HalifaxFiQidNaturalistsMQwslQttQr

JUNE-AUGUST, 1985

Halifax Field Naturalistsdo Nova Scotia Museum1747 Summer StreetHalifax, N.S., B3H 3A6

No. 40

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Halifax El Id

NaturalistsJUNE-AUGUST, 1985. ~ 40

MEETiNGS: FiJL~&t Thw~dcty o~ eve~’ty month ot 8.00 p.m. ~ the Audton~w,i o~the Nova. ScotAa Mu.oewn, 1747 Sunr,ne~’r. S-t)iee,t, Ha.&~ax.

FIELV TRIPS: cvi~e held at Lectot once. a month******lt wou1~d be appn.ec~.ated ~ thoset’utve~U-&ig ~ 4omeone eI4e’~ cat on ~e1d tJTip4 4ha)Le the co4t o,~ ga4.

MEMBERSHIP: Ls open to anyone ~ô’zte~’~e~ted A.~n the natu~’ta~. hJ.oton.y o~ Nova. Sco.tth.Memben~shA~.p4 at.e a.va~thzbLe at any mect~ng o~ the Society o~’t by u~i;t~bigto ... MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN, HALIFAX FIELV NATURALISTS, do N.S Mu4eurn.

IncUv~ixtwzL memben~h~p4 $7.00 pe)L ye.aJL.FamAly $10.00SustaA.n~&ig $15.00 “

ThJ.~s coveJt.~ oWl. ~caZ yean. ... JANUARY 1 to VECEMBER 31.

Me.mben~ nece~Lve the HFN Newo~elte~’t and not~ce~o o~ all mee~t-~ng4, ~eldt’L4~.p4 and 4pec).~ol p’wgn.oJno.

EXECUTIVE Pne~A~.den~t John van de.’t Mee,’t (~) 455-1029 (o) 426-82761985: TIea4u~e~ Be,’tn~ce Moon~e (~‘t) 422-5292 (o) 445-2500

Sec~ctaJLy MJ~chael VownA~ng (n.) 823-2081VL’~ectoiz.o: V~ce-P~e~&Ldevit Edna S.ta.p~e~ (.k) 868-2919

Pait Pne~den..t VonJ~ 8wtte~ (n.) 463-0033Membe~h~p CoLa Ste~uz’tP)l.ogkam4 FLUp VoLckaeAt (~‘i) 479-1095

Connie EatonUn~ula G~ggVavAd LaL~eyRegA~z.e Matv.~sMaicy PflAm’co4e

NEWSLETTER: EdA,toiz. VonL~ Bwtte~’c~o (~‘c) 463-0033Edna. Sta.p1e~

MAILING HaLL~a.x F-~eld Natw~aLü.t~AVVRESS: do Nova. ScotA.a. Mu,oewn

1747 Summeic Stjceet, HaLJ~3ax, N.S., 83H 3A6

HFN L~ a mej,ibe,’c o~’cgan.LoatAon o~ the Ca.na.dJ.~an Natwce Fe.denntion.HFN ~L~s £ncon~pon..ated crnde’c the Nova. Scot~& Soc~etJ~e4 Act.HFN NEWSLETTER A~ p~’toduced by cow~te~~sy o~ the Nova. Scot~& Mw~ew~i.

H.F.N. CONTRIBUTION RECOGNISED BY PARKS CANADA

Development of Kejimkujik National Park began in 1964 whenNova Scotia donated the land to the National Parks system. In1969 a provisional master plan for Kejimkujik was prepared,which was revised in 1970 after a public hearing.

01k In 1975 the public was invited to help develop a new masterplan for the Park and HFN responded by forming a Park Committeeunder the leadership of Paul Keddy, President at that time. A

‘(V. workshop was also held to discuss the many issues that wereo?c raised. The outcome was a detailed written response identifying

the concerns of HFN members familiar with the Park, and theposition of HFN with regard to additional issues identified by

Vf the Park.This year as part of their Centenary Celebrations, Kejim

kujik National Park honoured HFN with a plaque in recognition ofour club’s valuable input during the planning process. It wasmy privilege to receive the plaque on behalf of the club duringa brief ceremony at the Park in June. Ironically, other members of HFN missed the presentation because they were still onthe Nature Trail. I guess that shows we still have our priorities straight. WELL DONE HFN!

John van der Meer, President.

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WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS:

Nikki BenjaminNancy Co~ingtonJim JotchamNancy MeinertzbagenLorraine Ful lum-BouchardJean and Roger RittmasterRichard and Lois AvisonMr. and Mrs. Fred GreeneJanet ServantMatti and Sinikka JauhiainenCatherine and Doug McCann & JenniTanya MacNeilRaghu Durvasula

QUICK ACTION TO PROTECT THE PIPINGPLOVER -

On May 2, 1985, Suzanne Blais-Grenierand Ken Streatch signed a document toofficially transfer the Woods’ propertyfrom the province to the federal government. The 2,210 hectare area will becomepart of Kejimkujik National Park, and theendangered Piping Plover on St.Catherine’sRiver Beach will come under the protectivepark policies. However, there is still alot of paperwork to wade through beforethe Parks Act can be enforced.

