PGNC Events and Notes, 13 May 2013

Club Events

1. Birdwalk (LAST) Saturday, 11 May, Wilkins Park, 8:00 am

Heather Meier, who earlier last week found a first-time bird for PG ­- a Marbled Godwit – led a bird walk to Wilkins.  Meet at the usual place under the big sign at Spruceland Mall at 8:00 am, with a departure for Wilkins Park at 8:15 am, and finish by noon. Boots are recommended as trails may be muddy/flooded in places. All welcome but no dogs, please.

2. Presentation: Thursday 23 May, 7:00 pm, “Parks Building”, 4051-18th Avenue

Reminder of this talk by Darwyn Coxson: Upper Fraser Ancient Cedar Stands ­– A proposed new World Heritage site in B.C

Report

(Reports on club and related activities are welcome.)

Note from Danielea Castell

Thank you to the twelve people who came out to help clean up the Hudson Bay Slough last Sunday. It was a lot of fun and we got a lot done -  from Queensway west to Pine St and down to the footbridge in the River direction. In addition to the many debris-related surprises we found a koi fish living in the slough.

I also had reason to feel grateful to the Litterers.  Several times I was deep among the thorny-ones and ran out of room in my garbage bag and presto! I’d find an intact plastic shopping bag I could use to keep going. We also found two shopping carts and used the clean-ish one to haul heavy bags back to the dumpster. “Pretty surreal pushing a shopping cart in the forest” one person named Jay commented.

Hero’s

In the picture is Jay, Goji, me, Li and that’s Doug down the hill on the right. He came with his $5 chestwaders and fished a lot of clothing and blankets out of the slough. Thank you Doug!

A big thanks to Dan McGaughey from Two Rivers Canoe club who came with his single canoe and hauled debris from the water. Also, present and hard-working were Sandra, Utte, Dora, Linda, Dom, Darlene and Sue.

……
Clive

Salmonella – Some facts & Suggestions, April 27th, 2013

Recently some people have notice Redpolls dying in their yards and have requested assistance with helping in the diagnosis and eradication of the problem.

While some great help has already been given I thought I’d spend a little time and put together some information with source links that you can read up on for more thourough consideration.

The problem has been suggested to be an outbreak of Salmonella. Salmonella is a bacteria that can infect birds, people, reptiles and other animals but most commonly birds. While free ranging birds tend to be carriers of the disease, flies, rats, and other vermin’s can also be sources.

The primary source of transmission is through the air. The bacteria is shed through through nasal and/or ocular secretions, fecal material and feather dust. The bacteria remains viable/stable outside the body by drying into a dust which contaminates the air that is inhaled by new hosts. It also contaminates water and food which is consumed.

Bird feeders and areas where birds congregate can become contaminated which hastens the spread of the disease.

Symptoms can include lethargy, anorexia and diarrhea.

Treatment – most sites indicate that there is no guaranteed treatment while some give antibiotic suggestions with directions. According to Mass Audubon “No drugs or antibiotics have proven to be effective for the treatment of salmonellosis in wild birds.“

Prevention – “Proper hygiene is the best way to prevent outbreaks of Salmonella“. Keep all feeding areas and water container clean and free from droppings. Note that some types of salmonella can cause food poisoning in humans so maintain excellent personal hygiene when helping/treating sick birds.

During an outbreak remove feeders for two weeks. Otherwise disinfect them weekly (when in use) with a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water (1 cup bleach to 10 cups water or 1 table spoon bleach to 10 table spoons of water, etc). Ensure the feeders are thoroughly dried before restoring them to use.

Its recommended that you clean using disposable gloves and in a bucket outdoors. That way you won’t bring the bacteria into your kitchen where you might transfer it to your food and giving yourself food poisoning.

Keep pets away from bird carcasses and debris under the feeders.

Don’t use mixed seed. Mixed seed results in spillage as birds sift and push unwanted seed out of the feeder to get what they want. The birds tend to want the black-oil sunflower seed or sunflower hearts.

Disposal of dead birds should be done with rubber gloves or use a plastic bag in the same way you’d pick up your dog’s feces. Then double bag the carcas and dispose of it appropriately.

References:
http://www.avianbiotech.com - About Salmonella (General)
http://www.avianweb.com - About Salmonella (Avian health)
http://www.massaudubon.org - Salmonella and Wild Birds
http://birds.cornell.edu - Project Feeder Watch - Diseased Birds at Your Feeder
http://www.wildcarebayarea.org - Salmonella Outbreak Page
http://www.michigan.gov - About Salmonella in Michigan Song Birds
http://www.sva.se - About Salmonella in Cats

Help with dying Redpolls… April 26th, 2013

Facebook user Lucille Stack is requesting help with sick Redpolls. If you can assist her please contact her through facebook by clicking on her name.

“Is there any place I can call to get some help, I think the Redpolls in my yard have some kind of sickness. I put some video on my face book page of them just yesterday.they are dyeing. I thought it was cats but now that the weather is warmer I have been outside more there has been over 15 or so I have picked up died in my year this year. hope you can help me. I have been videoing taping them for some time now. thank you”

BC Interior Stewardship Workshop in Vanderhoof – May 7th, 2013

Hi Everyone

Here is a draft Agenda for the Ninth Annual Stewardship Workshop in Vanderhoof that you can distribute to your contacts.

