FALL 2017 VOLUME 75.3 BLUE JAY FALL 2017 VOLUME 75.3 BLUE JAY 1 FROM THE PRESIDENT Dr. Branimir Gjetvaj Charlie Bailey, who received one of President, Nature Saskatchewan two scholarships that were awarded this year, is studying the importance The mission of Nature Saskatchewan of wild insect pollinators for fruit crop is to engage and inspire people to production in Saskatchewan. Part appreciate, learn about and conserve of her research is to see if there is a Saskatchewan’s natural environment. link between the level of intensity Our Society strives to encourage of agricultural production and the 5 6 9 Dr. Branimir Gjetvaj a better understanding of nature, diversity of wild insects that pollinate Donna Gamache shares her observations of The spring of 2009 was a record year for breeding J. Paul Goossen and Ken Porteous review the recent and human relation to nature. We sour cherry orchards. Charlie is hoping 3 Red-headed Woodpeckers near her home in Great Gray Owls in and around Riding Mountain status of Piping Plovers in Manitoba and the Special been underestimated . In some crops, south-central Manitoba. National Park, with evidence of breeding within Conservation Areas designated to protect the participate in, and contribute to that the results of her research will non-bee insects may provide up to half a relatively small area. In addition, spring 2009 species, as well as the efforts undertaken to protect research that increases knowledge of lead to a better understanding of how provided the first breeding record for Northern Hawk and restore habitat on SCAs and the value of SCAs the pollination services of honey bees. Owls in Riding Mountain National Park. for protecting endangered species habitat when the the natural world. To further support much wild insect pollinators contribute These alternative pollinators might species no longer uses them. research that complements our to fruit crop production, and ultimately also be able to provide more robust goals, we provide graduate student result in agricultural practices that ecosystem services in the uncertain and scholarships to those attending post- reduce harm to wild pollinators. rapidly changing world. secondary institutions in Saskatchewan. Why is this research important? Human-induced land-use change More than 70 per cent of global food and intensification are considered to crops depend, at least in part, on be among the main forces behind the pollination by animals. The majority pollinator declines. The underlying of animal pollinators are insects (e.g. mechanism of this decline is thought various bees, flies, wasps, moths, and to be the loss of habitat that supports butterflies). They play a crucial role in host plants and provides nesting sites4. nature by transferring pollen between In spite of their importance, there are 18 32 the male and female parts of flowers a limited number of studies that have 46 to enable fertilization and formation of investigated the contribution of wild Upon examining shrews found dead on a road at In 2016, one new species was added to the all-time In this issue’s edition of Human Nature, Rob seeds and fruit. pollinators to Canadian agriculture, Delta Marsh, Manitoba, Spencer Sealy discovered list for the Saskatchewan Christmas Bird Count Warnock shares why the Last Mountain Bird Bees are the most important group that each had been bitten and apparently discarded (CBC), bringing the historical total to 191 species. Observatory (LMBO) is one of his favourite places to and the impact that agricultural by a mammalian predator, probably a weasel. See the full results of the 75th Annual Saskatchewan birdwatch during spring and fall migrations. of pollinators, with more than 20,000 intensification has on their populations. CBC on page 32. species described worldwide. About At Nature Saskatchewan, we are 12 bee species — such as the honey proud to be able to support young WHAt’s insiDE bee, some bumblebees and solitary scientists who conduct research that bees — are commonly managed and will lead to better understanding 5 'Flying Checkerboard' 18 Dead Shrews on the Road: 28 Book Review: used for crop pollination, a crucial of natural processes impacting A Delight to Watch Discarded by Mammalian The Genius of Birds ON THE FRONT COVER step in securing sufficient food supply biodiversity, food security and human 1 Donna Gamache Predators? Diether Peschken An Upland Sandpiper photographed south of Rush for human consumption . Non-bee well-being. Spencer G. Sealy Lake, Saskatchewan in the middle of a grassland wild pollinators also play an important 6 Record Nesting Year for Great 30 Prairie Dog Facebook: Research prairie, far from any notable water source. Gray and Northern Hawk Owls 23 Nature Saskatchewan on Social Rodents in Grasslands Photo credit: Randy McCulloch role in the production of our food 1. Potts, S.G., et al. (2016): Safeguarding in Riding Mountain National Fall Meet 2017 National Park by pollinating more than 40 major pollinators and their values to human well- Park Region During the Spring crops grown worldwide. They improve being. Nature 540:220-229. 