October 2005

• Volume 36, No.4

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•

THE

OSPREY NATURE JOURNAL OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

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Cover Arh\ork: Boreal 0\\ 1 (Aegolius funereus) is a pen and ink drawing by Warwick Hewiu, Graphic e Artist (Relired), Sir Wi lfred Grenfe ll College, Comer Brook. NL.

THE

• OSPREY

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NATURE JOURNAL OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

Oclober 2005

CONTENTS

PAPERS, REPORTS & BIRD REPORTS: The spring migration (2005) in Saint-Pierre ct Miquclon

by Roger Etchcbcrry

The nesting season (2005) in Saint-Pierre ct Miquclon by Roger Etchcbcrry

Report on Foray Newfoundland & Labrador 2005 by Andrus Voilk

Ripple Pond by Ed Hayden

A Newfoundland Invasion by European Vagrants by Ken Knowles

A possible ship collision with a Sowcrby's beaked whale (Mcsoplodon bidcns) by Wayne Ledwell, Jon Lien and Denis Wakeham

NEWFOUNDLAND INSECTS:

Short-winged Grasshopper by Dave Larson

SNIPPETS:

A Few Recipes for Christmas by Laura Trcv isan and Robin Day

In Memoriam - Barry May

Wi ld Things Scholarship Announcement

Volume 36, No.4

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The Natural History Society

•

Dear Membership,

I am excited to see this Osprey is taking a new feel. This Osprey has a diverse range of articles. To start the cover a beautiful drawing of a the Boreal Owl by artist Warwick Hewitt. Roger Etcheberry gives us all the bird ing infonnation from St.-Pierre and Miquelon for the spring migration and the nest-ing season. Andrus Voitk gives us a report on the Foray Newfoundland and Labrardor 2005. Ed Hayden tells us about the Natural History Society trip to Ripple Pond and some of the environmental issues of the area. This fall has been a boon with vagrant birds from Europe and Ken Knowles gives us the scoop on the new birds on the block. We also have a paper on a Sowerby's beaked wha le and it's possible collision with a prope ller. Every late summer I am astounded at how many grasshoppers I find in my yard. It seems at times to be alive with them. Dave Larson tells us a little more about the Short.winged Grasshopper that is found in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is getting toward Christmas, and while you e are enjoying a little time ofT you might want to try one of our rec ipes from Laura Trevisan and Robin Day. Finally we remember the life of Barry May who served on the Humber executive and was a long time member of the soc iety.

I do you hope you all have a great Christmas and I look forward to your articles in the new year.

Sincere ly,

El izabeth ZedeJ. Osprey Editor

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The spring migration (2005) in Saini-Pierre el Miquelon by Roger Etchcberry

June 23, 2005

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/_ ~ __ ,,-." "- Although the weather was better than last year, the incred ibly ~ persistent easterties prevented the American bi rds to arrive on time.

( (Several species did not make it before the end of the period which

I I I is rather rare. A few in teresting birds were seen anyway, some from , _ Europe (a very exciti ng one !), and a few un usual species.

Red-t hroa ted Loon : Two at Langlade on May 15 (FPA) and one, same area and same dale (BL). Common Loon : No large concentrations noticed this spring, there was a max imu m of 19 off Cape Miquc lon on March 17; 3 1 off the west coast ofMiquelon on March 24 and 41 off the Cape on Apri l 24 (RE). A max imum of 10 birds were reported in sOlilhem S1. Pi erre on March 23 (PA). Red-necked Grebe : A rath er poor season thi s year ! T here was a maxim um of 5 1 birds off Cape Miqucloo 0 0 March 27 (RE) - maximum 200 last year -. The max imum numbcr fo r SI. Pierre was 55 on March 12 (BL). Northern Fu lmar : 4 birds Nonh-east of Col om bier island on May 25 (TV/PS). Sooty Shea rwater : One only, south-east of S1. Pierre on May 31 (TV). Ma nx Shearwater: About IS togetheroffS1. Pierre island (PS) on May 2S while TV had 4, North-east

of Col om bier is land the same day. Nort hern Gannet : 2 and 4 on March 26 and 27 respec tively (SL) are record early. The best date was March 30, 2002. Few other reports; about 20 birds were reported by TV offS1. Pierre on May IS. Do uble-c rested Cor morant : The firs two birds were secn in Miquc lon on April 24, then fai rly common ly from May 3 on, none reported from S1. Pierre. Grea t blue Heron : One in S1. Pierre between March 15 and 25 (PS/SA). Canada Goose: T he first three were seen on the Isthmus by FD on March 10. Eleven were seen arriving in St. Pierre on March 20 (Jerry Arrossamena). Fai rly common then and well reported , most ly in Mique lon and the Isthmus. The first brood of 4 was located on Mirande lake by Jean-C laude De tcheverry on May 20. There were two broods of 4, aged a fcw days on the Isth mus on May 29 (RE). There are a lso numerous non breeders around. E urasian Wineon : The fema le that over-wintered successfu lly in S1. Pierre was seen severa l times in March and earl y Apri l (PS/ PA). It left between April [[ and 15 (PA). A breeding plumaged male was on the Isthm us on May 2 [ (RE). American Wioeon : There was a male on the Isthmus on May 31 (RE). America n Black d uck: The highest number at Grand Sarachois was 317 on March 24 (RE). Nu merous other reports throughout the season, as usual they scatter on va rious ponds and marshes as soon as there is open water (M. ob.). Mallard : One pair was in Mique lon between April [0 and 20 (RE/ FD). Blue-winged Tea l : One male was seen and photographed in S1. Pi erre between April 20 and 28 (PSI SUDG). One pa ir was also in St. Pierre on May 7 (PS). Northern Pjntail : The fi rst male was seen on the Isthmus on AprilS (RE) and a few up to April 19. On April 20 there was a pair on Mira nde lake (RE) , one pair in 51. Pierre (PS) and 13 on the Isthmus (FD) . Fairly common, then, most ly on the Isthmus, about as usua l. G reen-wi nged Teal : Two males and two females were seen by FD at Langlade on April 20 (average date is April 15). T hen, two pairs were on the Ist hmus on April 27 (RE). Few other reports, few birds li p

