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I • . C. c ~~VO A f C 537
NEWFOUNDLAND NATURAL msTORY SOCIETY QUARTERLY
THE
OSPRIY January/March, 1976 Vol. 7, NO.1
Contents
Editorial •• . ••••...•••. . ••• • ••• • ••••••• . ..•.•••. l Flosculous Snippets .. . • ,", •..•.• . .••. .. ••... . ••.• 2 The Insects ..•.•..•..•.•.•.•.....•......••.••.. 4 Resource Development Options ••••..•....•.•••.. 5 N atu re Sketches .•....•... • •.••••••..•.. . .• . •.•• 9 11ammals and Winter .... . , ••...•.•.•••.••..... .10 Winter Skies ...••• . .•••••••• . .•....•....•.•... 15 Canada Goose Staging Areas . •... . .••...••••.•. 17 Red Squirrels in Newfoundland •••. . •.•.•••••... 19 New Publications ..•..•. .. •.•••. . .•••••.•. .. •.• 24 Records of rare and uncommon Birds •.....•••• 25 Waterfowl Notes •.•.•...•.•.••••.••....•..•.•. 31 Mink-muskrat interrelationships •.•....••.•.•..• 32 Here and There ......•••• . •.•••••••••.•••• . ••. 34 Viewpoint .•.•.....••••...•.•••••.•.•.• . ..•.••. 36 The Last Page ...•...••.••.•.••.....•...••.••• 38
THE NEWFOl:NDLAND NAITRAL IIISTORY SOCIETY
p_ O. So,. 011
fP )0HKS, NEWFOUNDLAND A C 5M3
THE EXECUTI VE FOR 1975-1976
Presirient Past PreSident Vic'" Pree'dent freasurer ~ecretary
Ordinary ~ember8
Edito of The Osprey
~ditorial Addr"'S's
Guy Brassard Peter Scott Don Steele Ruth r-.launder Claire Ne\rille-Smith Marlene Hooper Charles Horwood Tom Northcott John Maunder Don Barton Alan Stein
Tom Northcot:
Wildlife Di\'1.s1on Dept. of Tourism Building 810 Pleasantville St. John's
722-(i063 n;:-I:~:?3
~)7~-965:-
7"6-f;S"'A 72'>-2679 n. -433i 1)79-11983
579-4"~5 7:..:{)-(iRrR
7· 6-0326 579-0580
579 42'5
n6-0660
The Osprey is publiJhed four times .1 year by the Newfoundh.".1 Nlltu 'al History goci~ty
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WILDLIFE. DIVISON PHOTO
• STAG CARIBOU- RANGIFER tarandus
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• Photo by Hugh Wilmar
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In the foreward to his classic book 'A Sand County Al manac,' Aldo leopold said IIThere are some who can live without wild things. and some who cannot. II Leopold was one who could not. Members of the Newfounaland Natura l History Society cannot. This is one reason I agreed to serve as editor of the Osprey. It is important to maintain ties with k.indred spirits across the province. Most of us who know the val ue of wild things are not belligerent or rebellious by nature. And without the support of a few others we may never raise our own voice at all.
You will notice changes in the Osprey. It has become a quarterly. This;s good. It should enable us to put together a larger issue each time. And to include more coverage from around the provi nce as well.
There are two new columns appearing in this issue; short items from here and there, and the last page contains passages from authors whose works have much meani ng for: me •
Let me know if you 1 i ke these col umns. Let me know what you like, do not like. would lik e to see in the quarter ly Osprey. It is important for the readers to make contact. Those of us who put the Osprey together will do what we can to generate a reaction in the reader.
Have a pleasant winter.
Tom H. Northcott
"Standing there, though in this bare November landscape, I am reminded of the incredible phenomenon of small birds in winter , - that ere long, amid the cold powdery snow, as it were a fruit of the season , will come twittering a flock of delic ate crimson-tinged birds, lesser redpolls, to sport and feed on the seeds and buds now just ripe (or them on the sunny s ide of a wood, shaking down the powdery snow there in their c hee rful social feeding, as if it were high midsummer to them."
H.O. Thoreau November, 1858
Flosculous Snippets
The SUll1T'er has been remarkably pleasant this year and there were lots
of days to oet out and en joy the beauty of our country. I was fortunate to make
two botanical collectinq trtps to the west coast of Newfoundland this year. The
four coasts of the island and the Northern Peninsula are so verv different i n
both toooqraphy and natural histroy. After drivino back and forth across the Trans ..
Canad~ H1ahway in Newfoundland where the countrys1rie is untamed,I fe1t as if on
another planet when I visited the aoricultural areas of Saskatchewan and southern
Ontario. They produce a lot of crops for human consumption. either direct ly or
indirectly. I am convinced that we could certainly do more for our part of keepina
the world qoinq when I see all of the blueberries. partridoeberr1es, etc. that are
not harvested by man or beast each year. A better standard of l1vinq should not,
in my view. mean that we buy roore and iqnore what has been provided for us to
share with the other oroanisms.
The SU!T1T'er was quite hot this year and rather dry. It seems to have
adversely affected the Pin Cherry (Prunus pennsylvan1ca) crop in the St. John's
area, at least, but the Blueberries (Vacciniumangustifolium) are particularly hrqe
and sweet . A qood crop of Partridqeberries (Vaccinium vit1s-idaea) and Marshberries
(Vacc1n1um oxycoccus) was harvestE!d this autumn. I like to pick Marshberries just
before Christmas or early in the spring. The Bakeapples (Rubus chamaemorus) are
a real mystery to me. The crop was not that large this year even though there was
no 1 ate fros t when they were b loami no .. a lthouqh I do not i maQi ne that the snow ; n
early June did them any oood. I have heard of bumper crops in SCKl"le of the islands in
Bonav1 sta Bay two years aoo but there does not seem to be an abundance of f ruit.
The problem may not be a case of no fruit beinQ set. I have seen too many people
alonQ the roadsides with rock-hard Bakeapples - the nits with the lice as one elderly
gentleman exclained it to me. It is just as bad to pick fruit before they are ripe
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as it is not to pick them at all.
The autumn has been rather lona this year. and many plants are blooming
on or for the second time. Gu'y Brassard brouQht back sorre Moss Campion (Silene
acaulis) from Twl1linoate that was puttinQ out a second bloominq. They usually
bloom in June . ~Ihat are the plants do;nq in your area?
The fruit of the Ma rshberry (Vaccinium oxycoccus) is really intri9uina.
It exhibits quite a ranqe of shapes and colour. Near my house there are several
small patches of Marshberries that I pick before Christmas (lack of snow cover
permitti no) . Mos t of the berri es are oval and bei9 e with brown blotches. They
gradually turn red over a lonq period of time - some patches turning red before
others. There is another patch that is quite different. The berries are round
and they are red at least six weeks before any of the others begin to change.
·e The calyx side (opposite where the stalk ;s attached) looks as if it is made of
a1uminom. Thi s red fruit with the silvered end is also a bit smaller than the
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others.
