VOLUME 40 | NUMBER 2 | SUMMER 2010 SUGGESTED RETAIL: $7.50 CDN Nature Alberta CELEBRATING OUR NATURAL HERITAGE

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feature article Woodland Caribou in Jasper National Park

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Celebrating our natural heritage Nature Alberta is composed of natural history clubs from across the province. The aims of the Federation are: (a) To encourage among all Albertans, by all means possible, an increase in their knowledge of natural history and understanding of ecological processes; (b) To promote an increase in the exchange of information and views among natural history clubs and societies in Alberta; (c) To foster and assist in the formation of additional natural history clubs Contents and societies in Alberta; (d) To promote the establishment of natural areas and nature reserves, to NATURE ALBERTA VOLUME 40, NUMBER 2, SUMMER 2010 conserve and protect species, communities or other features of interest; (e) To organize, or coordinate symposia, conferences, fi eld meetings, nature camps, research and other activities whether of a similar or Editor’s Page BY DENNIS BARESCO ...... 2 dissimilar nature; (f) To provide the naturalists of Alberta with a forum in which questions Alberta Issues in Brief ...... 4 relating to the conservation of the natural environment may be discussed, so that united positions can be developed on them, and to Vocabulary, Meaning, & Method BY JUDY FORT BRENNEMAN...... 6 provide the means of translating these positions into appropriate actions. The Dangers of Birding BY PHIL HORCH ...... 8 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT: Chuck Priestley Nature Alberta News ...... 9 VICE PRESIDENT: Ted Hindmarch SECRETARY: Vacant In Memoriam: Hope Johnson...... 11 TREASURER: Peichen Gu PAST PRESIDENT: Sandra Foss Up Close Naturally: Spider Silk! BY MARGOT HERVIEUX ...... 12 APPOINTED DIRECTORS: Dennis Baresco, Dawn Dickinson, Jim Gendron, Peichen Gu, Ted Hindmarch, Chuck Priestley, Don Stiles Nature Diary: “New Resident Flickers” BY DEBBIE AND ALAN GODKIN ...... 13 ELECTED DIRECTORS: Chrissie Smith (ANPC); Claudia Cameron, (BLN); Scott Jubinville (CFNS); Lu Carbyn, (ENC); Grant Henry (FMFNS); Marty Drut, Close to Home: Nature Photography in Alberta BY JOHN WARDEN ...... 14 (GN); Ted Johnson (LLBBS); Lloyd Bennett (LNS); Margot Hervieux (PPN); Tony Blake (RDRN); Iris Davies (VRNS); The Fate of Our Bats BY LYNSEY FRANKS ...... 18 STAFF: Philip Penner (Exec. Dir.); Christine Brown; Vid Bijelic

Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights ...... 21 CORPORATE MEMBER CLUBS Alberta Native Plant Council, Box 52099, Garneau P.O. Edmonton, AB BY DICK DEKKER Woodland Caribou in Jasper National Park ...... 22 T6G 2T5 Fun With Birds BY BOB PARSONS ...... 26 Buffalo Lake Naturalists, Box 1802, Stettler, AB T0C 2L0 Nature Calgary (CFNS), Box 981, Calgary, AB T2P 2K4 Book Review: New Birds of Canada is User Friendly ...... 33 Edmonton Nature Club, Box 1111, Edmonton, AB T5J 2M1 Fort McMurray Field Naturalists Society, 152 Cote Bay, Fort McMurray, AB First Hand: Following Mother Merganser! BY PAUL THIBAULT AND JAN SCOTT ...... 34 T9H 4R9 Grasslands Naturalists, Box 2491, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8G8 Wildlife! Starring…Alberta’s Toads BY DENNIS BARESCO ...... 36 Lac La Biche Birding Society, Box 1270, Lac La Biche, AB T0A 2C0 Lethbridge Naturalists Society, Box 1691, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4K4 Waterton Lakes National Park: Peace Parkland Naturalists, Box 1451, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4Z2 The Marshes of Maskinonge BY SANDRA HAWKINS ...... 39 Red Deer River Naturalists, Box 785, Red Deer, AB T4N 5H2 Vermilion River Naturalists, 5707 - 47 Avenue, Vermilion, AB T9X 1K5 Book Review: Hunting tactics of Peregrines and other falcons ...... 42 AFFILIATES: Celestial Happenings BY JOHN MCFAUL ...... 43 Alberta Lake Management Society Friends of Jasper National Park Alberta Lepidopterists’ Guild Grant MacEwan Mountain Club Nature Alberta Book Store ...... 44 Alberta Naturalization Network Society Heritage Tree Foundation of Canada Alberta Stewardship Network J.J. Collett Natural Area Foundation Beaverhill Bird Observatory Lee Nature Sanctuary Society Beaver River Naturalist Club Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory Big Lake Environmental Support Society Purple Martin Conservancy PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY NATURE ALBERTA, BowKan Birders Riverlot 56 Natural Area Society 11759 GROAT ROAD, EDMONTON, AB T5M 3K6 Calgary Bird Banding Society Stewards of Alberta’s Protected Areas PHONE.780.427.8124 FAX.780.422.2663 Cochrane Environmental Action Association [email protected] Committee The Wagner Natural Area Society Crooked Creek Conservancy Society Weaselhead/Glenmore Park SUBSCRIPTION $30.00 PER YEAR; $55 FOR TWO YEARS Crowsnest Conservation Society Preservation Society Edmonton Naturalization Group Wizard Lake Watershed and Lake EDITOR.DENNIS BARESCO Ellis Bird Farm Stewardship Assoc. Fort Saskatchewan Naturalist Society Wood Buffalo Bird Club [email protected] Friends of Blackfoot Society CIRCULATION.TED HINDMARCH LAYOUT.BROKEN ARROW SOLUTIONS INC. PRINTING.PERCY PAGE CENTRE.ISSN 0318-5440 CELEBRATE NATURE ALBERTA THANKS TO THE PROOFREADERS WHO ASSISTED IN PRODUCING THIS ISSUE: IT’S OUR 40TH BIRTHDAY IN 2010!!! ELAINE CATHCART, SANDRA FOSS, MARILYN ROSS, VAL SCHOLEFIELD, JUNE VERMEULEN. MANY THANKS TO THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS EDITORIAL DISCLAIMER WANT TO SUBMIT ARTICLES NATURE ALBERTA DEADLINES ARE: The opinions expressed by the authors in this publication do not necessarily refl ect those of the editor and the Federation of Alberta OR PHOTOS? SPRING ISSUE.FEBRUARY 14 Naturalists. The editor reserves the right to edit, reject or withdraw GUIDELINES ARE AVAILABLE ON SUMMER ISSUE.MAY 15 articles submitted. While due care will be taken of all manuscripts, photos THE NATURE ALBERTA WEBSITE: FALL ISSUE.AUGUST 15 or artwork submitted, FAN cannot be held responsible for any loss or WWW.NATUREALBERTA.CA WINTER ISSUE.NOVEMBER 15 damage to such articles. 2 NatureAlberta Editor’s Page BY DENNIS BARESCO

LOSING SPECIES that the “agriculture and forestry historians might actually be Although White Nose Syndrome industries are going to take a huge able to identify the individuals (WNS) has not yet been found in hit.” whose actions (or lack of action) exterminated the fi nal population Alberta, it may just be a matter of However, convincing, prodding, of a species. time. WNS has had a devastating pleading and even suing effect on eastern bats in an appear to be necessities to get extremely short time. The article governments motivated. We could WORDS on page 18, “The Fate of our Bats” be forgiven for thinking that On page 6, you will fi nd a by Lynsey Franks, provides details extirpation or extinction is actually somewhat different type of on why we all must take this the secretly hoped-for goal by article than normal: “Vocabulary, disease very seriously and assist in some of those in government. Meaning, & Method.” The power of whatever way we can. Alberta’s Caribou have been, to “language and what we do with it” One of the problems, as Lynsey coin an old expression, “thrown is well appreciated by advertisers, points out, is the struggle “to to the wolves” – with the wolves politicians, speech writers, heritage convince the Federal Government being used as scapegoats in the interpreters and anyone with a of the urgency of the situation.” continuing greedy destruction message to send and a mandate to In the case of bats, you wouldn’t of caribou habitat. There are convince. This article by Judy Fort think that convincing would be fears that Greater Sage-Grouse Brenneman is a good reminder – if necessary, especially considering could be gone within two years not a whole new awareness – of – two years! – if the population the subtle power of words. It is continues to well worth a close reading. plummet, as it has in the past few years. HOPE JOHNSON This year, only 31 While the passing of the renowned males on 9 leks Hope Johnson is sad, she leaves (traditional dancing many people with more than grounds) were found. enough great memories. Indeed, Hope – a past recipient of Nature In both those cases Alberta’s Loran Goulden Memorial – Caribou and Award – will never be forgotten. Greater Sage-Grouse (See “In Memoriam, pg 11.) – the province seems unwilling to My favourite of many memories actually do anything occurred on a trip to Red Rock meaningful to save Coulee. I was the interpreter taking them. If they are an Elderhostel group to the coulee eliminated from and asked Hope to come along; Alberta, it could be the fact is, there was no better one of those rare person anywhere to lead a fi eld occasions where trip to that amazing place.

USFW SUMMER 2010 3

Hope was already in her mid-eighties and having fairly serious bouts of arthritis. Most On the Covers: of the Elderhostelers, though all seniors, were FRONT COVER in reasonably good shape and considerably How many words can you think of younger than Hope. Just before we stepped to describe a photo of a Woodland off the bus to go exploring, Hope mentioned Caribou? The cover photo, by Paul that because of her age and arthritis, she may Tessier, brings to mind words like be walking very slowly – and she hoped they “dramatic” and “power”! Scenes would forgive her if she could not keep up. like this, and the chance to see I am sure that no one expected what happened and capture them on fi lm, is what next. It was as if being out at one of her continuously drives photographers’ favourite geological wonders gave her wings! passion to head out into the great She scurried up and down the coulee hills, this outdoors. As an aside, one word that might best way and that, moving back and forth to the describe Woodland Caribou in the near future (in scattered groups of Elderhostelers, pointing Alberta, at any rate) is “extinct”! The cover photo is reprinted courtesy of Ontario Nature. out and talking about the many wildfl owers, explaining the innumerable geological features of the giant red rocks and the bentonite soil. By the time we headed back to the bus, almost everyone was exhausted trying to keep up to Hope. What an amazing person!

SUMMER? All across Alberta, people were saying the same thing: “What Summer?!” It was defi nitely not the usual Alberta Summer in most places. The INSIDE BACK COVER fact that the Summer issue of Nature Alberta is reaching you in the Autumn seems very Astotin Lake, Elk Island National Park; photo by John Warden. For the appropriate. In reality, this issue is late because story, see “Spirit Shouting” on the Spring issue was so late. Your Editor hopes page 14. to get caught up after the next issue. I hope you thoroughly enjoy the “Summer-in-Fall” edition, WHAT IS IT? For the story, see regardless of the timing. Have a great…er…late “Mystery Toad?” on page 38; the Summer-early Fall? photo is by Holle Hahn. Two people who spend a lot of time taking photos in Waterton are Sandra Hawkins and Rick Price; the latter’s photo graces the inside back cover.