76 to the end o f the period (PBIFPAlRE). Common Green-wjnged Tea l : One male was on the salt pond near the vi llage of Miquelon on May 22 (RE). This is only the 3n1 report for our islands. ~ : Two males were seen and photographed on the Isthmus by FPA on May 15. This is the 3nl e report for SPM. Ring-necked Duck: One pai r was seen at Langlade and in St. Pierre on April 20 (PB/FD). There was a pa ir with the Greater Seaups on Mirande lake on Apri l 23 (RE). Few other reports, few birds at a time for SI. Pierre and the Isthmus (RElPB/DG). GUBler Scaun : There was up to 77 birds on the sa lt pond near the village of Mique)on on March 15. As soon as fresh water started to thaw they moved and spread on Mi rande lake and other water bodies from Apri l 5 on (RE). There was a pair in S1. Pierre on April 23 (PB). There was a maximum of 4 1 birds on Mirande lake on April 27 (RE). Tben tbey were more spread OUI, also on tbe lsthmus. Hopefully some wi ll slay to breed. Lesser Scayp : One pair was in SI. Pierre on April 23 (PA). COlll mon Eider: There was a maximum of about 5200 birds south of St. Pierre on Marcb 12 (BL) and from 4 to 5000 off the east coast of the Isthm us on March 17 (Bl). There were about 1000 off the barbour of Miquelon on Marcb 27 (RE). About a thousand birds were off the south-western comer of Miquelon on Apri l 23 (RE) . Diminishing in numbers duri ng tbe month of May on Westem Miqueloo from about 700 on May 3 (RE), to about 500 on May I I (Bl) 10 at least 300 on May 17, 10 about 100 on May 21 and 50 only on May 29 (RE). Harlequin Duck : The soutb-western comer of SI. Pierre seems to become a usual wintering spot. In Marcb and April . There was a minimum of 10 birds on April 23 (Bl) and a max imum of 19 on Marcb 12 (SNBUU). ~: A few were presenl witb other Seater sp. 00 Apri l 23 (RE). White=winged Scoter : 5 were off Mirande lake on Apri l 9 (RE). Among about 150 seater sp. off the e Isthmus on April 23 , most were tbi s species. There were also about 60 Scoters sp. ofT the Isthmus on May 17 (RE). Black Scoter : A few were this species among the 150 scoter sp. ofT the Isthmus on April 23. Long-tailed Duck : Three reports only which hopefully do not reflect the actual presence of the species around! About 20 off the East coast of Miquelon on March 16 (Bl), about IS off the south-western comer of Miquelon on Miquelon on March 23 and about 30, same general area the next day (RE). ~: One male with Goldeneyes at Grand Barachois on April S (RE) is probably the one that over-wintered there. C ommon Goldeneye: There was a maximum of 57 at Grand Barachois on April 9 (RE). l ast seen there : 33 there on April 27 (RE). l ast seen one pair in St. Pierre on May 30 (DG). tloodcd Merganser : One male was in 51. Pierre harbour on Marcb 14 and 15 (LJ). Red-breasted Merganser: Common as usual around the islands. There was a maximum of about 90 b irds at Grand Barachois and 29 off the West coast of Miquelon on March 24 (RE) . .o.w.m : One bird ncar the west coast of Miquelon on April 20 (FO) is the only report. ~: Several observations, about as usual, although 10 birds (4 adults and 6 immature) at Grand Barachois on March 15 (Bl) was rather unusual. The nest on the east coast of Langlade is occupied, as seen on May 14 (LJ /AUBUFD). Northern Harrjer : The first one, a male, was seen near the east coast of Miquclon on April 24 (FO). One was in SI. Pierre on May 4 (Bl ), one female in Miquelon on May 7 and one male on May 29 (RE). Nor thern Goshawk : We have two nesting pai rs, one al langlade seen on Apri l 30 and May 15 (Bl), and one in Miquelon seen on May 3 and 23, RE and RElPB respectively. e RO ll ll h-lcg[lcd Hawk: One in fl ighl heading north above Gra nd Barachois on May 17 (RE). None reported from SI. Pierre! .

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Americlln Kestrel: One bird on western Langlade on May 28 (FO). M.crlin.: Few observations, between May 4 and May 24 (REIDUDG/PB/FPA). Peregrine t~alcon : One at Cape MiqucJon on March 2 (LJ); One ncar the west coast of Miquelon on March 27 (FO) and one in South-eastern Miquclon on May 1 (B L). Black-bellied Plover : One on ly, seen three times, on March 24, Apri l 23 and May 6 on the Isthmus (RE) is probab ly the one thai over-wintered there. Sewjpalmated Plon[ : While 3 fairly early ones were in 51. Pierre on May 4 (TV) the first one was nol seen in Miquelon before May 21 (RE). One on ly was seen the next day (RElPB) these afC the only report for the season! Pipin!' Plove r : One only was near the Gully of Grand Barachois on May 6 (R ElDL). Visils to the sou thern pan of tile Isthmus on May 7 and 17 didn ' t reveal any birds (RElDl). Killdecr ; One only near the vi llage of Miquelon 0 11 May 7 (RE). Crellfcr Ycllowlegs : The first one was seen on the Isthmus on April 20 (FD). Three were on the shore of Mirande lake on April 22 or 23 (Cyril Detcheverry). Fa irly regu lar then up to May 29 in Miquelon, the Isthmus and 51. Pierre (m. ob.).

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lesser vellowlegs: Wh il e jogging along Mirande lake on May 30 I flushed a yellowlegs that gave twice the characterist ic two~notc ca ll. The bird was not seen on subsequent visi ts. Soljlan' Sandpiner : One bird was seen and photographed in Sa int-Pierre on May 7 by PB, see; h.J.m.; /lwww patrickbQCz cOID/Ga leriesiGaierie%200iseauxiPageslchcvaljer solitil ire htm . lliJ.!£..l : None seen thi s spring! Spotted Sandpiper: On or two heard near the east COilst of Miquelon on May 22 (RElPB). 3 bi rds were along Mirande lake shore on May 30 (RE). No other reports! Red Knot : One on ly in company with a Black~bellied Plover on the Isthmus on March 24 and April 23 ( RE) . ~ : 8 birds, one almost in full breeding plumage, probab ly oveHvinterers. were on the Isthmus on May 17 (RE). Least Sandpjper : One onl y was near Grand Barachois on May 6 (DURE). In 1983 on ly one bird was that early. Rather sca rce this spring. no other reports except 4 birds together near the vi llage ofM iquelon on May 22 (RElPB). Pum)£' SandnjP'.T : There was a maximum of 44 birds near the vill age ofMiquelon on March 2. 34 birds were in SI. Pierre harbour on March 7 (Bl) and 27 on April 1 (PA). )}unlin : Three birds nca r Grand Barachois with a Black~bell ied Plover on May 6 were certainl y over­win terers (RE). Common Snim: ; The first one was seen near Mirande lake on April 28 (RE). Regularly then. about as usual (m. ob.). Black-headed Gull; One immature in SI. Pierre harbour was the onl y one of the month and the lasl of the season on March 15 (PA). None seen elsewhere! Rjnu-billcd Gull: One first year immature was sli li in SI. Pierre harbour on March 5: the firs t migrant was seen. same spot, on March 26 (PA). Regu lar from April 1 on (m. ob.) very numerous as usual. in SI. Pierre harbour. Grand Barachois ctc. !ceblnd Gull: last Olles fo r the Isthmus were one adu h and one immature on April 23 (RE) while the last observati on for SI. Pierre harbour was one on May 21 (PA). Lesser Black-hacked Gul! : One, first spring immature in SI. Pierre on May 25 ( PA). G lauco ll s G ul! : One immature in SI. Pierre on March 19 and April 20 (PA). Black-legged Kjlliwakc : They were back on the cliffs of Cape Miquclon on March 12 (JPA) . Caspian Tnll : Two were in SI. Pierre on May 22 (FPA), and one on May 26 (TV). Common Tern: The first pair was seen in SI. Pierre (where a few bred for the last 1 or 2 years) on May 28 (PA). There were about IS birds on the islet of Mirande lake by May 29 (RE).