In the meantime, Parks Canada hasacted quickly to assess the Piping Ploverposition. Less than two weeks after thesigning-over ceremonies, proposals werebeing received for census work. A contractor was chosen by May 22 with workto begin immediately. A warden was tobe hired and in place in July. Thepresence of Parks Canada staff in thearea should create more local awareness on the plight of the PipingPlover.

Winnie Cairns discovered 27 nestingpairs of Plover on St.Catherine’s RiverBeach in 1976 when the beach wasrelatively undisturbed by humans. RolandChiasson and Stephen Fleming foundonly 14 nesting pairs just seven yearslater, in 1983. At this rate of decline, Piping Plover could becomeextinct in Nova Scotia by the end ofthis decade. Parks Canada has a chance•to save these birds.

ft renoes

The resource advisor at Kejimkujik,Cliff Drysdale, is developing interimmanagement plans to ease the pressureof human disturbance on the beach. Hehopes these plans will be acceptedand implemented this fall and be inplace for the 1986 nesting season.

I feel that Parks Canada deservesrecognition for quick action alreadytaken and positive support for the implementation of interim management plans assoon as possible. Those who voicedtheir feelings at earlier public meetings can see their efforts beginning tobear fruit.

Letters of support and appreciationcan be sent to Bill Wambolt, the Superintendent of Kejimkujik National Park.It’s great to have a chance to thank someone for work well done, and let a littlepositive reinforcement help to continuethis important work.

John Brownlie.

In my search for anecdotes on HFN history,I received the following from John Brownlie,but wondered if perhaps ‘Nature Notes’might be a more appropriate spot for thisitem “For me, Paul Keddy has alwaysbeen a symbol of the close connection between naturalists and nature. The reason?Paul suffered a sore throat every April,which he accepted as the natural course ofevents. He would explain that April isalways wet and cool in the evenings; Aprilis when amphibians migrate; naturalistsalways go out on wet nights to observefrogs and salamanders ergo it isonly natural to have a cold in April!Some of us fight getting a cold, but Paulknew that you couldn’t separate April coldsand amphibians, so why try? It is allpart of nature”.

on the shelf

Nature Canada, Summer issue - as always,contains a wide variety of beautifullyillustrated stories; in particular aninteresting account of an exciting cycletour made by John Dodd and Gail Helgasonin the Golden Triangle of Banff, Kootenayand Yoho National parks. Closer to home,another cycling story - Prince EdwardIsland, its beaches and the Piping Plover.

What Gets a Porcupine’s Back Up? - withmore nice photographs. Perhaps the mosttimely item is one on Survival Tacticsagainst mosquitoes, which accompanies arather alarming account of Manitoba’sMosquito Wars - Winnipeg, it seems, becomes‘a bit unhinged when confronted with mosqui toes’.

As a bonus there’s a gorgeous centre-fold of wild Iris - whoever she is!

THE WORLD OF ROBERT BATEMAN -

If you are looking for a special giftfor someone, you might like to considerThe World of Robert Bateman - a new publication to be released this October. Itconsists of an entirely new selection of85 full-colour paintings by the well-known Canadian naturalist and artist. Theaccompanying commentaries show Bateman’sskills as a naturalist and give an insightinto how a Bateman painting is created.Nature Canada Bookshop is offering the bookat $45.00 plus $4.00 postage and handlingcharge. (Suggested retail price is $50.00).To reserve a copy send cheque, money orderor Visa/Mastercard number and expiry dateto:

A subscription to Nature Canada wouldmake a very nice gift to yourself or a‘loved one’ you could borrow it from!

Island Naturalist includes Part II ofGeoff Hogan’s history on PEI’s Birds ofThe Past.

Catherine Traill club newsletter has aninteresting story on Australia’s GreatBarrier Reef and a jotting re the Greenes.While they were in Portal, Arizona, a Flamecoloured Tanager was spotted 300 milesnorth of its usual territory; enthusiasticbirders for miles around flocked to see itand Erick was called in to confirm theassessment for the group.

Blomidon Field Naturalist’s latest newsletter also contains some good reading -

in this case of local interest to NovaScotians.

The Status of Ecol~jça1 Reserves irCanada by Pierre Taschereausee book review elsewhere in thisnewsletter.

Nature Canada Bookshop75 Albert StreetOttawa, Ont., K1P 6G1

and indicate that you are a member of a CNFaffiliated organi sati on.

Nature Canada Bookshop 1985 fall selection catalogue is also available andcontains not only details of their outstanding book collection but also calendars,Christmas cards, binoculars and many othergifts for naturalists. To obtain a copyof this 40-page catalogue, write to theBookshop at the above address indicatingthat you are a member of a CNF affiliatedorgani sati on.

