Blue Jay, vol.75, issue 3

2017·7.9 MB·English

by  Saskatchewan Natural History Society

University of Alberta Library
| I Dll | II1 | HI) I) LL 2017 VOLUME 75.3
JtBLUE JAY
QH
1
B65
v.75:
no.3
2017
SCI/TECH
Ex
Libris
] UNIVERSITY OF T T
1 ALBERTA UNIVERSITATIS
Albertensis
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
Red-headed Woodpeckers near her home in Great Gray Owls in and around Riding Mountain status of Piping Plovers in Manitoba and the Special
south-central Manitoba. National Park, with evidence of breeding within Conservation Areas designated to protect the
a relatively small area. In addition, spring 2009 species, as well as the efforts undertaken to protect
provided the first breeding record for Northern Hawk and restore habitat on SCAs and the value of SCAs
Owls in Riding Mountain National Park. for protecting endangered species habitat when the
species no longer uses them.
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
Delta Marsh, Manitoba, Spencer Sealy discovered list for the Saskatchewan Christmas Bird Count Warnock shares why the Last Mountain Bird
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
by a mammalian predator, probably a weasel. See the full results of the 75th Annual Saskatchewan birdwatch during spring and fall migrations.
CBC on page 32.
WHAT'S INSIDE
5 'Flying Checkerboard' 18 Dead Shrews on the Road: 28 Book Review:
A Delight to Watch Discarded by Mammalian The Genius of Birds
Donna Gamache Predators? Diether Peschken
Spencer G. Sealy
6 Record Nesting Year for Great 30 Prairie Dog Facebook: Research
Gray and Northern Hawk Owls 23 Nature Saskatchewan on Social Rodents in Grasslands
in Riding Mountain National Fall Meet 2017 National Park
Park Region During the Spring
Jillian Kusch
25 2017 Graduate Scholarship
of 2009
Winners 32 75th Annual Saskatchewan
Ken Kingdon
Christmas Bird Count - 2016
26 Nature Saskatchewan
9 Manitoba's Declining Piping
Alan R. Smith
Welcomes New Board
Plover Population and
Members 46 Human Nature
the Importance of Special
Conservation Areas 27 Another Successful Rob Warnock
J. Paul Goossen International Migratory 47 Mystery Photo
Ken Porteous Bird Day
Marla Anderson
17 Boreal Forest Experience at
Spring Meet
Jordan Ignatiuk
2 BLUE JAY FALL 2017 VOLUME 75.3
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
a better understanding of nature, diversity of wild insects that pollinate Dr. Branimir Gjetvaj
and human relation to nature. We sour cherry orchards. Charlie is hoping
been underestimated3. In some crops,
participate in, and contribute to that the results of her research will
non-bee insects may provide up to half
research that increases knowledge of lead to a better understanding of how
the pollination services of honey bees.
the natural world. To further support much wild insect pollinators contribute These alternative pollinators might
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
the male and female parts of flowers a limited number of studies that have
to enable fertilization and formation of investigated the contribution of wild
seeds and fruit. pollinators to Canadian agriculture,
Bees are the most important group and the impact that agricultural
of pollinators, with more than 20,000 intensification has on their populations.
species described worldwide. About At Nature Saskatchewan, we are
12 bee species — such as the honey proud to be able to support young
bee, some bumblebees and solitary scientists who conduct research that
bees — are commonly managed and will lead to better understanding
used for crop pollination, a crucial of natural processes impacting
step in securing sufficient food supply biodiversity, food security and human
ON THE FRONT COVER
An Upland Sandpiper photographed south of Rush for human consumption1. Non-bee well-being.
Lake, Saskatchewan in the middle of a grassland wild pollinators also play an important
prairie, far from any notable water source.
role in the production of our food 1. Potts, S.G., etal. (2016): Safeguarding
Photo credit: Randy McCulloch
by pollinating more than 40 major pollinators and their values to human well¬
crops grown worldwide. They improve being. Nature 540:220-229.
pollination efficiency and the level
2. Garibaldi, L.A., etal. (2013): Wild
of fruit set twice the rate of what is pollinators enhance fruit set of crops
achieved by domesticated honey bees2. regardless of honey bee abundance. Science
A group of research scientists, 339:1608-1611.
including Dr. Cory Sheffield, Curator
3. Rader, R., et al. (2016): Non-bee insects
of Invertebrate Zoology at the Royal are important contributors to global crop
Saskatchewan Museum in Regina, pollination. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 113:
conducted a survey of field studies of 146-151.