If you haven’t registered, here is the link  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/P56YNS6 to register online

Hotels in Vanderhoof
The following hotels have a block of rooms set aside until April 10 under “Fraser Basin Council” for the workshop at the following hotels:

• Hillview Motel, 250-567-4668.  Rooms are $79, $89 and some 2 bedroom units for $99

• North Country Inn, 250-567-3048.  Rooms are $89 for single and $104 for double

BC Interior Stewardship Award for Ecosystem Excellence
Nominations are now open for the 2013 award.  Please submit the name of your nominee (an individual or organization), reasons for the nomination and three references in support of the nomination by email to tthomas@fraserbasin.bc.ca at the Fraser Basin Council. The nominations deadline is Friday, April 26, 2013.  See http://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/tr_stewardship_award.html for nomination criteria and past winners.

For more information about the previous eight BC Interior Stewardship workshops, see http://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/tr_stewardship.html

Mike Simpson, MA, RPF
Senior Regional Manager
Fraser Basin Council
250-314-9660 Kamloops
250-299-1202 Cell
www.fraserbasin.bc.ca

PG Naturalist Club Events and Notes, 22 April 2013

Yesterday’s Curlew trip was sensational, with 44 curlews putting on a great show, and 36 species in all giving fine views. Even the Gyrfalcon made a guest appearance on the way home. A full list is added to the bottom of this email.

Upcoming Club Events

1. Visit to the RASC Observatory, This Wednesday, April 24, starting at 8:15 p.m.

This is a special field trip for club members to the Observatory (Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Prince George Centre). Meet under the big sign at Spruceland Mall at 8:15 pm. We will carpool to the Observatory for a 9:00 pm start.

2. Presentation: Thursday 23 May, 7:00 pm, “Parks Building”, 4051-18th Avenue

Upper Fraser Ancient Cedar Stands ­– A proposed new World Heritage site in B.C, By Darwyn Coxson, Ecosystem Science and Management Program, UNBC

Emerging research has highlighted the significance of ancient western red cedar stands within the upper Fraser River watershed as rare forest types within British Columbia’s inland temperate rainforest (ITR).  Historically, ancient cedar stands were found in greatest abundance where mountain slopes flatten out as they reach the valley bottom. Abundant groundwater and wet soils in these sites provided protection from fires and sustained trees during dry summers.  Unfortunately, ITR landscapes have been heavily impacted by human activities, from construction of hydroelectric reservoirs to placement of road and rail corridors and logging.  Today, ancient cedar stands represent less than 4% of the upper Fraser River watershed within the 130,571 ha ICHvk2 biogeoclimatic zone east of Prince George.  Less than 100 ha of these stands are protected within B.C. provincial parks.  Our research suggests that the cultural and biological values represented by these sites would fully meet criteria for nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage site.  This designation would not only recognize the cultural and biological heritage these sites contain, but would have widespread benefits for diversification of the regional economy, building on the regional tourist attraction that has already developed at the site of the Ancient Forest Trail.

Darwyn Coxson is a Professor in the Ecosystem Science and Management Program at the University of Northern British Columbia.  Dr Coxson’s research on the conservation biology of inland temperate rainforest ecosystems in British Columbia has resulted in a new scientific appreciation of the unique nature and global rarity of ancient cedar stands within the inland rainforest. Dr Coxson’s recent publications include the co-authored UBC Press book British Columbia’s Inland Rainforest: Ecology, Conservation and Management.

Notes from BC Nature

1. The BC Nature AGM is being hosted by the Abbotsford-Mission Naturalists in Abbotsford on May 2-5, and club members are of course very welcome to attend. Registration information is in the BC Nature magazine,  and on the BC Nature website.

2. BC Nature executive is requesting information from the clubs on two topics:

i) means to help with the replacement and recruiting of club executive members and

ii) suggestions for presentation to a fund-raising seminar. These topics will be considered at either the AGM or the Fall General Meeting in Cranbrook

3. BC Nature is looking for a club member who would like to volunteer to help with the updating of the BC Nature website for the Northern region.

Contact Carol Fairhurst (cdfairhurst@yahoo.com) for the above, or anything else in connection with BC Nature.

Addendum

PG Naturalists Club ‘Curlew Trip’ April 21, 2013

FIRST AVENUE:

Curlew

Gyr

Shonshoe

Merlin 1
Rock Dove 3
Gyrfalcon 1

COTTONWOOD ISLAND:
Yellow-rumped Warbler 4
Northern Flicker 2
Ring-billed Gull 50
Mallard 8
Black-billed Magpie 1
American Wigeon 1 pr
Wood Duck 2 pr
Red-necked Grebe 6
Green-winged Teal 2
Bald Eagle 1 imm.
Black-capped Chickadee 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
Dark-eyed Junco 2
Common Redpoll 1
Barrow’s Goldeneye 1
American Robin 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
American Crow 4
Killdeer 1

WALRATH ROAD & MARSH:
Long-billed Curlew 44
Common Raven 4
Merlin 1
Canada Goose 2
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Northern Flicker 1
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Bufflehead 6
Green-winged Teal 1
American Coot 4
Hooded Merganser 3
American Crow 1
American Wigeon 60
Canada Goose 70
Killdeer 2
Bald Eagle 1 ad, 1 imm
Dark-eyed Junco 3
Northern Harrier 2
Mallard 16
Northern Shoveler 2
Wood Duck 1 pr
Song Sparrow 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Barrow’s Goldeneye 7
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 8
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
American Robin 25
Common Goldeneye 1 pr
Muskrat 1

Thanks for Sandra K for keeping score.