BACK COVER Teresa Dolman’s photo of a Skipper on a sunfl ower is the kind of summer scene that brightens everyone’s day. Now for the big questions: 1) What KIND of skipper? 2) What KIND of sunfl ower? Do you know? C’mon, lepidopterists, botanists and naturalists: let’s see what you can do! Send Nature Alberta your answers: [email protected]; or [email protected]. BONNIE MULLIN 4 NatureAlberta

ALBERTA ISSUES IN BRIEF

Canada’s Birds and the BP Blowout Burrowing Owls in The violent BP oil blowout in the to Greg Butcher, the director of Suffi eld National Gulf of Mexico has been stopped bird conservation for the National (at least, as far as we know at Audubon Society, one billion birds Wildlife Area Ignored the time of writing), but the could be threatened. environmental (and economic) A proposal by the federal government It isn’t just birds, of course, damage may continue for many that would limit habitat protection that are suffering; whales years. The full, long term effects for the endangered Burrowing Owl and other Cetaceans, turtles, will only be known as time has raised alarm among conservation fi sh, and uncountable billions passes. For Canada’s migratory groups. In an August letter sent to of invertebrates and micro birds, the harm may well be huge. Environment Minister Jim Prentice, organisms are destined for death. members of the Suffi eld Coalition Ted Cheskey, manager of bird What can Canadians do? Take voiced concern that his department’s conservation with Nature Canada, personal action to insist that oil apparently selective identifi cation of estimates that between forty and development in Canada has ALL critical habitat overlooks burrowing sixty species could be impacted the safeguards in place, with owls in the Suffi eld National Wildlife as they migrate through, feed severe penalties and aggressive Area (NWA). or spend the winter in the Gulf: enforcement against those endangered species such as who are less than vigilant (as “It is baffl ing that Burrowing Owl Piping Plover and Roseate Tern, appeared to be the case with critical habit has not been identifi ed Yellow Rail (a species of Special BP) – penalties not just for the in the Suffi eld NWA. National Wildlife Concern), waterfowl, diving birds, corporations, which is practically Areas are supposed to be havens for shorebirds, herons, predators useless, but for the executives species at risk. Yet in this NWA, the (such as Osprey and Bald who actually run the companies. government has overlooked critical Eagle from eating contaminated Canadians can also support those habitat for the endangered Burrowing prey), geese, American White organizations that are working Owl, while its decision is still pending Pelican and our national icon, on behalf of us all to keep our about a 1275 gas well development,” the Common Loon. According environment healthy. said Alberta Wilderness Association’s Cliff Wallis. “We hope to see the fi nal Recovery Strategy identify all critical habitat, including at Suffi eld.” The coalition is urging the government to revise its proposal to include Burrowing Owl critical habitat in the Suffi eld NWA, arguing that this is necessary to meet both the needs of the species and the requirements of the federal Species at Risk Act. Environment Canada’s

WILL ONE OF OUR MORE MAGNIFICENT BIRDS BE HARMED BY THE BLOW FROM BP? RICK PRICE SUMMER 2010 5 own testimony before a joint environmental assessment review panel in February 2008 would seem to support such a revision. The department told the panel (established to consider EnCana’s – now Cenovus’ – proposal to drill 1,275 gas wells in the NWA) that the Burrowing Owl is known to nest in the area’s rare prairie environment. The Species at Risk Act requires the federal government to have produced a Recovery Strategy for the Burrowing Owl by June 2006, and that it identify the species’ critical habitat to the extent possible based on the best RICK PRICE available information.

This is the second proposed project, the government’s decision The Suffi eld Coalition comprises Recovery Strategy since 2007. is still pending. The Suffi eld seven groups: Alberta Wilderness “These delays mean that land Coalition continues to call on the Association, Nature Alberta, World use decisions are being made government to reject EnCana’s Wildlife Fund Canada, Nature without identifi ed critical habitat proposed gas drilling project in Saskatchewan, Southern Alberta despite there being suffi cient order to ensure the conservation Group for the Environment, information available,” says Carla of wildlife in the Suffi eld National Grasslands Naturalists, and Sbert of Nature Canada. “That’s Wildlife Area, and hopes to see Nature Canada. The above not a recipe for recovery but for this area adequately protected to information is from an August 10 extirpation.” support the recovery of Burrowing Press Release by the Coalition. Nearly nineteen months since Owls and the many other the Joint Review Panel made its endangered species in it. recommendations on the Cenovus

Advertising in Nature Alberta

Nature Alberta is now accepting a limited Full details, including rates and sizes, are available at: number of advertisements for future issues. online: www.naturealberta.ca Ad rates vary from $35 (business card size) to email: [email protected] $249 (full page), X2 for colour. phone: (780) 427 – 8124 6 NatureAlberta “Words can sometimes, in a moment of grace, attain the quality of deeds.” - ELIE WIESEL Vocabulary, Meaning, & Method Some mostly random thoughts about language and what we do with it BY JUDY FORT BRENNEMAN

It has been an interesting summer. Most summers, I work (writing coaching, writing, editing, and an occasional workshop), invent ways to avoid yard-work, volunteer for the Front Range Family Theatre Project (we’re half-way through a fi ve-year cycle of plays based on L. Frank Baum’s Oz stories, and it’s a great excuse for not weeding the garden), do one Big New Thing (this summer, I’m taking a playwriting class and an ongoing scriptwriting workshop), and read.

Reading is, for a writer, as A single word can make a world of important as writing. Reading the difference. works of superb writers inspires Slaves or enslaved? me and challenges me to push myself harder in my own work. The metaphor you select can defi ne a When I read, part of my brain is universe. always paying attention to how Fiscal storm the writer is telling the story. What metaphors does the author use? Storms are scary, unpredictable, What language choices? How powerful, destructive, and caused by nature, the gods or God, not caused JUDY’S WEEDY GARDEN does the structure of the story-- whether it’s a single paragraph by man...so, too, for economic ups and on a signpost or a 90,000-word downs? Are we powerless against the novel–help or hinder? Is the author forces of local and global fi nance? Are manipulating me, and if so, how? we brave sailors or tornado chasers? THE OZ PARADE: MUCH MORE FUN THAN Do we venture forth only when the WEEDING THE GARDEN! weather is calm? Who defi nes calm? The June 22 issue of The Denver Post ran a front-page splash titled, “How much oil is that really? A little mathematical context to the spill size can put the environmental catastrophe in perspective.” Reporter Seth Borenstein has the right idea – numbers, especially large numbers, are meaningless without context – but SUMMER 2010 7

even in this short article, there is This impression is reinforced by two 2) “If you put the oil in gallon jugs and plenty of vocabulary for thought. of the four examples Borenstein lined them up, they would stretch about uses to illustrate the “mathematical 11,000 miles. That’s a round trip from The article begins: context” of the oil spill. the Gulf of Mexico to London, BP’s “126,300,000 gallons spilled since headquarters, and a side trip from New “For every gallon of oil that BP’s the oil rig exploded on April 20. Orleans to Washington, D.C.” This one well has leaked, there is more That calculation is based on the is better in that it puts the numbers in than 5 billion gallons of water higher end of the government’s an understandable, tangible context. It in the Gulf of Mexico.” (Patrick range of barrels leaked per day also tweaks us with a bit of humor (our Semansky, AP). One gallon isn’t and BP’s calculations for the round trip could have gone somewhere very much. That’s the size of a amount of oil siphoned off as of other than BP’s HQ – to Japan and milk jug. Monday morning.” partway back to Hawaii, for example). “If all the oil spilled were divided First the oil rig exploded—that It’s almost as one-sided as the fi rst two up and equal amounts given to brings up an image of impressive examples, but supports the “other” every American, we would each destruction. Then millions of side. get about four soda cans full of gallons spilled—which triggers an I’m not saying that the author is right crude oil.” Only four pop cans? image of something not huge, but or wrong in his approach. I’m not No worse than a couple of oil not small, either, and the gallons defending or attacking his message. I changes in my car. Nothing to got out fast, all at once, like am paying close attention to how he worry about. spilling a pitcher of milk all over is communicating his message: the the kitchen fl oor. Range of barrels And it’s (somewhat) vocabulary he chooses, the method he leaked conveys an entirely different counterbalanced by his other two uses, and the meaning he ultimately image; leaks are small, and they examples: conveys. come out little bit by little bit. 1) Converting the oil spilled to Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben told him, Siphoned? Makes me think smaller gasoline produces “58.6 million yet, sucking up a bit of mess from “With great power comes great gallons of gas--the amount the surface, like using a Dustbuster responsibility.” American drivers burn every three to clean up cracker crumbs on the hours and 43 minutes. It’s enough That’s true for writers, not just sofa. to fi ll up the gas tanks in nearly 3.7 Spiderman. So by the end of this short opening million cars.” This one is actually As writers telling some of the most paragraph, I’m already beginning closer to the middle: we’d burn important stories in the world, stories to think that maybe this mess isn’t through the oil in less than half a that help people understand and care so bad after all. The structure of day--so maybe that’s not so bad for the world and each other, we have the paragraph acts as a funnel: (though wow, now I’m feeling really a tremendous responsibility. We need mayhem and destruction at the guilty about being an American, to get it right. That means thinking beginning sloping down to a even though I ride my bike all the about the story, the message contained narrow neck that minimizes this time); but I really don’t know how within the story, and the words and catastrophe. Whether intentionally many 3.7 million cars is. More than ways we convey that story. or not, the writer of the paragraph four pop cans and a gallon of milk, is implying that I should calm that’s for sure. down and not worry so much. Judy Fort Brenneman, owner of Greenfi re Creative, LLC, helps people, agencies, and This article is reprinted with the permission of the author, from the Greenfi re Creative organizations tell their stories. e-Newsletter, August 2, 2010. Author contact information: She created and presents the Judy Fort Brenneman Interpretive Writing Intensive and Greenfi re Creative, LLC (“We help you tell the story”) other writing workshops and is an 2160 Ryeland Ln., Fort Collins, CO 80526 greenfi re-creative.com award-winning author, editor, 970/416-6353 • 888/886-9289 judyb@greenfi re-creative.com writing coach, and speaker. 8 NatureAlberta

The Dangers of Birding

BY PHIL HORCH

Never let it be said that birdwatching – “birding” for short – is for the faint of heart.

