UNTIL THEY SEARCHED THE BAY FROM THE AREA WHERE THE NESTING PLATFORM WAS THROUGH TO THE POINT WHICH HEADS OUT OF THEIR HOME BAY.

IN THE LATE AFTERNOON, IT WAS OBSERVED THE PARENT LOONS SWIMMING SIDE BY SIDE, AGAIN STARTING IN THE AREA WHERE THE NESTING PLATFORM WAS, SWIMMING AND CALLING OUT TO EACH OTHER. THIS BEHAVIOR CONTINUED WHILE THEY SWAM AROUND THE BAY, WITH THEM CIRCLING THE WHOLE AREA WHERE THEY HAD BEEN RAISING THE YOUNG ONE. THIS APPEARED TO BE A TYPE OF FUNERAL FOR THE GOSLING. 28 NatureAlberta

Up Close Naturally: Ravens BY MARGOT HERVIEUX

One of the most visible birds in the boreal forest and mountains at this time of year is COMMON SUNDEW. WIKIPEDIA BIRDSCALGARY.COM the Raven (Corvus corax). These large, black birds aren’t popular with everyone but for many people in the northern hemisphere they are both respected and revered.

Ravens are members of the also hear all sorts of other also have excellent memories corvid family along with crows, squawks and whistles. and can go back to find magpies and jays. They are hidden food weeks or months Ravens live year-round across often confused with crows, but later. northern Alberta as well as in Ravens are larger with a heavy the foothills and mountains. Ravens use their smarts to bill. Ravens also have feathers They are most visible in the find a wide range of menu on the neck and head that give winter when they gather items. They are well known them a scruffier appearance anywhere with a good food for scavenging carrion, but and a Raven in flight has a supply. Cities and towns are they also eat seeds and berries wedge-shaped tail rather than a particularly attractive because and hunt for insects and mice. square one. of the scraps we humans I have also seen them fly Ravens can also be recognized tend to leave around. The through a flock of pigeons by their voice. The birds are birds are highly social, looking for the chance to grab great communicators and roosting together at night a weak bird. use a range of calls to share and letting each other know If you look around the top information with both their when they find food. of a building or ridge-top on mate and flock members. Their Ravens are also one of the a windy day, you will also hoarse gronk is most familiar, smartest birds around. Studies notice that Ravens play. I have but if you listen you will done by Bernd Heinrich, watched over a dozen birds author of the excellent book flying around an office tower, “The Mind of a Raven”, have flipping and swooping as they revealed that the birds not ride the updrafts. Others have only learn by watching others seen them play in the snow, but can also solve problems sliding down slopes on their that crows and other birds bellies. can’t grasp. All of the corvids

Margot also writes a column for the Peace Country Sun, archived copies of which are available at www.peacecountrysun.com. FALL 2018 29

ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

In late winter you will notice Ravens usually nest in secluded Eggs are laid in the large, stick that many Ravens are soaring areas either near the top of a nests in May and four to seven or perching in pairs. The long- tall conifer or on a rock ledge. chicks spend about six weeks lived birds stay with the same They will also use man-made in the nest. The youngsters will mate for many years and they structures such as bridges or then stay with their parents for can often be seen preening power poles. a few months, learning where each other or communicating to find food and how to fit into quietly. the larger Raven community. The next time you see a Raven, take a minute to watch. The birds are easy to spot, fun to Treacherous or observe and always full of Trickster? surprises. Perhaps because they are a symbol of bad luck, loss or ill omen, the group name of Ravens include “unkindness”, “treachery” and “conspiracy” of Ravens. West Coast Indigenous peoples, however, saw them differently: from tricksters to Creators of the world! 30 NatureAlberta

Enlightenment – The Dying Age? BY LORNE FITCH, P. BIOL.

I had awoken with a sense of unease. It was dark, very dark and still. I lay, cocooned in a sleeping bag on a thin thermorest, in a backpacking tent, listening intently to what sounded like the soft padding of footsteps outside.