I am interested in learning how the cone crop is on the Spruce and Fir
this year. Please let rre know. It is certainly sparser than last year around
our area. The finches (Pine Grosbeak, Crossb111s, etc.) will have to go elsewhere
thi s .vear~
Marshberries
Peter Scott:
Curator of the Agnes M. Ayre Herbarium,
Biology Dept., Memorial Universi ty
" Like jewels worn on, or set in, these sphagnous breasts or the swamp, - swamp pearls, call them."
H.D.Thoreau August 5, 1852
The Insects - 17
Order Di ptera; Sub-order Brachycera.
The antennae in the Brachycera are of various forms but are neither manyjoi nted 1 ike those of the Nematocera nor 1 i ke those of the thi rd sub-order. the Cyclorrhapha. The antennae of some Brachycera and of Cyclorrphapha are
:"~ :"'\~"'8 ! Stratiomyidae 1 F \:3 c
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C - Tabanidae
o - Cyc10rrhapha the bristle is the arista
Probably the best known family in Newfoundland is the Tabanidae. which includes horseflies and deerflies. like mosquitos and blackflies. female tabanids have mouthparts adapted for piercing and sucking. and feed on blood, often the blood of birds and marrma l s . There is a pair of mandibles and a pair of maxillae which are blade-like and used for cutting skin. The labium forms the sucking tube and ends in a lobe, called the labellum, the surface of which is fi ne ly grooved so that the structure is sponge-l ike.
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The larvae of tabanids can be found in damp soil. under stones, in swamps e· and some in rot holes in trees. They are 1 egl ess and have a head that can be pulled into the front end of the· body. They are carnivorous and feed on insect larvae, earthwonns, small Crustacea and whatever else they can catch. The
~:~:n~~~e~a!~:~ ~~e~r~!e!n~nW~~g~~~~\ b~~~~~ ~~o~~\~~~~s f~~~~o~~~ ~~~h ~:~:r~o~ ~~;~~~!~:s f~~~ C~l~~~~a i ~h~~e a~~e~ 1 ~~~e~1I t~~~o~~rn~p!i ~~~. do. I
corrmo~h:v~~~i ~~a~h~~i ~~~d~~h~ ~ s ~ep~~~;n;~: ~~~t~~e~~~~t~: 1 :~:9H i ~~a~i ~~ marbled wings and seem to do no harm to anybody or anything.
The family Bombyliidae includes flies that look very much like hairy bumblebees. They are not corrmon round St. John's but at least a few are seen every year at Oxen Pond. The systematics of the family are not well known and it is unlikely that anybody would be willing to put a name on our species . The larvae are parasitic, many of them; ;n the nests of solitary bees, where they may eat the food stored by the bee for its larva and later on the bee larva its-elf.
Two other families are found here, Stratiomyidae represented by sma ll , shining, green flies I noticed for the first time in my garden in the sunmer of 1973. Dolichopodidae are also mainly green. small flies with rather long legs. The adults feed on other small insects.
John Phipps Biology Department Memorial University •
Resource Development Opti ons for Newfound' and
-Some Environmental Consfderationsor
The Orchfd and the Bulldozer
One of the pri nci p 1 e issues in resource development today is tha t of
'stewardship'. We have within the political confines of Newfoundland and
labrador a finite set of resources; the natural segments of which include air,
soil, vegetation, water and animals. The ecosystems comprised of these segments
provi de the bas; s of our own 1 ife support system and in the se 1 ecti on of
options in resource development we must try to maintain the health of all
ecosystems - be they marine, fresh water or terrestrial.
My own particular interest in resource development is to see that
.e environmental considerations are taken into account in the decision making
process. By do; ng thi s I bel i eve we ; ncrease our development opti ons . The
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most recent vivid example of environmental issues entering decision making
processes was seen in the Lloyds River controversy. The options of not using
the river for hydro were laid down: recreation potentials, fisheries potential,
aesthetic values, impact on the water quality of the Exploits,al1 of which would
have been severely affected. So the decision was taken - not to develop . And
many people in environmental management regard that decision as a precedent setting
example. And most people with whom I have discussed this issue say it couldn't
have happened a few years ago. The irony of this situation ;s that 'prior' to
the groundswe 11 of pub 1 i c opi ni on the prov; nc; a 1 government had es tab 1; shed the
Power Development Advisory COllJl1ittee to assess the environmental impact of
the Lloyd's proposal. It was this Corrmittee, established by government, that
focused attention on the environmental issues and these issues were outlined
by Mr. Barry. It was the public that brought the points home.
The lloyds issue leads to an important point - that is the need for
'blueprints of environment management'. In considering the hydro proposal on
L1 oyds we i so late on one use of thi s water basi n and we tend to es tab 1 i sh
environmental assessment to look. at the impact of this one use . This, 1
believe, is an inside-out approach to the environmental management of our natural
resources. We shoul d, for such criti ca 1 areas, be deve 1 opi ng models for 1 and
management. Environmental managers must regard the issues of the day not
as separate problems which can be addressed and solved separately but rather as
a set of competing demands on the resource base which must be addressed
simultaneously. That is the ecological approach - the orchid and the bulldozer
IllJst start off with equal odds. This approach will in no way resolve each and
every issue. The manager can play his cards but the decisions of development
are often not made any easier.
Consider the Exploits River Valley. No easy decisions for environmental
managers here: In this heartland of the island we have an array of competing
resource demands. There is heavy industry, forestry operations. mining.
domestic waste 'disposal, highways, potential for a conmercial fishery, hydro
diversion, areas of historical and archaeological significance, recreational
pressures and aesthetic values. Only an interdisciplinary point of view has
relevance to development planning in the Exploits Valley. and in many other
portions of the province. We must be able to quantify the complex of envi ronmental
factors and values that will affect both short and long term costs or benefits
from a development.
A model could be developed for the Exploits system. We need to find out
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a number of things and plug them into the model: What;s the status of resources e there at present, what is present impact of industry, what are the potentials
• for i ndustrial expansion, what ;s the public's expectation re; life style .
And why not a model for the Terra Nova. the Hurrber?
It must be remembered that all economic development takes place within
natura 1 ecosys terns. Development wi 11 bri ng varyi n9 degrees of modifi cat; on. but
deve l opment wi ll a l ways remain subject to 'bhe ecological limitations which
operate withi n natural systems. Ecol ogy;s an integrating science; it must
progress by bri ngi ng together the spec; ali zed knowl edge of phys; C; 5 ts. hydro 109; 5 ts •
and so on . It ; s not diff i cult to see that ecology (and ecologists) must have
an impo rtant ro l e in development planning and decision making.
What is being done to conserve and enhance the resource base? What
is being done to see that environmental considerations enter the decision making
-e process? 1 am an optimist by heart. I think there are many hopeful signs
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t hat 'environmental management' criteria are being established. For example:
75 Interna t ional Biol ogical Program sites have been designated for protection
of natura l a r eas throughout Newfoundland, a Power Development Advisory COll1Tlittee
was f onned to l ook at environmental implications pertaining to hydro, an impact
assessment s t udy was made of the Lower Churchill development and an environmenta l
code i s be ing deve l oped to gu i de contractors working on that project , the Federal-
Provincial Task Forces on forestry is providing the bas;s for intensive management
on a sus t a ined system principle.
