VOLUME 48 | NUMBER 4 | WINTER 2019 SUGGESTED RETAIL: $10.00 CDN Nature CELEBRATING OUR NATURAL HERITAGE

RUFFED GROUSE IN WINTER; FEATURE PICTORIAL STARTS PAGE 16. JOHN MCFAUL

feature article Winter Images. Just for You!

NATURE ALBERTA A COMMON REDPOLL DOESN’T MIND THE SNOW AND COLD AT ALL. CAROLYN SANDSTROM

GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE; SEE “ON THE COVERS” AND THE STORY PAGE 3. DENNIS JARVIS 2010 (WIKIMEDIA) WINTER 2019 1 Nature Alberta: Nature Alberta is composed of natural history clubs from across the province. The aims of the Federation are: Celebrating our natural heritage (a) To encourage among all Albertans, by all means possible, an increase in their knowledge of natural history and understanding of ecological processes; (b) To promote an increase in the exchange of information and views among natural history clubs and societies in Alberta; (c) To foster and assist in the formation of additional natural history clubs and societies in Alberta; (d) To promote the establishment of natural areas and nature reserves, to conserve and protect species, communities or other features of interest; Contents (e) To organize, or coordinate symposia, conferences, field meetings, nature camps, research and other activities whether of a similar or NATURE ALBERTA VOLUME 48, NUMBER 4, WINTER 2019 dissimilar nature; (f) To provide the naturalists of Alberta with a forum in which questions relating to the conservation of the natural environment may be Editor’s Page BY BROOK SKAGEN...... 2 discussed, so that united positions can be developed on them, and to provide the means of translating these positions into appropriate actions. Alberta Issues in Brief...... 4 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT: Linda Howitt-Taylor From the President BY LINDA HOWITT-TAYLOR...... 6 VICE PRESIDENT: Vacant SECRETARY: Rannee Lui Nature Alberta News...... 8 TREASURER: Janice Yu PAST PRESIDENT: Lu Carbyn APPOINTED DIRECTORS: Lu Carbyn, Linda Howitt-Taylor, Brian Joubert, Eyes on IBAs: The Kestrel Cavity BY BROOK SKAGEN...... 10 Richard Schneider ELECTED DIRECTORS: Kim MacKenzie (ANPC); Claudia Lipski, (BLN); New Mite Discovered BY SUSAN VAN HOERK...... 11 Wayne and Joan Walker (CFNS); Leonard Shrimpton (ENC); Elizabeth Watts (FEIS); Angela Turner (GN); Jennifer Okrainic (LLBBS); Braking for the Planet – Learning the Limits BY LORNE FITCH...... 12 Ted Nanninga (LNS); Margot Hervieux (PPN); Tony Blake (RDRN) STAFF: Brian Ilnicki (Exec. Dir.) FEATURE ARTICLE – Winter Images. Just for You!...... 16 CORPORATE MEMBER CLUBS First Hand: Convocation of Eagles BY BROOK SKAGEN...... 19 Alberta Native Plant Council, Box 52099, Garneau P.O. Edmonton, AB T6G 2T5 Buffalo Lake Naturalists, Box 1802, Stettler, AB T0C 2L0 First Hand: Rare Visitor to Lethbridge a First for the Province Edmonton Nature Club, Box 1111, Edmonton, AB T5J 2M1 BY BROOK SKAGEN...... 19 Friends of Elk Island Society, Box 70, 9929 – 63 Ave, Edmonton AB, T6E 0G9 Grasslands Naturalists, Box 2491, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8G8 Up Close Naturally: Looking for Red Foxes BY MARGOT HERVIEUX...... 20 Lac La Biche Birding Society, Box 1270, Lac La Biche, AB T0A 2C0 Lethbridge Naturalists Society, Box 1691, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4K4 How Humans Unwittingly Lend a Helping Hand: Nature Calgary (CFNS), Box 981, Calgary, AB T2P 2K4 Peace Parkland Naturalists, Box 1451, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4Z2 Abandoned Buildings BY MYRNA PEARMAN...... 23 Red Deer River Naturalists, Box 785, Red Deer, AB T4N 5H2

Nature Kids BY ZOE MACDOUGALL...... 27 AFFILIATES: Alberta Amphibian and Reptile Friends of Blackfoot Society Conservancy Friends of Celestial Happenings BY JOHN MCFAUL...... 30 Alberta Lake Management Society Friends of Little Beaver Lake Society Alberta Lepidopterists’ Guild Grant MacEwan Mountain Club Nature Trivia...... 31 Alberta Mycological Society J.J. Collett Natural Area Foundation Beaverhill Bird Observatory Kimiwan Lake Naturalists What Does a Cloud Weigh?...... 32 Beaver River Naturalist Society Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory Bighill Creek Preservation Society Little Creeks and Rough Fescue Big Lake Environmental Support Society Appreciation Society BowKan Birders Purple Martin Conservancy PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY NATURE ALBERTA, Calgary Area Nestbox Monitor Society Riverlot 56 Natural Area Society 11759 GROAT ROAD, EDMONTON, AB T5M 3K6 Calgary Bird Banding Society Stewards of Alberta’s Protected Areas Calgary Area Nestbox Monitor Society Association PHONE.780.427.8124 FAX.780.422.2663 Cochrane Environmental Action The Wagner Natural Area Society EMAIL. [email protected] Committee Vermilion River Naturalists Crooked Creek Conservancy Society Weaselhead/Glenmore Park Crowsnest Conservation Society Preservation Society EDITOR.DENNIS BARESCO ASSISTANT EDITOR.BROOK SKAGEN Edmonton Native Plant Group Wizard Lake Watershed and Lake [email protected] Ellis Bird Farm Stewardship Assoc. Fort Saskatchewan Naturalist Society CIRCULATION.JAYNNE CARRE LAYOUT.BROKEN ARROW SOLUTIONS INC.

THANKS TO THE PROOFREADERS WHO ASSISTED IN PRODUCING THIS ISSUE: SANDRA FOSS, SARAH LEETE, VAL SCHOLEFIELD. CELEBRATE NATURE ALBERTA 50 YEARS IN 2020! MANY THANKS TO THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS

WANT TO SUBMIT ARTICLES NATURE ALBERTA DEADLINES ARE: EDITORIAL DISCLAIMER OR PHOTOS? SPRING ISSUE.FEBRUARY 28 The opinions expressed by the authors in this publication do not GUIDELINES ARE AVAILABLE ON SUMMER ISSUE.MAY 31 necessarily reflect those of the editor and the Federation of Alberta THE NATURE ALBERTA WEBSITE: FALL ISSUE.AUGUST 31 Naturalists. The editor reserves the right to edit, reject or withdraw articles submitted. While due care will be taken of all manuscripts, WWW.NATUREALBERTA.CA WINTER ISSUE.NOVEMBER 30 photos or artwork submitted, FAN cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to such articles. Brook Skagen 2 NatureAlberta