ON THE BACK COVER
non-bee pollinators from around the
"Berries on Orange" taken October 11, 2014 in 4. Potts, S.G., etal. (2010): Global pollinator
Wascana Park in Regina. These berries belong to world and concluded that the role of declines: trends, impacts and drivers. Trends
the Red Osier Dogwood plant (Cornus stolonifera).
these alternative pollinators has likely Ecol. Evol. 25:345-353. JL
Photo credit: Paule Hjertaas
FALL 2017 VOLUME 75.3 BLUE JAY 3
BLUE JAY
Blue Jay, founded in 1942 by
SASKATCHEWAN
Isabel M. Priestly, is a journal of
natural history and conservation for
Saskatchewan and adjacent regions.
It is published quarterly by Board of Directors Main Office
Nature Saskatchewan.
President Nature Saskatchewan
Branimir Gjetvaj 206 - 1860 Lome Street
Editor: Annie McLeod
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E-mail: [email protected] www.naturesask.ca
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Ed Rodger
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UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
4 BLUE JAY FALL 2017 VOLUME 75.3
'FLYING CHECKERBOARD1
A DELIGHT TO WATCH i
Donna Gamache
Box 453
MacGregor, MB ROH 0R0
[email protected]
Have you seen a 'flying
checkerboard' recently? That is
one of the names for the Red¬
headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes
erythrocephalus). With its crimson
head, snow-white body, and black
and white wings, I can see why it
is called this, especially when it is
flying.
Although the Red-headed
Woodpecker is classed as
'threatened,' in our section of south-
central Manitoba — in pastured
Adult Red-headed Woodpecker.
areas a few kilometres from the town
Photo credit: Donna Gamache
of MacGregor — this species seems
to be doing well. Over the last few then coming again. Perhaps they
years, my husband and I have seen all wanted it as a nesting site, or
Red-headed Woodpeckers frequently perhaps it was two males both trying
(although prior to the last five years to impress a female.
or so, I had only ever seen one). This particular tree stands very
My husband runs several bluebird near a different dead tree where a
lines (through Manitoba's 'Friends pair nested two years ago. At that
of the Bluebirds,' based in Brandon). time, we watched them several times
Most of his boxes are in cattle as the adults flew back and forth
pastures and in monitoring these feeding young birds into a cavity
A Red-headed Woodpecker visits the tree in which it
boxes, we often see Red-headed near the top of the tree. Unlike many is nesting. Photo credit: Donna Gamache
Woodpeckers as well. We have woodpeckers, red-heads often reuse
located their nests twice, both times a nest cavity for several years and I adults were nearby, made them easily
high up in a dead or dying tree. So suspect that they were also re-using identifiable as red-heads.
far this summer we have seen red¬ that tree last year, but unfortunately If you're looking for Red-headed
heads in about six different locations. a bad windstorm blew the tree Woodpeckers, late July or August
This spring on one afternoon down, so any nest would have been is a good time. Incubation often
walk, we saw six woodpeckers in destroyed. occurs during early July and takes
an hour. Three of them were in the In the late summer, each of about two weeks, after which the
same spot; the others were in three the last two years, we have been adults will be flying back and forth
separate locations, so I am pretty fortunate to also see young red¬ feeding the young in their nest for
sure there were six in total that day. heads flying around. Juveniles do up to four weeks. Then for another
The three that were together not have a red head; instead it is a while, the young may be flying in the
appeared to be having a spat over dark gray/brown. However, the bold same area. The flying checkerboard
one dead tree. They took turns white wing patches, contrasting with appearance always excites me and
landing on it, swooping away and the black back, and the fact that makes a hike worthwhile. Jt
FALL 2017 VOLUME 75.3 BLUE JAY 5
RECORD NESTING YEAR FOR GREAT
GRAY AND NOTHERN HAWK OWLS
IN RIDING MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK REGION DURING THE
SPRING OF 2009
Northern Hawk Owl chick, June 2009. Photo credit: Ken Kingdr
6 BLUE JAY FALL 2017 VOLUME 75.3
J Ken Kingdon
breeding as far south as the 49°
' Box 314, Onanole, MB ROJ 1N0
N parallel and there are breeding
[email protected]
records extending into boreal forest
habitats of adjacent Minnesota.1’2
The spring of 2009 proved to be a
More recently, Manitoba's Breeding
record year for breeding Great Gray
Bird Atlas, conducted between 2010
Owls (GGOW) (Strix nebulosi) and
and 2014, had no confirmed records
Northern Hawk Owls (NHOW) (Surnia
of Northern Hawk Owls breeding in
ulula) in and around Riding Mountain
the southwest portion of Manitoba,
National Park (Table 1).
although there were two records,
Riding Mountain National Park
both rated as "possible nests," with
has been a known breeding area for
one located to the south of the Park
GGOWs for decades, with the author
and one to the northeast.3 No details
recording at least one nest every
were available for these two records
two-to-three years since 1991 in or
from the online data provided by
near the Park. However, the spring
the Manitoba breeding bird atlas
of 2009 proved to be a record year,
website.3
with evidence of breeding, including
As both GGOW and NHOW
active nests and/or fledged young
are among the most diurnal of
found within a relatively small area
Manitoba's owl species (along with
(Figure 1).