There are other s;gns, most important of which is the en l ightened view
of the publ ic on environmental issues . 'Times, they are a·changin'? I believe
t hey a re; f or the better .
We began with stewardship and I close with that idea. We are all
stewa rds on t he Newfoundland and Labrador resources - and if we abuse or
misuse these resources we are to blame. Too often we think of large projects e 1 ike offshore development, the 200 mil e 1 imi t, the lower Churchill project.
These are the developments on which we pin our hopes for the concept we call
future. I would ask you to look closer to the earth - to your favouri te
patch of ground, try to view it as a gravel pit - it may not be too difficult .
Many of my favourite sites have gone that route ... two red pine stands on the
Trans-Canada Highway ... one near Birchy Narrows, one near Pine Acres; there are
only 5 other known sites on the island. We should care for these small things
and then we will better appreciate the ramifications of the larger issues.
We shoul d develop and encourage ; ntens ive envi ronmenta 1 management ; n resource
development and we should foster the development of a conservation ethic and of
'environmental codes of industrial conduct;. If we do, then I believe we \'/ill
expand our options and maybe. one day, actually live within the carrying
capacity capabilities of the life system that support us.
-Frederick C. Pollet
Editors note: Dr. Pollet is Program Manager, Forest Resource
and Environmental Research. Research Center.
Environment Canada, St. John's. He was
recently a member of a panel discussing "Resource
Development and Environmental quality" at the
Annual meeting of Society of Professional
Engineers in St. John's.
This paper represents excerpts from his remarks .
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NATURE SkETChES
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J(;d j". ~ ~ ~, Ok./Q.8
/ ~, 4-I" ~o~ .. ~'J~
• ~. Il...."a ~&f
!'.c..l.~9~
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'MaJIIlla 1 s and Wi nter'
While many small animals either die. migrate south, or hibernate on the
approach of winter, our manmals remain here for the whole of winter. How do
they manage to survive when so many cannot? The answer lies in the fact that
manmals have adapted to survive this severe time of year in a variety of ways.
Very few of our manmals hibernate, that is go into a deep sleep for the winter
ina she 1 tered 1 ocati on. whil e thei r temperature drops. so that they don't have
to use up a lot of stored food in maintaining a high body temperature. Among
our 24 native and introduced manmals, only three. the Little Brown Bat, Keen's
Bat and the Eastern Chipmunk are true hibernators. Despite popular opinion the
Black Bear does not hibernate but takes long deep sleeps in a sheltered location
(cave. hollow log) when the weather is bad. When the weather is better the Bear
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will go out foraging for food. and bear snowtracks are not ul\conmon in winter in e· wooded areas. Chipmunks on occasions will ocasionally t:ecome active in mild
spells.
Even though the tracks of the conmon vole and the shrew are not usually found
in winter this does not mean to say that they are also hibernators. At the
beginning of winter when it is not too cold and there is only a slight cover
of snow, the dainty tracks of both animals are evident. However, as the weather
becomes colder, neither animal can survive the cold in open areas. At this time,
if the snow is deep they tunnel at ground level beneath the snow protected
from both the cold and predators. Even though the temperature above snow level
may be _fOoC. the temperature at ground 1 eve 1 rarely drops much below OOC, as
the snow cover acts as a blanket against the cold air.
Two other mamnals remain hidden during winter al though they are active.
the beaver and muskrat. The natural environments of both animals are ponds •
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or other bodies of water, which freeze over. Both animals have homes with
underwater entrances. and usually store plant food on the bottom of their
aquat i c habitats near their homes. In winter both animals can leave their
homes and feed in safety from predators and the harsh cold above the surface .
In order to accomplish this feat these animals. like squirrels. have to store
up food for the wi nter. but they must also make certa i n tha t the ponds in
wh i ch t hey l ive are deep enough and will not freeze to the bottom. Muskrats
also f eed on aquatic vegetation in winter.
The red squirrel is found in central and northern Newfoundland . Unlike
its smaller re l ation.the chipmunk, it is active throughout winter, living off
stored food accumulated during the fall. However, during severe cold periods
the red squirrel usually remains inactive in its nest until temperatures rise
again.
Most manrna l s that remain active in winter grow a thicker coat of fur to
help reta i n their body heat, but a few animals also change the colour of
their coat. The Snowshoe or varying hare (our rabbit) changes its coat colour
from brown to white for winter, as does its rarer relative the larger Arctic Hare .
In this way the animals are well camouflaged from predators. This is especially
important as both animals sleep during day and night above snow level where
t hey are vi sible to predators such as the lynx, fox and owl.
Our largest marrmals the moose and caribou are both active in winter. Moose
tend to keep to forested areas in winter, and feed off fir needles and tree
buds. The car; bou mi grate in sma 11 groups south from thei r sunmer breedi ng
grounds to their wintering areas . They depend on lichens for food which they
f ind in open and forested areas. In open areas where the snow ;s not very deep
e they scrape away the snow to eat the ground 1 i chens. When the snow is deep
they move in to forested areas to feed off tree lichens.
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C OfllMON • ~
0 th.L~ ~L
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• 00 °0 0 00 0
0 Do 0
00 DO 0
0 0/'"'' 00
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°a °0 00 0
0 0 HA,.,e 0
~E'",e,," M INk "-'Y"'X -Fc ~
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OTHER. co'" 1'10 N I'I-N 111\ ~L S\~ N S
F""d\"~ tt.eu
7' Moose- /~.c. N'f'P8.b OF,.. SUbS "NI> T...." Q 50
I t+I>RE
~ S,-lhf'Pe'b (S~R~'P£b.) OFf" 8P,R,(
IIIOc..t..
-rO ptt.fe.~
do~ bt.rrr I
'bo..'r~ I 0.."'" ptb..~m·la~"·
0..,,'" ha.'t~ V'''''y .. !.so in ~~i .. d. ; t.+ . H Q..'r U S 1iL~"" b \ tlt.~ I \/t,I ',no\,tJ I Q..sp4t.n 1 t."torry ; f"'r\OoS f! l ike....
Jo~"'"'oocl t..+-I! . Moo.s~ w,' 11 a..ls:o bl"o\,o,)S:~
ho..,e.s ~ i II "0..+ c:..on i f't.r nt.tel. h.t a..J ...... i II
® ® ©
14
You can find out for yourself which malt1l1als are active in your area by
looking for signs such as snowtracks, feeding traces and droppings. Hare,
weasel, fox and moose snowtracks are fairly comnon in most areas. as are hare
and moose droppings. Carefully observe shrubs and small trees for evidence
of buds nipped off by moose and hares, and bark stripped off twigs by hares
and off larger trees by moose. Occasionally, especially at the beginning of
winter, you might spot the dainty tracks of a shrew or vole. You may not be
ab 1 e to di scern much evi dence of meadow voles in wi nter. but when the snow melts
in spring you should easily spot the grass covered runways of these sma11
marrmals in meadow areas. Otter and mink slides should be obvious when seen.
as shoul d a wanderi ng bear's large tracks. and those of the shy lynx.
