1. Long-billed Curlew Watching – coming at short notice
Any day now we could be getting the annual influx of amorous Curlews, but we can’t know in advance when the best sightings will be, so watch this space. A trip is likely to be organized with only a day or two notice. The same will be true, in a few weeks time, for a visit to a snake hibernaculum.
2. Presentation – Exploring the Universe – Thursday, April 16, 7:00 pm, The Exploration Place
Keith Egger will give a talk entitled Adventures in Astrophotography: Exploring the universe from my backyard. Keith Egger is Professor, Ecosystem Science and Management Program, at UNBC. His daytime occupations concern molecular ecology, but at night, as we’ll see, his interests turn to the heavens. Before Keith’s talk there’ll be a brief report by Ian Curtis, a UNBC fourth-year student, on long-term data from the Club’s Mount Robson Bird Blitz.
3. Wetland Area Clean-up, Sunday, 26 April, 10:00 am start, Hudson Bay Slough Park
As part of the City’s annual spring clean-up, the Club will be tackling the area around the wetland. Last year, with plenty of volunteers, we were finished by 1:00 pm. Meet at the small park off Queensway across from Regents Crescent. We recommend that you park on Regents Crescent or on the east side of Queensway as parking is very limited at the park site. People coming by 10:00 am are likely to find coffee and donuts.
This will be partly a report on progress on the Hudson’s Bay Wetland project, but it will also include a show-and-tell by members, similar to the highly successfully gadgets night held a year or two ago. If you’ve interesting images from your trail cam, or some footage of wildlife, some particularly fine or weird photographs, or anything else of the kind interesting to naturalists, be prepared to come along and share. More details later.
Notes
1. Up Your Watershed, 23 April, 7:00 pm, Vanier Hall, and Recycling Round-up, London Drugs parking, 25 April, 10:00 – 3:00
The Wilds – Holly Arntsen and Kevin Wright – with children from local schools, are performing at Vanier as part of a celebration of salmon, habitat restoration and recycling. The Wilds are great supporters of the Hudson’s Bay Wetland Project, and we’ll have a table both at that event and (if we get volunteers to staff it) at the Recycling Round-up. If you have old tyres or old electronics, bring them to that Round-up.
2. Trumpeter Swans
Cathy Antoniazzi counted 1371 Trumpeter Swans during the Club’s visit to Vanderhoof on March 22, following the very interesting and well-attended visit to the Sturgeon Conservation Centre. One of Jeff Dyck’s terrific shots (attached) showed that there were Tundra Swans mixed with the Trumpeters. (Look for the yellow mark in front of the eye). Mike Nash put up a short youtube feature on the swans at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7_wmG1IlA4&feature=em-upload_owner .
3. Northern Caribou
The reduction of wolf numbers to help preserve declining caribou is controversial; much less controversial is moving caribou cows to a maternal pen with shepherds on-site, to reduce mortality. This is now taking place near Mackenzie in the Klinse-Za maternal pen.
4. Sightings!
American Martin
Members have been reporting a number of interesting sightings of late, including multiple sightings of Lynx. One of the most entertaining threads we’ve had on our ncenbird listserv concerned identification of scat appearing in the Club Secretary’s woodshed. The debate concluded when Bob Steventon positioned a trail cam, and found the intruder – an American Marten.
The Long-billed Curlews have been putting on a much better show in the afternoon rather than the morning, so the trip planned for 9:00 am tomorrow is being shifted to the afternoon. The Young Naturalists Club will be meeting at Mr G’s on Highway 16 just east of town at 1:30, and you might wish to follow them, or contact me for directions.
1. Shelley Long-billed Curlew Trip, Saturday 19th April, 9:00 am start
If you’ve never seen the famous Shelley curlews, head along on one of these short (90 minute) field trips. The birds have just started to arrive: 26 were spotted this morning, and there could be three times that many in the single field before they disperse.
Meet at Mr G’s just east of town on Highway 16 for a 9:00 am departure, and preferably bring binoculars and camera, though the curlews should be easily visible to the naked eye. The 20 April trip will probably be more exciting and yield more birds, but nothing is guaranteed during migration, so if you’d like to make sure, head along this Sunday.
If you go alone… please do not enter the field unless the owner gives you permission.
As part of the spring cleanup by a nunber of local organizations, the club will be tackling the Hudson’s Bay area. More details will be sent closer to the time.
Our parent organization is holding its AGM on May 1-4, and it would be great to see Prince Georgians there. If you can make it, sign up at www.bcnature.ca, and let us know that you’ll be going.Club News1. New Club OfficersThe Club has a new President and Vice-President. I’m pleased to say that at the Executive meet6ing of 9 April, Shanelle Marshall stepped up to the position of President, and Heather Meier was appointed Vice-President.
2. Logo
The Club also has a fine new logo – you’ll start to spot the attached on all PGNC materials in coming months.
Other Notes
1. Total Lunar Eclipse
There’ll be a total lunar eclipse on the night of Monday, 14 April, starting at 9:55 pm Prince George time and reaching its maximum at 12.46 am. At this time Mars will be at its closest point to the earth, so it will become the brightest object in the sky.
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.
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:
CurlewGyrShonshoe
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
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
Prince George Naturalists Club 