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Nature Link

With Blake Mann

Miscellaneous nature notes

Tuesday, December 10, 2002

The December 4 meeting of the Sydenham Field Naturalists featured SFN member Vicki McKay, Species At Risk Biologist stationed at Point Pelee National Park. Vicki spoke about various species at risk, and how they are classified according to COSEWIC. She briefly discussed various reasons why species are becoming endangered, and some things we can do to help their cause. Emphasis of her presentation was placed on species and projects found at Point Pelee. Various programs are underway in the park and some of these are:
Turtles At Risk: In the last year, 1599 turtles were marked, the most numerous being Painted and Snapping. At total of nine species have been recorded in the park over the years, including two introduced. Others found in the survey were Map, Blandings, and Stinkpot. No Spotted have been recorded in recent years, as well as no Spiny Softshell within the park boundary.
Fishes At Risk: This is a two-year study looking at the decline of native species, and the impact of non-native species.
Piping Plover Survey: This will be a continuing study of the shorebird species. The last nest was recorded in 1938. Some suitable beach habitat is available and will be watched.
Middle Island Inventory: This is a study of the many species at risk on the island now under Point Pelee jurisdiction. At least 33 are known.
Flying Squirrel Recovery Plan: This is a success story, as last year between 700-800 of these mammals were estimated to live in the park. They were almost extirpated many years ago. The number is considered almost sustainable.
To look at species and species at risk in North America check:  HYPERLINK "http://www.natureserve.org/"; http://www.natureserve.org/

The next meeting of the SFN is on January 8, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome at ECR International, Olsen Division at 6800 Baseline Rd. in Wallaceburg. It is Member Night, but anyone is welcome to attend and see what members have been up to in the natural world during the past year.

The TROPICAL KINGBIRD was last seen near Erieau on November 30. Many birders were there the next day to try and check it off on their "winter" list, but were disappointed. It has not been seen since that last day of November. The very cold weather started on December 1, and has continued, making the likelihood of its survival almost nil. Fortunately almost anyone with an interest in birds managed to see it at least once. Possibly over 1000 people came to see this fascinating visitor from the south.

The recent cold weather has brought in many HERRING GULLS to the St. Clair River. I have noticed over the years that when we have a very cold December, gulls seem to congregrate on the river. The year 1995-96 was no exception when I found an Arctic visitor, an Ivory Gull, north of Sombra. I always hope for a Ross's Gull, an even rarer species. On December 1 this year, one was seen at Niagara Falls.
On December 7, I checked out the river all the way to Sarnia, and found hundreds of Herring Gulls. There had to be at least 1500 at the head of Stag Island and off Shell Oil Dock. I also picked out two Glaucous, a few Great Black-backed, and some Ring-billed. I believe this had to be the most gulls I've seen in one area on the river in all the years I have been birding. There were also several hundred around the area of Lambton Generating Station. I went out on Sunday Dec. 8 and added a first winter Iceland Gull north of Cathcart Park.
Quite noteworthy was a Snow Goose (blue morph) south of the Lambton G. S. This was the first one I have ever seen on the river.
Ducks were few, but a good variety was seen that day. At Cathcart Park, there were Redhead, Canvasback, Lesser and Greater Scaup, Common and Hooded Merganser, Goldeneye, Bufflehead, and 7 Gadwall. Gadwall is always a good duck in the winter. Also of note were at least 25 Mute Swans on the river, not a good sign. Although a beautiful bird, they are non-native and are very aggressive towards native species. They donít allow other waterfowl to nest anywhere near them, and are destructive to the marshes.
A pair of Mute Swans nested on Walpole last spring across from SnyeView Orchards. They had six young (cygnets), but all were eventually ětakenî by Snapping Turtles. As far as I was concerned, it was a good thing. They are increasing in numbers, and are especially noticeable on Lake St. Clair in the summer.

Upcoming Christmas Bird Counts are Wallaceburg Dec. 28, and St. Clair NWA January 4 (not Jan. 5 as previously indicated).