Sleeping in a tent, so near to Consciously and rationally I would make the soft, muffled sound the ground with just a couple of grasped all this and the miniscule moving over the spruce needles layers of rip-stop nylon between risk we were exposing ourselves blanketing the ground outside the tent. you and the outside world to; my subconscious had I lifted my head to better listen. The exposes and intensifies your apparently taken another track. sound stopped, as if the animal was vulnerabilities. In our modern lives we are alert to my wakefulness. When I let My wife, I and our dog, a yellow bombarded by advertisements, my head fall, the sound continued lab, were in a campground in created often by the most talented and it seemed as I turned my head Jasper National Park. Entering the of marketing professionals. We the padding would move around the park, you are warned, with huge are so inundated we don’t pay exterior of the tent, sometimes fading signage about wildlife, especially attention mostly, until, inexorably momentarily, then becoming louder. bears, how dangerous they are, we are standing in a store buying As I lifted my head the sound would their unpredictability and why “Friendship” shampoo, for which stop, reigniting the fear the animal you must keep your distance. At there is no logical reason for was aware of me. I repeated the test the entrance to the campground, selecting that brand. Score one for of lifting and allowing my head to fall and liberally sprinkled through the the marketers. back on the pillow multiple times, all campground were signs inviting with the same results. I’m sure this To say my subconscious was one to understand you were in went on for minutes. obsessed with bears is mild bear country. At check-in we understatement. It had alerted my I began to prepare for the worst; were again verbally warned of conscious, otherwise rational mind what if an attack occurred? The truck bear presence and of proper food to the sounds outside the tent. was locked, with our bear spray storage. To emphasize the point I listened with intent, straining unavailable. My only weapon was my the warning was accompanied to discern what was outside. I Leatherman multi-tool knife, a poor with written materials. The decided it wasn’t human footsteps, choice for warding off an attack. Could picnic table had a plastic notice not the mincing, prancing steps I beat the animal off with a hiking warning of proper food of a deer or the heavier hoof-fall boot? Would shouts and screams storage and the dire of an elk. Only a paw, a clawed bring assistance from other campers? consequences of not paw, the paws of a heavy animal, How was I to defend my wife, which adhering to the advice. a black bear or worse a grizzly occurred to me later?

Lorne Fitch is a Professional Biologist, a retired Fish and Wildlife Biologist and an Adjunct Professor with the University of Calgary. [email protected] ; 403 328 1245 FALL 2018 31

reality with a limited set of creates a strange and perverse kind experiences and information. of public amnesia. This brings me to the There have always been skeptics, Enlightenment, based on deniers and those blindly following my enlightenment. The Age fads, faith and fabrication. of Enlightenment, or Age of Whether it is those that rail against Reason, was an 18th century immunization, believe the Earth is intellectual movement in only 6000 years old (and/or flat) or Europe. It came to dominate those who follow Elvis sightings, all the world with, notably, an have benefitted from social media in emphasis on science, reason their search to find their own tribe of rather than faith, based on true believers. experimentation and objective A milieu of sound-bites, slogans observations. This period is and buzz words results in thought synonymous with the study reduction, not enhancement, with of science, advances in few ideas but much information scientific investigations and of dubious value. There is little theories giving us the current rational, reasoned discussion or enlightened world. Among debate, just shouting at one another other things, it gave us modern I was then aware our dog, an in progressively louder voices using medicine, the internal combustion animal with a highly tuned sense capital letters. Tweets have turned engine, flight, computers and of hearing and smell was sleeping our brains into bumper-sticker longer lives lived with ease. soundly, blissfully, with no processers. In many ways it is a heightened alertness to the threat Reliance on fears, irrational return to the Dark Ages of crowd apparently just inches from the explanations and faith gave way mentality, false prophets and anti- wall of the tent. This puzzled me. to deductive reasoning, multiple intellectual leanings. As examples, observations and objective, consider these: Replicate tests indicated that the evidence-based analysis divorced sound, of clawed paws, was not Climate change is, alternately, a from preconceived notions and coming from outside the tent, nor conspiracy of the Chinese to disrupt outcomes. This only came to me was it clawed paws. It was the western economies, a natural, cyclic, in the tent waiting for the non- sound of my wool toque, worn to recurring phenomenon or a gross existent grizzly to attack after keep me warm on a frosty night, misinterpretation of the data by following several lines of evidence rubbing, with every breath against 97% of climate scientists. It is not, and coming to another, rational the fabric of the sleeping bag. I’d according to its deniers the result conclusion. been had by my subconscious, of the burning of too much fossil reacting irrationally to the Over three centuries of scientific fuel. Anyone saying differently is ill- messaging of Parks Canada. What discovery, of systematic informed, uses “junk” science and is a return we get on an investment methodology and of rational biased against the fossil fuel industry. of fear, irrational behavior and thought based on evidence seem In response one wag wrote: at risk, especially with our current failure to use observations to “Financially-strapped social media fascination with moderate our reactions. environmental interests have paid selective interpretation, unfounded I fell back into a deep sleep after off 97% of the world’s climatologists rumors, hyperbolic grandstanding, scolding my subconscious with or, multi-billion dollar oil conspiracy theories, outright the thought something imagined companies have paid off 3% of the distortions and overall uncivil produces more fear than the real world’s climatologists.” behavior. Unhelpful as well is the thing. It was also a reminder to current 15-minute news cycle that The politics of climate change is my conscious to never judge successfully waged to frustrate the 32 NatureAlberta