Editor’s Page BY BROOK SKAGEN, ASSISTANT EDITOR The Souvenir This winter I was fortunate observations, is more than enough nature experienced throughout enough to embark on my first to excite any “bird nerd.” I spent the trip. And yet throughout all ever trip to Mexico, trading the countless hours roaming the sandy of these moments, the crowds whistling winds of Lethbridge, beaches, winding paths, and walked on by, seemingly AB for the bustling beaches of cobblestone alleys of the city and oblivious to the marvels of nature Puerto Vallarta, the second largest surrounding countryside, my eyes which surrounded them. city in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. widening and my heart skipping At first, I couldn’t fathom such From the very first moment my with each unfamiliar organism wonders of the wild fading into foot touched Mexican soil, a wave encountered. the backdrop of everyday life, of pure wonder swept through The eruption of feathers as when the realization that they me, filled with the excitement Snowy Egrets, Green Herons, and already had soon hit me. Here I of encountering a world of new Anhingas flushed from the bay, was, captivated by the iridescent biota, and the many new scents, the vibrant chatter of a Golden- sheen and elegant tail of a Great- sights, and sounds that came with fronted Woodpecker picking tailed Grackle (pictured on the it. at the palms above, and the Inside Front Cover; also known A land filled with the promise of silent silhouettes of Magnificent as the “Mexican” Grackle, an “lifers”, never before seen species Frigatebirds soaring over the indicator of its commonality) in birder’s personal collection of Bay of Banderas are some of the as it patrolled the city streets in many exhilarating encounters with search of scraps; yet the brilliant NOT UNLIKE THE NORTHERN FLICKER contrast of shimmering purple, OF HOME, THE GOLDEN-FRONTED green, black, white, WOODPECKER WAS A COMMON BACKYARD THE STILL AND CALM DEMEANER OF THE GREEN HERON and blue as Black-billed SIGHT, ENTHUSIASTICALLY CALLING FROM AS IT WAITED FOR UNSUSPECTING CRABS CONTRASTED Magpies casually stroll THE PALM TREES. BECKY MATSUBARA 2017 GREATLY AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF SCURRYING the sidewalk seems (WIKIMEDIA) TOURISTS. BECKY MATSUBARA 2017 (WIKIMEDIA) hardly worth turning a head for. Each Kree Kree of a Great-Kiskadee, a common Mexican flycatcher species, left a glimmer in my eyes as it greeted the morning sun; the nightly tchak tchak tchak of House Geckos welcoming WINTER 2019 3

the moon felt as spectacular as it did soothing. Yet the chipper harmony On the Covers: of an American Robin at dawn often goes unnoticed, and the distant Vees of FRONT COVER honking geese seemingly fade into the John McFaul introduces this edition’s Feature Story with his background with little impact. photo of a Ruffed Grouse, which blends in quite nicely with its surroundings. John (who writes the regular feature article It’s not to say that I or any one of us “Starry Nights”) and Holle Hahn searched their photos and don’t enjoy the presence of our more came up with lots of “Winter Images, Just for You!” The common birds. Of course we’ve all pictorial begins on page 16. grown to admire the critters in our “Great Backyards”. However, there is INSIDE FRONT COVER no denying that, in general, the beauty There is good reason why the Common Redpoll is often of “every day wildlife” is all too often referred to as the Christmas bird: the blushes of soft red, lost, the sense of novelty worn down the idea that it appears around the same time as Christmas with each encounter over time. and its robust cheeriness! The photo (©) is by Carolyn Sandstrom, who takes a wide variety of fabulous wildlife Since returning home, every Magpie, images. Raven, and House Finch encountered brings with them the memories of “I found myself,” said Brook Skagen, “enamoured with the Great-tailed Grackles, Black Vultures, iridescent sheen and exaggerate tail of the Great-tailed Grackle, with many features paralleling those of the Black- and Yellow-eyed Juncos, and a new- billed Magpie.” For the rest of the story, see “The Editor’s found appreciation. Gratitude: a lesson Page: The Souvenir,” page 2. learned 4,200 kilometers from home, and my most cherished souvenir. INSIDE BACK COVER Now that is a real grass! Unfortunately, it is also a very THE CONTRASTING BLACK AND WHITE HEAD AND destructive grass Read why on BRIGHT YELLOW BELLY OF THE GREAT KISKADEE page 5. REMINDED ME OF THE WESTERN MEADOWLARK. Holle Hahn wrote on Feb 13th: “We THE BIRD WAS ALWAYS THE FIRST TO EAGERLY just had a Moose stomping through SING A MORNING MELODY DURING MY STAY IN our backyard. It was a beauty and PUERTO VALLARTA. GREGORY SMITH 2014 (WIKIMEDIA) a poser What a treat!” Holle, of course, is one of two people (the other being John McFaul) who contributed to this month’s Feature Story, beginning on page 16.

BACK COVER This Long-tailed Weasel is one of the animals that takes advantage of old farm buildings, whether they are abandoned or not. Myrna Pearman got this image on Oct 29, 2018, when the graceful weasel was already in its winter garb. Old buildings provide a plethora of homes and/or shelter for many species, as Myrna’s story, starting on page 23, explains.

Want to Switch your subscription from hard copy to the full Phone today: (780) 427.8124; or Switch? COLOUR e-version and get even GREATER enjoyment Email us: [email protected] or of Nature Alberta while REDUCING paper use. [email protected] 4 NatureAlberta

ALBERTA ISSUES IN BRIEF

Three Cheers for Scrapping Icefields Bicycle Trail INFORMATION FROM THE ALBERTA WILDERNESS ASSOCIATION (AWA) NEWS, JAN 23, 2019

The Government of has to campgrounds and other prioritizing ‘visitor experience’ announced that it is cancelling the infrastructure. over conservation within our proposed Icefields Trail in Jasper National Parks. Concerns include Park Officials acknowledged in National Park. It will instead increasing commercialization the document that the trail could reallocate the $65.9 million and development pressures in create encounters between grizzly earmarked for this project to the Rocky Mountain National bears and cyclists, who are less priority areas in Canada’s National Parks, including expansion of the likely to carry bear spray and Parks. Lake Louise ski area, proposals who travel quietly at much higher for hotels near Maligne Lake, “AWA congratulates Parks Canada speeds than hikers. and other developments such for deciding against further paving Parks Canada said it would as the Glacier Skywalk. AWA paradise,” says Ian Urquhart, AWA “reallocate the funds to priority believes that visitor experiences Conservation Specialist. “This is areas with Parks Canada.” and ecological integrity can co- an important win for ecological exist, by increasing interpretive integrity.” Urquhart added, “We In fact, the total budget for the experiences and effectively hope this announcement signals project was about $86 million with protecting the wildlife and habitats a shift from Parks Canada to the parking lots, campsites and that brings millions to the parks seriously refocus on its mandate washrooms. each year. within the National Parks, which Over the years, AWA has raised is to enhance and maintain FOR MORE INFORMATION: IAN URQUHART, awareness about privatization ALBERTA WILDERNESS ASSOCIATION, ecological integrity.” of park experiences and 403.283.2025 Environmental groups had voiced ATHABASCA RIVER IN JASPER NATIONAL PARK. C. OLSON serious concerns about the project, pointing out that it would cut through critical habitat for caribou, grizzly bears and migratory birds. Parks Canada had proposed a separate, paved road buffered from the busy Parkway by 10 to 20 metres of trees, plus pullouts and rest stops built every five to 10 kilometres and connected by pavement ROVMWEB.COM WINTER 2019 5

It’s Here – and it’s Nasty! It’s hard to believe that a grass ecosystems. It reduces grows this tall but believe it! habitat for fish and The grass is Phragmites australis wildlife, and its dead and came to us courtesy of stalks can be a fire Eurasia and (it is believed) the hazard. It is tall, with CPR. It may also be spreading in feathery seed heads, shipments of grain, hay or straw. and it favours standing It grows so thick, dense and tall water or generally it was once sold as an ornamental that it chokes out everything. moist conditions. plant, along with other varieties Officials say there is a native The plant has been found as far of Phragmites, for lawns and variety of Phragmites and stress it north as Grande Prairie (mostly ponds. Officials believe two of doesn’t pose an ecological threat. at sites associated with railways) the thirteen identified Alberta P. australis is an introduced but most of the sites are in south/ Phragmites australis sites were species that can choke out other southeastern Alberta. Before intentionally planted, including plants and destroy wetland Phragmites australis was banned, one at the Calgary Zoo.

