tthhee pprraaiirriiee ssmmookkee
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TThhee PPrraaiirriiee SSmmookkee
Three stages of Prairie Smoke Geum triflorum
Carden Field Naturalists‘ Quarterly Newsletter
Volume 7 Number 1 Summer 2009
President’s Message
By
David A. Homer
Hard to believe, but it is mid-August and we haven‘t experienced much of summer …yet! Many of
our birds have already left for the south or are beginning to form flocks in anticipation of that
annual exercise! Soon the skies will be dotted with flocks of migration ducks, geese, shorebirds and
songbirds. Following Dr. Bridget Stutchbury‘s presentation, we now realize more than ever how
precarious a winter it will be for them on their ―hazardous wintering grounds‖! We wish them well!
Change is the operative word in more ways than just the weather.
Beginning this issue both the Couchiching Conservancy (CC) and the Nature Conservancy of Canada
(NCC) will have regular columns in The Prairie Smoke. Mark Bisset (CC) and Erica Thompson (NCC) ,
both of whom are Carden Field Naturalists members, will be providing regular updates on activities
within their respective organizations.
As usual, we are indebted to everyone who has contributed to this issue. There are a number of
very interesting articles and reports. I trust you will find them as interesting as I did. Happy
reading!
The Prairie Smoke Summer 2009
2
Wilson Snipers win the Carden
Challenge
By
Ron Reid
The Carden Challenge has become an
institution of sorts over the past 5 years,
with teams of four competing to find the
highest number of bird species in a 24-hour
period. This year‘s Challenge was especially
rewarding, as the 8 teams that participated
together raised over $16,000 for
conservation on the Carden Alvar.
Among the 3 Competitive teams, the winner
of the Carden Cup was the Lagerheads team
with 124 species. But in a strange twist of
fate, the local team known as Wilson's Snipers registered in the Recreational
category, and had a great day with 126
species!
The Wilson‘s Snipers are led by Barb Glass,
and call on the talents of Judy Mitchell-
Wilson, Teresa Dale, and Kim McGuire. Their
big win is no accident – they have participated
together as a team for several previous years,
and were on the road by 3:30 a.m. to catch
those early birds. Congratulations to the
Carden Field Naturalists for having such
talent in your ranks.
The Wilson Snipers: Teresa, Kim, Judy and Barb with the winner’s trophy.
A special Teeter-Ass Trophy for vibrant
participation was awarded to the Wild Turkeys, who came together on short notice,
enlisted a new birder to participate, and even
survived a speeding ticket in their quest for
birds.
This year‘s count continued some interesting
trends with few hawks and low numbers of
swallows, but one great find was a migrant
Cerulean Warbler on Wylie Road. Overall,
participants counted an amazing 23 warbler
species, including Blue-winged, Parula, and
Blackpoll for the first time on the Challenge.
A few other new additions including Pine
Siskin, Least Sandpiper, and White-crowned
Sparrow were lingering migrants.
Presentation to library
On behalf of the Carden Field
Naturalists, David Homer presented a
copy of the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario 2001-2005 to
Janet Hill, Carden Branch Librarian,
City of Kawartha Lakes libraries. The
presentation took place at the June
meeting. The Atlas will remain in the
reserves section of the Library for
individual use.
The Prairie Smoke Summer 2009
3
SILENCE OF THE SONG BIRDS
By
Dierdre Pringle
After hearing Bridget Stutchbury speak
about how we are losing the world‘s songbirds
and what we can do to save them, I purchased
her book, Silence of the Songbirds. This book
was a finalist in the Governor General‘s
Literary Awards and I soon discovered why.
Written in the first person, Bridget writes as
she speaks – with great passion. She
chronicles her adventures visiting the
songbirds‘ wintering grounds. Apart from the
perils all migratory birds face, the loss of
habitat and poisoning of their winter
environment with pesticides is wiping out
large number of our favourite songbirds.
Bridget stresses that the power of the
consumer is mighty, and we can make a
difference by purchasing wisely. By refusing
to buy out of season fruits and vegetables
from Central American (most of which are
laced with heavy pesticides) we can make a
difference. The other single most important
change we can make is to buy Certified Shade
Grown Coffee- thus protecting the rainforest
canopy which houses so many species of
North American birds during our winter
months.