78 Arctjc/Common Tern : The first ones were seen on the Isthmus on May 17 (RE). There were at least 250, also on the Isthmus on May 21 (RE). Common since! ... R.az2.r.bill: About 20, at a distance, near Cape MiqueJon on April 24 (RE). Very few along the cliffs of • Southern Langlade on May 14 (RElLJ/BUFD/AL). No reports from SI-Pierre ! . Black Gujllemot : A few were in breeding plumage on March 27, whi le it was the case for most of them on April 17 (RE). Allantic Puffin : They were very numerous around Colombier island on Apri l 26 (RE). Several thousands were there on April 29 (8L). Mourning Dove: Most observation around feeders in 51. Pierre throughout the season, apparently no more than 3 or 4 birds (SNFPAlPB). One was near the vi llage of Miquelon on May 8 (RE/DL). ~: One in S1. Pierre on March 2 and 6 (8USA). One was also in St. Pierre on April 17 (U). One was in the vi llage ofMiquelon on Apri l 28 (Cyril and Philippe Oetcheverry). Short-eared Owl : One in SI. Pierre reported between April 20 and May 4 (SAlOG/FPAIBL). ~: One was seen in SI. Pierre on March 2 (SA). One found in a greenhouse in S1. Pierre was photographed and released on March 3 (PS). Ch imney Swift : One near the west coast of Miquelon on May 12 (SL). Belted Kingfisher: Reports for S1. Pierre on ly: one between Apri l 28 and May 10 (PB/FPA). Blac k-backed Woodpecker: One female near the east coast of Miquelon on May 3 (RE). Northern Flicker: An early one, was seen in S1. Pierre on March 21 , this possibly an over-win tering bird, as the next ones was seen only on April 30 whi le SL had several birds on South-western Langlade. A few here and there throughout the month of May Blue-headed Virco : One male was heard singing in Mique lon on May 30 (RE) . .B.J.u.t.1.Iu: : Rather on the low side in St-Pierre, One at SA's feeder on March 10; Two at FPA's feeder on April 17. One heard near Mirande lake on May 25 (RE). American Crow: One was carrying nesting material as early as Apri l 9 near the north-east coast of e Miquelon (RE). Com mon Raven: The two nests on the north-west coast of Cape Miquelon were occupied again this year. One nest on the south-western side of Cape Miquelon had 3 young about J/. adu lt size on May 22 (RElPB). tlorned Lark: A few birds over-wintered in Miquelon and Isthmus as usua l; thcre were at least 7 birds near thc west coast ofMiquel on on March 12 (RE). None reported for St-Pierre, so we do not have a migrant arrival dale! Puw le Martjn : One female at LangJade on May 7 (RElOL). I had one female also in Miquelon a few days earl ier. Tree Swallow: The first two were in S1. Pierre on May 9 (PS) Two were in western Langlade on May 28 (FO). One was in Miquelon May 29 (RE) and 3 also in SI. Pierre on May 3 1 (PS). Barn Swallow: Two were in St. Pierre on May 5 (OG); about ten , same area two days laler (FPA). 5 and 3, also in SI. Pierre on May 14 and 24 respectively (SAlPA). 5 or 6 were near the vi llage of Miquelon on May 22 (RElPB). Borea l C hickadee: Fairly common, rather well reported throughout the season (m. ob). Red-breasted Nutha tch : A few birds in the three islands between April 2 and the end of the period (m. ob.) We have a first nesting evidence for the island of St-Pierre : 2 working on a tree hole on April IS and one carrying nesting material on May 7 (PS). 8ro\\ n Creepu : One at Langlade on April 19 (FO). This is a rather rare bird here! Winler Wren : The firs t one was heard singing near Mirande lake on April 24 (RE) and at Langlade on April 30 (BL). 15 other reports from May 3 and 30 in the three islands (only on 3 occasions in SI. e Pierre). (BUPB/RElDLlFPA). Go ldt·n-crowncd Kinglet: On the low side around here! 6 reports on ly between March 12 and May 7,

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mostly in Miquclon and Langlade (FrAiRE/PB). Rubv-crowned Kinoic1 : The first pair was spoiled by FPA in St. Pierre on April 22. One was in my garden on April 25. Regularl y then and rather common between May [ and 30 (m. ab.) . Swainson 's Thrush : On in SI. Pierre on May 3 1 (SA). l'lcrmit T hrush : At least 4 or 5 birds were in St. Pierre on May 7 (PB); 3 birds were also seen in the same island on the same day (SA). The first two were heard singing in Mique lon on May 23 (RE/PB). Hcard singing fairly regularl y near Mirande lake up to the end of the period (RE). ~: One bird was photographed in 51. Pierre on Apri l 10 by Denis Moulin! ... This is of course a fir st for our is lands.

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Americ an Robin: There are severa l observa tions for the month of March, of up to 10 birds in Miquelon on March 12 (JPA/ FD). So the first migrants were diffi cult to tell apart! They were reported as rather common, indicating some mi gration only from April 7 on (m. ob.). C ray Ca tbi rd : One near the vi llage of Miquelon on May 17 (JCH). Ameri ca n Pip it: One lone bird was near the village of Miquelon on March 28 (RE). Cedar Waxwing : One in SI. Pierre on May 3 1 (TV). Magnoli a Wa rhl er : One near Mirande lake on May 3 1 (RE). Yellowrumped Warhle r : The first mi grants were seen simultaneously in Mirande, the Isthmus and SI. Pierre on May 6 (REtFPA). Fairly common thereafter (m. ob.) although fa r from numbers seen many years ago! There was a good mi gration noticed on May 3 1 both in SI. Pi erre and Mique lon (PBrrVtRE). Black-throated C rec n Wa rbler: One on ly on May 3 1 in Miquelon (RE). Pa lm Wa rbler: The first two were spotted by PB in SI. Pi erre on April 28. 17 o ther observations during the month of May, few at a time in the three islands (m. ob.). Black poll Wa rhler : First ones seen both in 51. Pierre and in Miquelon on May 30 (RE/P8). A few in SI. Pierre the next day (PB) . Black a nd White Wa rbler: Two or three birds ncar the village ofMiquelon on May 17 (JCH). One only singing in Miquelon on May 23 (PBt RE). One on the Cape Miq uelon the next day (PB). A few in SI. Pi erre on May 30 and 3 1 (PB). Northern Watcrtb r llsb : One was singing near Mirande lake on May 22 (one of the la test date !) and a few the next day near the east coast of Miquelon (PB/RE). Regularly heard then in Miquelon and 5 1. Pi erre, in rather low numbers (PB/RE). Common Yellowtbroat : One male in my garden in Miquelon on May 3 1 (RE). Wilson 's Warb ler: Th ree near SI. Pierre airport on May 3 1 (PB). Summcr Tanaucr: One fema le was seen and photographed in SI. Pi erre on the earl y date of April 12 (PB). Savanmlh Sparrow : The first ones were seen simultaneously in SI. Pi erre and in Miquelon on April 28 (PBtRE). Regularly then , about a usual (REt FPAlPA). Fox Spa rrow: What appeared to be a migrant, was seen in SI. Pierre on Marc h 30 and 3 1 (F PA). Well reported from April l on, fair ly common as usual although only from April 7 on (m. ob.). Song Sparrow : A few seem to over-winter regu larly mostly in SI. Pi erre. Two on March 8 at Langlade were more unusual (RE ). Numerous observations throughout the season, in the three islands. Lincoln 's Spa rrow : The first one was nea r Mirande lak e on May 17 (RE) right on average. One was in my garden and one was singing near Mirande lake on May 3 1: on was in SI. Pierre the same day (FPA). Swa mI) Sp arrow : A rat her earl y one was heard by PA in SI. Pierre on April 23, close to the record date of April 2 1, 1999. The nex t ones, fairly scarce, were heard and/or seen from May 15 on (REtPAlFPAI P8) . White-throated Spa rrow : The first ones were seen in SI. Pi erre by P8 : one on April 18 in the fie ld and one at his feeder on Apri l 24. SA had one at her feeder on April 27. Regularl y seen and/or heard in the 3 islands from May 5 all (m. ob.).