Conservatives (Again!) Want to Sell Off Alberta Public Lands FROM ALBERTA WILDERNESS ASSOCIATION NEWS RELEASE In a recent speech, Jason Kenney, These are Alberta’s public lands; concerned that the proposal to convert Leader of the United Conservative they are owned by the general wetlands and other natural habitat into Party (UCP), expressed interest in public, and therefore, need to be cropland may not have a net carbon selling a significant area of public kept within the public realm. benefit but may release more carbon lands in Alberta’s northern Peace emissions, in addition to eliminating “Our public lands, and in River Country should the UCP wildlife habitat and corridors.” particular wetlands, are incredibly win the next provincial election. important for our health and FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: The sold parcels would then be NISSA PETTERSON, ALBERTA WILDERNESS ASSOCIATION, wealth, and act as a critical source converted to agricultural land. 403.283.2025 of water and carbon storage,” CAROLYN CAMPBELL, ALBERTA WILDERNESS ASSOCIATION, The area falls within the Boreal says Carolyn Campbell, AWA 403.283.2025 Forest Natural Region, a landscape Conservation Specialist. “We are of extensive mixedwood forests and wetlands. Northern wetlands GOING, GOING, GONE? are not only important habitat for wildlife, but they also provide essential ecological services such as water retention, water filtration and carbon capture, helping to buffer climate change impacts. Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) opposes the sale of public lands and is concerned that through the years, sales have continued without meaningful and transparent public participation. 6 NatureAlberta

FROM THE PRESIDENT From a President’s Perspective… BY LINDA HOWITT-TAYLOR

As I begin to write this column, it is still January. Other than changing my mind about New Year resolutions, nothing else seems to change much except the weather in Alberta. Well, maybe that’s not true…

My grandsons certainly changed when it takes place within an advocacy organizations like AWA, since July, the last time I saw environment of cooperation and CPAWS or Pembina? Or should them. My hair colour has changed, consultation. Think of it this NA focus on providing services landscapes and communities seem way…I don’t drive the same to our supporters (i.e. members) to change ever more rapidly. vehicle I drove in 1969. Not many as identified by them at the local The make-up of our Nature of us do. We’re happy to drive level and encourage and facilitate Alberta Board changed slightly an updated model that navigates sharing of resources as clubs at our AGM in December with busy roads and changing determine? some representatives stepping driving conditions with a better Over the past several months the down and others joining in. technological system to improve Executive of Nature Alberta along When Nature Alberta used to interconnectivity and improved with members of the larger Board be known as Federation of safety systems. To update these, of Directors have been asking Alberta Naturalists, we changed engineers, electricians, technicians ourselves some hard questions. the moniker even though its and advisors collaborated The not for profit landscape registered name remains the same. to provide us with better has changed over the past 50 Even the Queen has changed performance. And there was years with many other provincial royal protocols and procedures another motive for change… to environmental organizations over the decades. Organizations market better “deliverables” and sharing in the same pie and embrace change either by choice expand recognition and support competing for grants from the or because of necessity and it in a changing market. same sources of funds. What seems that 2019 may be a good How can Nature Alberta still works well within the 1970 year for Nature Alberta to make improve our “deliverables” in FAN model and what needs an changes in some of the ways we our own changing not-for profit upgrade? What kind of “model” do things. environment? What should NA or vehicle would the membership Some of us find it difficult focus on? Are we an organization like to invest in to put the adapting to change but change that delivers programs, and if so, organization in good stead for the is a sign of renewal. It should which ones? Do we serve as an foreseeable future and beyond? be a welcome, beneficial and advocacy group, and if so how In a changing market there are often essential process within a do we differentiate ourselves activities, programs, benefits community or an organization from other, more established and opportunities that might be WINTER 2019 7 offered to our membership in Alberta is and how we fill a gap contemplate the vision, mission, a more efficient and effective within the Alberta landscape and goals and structure of the way. In the early days of NA, we that isn’t in competition with organization together and rebuild spent most of our time assisting other organizations but where Bylaws and Policies to reflect clubs with getting established and we all collaborate together for a renewed organization and an helping with governance and in the protection and enjoyment of invigorated Board. I am confident providing print materials based nature as we love it in Alberta. that when the summer of 2020 on topics that seemed to resonate We will revise and update NA’s arrives, we will indeed celebrate with the membership. That isn’t strategic plan to determine Nature Alberta’s 50th Anniversary the case today. Nature Alberta our focus while building the and our journey together as we needs to clarify what our role is foundation to continue NA’s take our “renewed model” out for within Alberta with our members, mission to “encourage Albertans a run. individual provincial partners to increase their knowledge and If others can make changes to and our national affiliate Nature understanding of natural history improve “deliverables” and services Canada for us to move into the and ecological processes” until provided to members while making future. 2025 and beyond. an organization more efficient and We have an opportunity for NA to With input from members more effective, so can we…The re-imagine what and who Nature and at the Board level we will good work begins now.

Oops!

In the last edition, George Scotter’s review of the book, The Magnificent Nahanni: In the last edition, The Struggle to Protect a Wild Place, one of the photos didn’t appear to fit the under “Issues: A Case caption. That’s because it wasn’t the right photo. Here are the right ones (thanks, of Poaching?” and George!): in reference to the photo, it was stated ORNATELY SCULPTURED TERRACES AT RABBITKETTLE HOT SPRINGS, RANGING FROM A FEW CENTIMETRES that “all three of [the TO THREE METRES IN HEIGHT, DESCEND IN STEPS FROM CLEAR, WARM-WATER AT THE TOP. men] appear masked”; in fact, a photo later received by the Editor showed the men without masks. As well, the caption should have been followed by a question mark to read, “Poachers?”, as to date, it has not yet been proven that the men killed the animals illegally. 8 NatureAlberta