Dr. Bridget Stutchbury speaking at CFN
Larry kirtley photo
This book is a great read and a must for
anyone who enjoys the company and songs of
our feathered friends. Paired with a pound of
Certified Shade Grown Creemore Coffee, this
would make a most appreciated gift.
Editor‘s note: Deirdre Pringle was a guest of her friend and former colleague Frances Laver at our April meeting when Dr. Stutchbury gave her presentation to CFN. This article was written initially for publication in her local newspaper.
Membership Dues
A gentle reminder to those who still
have not paid their annual membership
fees which were due in April 2009.
Please forward your payment as soon
as possible to:
Paul Laver
CFN Treasurer
31 Loon Drive
R.R. # 1 Sebright, Ont
L0K 1W0
The Prairie Smoke Summer 2009
4
A Rare Chance to Expand The
Prairie Smoke Nature Reserve
By
Erica Thompson
Nature Conservancy of Canada
Huronia Program Manager
How long does it take to explore 1330 acres?
You could find out by helping the Nature
Conservancy of Canada (NCC) purchase the
Little Bluestem Alvar property-654 (264)
hectares of high-priority habitat located
adjacent to NCC‘s Prairie Smoke Nature
Reserve on the Carden Alvar.
Little Bluestem field
Margo Holt photo
Securing this property will create a 1330-
acre (538-hectares) nature reserve
protecting one of Ontario‘s rarest landscapes
while providing an outdoor classroom for the
curious amongst us and protected habitat for
alvar flora and fauna.
The property was named little Bluestem Alvar
because it is home to one of Carden‘s most
extensive Little bluestem alvar grasslands.
Little Bluestem Flower Spike
Margo Holt photo
An agreement to purchase this property is in
place with a closing scheduled for September
2009. Federal and Provincial commitments
have been requested, but as with all property
acquisitions, NCC must raise funds to support
the ongoing management and care of the
property. This is the ―forever‖ part of NCC‘s
mission. NCC and our partners at the
Couchiching Conservancy are working
together to raise $68,750 in private funds to
support long term management at the
property. The Carden Field Naturalists have
been wonderful stewards at the Prairie
Smoke and we look forward to working with
all of you on Little Bluestem.
To learn more about this project and how you
can help, please contact me at 705-888-2316
or at [email protected]
or visit NCC‘s website at
www.natureconservancy.ca/ontario.
The Prairie Smoke Summer 2009
5
The Couchiching Conservancy Column
By
Mark Bisset
Ron Reid changes Gears
The white beard and deep laugh lines around
the eyes advertise a trademark style.
He‘s a peace-maker, a diplomat, a consensus-
builder, a deal-closer and an innovator who
has played a central role in shaping the
conservation landscape in Ontario. But to
most people around here he‘s just Ron Reid.
Ron’s Retirement Day
Mark Bisset photo
The public face of the Couchiching
Conservancy since 1993 when it became one
of the first land trusts in Canada, Reid is
going into semi-retirement at the beginning of
July. His departure as executive director of
the conservancy this week ties a neat ribbon
around what may be his most important
achievement. Under his guidance, the
Couchiching Conservancy has become a leading
light in the Canadian land trust movement.
It all started in their living room, says Janet
Grand, Reid‘s partner and another driving
force in the creation of the conservancy.
―Essentially what we did is just talked for a
year,‖ Grand recalls of the first group of six
or seven people who built the foundations of
the conservancy.
It was a turbulent time in conservation
circles. Ontario had recorded some real
achievements in the field, creating good
policy and creating numerous provincial parks.
Reid was involved with many of those
achievements, building a solid reputation in
the fields of public policy and advocacy as
general manager for the Federation of
Ontario Naturalists. But by the 1990s a
recession and the resulting cost-cutting
government policies led to serious financial
constraints for conservation. Reid sensed the
province had gone as far as it could at the
time.
―He recognized, long before anybody else did,
that what was left to be done was probably
going to be done by the private sector,‖
Grand says.
So he got busy. Working as a volunteer while
running his own environmental consulting firm,
Reid along with Grand and others created the
land trust.
Ken Thomson, a former Couchiching
Conservancy board member and a committed
volunteer remembers admiring Reid‘s efforts
in the first years of the operation.