Snowy and Short-eared Owls),
The spring of 2009 also provided
and with their habit of sitting in
the first breeding record for NHOWs
conspicuous locations (year-round for
in Riding Mountain National Park
NHOW, in winter only for GGOW),
(RMNP unpublished data). Another Nesting site of Northern Hawk Owl, June 2009.
these two species are relatively easy Photo credit: Ken Kingdon
NHOW breeding record was located
east of the park and just west of
jifPBL
Lake Manitoba (Figure 1). These
CAT- wt"11
records appear to be the most
. ■■■ : . 5 /
-4® v *
southerly for NHOW in southwestern GGOW-4
NHOVWr
GGOW-2
Manitoba. The closest breeding
\G GOW-1
records for NHOW are about 30 km ,♦3* j A .
to the north of these 2009 records.1 fl ?' " 8 j
# ~ i w3 . ^G GOW-3 1 <i>
The lack of breeding records in Legend
southwestern Manitoba is possibly Owl Nests 2009 * -ff *
■; n . * r •
• GGOW
due to either a lack of appropriate a NHOW Y ■?, < 4 *. m ® 10 10 20 30 40 km
habitat or search effort. Eastern Riding Mountain National Park 1 .
Manitoba has records of NHOW FIGURE 1 Map of owl observations centred in the Riding Mountain National Park region of Manitoba, Spring 2009
TABLE 1: Owl breeding observations for Riding Mountain National Park region, spring of 2009.
SPECIES DATES OBSERVED (2009) LOCATION (UTM 14U) ADULTS YOUNG OF YEAR (YOY) NEST COMMENTS OBSERVER
NHOW (Pair 1) May 29 & 31, June 9 0411905 5630050 2 5 yes KK
NHOW (Pair 2) May 0504785 5636356 1 suspected no Territorial calls heard CH
GGOW (Pair 1) June30 0415800 5625000 2 3 no Fledged young CD/JI
GGOW (Pair 2) May 31 0412740 5628450 2 begging calls heard no May be same breeding pair KK
but unable to find nest as GGOW Pair 1
GGOW (Pair 3) April 26, June 19 0435045 5608630 2 1 + 1 non-viable egg yes YOY observed several times KK/KM
in nest
GGOW (Pair 4) July 18 0412400 5633190 i ! 3 no Fledged young KK
GGOW (Pair 5) May/June 0445755 5596814 2 unknown yes At least one fledged young KM
observed
Key to initials of observers: CD/JI: Celes Davar/Jim Irwin CH: Christopher Higgs KK: Ken Kingdon KM: Kurt Mazur
FALL 2017 VOLUME 75.3 BLUE JAY 7
to observe when present, especially A review of winter 2008/2009 that when another breeding event
in winter and early spring. Two of the Christmas Bird Count (CBC)5 data like this occurs, more data will be
GGOW breeding locations and one suggests it was a poor predictor of gathered on these predators and their)
of the NHOW suspected breeding the increase in observed owl breeding prey to better understand these icons
sites were discovered following activity during the spring 2009. One of the boreal forest.
several repeated sightings of adult GGOW was seen during the count A final footnote. In April 2017,
owls in the immediate nesting area period, but this is well within the an active GGOW nest was observed
during the spring. At the same time, average sighting of one GGOW every within 0.5 km of the 2009 nesting
during the winter and spring season two years (n=19 birds over 41 counts) site of GGOW Pair 2. Additionally, on
of 2009, a NHOW was observed (RMNP unpublished data). Thus the June 7, 2017, three fledged NHOW
several times approximately 14 local CBC area (centred in the area young of year were observed within
km (straight line distance) south of Wasagaming, Riding Mountain 50 metres of the 2009 nest location
of where the nest of NHOW Pair 1 National Park) showed no increase in of NHOW Pair 1. These observations
was subsequently discovered. While the presence of owls, with no NHOW demonstrate that the ecological
it is unknown whether this bird observed. This is not surprising since requirements for nesting success
was one of the breeding adults, it both species are able to migrate for both NHOW and GGOW remain
does appear likely given the close great distances in winter and settle within the area. It is hoped that these
proximity of the winter sightings to to breed in areas with high prey same conditions continue to persist
the breeding site. availability within weeks of nesting. for another eight years, and more.
