Blue Jay, vol.76, issue 4

2018·8.1 MB·English

by  Saskatchewan Natural History Society

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BLUE JAY
Andy Courcelles documents the first confirmed case Retired Canadian Wildlife Services biologist Kees The German iris is widely grown as a garden
of breeding Red-bellied Woodpeckers in Manitoba. Vermeer reminisces on his experiences in seeking ornamental in Saskatchewan, but has recently
protection for fish-eating bird colonies in the become naturalized in two locations within the
Canadian Prairie provinces during the late 1960s
Prairie Ecozone.
and early 70s.
In this issue's edition of The Nature Notebook, Environmental educator and writer Kimberly Epp In this issue's edition of Human Nature, Chelsea
Jared Clarke details how he became a serious discusses how feeding birds can help them survive Walters shares the many joys that Prince Alberl
Purple Martin landlord. in the winter and how you can decorate your trees National Park can provide in the winter
to provide the birds with food.
WHAT'S INSIDE
5 First Confirmed Breeding 17 Pleas for Protection of 34 Beyond Your Backyard:
of Red-Bellied Woodpecker Fish-eating Bird Colonies Decorate a Tree for Wildlife
In Manitoba Reminiscences of a Biologist Kimberly J. Epp
Andy Courcelles Kees Vermeer
36 Book Review: The Optimistic
8 'Owl' the News on OBO 21 German Iris - A New Environmentalist
Emily Putz Naturalized Plant Species Diether Peschken
For Saskatchewan
9 Shake n' Break: 38 New from Nature
Vladimir Kricsfalusy
A Deeper Understanding Saskatchewan:
John Kindrachuk
of the Butcherbird Kill Birds of Saskatchewan
27 The Nature Notebook:
Rebecca Magnus
41 Call For Applications
First Year as a Serious Purple
10 Shedding Light on for the Margaret Skeel
Martin Landlord
Rare Plant Rescue Jared Clarke Graduate Student Scholarship
Ashley Vass
28 LMBO Recollections From 42 Human Nature
12 Nature Saskatchewan An Out-of-Province Bander Chelsea Walters
Fall Meet 2018 Re-cap Laura Tabbakh
43 Mystery Photo
Ellen Bouvier
30 Decline of Native Prairie
14 Nature Saskatchewan 2018 in Core Grassland
Awards Recipients Conservation Areas in
Southwestern Manitoba
2010-2015
Cary Hamel & Rebekah Neufeld
2 BLUE JAY WINTER 2018 VOLUME 76.4
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Ed Rodger
many participants, and should be
President, Nature Saskatchewan one of the major books published
in Saskatchewan this decade. In my
Hello everyone, next column I'd like to talk more
The recent Nature Saskatchewan about the book itself, but I'd like to
Fall Meet in Swift Current brought start the discussion here by talking
news of the pending publication about someone whose generosity
of Birds of Saskatchewan. This made Birds of Saskatchewan possible:

special book, a large compendium Manley Callin.
of Saskatchewan bird life and Many Blue Jay readers will be

related information, will mark the familiar with Manley Callin, but for
Ed Rodger
culmination of a massive effort by those who aren't I wanted to briefly
tell his story, and how it connects to served the society in various Executive
Birds of Saskatchewan. Eric Manley and support roles, and was especially

Callin (1911-1985) was an ardent helpful in providing financial acumen
naturalist and conservationist, through his accounting expertise. As
who was also prominent in the an example of his standing, and the
early decades of the Saskatchewan achievements of the society when
Natural History Society (now Nature he was President, he addressed the
Saskatchewan). His special nature first general meeting of the American
interest was birds, and his special Ornithologists Union to be held in
Saskatchewan place was the Canada west of Toronto, in Regina in
Qu'Appelle Valley. He observed birds 1959 — surely a major point in the
in the valley and its vicinity from a history of the society.
young age, and kept meticulous Manley Callin also had a large
documentation. He had the first impact on the society after his passing
record for Saskatchewan of several in late 1985. He left a substantial
species, and both shared and bequest for the society that enabled
ON THE FRONT COVER accumulated his knowledge through an enduring fund for Saskatchewan
In November 2017, a male Red-belled Woodpecker bird clubs, columns, and field trips. bird publications. The 'Manley Callin
was seen at a feeder in downtown Saskatoon. Nick
Manley Callin's birding work Series' of publications featured seven
Saunders was able to relocate it a few days later
and photographed it at Holiday Park as it scaled a culminated in a major SNHS book, titles related to various areas of the
tree opposite the nearby heritage building — the
Birds of the Qu Appelie, 1857-1979. province, and also including an Atlas
Bowerman House. '
This 1980 publication, focusing on of Saskatchewan Birds, from 1992 to