Nature Alberta NEWS Nature Alberta MEET THE BOARD Endowment Fund The following is the Nature Alberta Board of is Launched! Directors for 2019. BY BRIAN ILNICKI (An asterisk * beside name indicates a new Director.) On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to inform our network of supporters EXECUTIVE: that Nature Alberta has partnered with the Linda Howitt-Taylor | President Edmonton Community Foundation to create Dr. Ludwig Carbyn | Past President the Federation of Alberta Naturalists – Nature Alberta Endowment Fund. The establishment *Rannee Lui | Secretary of this fund is another step in helping to *Janice Yu | Treasurer ensure the long-term financial sustainability of Nature Alberta, providing an opportunity Vacant | Vice-President for our supporters to direct resources into a secure and managed account that will CORPORATE CLUB DIRECTORS: continue to grow over time. Kimberly Seifert-MacKenzie | Alberta Native Plant Council Since 1970, Nature Alberta has been actively connecting Albertans with the natural world Claudia Lipski | Buffalo Lake Naturalists that exists all around them. By encouraging *Leonard Shrimpton | Edmonton Nature Club Albertans to learn more about and understand natural history and ecological processes, Elizabeth Watts | Friends of Elk Island Society we can help to ensure that Alberta’s natural Angela Turner | Grassland Naturalists heritage and its biodiversity is widely enjoyed, deeply appreciated and thoroughly Joan Walker | Nature Calgary protected. Jennifer Okrainec | Lac La Biche Birding Society It is with the launch of the Federation Theodore Nanninga | Lethbridge Naturalists of Alberta Naturalists – Nature Alberta Society Endowment Fund, coupled with our ongoing fundraising and development activities, that Margot Hervieux | Peace Parkland Naturalists we will be able to continue to ensure that Anthony Blake | Red Deer River Naturalists Nature Alberta programming continues to grow and meet the needs of our members APPOINTED DIRECTORS and supporter over the next 50 years. Brian Joubert | Member at Large For more information about the Federation *Richard Schneider | Member at Large of Alberta Naturalists – Nature Alberta Endowment Fund or any of our other fund development options, please contact me directly. WINTER 2019 9

Nature Alberta &

Nature Alberta wants you to know Thanks that Nature Alberta has its own Many thanks to the most Caroline Lambert YouTube channel now. All kinds recent donors who gave Debbie Godkin of “good stuff” is there for you to to Nature Alberta. Your Teresa Dolman view. Visit: generosity is sincerely and Bruce Fandrich graciously appreciated. Being youtube.com/naturealberta Ted Hindmarch a volunteer organization, Marilyn Pflance Nature Alberta could not operate as it does without the Gary Dodd meaningful help of its donors. Geoff Holroyd Tax receipts have gone out. Ted Koziel Kathy and Don Lea Here are the names we have at this point: Lorna McDonell ATB Advertising in Nature Alberta

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Eyes on IBAs Brook Skagen “Pterodactyl” Lake BY BROOK SKAGEN

Beneath the bogs and black pine stands of Northern Alberta lies a rich prehistoric history, deposited between the surface and bedrock as bitumen oil.

Over millions of years, the organic reptiles which soared the skies anthropogenic disturbance. Less remains of ancient organisms, millions of years ago. Though the than ten of the bird’s 20 historic nest exposed to intense heat and Pterodactyls of the late Cretaceous locations in Alberta remain active unrelenting pressure below the were not feathered, and do not today. earth’s surface, have formed in fact share any avian lineage, Located approximately 40 km the hydrocarbon-rich petroleum the resemblance between these southeast of Wabasca and 110 km crucial to the world economy organisms is at times uncanny. northeast of Slave Lake, AB, The today. However, there are Pelicans arrive in Alberta in late Pelican Lake Important Bird and places in the region where living April, forming colonies in lakes Biodiversity Area (IBA) is one of “prehistoric” organisms still dwell. and other large waterbodies of the 15 IBAs in Alberta’s Boreal Natural Boreal, Parkland, and Grassland With massive bills, scarcely- Region and is one of the few Natural Regions. The American feathered faces, and an impressive remaining pelican breeding sites in White Pelican is Designated as wing span of up to 10 feet, the province. A mosaic of wetlands ‘Sensitive’ in the province and is the American White Pelican and mixedwood stands surround protected by the Alberta Wildlife (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), one the remote lake’s shore, with several Act, as the species is especially of the world’s largest birds, in small islands scattered across the open prone to nest abandonment from many ways resembles the flying water. Though oil and gas exploration

ONE OF THE LARGEST BIRDS ON THE GLOBE, COLONIAL NESTERS, AMERICAN WHITE THE AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN CAN WEIGH AS A CREST FORMS ON THE BILLS OF BOTH MALE AND PELICANS BUILD NESTS IN SHALLOW MUCH AS 18 POUNDS. IN COMPARISON, THE FEMALE PELICANS DURING THE BREEDING SEASON, DEPRESSIONS ON THE GROUND, WHERE BALD EAGLE WEIGHS LESS THAN 14 POUNDS. WHICH THEY USE FOR DISPLAY WHEN SEEKING A MATE. THEY WILL LAY A CLUTCH OF USUALLY 2 USFWS 2014 (WIKIMEDIA) USFWS 2017 (WIKIMEDIA) EGGS. USFWS (WIKIMEDIA) WINTER 2019 11

and development is prevalent habitat for provincially significant Sources: throughout the region, there is no concentrations of nesting Double- Alberta Culture and Tourism. 2019. Oil direct access to the isolated waters crested Cormorant, as well as falls Sands. Webpage. Available at: http:// of Pelican Lake, buffering the lake within the range of the West Side www.history.alberta.ca/energyheritage/ from surrounding disturbances. Athabasca Woodland Caribou unit. sands/default.aspx Canada Lynx, Fisher, Great Blue Alberta Environment and Parks. 2019a. Aptly named, the Pelican Lake Heron, and Wolverine have also American White Pelican (Pelecanus IBA hosts a globally-significant been documented in the IBA. erythrorhynchos). Webpage. Available concentration of American White at: http://aep.alberta.ca/fish-wildlife/ Pelican annually, with thousands of The American White Pelican is wild-species/birds/pelicans/american- pelicans breeding on two isolated perhaps the species that most white-pelican.aspx islands of the lake annually. closely resembles the flying reptiles Alberta Environment and Parks. 2019b. Recognizing the importance which once ruled the Cretaceous Fish and Wildlife Internet Mapping Tool (FWIMT). Available at: http://aep. of these breeding sites, the skies. With an enormous wing alberta.ca/fish-wildlife/fwmis/access- provincial government has placed span, massive orange bill, and fwmis-data.aspx a 1000-meter development buffer piercingly-light eyes, one glance of Bird Studies Canada. 2018. Important Bird around the islands so as to mitigate the impressive white bird, soaring Areas Canada: Pelican Lake (Alberta). for any future industry activities. effortlessly above bobbing waters, is Webpage. Available at: https://www. The IBA is not only important for all one needs to travel back in time. ibacanada.org/site.jsp?siteID=AB100 pelicans, but also provides valuable

LISA LUMLEY, DISCOVERER OF THE New Mite Discovered NEW MITE BY SUSAN VAN HOERK, INFORMATION FROM RDRN NEWSLETTER

Dr. Lisa M. Lumley, a taxonomist Most described species of diversity of the soil mesofauna in the Department of Natural oribatid mites inhabit the in forest habitats and are History, Royal Alberta Museum, organic layers of soils where prominent in grasslands, deserts, has discovered an oribatid mite they feed on microbes, detritus, freshwater habitats, and peatlands. in the ABMI 2017 collection that and smaller, soft-bodied Oribatids have proven useful as appears to be new to science. It invertebrates such as nematodes. bioindicators, especially of heavy is the 4th species in the genus Their comminution of litter, metal pollution. Eupelops to be documented in regulation of fungal growth Alberta. by grazing, and dispersal of microbial Twenty-five specimens were propagules are collected at Site 1579 in mixed- considered important grass prairie near Cypress contributions to Hills. Oribatid mites comprise the functioning of about 11,000 described species the decomposer distributed across about 1,300 subsystem in genera and approximately terrestrial ecosystems. 175 families depending on synonymies (more than one Oribatids usually name for given taxon) and dominate the the interpretations of various abundance and taxonomists. 12 NatureAlberta

Braking for the Planet – Learning the Limits BY LORNE FITCH, P. BIOL.