80 White=crowned Snarrow : One on the Isthmus and one in SI. Pierre on May 3 1 (RElPB). Da rk-eyed .Iunco : Uncommon except around feeders in the winter, so about ten al Langlade on March 8 were interesting (FPA). Few other observations in the fi eld. From the 3 pairs al their feeder throughout the month of May, FPA had one feeding four young on May 29. Snow Bunting : Fa irly common in Miquelon, around the vill age and elsewhere as usual. Less common in SI. Pierre, 12 on March 8 (SL) and 3 on April 16 (PS) are noteworthy. The last 8 birds were seen on the Isthmus on April 23 eRE) 10 days later than average. Rose-breasted Grosbeak : One male was near Mirande lake on May IS (RE), one in SI. Pierre on May 29 and 3 1 (TV/SA). Red-winged Blackbird: The 2 females reported earl ier at PB's feeder left on April 24. Two females, possibly the same ones were spotted in the field in S1. Pierre by FPA on May 7, and one only on May 12 (PB). There was a singing male near Mirande lake on May 30 (RE). Rusty blackbird : Fairly common and regular in the past, it is now a rather rare bird . One in SI. Pierre on May 6 (FPA). Common G rackle: The 3 birds at PBs feeder left by April 12. One was in the village on April 10 (RE) and 3 the nex t days, reported by Nathalie Lemoine. Two were near Mirande lake on April 20 and one in the vi llage on May 6 (RE). A few in St. Pierre regularly, about as usual (PAlPB). Pine Grosbeak : Vel)' scarce! .... 5 or 6 at LangJade on March 8 (FD) is the on ly report. Purple Finch : Mostly seen around feeders from March 3 to April 8 (SAlFPAlPAlPS) fo r a maximum of 15 birds on March 20 (FPA). Three were in the fie ld on April 8 (FPA) a few on Apri l I I and 15 (PS) and one only on Apri l 16 (PA). None reported for the other islands. White-winged Crossbill : One pair at LangJade on March 8 (FD) while I had a few the same day and same area. About 30 near the east coast of Miquelon on April 6 (LJ). One female was apparen tl y alone near Mirande lake on May 30 (RE). Common Redpoll : At least 5 at PB 's feeder were tenned the first of the season on March 5 (PS). 3 were at FPA's feeder in S1. Pierre the next day. About 15 were at Langlade on March 8 (FD) An apparent arrival seems to have taken place on March 12: about 10 in Northern Miquelon (FD). about 40 Langlade (JPA) and 21 in S1. Pierre (FPA). On March 25 JCH reported about 150 on Cape Miquelon. ~ : Reported for St-Pierre onl y for a maximum of about 20 birds at FPA's feeder throughout the month of March. One adult was seen feeding one young ncar FPA's feeder on May 29. American Goldfinch : Seen in St. Pierre only, about as usual fo r th is now res ident. there was a max imum of 20 at times at PB feeder in May. C ontributors: Frederic & Patricia Allen-Mahe (FPA); Sylvie Allen-Mahe (SA); Jean-Paul Apesteguy (JPA); Pascal Asselin (PA); Patrick Boez (PS); Frederic Disnard (FD) ; Dominique Gouveme (OG); Jacky and Christine Hebert (JCH) ; Laurent Jackman (LJ); Danielle Lebollocq (OL); Bruno Letoumel (B L) ; Th ierry vogenstahl (TV).

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The nesting season (2005) in Sa int-Pierre et Miqueloll by Roger Etcheberry

September 1, 2005

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June and Jul y were acceptable, beller than 2004, nothing exciting thi s season, watching effort was lower than usual. Lack o f mOlivat ion ? busy somewhere e lse? Once aga in the passerine birds were on the low side. Red-throat ed Loon : Reported onl y 7 limes duri ng the period . although some were seen in usual nesting areas, we do not have any ev idence for 2005 (RE/LJ/BL).

Common Loon : Five were off the Isthmus on June 2 and 25 (RE/ LJ). Unusual for a non-breeding spec ies were 7 breeding-plu maged birds and 5 immature ofTtbe Isthmus on Jul y I (RE) . One was heard in fli ght in northern Miquc lon on July 2 1 ( RE).

Northern Fuhnar: 30 or more in t, 2 or 3, otfthe cast coast or st. Pierre on June 5 (T V). One was off the east coast of the Isthmus on June 24 (LJ).

G reater Shea rwate r : Fe w birds reported! ... About ten ofT the east coast of St. Pi erre on June 5 (TV) and at least one with some saNies between St. Pierre and langlade on June 19 (PB).

Sooty Shearwater : Two were off the east coast of St. Pierre on June 4 (TV). A few were between SI. Pierre and Langlade on June 19 (PB). A few were reported by LJ between Mique lon and SI. Pi erre on July I, and several. same area, on July 12 (LJ).

Manx Shearwater : About ten were around Grand Colombier island on June 5 (PB). LJ had a few as above on the sam e dates.

No rthern Gannel : Probably underreported ! 8 o fT th e south coasl of SI. Pi erre on June 6 (Bl) and a few off the west coast of the Isthmus on June 9 ( RE).

Double-crested Cormorant: No breeding survey aga in thi s year. The species was seen regularl y fl ying from the rocks off the east coast o fMiquelon and the salt pond near the village throughout the season. LJ had 45 birds on a pond of north em Miquelon on July 17 and I had 37 in the above-mentioned sa lt pond on July 20.

G real C orOlorant : Almost no data. The spec ies is nesting mainly on Grand Colombier island. This year, a few pairs were back on a fanner breeding site of the north coast of SI. Pierre as seen by U on June 5.

Snowy Eore.: One bird was on a marsh o f the Isthmus on Jul y 28 (fi de PB, & RE).

Canada Goose: There were 12 broods reported this year in Mique lon and the Isthmus and none fo r Langlade ! There was a maximum of65 birds on the usual moulting pond on N. Miqueion on June 26 (LJ).

American Black duck: The only breeding report come from SI. Pierre! One with 6 young on June 9 (PA), and possibly the same with 5 young a month Imer (FPA). 13 were at Grand Barachois on Jul y 27 (RE).

Northern Pinta il: 5 broods onl y were reported this year, mostly on the Isthmus (REfU tBl).

Grcen-wingcd Teal : Several males were observed as usual at the end of June on the Isthmus for a maximum o f 19 on June 27 ( LJ ). There were 3 males and 2 or 3 pairs on a marsh o flhe Isthmus on July 3 and abollt 8 males, same area. July 18 (RE) .

Greater SCilUp : From the winter population o f about 75 birds a few remained on th e Isthmus in June and Jul y, and as expected the re was at least one brood of 8 young aged about 12 days seen on Jul y 18

82 (RE).

Common Eider: There were 4 fema les or immature off the west coast ofMiquelon on Ju ly 26 (RE).

Red-hreasted Merganser : Eleven broods were reported, mostly on the Isthmus with broods ranging e from 4 to 13 (m. a b.). There was also a creche with 23 young on one marsh of the Isthmus on July 18 (RE). The first brood was reported on June 15 .

.Qmm : 3 reports rather unseasonable: one near Mirande lake on June 2 and 20 (Denis Detcheverry & RE respective ly). Three birds were on the south-western tip of Langladc on June 6 (FD).

