March 2018 newsletter - Nature Stuffnaturestuff.net/site/images/...newsletter_mar_2018.pdfPECFN...

PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY FIELD NATURALISTS

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PECFN NEWSLETTER

March 2018

REMINDER $15 membership fees are overdue. Please pay at the March meeting or mail to: PECFN Box 414 , Bloomfield, ON K0K 1G0

Dates to Remember March 24 -2pm, Bloomfield town hall inaugural Members’ Meeting South Shore Joint Initiate (SSJI)

March 27- Mike Burrell-eBird Bloomfield town hall 7pm

April 9th Fiddlehead Farms outing

April 24th- Pamela Stagg-Ticks in the County, Bloomfield town hall 7pm

May 12th-20th, PEPtBO Spring Birding Festival

May 14-18 Birding the County outings with PECFN

May 26, 10 am, PECFN Native Plant Sale, Macaulay Mtn.

May 26 APPEC Yard Sale

May 29th Terry Sprague-Bats Bloomfield town hall 7pm

June 9- 10th on the South Shore, Annual Bio Blitz

June 26th 6pm PECFN Annual Awards & Potluck Dinner

Dutchman’s breeches photo B. Durell

Mother and young robins. Photo S. Smith

Spring is on its way ! Check out your March newsletter for exciting upcoming talks, outings and other nature events.


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Tree the County at Seedy Saturday

Tree the County set up a booth at Seedy Saturday on February 24th, to reach out to the public and let them know who we are and what we do. Many visitors showed an interest in our group. Many expressed disappointment that so many large trees have been cut down in the County and not been replaced. People can become very attached to their neighbourhood trees. We met two people who had campaigned vigorously to protect trees nearby their homes in Milford and Black Creek and won the day. Most visitors agreed that more trees should be planted, “Tourists come to experience the beauty of the County. We should make it more beautiful by planting trees.” Nineteen people signed up for participation in the tree inventory. Susan Banks

Sandra Dowds presides over Tree the County exhibit at Seedy Saturday Feb. 24Photo D. Weaver

Past Event

PROTECTtheSOUTHSHORE

TheinauguralMembersMee0ngoftheSouthShoreJointIni0a0ve(SSJI)willbeheldonSaturdayMarch24at2pmintheBloomfieldTownHall.Therewillbeabriefpresenta0onaboutthegroup,theimportanceofthesouthshoreandtheac0onstakensofar.ABoardofDirectorswillbeelectedandtherewillbecelebratorytreatsandcoffeeserved.Membershipswillbeavailablefor$10perindividualor$20perfamily.

OurgoalistoprotectthepubliclandsonourSouthShorefromecologicallyharmfuldevelopmentbyprotec0ngcrownlandseitherasOntarioNatureReservesorasanextensionoftheexis0ngNWAandtoprotectprivatelandfromecologicallyharmfuldevelopmentbypromo0ngtheacquisi0onofprivatelandbypar0eswhowillguaranteepermanentprotec0on.

SaturdayMarch24at2pmintheBloomfieldTownHall.


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Mike Burrell will talk about what/who the Natural Heritage Information Centre is and how contributing to citizen science programs like eBird and iNaturalist helps inform the provincial database of rare species maintained by the NHIC.

Regional editor of e-Bird, helping answer users’ questions, and helping eBirders understand how to more effectively use eBird and why it’s important,

PECFN’s March 27th speaker 7pm, Bloomfield town hall Mike Burrell - eBird

What I really like about eBird is that it is constantly being improved in response to feedback from eBirders.

Gray Catbird photo S. Smith

PECFN members during Spring Birding Festival May 2017Photo A.Sand

Photo S. SmithCommon Goldeneye


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PECFN’s April 24th speaker7pm, Bloomfield town hall

Pamela Stagg An Update on Ticks in the County

We all know about deer ticks, AKA black-legged ticks. Now there’s another tick coming into Canada, the American dog tick. The good news – it’s a lot less of a problem than the deer tick.