It would have been the wildest hyperbole to have called my father a patient teacher, especially in coaching someone to drive a car. He came from a lineage where sons were expected to observe and then flawlessly perform whatever action was demonstrated. Thankfully my mother enrolled me in a driver training course, or I would still be a pedestrian.

There, under the tutelage of a any highway, as other drivers at a speed that isn’t safe and very patient instructor, I learned with cruise control engaged are hoping we can steer around many important driving tips, reluctant to disengage it when the issues coming up much not the least of which was the approaching another vehicle, too quickly in front of our grill. idea that stop signs meant stop. coming into a curve or an area Rather than cruise control, it They were not yield signs to of traffic congestion. Cruise really is cruising with little or no motor through when the traffic control can be disengaged control. seemed light. The other was with a flick of a finger, yet the My driving instructor instilled the concept of leaving suitable tendency is to keep speed up, in me the concept of defensive distances between yourself and despite looming danger. Brake driving, being observant, other moving vehicles to allow lights flash at the last possible engaged and understanding safe stops. I wasn’t to realize until moment. Failure to disengage in limits. Perhaps these principles much later what a grounding in a timely way can lead to unsafe have application to how we ecology these fundamental driving and dangerous responses, manage the earth’s resources tips were. collisions and death. and our future. Technology has gotten in the I offer the unsafe use of cruise So, braking for the planet way of good driving skills. control as a metaphor for our before the planet breaks is Cruise control, a standard feature over-consumptive lifestyle. essential. Fundamental to this on most modern vehicles is a We happily give control over is the reality of finite limits to servomechanism that takes over to a machine, are reluctant to space, resources and energy. the throttle of the car to maintain slow down to match changing This is coached in a variety of a steady speed as set by the conditions and believe things terms. A tipping point happens driver. It is a curious will all work out. This is when a small shift in pressure bit of technology, at resource use on autopilot, or condition occurs that brings least as far as most of mind unengaged, attention about a large, often abrupt us use it. Watch, on unquestioning, using things up change in a system. Often

Lorne Fitch is a Professional Biologist, a retired Fish and Wildlife Biologist and an Adjunct Professor with the University of Calgary. WINTER 2019 13 synonymous with threshold, the River watershed were studied and Grizzly Bears indicated beginning of a change, which by Adam Norris for his 2012 that areas with road densities once passed an ecosystem may MSc thesis. Many things can greater than 0.6 km/km² no longer be able to return individually kill fish, but usually had fewer bears. Areas with to its previous state because it is a combination which quality habitat and fewer roads the resilience of a system is work together synergistically. had the most bears. Clayton compromised. There are also The Wapiti watershed has an Lamb, the principle researcher regulatory limits, points in some extensive land use footprint summarized the work with: variable up to which a risk of of logging, petroleum “Not only do bears die near system change is permitted development, agriculture, roads, bears also avoid these (as in legislation or policy) motorized recreational uses, areas making many habitats or accepted (as in social or high road density and losses of with roads through them less economic values). riparian buffers. With less water effective.” came higher water temperatures; What are some safe speeds more nutrients, like phosphorus Other wildlife, like Elk, avoid for resource use and what are in the runoff, depleted dissolved roads and areas within 500 the limits, tipping points, and oxygen, especially under meters of roads (and the thresholds and, where should times of low flow. High water human/vehicle traffic) which we stop? temperatures coupled with low constrains effective use of The concept is, before a certain dissolved oxygen levels led habitat in landscapes with high point is reached, populations, to losses of Arctic Grayling in road densities. Research on Elk habitat and ecosystems have many streams. But, the critical populations and their reaction the ability to bounce back, threshold, the line between to roads shows a threshold to rebound from pressures extant populations and missing of 0.55 km/km², beyond and stressors. Once that point ones was a threefold increase which Elk avoid such busy is reached and exceeded, in phosphorus concentrations landscapes. like a rubber band stretched over pre-development levels, a too much, elasticity is lost, a function of changes from land snap occurs and the ability to use. rebound back to a robust form Recent University of is lost. Alberta research on It may be the change is the relationship dramatic, like a light switched between off. Fish disappear with a roads chemical pollutant above a certain concentration, a swift change in the pH, an exceedance of thermal limits, or a stream drying up due to drought or diversions. For many species of wildlife, the cause is too much human traffic and the associated disturbance. Arctic Grayling population declines in the Wapiti 14 NatureAlberta

The change might be less 60% to 20%, a 67% drop. David droughts. Neither benefit native dramatic, more gradual, like Mayhood, an independent fish. a dimmer switch, where a fisheries biologist, points out, A collaborative research population declines on a based on the literature, there is effort, undertaken in the gradient, until the light of no road density threshold below lower Athabasca region (that resilience goes out. Fish and which there is no effect. includes the Athabasca tar sands wildlife populations require a In stark terms this means with area) and published in the critical mass, a minimum viable any road development in a Environmental Review journal number, to maintain themselves. watershed, the best available (2015), documented the effect This is expressed as the smallest science shows that Bull Trout of land use on flow patterns number of individuals in a and Cutthroat Trout populations and fish. The researchers found population capable of persisting can be expected to decline. All an increased flow variability of over time without winking native trout populations are at 20% in hydrologic patterns over out from natural and human risk in the Eastern Slopes and time from land clearing, logging, causes. Once the numbers drop many species like Bull trout, road building and mining below that point, the chances Cutthroat Trout and Athabasca (including the diversion of of successful reproduction to Rainbows are “threatened”. streams to accommodate tar sand fill the void are overwhelmed removal). This shift, from land by additive mortality, such as Highways, roads, railways and use, increased sediment loads, changes in suitable habitat to a great extent pipelines, contributed to other changes in conditions and/or competition powerlines, logging roads and water chemistry, increased the with non-native species. The Off Highway Vehicle trails are flashiness of watersheds and end happens, not with a bang, the fracture zones, the schisms changed base flows from pre- but with a whimper. separating and impacting development conditions. The intact landscapes and the The density of roads and trails effect of this on three native, creatures dependent on them. that bisect the landscape is migratory fish species was a Where linear density has been a case in point. Roads and 53-100% decline in populations calculated for the Eastern Slopes, native trout don’t mix well. All following a 15% change in the it currently exceeds 2.0 km/ linear features - roads, trails, landscape due to the footprint of km² and is as high as 5.0 km/ pipelines, skid trails and the human land uses. km². Clearly, these are levels that like - intercept runoff, capture exceed limits by several orders Prairie grasslands and many and redirect it downhill faster, of magnitude. of the bird species that nest increase erosion along the there are not immune from way and then dump excess Road density can be an index human footprints. Jason Unruh, water and sediment into a for many other factors like the in his 2015 Master’s thesis watercourse, to the eventual total human land use footprint “Effects of Oil Development dismay of trout. Fisheries and the overall effects of that on Grassland Songbirds and biologists generally agree that footprint on runoff patterns their Avian Predators in the best road density to protect in a watershed. The land use southeastern Saskatchewan” trout is zero roads/km². footprint affects how water noted effects from noise, well flows off the landscape, when Travis Ripley, in his MSc thesis density, conversion of native it does and the extent of runoff. research, found increasing road grassland, traffic and human Removal of forest canopy, by density in the Kakwa sub- activity. Limiting relationships logging, can increase flows in watersheds from 0 km/km² to on sensitive species became the spring but result in lower 0.6 km/km² is associated with apparent at a disturbance late season flows. This can a decline in the probability of threshold of only 3% of the exacerbate both flooding and occurrence of Bull Trout from landscape. As Unruh pointed out: WINTER 2019 15