J!J.kt.....E..r : The nest in Cape Miquelon was not occupied Ihi s year (Ll) -we've heard about a dead adult in Ihis general area this spring-. The nest on the East coast of Langlade had one young (FDfBL) on June 18, and the nest of south-western Langlade had 2 eaglets (fide LJ).

Norlbern Harrier : One male was seen in Miquelon on June 6, 9 and 20 (REIBL) and one male on Langlade centre on Jul y 15 (BL).

ROll gh-legged Hawk: One pair was on Colombier island on July 15 (RE).

Amerjcan Kestrel: Rather unusua l were I bird at Langlade on July 17 and I in SI. Pierre on July 31 (PA).

Mu.lin : No nest found but at least four alarmed birds were seen in Miquelon , Langlade and Cape Miquelon between June 5 and July 22 (BURE).

Black-heWed Plover : One winter-plumaged bird seen on the Isthmus on June 13 and July 18 is probably the one that over-win tered. The first fall migrants, about 20 birds at Grand Barachois were seen on July 28 (RE).

Semipalmated Plover: Three broods were reported, one in Miquelon, onc on thc Isthmus and in SI. • Pierre between June 20 and July 7 (RE/LJ). About 40 birds at Grand Barachois on July 28 and about 30 near the village ofM iquelon on July 30 (RE) were the first fa ll migrants.

Piping Plover : One brood of 4 young aged 2 or 3 days on the southern side of the Gully of Grand Barachois on June 13 was the earl iest ever! One adult with 2 flying young were seen, same area, on July 18 (RE). LJ had 3 nests with 4 eggs each on the other side of the Gully on June 27.

~: One brood of3 young were seen near the vi llage on Miquelon on June 24 (LJ). I saw only 2 young two days later.

Greater yellowlcgs : 7 reports between June I and July 3, onc bird at a timc, in Miquclon and on the Isthmus. 3 birds were along Mirande lake on Jul y 7 (PB). The first migrants, fa irly numerous, were seen regu larly from Jul y 17 on (m. ob.).

Lesse r yellowlegs : Two were with Greaters near Mirande lake on July 7 and one in SI. Pierre on July 17 (PB). There were 8 birds on the Isthmus on Jul y 18 and 28 (RE) and 2 near Mirande lake on July 29 (RE).

Spotted Sandojner : Fa irly common, about as usual. PB had one alanned bird in SI. Pierre on July 5 and saw only one young aged a few days and one alamled bird on lIe-aux-Marins (near SI. Pierre) on Ju ly 12. I had two flying young near Mirande lake on Ju ly 27.

l:Y.hi.m..I.1W : 4 on the Isthmus on June 28 (Gustave Dagort) and 5 the same day, same area, (U) were 4 days earlier than average. There were about 25 birds in SI. Picrre on July 11 (PB) and about 150 on the Isthmus on July 15 (B L).

Ruddy Turnstone: The first migrant appeared on the Isthmus on Ju ly 18, Eleven were present , same e area, on July 28 (RE).

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Red Knot : Two in breeding plumage and onc in winter plumage at Grand Barachois on Ju ne 13 arc probably th e ones that over-win tered (RE). The first migrants were 6 and 26 on the Isthmus on July 18 and 28 respectively ( RE) .

Sandcrlina : 5 were nea r Grand Barachois on July 18, and 4 or 5 on July 28 (RE).

Semipalm;ltcd Sandpiper: About Icn near Grand Barachois on July 28 (RE).

Least Sandpiper: 8 repofts onl y between June I and Jul y \8, few birds at a time (LJ/RE/PB).

White-Rumped Sandpiper: A few were near Grand Barachois on July 28 (RE).

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Short-hilled Dowitcher: About 10 ncar Grand Barachois on July 18 (RE) were 3 days earlier than average (RE). One was photographed in St. Picrre on July 24 -PB- (remember hi s website with nice bird photos: Wwwp'!trick boc? com ). About 20 birds were on the Isthmus on July 28 (RE).

Common Snipe: I had a nest with 4 eggs on a wood clearing near the east coast of Miquelon on June 5. One was alarmed on the Isthmus on Jul y 18 (RE).

Parasitic .Jaeger: One was seen at sea off the east coast of the Isthmus by LJ on June 24.

Black-headed Gull: One adult was on the Isthmus, near Grand Barachois on July 28 (RE).

Ring-billed Gull: About as usual , two nesting sites noted but not investigated near a marsh near Grand Barachois (RE) .

B1ack-legoed Kittiwake: The breed ing success of the colony on Cape Miquelon was not investiga ted th is year. There was a lot of empty eggs near the c liffs of the Cape, indicating a rather serious predation by the two pai rs of Ravens nesting nearby (RE).

Caspian Tern ; One bird was seen near Mirande lake fo r a few days around June 26 (David Detcheverry). Two birds were in SI. Pi erre harbour on July 7 (LJ) .

Common Tern : The colony, composed mostly of thi s species, on an islet on Mirande lake did we ll thi s year benefi ting from a low wate r leve l. PA followed closely the expanding co lony on Savoyard lake in SI. Pierre and had about 13 pairs there on June 8. On July 16 he had about thirty a lanned adults there. Severa l birds nested as usual on a marsh of the Isthmus .

.An.!.k.nrn: Nesting as usual on the Isthmus and Mirande lake in mi xed co lonies. No nestin g evidence thi s year on the north side of the Gully of Grand Barachois (LJ). A few were carrying food on the southern part of the Isthmus on July 18 (PB).

~: Rather unusual were 8 pl us 5 birds oITS!. Pierre on June 3 (TV).

C ommon Murre: A few were around Grand Colombier on June 3 ( PB).

Razorbill : Hundreds were at Grand Colombier on June 3 (PB) and 36 on the northern coast of St. Pierre were they nested in the past, on June 5 (LJ). No more data! .

Black G uillemot: About as usual.

Atlantic PuOin : About as usual on Grand Colombier island "hundreds or thousands" on Ju ne 3 (PB). I toured Grand Colombier island by boat on July 15 with fair ly hi gh winds, they appeared less nu merous than usual. OfcoLirse we cou ld not conclude anything from thi s short observation.

Mourning ))ove: One in SI. Pierre on June 9 (FPA) and one on Jul y 2 (PA), rather low as compared to previous years where they have bred.

Shorf-cared Owl : One in SI. Pierre on Jul y 5 (Bl) and one, same area, on Jul y II. 12 and 15 ( FPA) .

Bore~t1 Owl: A NEW BREEDING SPECIES! Nest boxes were installed in SI. Pierrc a few years ago. This year there was one nest with 3 young aged a few weeks on June 2. On the second box one ad ult was

84 f0U11d dead on top of 4 eggs; there were also remnants of 4 meadow voles in the nest (LJ).

C hjmney Swift: One was in flight in the village of Miquelon on June 4 (RE).

R uby-throated Hummingbird: One bird was at MJB's feeder at Langlade on Jul y 20. e Belted Kingfisher: Reported in St. Pierre on ly, 6 times between June 1 and 25 (LJ/BLIDGIPBIPA).

Northern Flicker: No nesting evidence thi s year, 5 reports only in MiqueJon and Langlade between June 2 and 25 (RElLJ).

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: About as usual , only 8 reports though! between June 5 and 28 (RElPAlPB). probably underreported !

Alder Flycatcher : One male was singing near Mirande lake (as usual) on June 15, and two, same area, on June 20 and Jul y I and 4 (RE).