―At every meeting of the fledgling
organization he was able to lead the
discussions and bring out the best from
everyone,‖ Thomson recalls.
The Prairie Smoke Summer 2009
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He guided the process through the various
political levels educating them as well as the
board in the intricacies of diplomacy and tact,
Thomson says.
―I think that the brilliant thing he did was to
go local,‖ says Michael Broadstreet, vice-
president of conservation for the Nature
Conservancy of Canada.
Reid realized very early that it was essential
to engage local people.
―If we‘re going to protect land in settled
landscapes, if the community‘s not involved,
we‘re toast,‖ Broadstreet says.
By 2002 the conservancy was in a position to
hire a full-time staff member and Reid was
the natural choice. Today the Couchiching
Conservancy manages close to 8,000 acres,
has 120 active volunteers, a membership base
of 300, and four full-time staff.
The jewel of its portfolio is the globally rare
alvar on the Carden Plain, near Lake
Dalrymple. The shallow limestone plain fosters
competing interests. Land owners use it to
graze cattle. High quality limestone close to
the Greater Toronto Area makes it coveted
by quarry operators. The alvar is prized by
naturalists and scientists as a home to rare
birds and plants. Out of this recipe for
conflict, Reid is in the process of creating a
new model of cooperation.
―He‘s a wonderful collaborator,‖ says Erica
Thompson, Georgian Bay - Huronia Program
Manager for the Nature Conservancy of
Canada, Ontario Region. ―He has a unique
ability to forge solutions rather than division
even amongst the seemingly most disparate
views. He is also a very kind person.‖
Recognizing the quarries, land owners and
conservationists would continue to be heavily
invested in Carden, Reid began building
bridges. Cattle grazing is now considered a
crucial conservation management tool on the
alvar and several quarries are active partners
in conservation efforts.
―All the work with the quarry industry could
not have been done 20 years ago. Period,‖
says Grand. ―It just would not have happened.
They were the enemy, we were the enemy to
them. So all this work in Carden in particular
is just ground-breaking. And that‘s what Ron‘s
done his whole career. He‘s done new stuff.‖
Reid is likely to continue to do new stuff. Now
in his early 60s, he‘s not retiring. He will
continue to work for the conservancy on a
contract basis, finishing the projects he has
been so central to on the Carden Plain. And all
is not rosy there. A provincial association of
land owners has recently taken a hard line
with naturalists and bird-watchers in the
area, mounting an aggressive sign campaign to
promote private property rights. But Reid
remains respectful of their concerns, gentle
in his approach, and above all, determined.
The Prothonotary Warbler
By Neil Gray
One of my goals every year that we go to Pt.
Pelee for the spring migration is to find at
least one Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea). In the past 27 years I have only been
successful 7 times, and two of those times
have been in the past two years, after a
hiatus of 6 years. Why such a poor rate of
success in this endeavour? This warbler is at
The Prairie Smoke Summer 2009
7
its furthest northern border of its natural
territory, occurring mostly in the Carolinian
Zone in areas that have suitable habitat
remaining, which restricts it to major parks
(Holiday Beach, Pt. Pelee, Wheatley, Rondeau,
Long Point). This warbler is listed under
Ontario‘s Endangered Species Act (put on in
1999) and the Federal Migratory Birds
Convention Act protecting the species and its
habitat. At the present time, it is estimated
that there are only 20 pairs in any given year
in southern Ontario and they can be found in
only 5 locations.
Neil Gray photo
This warbler is unique in that it is the only
North American warbler that nests in cavities
of dead deciduous trees in woodland swamp
areas. The cavity itself is typically located in
the lower part of the tree over the water.
Unfortunately this type of habitat has been
declining in southern Ontario. In addition to
the decline in habitat, this species is also
parasitized by the brown-headed blackbird
(throws out the warbler eggs and replacing
them with their own) and because of the low
cavity placement is an easy target by
raccoons.
Neil Gray photo
The bird itself is very colorful, known for its
papal colors and plumage, looking like the
robes worn by the papal clerks. The adult
male in particular has a bright orange-yellow
head, breast and belly, contrasted with a
green-grey back and azure blue wings and
tails. Another striking feature is that for a
warbler, it has a long bill. It is also one of
the larger warblers measuring 14-15cm long
and weighing 14-16gm.
