Editors: Judy Boyd, Myrna Pearman, Dorothy Dickson May, 2014

How to Conduct a May Species Count

The May Species Count is a census of all living organisms. Individual animal numbers (example: 6 mule deer) are to be tallied during the course of the count. When counting flowers in bloom, the name of the species is needed, except for rarities. (in which case a photograph will also be required) Please note any odd situations (profuse numbers of a species one year; rare the next). Please count between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on either Saturday May 25 or Sunday May 26. If you are counting both days, please use separate tally sheets and count in a different location on the second day. Please make sure that you fill in ALL blanks in the information section of the bird tally sheet. May Species count information will be submitted to Nature Alberta, so please be sure that all count information is complete.

It’s important that we know that you are participating in the count so no overlap of counting occurs. Please contact Judy Boyd at 403-342-4150 before May 24 if you will be counting or if you need a flower tally sheet. Your bird tally sheet is included with this newsletter. Please mail your tally sheet to the RDRN office: Box 785, Red Deer, Alberta, T4N 5H2 before June 15 or drop it off at the Nature Centre, attention: Judy.

SUMMER EVE�TS and FIELD TRIPS Saturday, June 21 and 22—Bjorge Farm in the Battle River Hills. We will car pool up to the Bjorge property on June 21 where there is the possibility of turkey vultures nesting in the old homestead. This trip will involve a three hour easy to medium hike through the Battle River Hills. Call Judy at 403-342-4150 to confirm attendance. There are two options for this trip. You can go out on Saturday and camp overnight at the Ferry Point Campground. (Some tents will be available if you don't have your own. Bring your own food, and sleeping gear. There is a minimal cost for the camp-site.) Second option is to meet at Meeting Creek (approximately a two hour drive from Red Deer) at 10 a.m. on June 22. Please bring insect repellent and sunscreen. On Saturday night there will be a Potluck Supper.

Wednesday, June 18 - Flower Focus field trip to Butcher Creek. Leave KWNC at 10 a.m. Bring a lunch, drink and water footwear. Be prepared to car pool and dress for the weather. Call Don Wales 403-343-2937 for further informa-tion.

Sometime this summer—there will be spur-of-the-moment field trips to Innisfail and Sylvan Lake Natural Areas. If you want to be informed when these trips are happening please send an email to rd.rn@hotmail.com or phone 403-347-8200 and leave a message. �ature Conservancy of Canada purchased three properties last summer which, due to funding requirements, needed to have baseline inventory information submitted in late summer. This deadline meant that the properties were not vis-ited during the important spring and summer seasons. Colleen McFee is inviting RDRN members to help collect baseline information on these properties by visiting them this spring and summer. The two properties closest to Red Deer are the Underwood property on Highway 42 east toward Pine Lake, straight south of the Boote property ( signs already up on both) and the second one is the H.G. Lawrence property on Pine Lake (turn at the Camp Christian Road, gate to the property is on the south side of the road). The third and largest property is 1100 acres on Buffalo Lake, the Rachael Agnes Hayes property. It is on the east shoreline of Buffalo lake and has some wonderful rare species that have already been identified from their purchase of the first portion of the property. Any hours spent roaming the properties will be tallied into NCC's volunteer hours for the Central Alberta area. Please contact Colleen if you would like to help with this exciting project (cell 403-318-3492).

MEET THE BOARD

My name is Doug Pedersen. I grew up in the state of Oregon until my mid-20’s. I was introduced to my outdoor envi-ronment at an early age: deer eating the cherry trees my dad planted, my uncles hunting geese down the Willamette Valley (Pacific Flyway), quail, pheasant, ducks, and geese by the thousands right out our front door, and fishing with my Grandfather and dad. I spent countless hours in the “woods” collecting and view-ing the life around me: 12” long bull frogs, turtles, Roosevelt Elk, Stellar’s Jays, bobcat, racoon, possum, birds of all kinds, plantlife and eating all I could find (salmon berries, huckleberries, wild blackberries, mushrooms, etc.) I later moved to the town of Lyons, Oregon in the middle of the lumber/timber industry. I would see 4 foot long salmon jump out of the river a mile from my house, Rainbow and Cutthroat trout fly fishing just down the road. While in high school I did taxidermy, collecting dead wildlife along the road to “mount.” I also worked for the Linn County Fire patrol, mainly forest fire prevention and sup-pression. I grew up in the midst of the Lumber-Spotted Owl controversy (economics vs protection), dams vs the fisheries and Lumber/Logging vs Tour-ism/Preservation/Outdoor Recreation. Through all of these experiences I devel-oped a love and appreciation for the outdoors and my environment. I eventually married a Canadian girl and in 1982 moved to Alberta. My work was initially with native peoples, then moved into Forestry with the Alberta Govern-ment in timber management and fire suppression. I currently live in Blackfalds with my wife, Judy. We have two adult sons and a daughter-in-law. I enjoy photography, art, the outdoors and work in the sign in-dustry doing graphic arts.