Phil Horch has had more bear a birding day in Brooks in Bob were stranded in the storm until encounters than he can count Frew’s jeep, with Bob at the Bob’s daughter could come and while birding in the mountains wheel. They were in the grips of rescue them. and boreal forest. Birders regularly a fi erce thunderstorm between It took several days of mechanical battle biting insects, stalling Suffi eld and Medicine Hat on the work and $1200 to restore Bob’s vehicles, raging storms and all Trans-Canada Highway. Jeep back to an acceptable matter of Nature’s tantrums. Phil Just at the point where the birding functioning level again! has twice locked his keys in the highway reaches a high rise of Nonetheless, each of those birders car while birding alone in remote land, their vehicle was struck by have been back out in the fi eld areas. a tremendous lightning bolt with once again…after all what are Recently, on August 1st, this was an instantaneous clap of thunder. the chances of being struck by driven home once again when Bob’s jeep was brought to a halt lightning a second time! Ben Velner and Milt and Elaine in short order because of “fried” Spitzer were riding home after electronics. Our intrepid birders

Reprinted with permission from the September 2010 issue of the “Sagebrush Chronicle” (newsletter of Medicine Hat’s Grasslands Naturalists). SUMMER 2010 9

Nature Alberta NEWS

EMERALD AWARD FOR Nature Alberta sends its heartiest central Alberta; to date, he has ALBERTA NATIVE PLANT congratulations to ANPC for being documented over 1,100 species. COUNCIL awarded this exceptionally well- Among the many awards Dr The Alberta Native Plant Council deserved honour. ANPC Director Bird has received is Nature (ANPC), a Nature Alberta Corporate on the Nature Alberta Board is Alberta’s 1978 Loran Goulden Club, has received the 2010 “Not- Chrissie Smith. For-Profi t Association” Alberta Memorial Award for Outstanding Emerald Award. ANPC’s mandate is Alberta Naturalist. Not only has EMERALD AWARD FOR he published over 260 scientifi c to: “Promote knowledge of Alberta’s DR CHARLES BIRD native plants; conserve Alberta’s articles, but he was also the senior Legendary author of the book Butterfl ies of native plant species and their naturalist, habitats; and preserve plant species Alberta (available through the botanist, Nature Alberta bookstore). Dr Bird and habitat for the enjoyment of entomologist present and future generations.” is a founding member and director and long-time of the Alberta Lepidopterists’ Guild, ANPC is a volunteer organization University of a Nature Alberta Associate Club. that has been very successful in Calgary professor its mandate, carrying out a wide Dr Charles ABSRD Nature Alberta is very proud to variety of projects and programs, (Charley) Bird have been associated over the including acting as volunteer has received the 2010 “Individual years with Charley Bird and is stewards for four natural areas, Commitment” Alberta Emerald thrilled to see him receive yet data collection and maintaining Award. The project for which he another award in recognition of his its excellent website (www.anpc. was nominated is his documenting tremendous contribution to natural ab.ca). of the moths of south- history knowledge in Alberta.

SUPPORT FOR “LIVING BY WATER” Living by Water, a major Nature said Project Coordinator Kim for Yellowhead, who said: “As Alberta project, recently received Dacyk. “Our goal is to develop part of the International Year of $29,000 in funding from the healthy shorelines in Alberta Biodiversity, residents can play a EcoAction Community Funding lakes through stewardship part by protecting the biodiversity Program. This is good news for by the residents of shoreline in their own community. The the project. “Funding provided communities.” by EcoAction will allow the The funding was Federation of Alberta Naturalists announced by the [Nature Alberta] to better engage Honourable Rob shoreline communities and Merrifi eld, Minister of to provide education on and State (Transport) and awareness of riparian ecosystems,” Member of Parliament

EDMONTON’S FOUNTAIN LAKE IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT IN WHICH LIVING BY WATER’S URBAN LAKES PROGRAM IS INVOLVED. WWW.NATUREALBERTA.CA 10 NatureAlberta

Federation of Alberta Naturalists projects that rehabilitate, information about the EcoAction is helping to preserve Canada’s protect or enhance the natural Community Funding Program, wealth of natural rivers and lakes environment, and builds the visit the Environment Canada’s that will benefi t all Canadians.” capacity of communities and website, at www.ec.gc.ca/ individuals in support of a more ecoaction. EcoAction is a Government of sustainable Canada. For more Canada initiative that supports

STAFF CHANGES JAN IS A MEMBER OF GRASSLANDS Kim Dacyk, coordinator of NATURALISTS, A NATURE ALBERTA Nature Alberta’s “Living by CORPORATE CLUB. Water” Project for many years, has moved on to other things. Over the years, Kim worked very hard to promote, fund and sustain the project. Nature Alberta wishes her all the best in the future and thanks her for her long service. Kim’s This award for Jan’s outstanding review of the 63 Families that occur replacement has not yet been contributions is a well-deserved in Alberta; to up-to-date names decided as Nature Alberta and fi tting honour bestowed by a of species; to details on the 171 evaluates the future direction of society with a diverse membership species which had been previously, Living by Water. and a stated objective to “foster but erroneously, reported – and the advancement, exchange, Vid Bijelic, Nature Alberta’s much more. and dissemination of the in-house computer technology Authors of this highly valuable knowledge of insects in relation expert, is heading back to checklist are Greg Pohl, Gary to their importance in agriculture, school. Vid has been invaluable Anweiler, Christian Schmidt, Norbert horticulture, forestry, public in his position as we work to Kondla. You can download it from health, industry and for its own keep up with the techno-times. the ALG website at www.biology. sake, among the people of the Thankfully, Vid will still be ualberta.ca/uasm/alg/index.html. Province of Alberta.” contributing to Nature Alberta The ALG is an Associate Club and our many IT needs, but in [Article by Paul Thibault; reprinted with member of Nature Alberta. a reduced capacity. permission from the Sagebrush Chronicle, Nov 2009, Vol 29, No. 10]

AWARD FOR JAN SCOTT ALBERTA LEPIDOPTERA Late last year, Medicine Hat’s CHECKLIST NOW AVAILABLE! Jan Scott was awarded the The Alberta Lepidopterists’ highly prestigious Frederick Guild (ALG) has completed a S. Carr Award from the checklist of Alberta’s Lepidoptera Entomological Society of Alberta (butterfl ies and moths), to honour her “contributions to documenting the 2,367 species the furtherance of entomology known to occur in the province. in Alberta”. The society gives The checklist is extremely well this award no more than once done, containing everything from: POLICECAR MOTH. GERALD ROMANCHUK a year. an overview of the Order; to a SUMMER 2010 11

In Memoriam

Hope Johnson HOPE’S ART WENT FROM HIGHLY DETAILED LANDSCAPES TO SIMPLE BUT (1916-2010) LOVELY DRAWINGS, LIKE THIS IMAGE OF RED ROCK COULEE FOR A CARD.

To tell everything about Hope Johnson’s amazingly active life would be possible only in two thick volumes.

Her life in Alberta started in As a botanist, if anyone had a and Nature Alberta’s Loran 1943 with a posting to the newly plant that needed identifying, Goulden Memorial Award (1997). established Suffi eld Experimental Hope was the person to turn Hope’s excellence as an artist did Station; previously, she had been a to; there appeared to be not stop at fossil drawings; many 1st Lieutenant and army instructor nothing that would stump her! of her nature scenes, including in the Canadian Women’s Army Needless to say, her presence of badlands and Red Rock Corps, which she joined in 1941. at Medicine Hat Spring Flower Coulee, can only be described as Counts was a blessing! Her It was here in southeastern Alberta beautiful. She shared her gift for book, Prairie Plants of Southeast that she developed her great art through many, many hours of Alberta, illustrated with her own interest in natural history. Self- instruction in Medicine Hat. drawings, is a classic*. taught, she became an expert in There’s much more, of course, palaeontology, fossils, geology Red Rock Coulee, south of Seven including her human and cultural and botany – as well as being a Persons AB, was a special place history work – for which she was magnifi cent artist. for Hope. It is likely that no one named, in 1981 by the Alberta has more knowledge than she An expert illustrator of dinosaur Historic Resources Foundation, about Red Rock Coulee, and she fossils, Hope published her fi rst as one of fi fty women who have has written extensively about book in 1973: A Guide to Alberta made an outstanding contribution its history, including the origins Vertebrate Fossils from the Age to Alberta society. She was also of the massive red concretions of Dinosaurs, co-authored by actively involved with the local (refuting the common myth that Dr. J. Storer. She was Curator at Alzheimer’s Society (she was they started around a shell or Dinosaur Provincial Park from President from 1981 to 1992). other solid object). 1978 to 1981. Only last year, in Nature Alberta sends its 2009 at the age of ninety-four, Hope received many awards condolences to her two daughters she published another book of during her very full life, and two sons. Their mother was dinosaur fossil drawings, Guide to including an honourary an extraordinary person indeed. Common Vertebrate Fossils from Doctorate of Laws from the the Cretaceous of Alberta. University of Lethbridge (1981)

* (Copies of Prairie Plants of Southeast Alberta can be purchased from the Medicine Hat Interpretive Program; call 403 – 529 – 1275, or email Val at [email protected].) BLOG.DEARBORNSCHOOLS.ORG 12 NatureAlberta

Up Close Naturally: Spider Silk BY MARGOT HERVIEUX

Wherever you go at this time of year, you will fi nd spider silk. Spiders are famous for their webs but they use silk in a variety of ways.

Spider silk is amazing stuff. The is the strongest of all the silks a worm moth. This caterpillar spins the complex protein is produced spider can produce. silk that humans have been gathering by the spider’s spinnerets and it Spider silk is also used as a safety for thousands of years to weave fabric. comes in many forms including line by jumping spiders and crab Spider silk can be found everywhere, in sticky and non-sticky. By weight, spiders. These spiders actively woods, fi elds and even our buildings. spider silk is as strong as steel but hunt their prey and they let out a Not only has it helped spiders become it is also very light and fl exible. line of silk as they move to catch very successful creatures, but it also The most familiar use of spider themselves if they miss a jump. gives us pleasure when it glitters with silk is for webs. Spider webs start Mother spiders also create egg dew in the morning sun. with a y-shaped frame strung cases out of silk. Some leave between some sort of support. the case to develop on its own; Radial strands are added using Want to photograph spider webs as works however, wolf spiders carry their non-sticky silk and then a sticky of art? For an easy-to-understand, good case on their backs, while fi shing spiral is laid in place. The spider starter course, check out the website: spiders carry the sack around in then waits at the edge of the web www.pentaxbody.com/uncategorized/how- their jaws until the babies hatch. for an insect to come along. to-photo.... Silk is also used for travel. Spiders, Not all spiders make spiral webs. especially the young ones, will Funnel web spiders create a dense climb to the top of a stem and funnel in the grass and then hide let out a few strands of silk. in the back until an insect vibrates JOSEF STUEFER/WWW.PENTAXBODY.COM When the wind catches the silk, the fl ared part of the funnel. the spider “balloons” to a new Others, including the introduced location. house spiders, build a simpler sheet of silk to snag prey. Spiders are not the only creatures that make silk. Caterpillars spin Once prey is caught, cocoons and use the silk as a spiders use yet safety line. Caddisfl y larvae use another type of silk to hold their houses together, silk to wrap the and bees and wasps cap their meal for future larval cells with silk. The most consumption. By famous silk comes from the silk necessity, this silk

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

DEBBIE GODKIN

Nature Diary: New Resident Flickers BY DEBBIE AND ALAN GODKIN It would have been the third year wanted to use the tree and forced looking through the camera lens, it in a row that a pair of Yellow- the sapsuckers out. was apparent that she had an injured bellied Sapsuckers nested in a wing and was missing a few primary The female Flicker spent a lot of poplar tree at the edge of our feathers. It was a wonder that she time perched on a limb of the nest yard, but a pair of persistent could still fl y so gracefully! The pair tree preening, paying particular Northern Flickers decided they was successful in raising four young. attention to her right wing. Upon

Like many naturalists, Debbie and Alan Godkin, from Westlock AB, have numerous stories of their experiences with nature – stories they love to share with other naturalists in this “NATURE DIARY” series! 14 NatureAlberta

Close to Home: Nature Photography in Alberta

Spirit Shouting BY JOHN WARDEN It was another one of those mornings at Elk Island National Park when everything was perfect.