“other” side, cast doubt and delay There is the corrosive effect of one observer calls the “confidence of the inevitable, rather than seeking social media on science to create the dumb”. It feeds a paranoia about to protect your grandchildren from an alternative reality where science and distrust of those that the very real impacts. Red Green, facts are, if not irrelevant, at provide us the results of science inquiry. the Canadian comedian, would least optional. It is the place of Science means accountability but term these people, the deniers, substitution of unfounded opinion unfounded opinion is a pathology, one “wrong, but never in doubt.” for evidence. There is faith in of a delusional aspect. Experts are the that for which there is no factual Recreational off highway vehicle new pariahs - an odd place and era support; disbelief and denial (OHV) use is, according to its where people are actively scorned, about occurrences and events for supporters a benign form of not for their ignorance, but for their which there is. family entertainment, key to specialized knowledge. Alternatively, enjoying wilderness and wildlife Brooks Atkinson, an American ignorance is applauded, for in the minds and is conducted with a high theatre critic and commentator of some, only the ignorant and ill- degree of responsible behavior said: informed can truly be objective. There and stewardship intent. OHV users is nothing wrong with ignorance as long “People everywhere enjoy want to enjoy the wilderness, as it is accompanied by curiosity, to believing things that are not but only if they can drive over seek information and knowledge. Then, true. It spares them the ordeal it in an OHV, because, as they a little ignorance can go a long way. of thinking for themselves and themselves acknowledge, they are But, as Elbert Hubbard, an American taking responsibility for what too old, too young, too unfit, too writer observed: they know.” enfeebled and too lazy to walk. “The recipe for perpetual ignorance Science seems ever under attack, There is no reason, it is said by is be satisfied with your opinions and by those who do not like the this group, that other recreational content with your knowledge.” message, feel it impairs their users, those using their natural freedom, limits their business Curiosity didn’t kill the cat, stupidity quads for locomotion, can’t and doesn’t match their ideology. did. The chaos of ignorance gives us coexist with motorized forms of History provides us a rich a sense of freshness while the order recreation, in spite of the noise, treasure trove of examples of of knowledge provides the frustrating danger, intimidation and damage. groups, corporations, business curse of restricted vision. In the face of bad publicity and, sadly, politicians who and bad behavior coupled with We are entering a dangerous new era, have predictably damned the cumulative watershed damage according to Charlie Brooker, an English messenger. We just went through the OHV community falls back satirist - the Unlightenment - in which this with the previous federal on the economic argument. OHV centuries of rational thought and reason government where Harper use provides undocumented, are being overturned by superstition, silenced scientists. It happened illusionary and anecdotal conspiracy theory, tribalism and when “communication” staff, with economic benefits that overrides argumentum ad hominem. This is aided credentials in “spin” were tasked risk to watershed integrity, and abetted by social media. with message delivery, not people biodiversity and other users. with backgrounds and credentials Wallace Stegner wisely pointed out that: Anyone who thinks differently is in science. “Verifiable knowledge makes its way a rabid environmentalist bent on When experience, education, slowly and only under cultivation, radical social change restricting credibility and knowledge are but fable has burrs and feet and claws basic rights and freedoms. They debased, a world is created where and wings and an indestructible will use “fake” science and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. becomes sheath like a weed seed and can be “alternative” facts to support and a go-to expert on immunization, carried almost anywhere and take rest over emphasize the damage. Jane Fonda is an energy analyst without the benefit of soil or water.” Besides, fish and wildlife have and Kevin O’Leary the guru on got used to the traffic, noise and Whether it is the thump in the night, fiscal policy. This signals the death sediment. climate change or OHV issues the of expertise and the rise of what FALL 2018 33 default, despite the Age of Enlightenment, seems to be to opinion, emotion, fear and/or Comparison of Mammal disbelief instead of a rational, measured thought process Detections Using Trail Cameras based on evidence. We are, despite all our progress, not far off the old Scottish prayer that and Snow Tracking in Grazed still comforts us: “From ghillies and ghosties, and Ungrazed Aspen Parkland And long-legged beasties, And all things that go boomp at Beaverhill Lake, Alberta in BY LISA TAKATS PRIESTLEY ([email protected]) the night, Good Lord, deliver us.” Although the hysteria, To determine the presence of support from Alberta Conservation suspension of belief and tribal hard-to-see animals, we must Association and STRIX Ecological thought (even when your tribe often use indirect methods such Consulting. as identifying tracks, scat, or is wrong) seem to be the gifts A checklist of mammals found burrows. As well, new technology that keep on giving despite at Beaverhill Lake shows 32 such as remote cameras can assist evidence to the contrary, there species that have been observed in the identification of hard- are rays of hope. Some four 1965 through 1990 (Dekker to-view wildlife species. Using hundred years after Galileo 1998). The Important Bird Area remote cameras in combination was arrested for heresy after Conservation Plan also mentions with snow tracking is an efficient espousing a sun centered deer, Moose, Coyotes, weasels, and cost-effective way to obtain solar system, Pope John Paul hares, and small rodents; however, information on mammal presence II apologized, acknowledging there has been no recent lists and relative abundance. Galileo was right. Pope Francis of mammals published and no humbly declared that scientific Beaverhill Bird Observatory is a monitoring of terrestrial mammal observations about evolution, non-profit charitable organization populations. Aerial surveys climate change and the Big that has been conducting various are conducted on a three- to Bang are correct and God “is standardized bird monitoring five-year rotation, in different not a magician with a magic projects at Beaverhill Lake since management areas, by Alberta wand.” the mid-1980s. Surveys have Environment and Parks and It’s time to make a choice expanded to include amphibians, Alberta Conservation Association between willful or blind butterflies, and bats. A terrestrial for management and conservation ignorance and measured reason mammal monitoring program of ungulates, to assess populations based on sound observation. was established in and near size, distribution, populations A sound-bite culture can’t the Beaverhill Natural Area in trends, and herd composition discuss science very well, if at 2013 under the auspices of the of ungulates. They are used to all. Scientific illiteracy leaves Beaverhill Bird Observatory with set hunting license allocations, many unprepared and unable to discuss or understand the damage exerted on the Lisa Takats Priestley is co-owner of STRIX Ecological Consulting and has been atmosphere, habitat for wildlife involved in wildlife work for over 25 years. She works on inventory, monitoring, and or on our individual health. management projects on birds, terrestrial mammals, bats, and amphibians. She was on We can’t lower the bar on the Beaverhill Bird Observatory board from 1997-2000, was Chair of the Board 2000- enlightenment. Tweet that! 2002 and 2013-2015, and was the Executive Director from 2003-2013. 34 NatureAlberta