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CONSERVATION ORGANISATIONS - - 1

The Nature Conservancy of Canada.

Following is the first in a series ofarticles describing the major organisationsin the conservation field.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada is aprivate, non-profit organisation. It isgoverned by a board of trustees and isactive across Canada. Its purpose is toensure that some ecologically valuableproperties remain in a natural state foreducational, recreational and scientificpurposes. It does this in two ways. Itbuys (or receives by donation) land andtransfers it to a suitable managingagency, and it helps agencies raisefunds to buy land.

Let’s take an example: Wilsons Lakein Yarmouth County. The shores of thelake are important because they supportCo/~eDp4-(~ ~o~ct, a Canadian endangeredspecies, and Sctha_t-& fzevrn€dyavia, a Canadian threatened species. They alsosupport HycL’toc.o-ty!e w~ibeJ1Lttcz, Rh.ax-&v-Ltg~Ln~c.a and other species rare in Nova

Scotia. Late last year, Paul Keddy senta proposal to Wildlands Habitat Canadaseeking funds to acquire some of thelake shore. Halifax Field Naturalists,the Nature Conservancy through its localrepresentative, and the Canadian Botanical Association, sent letters of support.Wildlands Habitat Canada agreed to provide 50 percent of the funding to amaximum of $40,000.

This left the project at least 50percent short. Paul then turned to theNature Conservancy. As Wildlands HabitatCanada is willing to give the money, theConservancy will probably be the purchaser

The Conservancy began by assessing theproperty. Once satisfied that the property is worthwhile, they approached theland owners to see if they would be willing to sell (or donate). At WilsonsLake,there are two adjacent properties.Currently one owner is willing to sell,and the other MIGHT be willing to sell apart.

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The Conservancy then had to find bothfunds to complete the purchase, and a recipient to administer the land. TheNature Conservancy has a small fund ofnon-specific donations, but in practisethe only feasible method over the longrun is to approach potential donors witha proposal for a specific piece of property. Usually companies respond morefavourably to properties in their area ofoperation. When I last checked, a N.S.operation had been approachedand was considering support.

This left the question of who was tomanage the site. (If the Conservancy retained all the land it acquired it wouldalso incur all the costs of taxes, maintenance and other landowner expenses).By turning the land over to another agencythe Conservancy can continue the work ofacquisition while others put their effortsinto management. When turning land over,the Conservancy includes a reverter clauseso that if the receiving agency renegeson the conditions under which the land isto be managed, the ownership of the landreverts to the Conservancy. The propertyat Wilsons Lake will probably go to theNova Scotia Museum.

I’ve given the impression that thesesteps are sequential. In fact, they areinterwoven.

What does the Nature Conservancy do?Well, in this case it inspected the site,negotiated with the owners, sought fundingand a suitable operator - all for 400 to500 m of shoreline. Elsewhere the Conservancy probably has 20 other projects invarious stages. Not all will succeed.It also checks up on land it donates.The reverter clause has been used.

Where did the Conservancy come from?Back in 1962, at a meeting of a committeeof the Federation of Ontario Naturalists,the loss of valuable ecological lands wasbeing discussed. England’s NationalTrust (among others) was seen as a pattern for an agency to rectify, or atleast slow down, these losses. In November, the Nature Conservancy of Canadawas incorporated. The first success did

not come until 1966. The Conservancy had$50,000 to put toward purchasing part ofCavan Swamp in Ontario. However, if theConservancy gave the money to the OtonabeeRegion Conservation Authority, the Authority would be able to get matching fundsfrom government, hence buy twice as muchswamp. This set the precedent. Sincethen the Conservancy has been able toaverage better than dollar for dollar.To the end of 1982 (its 20th anniversary)the Conservancy had acquired,and disposedof, 220 properties, representing 39,000acres. In 1983, 17 more properties wereobtained.

The Conservancy has had a number of NovaScotian projects. Early on it handled aproperty in the Mabou Highlands. In 1979the Barra Forest on the Bras d’Or Lakesbegan with a 650 acre donation to theConservancy, which was subsequently turnedover to Lands and Forests for a NatureReserve. Since then two adjacent piecesof land have been donated directly toLands and Forests. Barra Forest nowtotals over 1000 acres. The Nature Conservancy was also essential in gettingthe Xerox and other donations for the purchase of Hemlock Ravine in Halifax.

The Conservancy has a staff of six, andannual expenditures of about half a milliondollars. These expenditures usuallyresult in acquisitions valued closer to amillion dollars. Their board includes twoNova Scotians, George Mitchell and PierreTaschereau.

To make a donation (tax deductible) orfor further information, their address is

The Nature Conservancy of Canada2200 Yonge Street, Suite 1710Toronto, Ont., M48 2C6

Cohn Stewart

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I

AN INSECT SURVEY - SO WHAT?

