Blue Jay, vol.75, issue 4

2017·4.2 MB·English

by  Saskatchewan Natural History Society

Ron Jensen discusses his experiences with feeding A weekend of beautiful, crisp fall weather was the Calcium is recognized as being important to wild
unsalted peanut butter to birds in the winter. backdrop to this year's Nature Saskatchewan Fall birds during the breeding season. While sources
Meet in Elbow, Saskatchewan. Turn to page 6 to of calcium for songbirds are varied, Spencer Sealy
read about the all the activities that took place. shares how an additional source of calcium for birds
may be fragments of egg shell extracted from the
bottom of nests that survived over winter.
In a new column entitled The Nature Notebook, Recent years have seen the appearance of the The Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail Association
Jared Clarke — teacher, biologist and host of The Trumpeter Swan as a summer resident in southeast Loon Initiatives Committee (YFBTA LIC) conducted
Prairie Naturalist — shares his appreciation for, and Saskatchewan at the Strawberry Lakes area its annual loon survey at Madge Lake over the
experiences with, Black-capped Chickadees in the approximately 60 km east of Regina. This marks a spring and summer months. See page 22 for the
winter. new instance of the re-establishment of a bird, once results.
thought to be highly threatened, in its former range.
WHAT'S INSIDE
5 Feeding Peanut Butter 15 The Nature Notebook: 22 2017 Loon Initiatives Report
to Birds in Winter Black-Capped Chickadees Madge Lake, Duck Mt.
Ron Jensen Bring a Spark to Winter Days Provincial Park
Jared Clarke Doug Welykholowa
6 A Sandy Autumn Hike
at the Nature Saskatchewan 16 Trumpeter Swans in the 26 Plovers in a Dangerous Tide
Fall Meet Strawberry Lakes Area of Ashley Vass
Emily Putz Southeast Saskatchewan
27 Shrubs for Shrikes Program
Ed Rodger
8 Nature Saskatchewan Breaks 200 Participants!
2017 Awards Recipients 18 Happy 30th Anniversary, Ashley Vass
Operation Burrowing Owl!
10 The Dirt on Rare Plant Rescue's 28 Stewards of Saskatchewan
Kaytlyn Burrows
First Season Back Banner Program Starts
Emily Putz 20 Celebrating Nature Monitoring Species
Saskakatchewan's Ashley Vass
12 Eggshell Fragments From Old
Volunteer Stewards
Nests as a Possible Source of 30 Human Nature
Rob Wilson
Calcium for Nesting Songbirds Lacey Weekes
Spencer G. Sealy
31 Mystery Photo
2 BLUE JAY WINTER 2017 VOLUME 75.4
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dr. Branimir Gjetvaj quickly pass through towards their
President, Nature Saskatchewan
destination, wherever that might be.
It upsets me when I see invitations
Call me old-fashioned, but I enjoy
to attend open-air concerts in our
experiencing nature unhindered by
national parks instead of calling
the distractions of modern lifestyle.
people to slow down and listen to
I prefer walking through the grass,
a melodic song of a meadowlark.
listening to the birds and breathing
I used to be able to set up my tent
Dr. Branimir Gjetvaj
the wind fragrant with blooming
on a sheltered piece of prairie in
wolf willow. It upsets me when I see In his inaugural address to the
the Rock Creek campground of
roads and paved trails built through National Academy of Sciences (USA),
Grasslands National Park. Now I
native prairie so that visitors can Austrian scientist and demographer
hear that I will have to use a piece
Wolfgang Lutz1 argued that the
of compacted gravel designed and
concept of sola schola et sanitate
built for houses on wheels, a few of
(only education and health) should
which have no windows but display
serve as the guiding principle for
a satellite TV dish, presumably to
development and climate change
watch nature-related documentaries.
adaptation efforts, echoing Luther's
We used to be interested in
principles of sola scriptura, sola fide,
connecting with nature, now we use
and sola gratia (only scripture, only
nature as a place holder.
faith, and only grace). An investment
This fall, I talked to a friend who
in human capital through enhancing
works as a biologist in a national
education and health for all members
park that has over one million visitors
of a society, he suggests, is a key
a year, coming from all over the
to environmental protection and
world. She noticed that participants
sustainable future.
in her interpretative walks are
Scientific research has shown that
showing less interest in seeing
spending time in nature benefits
critters and learning about nature.