identify areas with agricultural Poplar (Populus depredation problems, and balsamifera), determine priority areas for and shrub recovery actions. vegetation is predominantly Some mammal species willow (Salix of interest and potential spp.). Sedge- management concerns exist grassland in the Beaverhill area. The is found Long-tailed Weasel (Mustela intermixed with frenata) has been a May Be the willow and at Risk species in the province then leads to since 2000. This species has shore edge experienced dramatic declines RACOON TRACKS AT FRANCIS POINT. LISA PRIESTLEY vegetation and even disappearance of Cattails from some areas, but the (Typha latifolia), rushes the Beaverhill Natural Area cause is uncertain (Alberta (Scirpa sp.), and sedges. The (none were in grazed habitat). Environment and Parks 2015). lake experiences water level Cameras were set to take a There has also been recent fluctuations, drying almost photo per second for three nestbox predation, indicating completely in some years, and seconds when triggered. Trail the possibility of Raccoons increasing to water depths cameras also recorded date and being in the area, but this has of 2-4 meters in other years. time of each observation and air not been confirmed. Further, During the two years of this temperature. Data was analyzed small mammal abundance project the water levels were using maximum number of monitoring could help provide very low. each species observed during information on populations camera trap series. The number of the At Risk Short-eared Two RECONYXTM PC900 of common mammals detected Owl (Asio flammeus), when HyperFire ProfessionalTM was also analyzed monthly to invasions occur (Priestley et al. remote trail cameras were investigate seasonal movement 2008, Gahbauer, in prep.). deployed in fall 2013 and another in winter 2014 in patterns. METHODS The study site is located on the southeast shore of Beaverhill Lake in central Alberta, Canada FIGURE 1 Location of remote cameras and snow tracking transects on south end of (53˚22.8’N, 112˚31.6’W). The Beaverhill Lake AB lakebed is approximately 18 km long and 10 km wide (13,900 ha) and is located in the aspen parkland ecoregion. Most of the lake is surrounded by cropland and cattle grazing, with the southeast corner being a provincial Natural Area. The dominant tree cover surrounding the lake is Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides) and Balsam FALL 2018 35

TABLE 1 Number of animals detected on wildlife cameras in Beaverhill Natural Area 2013-14

Long- White- number of tracks of each species Camera Snowshoe tailed tailed Mule detected in each 250 meter # Bird sp. Hare Weasel Coyote Deer Deer Deer sp. Moose interval each year (standardized Cam01 0 0 0 30 213 11 2 17 by days since snowfall) was used Cam02 3 1 1 8 94 17 0 25 for analysis. Cam03 0 6 1 3 3 1 0 1 TOTAL 3 7 2 41 310 29 2 43 RESULTS Cameras captured 2,906 wildlife images of 437 animals passes, Snowtracking was conducted Natural Area. Three segments and seven species were detected five times throughout each were at Francis Point but (Table 1). White-tailed Deer winter of 2013 and 2014. were only visited two times (Odocoileus virginianus) were the Survey transects were laid out in 2013 and once in 2014 and most common species detected around the Natural Area, and are reported separately. The and were found throughout most at Francis Point (Figure 1). surveys were conducted three of the year but were absent in Routes were set on small trails to six days after snowfall of at February and March 2014 and in 250 meter segments. Eight least one centimeter. All tracks very low in February and March segments were in a grazing and trails that were observed 2015. Mule Deer (Odocoileus lease along the Natural Area, within one meter of the routes hemionus) were uncommon and and 12 segments were in the were recorded. The maximum were only observed in the spring 36 NatureAlberta

FIGURE 2 Monthly comparison of numbers of common mammals detected on Camera 01 and 02 at Beaverhill Lake September 2013 to March 2015. 40