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____ Saturday, 13 April 1985._____ Head of St. Margaret’s Bay_____ John Brownlie_______ Clear skies and sunny;

A spring insect survey? Sounds to melike some lame excuse for a walk in thewoods.

Certainly, it was too cold for MourningCloak Butterflies to make their firstflutter in the sun. Snow still coveredthe trail through the woods, but then,even naturalists can’t predict theweather three months in advance. If wehad known that snow would still be falling in Halifax in May, then we could haveplanned a winter insect inventory.

In any case, a peek into a brook revealed Stonefly nymphs and Blackfly larvae(hints of spring), and during lunch wemarvelled at the well-built portablehomes of caddis worms. One tiny, aphid-like bug with delicate, pale-blue wingsappeared briefly while we ate. Ourmost impressive discovery was made byAudrey, who spotted a large, plump caterpillar with long wisps of brown fur androws of little bumps along its back.

but strong, cold wind

told us about the wooden pipeline andsurge tanks built more than 60 years ago,and which still carry water from the dammed lakes down to the generator toproduce electricity. Small leaks in thepipeline had sprayed the surroundingshrubs with water which had frozen intofantastic and magnificent ice sculptures.

The bright golden bark of willows reminded us of Tim Randall ‘s maxim aboutspring being just around the corner.Pierre Taschereau’s handout on how toidentify shrubs by their buds would havebeen very useful. I must remember tobring it next time. In the meantime,Doris collected some samples for lateridentification.

The most memorable part of the hikehowever, was a sight of the pair ofBald Eagles soaring over the treetopsnear their nest site deep in the woods.The N.S. Power Commission definitelydeserves recognition for delaying workon a nearby powerline in 1983 during thecritical spring nesting period. These eagleshave been nesting successfully at this spotfor at least 15 years and hopefully willcontinue to do so for many years to come.

Date:Place:~eader:Weather:

Participants: 18

Despite a shortagewere, of course, manyobserve. One member

of insects, thereother things toof the group

John Brownlie.

9POINT PLEASANT PARK

Filip VolckaertCloudy and chilly

As Filip was pointing out to us a grebeand loon and describing the origin ofMcNab’s Island (a drumlin), the originalfour members who had met near Black RockBeach, were joined by seven others. Thenas we progressed along the shore road afurther four brought the number up to 15.

Along Shore Road we learned about thewillow, with its male and female partson one tree, and commiserated with themaples planted eight years ago on theoccasion of the Queen’s visit but whichare the same size today, given the harshenvironment on the Point. Attention wasdrawn to the large poplars growing onthe roof of the old fortifications. Newgrowth of Japanese Knotweed was startingto peek through the soil near the concrete shelters and the green spears ofDay Lily were already in evidence.

Out near the Hen and Chickens rocksin the mouth of the Arm, two or three sealswere surfacing at intervals; closer in wasa flock of about ten Old Squaw Ducks whichwe watched for a while before continuingalong the shore of Northwest Arm where wenoted hawthorn and Sea Buckthorn (thelatter a member of the olive family).

In this area we spotted a couple of,juncos, chickadees and a squirrel posingfor us on a log as he ate his lunch. Anunidentified warbler flitted about, andamong the gulls clustered around thesewage outfall two Icelandic Gulls weresighted.

We noticed several pines had a tumour-like growth on their trunks which Filipexplained was caused by a virus.

Along the Tower Road on our way toCambridge Battery we noted with interesta feathery Norway Spruce. We had hopedto see birds flying over the cleared areabut apart from a brief glimpse of a ravenwe only heard juncos and the chatteringof many squirrels.

Walking back along Heather Road towards the parking lot we saw masses ofheather and a fir tree with what appearedto be disease-damaged, corky bark. Wewatched a junco singing away in a sprucetree. No Mayflowers were spotted, thoughit was not for want of searching, butjust before leaving the Park we did seesigns of Blue Flag coming up by a smallstream.

Our thanks to Filip for his interestingtidbits and for answering our many questions.

Place:Date:Leader:Weather:

Point Pleasant Park, HalifaxSunday, April 28, 1985 Participants: 15

On the path leading to the MartelloTower we saw a Blue Jay and much evidence of squirrel feasts - tree stumpslittered with nut and cone leftovers.At the tower, Filip pointed out the scourmarks etched~ deep into the glaciersmoothed rock ‘pavement’.

Nancy Sherwin.

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Date:Place:1-eader:Weather:

Sunshine set the mood as the groupgathered at the Nova Scotia Museum. Thetrip began after two short slide presentations by the tour leader, throughout whichhe apologised for keeping us from the sunshine and. the great world of growing things.