Eastern Kingbird : Two were near Cape Miquelon on June 2; one on the extreme south-western point of Langlade on June 6 (FD), two were in St. Pierre on June 10 (TV) and 3 on southern Miquelon on June 14 (FD).

Blue-headed Vireo: One heard near Mirande lake on June 6 (RE).

Philadelphia Vireo: Two together near Mirande lake on June 5 (RE).

~: One heard ca lli ng in the woods near Mirande lake between June 2 and 9 (RE). Two were at Lang lade on June 16 (FD) and possibly the same ones at MJB's feeder also at Langlade throughout the season.

Com mon Raven : The nest in the woods of eastern Miquelon had al least 3 fl ying young on June 5. The two nests of the western part of Cape Miquelon had respecti vely 4 and 5 flying young by June 12. There was also 4 flying young near the village of Miquelon on June 25 (RE).

Horned Lark: About as usual, and underreported ! One flying young was near the vill age ofMiquelon 011 June 26 (RE).

Tree Swallow: 9 reports between June 2 and Jul y 30 (m. ob.). Two nest boxes were occupied in St. Pierre on June 18 (PA).

R:m k Swallow : One only in flight near Mirande lake on June 6 (RE).

Barn Swallow: 4 reports on ly between June I and 9 in S1. Pierre and in Mique lon, maximum 2 birds at a time! .

Black-capped Chickadee: The species seems to have disappeared from our islands 1 .

Boreal Chickadee: About as usual, and underreported. FPA had one pair with 3 young at thei r feeder throughout the month of July.

Red-hreasted Nuthatch: In S1. Pierre, PB had a few birds, on June 28, he briefly saw one adult feed ing a young. A few come regu larly to MJB 's feeder at Langlade.

Winter Wren : One or two were singing near Mirande lake on June 20 (RE). There were several on Belle Riviere valley at Langlade one June 25 (LJ) and one was singing in western Langlade on July 7 (PS). I had one singing bird on eastern Langlade on July 25.

Golden-crowned Kinglet: None reported! .

Ru hy-crowned Kinglet : 7 reports only between June I and July 4 (REJPA).

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Gray-cheeked Thrush: A rather rare bird these days: One in S1. Pierre June 2 (LJ); one calling near e Mirande lake on June 5 and 9 (RE) and a few singing at Langlade reported by MJB on July 22. I have not heard a single song in Miquelon thi s year ... for the first time in 32 years of bird watching.

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Hermit T hr us h : A few singing here and the re between Jun e I and 20 (RE/OG/ PB).

American Robin : About as usua l. One carrying food near Mirande lake on June 9, an on July 22 at Lang lade (RE).

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Cedar Waxwi no : Rather scarce: one in SI. Pierre on June 3 (PS), one in Miquelon on June 4 (RE) and onc in 51. Pierre on June 9 (PA). Three in fli ght al Cape Miquelon on June 12 (RE) and 7 near the town orst. Pierre on July 3 (FPA) arc the only reports.

Yellow Wa rbler: 12 reports between June 2 and July 3 1. One was carry ing food on eastem Miquelon on June 20 (RE) and at Langlade on June 24 (LJ). DG had one pair which nested arollnd hi s property in the lawn of SI. Pierre.

Magnolia Warb ler: Four reports, one bird at a time, between June 3 and 21 (PB/ PAlRE).

Yellowrumocd Warbler: Fairl y common up to June 2, then, 4 reports only up to Jul y 7 (PS/ RE/PA).

Blac k-throa ted Green Warb ler : One in Sf. Pi erre on June 3 (PS).

Pa lm Wa r bler: One or two near Mirande lake on June 2 (RE).

Blackpoll Wa r b ler: 7 reports only between June I and July 3 1 (m. ob.). One adult was feed ing a young, adult size, at Langlade on Jul y 18 (PB). One adult was presen t throughout the month of Jul y near FPA's feeder in Sf. Pi erre.

Blac k and W hite Warbler : 4 reports only, one at tim e benveen June 2 and 9 (RElF PA), except a few in SI. Pi erre on June 3 (PB).

America n Redstart: 6 reports only throughout the period, all males (OG/RE).

No r thern Water t hr ush : Still the commonest warbler, although much less common than in the past. 9 reports between June I and Jul y 7 (RE). PB had one adu lt carrying food at Lang lade on Jul y 7 .

Mou rnin v Warb ler : At least one ma le was singing in the woods of Eastem Mique lon between June 9 and July 17 (RE). One was at Langlade on June 2 1 (PB).

Common YelJowth roat : A few here and there in Miquelon and Langlade. One was si nging at Langlade on June 24 (LJ). One was carrying food in eastern Miquelon on Ju ly 19 (RE/OL).

Wilson 's Warbler: A few here and there as usual in SI. Pierre and in Mique lon (none reported from Langlade), few birds at a time, between June I and Jul y 4 (FPA/ RE/PB).

Savanna h Sparrow : Common, about as usual! One was carry ing food in SI. Pierre on Jul y 5 (PB). One nest with 5 chicks was found on Cape Miquelon on J ul y 8 (PB).

Fox Sparrow : Fairly common, about as usual. Two youn g were near FPA's feeder on June I. I had a you ng about adult size near Mirande lake on July 4.

Song Sparrow; One male was singing in the village of Miquelon for severa l days, between late May and June 3 (RE). PA had a pair with at least 2 young in SI. Pi erre on June 9. Then a few here and there in 51. Pi erre and in Miquelon.

Li ncoln 's SpurrO\\' ; 5 observations, 4 in Miquelon and I in St. Pierre between June I and 4 (RE/FPA).

Swamp Sparrow: 7 reports on ly! While they do not re flect reality, I felt they were rat her on the low side thi s year. One was seen carrying food in Sf. Pierre on Jul y 16 (PA).

W hite-throated Snarrow; Relati vely common, 12 reports throughout the season in the three islands. usually severa l birds at a time (m. ob.). One was carrying nesting material near Mirande lake on June 6 (RE). One was carrying food in S1. Pierre on July 5 ( PB).

Dark-eyed .Iull co ; Uncommon as usual in summer. FPA had one pair with two young from Jul y 8 on,

86 in St. Pierre.

Bost-breasted Grosbeak : One male was near Cape Miquelon on June 3 (R£).

Red·wjnged Blackhird : One male was in my garden from late May to June 10.

Common Grackle : Two pairs at leas! in St. Pierre on June 5 and a few carrying food, same area on Ju ly 2 (PA). Several were seen by PB on another area ofSt. Pierre on July 9.

Pine Grosbeak : On the low side! I heard the fi rst song in Miquc lon on June 5 while PB had one in St. Pierre the same day. No other reports! .

~ : 8 reports between June 1 and July 22, all in S1. Pierre and LangJade, several birds al a tirne (PB, PAl. MJB had 8 to 10 regu larly at his feeder at LangJade throughout the season.

American Goldfinch : Sti ll resident in SI. Pierre, few reports but a few seen here there! None reported for the other islands.

Contributors ; Frederic & Patricia Allen-Mahe (FPA); Pasca l Asselin (PA); Patrick Boez (PB); Michel Borotra (MJB) j Frederic Oisnard (FD); Dominique Gouveme (OG); Laurent Jackman (LJ); Danie lle Lebo llocq (DL); Bruno Letoumel (BL); Thierry Vogenstahl (TV).

