SUMMER 2018 VOLUME 76.2 BLUE JAY 5 6 28 In this issue’s edition of The Nature Notebook, Jared For the second year in a row, Gardiner Dam won The Pine Siskin is among several irruptive North Clarke discusses how he got interested in bumble the crown for the most species observed during the American species that may be abundant at one bees and some of the things he has learned about annual Saskatchewan Christmas Bird Count (CBC). locality in one year and absent the next. Such an them. He also talks about a few of the tools he has See the full results of the 76th CBC on page 6. episode occurred when large numbers of Pine Siskins used to help identify bumble bee species. appeared suddenly in the dune ridge, Delta Marsh, Manitoba in 1985. 31 36 38 Eighty-three counts were conducted as part of the Nora Stewart’s book, Cultivating Our Roots – In this issue’s edition of Human Nature, Rob 45th annual Christmas Mammal Count. As usual, Growing Authentic Prairie Wildflowers and Grasses, Warnock shares his thoughts on Wascana Centre in White-tailed Deer and Mule Deer were by far the contains 155 pages of information about native Regina, including its beauty, the diversity of wildlife, most common mammals. plants and how to work with them. In Kerry its ecological value and its accessibility to people. Hecker’s review of the book, she describes it as both a reference and a field guide that is useful for anyone growing native grasses to those involved in reclamation, conservation and xeriscaping. WHAt’s inside 5 The Nature Notebook: 24 Nature Saskatchewan Awards: 31 45th Saskatchewan Christmas Diversifying My Interests Call for Nominations Mammal Count - 2017 Jared Clarke Alan R. Smith 26 Stewards of Saskatchewan 6 76th Annual Saskatchewan Staff Update 36 Book Review Christmas Bird Count - 2017 Cultivating Our Roots: Alan R. Smith and Randi 27 Nature Saskatchewan Growing Authentic Prairie Edmonds Welcomes Back Jordan Rustad Wildflowers and Grasses as LMBO/IBA Summer Staff Kerry Hecker 19 Nature Saskatchewan Funders Listing 2017-18 Fiscal Year 28 Incursion of Post-Breeding 38 Human Nature Pine Siskins in the Dune- Rob Warnock 21 Nature Saskatchewan Ridge Forest, Delta Marsh, Spring Meet 2018 Manitoba, 1985 39 Mystery Photo Spencer G. Sealy 23 Nature Saskatchewan Fall Meet 2018 Preview 2 BLUE JAY SUMMER 2018 VOLUME 76.2 FROM THE PRESIDENT Dr. Branimir Gjetvaj climate change plans include carbon President, Nature Saskatchewan pricing, phasing out coal power, increasing the use of renewable energy Under the Paris Agreement (water, wind and solar), clean fuel in on Climate Change, Canada has transportation, and policies to increase committed to reducing its greenhouse energy efficiency for residential and gas (GHG) emissions by 30 per cent industrial use. Provinces with the Dr. Branimir Gjetvaj from 2005 levels by 2030. In December strongest climate change mitigation 2016, the federal government together programs include Quebec and Ontario, health of water systems and actions with the provinces and territories which joined California in a cap-and- to preserve and restore wetlands, announced the Pan-Canadian trade system, while B.C. and Alberta which play an important role in carbon Framework on Clean Growth and are implementing pricing on GHG sequestration and regulating the Climate Change (PCF). The PCF’s emissions. Carbon pricing, or ensuring effects of floods and drought. The overall goal is to reduce GHG emissions that there is a cost to using fossil fuels provincial government also plans to to meet or exceed Canada’s 2030 and polluting the atmosphere, often develop programs to restore natural targets. In January 2018, the federal gets the most public attention. landscape integrity, safeguard the government released a draft legislation Saskatchewan is the only Canadian provision of ecological goods and that outlines a benchmark for jurisdiction that did not sign on to the services, manage risk to biodiversity, implementing the pricing scheme for PCF. Instead, the province released and develop a path to establishing a carbon emissions. its own “Prairie Resilience: A-Made- coordinated, Canada-wide network of Current provincial and territorial in-Saskatchewan Climate Change parks and protected areas. Strategy” in December of 2017. The These are laudable goals. However, policy does not include a provision the current environmental record leaves of putting a price on GHG emissions a lot to be desired. Ducks Unlimited or a “carbon tax”. Instead, the Canada (DUC) research estimates that emphasis is on adaptation (reduction Saskatchewan is losing over 10,000 of vulnerability) to the effects of acres of wetlands every year. Prairie climate change such as extensive wetlands sequester approximately 130 weather storms, large-scale wildfires tonnes of CO2 equivalents per year. or prolonged drought. The province DUC estimates show that agricultural did include provisions for investment wetland drainage in Saskatchewan in renewable energy, especially