ON THE FRONT COVER human health. A healthy body with
Instead they come, take a short walk,
an active brain that is trained to
capture a selfie and continue with
"JUNCO KING"
structure information in a meaningful
their journeys. Nature serves only as
This photo of a Dark-eyed Junco was taken in April
way will bring positive changes
by Randy McCulloch at his cabin at Napatak, SK, a backdrop for posts on social media.
which is approximately 15 km SE of La Ronge. Ten to individuals and societies. To
inches of snow had just blanketed the ground, and How did we come to this, and can
for a couple of days, there were hundreds of juncos secure future well-being, we need
we do anything to slow down the
in the yard gorging on the bird seed at the feeders.
to change our current behaviour
Photo credit: Randy McCulloch trend?
— a change that will come from
Five hundred years ago in October
awareness and motivation for action.
of 1517, Martin Luther posted his
The Board of Nature Saskatchewan
95 Theses to the door of the Castle
will soon start working on a new
Church in Wittenburg. This act of
Strategic Plan. Shall we put more
defiance challenged the Catholic
effort into developing environmental
Church authorities and started a
education programs that enable
movement that would become
people to experience nature and be
the Protestant Reformation. The
more interested in protecting it?
Reformatory emphasis on universal
ON THE BACK COVER literacy led to far-reaching political
and socio-economic changes, 1. Lutz, W. (2017): Global sustainable
For the 30th Anniversary of Nature Saskatchewan's development priorities 500 y after Luther:
bringing prosperity to societies that
Operation Burrowing Owl program, limited edition
Sola schola et sanitate. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
merchandise is available for purchase. Turn to page invested in the education of its
USA 114: 6904-6913. JL
19 to see the items available and to check out some
special holiday pricing! citizens.
WINTER 2017 VOLUME 75.4 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
Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 2L7
Vice President
3017 Hill Avenue
Vacant [phone]
Regina, SK S4S 0W2 [email protected]
Secretary
E-mail: [email protected] www.naturesask.ca
Nicole Dunn
Treasurer
Editorial Information
Ed Rodger
Blue Jay welcomes all submissions, Publications
Past President
preferably by e-mail (although hand¬ Donna Bruce
Blue Jay Editor
written or typed manuscripts will be
Honourary President Annie McLeod
considered to accommodate those Gary Seib
Acting Special Publications Editor
who do not have access to computer Conservation Director Donna Bruce
equipment), polished or in need of Lome Scott
some editorial assistance. All items
Directors
for publication should be sent to the Amy Wheeler Contacts for
editor electronically (in a Microsoft Ken Ludwig Local Societies & Affiliates
Martin Boucher
Word document) by e-mail or on CD. Fort Qu'Appelle Nature Society
Cheryl Loadman
Keith Stephens
Hard copies and CDs can be mailed to
Fraser Hunter
the editor at the address above. Morley Maier Indian Head Natural History Society
Irv Escott
Vladimir Kricsfalusy
Submission deadlines Kelsey Ecological Society
Office & Program Contacts Kathleen Pitt
January 1 for the Spring issue,
Nature Moose Jaw
April 1 for the Summer issue, Executive Director
Lorna Arnold
Jordan Ignatiuk
July 1 for the Fall issue, and
Nature Prince Albert
October 1 for the Winter issue. Species at Risk Manager
Jim Bahr
Rebecca Magnus
For detailed information, please see
Nature Regina
Conservation & Education Manager
the "Guidelines for Authors" under
Gary Seib
Lacey Weekes
the Publications section of the Nature
Neudorf Trails &
Communications Manager
Saskatchewan website.