The first presentation showed maps ofthe Meander River area. These fiad beendone by students of the N.S. Colige ofArt and Design. We saw aspects of theriver such as elevation, geology, landuse and such features as a recreationalplan etc. We were also shown photographsof the alluvial flood lands and some ofthe plants which grow there.

The second slide presentation beganas the caravan of the NSM bus and following cars were about to move off. The doorof the van slid off its tracks and Alex,assisted by occupants of the van and theMuseum security attendant, spent the nextfifteen minutes in sliding it back onagain. This second slide presentationcame nowhere near the first one ininterest, but it did hold the attentionof everyone present because we all had avested interested in ‘getting the show onthe road’. The door fixed, we lost notime in getting out of the city. We wereall eager to use our brilliant, sunny dayproductively and pleasantly along theriver.

As we drove through Mount Uniacke, welearned that this area was the origin ofthe Meander River system. The delicatebalance of areas as far away as the tidalflats at the end of these rivers ‘could’be adversely affected by farming, industry,mining or forest management, if planningwere not done in advance to protect theecological balance.

We stopped briefly at Piggot Lake -

just below Lily Lake - which feeds thetributaries of the Meander. Everyonejumped out of the vehicles keen toenjoy the sunshine, the fresh air, theview, and to learn about the lakes andplants of the area. We examined maps

to see where we were going and how thoseareas were interconnected by sharing thewater, wind, sunshine, and other life-supports affecting them.

We drove on admiring the colours, textures, shapes and sizes of spring growthin plants, which in some cases is sodifferent from their later stages as tobe unrecognisable, even to those who soquickly identify them later in the season.Even from a moving vehicle the trees werenot too difficult to recognise - the palegreen blur of willow, the clear brightred blossoms of maple, the still-bare taupeof the tamarack, and constant dark greenof the conifers. Closer, we enjoyed seeing catkins dangling like ear-rings - atrim brown on the alders, a fluffy palegreen on poplar and willow. And closerstill, alongside the road, we saw Pink EarthLichen, horsetail and coltsfoot.

Turning left, we bounced along a dirtroad. Reaction from those in the back ofthe bus indicated they were getting a‘whiplash effect’ like skaters on the endof the ‘whip’.

Just before turning onto pavement againwe rounded a bend and our attention wascaught immediately by the view of CapeBlomidon straight ahead. Although milesaway in the Bay of Fundy, it was impossibleto miss that distinctive blue profile.Between Cape Blomidon and the bus stretchedat least half a dozen ranges of hills, eachreflecting its own shade of blue, thenlayers of trees in the soft colours ofdelicate new growth, all accented by theevergreens, and finally the sun-filledfields stretching before and beside us.

Shortly after that we arrived ata grove of mixed trees near a small bridge.Eagerly hopping out we crowded onto thebridge to look upstream. The river tumbledtowards us foaming white over rocks, andsliding calmly into pools of pale mossgreen, twinkling at us in the sunshine.

BLOODROOT ALONG THE MEANDER RIVER.

Sunday, May 5, 1985.Meander River System, Hants County, N.S., - sourc€to estuary.Alex Wilson, NSMSunny and bright; cold wind later in the day.

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The steep, farside bank was a solid wallof rock covered thickly with glisteningrich green hemlock. Beside it, a tinytributary of white water fell down therock into the river. We turned, and belowus, on the other side of the bridge theriver ran through the cool, dark tunnelof trees that we were to explore duringthe next hour.

Here we were introduced to a host ofinteresting, beautiful, amazing, or insome way memorable, plants. We met the

‘high-rise’ of mosses, Hy~e~ocorn-iiini ~p~endeuz4, where each new season’s growthrises above that of the previous year.Among the now drab-brown of last year’sfinery, new growth peeped out in sharpgreen spikes; smooth, round probes ofred; fuzzy, pale green or shiny, crispcoils of fern. Horsetails rose liketiny minarets. We met Partridgeberry,Lobeit.th lichen , Christmas and CinnamonFern, Sensitive and Interrupted Fern,and the Liverwort,Conoc~epha~um. Wenoticed several bracket fungi - the mostinteresting one deep red and shinylike raw liver, but dry and firm(Ganode~ma .t~ugae).

Lack of time prevents further description of all the interesting thingswe observed there, just as time also forcedus to leave the grove and go on towardSmiley’s Provincial Park where weeventually were to see our first Bloodroot(SavLgw&iLv~& c~aad~n4Ls). There we

were rejoined by a carload of our groupwhich had gone astray. Two members ofthis group were Ding and Ai from China,welcome guests on the tour. A smallgroup from the Blomidon Field Naturalistsalso joined us at this point.

Before lunch we took a short stroll tolook at an area which -although it provided the necessary environment for Bloodroot - for some reason showed no sign ofthe plant. We did see columbine and geum,and a most beautiful black beetle with anirridescent blue sheen. It was ant-likeand about an inch long, but unfortunatelyno one was acquainted with the species.