35 Coyote Mule Deer 30 WT Deer

25 Moose

20

15

NUMBER OF ANIMALS 10

5

0 SEPT-13 OCT-13NOV-13 DEC-13 JAN-14 FEB-14 MAR-14 APR-14 MAY-14 JUN-14 JUL-14 AUG-14 SEP-14 OCT-14 NOV-14 DEC-14 JAN-15 FEB-15 MAR-15 MONTH FALL 2018 37 and late fall. Moose (Alces TABLE 2 Number of animals detected during snowtracking surveys in Beaverhill Natural alces) was most commonly Area (ungrazed) 2013-14 and winter 2014-15. detected in September of both 2013 2014 years (Figure 2). Coyotes (Canis latrans) were observed more Abundance/ Abundance/ in 2013 than 2014 and were in Species Detected 100 metres Detected 100 metres all but one month. There were Black-billed Magpie 0.00 0.00 0.33 0.01 only a few detections of Long- Ruffed Grouse 1.00 0.03 1.20 0.04 tailed Weasel and Snowshoe Coyote 4.60 0.15 7.13 0.24 Hare (Lepus americanus). Deer 14.13 0.47 16.87 0.56 During winter tracking, 14 Least Weasel 2.13 0.07 1.73 0.06 species were detected, of which 12 were mammals (Table 2). Short-tailed Weasel 1.20 0.04 1.27 0.04 New species of mammals not Long-tailed Weasel 1.13 0.04 1.33 0.04 detected on cameras included: Weasel sp. 1.93 0.06 2.67 0.09 microtines [rodents: including Microtine 45.40 1.51 30.07 1.00 voles, lemmings and Muskrat], Moose 1.27 0.04 1.67 0.06 Short-tailed Weasel (Mustela erminea), Least Weasel (Mustela Muskrat 0.33 0.01 0.66 0.02 nivalis), Muskrat (Ondatra Porcupine 0.40 0.01 0.33 0.01 zibethicus), Porcupine Snowshoe Hare 20.67 0.69 19.27 0.64 (Erethizon dorsatum), and Squirrel sp.* 0.33 0.01 0.33 0.01 Squirrel sp. The squirrel tracks were most likely Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) which was TABLE 3 Number of animals detected in grazing lease on edge of Beaverhill Natural Area heard while doing surveys; winter 20013-14 and 2014-15. however, Northern Flying 2013 2014 Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) has been observed in the area. Abundance/ Abundance/ Deer, Coyote, microtines, and Species Detected 100 metres Detected 100 metres Snowshoe Hares were the most Black-billed Magpie 1.00 0.05 2.00 0.10 commonly detected mammals. Ruffed Grouse 0.87 0.04 0.66 0.03 Higher numbers of Ruffed Coyote 4.87 0.24 4.20 0.21 Grouse, weasels, microtines, Deer 17.47 0.87 15.67 0.78 Moose and Snowshoe Hares Least Weasel 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 were detected in the ungrazed Short-tailed Weasel 0.00 0.00 0.20 0.01 Natural Area. Coyotes, deer, and Porcupines were higher in Long-tailed Weasel 0.20 0.01 0.00 0.00 the grazed sites. The number Weasel sp. 0.67 0.03 0.87 0.04 of tracks found from 2013 to Microtine 4.00 0.20 3.40 0.17 2014 in the ungrazed sites Moose 0.33 0.02 0.33 0.02 increased for deer and Coyotes, Muskrat 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 declined for microtines and Moose but were similar for all Porcupine 0.53 0.03 1.33 0.07 other species. Grazed habitat Snowshoe Hare 5.60 0.28 4.90 0.25 had similar numbers of tracks Squirrel sp.* 0.33 0.02 0.00 0.00 between years. * Red Squirrel and Northern Flying Squirrel have both been observed in the Natural Area, however this is most likely Red Squirrel (was heard vocalizing on some surveys). 38 NatureAlberta