Ellen Bouvier Wild Bird Sanctuary Society
Keith Gerstner
Advertising Rates Office Coordinator
Becky Quist Saskatoon Nature Society
$45 1/12 pg 2.3" x 2.3" S Valerie Martz
Habitat Stewardship Coordinator
$65 1/6 pg 4.9" x 2.3" H or V
Kaytlyn Burrows Southwest Naturalists
$115 1/3 pg 4.9" x 4.9" S Janet Payne
$115 1/3 pg 2.3" x 10" V Habitat Stewardship Coordinator
Ashley Vass Weyburn Nature Society
$175 1/2 pg 7.5" x 4.9" H or V
Val Thomas
$200 2/3 pg 4.9" x 10" V Habitat Stewardship Coordinator
$300 Full pg 7.5" x 10" V Emily Putz Yorkton Natural History Society
Geoff Rushowick
S=Square, H=Horizontal, V=Vertical Turkey Vulture Tracking Program
Dr. Stuart Houston Yellowhead Flyway
• eNGO's receive 10% off ad rates. Birding Trail Association
Martin Phillips
• Book the same ad for all four
Meadow Lake 'Woodlanders'
quarterly issues and receive 15% off
Junior Forest Wardens
the total price.
Neil Marsh
See www.naturesask.ca/publications/
Friends of Wascana Marsh
blue-jay for complete ad submission Ramona Clarke
guidelines.
? UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
^UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
4 BLUE JAY WINTER 2017 VOLUME 75.4
FEEDING PEANUT BUTTER
TO BIRDS IN WINTER
Ron Jensen on peanut butter could become egg of the peanut butter, especially on
1027 King Crescent bound along with the benefits. cold winter days or just before a
Saskatoon, SK S7K 0N9 Now, fast forward to three storm, was amazing. Second and
winters ago — I purchased a jar third jars were soon consumed.
Peanut butter as a winter food of salt-free peanut butter, which In the third winter, I got smarter
provides many benefits to the tough reguired a bit of a searching through about where to spread the peanut
little feathered friends who cheer up product aisles of a least two grocery butter. My wife commented that
our winter days. stores. Depending upon your the peanut butter grease stain on
I had heard about providing location, some stores offer self¬ the trees didn't seem to disappear.
peanut butter many years ago on grind unsalted peanuts if you are I had thought it would. My solution
a television program — perhaps unable to locate unsalted peanut was to attach a fine wire to two
from John Acorn or someone like butter. It is important that unsalted large wooden shingles, generously
him. However, there was concern peanut butter be purchased to avoid spread the peanut butter on to
that the peanut butter was too dehydration of the species feeding them, and then attach each peanut
rich and caused problems for our on the peanut butter. butter slathered shingle to their
winter friends. A case of a chickadee I spread the peanut butter respective conifer trees. This worked
being found egg bound in the generously on the bark of two really well because it eliminated
spring, i.e. an egg was stuck in the conifers — in the front yard, visible House Sparrows, but the Black-billed
bird's oviduct, was highlighted. The from the dining room table, and in Magpies were still able to get at one
individual speaking about this on the the backyard, which could be viewed peanut butter feeder by standing on
show had applied a warm compress out my wife's home office window. top of the sunflower seed feeder. The
and massaged the vent area. An The list of interested birds grew solution was to lower the sunflower
egg finally came out with a distinct quickly: Downy Woodpeckers, Black- seed feeder, putting the peanut
smell of peanut butter. That person capped Chickadees, Red-breasted buttered shingle out of reach.
had been feeding peanut butter all and White-breasted Nuthatches, Now I was happy providing salt-
winter and thus the cautionary note Black-billed Magpies and House free peanut butter to four species
that winter species feeding heavily Sparrows. The rapid disappearance of winter residents. A fifth surprise
species appeared — Brown Creepers
that could visit at either feeder.