For further infonnation see:
1 . 'The land Marrma 1 s of Insu1 ar Newfoundland' by T. H. Northcott, Wil dl i fe Division, Department of Tourism. St. John's, 1974 .
2. 'A Field Guide to the Ma1ll11als' by W. H. Burt and R. P. Grossenheider. Houghton Mifflin Co .• Boston, 1952 .
3. 'MalTl11als of North America' by V. H. Cahalane, MacMillan Co., New York, 1961.
4. 'The Marrmals of Eastern Canada' by R. L. Peterson. Oxford University Press, Toronto, 1966.
5. 'A Field Guide to Animal Tracks' by O. J. Murie, Houghton-Mifflin Co., Boston 1954.
6. 'Animal Tracks of Insular Newfoundland' by M. Collins and F. Gullage, Parks Division, Department of Tourism. St. John's , 1972.
M.A.J Collins Biology Department Memorial University
"When snow comes, the creatures cannot move about without leaving their autographs II
Virginia S. Eifert December, 1964
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15
WINTER SKIES
Winter offers the best opportunities for observing
the skies. The air is crisp and clear. the winter con
stellations are the brightest, and observations can be
made as early as 7 p.m. during January.
A goo" natural scientist should be familiar with at
least 10 winter constellations, eight bright stars, and
the brightest planets.
Here are a few hints for winter gazing:
calendar for observing the Planets:
January 9th.
January 28th.
February 5th .
Apr il 27th.
Jupi ter wi 11 be c10se to the quarter moon
in the evening sky.
Venus (Morning Star) will be very close
to the crescent moon--d pretty early
morning sight.
Jupiter (Evening Star) will be close to
the crescent moon in the western sky .
Mercury (Evening Star) will be visible
close to the sunset point. low in the West.
Venu s will be a morning star all winter. Mars and Jupiter
will be Evening Stars all winter--Mars. high in the sky
near Taurus. Jupiter lower and brighter in the west.
Saturn is a good planet to observe all winter. On January
20th it rises in East as the sun sets in the West. It
will be crossing the night sky all Winter and Spring.
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Constellations:--In the January Sky at 8 p.m.
Meridian to West:--Andromeda. Pegasus
Mer1dian to East:--Aries. Taurus. Orion. Gemini. Canis Major
Northeast to Zenith:- - Auriga, Perseus
Circumpolar:--B1g Dipper. Little Dipper, Cassiopeiea. Draco
This is a good year to become acquainted with the con
stellations of the zodiac; and here is an easy way to
remember them.
The Ram and 8u11 lead off the line
Next Twins and Crab and Lion shine
The Virgin and the Scales.
Scorpion and Hunter next are due
The Goat and Waterbearer too
And Fish with shining scales.
(Aries. Taurus) (Gemini, Cancer, leo)
(Virgo, Libra)
(Scorpio, Sagittarius)
(CapricornU5. Aquarius)
(Pi sees)
Aries is small rather faint three star constellation
near the meridian at 8 p.m. January 1st.
Taurus follows just East of the meridian high in the sky.
It 1s important to identify the bright star Aldebaran. the
planet Mars nearby. and the cluster of faint stars called
The Pleiades.
A good observer should be able to trace Draco as it winds
its way around the Big and Little Dippers.
For the more challenging observation, this is a good
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time to start on Variable stars. It can become a life
time hobby. Algol (Beta Perseo) is the second brightest
star in Perseus. It;s slightly blue in color. This
;s actuallY , a binary system. At regular intervals every
two days and twenty-one hours, its companion star passes
in front of it cutting off much of its light. Within a
space of ten hours. Algol will almost disappear and then
reappear to its former brilliance. By observing Algol over
a period of a week. one can soon predict its period of
variation. THEN--if you are a camera bug--place your
camera on a rigid base (or tripod) aim it at the con
stellation Perseus, and use the largest lens opening.
If yo u make a star trail picture of this region at the
proper time, you can catch the trail of Algol that is
br i ght at one end and fading out at the other. (The writer
of this article will give a suitable prize to ANYONE who
can achieve this picture).
Margaret Beardsley Corner Brook Member of the American AssociaUon of Variable Star Observers
CANADA GODSE STAGING AREAS IN WESTERN NEWFOUNDLAND
In Western Newfoundland there are a number of concentration
areas for Canada Geese (!!:.!!!!a canadensis). These areas are
e used as staging areas for birds moving to wintering areas, or
on their return journey to the nesting grounds.
18
On the Great Northern Peninsula, Pistolet Bay, Hare Bal. e St. Pauls 8ay, and Parsons Pond are staging areas. Further to
the southwest are St. Georges River, and the lower Grand Cod roy
River. All of these areas are located on the coastline. and
are either shallow saltwater bays or shallow river estuaries.
While using these areas geese feed on adjacent bogs and fields
supplementing the diet they find at low tide on these coastal
areas.
Canada Geese nest throughout iS131ated areas of the Long
Range Mountains. extending from Port aux Basque to the northern
extremity of the mountains and also, further north on lower
ground. extending to St. Anthony. Geese returning to the nesting
areas in spring from the eastern seaboard move into the lower e Cod roy River. then north to St. Georges River. Geese programmed
to nest in the Long Range Mountains adjacent to these two
locations remain at these staging areas until nesting sites open
up in the mountains. Birds can be seen making exploratory flights
from the staging areas as spring progresses to check nesting
conditions in the interior . Birds which will nest on the
Northern Peninsula continue north as spring progresses. No
doubt. some of the geese moving up the West Coast and using
these staging areas. will continue on into Labrador. Labrador
birds however. probably travel via Prince Edward Island and
New Brunswick on their migratory route across the Gulf of
St. Lawrence and Quebec .
If weather conditions permit. some geese will winter at
the lower Grand CCldroy and St. Georges River. but most years
they are driven off the island and further south by freeze-up.
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feeding in the interior on the long Range Mountains. Early fall
finds them on a berry diet. and only with frost and snow are
the birds driven from the higher altitudes to the coastal staging
areas. Birds nesting in northern Newfoundland remain on the
northern staging areas until freeze-up, then move to the staging
areas further south.
The lower Grand Cod roy River ;s set in an agricultural
area. The communit:ies of Searston, Woodville, Upper Ferry,
O'Regans, and Millville surround the estuary. Traditionally
when geese gathered in the river in the fall along with other
waterfowl. hunting pressure became extreme. The safety of
-e school children, residents and livestock were in jeopardy ea ch
fall and, in 1974 all hunting was curtailed. The main wildlife
species in the area were waterfowl and this move to stop hunt ing
has, in reality, created an unofficial waterfowl sanctuary.
Wally Skinner Western Regional Biologist Newfoundland Wildlife Division Pasadena
Red Squirrels in Newfoundland
This time they're here to stay. I say "this time" because
red squirrels were released in St. John's as early as 1955 when
a population established for approximately two years before it
e was exterminated. Since that time there have been two other
releases also on the Avalon but in neither case did a population
establish.