25 2017 Graduate Scholarship Jillian Kusch of 2009 pollination efficiency and the level 2. Garibaldi, L.A., et al. (2013): Wild Winners 32 75th Annual Saskatchewan Ken Kingdon of fruit set twice the rate of what is pollinators enhance fruit set of crops 26 Nature Saskatchewan Christmas Bird Count - 2016 2 9 Manitoba's Declining Piping achieved by domesticated honey bees . regardless of honey bee abundance. Science Welcomes New Board Alan R. Smith Plover Population and A group of research scientists, 339:1608-1611. Members 46 Human Nature the Importance of Special including Dr. Cory Sheffield, Curator 3. Rader, R., et al. (2016): Non-bee insects Conservation Areas 27 Another Successful Rob Warnock of Invertebrate Zoology at the Royal are important contributors to global crop J. Paul Goossen International Migratory 47 Mystery Photo Saskatchewan Museum in Regina, pollination. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 113: Ken Porteous Bird Day ON THE BACK COVER conducted a survey of field studies of 146-151. Marla Anderson 17 Boreal Forest Experience at "Berries on Orange” taken October 11, 2014 in non-bee pollinators from around the 4. Potts, S.G., et al. (2010): Global pollinator Wascana Park in Regina. These berries belong to world and concluded that the role of Spring Meet the Red Osier Dogwood plant (Cornus stolonifera). declines: trends, impacts and drivers. Trends Jordan Ignatiuk Photo credit: Paule Hjertaas these alternative pollinators has likely Ecol. Evol. 25:345-353. 2 BLUE JAY FALL 2017 VOLUME 75.3 FALL 2017 VOLUME 75.3 BLUE JAY 3 BLUE JAY 'FLYING CHECKERBOARD' Blue Jay, founded in 1942 by Isabel M. Priestly, is a journal of A DELIGHT TO WATCH natural history and conservation for Donna Gamache Saskatchewan and adjacent regions. Box 453 It is published quarterly by Board of Directors Main Office MacGregor, MB R0H 0R0 Nature Saskatchewan. President Nature Saskatchewan [email protected] Branimir Gjetvaj Editor: Annie McLeod 206 – 1860 Lorne Street Vice President Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 2L7 Have you seen a 'flying 3017 Hill Avenue Vacant (306) 780-9273 Regina, SK S4S 0W2 [email protected] checkerboard' recently? That is Secretary www.naturesask.ca one of the names for the Red- E-mail: [email protected] Nicole Dunn headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes Treasurer Editorial Information Ed Rodger erythrocephalus). With its crimson Blue Jay welcomes all submissions, Past President Publications head, snow-white body, and black preferably by e-mail (although hand- Donna Bruce Blue Jay Editor and white wings, I can see why it written or typed manuscripts will be Honourary President Annie McLeod is called this, especially when it is considered to accommodate those Gary Seib Acting Special Publications Editor flying. who do not have access to computer Conservation Director Donna Bruce Although the Red-headed Lorne Scott equipment), polished or in need of Woodpecker is classed as some editorial assistance. All items Directors 'threatened,' in our section of south- for publication should be sent to the Amy Wheeler Contacts for central Manitoba — in pastured editor electronically (in a Microsoft Ken Ludwig Local Societies & Affiliates areas a few kilometres from the town Adult Red-headed Woodpecker. Word document) by e-mail or on CD. Martin Boucher Fort Qu’Appelle Nature Society Photo credit: Donna Gamache Cheryl Loadman Hard copies and CDs can be mailed to Keith Stephens of MacGregor — this species seems Fraser Hunter to be doing well. Over the last few the editor at the address above. Morley Maier Indian Head Natural History Society then coming again. Perhaps they Vladimir Kricsfalusy Irv Escott years, my husband and I have seen all wanted it as a nesting site, or Submission deadlines Kelsey Ecological Society Red-headed Woodpeckers frequently perhaps it was two males both trying Kathleen Pitt January 1 for the Spring issue, Office & Program Contacts (although prior to the last five years to impress a female. April 1 for the Summer issue, Executive Director Nature Moose Jaw or so, I had only ever seen one). Lorna Arnold This particular tree stands very July 1 for the Fall issue, and Jordan Ignatiuk My husband runs several bluebird Nature Prince Albert near a different dead tree where a October 1 for the Winter issue. Species at Risk Manager Jim Bahr lines (through Manitoba's 'Friends pair nested two years ago. At that For detailed information, please see Rebecca Magnus Nature Regina of the Bluebirds,' based in Brandon). time, we watched them several times the “Guidelines for Authors” under Conservation & Education Manager Lacey Weekes Gary Seib Most of his boxes are in cattle as the adults flew back and forth the Publications section of the Nature Communications Manager Neudorf Trails & pastures and in monitoring these feeding young birds into a cavity Saskatchewan website.