During lunch a cold wind blew in, thefirst indication that our sunshine was notgoing to last all day. Afterwards wewalked along the river bank where we finally sighted our first Bloodroot, which

is so typical of interval plants and torwhich we had been searching. Here we alsonoted - the brown spore cases of last year’sOstrich Fern; the new shoots had not yetappeared. Whitlow Grass (O~’tabct ve~’ta) andBluets grew in abundance, proof that smalldelicate plants are not necessarily fragile.

Those who were looking for birds spottedmany species; among them Black and WhiteWarbler, White-breasted Nuthatch, Chickadee,!ellow_rumped Warbiers, Song Sparrows,Robins,Blue Jays and Purple Finch.

Not far from the Park, we visited twoalluvial floodland areas, one a good-sizedisland sprinkled with Bloodroot like starsin the Milky Way, but unfortunately quiteinaccessible to the public. The otherlocation where we found quantities ofBloodroot was a low, marshy area beside afarm lane. A huge patch of Scouring Rushalso grew luxuriantly in this area, andBlue Cohosh was identified by last year’spoisonous berries.

(~\o~roc~)

At this time of year Bloodroot is thekey to identification of the kind of areawhere the typical interval flora grows ina delicate ecological balance. The NovaScotia Museum is concerned that some areabe found which can be protected in orderto conserve this type of flora against theravages of development. Close to where wetoured were two fields which had been reclaimed by the farmer who owns the land,and who now uses it to grow crops. We thenmoved down river to look at one more areawhich was white with Bloodroot and is apossible conservation site (i.e. EcologicalReserve). We could not get over to theinterval land on the opposite river bank,

12

but where we were, among many otherplants we found several beautiful spikesof Daphne in bloom, some Wood Rush(Lu.zu~a1 and Turkey-tailed Polypore.

Our last stop was just above the pointwhere the Meander joins the Herbert River.At this point the river is tidal andalthough the terrain is in all ways likethe interval land which supports theplants in other areas, there is no Bloodroot on that part of the river. The tidalwater appears to be the inhibiting factor.

Our last stop was unanimously voted asbeing our second last stop when we saw allthe other cars pulled up in front of anice—cream stand despite the increasinglycold wind. Here we teased our innardswith quantities of cold ice-cream and hotdrinks. Finally we returned to the NSMsatisfied, tired but happy after a veryfull Sunday.

The last wild things we saw as we droveback into town, were three deer grazing onthe lawn of a building on Magazine Hill inBedford. Don’t ask me how they got therebecause I am not sure that we weren’t halfasleep and dreaming.

Frances Hansen.

KINGSPORT INTERTIDAL FLATS FORAY -

Date: Sunday, 7 July 1985Place: Wolfville, N.S.Leader: Sherman BleakneyWeather: Very poor

Low clouds and drizzle lowered theenthusiasm of many a Blomidon naturalistthat Sunday morn - even our expectedvisitors from Halifax Field Naturalistsnever materialised from the mists ofMinas. However, our hard-core contingentof true-blue field trippers was augmentedby unexpected guests: the Bogans of Chattanooga, Tenn., and a van-load of agriculturalists from Lebanon, Cuba, Nicaragua,Guatemala and Venezuela, courtesy of TomHaliburton, Truro. Although not fullyprepared for a mud-flat hike in the rain,many of our visitors were very sportingand plunged in and enjoyed themselves(and the raw Blue Mussels, MytiJu4 eduIi~s)for nearly two hours.

We first noted the results of establishment and encroachment of a bed ofmarsh grass across what had been a sandybathing beach 25-30 years ago. Countlesssmall snails coated the rich ooze just beyond the grassy area. The same process isnow taking place inexorably on the northside of the wharf.

We then dug into the seemingly barrensands and muds, where innumerable ConophA.w~icrustaceans, fine red worms, and large-jawed worms were revealed. These arethe creatures which are the prime fooditems of the numerous fish and birds thatlive here, as well as those fish schoolsand bird flocks that feed here only duringtheir migrations.

We then examined the sandstone outcropsand their tide pools and noted in particular the grey coating of millions ofbarnacles (sort of sessile ‘crabs’ withtheir heads cemented to the rock and theirlegs waving above them). Beneath the rockislands was a beard of green sea lettuceand colonies of brown hydroid animals.The barnacles coated the mussel beds aswell, and even the backs of tiny snails.

Little hermit crabs were reallyabundant, and shells of the interestingwarm-water southern Lady Crab and SpiderCrab were found. There were snail eggcases and adults, tide-pool ‘eels’ (rockgunnell), algae, sponges, bryozoans,shrimps, hydroids, rock—drilling clams,eider ducks and so on - each a cog in acomplex b•iotic clockwork set to a 12-hourand 25 minute rhythm that provides yummymud for astronomical numbers of voraciouslittle tummies.

~0ffl&Ck

fl7y

Jim Wolford.