In just a few years, ticks have become part of country living. Now that we're used to the deer tick, AKA the black-legged tick, there are two new ticks on the horizon. Pamela Stagg will talk about the state of ticks today.


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PECFN Outing to Fiddlehead Farm with Heather Coffey:Monday April 9th 10am -12 noon

978 Fish Lake Road, between Norton and Gorseline

Come out for a tour of Fiddlehead Farm and see what a small vegetable operation looks like. Heather will take us on a tour of the fields and farm buildings at 10am, highlighting their ecological approaches and slow but steady developments over the last six years. Bring your gardening questions as she's happy to share tips and tricks. We recommend you come prepared to walk the fields (mud boots), and be comfortable spending the two hours in the elements - we'll go on tour rain or shine. There will be at least an hour walking around and then time for questions in a warmer spot (like the greenhouse or by the fire).

There should be plenty of parking up near the house. As it’s spring I will warn folks to follow our instructions (which will likely include staying off the soft muddy grass or known slippery spots). I’ll be out to welcome you all and guide parking. There’s no limit on number of people for the outing. We can always split into two groups if lots of members come. There will be less in storage by then, but still plenty to see around about despite the typical muddy nature that time of year. If you’d like to bring a brown bag lunch to enjoy inside afterwards, we can chat more... Heather

Upcoming Events


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PEPtBO Spring Birding Festival Bird Photography Contest

Celebrating the birds of Prince Edward County

1. Subject: A photo of a bird taken within the last 12 months in Prince Edward County

2. Format: A digital jpg/jpeg file (that can produce at least a 5X7 print at a resolution of 220 dpi). B&W or colour. Exposure, colour and focus corrections are acceptable.

3. Submission: Images must be original and taken by the entrant. Send images to Borys Holowacz ([email protected]). In the subject line put ‘PEPtBO Photo Contest’. Also include your name, address, phone, and when and where the photo was taken. Limit of two entries per person.

4. Deadline: WEDNESDAY MAY 23, 2018

5. Judging: Members and guests at the PEPtBO Annual Meeting, Saturday, May 26, 2018, will vote for a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner. Winning photos will be displayed on PEPtBO’s website. Winners will receive 5 of PEPtBO’s photo greeting cards and winning images will be used (with acknowledgement) for PEPtBO’s line of greeting cards.

6. Submissions: The owner of the photo retains all copyright. By submitting an image to the competition, an entrant grants PEPtBO the right to use and display the image to promote PEPtBO. PEPtBO agrees to acknowledge the image's owner.

Photo by Ellen McPhail

mailto:[email protected]



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Saturday May 12 - World Migratory Bird Day

10 a.m. - Join us for Swallow Day! This free, family event begins at the Observatory with crafts and games led by educator Cheryl Chapman and is followed at 12 noon with a presentation by well-known birder Terry Sprague. This is a free event suitable for all ages

Saturday May 12 to Monday May 21 Visit the Bird Observatory and our hospitality tent for information, refreshments, recent sightings and banding demonstrations

Sunday May 13 – Sunday May 20 Big Week in the IBA Be a part of our ‘Big Week in the IBA’. Everyone is invited to pick up a checklist and map at the Observatory and submit lists of species observed throughout the South Shore IBA anytime during the week. A wrap-up will be held Sunday May 20 at noon at the Observatory with prizes awarded. Help us beat our total of 121 species found last year!

Monday May 21 – Birding the South Shore IBA Join Peter Fuller as we explore the South Shore IBA starting at 5:30a.m. at Lighthall Marsh for wetland species and then visiting grassland, woodland and lakeshore, finishing in the evening listening to Whip-poor-will and owls. Join us for part or all of the day – contact [email protected] for the schedule. This is a free event.