wind releases annually close to the amount power, and GHG emission reduction. of carbon that the flagship Carbon ON THE FRONT COVER However, the mitigation (prevention Capture and Storage program at An Eveningstar (Mentzelia decapetala) begins of further climate change or reduction Boundary Dam has sequestered since to open as the sun sets behind it in Grasslands National Park. of its effects) is focused only on large 2014 (1.75 million tonnes of CO2 industrial GHG emitters like electricity at a cost of 1.5 billion dollars). The “I'd been trying to get this shot for a few years and or oil and gas producers. There is no finally succeeded in August 2017. Once the last of record on establishment of protected the sun's light had faded and the stars came out, detailed reporting plan for small (less area is not exemplary either. The I happily hiked the 4km back to my campsite in than 25,000 tonnes of CO per year) Representative Areas Network includes complete darkness.” – Joshua Erikson 2 or non-regulated emitters such as less than 10 per cent of land base, Photo credit: Joshua Erikson agriculture, which is a source of 24 per the worst record among Canadian cent of provincial GHG emissions. jurisdictions with the exception of Saskatchewan’s approach to climate Maritime provinces. This is far below change is resilience — the ability to the Canada’s Target 1 goal to protect cope with, adapt and recover from 17 per cent of land base by 2030. stress and change. The province is If the Saskatchewan government counting on resilience programs plans to use resilience of natural in several areas including natural systems as one of the pillars for systems, physical infrastructure, the climate change strategy, it has ON THE BACK COVER economic sustainability and community to seriously ramp up its efforts to A colourful late August sunset photographed just outside of Regina, Saskatchewan. preparedness. Its policy documents implement conservation measures for place emphasis on safeguarding the our land and waters. Photo credit: Annie McLeod SUMMER 2018 VOLUME 76.2 BLUE JAY 3 BLUE JAY Blue Jay, founded in 1942 by Isabel M. Priestly, is a journal of natural history and conservation for Saskatchewan and adjacent regions. It is published quarterly by Board of Directors Nature Saskatchewan. Main Office President Nature Saskatchewan Editor: Annie McLeod Branimir Gjetvaj 206 – 1860 Lorne Street 3017 Hill Avenue Vice President Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 2L7 Regina, SK S4S 0W2 Vacant (306) 780-9273 [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Secretary Nicole Dunn www.naturesask.ca Editorial Information Treasurer Ed Rodger Blue Jay welcomes all submissions, preferably by e-mail (although hand- Past President Publications Donna Bruce written or typed manuscripts will be Blue Jay Editor Honourary President Annie McLeod considered to accommodate those Gary Seib who do not have access to computer Acting Special Publications Editor Conservation Director Donna Bruce equipment), polished or in need of Lorne Scott some editorial assistance. All items for publication should be sent to the Directors Amy Wheeler Contacts for editor electronically (in a Microsoft Ken Ludwig Local Societies & Affiliates Word document) by e-mail or on CD. Martin Boucher Fort Qu’Appelle Nature Society Cheryl Loadman Hard copies and CDs can be mailed to Keith Stephens the editor at the address above. Fraser Hunter Morley Maier Indian Head Natural History Society Vladimir Kricsfalusy Irv Escott Submission deadlines Kelsey Ecological Society January 1 for the Spring issue, Office & Program Contacts Kathleen Pitt April 1 for the Summer issue, July Executive Director Nature Moose Jaw 1 for the Fall issue, and October 1 Jordan Ignatiuk Lorna Arnold for the Winter issue. For detailed Species at Risk Manager Nature Prince Albert information, please see the Melissa Ranalli Jim Bahr “Guidelines for Authors” under the Conservation & Education Manager Nature Regina Publications section of the Nature Lacey Weekes Gary Seib Saskatchewan website. Communications Manager Neudorf Trails & Ellen Bouvier Wild Bird Sanctuary Society Keith Gerstner Advertising Rates Office Coordinator $45 1/12 pg 2.3" x 2.3" S Becky Quist Saskatoon Nature Society Valerie Martz $65 1/6 pg 4.9" x 2.3" H or V Habitat Stewardship Coordinator $115 1/3 pg 4.9" x 4.9" S Kaytlyn Burrows Southwest Naturalists Janet Payne $115 1/3 pg 2.3" x 10" V Habitat Stewardship Coordinator $175 1/2 pg 7.5" x 4.9" H or V Ashley Vass Weyburn Nature Society $200 2/3 pg 4.9" x 10" V Val Thomas Habitat Stewardship Coordinator $300 Full pg 7.5" x 10" V Rebecca Magnus Yorkton Natural History Society S=Square, H=Horizontal, V=Vertical Geoff Rushowick Database Technician/ Habitat Stewardship Assistant Yellowhead Flyway • eNGO's receive 10% off ad rates. Emily Putz Birding Trail Association Martin Phillips • Book the same ad for all four Turkey Vulture Tracking Program quarterly issues and receive 15% off Dr.