Summer 2019 Volume 77.2

SUMMER 2019 VOLUME 77.2 BLUE JAY FROM THE PRESIDENT Ed Rodger the plan are organized into the five President, Nature Saskatchewan categories also used in our financial reporting: Conservation, Education, Nature Saskatchewan, like most Research, Member Services and organizations, periodically develops a Administration. Several strategies 8 22 32 plan of its major prioirities and work are formulated within each of these items. In our case, this is a strategic categories, and for each a target The results of the 77th annual Christmas Bird Count Data about the distribution of the prairie Donna Firby Gamache documents the occurrence plan updated every three years. The completion date is set, as well as who (CBC) in Saskatchewan are in, but did the 2018 pasqueflower in Saskatchewan is lacking. In this of three Eurasian Collared-Doves in her MacGregor, count prove to be one of the most exciting on paper, Vladimir Kricsfalusy fills in the existing MB yard in February 2018 and discusses their spread latest one was drafted late last year, is responsible to work on it, among record, or one of the dullest of the century? information gap by providing detailed distribution across the United States and southwestern Canada. and finalized and ratified earlier this both staff and Board members. records of prairie pasqueflower collected during one century of observations (1920-2018). year. I thought I'd use this column to There are more items in the plan talk about this latest plan. than I could cover here, but I'll outline The Nature Saskatchewan Strategic some main themes (in no particular Plan is put together in a general order) that may be of interest to meeting of Board members and staff, NS members and Blue Jay readers. with some discussion documents Perhaps a good thing to mention first, circulated ahead of time. Items within with the recent success of the Birds of Saskatchewan book, is that the Ed Rodger plan reaffirms Nature Saskatchewan's Saskatchewan, as well as looking role as a publisher, and in fact seeks at further partnership opportunities to strengthen our presence as a among the university and First Nations 40 42 52 publisher in the province. This includes communities. the Blue Jay, where we will seek to The plan also has items related to In early May of 1885, teamster A. McCarthy of Walter Krivda was a long-time resident and Environmental educator and writer Kim Epp Pense was engaged to convey supplies from Swift teacher at The Pas who studied natural history in highlights the importance of providing water to expand content, and complete its Nature Saskatchewan membership, Current to Battleford in wake of Colonel Otter’s the area for many decades, and was instrumental wildlife during hot weather. establishment in an online format. including ways to better engage regiment. About 32 km north of Swift Current, in encouraging youth's interest in nature. He McCarthy observed a large flock of Whooping published numerous articles in Blue Jay, and In conservation activities, the NS members and supporters, and Cranes in a “slough”. Evidently, these birds had contributed large and important collections of plan acknowledges that Nature including a survey of members; it been feeding and resting in the course of their plants and insects to museums. See page 42 for an northward migration. obituary. Saskatchewan could have more also looks for ways to expand our WHAt’s inside focus on the parkland and boreal member or supporter communities. forest regions of the province, to There are also plan items related to the 5 Nature Saskatchewan 32 Eurasian Collared-Dove: 42 In Memoriam: Walter Krivda ON THE FRONT COVER complement our activity in the organization's communication with its Staff Switcheroo Invader Spreads Across the (1932-2018) The pasqueflower, or prairie crocus, is the true southern part of the province. The members and the general public. West Robert Wrigley, Terry Galloway harbinger of spring. It braves the frosts and high 7 Welcoming the LMBO winds on the prairie to be the first plant to bloom plan includes initiatives for many Finally, any plan for Nature and Michael Leblanc each year. Summer Staff Donna Firby Gamache established NS projects, such as the Saskatchewan will acknowledge its 8 77th Annual Saskatchewan 34 Nature Saskatchewan 45 46th Saskatchewan Christmas Photo credit: Vladimir Kricsfalusy Last Mountain Bird Observatory and role as an employer, and its financial Christmas Bird Count - 2018 Spring Meet 2019 Mammal Count - 2018 the Important Bird Areas program. It management responsibilities, so Alan R. Smith and Randi 37 Nature Saskatchewan Alan R. Smith also addresses current programs that the plan includes several items that Edmonds 2018-19 Funders Listing 50 Celebrating Nature have an educational focus, such as cover policy and administration for 21 Update on Birds of 38 Nature Saskatchewan Awards: Saskatchewan’s Volunteer NatureHood. organizational functions. Saskatchewan