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Report on Foray Newfoundland & Labrador 2005 by Andrus Voitk

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Cooperating Assicialion, Newfoundland Model

Grenfell College University, Seaview

& Cabins in Forteau and i Minerals Corporation.

Saddle Island _ The whole group spent two hours foraging the entire Saddle Island.. Mus h roo In You'd think there's nol much on these coastat barrens but almost every kind o~nthuslUsts from the USA. Canada, Ornphalina was collected there. Photo Jamie Graham Holland and Newfoundland and

Labrador foraged the autu mn woods for mushrooms. The weather

cou ldn 't have been better and the mushrooms were out in fu ll force. The experts were kept busy: 208 species were identified in Gras Marne and 144 in Labrador, with an overlap of 48 for a tala I of 304, bringing our three-yea r cumulati ve species COUll! to 451.

This year's big game encounter was a bull moose, who retumed 10 camp each evening 10 pose for close range photos and videos. Evening activities consisted of a reception by the Department of Environment and Conservation and a mushroom cook-up. Other than that, the evenings were fi lled wilh an interesting program by our experts, local and visitors.

Report s of FORAY NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR 2003 - 2005 can be viewed or downloaded from the Humber Natural History Society's web page, <hup:llwww.hnhs.ca/mushroomsl>. Meanwhile, plans for 2006 are already underway on the Avalon Peninsula September 15-17,2006. A Preliminary Report of Avalon mycoflora and Advance NOIice are also on the web site; updates wi ll be added when the date nears. The combination of enthusiastic foragers , Newfoundland hospitality, a ste ll ar group of ex perts and a new and exciting location with some unusual mycoflora should produce an exciting foray and several more new species!

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Foghorn e The crew by the lighthouse al Point l'Amour. The lab and sorting tables were in the adjoining bui lding, and the experts' quarters next door, allowing the identifiers to enjoy the foghorn bellow every 45 seconds, night and day, three days running. Photo Roger Smith .

~~uc~~;~=s~e~:'h~;~i~:n~:~:~::~CSI:;~:~a~~~~I~ :::~e~ e Photo Barry May.

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Ripple Pond by Ed H,yden

(L illich allhe hea(1 o/Colillel NiI'e,.: left 10 righl. sit/ing - Bobby Malier. Ed Hayden. Bill Cla,.ke. John Jacobs. AI/em Slein (llId JollII Gibson: slanding - Don Sleele. Missing/rom " holO. and raking il. is Chris Hogan

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Ever since the Natural Hi story Society's walk to Rippl e Pond earlier thi s fall , I have been stealing small bits of time here and there to shut my eyes and recall the sights and sounds and sme lls of that grand day in the woods - the silky water lapping at the shore, tall marsh grasses waving in the fresh breeze off the pond, the marks of beavers' teeth in a huge birch tree that is still standing though gnawed halfway through.

In my mind 's eye, Bill Clarke, leading, has crossed a marsh in a cove and just rounded a bend on the far shore. Allan Stein, just ahead of me, confident in hi s hip rubbers pulled ri ghl up, is making slurpy marsh sounds as he strides across the oozy muck. Bobby Maher and I, in li ght hiking boots. keep

to drier ground at the edge of the cove, scanning for a good place to cross. Behind me are Chri s Hogan , whose undergraduate major in philosophy has led him to doing a masters in geography, a path so obvious to us here at Ripple Pond); John Jacobs, a c limatologist, capturing geographi cal data on his GPS; John Gibson, a salmon speciali st who has just dipped his hand in the water and estimated the temperature to be fifteen degrees Celsius; and Don Steele bringing up the rear with hi s steady pace. What a great crew to trek with through this little slice of heaven; what a privilege to be here on thi s perfect day - September 25. 2005.

Bi ll C larke, Regional Ecosystem Manager for Avalon Distric t. Department of Natural Resources . met us at Paddy's Pond at 9 a.m. After coffee and a scan of aerial photographs at the Natural Resources Building, we drove west in two vehicles a long the Trans Canada to Occan Pond and then south on Fox Marsh Forest Access Road. We passed the old railway track. At Clam Ri ver, as Bill unlocked a gate to let the vehicles cross a bridge, we stretched our legs but pushed on without looking for thc Boreal Felt Lichen (£rioderma pedicel/alum), opting to make th e most of the time available to reach our destination. Slill fresh from the moming dri ve, we promised to stop and look on the way back, but by evening, after wa lking for the better part of a day, we chose rest and supper and baths, and left the lichen for another time.

The Boreal Felt Li chen. endangered in Ihe Atlanti c Ecological Area. is li sted as being of special coneem here in the Boreal Ecological Area. It is known 10 occur in fi ve of the nine eco- reg ions of insular Newfoundland. In the cool , moi st oceanic c limate of this ceo-region, it often grows a t the base of or on nonh-facing slopes in the boggy, coniferous fores!. It grows on trunks and sometimes branches of balsam fir and less o ften on black spruce and red maple. A brochure on Borea l Felt Lichen published by Environment Canada 's Federal Habitat Stewardship Program for Spec ies at Ri sk advises people who find it to be careful 110110 damage the li chen or collect it bUI to mark the tree with flagging tape and contact a regional representati ve of the Newfoundland and Labrador Inland Fish and Wildlife Di vision.

90 At 10:45 a.m. we arrived at the start

of a decommissioned road and parked the vehicles. On other forest roads, as on this one, I had noticed mounds of _I earth and stumps piled along the edges but pa id them little heed. Bi ll explained that the ridge of debris along the side of these roads is placed there on purpose, for decommissioning. This makes it easy to bring the fill back onto the road agai n when the logging is finished and the road is ready to be turned back into forest. Decommissioning also helps to prevent or, at least, reduce the use of abandoned forest roads by all-terrain vehicles.

Walking into the cool shade of the forest, we look off our sunglasses to

gaze at the tall birch, fir, spruce and larch , along with blankets ofSensilive fern (Onoclea sensibilis) and the semi·evergreen, lacy Spinulose wood fern (D,yopreris carrJlIIsiana) , the undersides of their fronds coated in tiny brown spore cases. Tall raspberry bushes (Rubus idaells), their berries all gone now, are everywhere among the white, rotting blow-down along the tops of the moraines. Traipsing around the ponds and coves near Petite Forte in Placentia Bay as a child and later hiking the stunning East Coast Trail, I have often walked through woods but usually on a trail, even if only a snowmobile or rabbit hunter's path. Here, though, after the first stretch of skidder trail ended, we followed Bill Clarke faithfully into a forest without a path. e

Fortunately for us, Bill had walked through the area the previous week and marked out a possible route with neon pink ribbons on trees for us to follow. We had a bit of fun over Bill's hot pink ribbons, and kept looking ahead to find the next one, jubilantly calling out to fellow hikers to go to the left or right, as the case may be, to avoid the blow-down. Bobby Maher, forging ahead, sought easier routes than Bi]J's ribbons suggested, and some of us followed her until we, too, ran inio blow-down as bad as that on Bil1's 'track,' eventua lly edging our way back to the pink ribbons. John Jacobs, after clambering over a particu larly tough area of blow-down, told Bill that he must have been looking only for a specia l kind of tree for his ribbons!

Ava lon Forest Eco-region Five is that small square bit of land between Conception Bay and St. Mary's Bay, west of Salmonier Line and east of Markland Road - smack dab in middle of the Avalon Penmsula. It is tiny compared to the Avalon Wilderness Area to the east. It takes in only 500 square ki lometres but contains about half the growing stock of timber on the Ava lon Peninsula. The area has lots of fog. expressed by the abundance of lichens hanging from the branches (Meades, p. 20). Distinguishing features are the ribbed moraine geology and the presence of yellow birch (Belllia alleghaniensis).