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It was the 1963 introduction on the Northern Peninsula and e . the 1964 release on Camel Island. Notre Dame Bay that started
things rolling. By 1969 in the Notre Dame Bay area they were on
the islands adjacent to Camel and by 1972 they had reached the
mainland around Embree (See map).
While the Notre Dame Bay squirrels had considerable water
barriers to cross in order to invade new areas, there was li ttle
interference to squirre l dispersal on the Northern Peninsula.
little 1s known about their activities 1n the ten years after
1963 but by 1973 they had a strong foothol d on most of the
Peninsula. By 1974 it is reported that a fairly dense popu l ation
was established in the Harbour Deep area on the east coast.
1975, they were seen at Rocky Harbour 1n Gras Morne National
Park and at Ad1es lake.
In 1972. there were also reports of squirrels reasonably
distant from Notre Oame Bay and the Northern Peninsula -- one
at Gander Bay, one approximately one half way down the Bay
O'Espoir Road, and one at Halls Bay. In 1973, a squirrel was
also seen at Gander airport . There is little doubt that the
In
public assisted in squirrel dispersal, so this may account for
these pockets isolated from the centers of distribution.
In 1975 squirrels were reported from Conne River. Bay
O'Espoir--likely an~ extension of the pocket reported on the
Bay O'Espoir Road.
So, their present distribution appears to be all over the
Northern Pen1nsull as far south as Rocky Harbouri from the
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Lewfsporte area as far west as Norris Arm and east to Gander a nd
Gander Bay; while pockets if not extensions from the distribution
centres appear at Bay O'Espoir north to the North West Gander
River and at Halls Bay.
So if they are he~ how will they be intergrated into the
local scene? The answer to this question ; s multifaceted and
an appropriate answer ;s beyond the scope of this presentat;on~
however. I would like to illuminate a bit of red squirrel ecology
that is both fascinating and thought provoking.
We often assume that ma ny animals are well adapte d or "tuned
i n" to their environment but few show the abilities of the red
sq uirrel to actually predict things to come and govern itself
accordingly. In Newfoundland the most i mpor tant winter food for
squirrels is the seeds of the balsam fir. Th e fir. however, does
not produce the same amount of seeds every year; in fact bumper
crops exist only about every four ye ar s on the average. Each
cycle usually ha s one or two years when no crop;s produced.
That's pretty ha rd on a growing famil y.
What can a squirrel do to protect itself against such a drop
in food supp l y? For one thing. seeds are stored and will keep
in a reasonable state for at least one winter. Thtrtgs are worse
when the next summers fir cone crop isn't sufficient to provide
another winter's cache.
At times like this, the squir~el resorts to alternate foods
.• l ik e black spruce which is far le ss nutrit.ous. but cone production
i s a bit more de pe ndable. If there is a coincident failure of
black spruce seeds, some squirrels will have to die.
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MAP SHOWING RED SQU IRREL RELEASE SITES AND LATER OBSErlV"TIO~S •
Editors note: Squirrels have now been released a t Little Grand Lake (1), head of La !loile River (2), and Wildlife Park (3).
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The re al cr unch comes when a litter has been raised and the
j uvenile s are just moving out on their own in the late summer;
they do n I t have a cache of cones to see them through the comi n9
winter--no cone crop would mea n a very abbreviated future.
It seems that this predicament rarely occurs. The red squirrel
·anticipates" the cone crop failure and during the previous spring.
fewer females will reproduce and th e litte rs that are produced
will be sm al l er. During th e time I worked on sq uirrels on Came l
I s land. there was strong evidence of this phenomenon . Its been
documented elsewhere too . The mystery lies in the ability of
the sq uirre l to "ant i cipate " a future ~ood shortage .
Here's where we specu late. The fir tree does supply indications
of its future cone crop when, in ear l y spring. the ma le flowers
form on the ti ps of the branches. I f there is goi ng to be no
cone crop that year. no flower s are produced. After a long. lean
winter these flower s (when they a re produced) provide a nutritious,
high energy food for squirrels. Thi s increase in energy intake
could a ll ow more energy avai lable for reproduction and thereby
increase sq uirrel productivitty . In thi s case, the fa ll dispersal
of juveniles cou ld draw on a bountiful cone crop. If the male
flowers are scarce, energy for reproduction would be less so that
fewer young would be produced to burden an already s trained
food supply.
We k.now that the sq uirrel does k.eep pace with his food s up pl y
and regardle ss of how he does it. it is another remarkable and
admirable phenomenon in the wild world.
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With this knowledge we can forecast that red squirrel
populations in Newfoundland will fluctuate considerably with
response to their food supply over a rough four year cycle. Ti me
and more research are needed to answer other important qu.stions.
Dennis Minty Manager, Salmonter Wildlife Park Newfoundland Wildlife Division
NEW PUBLICATIONS ON NEWFOUNDLAND NATURAL mS'J'ORY
several new booklets were printed in 1975 which should be of interest to members. '!\Vo new publications have been added to the Park Interpretation series available Crom Provincial Parks.
Some Newfoundland Birds is 68 pages long and contains illustrations and descriptions of 65 common Newfoundland birds.
Some Newfoundland Butterflies is 32 pages long and describes and illustrates over half of the butterfly species recorded in Newfoundland.
Both booklets by Glen Ryan are small (4 X 6 in.) and fit easily into the pocket. They are free of cbarge and are available by writing to:
Parks Division Dept. of Tourism P ,0 .Box 9340 8t. John's
Oxen Pond Botanic Park has also added some new publications to its series on natural history.
Common Seaweeds of Newfoundland by G. Robin South is 58 pages long and includes descriptions, illustrations, and a key to 50 or so common seaweed species found around the coasts of Newfoundland.
Edible Fruits and Herbs of Newfoundland by Peter J. Scott is 74 pages long. It is fully illustrated and gives information on the edibUity and uses of many of our native plants.
Rock Gardening in Newfoundland by Bernard S. Jackson is 26 pages long. It is a helpful little booklet on this interesting facet of gardening and includes a list of plants that can be used for the purpose in Newfoundland.
These three booklets are available free of charge from:
Oxen Pond Botanic Park Department of Biology Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John's, Nfid.
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Records of rare and uncommon birds in Newfoundland
233. Blue-winged Warbler
On November 3, 1953 I saw a distinctive male in a fall invasion of warblers (see Yellow-throated) and suspected several others. On September ' 27, 1968 Michel Borotra had four under observation at the same time at Miq uelan snd 1n 1969. S tan Temple recorded a male near Mobile Big Pond (Avalon) on June 18 and another male on July 2 in Terra Nova National Park.
235. Nashville Warbler
On June 21, 1958 Donald Kunkle recorded a single male at North Branch. At Rames, Mrs. Reid recorded single birds on September 23, 1960; Hay 19, 1964 and September 17,1964. In spite of these sparse records, there is a recent breeding record . Davis W. Finch took color photographs of an adult feeding a fledgling at Grand Codroy Provincial Park on August 21, 1973.