1%(OnLy ~wo HFN ha.itd-co~e ~A.eLdJz~ppen~’~ .cshowed up a.~t NSM buSt

We)te. una~e ~to geL to WoL~vLUe.a.~s vze~iLh€~ had a. ea~’t. Too bad -

de~ pALe. ~the. we.aLhe,~ JA~n ‘~ n~epo~’tLAncUcaLe~~s thaL AL wa~ qwiLe. a.MWa-’LcUng tALp, pa~eu1cvtLy a~AL ~UicLude.d ove’uie.cu vI~Lon~)

Date:Site:Participants:Leaders:Weather:

13

SPRING FESTIVAL AT KEJIMKUJIK NATIONAL PARK

It was a special occasion that broughtus to’Keji’ this spring. We had beeninvited to help celebrate the park’sspring festival, which included a bigbirthday cake in honour of the 100thbirthday of Parks Canada. As part of thiscelebration the HFN was being honouredwith a plaque in recognition of contributions our club had made during theformative years of the park. The tripwas also special in a personal way inthat it was my first visit to Keji inthe ten years I have lived in Nova Scotia.

The day began at 8:00 when we left theNSM parking lot and hustled down to Kejihoping to make a 10:00 guided walk (thelast public walk of its kind being offeredafter the recent reductions in the Parkbudget). Surprisingly, those few whowere meeting us at Keji after overnightingnear the Park didn’t catch up until wewere well down the trail adjacent to theinformation centre.

For me the highlights of the day began with a pair of deer grazing along theside of the highway, the first of abouta dozen we were to spot during themorning. On the trail itself the springflowers were past their prime but theLady’s Slipper (C~pn~pecUum ~zca.u~e)were beautiful as ever. I also saw myfirst specimen of Indian Cucumber Root(Med.~o~ea vL’i.g-&zAana). For the latter,the guide carefully brushed back thelitter exposing a small, thickened, snow-white root from which the plant takesits name. After all had seen the rootit was covered again and the plantleft undisturbed as it is no longerabundant. Another interesting plantbrought to our attention was the Spotted Corairoot (Co~aUo~h~zcz mo.eu~ecvta).Although it was not yet in flower thisreddish member of the orchid family wasinteresting because it lacks chlorophyllpigment and draws its nourishment from

the trees under which it grows. Formyself and many others on the walk, themost exciting moment came when we startledan Ovenbird that was nesting on theground near the path, revealing thelocation of its nest. This was a rarefind indeed, as many avid birders havenever seen these well-hidden nests thathave their opening on the side and reallydo look like an old-fashioned oven.Several photographs were taken of thenest and eggs without disturbing it, andhopefully the bird returned soon afterthe motley crew from Halifax and othersundry points, left the scene.

After a break for lunch beside theMersey River, we visited the old hatcheryin the park, which had open house displays of nets and local fish, and somewhat unexpectedly, a display on the useof satellite photography as an aid inpark management. From there, LesleyButters got us started down the GraftonLake Trail which included interestingmarsh sections. Several members werebriefly puzzled by stout yellowish plantsthat were pushing their way up at severalpoints along the trail. These turned outto be Squawroot (ConophotiA an’~cttna).Another parasitic plant spotted on thistrail was Pinesap (Mono~ti~op~z hypopAthy4)which I mistook at first for Indian Pipe.

As we were leaving the park I spotteda large porcupine along the side of thepark road, the first one I had seen inthe wild (not counting the endless numberof dead ones on the highways). We stoppedto have a closer look and I was surprisedto see how quickly it could climb a treewhen confronted with such a dangerouscrew. In summary, it was a trip wellworth the effort and I’m sure it won’ttake ten years before I go back foranother visit.

Sunday, 9 June, 1985Kejimkujik National Park

About 15Parks Canada Guide and Lesley ButtersCloudy, but becoming sunny and warm before noon.

John van der Meer.

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A TRIP TO THE CAPE BRETON BIRD ISLANDS -

Last July I was treated to rave revuesof the Bird Islands in Cape Breton, by anAmerican visitor who had thrilled to seepuffins and razor-bills for the first time.

There and then, I resolved that I toowould see birds that had intrigued me foryears. Once the date was decided Iphoned the van Schaik’s and booked spaceon their 10.OO am cruise on August 11th.I advise anyone who is interested in atrip to do the same - it is too long adrive to take without planning ahead.

The cruise leaves from Mountain Viewby the Sea, a charming spot on the shoresof Big Bras d’Or. The van Schaik familyoperate a camp ground with rolling lawns,colourful flower beds, an excellentlittle restaurant and picnic tables andbenches overlooking the water.

At 10 am on Sunday, 11 August, theweather was ideal - calm water and sunshine; the boat was full, mainly withAmericans, many on a camper tour of theMaritimes, others had attended the National Wildlife Federation 1985 Summer SummitVacation at Antigonish.