“These are not large scale Extreme weather events, much longer with a degree of disturbance factors yet they plummeting populations of ecological integrity, or continue still have detectable effects grassland bird species, native to be profligately stupid and on grassland songbird fish hanging on by a fin and crater soon, with our resource abundance.” crashing Caribou numbers are exploitation cruise controls all grains of sand in the beaches locked on full bore. At a global scale, given current of evidence indicating we have rates of greenhouse gas Cruise control for our cars exceeded critical ecological and emissions, the temperature was an invention that made climate thresholds in our pursuit is projected to rise 1.5⁰C. us lazy and complacent in of economic advantage. Doesn’t sound like much; an our driving habits. Ignoring insignificant threshold. But, We are at a time where too many or avoiding ecological limits with that temperature increase wants now compete with too has had a similar effect on our comes the real risk of tipping few remnants of wild places and decision making function for points for the melting of Arctic wild things. Because we did not appropriate amounts of land/ sea ice, the Greenland ice sheet want to think about or engage resource use. New cars with and the Antarctic ice sheet. in limits, we have landscapes advanced safety systems, to Melting ice causes a rise in sea replete with consequences and help avoid or mitigate collisions levels, maybe by a meter - again complications. It is easier to are already on the market. seemingly insignificant, except dream than to unseat a culture Examples include automatic for people living on coast lines. drunk on the illusion of plenty, emergency braking, forward Currently the storm surge risk impatient with restrictions, collision warning and blind-spot for New York City is once every determined to wring more from warning. Imagine if we applied 100 years. With a one meter a landscape than can be done the concept of this technology rise in sea level the storm surge sustainably. to the landscape to help us risk for the city changes to once avoid approaching or crossing Our lives should provide every three to four years, hardly essential ecological thresholds. guidance since they include insignificant. speed limits (which would It isn’t technology we need, but A threshold is a line drawn reduce injury and death if we rather the discipline of setting in sand that an ecologist or a adhered to them), spending and maintaining limits on our climatologist says is a stop sign, limits (but Canada’s credit activity. How hard can it be to not to be gone beyond without card debt is at an all-time apply the brakes? Perhaps, if we consequences and repercussions. high), eating limits (obesity is learn to use the brakes, the next But the line seems so tenuous, a growing problem), drinking step will be to shift into reverse innocuous or unbelievable limits (impaired driving is still and begin the task of restoration that we cross it and redraw a concern), physical limits (but of the places where we’ve it a little further on, to allow we engage in little exercise) and exceeded the limits. another wellsite, road, cutblock so it is probably evident why or another degree of warming. land use limits are still ignored. Once we’re accustomed to We would be better served to crossing the line, it gets easier understand and observe the to cross and redraw it again, thresholds. for it does not seem anything We could still be considered catastrophic happens. And, lucky by others in the world nothing does, initially. The not so fortunate with natural effects become clear, too late, in resources. We can be smart retrospect. and live reasonably well for 16 NatureAlberta

FEATURE ARTICLE Winter Images. FRESH SNOW IN THE AREA. JOHN MCFAUL Just for You!

PETER LOUGHEED PARK. JOHN MCFAUL

BIGHORN SHEEP IN KANANASKIS. JOHN MCFAUL WINTER 2019 17

ROBERTSON GLACIER. JOHN MCFAUL MOUNT PACHENHAM. JOHN MCFAUL

MOUNT ROBERTSON AND . JOHN MCFAUL

BIGHORN SHEEP IN KANANASKIS. JOHN MCFAUL NO MORE WASPS! HOLLE HAHN SUN DOGS IN CALGARY. JOHN MCFAUL

WHITE-TAIL DEER. HOLLE HAHN 18 NatureAlberta

AN EARLY SNOWFALL. HOLLE HAHN

BLUE JAY ON A FROSTY MORNING. HOLLE HAHN

COTTONTAIL RABBIT. HOLLE HAHN

GREAT GREY OWL. HOLLE HAHN FROSTY MORNING. HOLLE HAHN WINTER 2019 19

First Hand: Convocation of Eagles BY BROOK SKAGEN While driving the country roads southeast of Lethbridge in the hopes of expanding their winter HOW MANY CAN YOU SPOT ON THE BRANCHES OF EAGLE TREE? KEN ORICH 2019 bird lists in late January, Ken Orich and Earle Covert stumbled eBird. Interestingly, Earle had food resources. During the upon quite the sight: a lone tree, encountered a convocation of 24 2015 sighting, Earle noted the with Bald Eagles filling every eagles at the same tree during the nearby remains of a cow carcass. space between its otherwise bare 2015 Lethbridge Christmas Bird According to Ken, it was likely branches. Count, accounting for nearly half another carcass or source of food Referred to as a convocation or of the 54 Bald Eagles documented that drew the birds back. Eagle congress, the group of eagles, on count day. Tree is located just east of a chicken farm, and Ken has seen at least 25 birds strong, was Typically solitary, Bald Eagles may firsthand the eagles feeding in the spotted southeast of Lethbridge. form large groups outside of the surrounding fields. The site has been aptly named breeding season, congregating “Eagle Tree” by Ken on near roosts or in areas of high How many eagles can you see? Rare Visitor to Lethbridge a ASA BERNDTSSON 2006 (WIKIMEDIA) ON FIRST First for the Province GLANCE, BY BROOK SKAGEN THE TUNDRA On January 9th, 2019, David Scott Canada Geese. The sighting BEAN GOOSE of Lethbridge, AB came across an is the first confirmed report (TOP) MAY BE extraordinary sighting. Contrasting of the bird in Alberta, which MISTAKEN FOR against the grey and brown typically migrates from the THE SIMILAR wash of a Canada Goose flock Russian tundra to overwinter GREATER WHITE- was a pair of bright orange legs, in coastal Europe. The Tundra FRONTED GOOSE belonging to none other than a Bean Goose was last spotted (BOTTOM), Tundra Bean Goose! on January 10th. A COMMON WINTER The unusual visitor was observed You can find the eBird MIGRANT in Lethbridge’s Peenaquim Park, checklist, including photos THROUGH situated along the Oldman River, of the sighting, here: https:// ALBERTA. where it was mingling with the ebird.org/view/checklist/ larger and much more common S51499965 ANDY REAGO & CHRISSY MCCLARREN 2018 (WIKIMEDIA) RED FOX “KITS” AS THE YOUNG ARE CALLED, 20 NatureAlberta UNDER A GRANARY NEAR ALBERTA BEACH. CANADIANGEOGRAPHIC.CA

Up Close Naturally: Looking for Red Foxes BY MARGOT HERVIEUX

Whenever I’m out for a walk or a drive I’m always hoping to spot a Red Fox. Despite their somewhat secretive nature, even city residents like me have a chance to see these fascinating creatures.