236. Parula Warbler
On June 15, 1970 John Wells showed me a male in Waterford Bridge Valley (St. John's) about half a mi le from where he had first observed it a few days previously. The bird was watched closely in a hawthorn tree where it sang intermittently as it fed on insect larvae. There is one other record. Paul Lundrigan reported a sing le bird at Barachoix Park on September 22, 1971.
239. Cape May Warb ler
An immature bird was collected on August 25, 1959 at St. Andrews by a National Museum (Canada) party. There is a single observation at Rocky Harbour Big Pond on May 31. 1973 (Gros Horne National Park Files). There are several other observations for the west coast: a male on Hay 31, 1973 at Rocky Harbour (W.L. Browne; J. Steves). Davis W. Finch recorded a single bird on August 13, 1973 in John T. Cheeseman Provincial Park near Port aux Basques and Mrs. Reid reported a single bird from Ramea on August 26, 1973.
240 . Black-throated Blue Warbler
Mr. J.J . Lowe sent me a detailed account and
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drawings of a male he recorded on September 30, 1969 at Burnt Ridge, south of Victoria Lake. There 1s one other record, a stngle bird recorded by Mrs. Reid on August 23, 1971 at Ramea.
243 . Blackburnian Warbler
First recorded by Don Miller at Grand Falls on June 27, 1958. In 1969 and each year thereafter it has been recorded 1n various local! ties on both the wes t and east coasts. On July 13, 1973 Bruce Mactavish found an adult feeding a fledgling at Pasadena. Extreme dates are Hay 31 (Ramea) to September 17 (St. John's),
244. Yellow-throated Warbler
The occurrence of this species 1n considerable numbers at St . John's in the late autumn of 1953 created considerable interest. They were first reported by Miss Caroline Furlong, Winter Avenue on October 24. Subsequent investigations showed that these birds were fairly common 1n Winter Avenue, Pine Bud Avenue, Rennie. Mill Road and as far west as the Colonial Building. On November 3, I saw at least 30 in one small area on Winter Avenue. And on November 7, John Macgillivray estimated at least 50 in the immediate vicinity of his house on Rennies Mill Road. They were frequently easy to see as they fluttered around the eaves of the houses preaumably searching for insects. Noted among them were at least one Blue-winged Warbler (see Note 233) and a few Yellow Warblers. By November 11, they were very scarce and two specimens were collec ted, which are now in the National Museum of Canada. They proved to be the interior (or Western) race, Dendroica dominic a albilova, and at that time were the first reco~C~Sinee then there are several records for southern Ontario. This is another clear example of drift-migration which is an important phenomenon affect.ing the occurrences of birds in Newfoundland. These were undoubtedly croasing the Gulf of Mexico in late October en route to the tropics in South America when they were caught in a northeastern trough of air.
245. Chestnut-sided Warbler
Apparently rare. Harold Horwood and Farley Mowat recorded a ainging male at Dildo on July 24, 1956. I aaw an immature on Punk Island on September 10, 1968 and a male near Grand Falls on July 6, 1974.
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251. Kentucky Warbler
The first record i s that of an adult male , observed close l y by Dr. Howard Clsse near St. John's on Sep tember 22, 1969. One other, an immature female, was caught by a cat on Se pt embe r 4, 1971 and salvaged by Glen Ryan. Its identity was confirmed by Dr. W. Earl Godfrey, National Museum.
254. Yellow- breasted Cha t
During January and February. 1951 and agatn 1n November and December, 1 95 1 single birds appeared at feeders in St. John's at 4 or 5 different locations from Winter Avenue to Waterford Bridge. There have been on l y several sight records since but s pe cimens found freshly dead from striking windows and in one instance a lighthouse, indicate that thi s species may occur, at least occasionally, in the fa ll. I have examined the following specimens: February 8, 1951, Cappahayden; January 5, 195 2 , S t. John's; December 24, 1964, st. John's; October 8, 1969, St. Joh n' s; September 6, 1970, Cape Ray and September 11, 1973, Carbonear.
256. Canada Warbler
Mrs. Reid has recorded sing l e birds at Ramea on September 12, 1961 and May 5, 1 973 . Glen Ryan recorded two males at Birchy Cove, Bonavista Bay on September 5 , 1971 and Bernard Jackson, a single bird at Oxen Po n d on September 5, 1974.
260 . Meadow lark
Four records: January 4, 1938, St. Shotts, speCimen; June 1, 1957, two males, La Manche (Haro ld Horwood); October 31, 1963 and November 6, 1968, single birds at Ramea (Mrs. Reid).
261. Yellow-headed Blackb ird
The first report was a male, first seen around October 14, 1967 at Burgeo, where it frequented a manure pile (Dr. Calder). It remained for several days. Mrs. Reid recorded a male a t Ramea on August 21, 1970 and also on the same date, August 21, 1 970, one was reported for Terra Nova Na tiona l P ark (Roger Wilson). On January 7, 1971 a single bird was re corded a t St . John ' s by Mrs . Fred Aldrich . An immature occurred at St. Pierre on August 27, 1973 (Michel Borotra).
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268. Scarlet Tanager
Of four Neotropical tanagers and finches that have invaded North America in recent times and return to winter in the tropics (Scarlet Tanager, Summer Tanager, Indigo Bunting, Blue Grosbeak) all but the Blue Grosbeak have been recorded in Newfoundland. These birds return to North America early in the spring (the first week or two of April) during a period when the first troughs of warm air move north from the Caribbean. These high pressure systems bringing with them drift-migrants are more inclined to reach New England and the Maritime.. However , occasionally they reach Newfoundland during the critical spring migration period and thus we are likely to have
. Scarlet Tanagers, for example, in Newfoundland, before they reach t heir northern breeding limits in Georgia. The male is very distinctive and consequently only males have been recorded in Newfoundland, females almost certainly occur. The earliest recorda are April 16, 1953 (Ferryland), our first record and April 24, 1969 (St. Pierre), but there are numerous records in Hay and June, most likely of birds that had arrived weeks earlier. An interest'ing record was (a male) one that arrived on Funk Island , after strong westerly winds, on July 11, 1956 while I was working there . I t remained for three days, feeding on insects and taking shelter at night in puffin burrows. It was remarkably tame, perhaps because of the avian commotion on the island and was photographed from 2-3 feet. It disappeared after the next westerly gale.
269. ~
The Cardinal should almost assuredly occur in Newfoundland in the winter. I have numerous reports of Cardinals but in all instances the observera were not familiar with intensively coloured Red Crossbi!ls or even Pine Grosbeaks. The only record that 1 can accept with certainly is a single bird recorded at a feeder in Corner Brook on August 25, 1970 by Dr. I. Simpson. The Cardinal is a greedy patron of bird feeders, 80 watch out for it in st. John ' s.
270. Summer Tanager
The Summer Tanager, not so distinctive as the male Scarle t Tanager, may also occur in Newfoundland occasionally. The only record, however, is an adult .ale which waa k illed at Cape Pine Lighthouse on April 15, 1972. The specimen , which I examined, was frozen by Hr. Val Hew itt and brought to my attention by Professor Thomas F. Neu.ec (HUN). It is now in the Provincial Wild life Collection.