JOHN WARDEN

There was no one else around - back to the land. It was wild and came the whoop of a tundra just me, Nature and the solitude. exciting, and it was fi lling me swan. It was clear and musical, a The rising sun had painted the up. It was building and bubbling whoop with purpose, a whoop of sky pink and orange, and it was and I felt that I just wanted to exclamation. And then there was beautiful. Swans and geese were shout with the exuberance and another, and another. Swans were murmuring and honking out on magnifi cence of it all. Yahhh! whooping it up all around me. the ice, and the air was warm It was an ecstatic whooping of You know you make me and electric with energy. It was a swans. A whooping celebration, wanna (Shout!) buzzing energy: of waking up, of a jubilation even for the rising of melting snow and ice, of bursting Whoop! Out of the buzzy murmur the sun and the warming energy willow buds and of life coming of the morning bird babble, of a glorious new day. And then the coyotes threw their heads back and joined in. It was an extraordinary experience of sight, sound and color. Later that day, I was listening to a CBC radio program about an acapella gospel choir that was touring Canada. The program host advised that we should listen for the ‘spirit shout’ at the end of the song. Sure enough, apparently caught up in the wonderfulness of the song and overfl owing with the energy of the moment, one of the choir members spontaneously shouted out ‘hallelujah’. And it caused me to think of the swans,

JOHN WARDEN SUMMER 2010 15

JOHN WARDEN and their clear note, whooping as physical fi ghting technique, the mounting mental and physical the sun came up. To my mind, it sort of like a battle cry. In other forces coming together in combat, was also a spirit shout. traditions, the spirit shout is an a shout with the spirit of life in unconscious expression. Not a confrontation with death. The You know you make me something forced, but rather a martial spirit shout can be very wanna (Shout!) natural vocalization fl owing out of powerful, mystical even. Kick my heels up and (Shout!) Throw my hands up and (Shout!) Throw my head back and (Shout!) Come on now (Shout!) - ISLEY BROTHERS. 1959 In the way that one thought leads to another, I considered spirit shouting in the context of the twenty years I spent training as a martial artist. In some martial traditions, students are taught to shout or ‘Ki-ai’ as part of their

JOHN WARDEN 16 NatureAlberta SUMMER 2010 17

JOHN WARDEN

Singing and fi ghting are just two Ottawa. The depth and mastery whooped and the coyotes howled of the many activities that can of paint was so amazing, so and I yelled. We were all spirit fi ll our bodies with energy until awesome that a quiet little spirit shouting in celebration as curls it overfl ows and we just “wanna shout escaped me. of mist rose from the surface of shout.” But quieter things can the lake and Nature, the oldest of Wow!! have the same impact. I can the Old Masters, painted another remember standing in front of a Well, a sunrise is so much more masterpiece across a canvas of painting by one of the old masters than a painting. So as the sun Alberta sky. at the National Art Gallery in rose over Astotin Lake, the swans

Miracles are not contrary to nature, but only contrary to what we know about nature. ST. AUGUSTINE 18 NatureAlberta The Fate of Our Bats BY LYNSEY FRANKS

A fungus that attacks bats in hibernation, known as White Nose Syndrome, has biologists deeply concerned about the affected species’ future.

Bats are said to consume their Lausen, who is based in Kaslo, White Nose to the west. The solution: body weight in insects and other B.C., started studying bats as a fi eld buy time. prey every night. They live assistant and “became completely By closing down high visitation caves, anywhere from a surprising 25 to fascinated with them.” She now has preventing cavers from carrying 45 years. Sadly, they are also a a Masters and a PhD in bat biology spores into hibernacula (locations group of mammalian species that and studied at the University of chosen by the bats to hibernate), we know very little about. Calgary and the University of this will, Lausen says, prevent the Alberta. Until recently, wind energy and spread through human transmission. habitat loss were the biggest She says that it is not the fungus In Alberta and B.C., it is not known threats to bats. Now, there’s an that ends up killing the bats — it’s where the majority of bats hibernate. epidemic sweeping through caves starvation. Because this fungus can Cadomin Cave, near Hinton, is to date in North America, poised to affect only grow in cold temperatures, the largest hibernaculum discovered every hibernating bat species. once the bat has contracted White in Alberta, with only 800 bats It’s called White Nose Syndrome Nose Syndrome it will arouse from overwintering there. “That’s a drop (WNS), a fungus that attacks them its dormant state, warm up its in the bat population bucket,” says while they are in hibernation. body, and as a result, lose essential Lausen. We don’t know where the fat storage. “The fungus makes a rest of Alberta’s bats go during the “It happens in the winter,” real mess of their wings too,” says winter, though while studying bats explains bat biologist Cori Lausen Lausen. “They probably wouldn’t in the province, Lausen discovered who has dedicated over the be able to fl y anyway.” that many bats overwinter in the river last 10 years of her life to these valley walls. nocturnal species through the Lausen is also an active member study of behaviour, ecology, of the Alberta Bat Action Team, a As of April 2010, Cadomin Cave genetics and acoustics. “Bats working group that met with Parks has been gated to “buy time” lower their body temperatures to Canada and Provincial Parks in for biologists; full closure of preserve fat for the winter, when early 2010 to decide what needs to Procrastination Pot, the hibernaculum this fungus grows best.” be done to prevent the spread of in the front ranges of Jasper National

LITTLE BROWN BATS WITH WHITE-NOSE SYNDROME, NEW YORK. COURTESY NANCY HEASLIP/NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION SUMMER 2010 19

LITTLE BROWN BAT; CLOSE-UP OF NOSE WITH FUNGUS, NEW YORK, OCT. 2008. COURTESY RYAN VON LINDEN/NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

Park, was implemented on July million dead bats. “Since then, 5 2010. With only four known they’ve just stopped counting,” says Read all about Alberta’s nine hibernacula in Alberta (the other Lausen. species of bats! An excellent article two being Wapiabi Cave near “It’s almost guaranteed that bats are can be found in the Spring 2009 Nordegg and Wood Buffalo in going to bring it here,” she says. Nature Alberta. Wood Buffalo National Park), there Bats either migrate or hibernate; is much research left to do. in Canada, there are 20 species In Albany, New York, where White of bats, 18 of which hibernate. are now at risk of White Nose Nose was fi rst discovered in North Although White Nose can be in Syndrome.” America, biologists found over a cave for several years before Biologists are struggling to convince 100,000 deceased bats in one single mortality sets in, so far it has been the Federal Government of the hibernaculum cave, a very obvious spotted throughout Ontario and urgency of the situation. Lausen sign that there was a problem. “At in the southern part of Quebec. notes that there is only a handful fi rst they had no idea what it was. “There are quite a few records of bat specialists in Canada, and It’s an interesting looking fungus,” stating that bats in Manitoba and that very little is known about the explains Lausen. It’s thought that Ontario have a lot of movement hibernation and migration patterns the fungus may have come from connections,” explains Lausen. of bats. Funding is needed to study Europe, where all bats are legally “Manitoba is likely to see it soon the disease and the various species protected due to low population too.” in greater depth. The US Congress numbers. Unlike in the East, bats Though the fungus has not earmarked two million dollars to go do not hibernate in large numbers yet been spotted in Alberta, to nation-wide bat research last year. in western North America. “We’ll bat biologists saw the disease “In Canada, bats are mandated at a never see these big masses of dead spreading into Eastern Canada provincial level,” says Lausen. “Our bats in the west. In the summer, we in the summer of 2009. In March chance to protect bats and plan for will just wonder: ‘Where are all our 2010, the Federal Government the future is now. For federal funding bats?’” offi cially announced that White to kick in requires the species be It was fi rst discovered in 2007 Nose has made its way to Canada. endangered, and by then it’ll be too that bats were dying in the North “The government was slow to late.” Eastern United States; by 2008, announce it,” says Lausen. “All Some US biologists speculate that if biologists said there were one hibernating bats in North America the kill rate continues as it is, 90 per 20 NatureAlberta

LITTLE BROWN BAT; FUNGUS ON WING MEMBRANE, OCT. 2008, NEW YORK. COURTESY RYAN VON LINDEN/NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

cent of our North American bats Nose fungus close enough to could be dead in 20 years. spring, they might survive through YOU CAN REALLY HELP! the winter, and use of hot boxes “It’s a bleak outlook, and I may help extend their fat supply,” don’t think that people really • Prevent human transmission of WNS by not says Lausen. understand,” says Lausen. “It’s going underground (into a mine or cave) going to have far-reaching Biologists believe that bats using any equipment or clothing that has consequences.” Bats are a major may never bounce back from a been in areas where bats roost in eastern consumer of pests, such as on corn population impact. “They are the North America or Europe crops, and of the spruce budworm slowest-reproducing mammals in • Report to your local Government of Alberta on spruce trees. “The agriculture the world for their size,” Lausen biologist: and forestry industries are going to says. Most bats produce only one - observations of multiple bats fl ying in take a huge hit, and pesticide use young per year; the pup has only winter during the day will likely increase,” she says of the a 50 per cent chance of survival. - observations of multiple dead bats possible impacts. “Even if White Nose were to • Canadian or provincial WNS funding disappear after sweeping across There are several suggested, sources have not yet been established, but the continent, bat populations though temporary, solutions in the donations to continental efforts can be would never come back in our works; right now it is about buying made to Bat Conservation International or lifetime.” time. A bat biologist in Manitoba, the National Speleological Society Dr. Craig Willis, has come up with Nation-wide, biologists are talking • Take every opportunity to inform others something called a hot box; it is about strategies to protect the of the huge benefi ts of bats and the installed in the entrance to the cave delicate species. Though, with seriousness of this issue and operates using a car battery such an intricately linked natural • Learn more about White Nose Syndrome: and solar panel, giving the bats a world, our bats are more than just place to go and stay warm. “If they a provincial or national issue – - www.fws.gov/WhiteNoseSyndrome/ become infected with the White they are internationally vital. about.html SUMMER 2010 21

Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights

A private member’s bill was recently introduced in Parliament to enshrine the right of all Canadians to a healthy environment. Bill C-469 had its second reading and debate in the House of Commons in May 2010.

The Bill: • Requires the federal government to take action to protect Canadians’ right to a healthy environment. • Ensures access to environmental information and the right to participate in decisions related to the environment. • Expands the right to request investigations of environmental offences and bring environmental issues to the courts. • Provides whistleblower protection for employees. • Ensures accountability by giving Canadians the right to bring the federal government to court when it fails to enforce environmental laws. Talk of an Environmental Bill of Rights has been going on for decades. Many people and groups think it is time to actually enact one.