Clive Keen
http://traybonbooks.com

Naturalist Club events and notes, 18 April 2013

1. Curlews and More. This Sunday, April 21, 9:00 am.
The Long-billed Curlews are back, along with plenty of other species heading to or through Prince George. This field trip will see how many can be seen, at the confluence, Shelley, and Lund Road. Meet under the large sign at Spruceland Mall at 9 am. Binoculars and cameras will be useful. The trip will be finished by lunchtime. For more information contact clive_keen@hotmail.com.2. Visit to the RASC Observatory, Wednesday April 24, starting at 8:15 p.m.
As requested at the AGM, this is a special field trip for club members to the Observatory (Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Prince George Centre) . Meet under the big sign at Spruceland Mall at 8:15 pm. We will carpool to the Observatory for a 9:00 pm start. Email clive_keen@hotmail.com for more information.

3. Mount Robson Bird Blitz, June 7 to 9
The 25th Mount Robson Bird Blitz will take place June 7 to 9. This year also marks the centennial of Mount Robson Park. For more information, contact Gail Ross at gailross1@telus.net.

Other Events of possible interest to PGNC members

1. Earth Day at ArtSpace, Monday, April 22 at 6 pm

6 pm: Alter Ecos: Reducing your Waste Lines.
7 pm: The Clean Bin Project film http://www.cleanbinmovie.com/
8:15 pm: Waste Lines Q & A. Ask questions of representatives from REAPS, the City of Prince George and the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George. Find out about the local waste stream and plans for the future.
For more information call 250-564-3859.

2. Book Launch, Thursday April 25 at Books and Company at 7 pm.
June Wood, a past co-chair of the Quesnel Naturalists Club, will launch her newest book, ‘Home to the Nechako: The River and the Land’.  See http://www.booksandcompany.ca/June%20Wood%20Books%20Launch.html

3. Clean-Up at Hudson’s Bay Slough, Sunday April 28 at 10 am.
From REAPS: Spring-cleaning our Earth Mother’s house. Meet at Hudson’s Bay Slough Park off Queensway across from Regents Crescent. RSVP Danielea Castell at 250-981-8067 so the right number of many bags/gloves can be provided; let her know also if you have a canoe to help gather debris from the water. Bring lunch or snacks to share, musical instruments such as drums, rattles and other homemade instruments, water stories.

4. Operation Clean Sweep, Sunday April 28, 10 am to 4 pm
From REAPS: Pitch In and help pick up winter’s leftovers! This year’s city-wide spring clean up will be on Sunday April 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. REAPS will provide locations (if you don’t have one in mind), gloves and pitch-in bags. Register for Operation Clean Sweep as a resident or business for even more incentive. Contact events@reaps.org or call 250-561-7327.

5. Wetlandkeepers Stewardship Workshop, Chase, BC, May 10 to 12
BC Wildlife Federation presents Wetlandkeepers! A stewardship workshop in Chase, BC, May 10 – 12, 2013. Cost is Free. Camping is available. To register, visit: http://wetlandkeeperschase2013.eventbrite.com/#
For more info contact Neil Fletcher, Wetlands Program Coordinator, wetlands@bcwf.bc.ca or find them online at www.bcwf.bc.ca. Local contact is Anna.McIndoe@gov.bc.ca

AGM 2013 Follow up

A quick follow-up from the AGM:

1.  Gadgets
Many thanks to the Gadgets presenters – it was a terrific session. Staffan Lindgren sends two notes:

First, if you’re inspired to follow up on trail cameras, there’s a thorough review at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54j8SEMqlN0&feature=youtube_gdata_player\

Secondly, there’s an extremely inexpensive way of checking out binoculars-for-the-ears.  The following device won’t last long in the field, but you’ll be able to ID spring birds from amazing distances:
http://www.ecotutor.ca/environmental-education/pc/Sonic-Explorer-Parabolic-Microphone-Ages-8+-72p619.htm

Also: Kevin Gagel also sends a link for the GPS device he showed that can be added to cameras:
http://www.canadagps.com/ColumbusNGPS.html

2.  Observatory
As requested, an evening at the Observatory has been booked – it will be on Wednesay, April 24. More details will be sent closer to the event.

3. Spring Birds
The first flood of migrants is now on us. Mountain Bluebirds are coming through in good numbers, and watch out for the attached – Townsend’s Solitaires - which will start to pass through any day, and in large numbers for a week or so in the middle of April.

Clive