Of interest, the two adult Nor did the spring 2009 annual I'd like to thank the following for
GGOWs indicated as GGOW Pair 2 nocturnal owl survey6 hint at the providing details on owl observations:
were observed by the author in an subsequent breeding documented Kurt Mazur, Chris Higgs, Celes Davar,
open meadow two times over the herein, with no GGOW nor NHOW and Jim Irwin. I would also like to
spring months. These adults, when counted on the five routes surveyed thank the anonymous editor who
observed in flight, always appeared and centred in the central portion greatly improved the article.
to arrive from the east or southeast. of Riding Mountain National Park
These adults were 4.7 to 4.9 km (RMNP unpublished data). It should 1. Duncan, J. R. and Duncan, P. A. (2003)
straight line distance northwest be noted, however, that all of the Northern Hawk Owl. In: Taylor, P. (Ed.) Birds
Of Manitoba. Manitoba Naturalists Society,
of the adults and fledged young breeding sites were more than one
Winnipeg, p. 229-230.
observed on June 30 by Jim Irwin kilometre in distance from the survey
and Celes Davar, designated as routes, and therefore calling GGOW 2. Duncan, J. R. and Duncan, P. A. (2014).
Northern Hawk Owl. The Birds of North
GGOW Pair 1. Given the dates of the and NHOW would not have been
America (Poole, A., Ed.) Ithaca: Cornell
sighting of the adults by the author detected during the surveys.
Laboratory of Ornithology; Retrieved March
and the sighting of fledged young by Both GGOW and NHOW are 17, 2017, from: https://birdsna.org/Species-
Account/bna/species/nohowl/
Irwin and Davar, these two records known to prey on voles year-round,
represented different breeding pairs and GGOW are particularly well 3. Manitoba Breeding Bird Atlas (2015).
as young owls do not disperse that adapted for hunting them under Breeding evidence map for northern hawk
owl. Retrieved from www.birdatlas.mb.ca on
far in June. While male GGOWs may snow.2-4 A lack of local small mammal
March 17, 2017.
fly up to 3.2 km from the nest while population trend data suggests such
4. Bull, E. L„ and Duncan, J. R. (1993).
hunting for young, the timing of the surveys could be useful to understand
Great Gray Owl. The Birds of North America
observed behaviour at GGOW Pair owl and other predator trends over
(Poole, A., Ed.) Ithaca: Cornell Laboratory of 1
2 indicates that the nest was nearby time. It is likely that the observed Ornithology; Retrieved March 17, 2017, from:
and far enough from GGOW Pair 1 increase in breeding owls correlated https://birdsna.org/Species-Account/bna/
species/grgowl/
to be separate breeding records. The to an increase in small mammals
proximity of the GGOW breeding during this period. 5. National Audubon Society (2009). The
Christmas Bird Count Historical Results;
records suggests a plentiful local Spring and summer 2009 provided
Retrieved March 17, 2017, from: http:/www.
food supply as GGOW nesting unprecedented opportunities to
christmasbirdcount.org.
densities in Manitoba have been view both GGOW and NHOW in
6. Bird Studies Canada. Guidelines for
recorded as high 1.88 pairs/km2 the Riding Mountain National Park
Nocturnal Owl Monitoring in North America.
during periods of high small mammal region. Due to the unpredictable
Retrieved May 24, 2017, from: http://www.