If you wish a copy of the bill or to show support for it, contact your Member of Parliament. 22 NatureAlberta

FEATURE ARTICLE Woodland Caribou in Jasper National Park BY DICK DEKKER

SOME HERDS DOING WELL, seen in a historic perspective. It took years of sensible OTHERS NOT SO WELL, AS Based on government records, management before wildlife REVEALED BY 20 YEARS OF the population peak of half populations in western Alberta AERIAL CENSUS. a century ago followed on a found their dynamic equilibrium, The decline of Alberta’s caribou decade of intensive poisoning but at much lower levels than has often made the news, of the caribou’s natural enemies before. Unfortunately, Alberta’s and conservation groups have in combination with an caribou continued their decline, repeatedly warned that the unusually long period of mild and the reasons are well-known. species will become extinct unless winters. At that time, all hoofed The basic cause is the breaking- something is done to stop the mammals, not only caribou, up of formerly closed forests escalating destruction of its old- were at a high. However, by resource industries. A dense growth wilderness habitat. The by 1966, after routine wolf network of access roads and fi gures given are indeed startling. poisoning was fi nally halted, cutlines are now used by people In the 1960s the provincial the predators came back with a on ATVs, while the clearcuts have population was estimated at 7000- vengeance, so to speak, taking expanded habitat for deer, elk 9000. By the end of 2009, it had advantage of a huge prey base and moose, which in turn attract dropped to less than 3000. weakened by starvation due to more wolves, increasing predation However, to roughly paraphrase overgrazed winter range and pressure on caribou. record snow falls. At that time, Mark Twain, reports of their death Even in Jasper National Park the caribou had only one way are greatly exaggerated. First of (JNP), some herds are in decline. to go: down. all, the downturn needs to be This is surprising, for there is no hunting, no forestry, no oil and gas exploitation, and no motorized travel on Jasper’s backcountry trails. Furthermore, park staff are now discouraging human disturbance (by skiers and their dogs) in critical caribou winter ranges such as the Bald Hills and the Tonquin Valley. However, the hopeful point is that not all is bleak. Apparently, WOODLAND at least one of the park’s major CARIBOU LICKING caribou herds has been holding its SALT FROM A own for some twenty years. ROADWAY. JOSEPH HALL SUMMER 2010 23

AERIAL SURVEYS IN JASPER NATIONAL PARK The mountain or woodland caribou native to western Alberta was declared a threatened species by COSEWIC decree in 2002, and a recovery action plan for JNP was implemented in 2005. The fi rst objective was to monitor the park’s population through yearly helicopter surveys during the fall mating season when caribou herds assemble in the alpine. The best time to do so was after a fresh fall of snow. As well, chartered helicopter crews gun-netted a number of animals to be fi tted with radio telemetry. The objective was to have twenty collared caribou in the fi eld as a means to learn where they go and perhaps how they die, but also to serve as a control on the accuracy of the visual aerial counts. The “grey ghost of the northwoods” is notoriously hard to spot in forest cover. A lone caribou and even a herd can be easily missed from the air. To arrive at a population estimate, the researchers extrapolated the percentage of collared animals discovered from the air to the total number seen. For instance – in simple terms – if they had spotted 75% of their collared caribou, it could be assumed that they had also seen only 75% of the total population, which was then calculated to be 25% larger. Caribou in the northern portion of JNP and adjacent provincial lands were monitored by the Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division, whereas JNP personnel primarily concentrated on caribou habitat in south Jasper, which included the Brazeau and Maligne ranges and the Tonquin Valley. After fi ve years of data gathering, JNP biologists Layla Neufeld and Mark Bradley produced a comprehensive and well-written progress report, which includes the following information.

GORDON COURT 24 NatureAlberta

1. CARIBOU SURVEY CHART FOR SOUTH JASPER NP were obtained in the Tonquin (supplied by Layla Neufeld) Valley with about 80 caribou Graph representing ten years of aerial surveys in three southern districts of Jasper National counted, substantially more than Park. While the Brazeau and Maligne herds declined, the Tonquin Valley herd increased in earlier years. The major reason for reasons that are not clearly understood. (Chart courtesy Layla Neufeld, JNP caribou for the ups and downs was not biologist.) exactly known. However, the obvious explanation that caribou had switched from the Maligne to the Tonquin was not supported by DNA evidence.

NORTH JASPER: By comparison, the “A la Peche” caribou herd of the northern district of JNP has remained remarkably stable since 1989 (graph #2). Roughly 120-150 members of this herd remain year-round in the mountains and about 30 migrate to the forested Alberta foothills and return to the SOUTH JASPER: spotted on the Maligne range, mountains in summer, although Based on surveys conducted in which used to be one of their some may stay in the foothills all four consecutive years, 2005- main hang-outs, had dwindled year. These details were provided 2008, the caribou population of to less than half a dozen. So had by Kirby Smith, the senior AF&W southern Jasper National Park the remnant population in the biologist stationed in Edson. He was estimated, respectively, at Brazeau district. Better results further explained that the decline 147, 151, 93, and 127 animals (graph #1). Statistically, the three highest fi gures are not 2. CARIBOU SURVEY CHART FOR NORTH JASPER NP signifi cantly different, and (supplied by Kirby Smith) the low of 93 in 2007 was an Population estimates (adult females only) for three mountain caribou herds in western anomaly that should not be Alberta. The A La Peche herd, which frequents the northern district of Jasper National Park, taken out of context. According has remained quite stable from 1989 to 2009. The dip during the mid 1990s was mainly attributed to traffi c kills on the Hinton-Grande Cache highway. (Chart courtesy Kirby Smith, to the researchers, spotting senior biologist AF&W, Edson region.) conditions in the Tonquin were poor that year. Unfortunately, the 2009 estimate was even lower than 90. Furthermore, recruitment and survival rates turned out to be substantially below normal. According to the JNP caribou biologist: “These latest data show a very real drop in the caribou population size in southern Jasper National Park.” A depressing fi nding was also that the number of caribou SUMMER 2010 25 of the North Jasper caribou herd in the mid 1990s was attributed to vehicle collisions on the #40 highway between Hinton and Grande Cache. Over fi ve years of conducting aerial surveys and meticulous record keeping, JNP biologists have gained remarkable expertise in spotting the elusive “grey ghost” from the air. The percentage of collared animals counted in alpine regions of Jasper National Park has grown steadily from 55% in 2005 to respectively 73, 79, and 83% in 2006-2008. In the most recent survey of 2009, the score was a full 100%. Although the researchers are never fully satisfi ed with the real and statistical merits of the data, their evident success invites the conclusion that collaring is no longer a prerequisite for doing an adequate survey job. A management decision to that effect would release the defenceless animals from the horrendous ordeal of helicopter pursuit, capture, and man- handling, with all the inherent and proven risks of injury and death. As old time park wardens and some conservationists have insisted all along, the responsible way to survey the park’s caribou is to leave them alone and GORDON COURT monitor the population from the “It has provided the objective without a clear guarantee that we air, even though a few animals information that has led to our would actually change any of our may be missed. current knowledge. What I do land use practices once we found Kirby Smith does not apologize apologize for is that we have out the answer to the questions for having collared the caribou. put these animals through a lot posed by the caribou’s plight.”

Dick Dekker, PhD., is a wildlife ecologist living in Edmonton. 26 NatureAlberta Fun With Birds: The 2010 Grassland Tour BY BOB PARSONS

BACKGROUND communities of Cassils, Bow City, as the immediate area. It was soon The Brooks and Lake Newell May Duchess, Patricia, Scandia, Rainier obvious that after all the recent Species Count, now in its 12th and Rolling Hills are dotted wet weather most of the reservoirs year, is traditionally held on the throughout the count circle and were topped up and all ponds May long weekend: in 2010, on contribute to the event. Native and sloughs were overfl owing. To May 22-23. The Count continues prairie grasslands, woodlots and be honest there was water lying to be a joint Edmonton/Calgary agricultural lands are well studied in areas where I had never seen multi-club initiative, drawing by those taking part in the 2-day moisture before, so it looked like an over 40 participants from central event. interesting few days lay ahead. and southern Alberta, as well as Sponsorship funding from Cenovus, northerly parts of B.C. PREPARATION TransCanada Pipelines and DU The well-defi ned count circle As per usual custom, I arrived (Canada) allowed us to freely spend includes many reservoirs – Kitsim, six days prior to the weekend up to fi fty gas-scouting dollars Tilley A and Tilley B, Lake enabling me to contact local press each day. The fi rst couple of days Newell, Bantry 1 and Bantry and media. Linda Hajash, my were spent in the Kitsim, Cassils 2, as well as Eastern Irrigation liaison in Brooks, again set up a and Rolling Hills areas; around District grasslands and spillways. nice distribution of brochures and 80 species were seen. Whimbrel There are many well-maintained fl yers. Tillebrook Park campsite numbers (300) appeared to be way Ducks Unlimited (DU) projects was our headquarters again and down from previous years but we in the area. The Bow River also on arrival I was informed that were fortunate to fi nd a Ruff mixed plays an important role. The there would be complimentary in with Black-bellied Plovers and camping for everyone this year! Red Knots at the north-west corner Ben Velner from of Kitsim Reservoir. It was soon Medicine Hat had his apparent that “peeps” were going to motor home all set up, be hard to fi nd and even the folks under the watchful eye at DU and EID were not sure which of his charming wife species were around! Tillebrook Donna who told me: was relatively quiet during the “you sleep here”. Nice days leading up to the count… – no back strains from very few warblers, intermittent crawling in and out of waves of sparrows, no kinglets, my tent! Ben and I were few fl ycatchers but big numbers of soon out and about, Swainson’s Thrush and Common scouting the park’s Grackle. surroundings as well

BLACK TERN. RICK PRICE SUMMER 2010 27

A PAIR OF GREEN-WINGED TEAL. RICK PRICE

COUNT WEEKEND Some thought that some species seen in the Contra Costa Project Weather conditions were cool were late, others queried that which is, I think, a fi rst for the and overcast as the 40 plus some species had overfl own the count. area due to weather conditions. participants started to count in the As a consequence of the cold, nine zones. Nine regions were Nineteen species records – i.e. sometimes windy, conditions, and represented this year and I was high number of individual birds maybe because of early migration, especially delighted to see the big, – were broken this year. Broad- some species were seen in low enthusiastic Calgary contingent winged Hawk (9) was a real numbers compared to previous as well as the regular “keeners” surprise, plus Buffl ehead (175), years. Western Grebe (17), White- from Red Deer (who wimped out Black Tern (569), Gray Catbird faced Ibis (1), Red-tailed Hawk staying in a local motel!). A total (21), Swainson’s Thrush (290) (19), Red Knot (36), and Pectoral of 161 bird species were counted and Ovenbird (4). In fact a kettle Sandpiper (2) all come to mind. over the weekend, which is just of 8 Broad-winged Hawks was Only 20 Whimbrel were counted, about average for the count but, seen just west of Brooks, an down from an average of close checking on the zone results, it exceptional sighting by Wes Grout to a thousand. Some low fi gures was obvious we missed some of and crew. Higher than average may be cause for concern but the the usual suspects: Turkey Vulture, totals include American Bittern reader has to wonder if the late Prairie and Peregrine Falcon, Stilt (10), Green-winged Teal (66), cold spells played havoc during Sandpiper, Short-eared Owl, Say’s Black-necked Stilt (146), Brown the migration north. I should also Phoebe, Cedar Waxwing (!), Pine Thrasher (20) and Baird’s Sparrow add that one lone Burrowing Owl Siskin and American Goldfi nch. (30). A Lapland Longspur was was seen close to Kinivie Marsh. MALE BUFFLEHEAD. JIM UFFLEMANN 28 NatureAlberta

spots but Curtis pointed out a Ferruginous came up Hawk’s wire nest, placed on one empty- of the towers by Hardy Pletz a handed like few years ago, that was lying on everyone the ground. else! Overall accessibility was excellent, Golden level of expertise was of the Eagle was usual high standard and it was missed by satisfying to see the enthusiasm Milt Spitzer shown again this year. We again in Zone 8 organized a nature walk for the this year; children staying in the park. I think Special thanks to Donna and Terry he said I managed to get good views of who will try to post full results the nest had blown down. The many McCown’s Longspurs in on the Nature Calgary website. Medicine Wheel Project resulted in the sections I was counting but I Sponsors, we could not do this some great birding again although somehow managed to miss Lark without you, so plenty of gratitude 18 big electric pylons were down Bunting and Lark Sparrow. I also from those who hope to be back after the early May ice-storm. looked for Bobolink in the usual next year!