Call for Nominations Stewards: Darlene Roth The Nature Saskatchewan plan As I mentioned, I'm not able to Amy Wheeler also addresses the importance provide a full view of what the NS Donna Bruce 40 Whooping Cranes Amid of partnerships in our activities. plan contains, but I hope this gives a 22 Distribution of Political Turmoil, Spring 1885 52 Beyond Your Backyard: Water For Wildlife There are work items that speak to flavor of its scope. I'm looking forward Prairie Pasqueflower David Meyer and Kimberly J. Epp to working on the new plan with the in Saskatchewan Robert C. Clipperton ON THE BACK COVER reinforcing or expanding our work Vladimir Kricsfalusy 54 Human Nature The sun sets over Crystal Lake, Saskatchewan, with organizations such as Nature Nature Saskatchewan staff, Board, 41 The Vern Harms Important located just north of Yorkton in the Aspen Parkland. Canada, and with local nature members, partners, and the general Andrea Olive Turn to page 54 to read this issue's edition of 30 Stewards of Saskatchewan Plant Areas of Saskatchewan Human Nature, in which Andrea Olive shares her societies, landowners in the Stewards public, and should have more to say Staff Update Program 55 Mystery Photo connection with Crystal Lake and how her love of of Saskatchewan program, and the about it at future meets or in future Sarah Vinge-Mazer and nature was born at this location. Conservation Data Centre here in Blue Jay columns. Chet Neufeld Photo credit: Andrea Olive 2 BLUE JAY SUMMER 2019 VOLUME 77.2 SUMMER 2019 VOLUME 77.2 BLUE JAY 3 BLUE JAY NATURE SASKATCHEWAN Blue Jay, founded in 1942 by STAFF SWITCHEROO Isabel M. Priestly, is a journal of We are excited to announce that By the time of publication, the natural history and conservation for two Nature Saskatchewan staff winter weather should have let up Saskatchewan and adjacent regions. Board of Directors Main Office members will be welcoming their and program staff will hopefully have It is published quarterly by President Nature Saskatchewan own ‘young’ this spring! Lacey muddied their boots in the field. Stay Ed Rodger Nature Saskatchewan. 206 – 1860 Lorne Street Weekes, Nature Saskatchewan’s tuned for our blog posts throughout Vice President Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 2L7 Conservation and Education the summer field work. We look Editor: Annie McLeod Ken Ludwig (306) 780-9273 3017 Hill Avenue Secretary [email protected] Manager, will begin her maternity forward to catching up with all of Regina, SK S4S 0W2 Fraser Hunter www.naturesask.ca leave on May 1, and Ashley Vass, the you in the near future. E-mail: [email protected] Rare Plant Rescue Coordinator, will Please find updated information Treasurer Shirley Bartz was born Brian Johnson Publications be on leave as of May 13. for the affected staff below: and raised far from the Prairies. Editorial Information Past President Blue Jay Editor With two staff members on Annie McLeod Whether she was backpacking in Blue Jay welcomes all submissions, Branimir Gjetvaj maternity leave at the same time, Shirley Bartz: preferably by e-mail (although hand- the Sierra Nevada Mountains, cross Honourary President Acting Special Publications Editor which has often been the case, in Shrubs for Shrikes, written or typed manuscripts will be Gary Seib Donna Bruce country skiing in the Los Padres addition to Kaytlyn Burrows returning Plovers on Shore, and considered to accommodate those Conservation Director National Forest, or rock-hopping from an education leave, there are Stewards of Saskatchewan Banner who do not have access to computer Lorne Scott Contacts for in the hoodoos of Joshua Tree, a lot of musical chair style changes program equipment), polished or in need of Directors Local Societies & Affiliates Shirley was always watching birds, Amy Wheeler planned for the spring. 306-780-9832 some editorial assistance. All items Fort Qu’Appelle Nature Society chasing lizards, staring at bugs Jamie Sparrow Keith Stephens As of May 21, Kaytlyn Burrows will [email protected] for publication should be sent to the Cheryl Loadman and tracking mammals. Following Indian Head Natural History Society be returning to her role as Operation editor electronically (in a Microsoft Donna Bruce her passion for studying living Word document) by e-mail or on CD. Morley Maier Irv Escott Burrowing Owl Coordinator, and Kaytlyn Burrows: things, Shirley completed a B.Sc. in Hard copies and CDs can be mailed to Vladimir Kricsfalusy Kelsey Ecological Society Emily Putz (who had been filling in Operation Burrowing Owl Kathleen Pitt wildlife management, worked as the editor at the address above. for Kaytlyn) will move into the Rare 306-780-9833 Moose Jaw Nature Society a field biologist for 10 years, and Plant Rescue Coordinator position [email protected] Office & Program Contacts Lorna Arnold & Kim Epp then completed a M.Sc. in biology. Submission deadlines once Ashley’s leave begins.

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