Data was only collected at some important information on which may be what we are Francis Point twice in 2013-14 the presence and abundance observing. Moose were more and once in 2014-15 winters. of many species of mammals, common within the Natural We detected deer, microtines, as well as some seasonal Area in September and Coyote, Ruffed Grouse, and changes. White-tailed Deer October, possibly associated also found Racoon (Procyon moved away from the Natural with the start of the rut. lotor) tracks on two occasions. Area in February and March of Snowtracking was more The Racoon tracks were each year. Seasonal migration effective for detecting small found in segment 20 near the between summer and winter mammals than cameras. parking lot. Bird banders have ranges typically occurs in Weasels, squirrels, microtines, suggested that Racoons might White-tailed Deer in northern Porcupine, Muskrat, Ruffed be in the area, due to Tree latitudes often associated with Grouse and Magpie were only Swallow and Bluebird nestbox winter weather conditions detected during snowtracking predation. (obligate migration); however, surveys. However, they may also temporarily shift snowtracking is only restricted habitat use within ranges or DISCUSSION to winter months, which limits migrate temporarily (conditional Using snow tracking and our understanding of seasonal remote cameras has provided migration) (Kernohan et al. 2002, Grovenburg et al. 2009), FALL 2018 39 movement patterns, particularly fluctuations in prey populations protect nestboxes by using for ungulates. (Korpimäki and Norrdahl stovepipe baffle to prevent 1991). The species is very climbing or build a Noel or The May Be at Risk Long-tailed nomadic and responds on Hutchings predator guard Weasel was only detected once a broad geographic scale to (Daneke 2002). Increasing the on CAM02 and once on CAM03, high concentrations of small overall thickness of the entry while snowtracking gave more mammals, particularly Microtus hole will not deter Raccoons. information on the abundance voles which dominate the diet in and near the Natural Area. It (Clayton 2000). There were was detected throughout both ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS no winter Short-eared Owl winter seasons in medium- Funding and in-kind support invasions detected at Beaverhill age Aspen dominated forest from Alberta Conservation Lake in the two years of with willow understory, both Association and Beaverhill this project, suggesting the near and away from water. Bird Observatory was greatly microtine populations were Long-tailed Weasels were more appreciated. STRIX Ecological not high enough to trigger a common in the ungrazed area. Consulting supported with response from birds of prey. Weasels feed primarily on voles equipment for field surveys It will be interesting to repeat and mice, although they are and analyzed all the camera snowtracking surveys on years opportunistic and will take and snowtracking data. We when Short-eared Owls are birds, eggs, larger rodents, thank the Alberta Biodiversity abundant. In 2005-06 there was and small rabbits (Lisgo 1999, Monitoring Institute for a large invasion of Short-eared Sheffield and Thomas 1997), providing the protocol for Owls, however, and although and we found microtines and some of the methods that we thought microtines were Snowshoe Hares were more were used. All field data abundant due to a Foxtail common in the ungrazed area. was collected by Lisa Takats Barley (Hordeum jubatum) Grazing disturbs the ground Priestley. Meaghan Bouchard invasion, no standardized small cover that these prey species analyzed and entered most of mammal surveys occurred. rely on for cover and forage. the camera data. I thank Chuck The Long-tailed Weasel has Finally, snowtracking data Priestley for reviewing an experienced dramatic declines collected at Francis Point earlier draft of this paper which and even disappearance from confirmed the belief that was presented at the Alberta some areas, but the cause is Raccoons are present in Chapter of the Wildlife Society uncertain. Habitat loss through the area. This species was conference in 2015. some agricultural practices historically in the southeast has been suggested as being of the province, however, in Literature Cited a probable cause (Alberta recent years it has expanded Alberta Environment and Parks. Environment and Parks 2015). its area to include central 2015. Wild Species Status Search. Species at Risk, Alberta We were not able to find any Alberta (Alberta Environment Environment and Parks. Online specific recent field studies on and Parks 2017). The species is at: http://aep.alberta.ca/fish- Long-tailed Weasels in Alberta, nocturnal and therefore can be wildlife/species-at-risk/wild- and as a species that May Be at hard to detect. Although they species-status-search.aspx Risk, more ecology information do not hibernate in the winter, Alberta Environment and Parks. needs to be collected. they will spend weeks at a 2017. Racoons, About Raccoons. time in dens during snowfall Online at: http://aep.alberta. Short-eared Owls are rodent ca/fish-wildlife/human-wildlife- or low winter temperatures specialists, and presumably conflict/raccoons.aspx (Zeveloff 2002). Now that the select their breeding and Bowers, N. R. Bowers, and K. presence of Raccoons has been wintering areas annually in Kaufman. 2004. Mammals of confirmed, we suggest birders North America. Houghton Mifflin response to asynchronous Company, New York. 40 NatureAlberta