The Milk River and Writing-on-Stone Count BY BOB PARSONS

PREPARATION as well as the Pinhorn Grazing obvious that many of the dirt and We saw lakes where we’ve never Reserve where I came across a gravel roads in the count square seen lakes before! pair of Greater Sage-Grouse. were going to be impassable. A brief overnight visit to Medicine Hat On completion of the Brooks Secondary Road 880 from resulted in aqua-planing in both count, I immediately headed to Highway 501, down to Aden, can directions! Milk River and on to Writing- be a bird watching Mecca and I on-Stone Provincial Park, our saw many McCown’s Longspur, traditional count headquarters. as well as a Prairie Falcon being COUNT WEEKEND It was soon apparent that the harassed by a Golden Eagle. (MAY 28-29) wet weather had affected this Sprague’s Pipit was active but Wet heavy southerly area too, with high no Grasshopper Sparrow this snow greeted water levels in the wetlands and year. Viewing fi ve elk was a Wes Grout fl ooded fi elds wherever I looked. pleasant surprise as I entered and me early The park was in good shape the Ross Ranch, where I found Saturday and emptying out after the long a few Lark Bunting and over 50 morning, so weekend. I was not expecting Swainson’s Thrush. The predicted we quickly too much company, as Del Huget rain-showers on Wednesday decided to from Lethbridge was not expected night soon turned into a two- concentrate on to scout till mid-week. Tuesday day continuous downpour and the paved 501. and Wednesday saw cool, overcast by Friday evening it was soon conditions and I was able to check out most of the coulees, FEMALE BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK. SANDRA HAWKINS SUMMER 2010 29

RING-NECKED DUCK. GORDON COURT

Wes said, “I’ll go west towards Milk were noted in the many roadside and Marbled Godwit, but only one River and Coutts, then I’m heading sloughs, and duck counting kept us Loggerhead Shrike. The day’s tally home to Strathmore!” Del Huget both very busy. “I did not come all was a meagre 60 species with a travel phoned to say his team of four this way to count ducks”. Quite a distance of 150 km. Del phoned to would do their best counting in the few species were missing but who say that he and his crew seemed to northern section and west towards is going to perch on a fence post have had a better day than expected, Pakowki Lake, so it was left to Marie in these poor conditions! We did totaling close to 70 species in the Otis (park staff) and yours truly to manage to fi nd a few Ferruginous Crow Indian Lake and Etzikom concentrate on the paved eastern Hawks and many Swainson’s of Coulee areas. Terrible road conditions section of the 501. The overcast varying colour. Last year’s cool affected his counting too, but he had morning did not produce any bird spring breeding conditions had good numbers of grebe, swallow and species of note and we were not affected the Red-tailed Hawk Black-crowned Night-Heron. able to access any of the coulees population and we were hard Heading out, I was able to access to the north of us. I did not fancy pressed to fi nd any this time around. Verdigris Lake, the southern sections waiting two hours or so for a tow Northern Harrier were active and of Etzikom Coulee and Crow Indian. truck! No “peeps” (a grouping of two Rose-breasted Grosbeak were I searched in vain for quite a few the smaller sandpiper species that found in a run-down property. We missing species – Clark’s Grebe, all are often diffi cult to tell apart) came across fair numbers of Avocet 30 NatureAlberta

the “peeps”, Mountain Bluebird, at Verdigris Lake, 5 Bobolink at numbers were poor but again many and Bullock’s Oriole – but many the wonderful Gilchrist Ranch sections were not surveyed; seen were of the acreages were productive, and a Black-headed Grosbeak Ferruginous (5), Red-Tailed (3) and with McGillivray’s Warbler, many found at a feeder in Milk River Swainson’s (30). A lone Burrowing Swainson’s Thrush (again), Western townsite. Ring-necked Duck (51) Owl was found by Del Huget but Tanager, and Great-horned Owl. were spotted in a large group outside the Count Week period. The wet weather closed in again as on the east side of Verdigris. 132 Many thanks must go to the park I headed to a soggy and desolate Swainson’s Thrush was a new staff and the seven participants Writing-on-Stone Park. Del phoned record as was Wilson’s Snipe, who did their best in very tiring to say that continuous downpours Eastern Phoebe and Greater conditions. Bravo everyone! Gratitude in Lethbridge had prevented him Scaup. Green-winged Teal (6) to our sponsors as well – Cenovus, from venturing out to meet up with were spotted in a roadside slough, TransCanada Pipelines, Ducks me. “You did not miss much,” I traditionally a tough duck to fi nd Unlimited and the Wildbird General announced! on this Montana border. Store (in Edmonton). This count is of The fi nal total of 119 species, plus Notable by their absence or low real importance due to its isolation, fi ve during Count Week, is below numbers include all the “peeps”, but the habitat and scenery is quite average for the count (as expected) Western Grebe (1), Turkey unique, in my opinion. Count results and one can only hope for better Vulture, Say’s Phoebe, and only will be posted on the Nature Calgary weather next time around. one White-faced Ibis (35 reported website when we have fi gured out in the Lethbridge count!). Warblers how to do it!! See you all again soon, Count highlights include 1200 were also in short supply with I hope; we will be back. Eared Grebe and 860 Ruddy Duck only fi ve species counted. Hawk Snow Goose Chase 2010 BY BOB PARSONS

The annual Snow Goose Chase was border. As it happened, buses held on the third weekend of April had to travel as far as Holden and was the anticipated success to fi nd the thousands of Snow despite the cold, dry conditions we Geese north and south of the were accustomed to the past couple town. Many thanks must go to Jim of years. Six buses of inner-city Lange, Bob Gehlert and others for school children, and other agencies, their persistence and enthusiasm were all booked solid and the three during the scouting period leading buses for the paying public were up to the Chase weekend. sold out by the fi rst week in April! This year we cannot mention All participants were expecting to frozen lakes and sloughs as experience local nature along with there was very little water to be the customary spring migration of found in them! The buses from ducks, swans, geese, hawks and Percy Page Centre were able to other bird species. Some local stop at a couple of locations at naturalists were concerned about the north end of Hastings Lake the very dry conditions and some and some excellent bird species thought the migrating Snow Geese were spotted: grebes, merganser, might overfl y the Beaverhill Lake/ Bald Eagle as well as some light Ryley area, or even move further coloured Red-tailed Hawks. Janos east towards the Saskatchewan

GERALD ROMANCHUK SUMMER 2010 31

Kovacs, one of the scouts, thought were exceptional in that there was “more variety that all fi ve species of of birds seen than last year at geese were all mixed Hastings”... but I still think this in together, including year’s migration patterns were Cackling Goose and unsettled. Ross’s Goose. There were also good views The buses eventually made their of Red-tailed Hawk, way to the Tofi eld Community Rough-legged Hawk, Hall to view the various exhibits Swainson’s Hawk and and enjoy coffee and muffi ns Northern Harrier. compliments of Synergy and GERALD ROMANCHUK UMC Financial. A brief visit was Approximately 50 made to Amisk Creek and Parsons species were seen by most buses, it when we went to Tofi eld. 1) Quarry to view the small numbers which is just below average for Hiked to the beaver dam and of migrating waterfowl, but as this event. I would like to thank lodge. 2) Owls – saw a real barred expected low water levels were all the exhibitors for making owl who was blind. 3) Community again apparent and no rarities the day so special and a special centre we had a nice lunch, were spotted. The Great-horned thank-you must go to all the activities like the dipping pool, Owl on nest made for great volunteers who made the day so we saw the zoo guy with raptors. viewing; then it was off to the memorable for all those who took 4) The bus got stuck in the mud Legion for the usual gastronomic part. We could not do this without so played in the fi eld. Watched buffet luncheon! you! As usual the sponsors a big machine (Hutterites) pull were generous in their support After this break, it was back on the bus out of the mud, we were and they played a huge part in the bus to look for the “Snowies” playing tag while the bus was making the Chase the event it is. (Snowy Owls) which had been getting out of the mud then we The Edmonton Nature Club will scouted out by Bob G. and his saw snow geese fl ock in a pond never forget all the efforts and team. The activity at the Ryley and looked through binoculars at enthusiasm! Let us hope we can dump area was pretty well them. 5) Tofi eld museum was fun do it all again next year! inaccessible, and it was only when and it was all free. After we got the buses arrived in the Holden to go around and look at some area that participants were able THE INNER-CITY BUSES things, we got swag that means to view the thousands of geese Here are comments from some free things. At the museum we got north and south of the village. of the children and the teacher to look at things that were really The ponds to the south of Holden who took part in the Snow Goose old like from the 1900, I might be Chase. wrong because I`m only guessing. Thank you Bob Chase and Dear Mr. Bob everybody, from Johnny T. Chase. Thanks for Dear Mr Bob Chase. making the Thank you for the trip. First we snow goose went on a hike and saw 5 beaver chase, I really dams and one real beaver. Next had fun – here we went to Tofi eld town, went are some things past and stopped in the middle of I liked about nowhere it was exciting we went for a bathroom break and we saw a real barred owl who was blind

GERALD ROMANCHUK 32 NatureAlberta

we got to pet him. Next we went To our to the Hall we had lunch there the Wonderful lunch was hamburger but I pulled Snow Goose off my lettuce. What we also had Chase Sponsors! was apple juice and had a choice My name is of vegetarian and meat. You also Julie Mouris, get rice crispy chocolate or regular and I am both with sprinkles. Then I went to Program see the owls then I saw the shrimp Coordinator and one saltwater crab then a for the Inner centipede there was a scorpion and City Children`s GERALD ROMANCHUK a snake. Then I got to carve part of Program here in a duck then I got a pencil, sticker, Edmonton. families who have been here their magnet and there were whistles When I asked many of the whole lives, other barriers often but Sarah got last one. When we kids if they had ever travelled stand in the way of travelling got on the bus we drove for a little around Alberta, many of them around the province for pleasure. then we got stuck in the mud we said no. A signifi cant proportion Our children were ecstatic to have made a straw fort then played tag of the children we work with the chance to run around in a and a bob cat came to get the bus. are immigrants and refugees. fi eld, see animals in their natural Finally we saw snow geese there I Although they have come from habitat, and simply have fun with think 140 of them. Then we looked elsewhere, they do not always their friends on a full-day fi eld through telescopes, got back on have the chance to go outside the trip. the bus and went home! city they now call home, to see Sincerely, Julie Mouris. Thanks for this wonderful day it the beauty that the rest of Alberta was awesome! From Nakomis. has to offer. Even for those

At Last… a Good Use for an iPhone!

Marilyn Ross, a Nature Alberta proof reader, reports that you can now get the full Sibley eGuide to the Birds of North America – with full descriptions, photos and their songs! The guide is available as an app for iPhone and iPod Touch.