Photo credit: Nick Saunders
the section of the Qu'Appelle from 2008. And now the same fund is also
Pasqua Lake to the Manitoba border, supporting the publication of Birds of
was described once as “possibly Saskatchewan as a next level in the

the best regional report in North series.
America". The work incorporated not Birds of Saskatchewan will be a

only the meticulous records of Callin fitting legacy of such an important
and his family and associates, but also figure in Saskatchewan nature
drew on the records of many other studies. So, when you get your copy
observers, both residents and visitors of the book (see page 38 for pre¬
to the area, dating back to the mid- order information) and spend many
ON THE BACK COVER 1800s. A total of 297 species were enjoyable hours looking through
A very white, winter morning in Little Red River Park covered in the book. it, please give a thought to Manley
near Prince Albert, SK. The wind picked up shortly
Manley Callin was also very Callin and the contribution he made
after this photo was captured and the forest quickly
shook off its blanket of hoarfrost. important to the operations of Nature to Saskatchewan birding, and to this
A
Saskatchewan in its early years. He magnificent new volume.
Photo Credit: Joshua Erikson
WINTER 2018 VOLUME 76.4 BLUE JAY 3
BLUE JAY
Blue Jay, founded in 1942 by
Isabel M. Priestly, is a journal of
natural history and conservation for SASKATCHEWAN
Saskatchewan and adjacent regions.
It is published quarterly by
Board of Directors
Main Office
Nature Saskatchewan.
President
Nature Saskatchewan
Ed Rodger
Editor: Annie McLeod 206 - 1860 Lome Street
3017 Hill Avenue Vice President Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 2L7
Ken Ludwig [phone]
Regina, SK S4S 0W2
Secretary [email protected]
E-mail: [email protected]
Fraser Hunter www.naturesask.ca
Treasurer
Editorial Information
Publications
Brian Johnson
Blue Jay welcomes all submissions,
Past President Blue Jay Editor
preferably by e-mail (although hand¬
Branimir Gjetvaj Annie McLeod
written or typed manuscripts will be
Honourary President Acting Special Publications Editor
considered to accommodate those
Gary Seib Donna Bruce
who do not have access to computer
Conservation Director
equipment), polished or in need of
Lome Scott
Contacts for
some editorial assistance. All items Directors Local Societies & Affiliates
for publication should be sent to the Amy Wheeler
Fort Qu'Appelle Nature Society
editor electronically (in a Microsoft Jamie Sparrow
Keith Stephens
Cheryl Load man
Word document) by e-mail or on CD.
Donna Bruce Indian Head Natural History Society
Hard copies and CDs can be mailed to
Morley Maier Irv Escott
the editor at the address above. Vladimir Kricsfalusy
Kelsey Ecological Society
Kathleen Pitt
Submission deadlines
Moose Jaw Nature Society
Office & Program Contacts
January 1 for the Spring issue,
Lorna Arnold & Kim Epp
April 1 for the Summer issue, Executive Director
Nature Prince Albert
Jordan Ignatiuk
July 1 for the Fall issue, and Jim Bahr
Species at Risk Manager
October 1 for the Winter issue.
Nature Regina
Melissa Ranalli
For detailed information, please see Elaine Ehman
Conservation & Education Manager
the "Guidelines for Authors" under
Neudorf Trails &
Lacey Weekes
the Publications section of the Wild Bird Sanctuary Society
Communications Manager
Nature Saskatchewan website. Keith Gerstner
Ellen Bouvier
Saskatoon Nature Society
Advertising Rates Office Coordinator
Valerie Martz
Becky Quist
$45 1/12 pg 2.3" x 2.311 S Southwest Naturalists
Habitat Stewardship Coordinator
V=V YD LT) 1/6 pg 4.9" x 2.3” H or V Emily Putz Janet Payne
$115 1/3 pg 4.9” x 4.9” S
Weyburn Nature Society
$115 1/3 pg 2.3” x 10” V Habitat Stewardship Coordinator
Val Thomas
Kaytlyn Burrows (on leave)
$175 1/2 pg 7.5" x 4.9” H or V
$200 2/3 pg 4.9" x 10" V Habitat Stewardship Coordinator Yorkton Natural History Society
$300 Full pg 7.5” x 10" V Ashley Vass Geoff Rushowick
S=Square, H=Horizontal, V=Vertical Habitat Stewardship Coordinator Yellowhead Flyway
Rebecca Magnus Birding Trail Association
• eNGO's receive 10% off ad rates. Martin Phillips
Turkey Vulture Tracking Program
• Book the same ad for all four Dr. Stuart Houston Meadow Lake 'Woodlanders'
quarterly issues and receive 15% off To report banded vultures, please Junior Forest Wardens
the total price. contact Dr. Houston at 306-652-2603 Neil Marsh
Friends of Wascana Marsh
See www.naturesask.ca/publications/
Ramona Clarke
blue-jay for complete ad submission