On the way out to the two islands, Hertford and Ciboux, Joe van Schaik pointedout several Bald Eagles perched in treesalong the shoreline. We were treated toa story of gulls attacking one eagle andforcing it into the sea; the eagle waslater observed swimming to shore! As werounded Ciboux Island an immature Bald wasspotted being routed by a number of gulls.The eagle circled and returned to perch ona ledge away from his assailants, his proudprofile silhouetted against the sky.

Swimming around the islands and baskingon the warm rocks were a number of GreySeals.

The islands themselves were lined withCormorants, Great and Double-Crested -

Kittiwakes and Blackback and HerringGulls. The Razor-billed Auks I had hopedto see had left at the end of July, andthe Atlantic Puffin was in short supply.However, several small groups of them wereswimming about near the boat and flying

back and forth to the islands. I was quitesurpised at the small size of the puffinsas I had expected to see a bigger bird.Nevertheless, I was thrilled to see them.We closely circled both islands very slowly so that the many camera buffs aboardhad ample opportunity to take pictures.

I have resolved to go back, but nexttime earlier in the season when the younghave just hatched and the adults are busyfeeding them, and before the majority ofthem go out to sea. There should at thattime also be more species to be seen than arethere in August.

Hilary Grant.

For anyone interested in taking thistrip, contact:

- J.van Schaik, 674-2384Mountain View Lodge, C.B.

- The cruise costs $12.00 for adultsand lasts over two hours.

- Cruise times are 10.00 am and 1.30 pmdaily, weather permitting.

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THE STATUS OF BC0L~.GICAL RESERVESIN CAlNAD~A, by Pierre M.Taschereau -

In 1974, at the end of ten years ofIBP (International Biological Programme)about )000 Canadian ‘special naturalsites’ had been identified. It was suggested that these areas, and others likethem, be protected as ‘ecological reserves- areas set aside for non-destructiveresearch and enjoyment - and for theirfuture value as undisturbed sites.

This book looks at the situation in1985. However, as you can imagine, withten provinces, two territories, the federal government, private owners, andnumerous special groups, the situationisn’t simple.

Dr. Taschereau begins with a briefwho’s who of federal government departments and private organisations, and howinter-relationships have developed. Hegoes on to discuss model legislation forthe protection of ecological reserves,then reviews the c-urrent legislationprovince by province. The appraisalincludes the requirements and theimplementation of the laws - which candiffer substantially.

That review leads to a discussion ofthe progress towards protecting significant ecological sites over the lastten years (generally slowly) and thereasons. Legislation of some sort isgenerally in place. Except in BritishColumbia the number of designated reserves is low. Management planning isweak. This assessment leads to a consideration of the problems and possible newapproaches.

Several appendices list the people whocontributed infoni~iation; they representmost of the important conservationoffices in Canada.

In the process of documenting thestatus of ecological reserves, Dr.Taschereau also presents a summary of importantnational conservation organisations andprovides a fair view of conservationaccomplished through other means such asnational parks, provincial parks, wildlifereserves, etc , and the differences intheir objectives

If your special interest is ecologicalreserves this book is indispensable as theonly summary for Canada.

If you are interested in the protectionof natural areas but confused by the manygroups and mechanisms, you will find thisa useful sorting-out. It is easily followed without specific background knowledge.

The~ S.ta.tu4 o~ EcoLog~eczE Re4se~ve4£n Canada, by PJ.~evte. M. Tahei~eau,1985. pub. by .the CanacUan Counc.Lton Eeo1~g~Lc.aL Mea4 and ~the. In~tLtu~.te. £o~’L Rei~ou,~c~e~ and Env.twnmentaL Sud~e1s, ValhouaA.e. Un~ve~sLty.l2Opp. $8.00. (AvaLeabLe ~om1RES, 1312 RobJ.~ S’~e~t, HaLi~ax,83M 3E2; J~nctude. an $8.00 che~que.payabLe .to IRES).

Reviewed by: Cohn Stewart

NEXT DEADLINE -

25 October, 1985, for theNOVEr.1BER issue. Mailcontributions to the N.S.Museum, OR phone theEditor at 463-0033

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PREHISTORIC

These lizards, toads and turtles, dear, with which you love to play,Were 1!~inosaurs and Plesiosaurs in prehistoric days.They fought the armored Ankylosaurs and wild Brontosaurus,Glyptodons and Varanids and hungry Plateosaurus.Sharklike Icht;hyosaurs and flying Pteranodon,Tyrannosaurus, Kronosaurus and treacherous Trachodon.Shrieking Ar€haeopteryx~ Ti~ieeratops as well,And those t;hat I cannot pronoun~e, nor even try to spell.But anyway, they slowly turned to lizards and turtles and snakes.And all the brave and wild prehistoric people—They turned into us, for goodness’ sakes!

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bySHIL SILVERSTEIN

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RICK! GARREU

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