Price of the Sibley eGuide is only about $30 – but of course, as Marilyn pointed out, fi rst you need the iPhone or Ipod! SUMMER 2010 33 BOOK REVIEW New Birds of Canada Is User Friendly REVIEW BY: PHIL HORCH Since 1966, the authority on the The introduction covers the gamut status of Canada’s birds has been of birding more at a beginner level Earl Godfrey’s 428-page coffee table than advanced, making this book book, The Birds of Canada, which designed more for a mass market. came out in a revised edition in The organization of Birds of Canada 1986. Now there is a worthy rival to is one of its greatest appeals and Godfrey’s tome and it is decidedly makes it much more user friendly more user friendly. than Godfrey’s version. Each page Just published by Lone Pine Press is dedicated to only one species is the new Birds of Canada by featuring both a photograph Canadian authors Tyler Hoar, Ken and coloured illustration with De Smet, R. Wayne Campbell and accompanying write-up and maps. Gregory Kennedy. This smaller, Godfrey’s book has marvelous novel-size 528-page fi rst edition illustrations by John Crosby of some Tyler Hoar, Ken de Smet, Wayne is handier to handle and read species, but not all, and they are not Campbell, Gregory Kennedy. Lone Pine and will be helpful as a reference grouped together with the write- Press. ISBN 978-1-55105-603-6; 528 pages. publication, especially for those up, causing the reader to fl ip back Hardcover. Retail List Price: $39.95. 2010 less familiar with Canada’s rich and forth trying to match things avian population. The hard up. Birds of Canada has everything an effort has been made to show male cover is brightly adorned with a on one page, and the range maps and female plumages where there is a magnifi cent photo of a Snowy Owl are superior because they are difference and also to show the bird by Jean Chiasson (a soft cover is multi-coloured – showing not just both standing and fl ying where that also available; list price is $32.95). breeding range (as per Godfrey), is important to identifi cation. Among There is a colour-keyed table of but seasonal distributions and shorebirds, however, an effort has been contents divided into bird families migratory routes. Also, the range made to show breeding and non- with corresponding colours on the maps are more up-to-date because breeding plumages. edge of the pages, allowing quick of their recent creation. location of specifi c bird groups. Overall, this is an excellent addition The write-ups are similar to In addition there is a pictorial to Canada’s bird literature and much- Godfrey’s in that they include ID reference guide at the beginning needed because of recent changes descriptions, bird size, habitat, of the book (pages 5 to 21) with in bird populations and ranges. It nesting information and voice. miniature illustrations of every documents 451 species that one could A helpful addition to the write- common Canadian species, allowing commonly expect to see in Canada; ups includes descriptions of the searcher to fi nd the bird they there are also illustrations and brief similar species. Because of space wish quickly and then turn to the write-ups on some vagrants and rarities limitations, this publication is unable page with its information. at the end of the book. At $39.95, bird to show all plumage variation lovers will fi nd this book a worthy The well-written introduction among species, such as one would investment, especially considering that describes some of the prime fi nd in Sibley’s fi eld guides, but every page is colourfully illustrated. birding sites in every province of the country, though it is far from EDITOR’S NOTE: being comprehensive and many fi ne Lone Pine’s Birds of Canada should not be confused with another Birds of birding areas have been omitted. Canada published this year by Dorling Kindersley Publishers of New York. 34 NatureAlberta

First Hand: Following Mother Merganser! BY PAUL THIBAULT AND JAN SCOTT

Medicine Hat naturalist and birder Paul Thibault reports a strange but exciting event in the southeast Hill section of the city on Thursday July 1.

The southeast Hill is an older, Mother Merganser took her brood Railway Street, through the fence, heavily-treed, residential area just down the hill towards South into the railway yard – including up the hill from downtown. Railway Street, the busy street that a swim in a large puddle left from separates downtown from the CPR the rain! Jan Scott, well known local railyards. Jan gave Paul a call from lepidopterist and naturalist (see Paul and Jan’s guess is that they her cell phone, and he came to article, pg 10), was walking were heading to the river, about meet her on the trail. her dogs when she suddenly two blocks north. Everyone hopes came across a mother Common Being at the top of the hill, Paul they all made it safe and sound, Merganser and her ducklings on was not very close when he took as they had at least two more the shale pathway. The duck must the pictures. The sequence of busy roads to cross – unless they have made a nest somewhere in photos shows the ducks walking went onto the railway bridge and the area, although she had never along the back of the Pattison jumped! been seen before. Funeral Home, then across South

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

PAUL THIBAULT SUMMER 2010 35

PAUL THIBAULT

PAUL THIBAULT

DID YOU KNOW

Common Mergansers usually Ducklings leave the nest site Chicks start by eating mostly nest in tree cavities, but will within a day or so of hatching. aquatic insects, switching to fi sh when they are about 12 days also use a nest box and if The mother merganser protects old. pressed, a rock crevice, old but does not feed the chicks, building, ground hole or who dive to catch all of their similar site. own food. 36 NatureAlberta

Wildlife! Starring… Alberta’s Toads BY DENNIS BARESCO

Both toads and frogs are small, hard to fi nd, usually in swampy, vegetated surroundings, and cryptically coloured – thus hard to see once found. “Toad ‘n frog watching” takes considerable patience – and possibly good boots – which may be why it has never been a big naturalist-type activity.

Still, there is a feeling of triumph if CANADIAN TOAD Canadian Toad is classifi ed as “May Be your patience pays off and you are (ANAXYRUS HEMIOPHRYS at Risk” in the current Status of Alberta able to observe these amphibians (BUFO HEMIOPHRYS)) Wildlife Report. close up. Better yet, standing at the edge of a marsh after sunset GREAT PLAINS TOAD (ANAXYRUS is an exhilarating experience as COGNATUS the evening air is fi lled with the (BUFO COGNATUS)) sounds of breeding males singing in unison. This is where patience comes in: armed with a fl ashlight and a soft step, it’s possible to watch the musical extravaganza. The Canadian Toad is active from Four species of toads inhabit April or May to September. It is The Great Plains Toad is active from Alberta. What people often call widely distributed in the province: April to September, but being mostly a “horned toad” is, in fact, not all the way to the Northwest nocturnal, it is rarely seen in Alberta a toad; it is a reptile, the Short- Territories, though it is confi ned except during breeding season. Being horned Lizard. mainly to Alberta’s eastern half at the northernmost part of its range, What follows is a quick look at the in river valleys and sandy lake it is restricted to short-grass prairie, toads of Alberta. The information margins and primarily in aspen with most sightings from the South is mainly from two sources: parkland or boreal forest. Saskatchewan River and its tributaries. the AB Sustainable Resource The breeding season (May to Like the Spadefoot, the Great Plains Development website (from which July) call of the male toad is a Toad emerges only after spring or the photos are also taken); and low-pitched, short trill lasting summer rains, breeding in almost any the book, The Amphibians and 1 to 5 seconds and repeated fl ooded area, including ditches and Reptiles of Alberta, by Anthony approximately every 15 to 30 temporary ponds. It will not, however, Russell and Aaron Bauer. Both the seconds. The female lays a single, breed in muddy water, preferring a book and the website are highly long, egg strand numbering up to clear, shallow water source. recommended as resources for 7000 eggs, which hatch three to anyone wishing much more detail twelve days later. Tadpoles take six When moisture conditions are right, on toads as well as frogs. or seven weeks to transform into the male begins calling: a rapidly juveniles. repeated, harsh, metallic-sounding, SUMMER 2010 37

cricket-like trill that can go on for Toads can be found in western The Plains Spadefoot Toad is active up to 50 seconds; it is extremely and central Alberta, primarily from late April or May to September. loud, almost deafening at very in boreal forest and alpine and Seeing one is another matter, close range and carrying up to two subalpine habitat near ponds, especially outside of breeding season. kilometers away on the prairie. The streams, or lakes. The species Spadefoots get their name from female lays long strings of as many actually may be more prevalent in a wedge-shaped (“spade”-like) as 20,000 eggs which are usually the northern region of the province, projection on the “heels” of the hind attached to debris on the bottom but little monitoring work has feet which they use for digging their of the pool. Eggs hatch roughly been conducted to determine its burrows. Like a corkscrew, they forty-eight hours later, with the presence. tunnel backwards and downwards transformation from tadpole to toad Breeding takes place April to June into the soil until they fi nd moisture, occurring in about six weeks time. in shallow, cool water and sandy and have been found as deep as 1 However, these “young of the year” bottom ponds, either permanent metre below the surface. will not become sexually mature or temporary. The male call is a until the age of three to fi ve years. With spring rains comes the breeding soft, repeated peep, similar to the season, generally in May in temporary The Great Plains Toad is classifi ed peeping sound of baby chicks. The ponds. However, Plains Spadefoot as “May Be at Risk” in the current female may produce thousands of Toads will only emerge from their Status of Alberta Wildlife Report. eggs which are laid in long strings, burrows if the rains are heavy, which In a subsequent detailed status often entwined about submerged could mean delaying breeding to as assessment, Alberta’s Endangered vegetation. The hatch occurs within late as July – or if there is insuffi cient Species Conservation Committee 3 to 12 days and, because of the rain, they may not breed at all that identifi ed the species as Data great number of eggs laid, tadpole year. Defi cient—a species for which there densities can be very high. In is not enough current information to six to eight weeks, the tadpoles The male’s call is short (only 2/10ths determine its status. However, there transform into juvenile toads, with to 7/10ths of a second long), given in appears to be little doubt of its At an additional two to three years one-second intervals, and described Risk status: its habitat is threatened required for them to become as being a duck-like scream. Eggs are by drought and human activity and sexually mature. laid in clusters of 10-250, attached to recent research indicated that there vegetation just below the surface of The western toad is classifi ed as may be fewer than 2000 adults in the water. Because Plains Spadefoots Sensitive in the current Status of the province. are adapted to temporary water Alberta Wildlife Report. Despite lack bodies, the egg-to-adult process is of information, Alberta populations rapid: they hatch within 48 hours, WESTERN TOAD (ANAXYRUS appear to have been reasonably BOREAS (BUFO BOREAS)) and 21-40 days later, the tadpoles healthy and widespread in the past; have transformed into toads capable however, populations elsewhere are of burrowing. decreasing. The Plains Spadefoot Toad is PLAINS SPADEFOOT TOAD currently classifi ed as “May Be at (SPEA BOMBIFRONS) Risk” in the current Status of Alberta Wildlife Report. Habitat alteration and destruction, especially of its breeding ponds, due in large part to agricultural and petroleum industrial Western Toads are active from activities, continues to increase. As April to September, but they too well, many of these toads are killed are diffi cult to fi nd outside of the on roadways as they migrate to breeding season because of their breeding ponds. mostly nocturnal lifestyle. Western 38 NatureAlberta

HOLLE HAHN Mystery Toad? Toads are diffi cult to identify, at least Nature Alberta went to John McFaul and across the neck). Neither are easily from photos. Holle Hahn sent this one for identifi cation. John in turn went to assessed from this photograph. So the to Nature Alberta and admitted that the acknowledged expert in (among next feature to look at is the size of the she was unsure of what species she other things) amphibians: University of warts on the body. These are considerably had photographed. That didn’t lessen Calgary’s Dr. Tony Russell, co-author of larger in the Western Toad than they are the enjoyment of some different the book The Amphibians and Reptiles in the Canadian Toad. The animal in the wildlife in the backyard, as she of Alberta. Dr. Russell replied with the picture has large warts, so my conclusion explains: answer: is that it is a Western Toad (Bufo boreas – actually Anaxyrus boreas now). Both “We seem to get quite a few hopping “Thanks for sending the picture of species have been recorded from Pigeon about this year. It’s been quite wet the toad. Its locality sits in a region of Lake.” here in the Battle River Valley. They overlap between the Canadian Toad like to startle us when working in the and the Western Toad. The most telling And now we know. Our thanks to all garden. This little guy was hopping diagnostic features are the shape of the who solved the mystery of the toad. around the fi repit and then sat under parotid glands (the big lumps behind the the bench for the longest time, eyes) and the form of the cranial boss completely still and barely visible.” and crest (the ridge between the eyes SUMMER 2010 39

Waterton Lakes National Park: The Marshes of Maskinonge BY SANDRA HAWKINS

Marshes, and the microcosm of life they nurture, have been a lifelong passion for me. In recent years, after travelling to many of the earth’s “exotic” places where ancient marshes no longer exist, that passion has been strengthened beyond description.