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271. Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Apparently not a rare species in Newfoundland but since most of the records have been during the past 10 years . I shall summarize them. Early spring records are April 24, 1971 at Ramea (Mrs. Reid) and May 4, 1958 at Grand Falls (Don Hiller). It has been recorded at St. John's, St. Anthony, Grand Falls, Codroy Valley, Witless Bay. Pouch Cove, Rames, Badger , Birchy Cove, Steady Brook and St. Pierre. The first record was a specimen collected at Tompkins on Hay 24, 1947 (Peters and Burleigh, 1951). Since then, three other specimens have been examined, all accidental kills: a male killed by fly1ng into a building at Witless Bay on June 3, 1967 (HUN); an immature male striking a window in the Sir Humphrey Gilbert Building, St. John's, on October 22, 1970 and an adult female (with well devel oped ova) killed by an automobile near Badger on May 31, 1972. Breeding has been suspected but the actual proof was a female feeding a fledgling in a thick white spruce forest near Steady Br ook on August 29, 1973. The young one was so recently fledged that I caught it by hand. The October 22 specimen was considered late for this species but a wintering record of a female ULWiDB) at Sycamore Place, St. John's on January 9, 1974 was even more unexpected.
272. Indigo Bun ting
The Indigo Bunting is another of the Neotrop ical finches (recently invading North America) that we can expect as a drift-migrant during April. It ia the s ingle species which occurs almost on schedule , viz: April 19, 1929 (South Island, Placentia Bay); April 15, 1949 (La Poile); April 17, 1950 (Calvert); April 16, 1953 (Ferryland); April 22, 1956 (Snooks Harbour, Random Island) and April 28, 1968 (Beachy Cove). Mos t of those are specimens which I have examined and which had struck lighthouses or other obstacles. All are males, as are the other reported sight observations but this may be because the male (like the male Scarlet Tanager) is so distinctive. There are no summer records but a few October reports. The latest is a male (eclipse plumage) captured alive a t Portugal Cove South on November 7 , 1954 which later perished.
277. Hoary Redpoll
The only specimens were taken at Locks Cove in 1906 and are now in the United States National Museum. I and others have seen possibly Hoary's in mixed company with other Redpolls. Watch out for it in alder beds in winter along the Southern Shore and the Burin Peninsula.
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283. Towhee
Eight records. mostly at feeders in the winter: Corner Brook, Grand Falls, Birchy Cove, St. John's, Lewisporte, Pasadena, Valley field and Rame ••
284. Lark Bunting
The only record is that of Mrs. H. Reid at Ramee on September 7, 1970. It remained in the same vicinity for about a week.
286. Grasshopper Sparrow
The first specimen wa8 collected at Roae Blanche on November 27. 1950. I collected another near Cape Race on November 29, 1955 . Mrs. Reid has five records at Ramea in November and early December. It would seem to be a late drift-migrant along the south coast. Watch out for it in November along the Southern Shore,
287. Va.par Sparrow
Mrs. Reid has recorded it at Ramea on November 4, 1961 and May 6. 1967. The "Roaches" had a close look at one at St. Georges on August 27, 1967. It was feeding on a gravelly roadside and they studied it with binoculars and telescope noting " ••• the white outer-tail feathers, eye ring, rusty coloured epaulettes •.• and the well-defined dark breast streakings".
288. Lark Sparrow
Mra. Reid has recorded this species at Ramea five times during 1962-1967, mostly in late August and early September.
290. Tree Sparrow
This species is common on the wes t cose t in the spring and fall. It breeds (quite commonly in suitable localities) on the Buchans Plateau and Gros Horne in aeneral. I am including it here because it aa.ms so rare on the Avalon, whereas this spring and fall migrations on the weat coast are very spectacular. I have recorded it only a few times on the Avalon (as early as March 22, 1959). It is a species one would expect at feeders at St. Johnts in winter. However, the only winter record I have ia a single bird at Oxen Pond, on December 20, 1972, reported by Bernard Jackson.
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291. Ch i pping Sparrow
Seemingly, mostly restricted to the west coast (St. Anthony, Main Brook, Gros Horne, Rames, Codroy Val l ey) . Outside of this rather narrow distribution, a si n gle bird has been recorded at Gander. Mrs . Reid's r a t he r r egular notes give a range of occurrences from May 2 , 1 968 to October 1, 1965.
292. Fi e l d Spar r ow
Two birds, November 8 - December 8 , 1968 r ecor d e d a t Ramee by Mrs. Reid, who examined it as close l y 8S t wo feet from her living room window , 1s the only r ec o r d so fa r.
3 00. Chestnut- collared Lonsspur
A male Chestnut- collared Longspur photographed by s t ill and motion- picture cameras at Mrs. Reid's feed i n g sta t ion at Rames , June 7- 13. 1965 1s the only record. (See Au d ubon Field Notes, August 1965, Vol. 19, No.4 a n d Ca n . Fi eld Nat. 86(4): 382 - 383, 1972.)
WATERFOWL NOTES
Leslie M. Tuck Research Scientist
Wh il e on the Nor t hern Peni nsula this spring two species of Waterf owl we re
observed that are reco rded as un colllTlOn i n the "Field Check l ist (1975) of t he
Bi rds of the Is 1 and of Newfoundl and. "
On May 13 . 1975. in a small pond beside the main road, near Plumb Po i nt ,
a pair of pintail s. (Anas acut a tzitz i hoa). and a pair of mallards, (Anas
p latyrhynchos). wer e observed.
All ponds were open at the time and Waterfowl were cOfIITIOn in the area. The
mos t frequentl y obse r ved species were green-winged teal, and black ducks.
Wally Skinner
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~i nk-muskrat i nterre lationshi ps in i nsul ar Newfoundland
Although the muskrat. Ondatra zibethicl)s (Linnaeus) 1s one of the fourteen
marrmals native to insular Newfoundland. it has received very little scientific
attention. Cameron (1958) stated that populations on the island do not reach
as great densities as on the continent. They were, however quite numerous in
some local areas where they are important as a source of supplementary income
to trappers. However, fur returns for the past eight years indicate a decline
in the muskrat populat1ons.
Popular belief is that the mink. Mustela vison. introduced to the island
some years ago is the sole cause of this decline. Between the years 1935 - 1971
when mink ranches were in operation (see fig. 1) mink were sporadically
escaping to the wild in varying numbers. Since then they have been successful
in establishing a feral population and dispersing throughout the island.
Numerous studies of the feeding habits of mink have been conducted in
both r~orth America and Europe. Some of these dealt exclusively with the mink's
impact on muskrats populations. I feel that the Newfoundland situation has two
unique features which justify a study of this type. One feature is that the
muskrat on the island have evolved in the absence of mink predation. Hence.
one would expect that the muskrat's behavior would reflect this. ie. lack of
behavi or; a 1 defence agai ns t the mi nk. Secondly. other studies have dealt wi th
muskrat populations that construct lodges. With few exceptions the muskrat of
Newfoundland are exclusively bank dwellers. Even in areas where lodges are
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'"e constructed they are built only late in the fall (October - November) and would
therefore only be used as winter feeding stations. Therefore the Newfoundland
muskrat may be more vulnerable to mink predation than their mainland counterparts.