When we were at Pt. Pelee (woodland trail
behind the park offices) this year, the male
bird was in the midst of preparing at least
one nest site; it was skirting around between
several cavities (make by woodpeckers) and a
man-made birdhouse placed on a metal pole in
the middle of a wetland. In typical warbler
fashion it was moving about from branch to
branch, tree to tree, making it very hard to
get a clear photo. This was the bird of the
day (probably the week for most of us), which
brought out everybody with a telephoto lens,
scope and/or binoculars. Even with an
explosion of people watching him, he did seem
to be disturbed. With any luck a mate will
find his new housing arrangements up to par,
and a new brood will be hatched. It would be
wonderful to see this bird again next year.
The Prairie Smoke Summer 2009
8
References
Hughes, J. M., 2001. Birds of Ontario. ROM
and McClelland & Stewart Pub.
The Prothonotary Warbler in Canada: On the
Road to Recovery?
www.on.ec.gc.ca/wildlife/factsheets/fs_pro_
warbler
Prothonotary Warbler, Bird Studies Canada.
www.bsc-
eoc.org/research/speciesatrisk/prow
THE LAZY BIRDER
By
Frances Laver
There was silence on the other end of the
phone when I said, ―David, I am looking out
our front window and there is a large black
bird in a tree. It has a long beak. What is it?‖
I was excited because I thought I had found
a new species. He politely said that he didn‘t
know and was probably was shaking his head
at my description.
The next day I heard a really strange sound
and following that sound once more saw this
bird flying toward the lake. Could it be a
small cormorant?
David politely nodded at that theory.
Paul had heard this bird too and was smart
enough to take the binoculars and have closer
look. Looking in our Ontario bird book, he
found it was a green heron.
Green Heron
Larry kirtley photo
Well it looked black to me. I hadn‘t even
heard of such a bird! David says there are
common, which killed the new species theory.
Birders probably know what they look like but
the book had some information that I found
fascinating.
―When plumes were highly prized clothing
accessories early in the 20th century, heron
plumes were the most sought after. Breeding
male herons are adorned with several long,
graceful feathers that stream from their
heads and necks. Although the plumes of the
Green Heron were not as prized as those
from some of its close relatives, many of
these small herons paid a high price for
fashion.‖
The Prairie Smoke Summer 2009
9
Species on the Edge
Congratulations to Carden Field Naturalists
member Kristen Field for the wonderful book
she has written, Species on the Edge, a reference, atlas and stewardship guide to rare and at risk species in the western portion of the Land Between.
David A. Homer photo
This 122 page book is a result of the species
on the Edge project carried out during 2008
and 2009 by the Couchiching Conservancy as
part of the Waterway Wildlife Program; an
initiative of parks Canada to increase
protection and awareness of species at risk. A
number of our members assisted Kristen in
research data, photographs and
encouragement.
David A. Homer photo
Each species in the book has its own
descriptive page, complete with photographs
of the species, its habitat and a range map.
Carden Field Naturalists will be selling the
book at our regular meetings.
Thank you Kristen for the hard work, late
nights and great effort in producing this
wonderful addition to our libraries, and as a
much needed field guide.
And the Winner Is:
CFN member Nathalie Rockhill is the winner of
the 2009 Nature Festival annual draw. This
year David Homer produced a wood sculpture of
an Eastern Kingbird for the annual raffle.
Sean McNamee photo
The Prairie Smoke Summer 2009
10
The Wildlife of South America, the
Falkland Islands and Antarctica
By
Harry Hall
We started our voyage in Rio de Janeiro,
proceeded to Buenos Aires from whence we
flew to Iguassu falls on the border of Brazil
and Argentina. Next was Monte Video
Uruguay where we spent a day with the
gauchos on their 3650 acre Estancia.
The Falkland Islands followed and then
Antarctica. From there we slowly retuned to
Tierra del Fuego, Cape Horn, the Beagle
channel, Magellan strait, Patagonia (including
Torres del Peine National park and finally
Valpraiso and Santiago before flying home.
We will not give you a long list of all the
wildlife we saw but will mention quite a few
with whatever stories of interest that go
with them.
Rio is a gigantic city so it was hard to see
much wildlife other than Kelp gulls and
Magnificent Frigate Birds (the ones that puff
their red chests up). One night the sky was
full of hundreds (maybe thousands) of them
flying several hundred feet above the sea.