Clayton, K.M. 2000. Status of the white-tailed deer in the Northern Murie, O.J. 1982. Peterson Field Guides: short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) Great Plains. Prairie Naturalists 34(1- Animal Tracks. Houghton Mifflin in Alberta. Alberta Environment, 2): 1-12. Company, New York. 375pp. Fisheries and wildlife Korpimäki, E. and K. Norrdahl. 1991. Priestley, D.L., G.L. Holroyd, and C.E. Management Division, and Numerical responses of kestrels, Priestley. 2008. Short-eared owl Alberta Conservation Association. short-eared owls, and long-eared invasion at Beaverhill Lake, AB, Wildlife Status Report No. 28. owls to vole densities. Ecology winter 2005-06. Blue Jay 66: 131-138. Edmonton, AB. 15 pp. 72(3): 814-826. Proulx, G. and R.K. Drescher. 1992. Daneke, V. 2012. Controlling Krikun, R.G. and G.L. Holroyd. 2001. Distribution of the long-tailed weasel Predators. Online Nestbox Beaverhill Lake Important Bird in Alberta. Edmonton Naturalist Builder website at: http:// Area Conservation Plan. Alberta 20(3): 13-15. nestboxbuilder.com/nestbox- Important Bird Areas Program. Bird Sheffield, S.R. and H.H. Thomas. 1997. predator-controls.html Studies Canada, Canadian Nature Mustela frenata. American Society Dekker, D. Prairie Water, Wildlife Federation, Birdlife International, of Mammalogy, Mammalian Species at Beaverhills Lake, Alberta. and Federation of Alberta Naturalists. No. 570. 9 pp. University of Alberta Press, 26 pp. Zeveloff, S.I. 2002. Raccoons, A Natural Edmonton, AB. P. 143. Lisgo, K.A. 1999. Ecology of the short- History. Smithsonian Books, Gahbauer, M.A., T.L. Booms, J.A. tailed weasel (Mustela erminea) Washington DC. Johnson, L.H. DeCicca, D.C. in the mixedwood boreal forest of Douglas, P.G. Novak, L. Takats Alberta. MSc. University of British Priestley, K.L. Keyes. In prep. Columbia, BC. 65 pp. Movements and habitat selection of Short-eared Owls (Asio flammeus) in North America. World Owl Conference Grovenburg, T.W. J.A. Jenks, R.W. Klaver, C.C. Swanson, C.N. Jacques, and D. Todey. 2009. Seasonal movements of white- tailed deer in north-central South Dakota. Canadian Journal of Zoology 87: 876-885. Hornbeck, G.E. and D. Soprovich. 2013. Relative abundance of the prairie long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata longicauda) in southwestern Alberta. Canadian Field-Naturalist 127(2): 131-137. Kernohan, B.J. J.A. Jenks, and D.E. Naugle. 2002. Localized movements and site-fidelity of FALL 2018 41

Lending a Helping Hand MYRNA PEARMAN

BY MYRNA PEARMAN

For millennia, caring humans have devised creative ways to help wildlife by setting out artificial structures.

Nesting boxes, nesting platforms, resting, basking or denning sites nesting sites have been removed floating platforms, nesting baskets, for a wide variety of insects, or are in short supply. While they nesting cylinders, upturned amphibians, birds and mammals. cannot replace native habitat, buckets, holes drilled into wood, artificial structures—if properly Artificial nesting structures can rock piles, artificial burrows designed, built and placed— increase reproductive success, and culverts have all been used can help bolster local wildlife especially in areas where natural to provide additional nesting, populations. Myrna Pearman will

Myrna is a very well-known author, photographer, biologist and naturalist. She is the Biologist and Site Services Manager at Ellis Bird Farm (ellisbirdfarm.ca). She can be reached at [email protected]. 42 NatureAlberta

be doing a series of articles for Nature Alberta about artificial nesting structures and how these structures help local wildlife.

HOUSE FINCHES AND FLOWER BASKETS The story of the House Finch in Alberta is an interesting one. Native to Mexico and the Western U.S., a few individuals were released in New York in 1940 after failed attempts to sell them as caged birds. The birds quickly spread westward. In British Columbia, House Finches arrived as a result of natural northward range expansion during the 1930s. They have overwintered in the province since 1955 (https:// www.birdatlas.bc.ca) and are expanding eastward. MYRNA PEARMAN The two populations first converged in Alberta “like a zipper” along the Rocky 2000-2005 Alberta Breeding Bird Alberta Christmas Bird Count Mountains (Fisher and Acorn, Atlas projects. A total of seven was 348 individuals in 2015. 1998). According to the Birds locations were noted during the The first time I observed House Calgary website (http://www. first atlas survey while a total Finches in my home town of birdscalgary.com/tag/house- of 120 locations were noted was in the spring of finches/), the first Alberta during the second one. Only 2008. They now nest in our yard House Finch records were from one possible breeding record and are common year-round the mountains in the 1960s. was noted in the Jasper area patrons at the sunflower seed “Sightings expanded to Calgary during the first atlas project feeders. while multiple breeding sites in the early 1970s, but significant The House Finch population were noted, especially in the populations did not develop increase and range expansion Grassland and Parkland regions until the late 1990s.” seems to have been innocuous: of the province (Semenchuck, the birds are not aggressive; A graph showing the estimated 2007). average abundance of House their song is delightful (both Finches on Breeding Bird Survey House Finches were first sexes sing); and their habit (BBS) routes is shown at the end documented on a Red Deer-area of nesting close to people of this article. Two maps (which Christmas Bird Count in 2001 in artificial structures (e.g., can be viewed from the Nature and on a Central Alberta May vents, ledges, street lamps, Counts website: https://www. Species Count in 2003 (Boyd, ivy and hanging planters) has birdscanada.org) illustrate the J., pers comm). The maximum endeared them to their human dramatic increase in map points number of individual House neighbours. One possible area between the 1987-1992 and the Finches recorded on a Central of concern, however, is that FALL 2018 43 an eye disease common in House Finches — mycoplasmal conjunctivitis — may be spreading to Evening Grosbeaks and Pine Grosbeaks in areas where their ranges now overlap (H. Fisher, pers comm).