Where marshes have been folks even believe drained or polluted, the life they that wetlands are once supported is gone and the simply road blocks FEMALE RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. world is diminished a little bit to “progress”. We drain them and SANDRA HAWKINS more. build sterile featureless condos and strip malls and then decry the In Canada, we often take our lowering of the water table and marshes for granted. We seem the lack of wildlife. to have so many of them; some

SANDRA HAWKINS MULE DEER BUCK. 40 Nature Alberta SANDRA HAWKINS

One of my favourite and seemingly under-appreciated marshy areas is Maskinonge Lake located near the main entrance to Waterton Lakes National Park. I am always astounded with how few visitors I encounter there, since this lake at the edge of the prairies is one of the richest and most readily accessible wildlife habitats in the park. It serves as a sanctuary for deer, coyotes, bears, birds (waders, divers, puddlers, and aerial hunters), butterfl ies, bees, and other insects. The willows and cattails that border its shoreline provide a protected haven for its residents, while the This is a great location to take a and Tree Swallows. In August nearby Rockies and the adjacent short hike. The adjacent stands 2009, a Black-headed Grosbeak prairie abound with wildfl owers of willow and aspen, along with (female), a bird quite rare to of every hue. some open grassy prairie, are Alberta, obliged me with her home to a great variety of non- photo. For more information The shoreline of Maskinonge Lake water birds such as Red-winged about this bird in Alberta, click is serviced by a picnic ground Blackbirds, Cat Birds, Red-naped on the following link: http:// complete with cozy cookhouse. Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, talkaboutwildlife.ca/profi le/index. php?s=294 Maskinonge never fails a patient observer. Although a telescope or a pair of binoculars may enhance one’s viewing pleasure, nature’s rewards may also be reaped by simply sitting quietly along the shoreline or on the hill overlooking the marsh. In summer, White-tailed and Mule Deer with their fawns, Sandhill Cranes with their chicks, and waterfowl or shorebirds with their young, play out their daily lives constantly on the lookout for the wily Coyote or hungry bear. A loud plop, followed by much splashing, often signals an Osprey’s successful catch of

MALE RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. SANDRA HAWKINS OSPREY AT NEST. SUMMER 2010 41 SANDRA HAWKINS

the day. With a fi sh grasped fi rmly (head fi rst) in its talons, it returns to its nest and its eagerly- awaiting mate and ever-hungry youngsters. For many years, there was a large Osprey nest atop a tall pole that was situated in the middle of a much smaller marsh opposite Maskinonge on the north side of the access road into Waterton town site. A tree- sheltered parking lot provided a quiet, safe and welcoming haven for avid photographers and other interested observers. On many occasions, I shared my telescope with visitors eager to view the Osprey family’s domestic routine. from extended periods of quiet As it aged the supporting pole observation and contemplation is began to lean and falter. Rather not possible there. than repair it, Parks Canada For additional information, Ospreys still fi sh in Maskinonge, decided to remove the nesting please consult the URLs listed but the loss of this nest inside platform altogether. A new nest below: the protective boundaries of the now exists outside the park park denigrates the marsh and along the Belly River adjacent diminishes its ecosystem. Let us www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/ to the busy highway that leads hope that the nesting platform will waterton/activ/activ3.aspx to Cardston. Anyone who may eventually be restored and we, (Parks Canada site, includes be interested in observing the as stewards of Alberta’s natural maps) birds now has to contend with beauty, do not contribute to its the noise and danger of high gradual decline. http://www1.travelalberta. speed traffi c. The joy attained com/en-ca/index. cfm?pageid=42 (Travel Alberta. Maps, Wildlife Viewing, Birdwatching)

www.onf-nfb.gc.ca/eng/ KILLDEER. SANDRA HAWKINS collection/fi lm/?id=11965 (Link to information about the classic award-winning National Film Board of Canada’s 1956 documentary “World in a Marsh). This fi lm was once a staple at national parks’ amphitheatres. 42 NatureAlberta

BOOK REVIEW Hunting tactics of Peregrines and other falcons REVIEW BY: LISA PRIESTLEY, BEAVERHILL BIRD OBSERVATORY “.... Attacks on prey fl ying lower nature, and now has devoted than the falcon were made by himself full time to wildlife writing deep stoops with wings partly or and fi eld research. Dick’s passion fully fl exed. Some of these attacks for studying Peregrines comes began with a burst of wing beats from growing up in a human- and ended in a stoop, which could dominated landscape and wanting either be near vertical or oblique. to pursue something which is truly If the prey evaded the initial stoop, wild and natural. His interest in the falcon might follow-up with predator prey relationships has also additional stoops or passes.” (Dick led him to study the mammals of Dekker) Jasper National Park (wolves and ungulates). I read this paragraph while listening Dick Dekker. Hancock House Publishers to young Merlins screaming wildly Presented in sixteen chapters, the Ltd., Genre: Nature (PhD Thesis, Wageningen outside my window, begging for book is a compilation of papers University, Wageningen, Netherlands). food. The stories presented in that have been published in various ISBN978-0-88839-683-9. 2009 this thesis are not for the faint of scientifi c journals. His thesis heart, with detailed descriptions details the hunting methods of Although it is a thesis, the statistics are of how these magnifi cent birds Peregrines, Prairie Falcons, Merlins, presented in a way that is understandable. hunt and how their prey try to and Gyrfalcons, and also presents And if you need a break from reading avoid being captured. Although information about prey theft you can always admire the beautiful color nothing is presented too graphically between raptors (klepto-parasitism). paintings in the center, which Dick himself about how these aerial hunters Although a common theme is painted. eat their prey, you do gain an present throughout the book, each I have been fortunate to spend a few appreciation of their stealth. This chapter brings in another new evenings at Wabamun Lake with Dick book is a compilation of forty-eight concept about the different hunting Dekker, watching the Peregrine Falcons years of observations and is a real strategies of Peregrines and other teaching their young to hunt. They used inspiration to other naturalists. falcons. It is nice to see also that the thermals created by the power plant When you are out observing nature observations are done throughout to climb up until they were a tiny speck and you see something amazing, the year, so that you get a full in the sky. Then they drop like an orange write it down. This is what Dick picture of how these birds hunt bullet (evening sunlight on them) and did, and now he has completed a during migration, breeding, and stoop on an unsuspecting gull. I’ve also thesis on his thousands of hunting wintering, and in different locations. bumped into Dick at Beaverhills Lake in observations. I won’t say this is a leisurely read; the early spring as I am setting up the there is a lot of information to take Dick Dekker was born in bird observatory for the new season, and in. I found it best to read a chapter Rotterdam and emigrated to always enjoyed listening to Dick talk at a time, and read the results a Canada in 1959. He trained as a excitedly about his various observations. second time through a few days graphic designer and worked in later to gain a full appreciation of all If you love learning new and interesting the Edmonton area till 1982. He the details of the observations. things about falcons, this is the book for spent most of his free time enjoying you. And if you know Dick, you will read it with that lovely Dutch accent he speaks “Hunting tactics of Peregrines and other falcons” is available from the Nature Alberta Bookstore; with. www.naturealberta.ca (secure website); [email protected]; or call (780) 427-8124. SUMMER 2010 43

CELESTIAL HAPPENINGS Starry Nights Summer/Fall: August to October BY JOHN MCFAUL

FEATURED CONSTELLATION: DRACO The constellation Draco the Dragon The other myth of note is that Draco is a denizen of the northern sky. It is was the dragon Lagon who guarded to be found twisting its way between the Golden Apples of the Hesperides. Cat’s Eye Nebula. It was recently voted Ursa major and Ursa minor (the big Hercules managed to trick Atlas as one of the most intriguing of the and little bears) with its head near the (he who holds up the world) to get Hubble Space telescope images. It was feet of Hercules. None of its stars are the apples for him, as only Atlas the fi rst planetary nebula observed with particularly bright. However, one of could enter the garden containing a spectroscope. This observation proved its members was of great importance the apples. Once Hercules had the that planetary nebulae are clouds of dust in ancient times, especially to the apples, he completed his 12 labours and gas given off by evolving stars. It builders of the great pyramids of and was a free man. is thought that our star shall become a Egypt. The most famous celestial object planetary nebulae for a brief period as it Half way between the bowl of the located in Draco is NGC 6543, the enters old age. little dipper and the handle of the big dipper lies Alpha Draconis, also known as Thuban. This star was the CELESTIAL HAPPENINGS pole star about 4800 years ago, during the “Old Kingdom” of ancient Egypt. Sun: Rise – Aug. 1 (05:49 MDT), Sept. 1 (06:43 MDT), Oct. 1 (07:36 MDT This corresponds to the time of the Set – Aug. 1 (21:30 MDT), Sept. 1 (20:23 MDT), Oct. 1 (19:10 MDT) nd great pyramid constructions. There is Note: Times are for Edmonton Autumnal Equinox Sept 22 a belief that the descending passage Moon: Full – Aug. 24th, Sept. 23rd, Oct. 22nd of the Great Pyramid of Khufu at New – Aug. 9th, Sept. 8th, Oct. 7th Gizeh was purposefully orientated to Planets: Mercury may be seen low in the western sky just after sunset in early August. point toward Thuban. Since that time Afterwards it will be too close to the Sun to see until September 18th when it the precession of the Earths’ axis of may be seen low in the eastern predawn sky. rotation has placed Polaris as the Pole Venus will be visible low in the western sky from August through September. Star. On Aug 13th it will form a nice grouping with Mars, Saturn and the crescent A number of myths relate to Draco Moon. the Dragon. One myth describes Mars will be visible low in the western sky through most of August to October. Draco as being the dragon that was Jupiter will appear low in the east late in the evening in August and gradually one of the monstrous beings that climb higher in the night sky until the end of October when it will be due south participated with the Titans to battle at sunset. The Moon will be quite close to Jupiter on Sept. 22nd and then again the Olympian gods for supremacy on Oct.19th. of the universe. Draco fought with Saturn - In mid to late August Saturn may be seen low in the southwest just Minerva, the goddess of wisdom. before sunset. By October it is in the eastern morning sky. It will be quite close After a great struggle Minerva tossed to Venus on August 7th. Draco into the heavens toward the Meteor Shower: The Perseid Meteor Shower peaks in the late evening and early morning celestial pole. The dragon became of August 12th into the 13th. 50 meteors/hour. entangled about the pole and froze in Orionid Meteor Shower peaks on October 21st. 25 meteors/hour. a twisted position. The rate of meteors observed is for dark skies well away from city lights and with no Moon. 44 NatureAlberta

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