guidelines.
UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
4 BLUE JAY WINTER 2018 VOLUME 76.4
All photos courtesy of Bob Shettler
FIRST CONFIRMED BREEDING OF
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER IN MANITOBA
Andy Courcelles of North Dakota. Although they are by a flood-control dyke of some 20
219-3069 Pembina Hwy seen annually in Manitoba, there metres in width.
Winnipeg, MB R3T 4R6 had never been conclusive proof of On April 26, Sam and I set out
[email protected] them nesting in the province. Some for another hike and soon heard
young birds were seen in Kildonan the male calling. We made our
On one of our regular walks along Park, Winnipeg in 1942 and a way toward the sound as quietly as
a trail in the St-Norbert community, female was seen with two fledged possible, trying to avoid stepping on
Winnipeg, Manitoba in April 2017, young at Whitemouth, Manitoba decades worth of fallen branches
my wife Sandra (Sam) and I saw in 1952.1 Neither of these records and tangles of shrubbery. Following
a female Red-bellied Woodpecker were accepted by the Manitoba the sound of the calling male, we
{Melanerpes carolinus) hitching up a Ornithological Records Committee as homed in on the general area but
tree trunk by the side of the trail and being fully substantiated. Therefore, could not see the bird. There was a
simultaneously heard a male calling when a similar scenario played suitable looking tree in front of us so
from further back in the woods. In itself out again on April 22, 2018, I we sat on a log and for some time
spite of hearing or seeing them for a decided to make a more concerted could hear the calls but still could
period of some six weeks and making effort to find the nest this time. not see our quarry. I figured the bird
several searches in the woods, we The area in question is a patch of was on the far side of the tree and
never could find a nest. The breeding mature riparian forest along the Red would eventually come around to
range of Red-bellied Woodpeckers River with an area of approximately our side. When that didn't happen,
is chiefly in the eastern half of the 12 hectares. It consists mostly of I started to move in a circle toward
United States and extends to central green ash, American elm and some the other side of the tree when all of
Minnesota and the southeast corner Manitoba maple trees and is bisected a sudden, the male poked its head
WINTER 2018 VOLUME 76.4 BLUE JAY 5
out of a hole and ejected a beakful
of wood chips. Eureka! It had been
calling while it worked at excavating
the hole some 20 metres up near the
top of an ash tree.
I estimate that by May 3 the pair
was at the egg-laying stage as they
were entering and leaving the nest
frequently but not spending much
time inside. I called Bob Shettler and
on May 8 we walked back in for him
to take some photos, which he was
able to do, albeit from about 25 to
30 metres distance and having to
work through a maze of branches.
At this time we also noted that the
parents were taking turns on the
nest, changing shifts about every 15
minutes. Over the next few weeks,
I visited the nest roughly every four
to seven days and saw the adults
making feeding trips to the nest at
various intervals. Finally, on June 12
I saw a nestling or nestlings coming
to the edge of the nest hole and
peering out; this happened three
times over a period of half an hour
while the adults were off foraging.
6 BLUE JAY WINTER 2018 VOLUME 76.4
POETRY
North West
In the pointed protection
A day tucked between
Of buffalo berry thickets
The head and tail
Still, hushed, soothed
Of an Alberta Clipper
The wind rushing by,
So, just above frost
As though outdoors
Though swept and buffeted
We tucked in our barbed close.
By a frigid, biting wind.
The wind hurries our trek
Tolerable in the yard
As we climb the ridge
Repairing an old gate
And ascend Hunters’ Hill
Barehanded to untie
Where it roars all sounds
On June 16, Bob and I went back The old, frayed rope
in an attempt to get some photos To silence, nonexistence
The cockeyed rails
of the young, only to discover that
It roars and rules here.
And sagging, loose wire.
they had already fledged. It may
have been impossible to get a shot
anyway as by this time the foliage Turning into its cold force
The horses nose at me
was so thick as to make photography
Standing on the summit
For treats or to get by
extremely difficult.
Like standing on the bridge
To the tangled tussocks
It has been very satisfying to be