What a treat to see a Brown Creeper
at any time, but especially during
wintertime when a Brown Creeper
is considered an "irregular winter
visitor. "1
As last winter's feeding time came
to a close, there were pairs of the
following: Downy Woodpeckers,
Red-breasted and White-breasted
Nuthatches, Brown Creepers and
several Black-capped Chickadees all
looking sleek and healthy, ready for a
busy season of rearing young.
1 A.L. Leighton et al ed. 2002. Birds of the
Saskatoon Area. Special Publication No. 5
Manley Callin Series Special Publication
No. 23 p.225. JL
A Brown Creeper feeds on peanut butter slathered on a wooden shingle. Photo credit. Ron Jensen
WINTER 2017 VOLUME 75.4 BLUE JAY 5
On Saturday, September 30, Nature Saskatchewan members took in some hiking on the sand dune trails at Douglas Provincial Park.
A SANDY AUTUMN HIKE AT THE
NATURE SASKATCHEWAN FALL MEET
Emily Putz wonderful photos from his trip to Spiderwort's peak blooming,
Habitat Stewardship Coordinator South America, and myself who gave everyone wasted no time putting
Nature Saskatchewan our members a little update on what their ID skills to the test and finding
the SOS program staff were up to quite a few plants. Members also
A weekend of beautiful, crisp fall this summer. Members enjoyed this enjoyed hiking out to the unique
weather was the backdrop to this show to the beautiful background landscape that is Douglas Park's
year's fall member meet in Elbow, SK view overlooking Lake Diefenbaker active dune and saw many tracks
which was held from September 29 through the Elbow Harbour Golf within the sand including bobcat,
to October 1. The weekend kicked Club and Resort's surround windows moose, coyote and fox. We were
off with everyone getting together — our venue for the weekend. also lucky enough to find some late
with old friends, as well as hopefully Saturday dawned nice and early blooming Prairie Sunflower and
making some new ones, to enjoy with members loading the bus to Common Skeletonweed — the last
viewing other members' photos of head to Douglas Provincial Park's of the year!
this summer. Photo presentations sand dune trails to do some hiking. Saturday afternoon saw us loading
included Donna Bruce encouraging Here members were treated to the bus after a delicious lunch,
us to explore Big Gully, SK; Bill finding some of Saskatchewan's prepared by the Harbour Golf Club,
MacKenzie sharing some great bird rarest plants, including Western and heading to Gardiner Dam — the
shots with us; Morley Maier showing Spiderwort and Annual Beaked seventh largest earth-filled dam in
us some truly amazing Barn Swallow Skeletonweed. Even though the the world — for a private tour of
shots; Ed Rodger sharing some season has long passed for Western the dam's facilities. This was truly
6 BLUE JAY WINTER 201 7 VOLUME 75.4
a unique experience as not many CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
■ members of the public have been
treated to seeing the inner workings
for the Margaret Skeel Graduate Student Scholarship
of the dam. Those that went on this
A $2,000 scholarship will be of the natural world. Research that
tour went down 50 feet below lake
awarded in 2018 to assist a graduate will contribute to resolving current
level to the spillway's lower gallery
student attending a post-secondary conservation problems has special
before climbing all the way up to the
institution in Saskatchewan.
priority. Contact our office by e-mail
walkway above the spillway's gates.
It will be awarded to a
at [email protected] or by phone at
We continued the tour at one of the
student in the field of ecology,
[phone] or 1-800-667-4668
dam's five large control structures.
wildlife management, biology, or
(toll-free).