Since they are sea scavengers one wonders
what attracted so many to that height that
night. It is interesting to note that the
further south you go the more sea life is
evident.
The basic food for many species, unless they
eat each other, is krill, a small crustacean
that is more plentiful the colder the water.
Even when you are hundreds of miles from
land you see lots of birds which reminds us
once again that sea birds don‘t need or even
care about land except to lay an egg and have
a chick (every 3-4 years for the Albatross).
From Buenos Aires we flew to Iguassu falls
which has to be the most beautiful in the
world. There are over 200 separate falls
cascading down both sides of this gorge. The
falls are surrounded by lush vegetation and
rainbows are plentiful. An amazing sight! We
saw caymans, cicadas, hawks, turtles and
cormorants all enjoying themselves only a very
short distance above the falls, Do they know
how close they are to disaster?? Coatis are a
raccoon-like animal that are common in the
area also
The next day at Monte video we were
transported to a working estancia (Larapido)
with 650 milking cows plus wheat, beef and
potatoes.. They also grow a lot of Australian
eucalyptus because they have good hard wood,
grow fast and have a pleasant odor. The
gauchos spend so much time on horseback,
they almost become one unit, They all wear
the long boots and most wear berets --
occasional flat top cowboy hats. It must be a
good life. They all seem happy and eager to
share their experiences. We saw Lapwings,
green austral parakeets, which are hated by
the ranchers because ―they eat everything‖, a
great Egret, southern martin and an austral
thrush.
The next 2 days were at sea en route to the
Falklands. Right Whales and southern Minke
were seen and some people thought they saw
Orcas. There were Atlantic petrels, Wilson‘s
storm petrels, giant petrels and our first
sighting of the legendary Albatross.
These were black- browed species (relatively
small with a wing span of about 7 feet. We
also encountered sun fish which look like big
blobs with huge dorsal fins and no visible tail
they seem to just sit in the water even when
the ship was close to them. How do they
move??
The Falkland Islands some people found
desolate and did not appreciate. I do feel
The Prairie Smoke Summer 2009
11
sorry for them if they can‘t see and feel the
beauty in the vast open spaces with the
volcanic peaks poking up through the peat
which they also cut, dry and burn. We took
quite a long hike along the windblown shore
and saw several rare species that live only
there, Kelp geese, Patagonian Crested back
duck, Oystercatchers, Falkland thrush and
Skuas, Flightless Steamer ducks (which
speaks to the lack of predators on the
islands). Our guide pointed out that there is a
certain lack of imagination here. They have 2
types of ferns, small and tall.
Long tailed Meadowlark
Harry Hall photo
They have a meadowlark with a bright red
chest which is called a Long tailed
Meadowlark. The plants are unusual also -sea
cabbage, scurvy grass and diddle dee a small
bush with red berries that make good jam.
There were also multiple cormorants and
penguins on the islands- Magellan, king and
Rock-hoppers
Next stop Elephant Island Antarctica, rugged
mountainous and multiple glaciers coming down
to the sea
We won‘t tell you the details of exactly where
we were on the peninsula but will write in
general terms. We spoke of the ice in a
previous article so we will concentrate on the
wildlife.
Humpback whale diving
Harry Hall photo
We saw a number of whales, mostly
humpback, Weddel seal, Sea lions, and
multiple types of birds—Skuas both brown
and Antarctic, fulmars, Pryons, Petrels --
blue, cape and giant. Only a few sooty
shearwaters were seen which was surprising
since it is the most common bird in the world.
Cormorants were common -- rock ,imperial and
blue eyed
Penguins ,of course, are everyone‘s favorites
and are quite common in these icy waters.
They swim, dive, porpoise, slide on the snow
and icebergs. They look like they are having
fun. They leave red trails where they climb
the mountains (remember that krill is their
staple) Its humorous to see them slide down
the snow if they slip trying to climb up. They
just get up and keep on trudging (maybe
waddling?)
Gentoo Penguins
Harry Hall photo
The Prairie Smoke Summer 2009
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For some reason they (at least the Gentoos)
like to nest several hundred feet up the
slopes?? Adelies and Chinstraps were the
other two types . The chinstraps have a bow
tie with their tuxedos
The heroes for me and a new love affair are
the Royal (Wingspan 10 feet+ and the
Wandering (wingspan 11 feet+.) Albatross.