populations.4 nature of these events, it is hoped birdscanada.org/volunteer/natowls/ JL
8 BLUE JAY FALL 2017 VOLUME 75.3
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Piping Plover Chicks on Grand Beach. Photo credit: Alexandra Froes*
MANITOBA'S DECLINING PIPING PLOVER
POPULATION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF
SPECIAL CONSERVATION AREAS
J. Paul Goossen Herbert K. Job wrote of the Piping can blink in and out depending
Emeritus Associate Plover in the seminal work, Birds on varying habitat and climatic
Canadian Wildlife Service of America "Somehow the sea- conditions. A challenge for wildlife
Environment and beach hardly seems fully genuine managers is to decide how long to
Climate Change Canada without it. None the less many of continue protecting an area for a
123 Main Street, Suite 150 our beaches have lost this little gem species at risk when it no longer uses
Winnipeg, MB R3C 4W2 of a resident".1 That was 100 years the area. Such could be the case
ago. Alas, now on our trip to Gull in Manitoba for habitat no longer
Current address: Bay on Lake Winnipeg, it had come used by the beach-nesting Piping
2-18 Fairway Drive to pass. We did not hear the plaintive Plover (Charadrius melodus), listed
Morden, MB R6M 0B2 'peep-lo' call, which normally alerts as endangered both provincially
[email protected] the visitor of its presence before one and nationally.2'3'4'5 Conservation
actually sees it. concerns in Manitoba were first
<en Porteous raised by Susan Haig who conducted
15 Palmer Place Many endangered species have a a doctoral study on this migratory
iandy Hook, MB ROC 2W0 spotty distribution where local and shorebird at Lake Manitoba, West
[email protected] even entire provincial populations Shoal Lake and Lake Winnipeg
I FALL 2017 VOLUME 75.3 BLUE JAY 9
- North spit
- South spit
FIGURE 2. Number of Piping Plovers counted at the Gull Bay north and south spits, Lake Winnipeg (1986 -2011). ,U2'H,fU
undertaken to protect and restore important Piping Plover nesting area.15
habitat on SCAs, the potential for This spit was identified as being not
— and possible origins of — Piping only important as Piping Plover habitat
Plovers to but also as a base for the Grand
re-colonize former breeding sites Rapids Fishermen's Co-operative's
in Manitoba and the value of SCAs fishing operations. Thus the joint
FIGURE 1. Map of Manitoba showing Special
for protecting endangered species efforts of the Co-operative and the
Conservation Areas for Piping Plovers.
habitat when the species no longer Manitoba government resulted in the
(Fig. 1) from 1981-1986.6 Her uses it. establishment of the WCSCA, located
concern for the plover's future led Long Point is a relatively on the north spit about three-quarters
her to identify important breeding uninhabited forested peninsula of the way to its tip.12
sites for Piping Plovers in Manitoba located southeast of Grand Rapids Annual Piping Plover surveys were
and encouraged their protection.7 To that is up to 19 km wide and carried out at the north spit from
facilitate species at risk conservation, extends about 40 km east into Lake 1987 to 2003 but only five visits
the Manitoba government initiated Winnipeg (Fig. 1). Immediately (2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011)
a Special Conservation Area (SCA) south of Long Point, at its base, is occurred from 2004 to 2016.13'14'16'17
program to protect the habitat of Gull Bay. This water body has two Piping Plovers were surveyed yearly
endangered species. Of the five spits that extend into the bay, one at the south spit from 1986 to 1997,
SCAs established in Manitoba, in a northerly direction and the however, from 1998 to 2016, only
that are related to species at risk, other southwesterly. These spits five surveys (2000, 2002, 2003, 2005
four were designated to protect have no official names and have and 2008) were carried out.13'14'16'17
Piping Plovers and their nesting been referred to as bars, spits or Counts from regular surveys carried
habitat: Clandeboye Bay SCA (1983) points.10'11'12'13'14 The north spit out at both Gull Bay spits from 1987-
(N. Firlotte, pers. comm.) in the stretches approximately 5.6 km into 1997 indicated Piping Plover numbers
southeast corner of Lake Manitoba, the bay while the south spit extends peaked at 52 adults on July 13 and 14,
Walter Cook SCA (WCSCA) (1991) only 2.0 km. The spits are separated 1988.16'18 During that year, 49 adults
located on Lake Winnipeg's Gull by about 3.4 km of water. The spits and 11 young were counted on the
Bay in central Manitoba, Grand are dynamic and affected by lake north spit on July 13 and three adults
Marais SCA (2014) and Sandy Bar currents and water levels. In 1998, and three young were seen on the
SCA (2014) on Lake Winnipeg (G. a breach near the base of the north south spit on July 14.18 By the time
Suggett, pers. comm.).78'9 Piping spit resulted in the spit becoming an the WCSCA was established in 1991,
Plovers no longer nest at these SCAs island.15 only 15 adults were observed on the
and have disappeared from nearly Recognition of the north spit in north spit.11 Thereafter, plover numbers'1.!
all nesting sites in Manitoba. In this Lake Winnipeg's Gull Bay (52°54'00"; increased to 23 adults in 1994 but
paper we review the recent status 98°51 '35") is credited to Walter declined thereafter (Fig. 2).16J9 The last
of Piping Plovers in Manitoba and Cook, a fisher, trapper, naturalist and sighting of Piping Plovers on the north
the SCAs designated to protect
hunter from nearby Grand Rapids spit was in 2005 when two adults
the species. We also discuss efforts
who initially reported the site as an were found but no nest was located.13 '
10 BLUE JAY FALL 201 7 VOLUME 75.3