Special thanks to Cam Leslie from
environmental studies including
the Water Security Agency for
social science applied to marketing
Application Guidelines:
leading this wonderful tour.
conservation and sustainable use of
• An updated resume with a cover
Back at the hall, the Fall Business
natural resources.
letter
Meeting started and after some This scholarship must be applied
• Letters of Reference are optional
discussion, resolution was passed for to tuition and associated costs at the
• A full description of your present
the eradication of feral boars escaped named institution.
and/or proposed research
or released from game farms. After a The scholarship is awarded to
• A transcript of the undergraduate
short break, the evening started with a student pursuing studies in a
and graduate courses completed so
a delicious banquet meal of roast field that complements the goals
far and those currently enrolled in
beef catered by the Elbow Harbour of Nature Saskatchewan. Nature
• An indication of what other
Golf Club. During the banquet, Saskatchewan promotes appreciation
source(s) of funding you hope to rely
and understanding of our natural
new members were recognized on to complete your studies
environment, and supports research
and welcomed and awards were
to protect and conserve natural
presented to Harold Fisher (Cliff Application Deadline:
ecosystems and their biodiversity.
Shaw Award), Rob Wilson (Fellows February 28, 2018
We work for sustainable use of
Award), Brain Jeffery (Volunteer Please submit your completed
Saskatchewan's natural heritage,
Award), and Dr. Jon and Naiomi application to the Scholarship
ensuring survival of all native species
Gerrard (Conservation Award). The Committee: [email protected] or
and representative natural areas,
evening concluded with our after- Nature Saskatchewan
as well as maintenance of healthy
206-1860 Lome Street
dinner presenter, David Weiman,
and diverse wildlife populations
Regina, SK S4P 2L7
who spoke on his experiences on his
throughout the province. We aim to
trapping line, humane trapping of fur
educate and to stimulate research
Winner Announced:
bearing animals, and what trapping
to increase knowledge of all aspects
March 31, 2018
means and its value in the present
day. This talk was very interesting
and a new topic for many members
in the crowd, and was accompanied
by a display on the different traps
used and pelt examples from many
species.
The meet was a great success!
Special thanks to our planning
committee, our MCs and presenters,
tour guides, and the wonderful
venue and catering by the Elbow
Golf Club. Have a great winter and
we hope you'll join us for the 2018
Spring Meet in the Big Muddy! £
David Weiman spoke about his experiences on the trapping line and shared a collection of pelts from many
different species.
WINTER 2017 VOLUME 75.4 BLUE JAY 7
NATURE SASKATCHEWAN
2017 AWARDS RECIPIENTS
Each year at the Fall Meet, summer student employed by YFBTA interested and engaged. Whenever
Nature Saskatchewan recognizes each year, and has used some of there have been calendars, reports
outstanding service and contributions his retirement to deliver nature or program information to be put
that Society members, and/or affiliate programs for youth in schools and together for mailing, Brian has been
and partner organizations, have at the Wings Over Wascana Festival there to help. He has participated
made toward Nature Saskatchewan's in Regina. Of particular note was in Piping Plover census work in past
objectives and goals. Below are the the Ecomuseum for a Day that Rob years, and recently spent a couple
award recipients for 2017. organized in Saltcoats as a lead-up to of summers doing field observations
the 2015 Spring Meet. This museum on the turtles in Wascana Park
Fellow's Award: without walls saw students and for a local researcher. A gifted
ROB WILSON adults participating in plant walks, photographer, Brian has generously
A retired teacher living in weaving baskets, dressing up as shared his photos with the Society,
Saltcoats, Rob recently completed a Loggerhead Shrikes, learning about and he has often been in the thick
full eight years serving on the board their community's relationship with of things for Regina-based meets
of Nature Saskatchewan. Rob was an historic wars, and visiting with a live and programs. Everyone who has
active member of the Membership Burrowing Owl. It was a great start worked with Brian describes him as
Committee and the Lands to our meet, and a valuable cultural a pleasure to work with. It is time
Committee and continues to serve event for the community! for some recognition for this unsung
as the Lands Committee chair. This is hero!