Wandering Albatross
Harry Hall photo
I watched them for hours as they soared
effortlessly, drifting with the wind up ,then
down almost touching the waves at times They
occasionally tilt even at right angles to the
sea. We witnessed them come from behind
the ship which is doing about 25 mph and pass
it. All of these maneuvers without ever
flapping their wings. Masters of the wind they
give new meaning to the word graceful. The
researchers even suspect that they may be
able to sleep while soaring. Apparently with
implanted devices they find that they may go
24 hrs without landing on the sea. They also
are apparently able to lock their ―elbows‖ so
there is no strength required to keep their
wings extended. – the perfect flying machine.
What a fantasy to be able to do something
like that.
The cape petrels with their white patches on
blue wings are quite dramatic as they swoop
and dive often in flocks of 40 – 50
Since it is summer, fog is not unusual with the
ice all around and the relatively warmer air.
Mystical lighting effects are common as the
sun breaks through the clouds and reflects
off the glaciers and the dark water sparkles
amidst the icebergs. Most people, including
me, consider it a spiritual experience. If you
are not affected by these incredible displays
you must need to turn up the volume on your
sensitivity detecting apparatus. Hours can be
spent out on the deck as this panorama
evolves before you, ever changing and
continuing to surprise. Almost totally silent
except for the background droning of the
engines it is occasionally ruptured by the roar
of an avalanche or the thunderclap as the ice
splits off a glacier and crashes into the sea
sending waves out in a semi circle from the
point of contact - glad you‘re not in a canoe
close to it
Once again we must cross Drake Strait, this
time going north, and for some reason a lot of
people developed white spots behind their
ears. Do, you suppose it has anything to do
with this being one of the legendary roughest
spots in the world. It helps to shorten the
lineup for meals too.
Cape Horn looming through the rain and mist
is quite a spectacle as your welcome to the
southernmost land of South America. Ushuaia
(Argentina), not that far away in the Beagle
channel claims to be the most southerly
permanent habitation in :the world , Chile
disputes it
The history of the area with Magellan, Drake
Darwin and many others is fascinating and
well worth pursuing
The Beagle channel, over 200k, which cuts
across Tierra del Fuego is full of mountains
glaciers and wild life--- seals , sea lions and
The Prairie Smoke Summer 2009
13
Shags (cormorants) galore, petrels geese,
gulls etc.
The following day on the west coast, we
arrived at Punta Arenas on the Magellan
channel then flew to Puerto Natales. From
there a bus drove us the 2 hours through the
rolling hills of Patagonia to Torres del Peine
National Park. Magnificent tall, steep, stately
cliff-like mountains that look as if they had
quietly exploded from the surrounding
grasslands.. They are not the tallest but
certainly the most dramatic mountains I have
seen. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) it
was foggy and rainy that day which obscured
the view somewhat but gave it a surreal,
otherworldly feeling as they appeared and
disappeared. They are the mountains we have
all seen in ads for Patagonia and Chile
Once again we were lucky with the wildlife.
Andean Condors, Guanacos (Llama like), Rheas
with chicks (Emu-like), and a south American
gray fox that wandered past.
Gray Fox
Harry Hall photo
The Guanacos are left wild because
apparently neither their hide nor meat are
considered valuable.
Further north along the coast and the Darwin
channel are many glaciers fiords, waterfalls,
rushing rivers and volcanoes. Chile has 56
active volcanoes. Interestingly the southern
Chileans consider themselves as almost a
separate country since there is no road to the
northern part without detouring through
Argentina
Puerto Montt was our access harbor to
Petrike(?) falls and Mount Osorno a huge Fuji
look alike volcano that we climbed part way
up. – It was our last highlight before arriving
at Valpraiso, the Chilean ‗bohemia‖ and the
nearest port to Santiago from whence we
returned home inspired once again by visiting
another part of this wonderful planet that is
our home.
Editor‘s note: Harry and Marian will be sharing more of their South American, Falkland Islands and Antarctica experiences with us at our September meeting
New Freshwater Fish Guide
Bob Wright advises that the long awaited
Royal Ontario Museum Guide to Freshwater
Fishes in Ontario is finally available. This
great guide for anyone interested in the
fishes of Ontario can be purchased at most
good bookstores.