The Red Deer River Water-shed Alliance (RDRWA) is seeking a board mem-ber. RDRWA, a multi-stakeholder group, has a

dual planning and education role. They meet once every two months, for a full day on a Friday. There is also committee work. Expect a commitment of about 10 hours/month. They have an orientation meeting com-ing up on May 20th at 6:30 p.m., fol-lowed by their AGM on June 20th.

RDRWA has no major issues or dire problems facing the organisation at this time.

Their website is www.rdrwa.ca/; check out more details about them there or contact their new Executive Director, Jeff Hanger at jeff.hanger@rdrwa.ca or call him at 403-340-7379.

This photo of almost fledging Anna’s Hummingbirds was taken by John Caddy last month at Nanaimo, Vancouver Island. Are the rest of us jealous yet?

Our thanks to NOVA for underwriting the cost of

newsletter printing

Front cover designed by Doug Pederson

The Red Deer River Naturalists, the first natural history organization to be established in Alberta, was incorporated as a society in 1906. The objectives of the society are to foster an increased knowledge, understanding and appre-ciation of natural history, and to support conservation measures dealing with our environment, wildlife and natural resources. Annual membership is $15.00 for individuals and $20.00 for families. Regular meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of most months at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre, 6300-45 Ave., Red Deer, AB. Non-members are welcome. Members are encouraged to contribute to this newsletter. Deadline is the last Friday of the month.

Box 785 Red Deer, AB T4N 5H2 Phone/Fax: 403.347.8200

rd.rn@hotmail.com www.rdrn.fanweb.ca

http://wearenaturalwise.blogspot.com

Flower Focus Flower Focus Flower Focus Flower Focus The Bird Focus group meets at noon on Mondays at KWNC (except holiday Mondays). Bring a lunch, come prepared to carpool and dress for the weather.

Most trips entail both driving and hiking.

Tentative locations are: May 5: Gull Lake May 12: Medicine River Wildlife Centre May 26: Dry Island Buffalo Jump

Call Judy (403-342-4150) to con-firm attendance or for further information.

Spring Blooming Flower RefresherSpring Blooming Flower RefresherSpring Blooming Flower RefresherSpring Blooming Flower Refresher Participants are encouraged to bring their best slides or im-ages of spring wildflowers to show at the meeting followed by a short field trip in the sanctuary. Bring your images on a memory stick or in the form of 35 mm slides as there will be a projector.

Wednesday May 21th 10 AM KWNC Call Don for details

403-343-2937

Bird Focus Bird Focus Bird Focus Bird Focus

ASPB Presents Peatlands of �orthern Alberta,

Field Classification Presenters:Dr. Dale Vitt and Théo Charette Date and Time: May 28, 29 and 30 Location:Based in downtown Fort McMurray, AB, with travel to surrounding field sites Cost: Early bird registration (by April 18): $800 per person + GST After Early Bird: $880 + GST For more Information http://www.aspb.ab.ca/events/2014-peatland-workshop An Introduction to Plant Taxonomy Presenter: Chris Clement, P.Biol., R.P.Bio., R.P.F. Date and Time: June 7, 2014 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Location: Nait and Gray Nuns White Spruce Park in St. Albert. For info: http://www.aspb.ab.ca/events/2014-plant-id-edm

A�PC Botany Alberta 2014, June 13 -15

Plan to attend Botany AB 2014 in Athabasca More details will be posted on the ANPC website http://www.anpc.ab.ca/content/index.php as they evolve.

If you'd like to be involved in the planning of Botany AB, or would like more information, please contact Sandy Davis at sandradavis@shaw.ca

�ature Alberta Excursions

It appears that great minds think alike. ANPC and Nature Al-berta have chosen to focus on Alberta's eastern grasslands in 2014. ANPC is planning its annual bus trip to Dinosaur Pro-vincial Park, near Drumheller (site of ANPC's 2014 Work-shop) on June 22, 2014. Explore fossils, wildflowers, birds, and wildlife of the badlands. Please contact Lynne Colborne, 403-272-1457, lynnec1@shaw.ca regarding payment, or see http://www.naturecalgary.com/all-events/dinosaur-bus-trip-2/

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