Guided Bird Walks

All walks start at the Observatory. ($5 per person, children under 12 free)

Saturday May 12 8a.m. with Guest Birder Paul McKenzie 10a.m. with Guest Birder Brian Joyce 4p.m. with PEPtBO birder Cheryl Anderson

Sunday May 13 8a.m. with PEPtBO birders Mike Burge & Kathy Felkar 10a.m. with Guest Birder Tom Wheatley

Saturday May 19 8a.m. with Guest Birder Juanita Hummel 10a.m. with PEPtBO birders Mike Burge & Kathy Felkar 4p.m. with PEPtBO birder Cheryl Anderson

Sunday May 20 8a.m. with Guest Birder Kyle Blaney 10a.m. with Guest Birder Juanita Hummel

PRINCE EDWARD POINT BIRD OBSERVATORY – SPRING BIRDING FESTIVAL 2018

PRINCE EDWARD POINT BIRD OBSERVATORY – SPRING BIRDING FESTIVAL 2018

Photo S. Smith




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1 2 3

4

5

Birding the County with PEC Field Naturalists Leaders: Amy Bodman and Sheila Kuja All walks start at 8am $5 – children under 12 free

Mon May 14: Beaver Meadow Conservation Area with famed local naturalist & author Terry Sprague-Entrance - North side of County Rd. 11, 1 km southwest of the intersection with County Rd. 10. Follow the long lane to where we will meet.

Tue May 15: Point Petre Woods and Shoreline with master bird bander& naturalist Joanne Dewey - Meet at County Rd. 24 (Point Petre Rd.) and Army Reserve Rd.

Wed May 16: Sandbanks shoreline from Lakeshore Lodge to West Point with park naturalist Yvette Bree - Follow County Rd. 12 to Lakeshore Lodge Rd. Meet at the end of Lakeshore Lodge Rd. Note: A season ticket to Sandbanks Park or any other Ontario Provincial Park is required per vehicle to park inside the gate.

Thu May 17: Millennium Trail – Hubbs Creek Wetland System - Meet at the intersection of the Millennium Trail and Danforth Rd., across from “Healing with Horses”.

Fri May 18: Little Bluff Conservation Area - 3625 County Rd. 13. Meet at the circular parking lot at the end of the Conservation Area’s driveway.

1. Scarlet Tanager/Brian Durell2. Swainson’s Thrush /S Smith 3. Black throated green warbler /B.Durell

4. PECFN birding outing, Point Petre Woods May 2017 /S.Smith5. Cape May warbler. Brian Durell


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Sunday May 13, 8a.m. – Traverse Woods (Tom Wheatley) Guest Birder Tom Wheatley leads this hike to one of the best sites for migrating warblers, songbirds & waterfowl

Tuesday May 15, 8a.m. – Grassland Birds (Paul Mackenzie) Guest Birder Paul McKenzie leads a trip to grassland habitats in the South Shore IBA

Thursday May 17, 8a.m. – Woodland and Wetland: Beaver Meadow C.A. (Juanita Hummel) Guest Birder Juanita Hummel leads a trip to woodland, grassland and marsh habitats

Friday May 18, 7a.m. – Traverse Woods (Doug McRae) Guest Birder Doug McRae leads a hike to one of the best sites for migrating warblers, songbirds & waterfowl

Friday May 18, 6:30p.m. – Evening Birds and Whip-poor-wills (Juanita Hummel) Guest Birder Juanita Hummel leads a trip to the Miller Family Nature Reserve looking for Woodcock, Whip-poor-will and other evening birds

Please register for the following trips at www.peptbo.ca Each trip is $10 (PEPtBO members) or $20 (non-members) Spaces are limited. Trips last 2-4hr

more…..PEPtBO Guided Birding Trips

Summer Azurephoto/ John F. Foster

photo/ John F. Foster

Whip-poor-willphoto /J. Moore

Black Ternphoto/ Jeremy Patenaude

http://www.peptbo.ca

http://www.peptbo.ca


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Native Plant Sale Prince Edward County Field Naturalists

Macaulay Mountain Conservation Area 224 County Road 8 (by Birdhouse City) Saturday, May 26th 2018 10:00am to 1:00pm

All plants nursery grown

Join us for our annual PECFN Native Plant Sale May 26 at Macaulay Mountain.


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PoetrybyJCSulzenko

fromSouthShoreSuite Poems

Wheredoesshegofromhere?