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MAP OF
,.. ,... "'.
r1
FIG. I.-Location and number of mink ranches on insular Newfoundland. 1937-1971.
(Fi g . 1. Taken from: Northcott. Payne. and Hercer).
During the 5UrtJ1'Ier of 1974 I began a study of the musk.rat 1n insular
.e Newfoundland. This study, which wi'll continue until 1976, will contribute new
data on the biology of the specfes. Also, it should be possible at the end of
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the study to know if the mink is a significant factor in the decrease of muskrat
populations in some sections of the island.
Ken Curnew
References:
Cameron, A. W. 1958. Marrrnals of the islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. National Museum of Canada Bulletin t~o. 157
Northcott. Tom H .. Neil Payne and Eugene Mercer. 1974. Dispersal of mink in ; nsular Newfoundl and. Journal of MalllTla 1 09Y. 55(1): 243-248.
Editors note: Ken CUrnew is a graduate student working for his Master of Sci ence degree in Biology at the University of New Brunswick. The Newfoundland Wildlife Division has an agreement with U.N.B. whereby graduate students who have finished their course work at that university may carry out thier research project in thi 5 prav; nee 1 provi ding a mutually agreeable project is avai 1 ab 1 e. Ken is a Newfoundlander. from St. John's.
HERE AND THERE
Adopt a Stre am
In 1974 the Izaak Walton League of America launched a plan called "Save our StreBllls--Adopt One.1t The l eague suggested that local natural history clubs. or other si milar organizations, could take long term responsibility for maintaining a local stream (or portion of a stream) in prime cond ition. It was reported to have been highly successful. Some British Columbia natural histo ry clubs followed the league's lead in 1975.
Interested? You may obtain an "action kit" showing how to proceed with stream preservation by writing to: Save our S treams. 1W1A. Suite 806, 1800 North Kent S treet . Arlington. Virginia. U.S.A .• 22209. Cost is $3.25 U.S. funds.
An "Adopt a Park lt plan, born about the same time, is also creating much interest.
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Raptor Electrocution on Power lines
Recent studies in the U.S. indicates that power lines are a real threat to local populations of eagles and other large raptors.
For the period 1969- 71 in the mountainous western states there was a documented loss of over 300 eagles by electrocution. In the mid - western states the losses were lower. 136 eagles in 1972. 121 in 1973.
Raptors are probably attracted to power- l ine poles because the poles provide elevated sites that permit a wide radius of vision for hunting.
Wildlands Legislation for Newfoundland
In 1974 several members from the Newfoundland Wildlife O;vision formed a small committee to look at the need for stronger legislation to protect critical wild areas of the province. In the spring of 1975 this committee was considerably strengthened by being made an official "committee of cabinet," and given the mandate to prepare legislation under which critical and important wild areas could be rigidly protected. The committee was renamed "The Wildlands Committee." In addition to three members from the Hildlife Division there are now official appointments from forestry, fisheries . mining, parksrecreation, and the university Biology department.
The committee will present the legislation package to cabinet in the spring of 1976. In the meantime areas to be protected under the legislation are being identified.
"January ••. tight buds on all the trees , the buds containing the leaves and flowers of spring, the whole leaf-crop, flower-crop. fruit-crop of summer. II
Virginia S. Eifert January, 1949
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VlEWPOINT VIEWPOINT VIEWPOINT VIEWPOINT VIEWPOINT OINT VIEWPOINT VIEWPOINT VIEWPOINT VIEWPOINT VIEW EWPOINT VIEWPOINT VIEWPOINT VIEWPOINT VIEWPOINT VIEW
As the ponds in Newfoundland are cooling down and as the ice i& forming at the end of 1975 a new magazine has appeared. This column in this first issue of the new "Osprey" is about the ponds which are one of the major features of the landscape.
Ponds have a life of their own which is responsible for the condition of their &urface and margins as well as the water quality.
As the water slows its pace between inflowing and outflowing streams a special group of plants and animals survive and complete their life cycles. They use the materials and energy available to them in the pond and its surroundings.
Green algae cells singly and together float mysteriously while absorbing sun energy for their orderly successive cell divisions. They take up carbon dioxide and minerals from the water while releasing oxygen to it. Fish, caddisflies, diving beetles and hydra are some of the animals moving through the water collecting energy-rich substances made by the plants. Both groups are absorbing oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide in respiration. These processes along with those of climate and geology are behind some of our loveliest pond scenery.
It is said to be very difficult to evaluate natural habitats. Are rare species in places distant from centres of population more valuable than common species in cities? Both are valuable. but natural habitat in or near cities should be valued more highly because it will be experienced at first hand by more of us. Actually. natural habitats are being evaluated virtually every day. Decisions are being made about the routing of roads e.g. the Arterial Road, the Parkway. about disposal of sewage and the drainage run-off from roads all the time. These decisions which involve placing a value on natural habitat, are made on the basis of the priorities of the decision maker; high priority for reducing expenses, low priority on saving natural habitats.
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A little experience in trying to influence decisions concerning the scenic values of Kents Pond convinced me that we need a ward system in St. John's . With a ward system each area has a live in councillor . "h en a pond is threatened or needs restoration there is no one councillor to speak for the interests of the people who live near that pond. Instead, every councillor reacts to the demands of a large group who 1 lve elsewhere and use the route by the pond to go to work.
For the benef; t of the 1 i fe of the ponds and those people who live near them, I am hoping for a ward system before the next election.
Also I am hoping that citizen groups, like the Natural History Society will pressure the candidates in the next municipal election to develop policies which give a high priority to the preservation and restoration of the beauty of our ponds.
Joan Scott Biology Department Memorial University
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THE LAST PAGE
There are a number of authors whose works have special appeal in these nervous and uncertain times. When space permits I would like to bring some of these people to you,. (Editor)
Thoreau: IIStanding on the snow-covered plain, as if in a pasture amid the hills, I cut my way first through a foot of snow, and then a foot of ice, and opened a wi ndow under my feet, where, kneel i n9 to drirk 1 I look down into the quiet parlor of the fi shes. pervaded by a softened 1 i ght as through a wi ndow of ground 91 ass. with its bright sanded floor the same as in surrmer; there a perennial waveless serenity reigns as in the amber twillight sky. corresponding to the cool and even temperanent of the inhabitants . Heaven is under our feet as we 11 as over our heads II !
( ' Walden and Other Writings of Henry David Thoreau'. Modern library. 1950. Page 253).
Aldo leopold: lilt is in midwinter that I sometimes glean from my pines something more important than l'Ioodlot politics, and the news of the wind and weather. This;s especially likely to happen on some gloomy evening when the snow has buried all irrelevant detail, and the hush of elemental sadness lies heavy upon every living thing . rlevertheless, my pines, each with his burden of snow, are standi ng ramrod-s tra i ght, rank upon rank. and; n the dusk beyond I sense the presence of hundreds more. At such times 1 feel a curious transfusion of courage".
('A Sand County Almanac'. Sierra Club/Ballantine Book. 1970 . Page 93).
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