Of a brave galleon
able to document the first breeding Of ungrazed grasses
of this species in the province. As is Tossing, fighting the gale
I'm done and they race
their wont, these woodpeckers built
The grasses pitching like waves.
To the barn’s lee side.
this year's nest some 20 cm below
last year's.21 hope to be able to
observe the woodpeckers again next The open pasture ridges The gale blows so wild
year should they be back to set up On the thick cloud banks
The wind dictates my stride
house in the same tree.
It forces a gap to bloom
I balance against its strength
Under the noonday sun
Acknowledgements And Molly's long coat
My thanks to Bob Shettler for Homeward into the wind
Tosses, blows and twists
providing the photographs.
My face warms to Sol’s might.
In a tricolour frenzy.
References
1. Manitoba Avian Research Committee George Grassick
(2003) The Birds of Manitoba. Manitoba
Box 205
Naturalists Society Winnipeg, Manitoba
Lumsden, SK
2. Shackelford, Clifford E., Raymond E. SOG 3C0
Brown and Richard N. Conner. 2000. Red- [email protected]
bellied Woodpecker (Metanerpes carolinus),
version 2.0. In The Birds of North America
(P. G. Rodewald, editor). Cornell Lab of
Ornithology, Ithaca, New York, USA
WINTER 2018 VOLUME 76.4 BLUE JAY 7
'OWL' THE NEWS ON OBO
Saskatchewan crew was very busy
over the summer participating and
presenting in events such as the
Nature Saskatchewan Spring Meet,
at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park,
the Wildlife Society Conservation
Expo, and the Ignite Festival at the
Saskatchewan Science Centre. We
have also been out helping our
partners over the summer — lending
a hand for Ferruginous Hawk
surveys, planting Sagebrush plugs,
and flexing our grass ID skills while
helping with grassland range health
assessments and habitat monitoring.
We've also had a great summer
of reporting through the HOOT
line! We've had five single owls, six
pairs, and four young reported to us
over the summer along with other
at-risk owl species reported, such as
Short-eared Owls. Every call helps us
track and monitor populations, so a
great big thank you to everyone that
reported a sighting. Our OBO census
is also currently underway, so far
we've already had seven paired owls,
12 young, and four singles reported,
and with our census only 26 per cent
complete, this is a good start!
While we mentioned most of our
visits have yet to be done, we did
get a bit of a jump start. We have
visited two potential and two current
participants already, one of which
Photo credit: James Villeneuve
we've done a beneficial management
Emily Putz be filling the role of OBO coordinator plan with. We are also very happy
Habitat Stewardship Coordinator (OBO) and look forward to meeting many to welcome a new participant to the
Nature Saskatchewan of you in the coming months. 355 landowners conserving more
This year was a bit unusual for our than 147,000 acres in Operation
How quickly the summer Operation Burrowing Owl program, Burrowing Owl. We look forward to
passes! With another fall here, our as much of our on-the-ground work welcoming more this winter!
Burrowing Owls have once again will be done in the upcoming fall and As always, if you have any
flown south to enjoy the warmer winter months, pending fall funding. questions, comments or wish to
weather. Likewise, our long-time If you're wondering why you haven't report an owl sighting, please do
Operation Burrowing Owl (OBO) heard from us recently, don't worry not hesitate to give us a call at (306)
coordinator Kaytlyn Burrows has — the program coordinators will 780-9833, toll free on our HOOT line
flown back to university for the be out and about catching up with at 1-800-667-4668, or email me at
winter. But, along with our owls, participants soon! This doesn't mean, [email protected]. I would love to
we look forward to seeing her back of course, that our summer was hear from you! £
again in the spring. Until then, I will spent sitting idle. Our Stewards of
8 BLUE JAY WINTER 2018 VOLUME 76.4
SHAKE 1ST BREAK:
A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING
OF THE BUTCHERBIRD KILL
Rebecca Magnus
Habitat Stewardship Coordinator
Nature Saskatchewan
The Prairie Loggerhead Shrike
(Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides) is
a songbird well known for impaling
its prey. It does this because, while
it has a hooked bill, it does not have
talons to hold its prey like a raptor so
it must secure its prey on something
sharp to feed, such as barbed-wire