Asawturns

Roundandround

Searsthebark

Slicesthroughtheyears

Onlytheroots

Andthestump

Remain

Ofthebirch

Thatheldbirdscloseinitsboughs

Thatlentitssaffronlighttoautumnleaves

TocossettheearthinWinter

Whocares

Ifenterprisinggroundhogshollowedthebase

Orif

Thatbranch,theoneontheleft,wasjagged

Orthata

black-saucerfungusladderedthetrunk

Itwasstillatree

Golden-crowned Kinglet in Birch treePhoto S.Smith

Downy Woodpecker in Birch tree photo S. Smith


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BATS of Prince Edward County

How well do you know the bats of Prince Edward County? Terry Sprague looks at the six species that have been identified in our County. As well, he explores the world of “myth-conceptions” about bats getting into your hair, loving the taste of blood and being blind (as a bat). The presentation is full of fun, facts and flights of bats and some of the challenges they face today, and how we can help in their survival.

May29,2018speaker

BloomIieldTownHall,7pm

TerrySprague

BATS Myth & Mayhem


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Join us for PECFN’s Annual Potluck and Awards Night, 6pm on Tuesday June 26 at the Bloomfield town hall.

We'll be having a pot-luck dinner again at our June meeting and annual awards will be given out at that time. The nomination sheets for the awards will be sent out as a separate email at the beginning of April and should be returned by, or at, the May 29th meeting.

Note cards featuring the beautiful photos of birds and natural scenes of Prince Edward County by Wellington photographer Sydney Smith are available for sale to order.Contact her at [email protected]. 613-399-5084




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Minutes of the Executive Meeting Prince Edward County Field Naturalists

Picton Library March 6, 2018, noon-2:00 p.m.

Present: Sue Banks, Amy Bodman, Elizabeth Cowan, Sandra Dowds, Gerry Jenkison, Sheena Kennedy, Sheila Kuja, Agneta Sand, Myrna Wood

1. Approval of the Agenda The Agenda was approved as presented, with a watershed project added under Outdoor Programs and a request from Sydney Smith added under New Business.

2. Approval of the Minutes The Minutes of the meeting of February 6 were approved as presented.

3. Status Reports (A) February 6 speaker meeting

It was agreed that David Bree's presentation on moths was super.

(B) Membership We have four honorary members and 67 paid-up members.

(C) Treasurer We have a bank balance of $5,240.98. The money belonging to Tree the County has been paid out to them.

(D) Programs Outdoor programs Sue has arranged the use of the Macaulay Heights Quonset hut for the native plant sale on May 26; PECFN will donate $100 to the Air Cadets for the use of their space. She has been discussing with Peter Fuller the plants to be provided, including native grasses. Volunteers are needed to pot the seedlings: there is a schedule on Peter's website where people can sign up for four-hour stints. Peter doesn't grow trilliums, so Sue may go to Grow Wild to get some, as they're very popular sale items. It was agreed to that a colour ad would be placed in the Wellington Times on May 16 and a black&white ad in the Picton Gazette on May 24.

Gerry reported on the tree planting project. The County doesn't seem to have any preferences in the matter, so arborist/advisor Justin Dart will be contacting the Head Curator of the County's museums to see if there are museums that would like new trees planted on their grounds and would be willing to look after them while they get established. Tree the County will be approaching councillors about the County's Tree Policy.

The outing to Heather Coffey's farm will take place on April 9. Sandra will circulate a notice to the membership.

On April 11, PECI students are slated to measure as much of the South Shore watershed as possible, to see whether MNR's figures are correct. They will be checking the depth, width and flow rate of as many small watercourses as they can. Adults with cars will be needed to drive the students. Police checks may be required of the adult volunteers, and time may not allow for this.

The first outing to Main Duck Island is tentatively scheduled for June 12, with June 14 as the weather date. So many people have already expressed an interest that a second outing will be arranged for later on. Sheena suggested that interested people be asked to pre-pay by mid-May.

There was some uncertainty about whether a tour of Diana Beresford-Kroeger's arboretum was possible. Sue will sound her out.