in addition to his ongoing and very Volunteer
active involvement in the Yellowhead Recognition Award: Cliff Shaw Award:
Flyway Birding Trail Association BRIAN JEFFERY HAROLD FISHER
(YFBTA), of which he was a founding Brian found his way to Nature Each year, the editor of Blue Jay
member. Rob served as the secretary Saskatchewan by way of owls — chooses a recipient of the Cliff Shaw
for YFBTA for about 10 years and Burrowing Owls to be specific. Award, which is presented for an
has since been the newsletter editor. Always one to enjoy the outdoors article that appeared in the most
He was involved in the development and wildlife, he found himself recent four issues of Blue Jay that
of (and now extension of) the Leflay particularly drawn to the little owls. merits special recognition for its
Trail at Saltcoats Regional Park and From volunteering at the Burrowing contribution in any branch of natural
works actively on helping to find Owl Interpretive Centre in Moose history. In 2017, Harold Fisher was
resource people and coordinating Jaw, he connected with Nature chosen to receive the Cliff Shaw
YFBTA's annual symposiums. He Saskatchewan and Operation Award for his article "Northern Hawk
was also instrumental in creating Burrowing Owl through Margaret Owls Use Nest Box", which appeared
awareness and conservation of loons Skeel and began to help wherever he in the Winter 2016 issue (74.4).
on Madge Lake, earning support could. For at least the past 15 years, This very well-written article
from YFBTA for the now-annual loon Brian has been the go-to volunteer details how Harold Fisher and Marten
count, brochures, programming and for help with stewardship programs Stoffel constructed and erected
conservation efforts. and with preparing the annual seven nest boxes for Northern Hawk
Rob's commitment, ideas and appeal to donors for mailing. He Owls near Candle Lake, to be in
enthusiasm, particularly for the makes calls to the landowners that place for the 2010 breeding season.
work of local societies and for participate in Operation Burrowing Each year in the spring, the boxes
connecting youth with nature, has Owl, and other stewardship were inspected for occupancy, but
been tremendously valuable. He programs, to gather census until 2015 none of them had been
has been a great support to the information and helps keep everyone used. In May 2015, one nest box was
8 BLUE JAY WINTER 2017 VOLUME 75.4
found to be in use, and an inspection Stuart Houston in the 1960s to climb
camera revealed five eggs. Later that to nests and band Great Horned
POETRY
month, the nest inspection camera Owls, Jon and Naomi Gerrard
revealed four recently hatched chicks initiated in 1968 what is now one
A Bird of His Own Feather
and one unhatched egg. In June of the (if not the) longest running
2015, Harold and Brent Terry banded monitoring projects of a stable raptor
the four flightless young, estimated population in the world.
Crow! desultorily perched on a sign
at 13 to 18 days old. Four pictures The Gerrards have run the project
also accompany the article, each as 'citizen scientists' while they at city limits, designating what
providing pictorial proof to the text pursued careers in medicine. The
its maximum departure speed should be,
(a female Northern Hawk Owl in the project has encompassed aspects
should it, migrating, venture farther south.
nest box, the placement of the nest of behavioural ecology, population
But it's midwinter, bird, or almost se¬
box in the tree, the eggs, and the biology and natural history resulting
chicks at the time of banding). in over 50 publications. A book "The ttlings feeling Christmasy! bright carollers,
Aside from being a detailed, well- Bald Eagle: Haunts and Habits of a
and sleighbells—all of that! What were you thinking,
written and well-illustrated account Wilderness Monarch" authored by
you primitive, black, corvine creature? What
of Northern Hawk Owls using a Jon M. Gerrard and Gary R. Bortolotti
indeed!