Foxes belong to the dog family. carrion. When hunting rodents, mated pair does spend most of They are smaller than their you will often see them pause the year together. Their territories cousins the Coyotes and Wolves and listen before pouncing on are centred around one or more but have the same long snout, their meal. They can even hear pointed ears and bushy tails. mice moving under the snow Red Foxes usually wear their and dive in front feet first once trademark red coat, but you they pinpoint the sound. “RED FOXES USUALLY WEAR will also occasionally see dark THEIR TRADEMARK RED Red Foxes aren’t as social as coloured animals. No matter COAT, BUT YOU WILL ALSO Coyotes and Wolves, but a what their fur colour, however, OCCASIONALLY SEE DARK they always have a white tip on COLOURED ANIMALS.” THECANADIANENCYCLOPEDIA.CA/ their tail and white on the ears A RED FOX IN JASPER NATIONAL PARK. EN/ARTICLE/FOX and chest. JESS FINDLAY We most often see foxes when they are out hunting. Mice and voles make up most of their diet, but they also eat other small mammals, birds, insects, eggs, fruit and even fresh

Margot also writes a column for the Peace Country Sun, archived copies of which are available at www. peacecountrysun. com. WINTER 2019 21 den sites but during the fall Foxes are quite common in the of Lyme disease and foxes play a and winter the adults usually agricultural parts of the province. critical role in controlling rodent just shelter under dense shrubs. They are comfortable living near numbers. In areas with lots of When it’s cold, they use their people because food is plentiful, Coyotes, however, there are fewer bushy tail as a scarf to protect and they are less likely to run into foxes and higher levels of the their face. their major predator, the Coyote. disease. I once watched a fox follow a Fox kits are born in May, in a Red Foxes may not be quite Coyote through its denning area den that was dug or enlarged by as devious as they are in barking as it went. The noise the vixen. A litter can contain cartoons, but they are clever and would alert other foxes that a from one to ten pups but three resourceful. The risk they pose to predator was in the area. to five is most common. The the occasional chicken is far out- youngsters are old enough The relationship between foxes weighed by the large number of to leave the den in June and and Coyotes has also been linked mice and voles they eat each year. parents continue to bring them to Lyme disease in the eastern US. food and teach them hunting Mice and voles are a major carrier skills until summer’s end.

RED FOX. ISTOCKPHOTO.COM 22 NatureAlberta GREAT HORNED OWL IN A WINTER 2019 23 CLASSIC POSE. MYRNA PEARMAN

How Humans Unwittingly Lend a Helping Hand: Abandoned Buildings BY MYRNA PEARMAN

While wandering the backroads of this great province, I pay special attention to abandoned buildings and farmsteads. These ghostly, decaying sentinels bear silent witnesses to the march of time: wordless storybooks whose sagging walls whisper of long- lost laughter, hopes and dreams. They are also home to a surprising diversity of wildlife.

TWO ANIMAL “CONDOS”. MYRNA PEARMAN 24 NatureAlberta

HOW MANY SPECIES OF ANIMALS INHABIT THIS HOUSE, I WONDER? MYRNA PEARMAN

Insects, especially ants and doors left ajar, all three of American Kestrels or even bees, will often be the first these species will move inside Mountain Bluebirds might to colonize an old structure. to nest, often on the top of find a suitable nesting hole Bird species, like American a window or door casing. somewhere. Robins, Barn Swallows and Outside walls will provide a Great Horned Owls will Eastern Phoebes, will readily substrate for Cliff Swallows often choose the window build their nest on a protected to build their mud nests on, of an old house, barn outdoor ledge. Once the while cavity-nesting species or outbuilding to sleep window glass is broken or such as Tree Swallows,

Myrna is a very well-known author, photographer, biologist and naturalist. She is the Biologist and Site Services Manager at Ellis Bird Farm (ellisbirdfarm.ca). She can be reached at [email protected]. WINTER 2019 25

the day away while Turkey and rattlers, will also choose old Vultures depend on the attics foundations for their hibernacula. of abandoned windowless Sadly, as old buildings collapse structures to raise their young. and decay, and as monster farm Bats often take up residence in equipment continues to gobble up roof nooks and crannies while old farmyards - which are often the floors and foundations are the only remnants of local native often occupied by mice, voles, prairie and parkland - both history squirrels, Badgers, Porcupines, and habitat are lost forever. Raccoons, foxes, Coyotes, woodchucks, Bushy-tailed These images are of a few of Woodrats, skunks and weasels. Alberta’s wild creatures that I Snakes, especially garter snakes have photographed in, on, around

SKUNK. MYRNA PEARMAN 26 NatureAlberta

“TURKEY VULTURES DEPEND ON THE ATTICS OF ABANDONED WINDOWLESS STRUCTURES TO RAISE THEIR YOUNG.” MYRNA PEARMAN

EASTERN PHOEBE. MYRNA PEARMAN

or beneath abandoned buildings. It is my goal to photograph as many abandoned building inhabitants as possible. If you know of other species that I should look for (or buildings where they hang out), I’d appreciate being contacted. myrna@ myrnapearman.com. WINTER 2019 27

ZOE MACDOUGALL

BY ZOE MACDOUGALL, NATURE KIDS PROGRAM COORDINATOR

TO NATURE ALBERTA the public and we bring in local spaces they can visit with their MEMBERS: experts to talk about anything families. My name is Zoe and I am the from birds to trees to water to With this nature education, program coordinator for Nature fungi. Families enjoy spending we aim to engage the people Alberta’s Nature Kids. Nature Kids time together in the outdoors and of Alberta to build on existing has been active in Alberta since also learning about the local green stewardship, conservation, and 2003. This program was a vision of the Red Deer River Naturalists and Nature Alberta board members who wanted to create an extracurricular opportunity for children in Alberta to increase time outdoors by encouraging nature exploration, scientific investigation, and stewardship attitudes. Today, we offer nature-based events to families across Alberta such as Christmas Bird Counts for Kids, Family Nature Nights, Bioblitzes, and Field Trip events. This year we are again taking on the long-standing Snow Goose Chase at the end of April so stay tuned! We enjoy bringing these events to the families of Alberta as we understand that it is important for families to get outside and get active as well as learn about the nature in their own backyards. The events we offer are free to

KIDS AT ONE OF OUR FUN EVENTS! ZOE MACDOUGALL 28 NatureAlberta

outreach initiatives as these We have included in this edition example of the types of articles we are key to a healthy Albertan of the Nature Alberta magazine, feature in our NatureWILD magazine environment. If you would like an article all about the Canada for our Nature Kids members that to learn more about the events Lynx that was written by Annie we hope to feature in the Nature that we offer across Alberta, be Langlois, the Hinterland Who’s Alberta magazine more often! sure to follow our Nature Alberta Who Coordinator at the Canadian Happy exploring, Facebook Page! Wildlife Federation. This is an

Learn all about the Canada Lynx, Canada’s Big footed which is not to be mistaken for a Wild Cat Bobcat. BY ANNIE LANGLOIS, CANADIAN WILDLIFE FEDERATION HINTERLAND WHO’S WHO COORDINATOR