ATTRACTING HOUSE FINCHES In the spring of 2016, I received an email from a bird-loving resident of a condominium in Red Deer, AB describing how she and her neighbours were encouraging House Finches to nest on their balconies. She explained that, in 2012, she (who wants to be referred to only as The Finch Lady) was told by two different neighbours that they each had House Finches nesting in their hanging flower baskets. She was so intrigued by these reports that the following spring she created two wicker baskets filled with florist’s foam and rimmed with silk flowers. She hung the baskets from the roof supports of two gazebos in their outdoor plaza and both were soon occupied by finches. Two other neighbours also reported birds nesting in their artificial flower arrangements that year. A total of 28 young MYRNA PEARMAN fledged. The House Finches at the condominium complex nest successfully fledged eight Alas, American Crows and benefitted from the placement of young. Black-billed Magpies soon these baskets: 45 young fledged discovered these baskets and in 2014 while 75 fledged in 2015. By 2016, there were 12 baskets started depredating them. The Finch Lady reports that most out on various balconies In response, the Finch Lady pairs raise two broods a season, around the complex. The designed a crow- and magpie- but one pair raised three families first egg was laid on April 1 exclusion wrap by encircling in 2015. The average clutch and approximately 45 young the baskets with stucco wire. It size is four to five, but one fledged. took the addition of finer mesh 44 NatureAlberta

MYRNA PEARMAN MYRNA PEARMAN

around the lower sections of References Semenchuk, G. The Atlas of Breeding the exclusion structure before Fisher, Chris and J. Acorn. 1998. Birds Birds in Alberta: A Second Look. the finch nests were safe. of Alberta. Lone Pine Publishing, 2007. Federation of Alberta Edmonton. Naturalists (now Nature Alberta), A push in 2017 by some condo Edmonton. owners to ban bird feeding on one side of the building complex resulted in the ANNUAL INDEX removal of some of the baskets. Fledging was reduced to 27 0.09 young in 2017 and 38 in 2018. However, as a bonus, American 0.08 Annual index Robins have also discovered Lower limit the finch baskets, with one 0.07 Upper limit family successfully fledging in both 2017 and 2018. 0.06

The images shown here 0.05 show the size and general INDEX arrangement of the finch 0.04 baskets. I encourage anyone interested in attracting House 0.03 Finches to make some (or wait till next spring and buy one in 0.02 the EBF Gift Shop). I would 0.01 be interested to hear about nesting success in these baskets 0.00 and I’d also be interested in 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 hearing about other novel YEAR places that these birds use as nesting sites. I can be reached Environment and Climate Change Canada, 2017. North American Breeding Bird Survey - Canadian Trends Website, at [email protected]. Data-version 2015. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Gatineau, Quebec, K1A 0H3 FALL 2018 45

CELESTIAL HAPPENINGS

Winter (Dec 2018 to Feb 2019)

BY JOHN MCFAUL

Sun: Rise – Dec. 1 (08:27 MST), Jan. 1 (08:50 MST), Feb. 1 (8:19 MST) Set – Dec. 1 (16:18 MST), Jan. 1 (16:25 MST), Feb. 1 (17:16 MST) Times are for Edmonton. Winter Solstice occurs at 3:22 PM on Dec. 21. Moon: Full – Dec. 22, Jan. 20, Feb. 19 New – Dec. 7, Jan. 5, Feb. 4 Lunar Eclipse – Jan. 20th. Partial eclipse begins at 8:33 PM. Total eclipse QUADRANTIS METEOR SHOWER LOCATION. begins at 9:41 PM and lasts until 10:43 PM. THAITICKETMAJOR.COM Planets: Mercury maybe seen hugging the SE horizon in the morning sky from about December 5th to the 25th. The moon will be nearby on Dec. 5th. On Dec. 22. Jupiter will be close by. Venus will shine brightly in the SSE morning sky throughout the winter. It will be in conjunction with Saturn on Feb. 18th. On January 31st the crescent moon will be quite close. Mars moves from the SE to the south in the evening sky as the winter months progress. In December it can be found in the constellation Aquarius where it is about 162 million kilometers from the Earth. By the end of February, it will lie in the constellation Aries and be about 265 million kilometers away and thus much fainter. The moon is nearby on December 14th, January 12th and February 10th. Jupiter is a morning object in the SE. It is quite close to Mercury on December 22 and Venus on January 22nd. On January 30th Jupiter and Venus are joined by the crescent moon for a pretty conjunction in the morning sky. Saturn starts December in the evening sky above the south-western horizon. It soon passes behind the Sun to reappear in the morning sky by late January. The moon is nearby on December 8 and February 2nd. On February 18 Saturn lies just below and to the right of Venus.

Meteor Shower: Geminids (December 13th to 14th, 80 per hour, after midnight) Quadrantids (January 3rd to 4th, 30 per hour after midnight) The predicted rate is for dark skies well away from city light pollution. 46 NatureAlberta

BOW FALLS IN AUTUMN. WIKIPEDIA

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FEMALE HOUSE FINCH ON A HANGING BASKET? SEE STORY ON PG 39. MYRNA PEARMAN

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