Indoor programs March 27: Mike Burrell/Citizen Science, specifically programs like eBird and iNaturalist. Amy will introduce and Gerry will thank. Gerry will look for a photo of Mike on the eBird website to send to Sandra for the poster. April 24: Pamela Stagg/Ticks in the County. Sandra will introduce and Amy will thank. May 29: Terry Sprague/Bats of Ontario. Sandra will introduce and Gerry will thank. June: potluck supper, either in the Bloomfield Town Hall if Sandra can book it or out at Sandbanks if the weather is cooperative.

Amy has been in touch with Paul Catling about a fall speaking date. She would like to schedule Erling Armson as well, and find someone who knows about eels and the role they used to play in feeding indigenous people of the County.

(E) White Pines and Amherst Island tribunals APPEC is waiting to hear from Justice Kershman and from the ERT. The load-limits issue is going back to Council on March 27, with staff recommendations.

(F) Terry's Conservation Area booklets Myrna said Terry is still working on the booklets. In the meantime, Sue has created (photographs and text) a beautiful booklet for children on woodland wildflowers. She is going to ask Print Practice to give her as estimate on printing several dozen that we could sell.

(G) BioBlitz Sheila has lined up a number of experts for this summer's BioBlitz, on June 9-10, and applied for a Biodiversity Education and Awareness Network (BEAN) grant in the amount of $500.00. The total budget will be in the area of $1,200.00. She has placed

notices in “Nature Matters' and on the PEPtBO website, and will be sending material to Terry for his Nature Stuff website.

(H) PEPtBO “Nature Matters” will be appearing soon, with a list of the walks PECFN has organized for the Birding Festival (May 16-24). Some of these have been duplicated by PEPtBO organizers, so Amy will ask Peter Fuller to keep PECFN informed, and to send us information for our newsletter.

(I) Ontario Nature The Eastern Region meeting is being held at the Frontenac Provincial Park office on April 21. Elizabeth may not be up to attending. Amy will check if she is available to take Myrna. The ON AGM is scheduled for June 1-3 at Isaiah Tubbs, but no further information has been received about it.

(J) South Shore Joint Initiative A deputation to County Council on March 1 asked for Council's support for the SSJI proposal to protect the South Shore. It will be coming back to Council with staff recommendations on March 27. Letters have been sent to the appropriate federal and provincial ministers asking them to consider the South Shore as part of the Canadian commitment to protect 17% of its land by 2020. The SSJI has had meetings with MPP Todd Smith and MP Neil Ellis; the latter needs an expression of municipal support before he can take action. There will be an AGM at 2:00 p.m. on March 24 in Bloomfield Town Hall, and all PECFN members will be encouraged to attend.

(K) Millennium Trail Amy reported that the plans for the eco-passages have yet to be finalized.

(L) Newsletter The deadline is March 20.

(M) Tree the County The booth at Seedy Saturday attracted a lot of people concerned about the feeling of mature trees and the lack of replanting to replace them. Getting the general public on-side is extremely important, and there will be another booth at County Blooms. The County will be asked whether it would be willing notify property owners in Bloomfield of the planned Neighbourwoods Tree Inventory there.

(N) Awards Sheila would like to present awards again this year at the June potluck. She suggested that members be asked to submit nominations and that Lorie and Myrna form a committee to select winners of the awards (not necessarily in all categories). The idea was approved by the Executive with one abstention.

(O) Official Plan The draft County of Prince Edward Official Plan is being presented today. Amy and Myrna will be attending to see what is proposed for the wetlands along the Millennium Trail.

4. New business Sydney Smith would like the club to let members know that she can sell them copies of her photographs and take orders for notes and Christmas cards. After discussion it was decided that Sandra could mention this in the newsletter, which has often benefited from Sydney's photographs. In the past the club has had meetings where members were allowed to being items to sell; perhaps this could be revived closer to next Christmas.

3. Next meeting Tues., April 3, noon-2:00 p.m., in the Picton Library's upstairs room.

March 2018 newsletter - Nature Stuffnaturestuff.net/site/images/...newsletter_mar_2018.pdfPECFN...

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