or thorny shrubs. Children and adults
such as myself are fascinated by
this and recent findings about the
capture process before impaling is
equally remarkable!
Photo credit: Randy McCulloch
Research by D. Sustaita et al.,
published September 5, 2018 on. With the assistance of the tomial managers who participate in Shrubs
in Biology Letters, looked at the teeth, the rate of shaking (11 times for Shrikes, and together they are
mechanics behind the kill of the per second) caused strong g-forces conserving more than 43,000 acres
Prairie Loggerhead Shrike, A.K.A. (6 g) in prey, possibly causing the (17,401 ha) of nesting and foraging
the butcherbird. The study's authors prey's vertebrae and spinal cord to habitat. Participants voluntarily agree
found that the shrike's bill not only break. It is amazing that Loggerhead to conserve prairie habitat, including
does what we would expect it to do Shrikes seem to have the ability to shrubs, homesteads, shelterbelts,
— capture its prey — but they also use their prey's own weight against and pastures for Loggerhead Shrikes
discovered details about how shrikes them! and other prairie species, while
can take down prey up to three times Even with this incredible skill, using their land as they always have.
their size. this songbird is a federally listed Participants annually report the
The Loggerhead Shrike's hooked threatened species at risk. Many number of shrikes on their land and
bill has little teeth along its sides, factors have contributed to the any changes in land use.
called tomial teeth. It takes a unique shrike's population decline, but To learn more about the
behaviour (shaking) and body part the two main ones are habitat loss Loggerhead Shrike or for information
(tomial teeth) for the Loggerhead and pesticide use. Since 2003, on how you can participate in Shrubs
Shrike to use its hooked bill on Nature Saskatchewan's Stewards for Shrikes, please call toll free
prey up to three times its weight. of Saskatchewan program, Shrubs 1-800-667-4668 or 306-780-7832,
Through high-speed video, Sustaita for Shrikes, has worked to protect or email [email protected].
et al. found that Loggerhead Shrikes the threatened Prairie Loggerhead To read more about Sustaita et al.'s
actually shake their prey, which Shrike's habitat from destruction study, "Come on baby, let's do
would not be possible without their and cultivation, and to monitor bird the twist: the kinematics of killing
tomial teeth that allow for grip. numbers on our participants' land. in loggerhead shrikes" visit http://
The study looked at the moment of As of 2017, there are 227 public rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/
shaking and what exactly was going and private landowners and land content/14/9/20180321A
WINTER 2018 VOLUME 76.4 BLUE JAY 9
SHEDDING LIGHT ON
RARE PLANT RESCUE:
PROGRAM UPDATES
Dwarf Woolly-heads. Photo credit: Ashley Vass
Ashley Vass In the spring, I had submitted an performing field surveys for this rare
Habitat Stewardship Coordinator article to media outlets asking the orchid (Cypripedium candidum).
Nature Saskatchewan public to be on the lookout for one Although we didn't find our target,
of our target plants that has not we did find large populations of the
As I write this article, Regina is been recorded in Saskatchewan since very beautiful, and provincially rare,
getting its first snowfall. Although 1895 — the elusive Small White Yellow Lady's-slipper.
the date on the calendar does Lady's-slipper. Although no one Throughout the summer we
not agree, it means that summer had reported seeing this particular
is officially over and it is time to species (Cypripedium candidum), I
wrap up the 2018 field season. We had received call after call of reports
focused on six of our nine federally- of several other orchid species that
listed (at risk under the Species at are all provincially rare! The buzz
Risk Act) target species this last around rare plants was exciting and
summer: Dwarf Woolly-heads, Hairy started the field season off on a very
Prairie-clover, Slender Mouse-ear- positive note.
cress, Small White Lady's-slipper, Alongside the provincial botanist
Smooth Goosefoot, and Tiny from the Saskatchewan Conservation
Cryptantha. Despite not having our Data Centre (SKCDC), and her
usual crew of search staff, we had a habitat suitability models, we spent
very successful field season. time in southeastern Saskatchewan
Smooth Goosefoot. Photo credit: Ashley Vass
10 BLUE JAY WINTER 2018 VOLUME 76.4