nest box, this article is significant in 1988 has become known to
to natural history because this is some as the encyclopedia of Bald
believed to be the first documented Eagle information. The most recent Were you held up consorting (or
occurrence of a Northern Hawk Owl publication is a 2013 paper that
at trying to consort) with all your black
using an artificial nest box erected documented density-dependence
and bearded buddies clustered near the mall,
for that purpose in North America. In in the Besnard Lake Bald Eagle
discussing the article with Dr. Stuart population. your cousins walking unperturbed among
Houston, he commented "On rare In addition to the amazing the shoppers there; or at the nuisance grounds,
occasions can a sample of one of wealth of conservation knowledge
competing with their ravenously gorging
anything be used in science, but this generated through the Besnard
of garbage strewn? And twice your weight they are,
seems to be the first-ever platform project is the human element of
more likely thrice, no company for you-
built for a Northern Hawk Owl and the project. Jon and Naomi have
used successfully, anywhere. The welcomed many family and friends their big bills squawking curt dismissal-"Kwawk!"
Birds of North America account was to participate in this amazing study.
originally written by Jim and Patsy The Gerrards have largely self-
So what's your plan, ol' signpost bird—to stay
Duncan of Winnipeg and Balmoral, funded this 50-year project. Periodic
and tough it out? (The thing's been done before,
Manitoba and was updated in infusions of grant funding and
November 2014 and still had that private funding have also assisted you know.) Forget about some delayed flight
recently no such successful nesting in supporting the monitoring and
to Minnesota, South Dakota. No,
assist to report. Only time will tell research including several grants
go it alone right here. Hang in there, crow!
whether an artificial platform will be from Nature Saskatchewan.
Shucks, you'll survive, and we'll again await
used again." In this Golden anniversary year
of the Besnard Lake project, we your joyful springtime greeting when the days
Conservation Award: congratulate Dr. Jon Gerrard and are warm with April winds, your bright "Aw! Aw!1'
DR. JON M. GERRARD P. Naomi Gerrard as winners of
AND P. NAOMI GERRARD the 2017 Nature Saskatchewan
Bald Eagles, and other water- Conservation Award. Their work Victor C. Friesen
P.O. Box 65
associated birds, have been is clearly "meritorious work in
Rosthern, SK S0K 3R0
monitored on Besnard Lake, SK for the interest of conservation in
[email protected]
50 years thanks to the leadership and Saskatchewan." A
dedication of Dr. Jon and P. Naomi
Gerrard. Inspired by forays with Dr.
WINTER 2017 VOLUME 75.4 BLUE JAY 9
THE DIRT ON RARE PLANT
RESCUE'S FIRST SEASON BACK
Emily Putz whom were kind enough to let us our province's federally listed plant
Habitat Stewardship Coordinator search their land for this summer's species, starting the season off
Nature Saskatchewan target species. We are very happy to in May looking for the infamous
welcome eight new participants to Slender Mouse-ear-cress. As in past
Autumn prairie winds have the program. All together, RPR has years, this bi-annual plant proved
once again blown in the end of a 82 landowner and land manager elusive yet again, but our hope is
summer field season and the end of participants conserving nearly with a more favourable growing
Rare Plant Rescue's (RPR's) first field 105,000 acres of valuable native season in the future we may have
season back in action! Each year, prairie in Saskatchewan! some luck.
RPR has a busy mix of searching As some of you may know from In early June, we headed to the
for new rare plant occurrences, following our blogs this summer, far southeastern part of our province
monitoring known occurrences and RPR's field crew was very busy. to hunt for another elusive species,
visiting to catch up with our program This year, we focused on seven of this time helping out our friends
participants to see how they are
doing — this year was no different!
Staff spent time engaging with 15
of our current program participants
and visited with an additional 20
potential participants, many of
Rolling upland slopes. Photo credit: Desiree Hobbins Small-flowered Sand-verbena. Photo credit: Emily
...avv- &
. MgglllljiS
.
Photo credit: Desiree Hobbir
10 BLUE JAY WINTER 2017 VOLUME 75.4