The Canada Lynx is one of the cold season. To help it stay But what exactly does the lynx three species of wild cats, or comfortable well below 0° Celsius, hunt in the darkness? This animal felines, living in Canada. Even if the Canada Lynx has a thick is a strict carnivore (it only eats it looks a bit like your own house winter coat which is brownish meat) and its favourite meal is the cat from a distance, they’re pretty grey with darker spots. Even its Snowshoe Hare. The lynx will go different! For example, the lynx feet become covered in fur so that hide close to well-known trails has a much shorter tail with a he can walk on the snow, just used by hare, laying an ambush black tip, longer legs, larger feet, like if it had snowshoes on! When so that they can pounce on an and some black hairs sticking out spring comes, it sheds this winter off the top of its ears which your coat and grows a shorter, reddish cat probably doesn’t have. It’s also brown one, better suited for the about three times larger than a warmer summer months. cat! Also, the Canada Lynx is not Unfortunately, you’ll rarely be the type of cat that you can keep able to see a Canada Lynx. Unless inside a home. it’s a female with kits, it lives Canada Lynx can be found alone, quietly roaming around throughout Canada, from its large territory. This territory is Newfoundland and Labrador in often deep in the forest, where the east to the Yukon in the west, few humans go. Its mottled – in the boreal forest. Most of the or spotted - fur also helps it trees that grow there are conifer camouflage in the shadow of the trees (like spruce, fir, pine and trees. Plus, the lynx is nocturnal: tamarack), and it is the home it’s more active at night, using its of other animals such as the large eyes and awesome sense of Woodland Caribou, the Wolverine, hearing to spot prey. and many species of birds. Since this is our most northern forest, with long, harsh winters, the animals living there must CANADA LYNX. DENALI NATIONAL PARK be well adapted to survive the AND PRESERVE, HTTPS://EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG/ WIKI/CANADA_LYNX WINTER 2019 29 unsuspecting prey passing by. It which it wouldn’t attack when and trees to thrive. They even likes this meal so much, that the they’re alive. prefer old growth forests where number of lynxes goes up when the trees haven’t been disturbed In years where food is plentiful, more hare are around, and down in a while, if they have a choice. an adult female lynx will be able when there are fewer hare. In This is why habitat destruction by to successfully raise her four kits years where a lot of hares can be humans, for example clear-cutting until they become adults, when caught, more lynxes survive, as a forest until there are no more they are a year old. The kittens they can eat their fill of one hare trees standing, can be a huge are born in April or May and are per day. But the Canada Lynx can issue to the species. Also, if lynxes raised anywhere that gives shelter hunt for other prey too in times are disturbed a lot by human from the rain and cold. This place of need, especially during the noises and people driving around, can be an uprooted tree, a brush summer. These include grouse, they tend to move away. pile or a hollow log. voles, mice, squirrels, and foxes. It can also dine on carrion, or dead Both adult and young Canada animals such as larger mammals, Lynxes need the cover of plants

Want to help the Canada Lynx out? Learn everything you can about it and tell all your friends! Getting to know our wild neighbours is a great first step in conserving them!

Have a look at the Hinterland Who’s Who video on the Canada Lynx at www.hww.ca

ISTOCKPHOTO.COM 30 NatureAlberta

CELESTIAL HAPPENINGS

Spring (March to May 2019)

BY JOHN MCFAUL

Sun: Rise – March 1 (7:21 MST), April 1 (7:07 MDT), May 1 (5:59 MDT) Set – March 1 (18:11 MST), April 1 (20:09 MDT), May 1 (21:03 MDT) Times are for Edmonton. Note: Day Light Savings Time will start on Sunday, March 10th. Spring Equinox is on Saturday, March 20th, 2017 at 3:58 PM. Moon: Full – March 20, April 19, May 18 New – March 6, April 5, May 4 Planets: Mercury will be best seen low in the west shortly after sunset during the first week of March. For the rest of this time period it will be hidden by the glare of the sun. Venus will continue to shine brightly in the morning sky where it will be seen hugging the SE horizon in March to the NE horizon in May. On April 2 it will be joined by a very slim crescent moon. Mars can be seen in the early evening sky above the western horizon throughout the spring. In March it can be found in the constellation Ares. It will move eastward as the months progress. By the end of May, it will be in Gemini. Look for the moon to be nearby on March 11, April 8 and May 7. On April 1, the red planet will be passing the Pleiades star cluster in Taurus. Jupiter is a morning object about 25 degrees 1ST DAY OF SPRING STARTS MARCH 20, 3:58 PM. TIMEANDDATE.COM above the SSE horizon. Watch for the moon to be close by on March 26th and especially close on April 23rd. Saturn is in the constellation Sagittarius and is best seen in the southern sky about 15 degrees above the horizon an hour before sunrise.

Meteor Shower: Lyrids (April 21, 15/hour in a dark sky) Eta Aquirids (May 4th, 20/hour) The predicted rate is for dark skies well away from city light pollution. WINTER 2019 31 Wisdom INFORMATION FROM RDRN NEWSLETTER Wisdom is a wild female Laysan Albatross. She is the oldest confirmed wild bird in the Nature world, hatched in or around 1951. In 1956, at the estimated age of five, she was tagged by scientists at the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge for study, but then returned to the wild rather than being kept in captivity. Albatrosses lay one egg per year and mate for life. Scientists have speculated that since Wisdom TRIVIA is so unusually old for her species, she may have had to find another mate to keep breeding. Wisdom has successfully hatched a chick every year since She - and her chick - survived the 2011 Tohoku 2006. In December 2018, USFWS Pacific Region reported earthquake and tsunami that killed a huge that Wisdom was back on Midway Atoll and had laid an number of Laysan and Black-footed albatrosses egg. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisdom_(albatross) at the refuge.

WIKIPEDIA ISTOCKPHOTO.COM 32 NatureAlberta

What Does a Cloud Weigh? The water in an average white, puffy, cumulus cloud weighs about 550 tons or about the same as 100 elephants. A big storm cloud would weigh about 1,100,000 tons - the same as 200,000 elephants! FROM THE OLDE FARMER’S ALMANAC 2018.

Nature Alberta Celebrating our natural heritage!

Nature Alberta welcomes submissions of articles, photos, humour and other suitable material on Alberta’s natural history. Submission guidelines for articles and photos are available on the NA website at www.naturealberta.ca. Join Today! E-VERSION » Individual*: $25/yr Donations welcome! MAIL TO: Nature Alberta Family*: $25/yr Your support means Attn: Membership (includes NatureKids Program membership) a great deal to 11759 Groat Road Less $5.00 for members of NA Clubs Edmonton, AB Nature Alberta and its T5M 3K6 * add $15/yr for hard copy of magazine conservation objectives. PHRAGMITES AUSTRALIS; SEE STORY, PAGE 5. DUCKS.CA

A MOOSE IN THE BACKYARD! SEE “ON THE COVERS”. HOLLE HAHN VOLUME 48 | NUMBER 4 | WINTER 2019 Naturegallery

LONG-TAILED WEASEL; SEE THE STORY, ON PAGE 23, OF HOW WILDLIFE HAPPILY MOVES IN WHEN WE ABANDON OLD BUILDINGS. MYRNA PEARMAN

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