The Prairie Smoke Summer 2009
14
Third Annual Carden Nature Festival
…Best ever!
By
Lou Probst
Once again nature lovers from all over
Ontario flocked to the Carden Recreation
Centre to participate in the third annual
Carden Nature Festival. It attracted 285
paying guests and was supported by 100
volunteers. Many of those volunteers came
from the Carden Field Naturalist Club. Some
were Activity Leaders, some were marshals,
some made lunches, some arranged fixtures,
some were exhibitors and some were
organizers. In fact the Festival couldn't
happen without the energetic participation of
the Carden Field Naturalists.
Event participants receiving instructions
Lou Probst photo
The Primary objective of the Festival is to
bring tourist dollars into the local economy.
About 40% of guests came from the GTA,
30% from the Orillia area, 11% from
Kawartha Lakes and the remainder from
scattered points in Ontario. About 30% were
repeat customers from 2008 which means
there were many first time participants and
they got their money's worth. Over 100
outdoor and indoor events to choose from.
The choices ranged from early morning
birding to night sky observing, from hiking to
paddling to biking to flying, from plants to
spiders to moths to fish. The Activity
Leaders were top notch with not only local
celebrities like Bob Bowles but many from
afar like Jennifer Doubt manager of the
National Herbarium of Canada and Peter Hall
retired Research Manager with the National
Biological Collection at Agriculture and
Agrifoods Canada.
Kyra Howes leading a wildflower event
Lou Probst photo
Comments from participants say it all:
―Thanks for your work in organizing an
excellent festival‖ Mike McMurtry MNR,
―I really had a good time. Looking forward to
participating next year‖ Dave Beadle,
―Clearly folks in my groups expected this to
be yearly event. You have done another
superlative job!!‖ Ellen Larson,
―I have had 2 people e-mail me to a) thank me
for my role, and b) tell me that they will
advertise the Carden Festival as a model to
follow‖ Doug Lockery,
‖Congratulations on a job VERY well done‖
Janet Grand,.
The Prairie Smoke Summer 2009
15
The Prairie Smoke is the quarterly newsletter of
the Carden Field Naturalists. The opinions
expressed in all articles are those of the authors
and not necessarily those of the editor(s). Letters,
articles and comments are welcome, but not
necessarily published.
E-mail documents are requested, please forward to
the editor:
David A. Homer
199 Avery Point Road
Lake Dalrymple
R.R. # 1 Sebright, Ontario L0K 1W0
e-mail: [email protected]
Membership:
Paul E. Laver
Treasurer
CFN
R.R. # 1 Sebright, Ont
L0K 1W0
e-mail:[email protected]
Website:
www.CardenGuide.com/cfn
Web Master
e-mail: [email protected]
The Prairie Smoke Summer 2009
16
CARDEN FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
NAME_____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
ADDRESS__________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
TELEPHONE_________________________________________________________
EMAIL_____________________________________________________________
FEES (Yearly) Family (Includes Parents and Children 13 years and younger) $20
Single $15 Student (14 to 18 years old) $5
Yearly Membership fees run from April 1 to March 31
Fees include a copy of our quarterly newsletter.
Would you be interested in becoming a member of the executive or be on a committee formed by
the executive?__________________________
Please make cheques payable to:
Carden Field Naturalists Club
c/o Paul Laver, Treasurer
31 Loon Drive
R.R. #1 Sebright ON
L0K 1W0
The Prairie Smoke Summer 2009
17
CARDEN FIELD NATURALISTS
2009 PROGRAMME AND OUTINGS
GENERAL MEETINGS
Wed. Aug. 12th 2009 Presentation - Bats
Guest Speaker : Beth Clare, University of Guelph
Wed. Sept. 9th 2009 Presentation- Antarctica
Guest Speaker: Harry Hall
Wed. Oct. 14th 2009 Presentation - The Life History of Loons
Guest Speaker : Ron Tozer, Algonquin Park Naturalist
(Retired)
Wed. Nov. 11th 2009 Presentation - The Invisible Decline
of American Mink
Guest Speaker : Jeff Bowman, Min. of Nat. Resources
Wed. Dec. 9th 2009 Members' Night and Dessert Pot Luck