These large aromatic trees are not common in ewfoundlalld, growing mainly on the west coast south of Deer Lake, on the south coast in the Bay d'Espoir area and in sheltered parts of the Avalon (Ryan, p. 91). We crushed some twigs and fo liage to smell the attractive aroma of wintergreen from this magn ificent tree with golden-coloured bark. White pine, which had occurred infrequently on the Avalon in fomler generations, is mostly absent from this forest now, Bill exp lained, because of blister rust, an introduced disease that has been an obstacle to its regeneration. Ta ll stands of fir, maturing al 40 years, decay so seriously that thei r pathological rotation is 70 years. Near the start of our trek, logged in (he e I 930s and 1950s, rotted light-grey stumps coated in li chen are evident throughout. The rounder the stump, said onc of the group, the older thc cut.

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91 Walking along the lOp ridge of a moraine, with a bog or small pond at e ither side, wood fern

(D,yopteris spinulosa) is abundan t, as are feather moss (PlelllYJzium schreberi) and blue-bead lily (Clil1lonia). The fir regenerating after di sturbance along the moraine ridges and upper sides are severely stunted and evidently browsed to death by moose. Using a saw attachment in my Swiss AmlY knife, we sacrificed a stunted fir spec imen about e ighteen inches higb and counted an amazi ng twenty-three rings - a growth rate of less than an inch a year on a balsam fir that without interference would have an annual growth rate of about a foot. The introduced moose, through their browsing, are changing what would nonnall y have been a young, thick stand of regenerating fir into a meadow with scattered spruce and larc h.

Along the grassy moraine ridges , we observed ali en· like c ircles of beaten·down grass about fi ve feel in d iameter, often with a smaller c ircle a few feet away, and approached them curiously. "The moose have made momma and baby beds in the grass, ' said Bobby Maher, as I curl ed up in one and lay in the sun, my knapsack for a pillow. We followed moose trail s along the ridges and down the sides of the moraines to walk a long the shore of Ripple Pond.

Evidence of moose is everywhere, including loIs of droppings, sometimes in hard, dry ova ls, sometimes in green blobs, depending on season and, thus, food. When on dry food in winter, as All an Stein ex plained later in a brief di ssertation on moose poop, and similarly as [recalled from the sheep and horses on the roads of Petite Forte, the poop buttons are finn , retaining their smooth, spherica l shape. One can observe, if one is so inclined, as obviously Dr. Stein is, bits of twig and other woody materials from the winter browse in these droppings. In spring and summer, on the other hand, with the abundance of available green vegetation , the poop is much softer and, ah hough the original cylindrical shape can st ill be detected, it is flattened and deformed by impact with the ground.

By the shoreline, above the water's edge, we observed patches of ground severa l feel wide that the moose had scraped clean, their hoof prints evident at the edges of these slight depressions. Someone suggested that they may be look ing for salt, but I wondered if they were just scraping the ir hooves, hanging out, yakking. Allan pointed out, though, that it is more likely that the depression was caused by a male moose marking the area fo r the upcoming mating season. Along the side of Ripple Pond, moose cleaning their antlers had denuded about four feel of bark from a softwood tree. Yew, a moose deli cacy, is not evident anywhere in thi s forest; when areas are logged now, reforestation includes spruce and larch, which moose do not ea t.

Along the tops of the moraines, grass has taken over wide swaths, with no sign of fir growth evident. Glad of a break from climbing over wind· fall, we strode along bri skly in the c learings, lett ing the ta ll , flowering tips of honey· coloured grasses caress our palms and fingers. Moraines, from a French d ialect for 'snouts,' are long, rounded areas covered by rocks and debris carri ed by glac iers and deposi ted over centuries as the ice slowly retreated and advanced. The deposited material is typically unsorted, ranging from stones to clay. Batterson and Tay lor (2004) note that moraines are 'ori en ted perpendicular to ice flow and are formed in a sub·glacial environment. The Ragen moraines on the Ava lon Pen insul a were fOnlled either by northward flowing ice or sub·glac ial water from a di spersa l cen tre at the head of SI. Mary's Bay. ' John Jacobs and I surnli sed that the way that these Roge n (rhymes w ith logan) mora ines, sometimes known as ribbed moraines, appear on maps and aerial photographs may be responsible fo r the name Ripple Pond, or not - it could have been named simply from the ripples on the pond in a sti ff breeze, as was ev iden t the day we were there. Another interesting feature of these moraines that Bill told us about is the presence of a compacted layer of clay in the soil on their south· faci ng sides thai restricts moisture and root depth, thus producing the anomal y of poorer fores t growth on the sOll th.facing slopes. Yet another surprise, and the on ly di sappoin tmen t of the day, was that deep in thi s w ilderness we saw only two birds fo r the ent ire day, a downy woodpecker and a wilson's snipe.

AI 2:30 p.m. we reached the head of Colinet Ri ver at the south end of Rippl e Pond, a distance of 6.5 kil ometres as the crow fli es or, more precisely. as measured by John Jacobs' G PS, since crows appear

92 to be having too much fun to ever fly straight. We sat on blow-down at the edge oflhe pond and basked in the sun as we munched on sandwiches, banana bread and lea and rested OUf tired feet. We talked about the old sawmill that operated here from 1962 10 1966 and the last log drive a llowed down the river in 1981 . Later, logs were mostly brought out 10 communities, the area being just seven kilometres from Markland Road. Remnants of an old cabin built here in the 19605 are evident across the pond, as is a bridge that was removed in 1974, where signs now advise that only fly fish ing is allowed.

Reluctantly leaving our cozy resti ng spot, preferring a nap but unprepared for overnight camping, we trudged back up the pond, OUf pace a little slower in the afternoon, and arrived at the vehicles at 5: IS p.m., six and a half hours after the start of our glorious trek. As Bi ll drove us back along the Trans Canada, through barrens taking on the yellows, oranges and dark reds of fall, we marve led at the drama of the day coming to an end and watched the while, fine-weather clouds shift shape and tum pink and then magenta, like the colour of moun tain holly berries, in the late afternoon sun.

In the back seat, I closed my eyes to amble once again down moose paths, through birchy drokes and along the grassy-topped moraines by Ripple Pond, hearing forest and pond sounds and snippets of conversation about trout and woods and raspberries. Bi ll had removed the ribbons from a ll the trees on the way back, to leave no trace and make it seem as though on ly oUers had slid down these banks and moose and rabbits trod these woods in recent days. But the members of the Natural History Soc iety who trekked to Ripple Pond that lasl Sunday of September will not soon forget; we wi ll inhale the sweetness of this day for months to come.

References Batterson, M., and Taylor, D. (2004). Regional Till Geochemistry and Surficial Geology of the Central Avalon and Bay de Verde Peninsu las. Geo logical Survey: Current Research, Report 04-1:93-106. St. John 's, Newfound land: Department of Mines and Energy.

Boreal Felt Lichen (Eriodenna Pedicellatum): (Undated brochure). Ottawa: Environment Canada - Federal Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk.

Conway, E. (2005. January). Eriodenna Pedicellatum: The Newfoundland Panda Bear. ~ Nature Journal of Newfoundland and Labrador, 3.2, 1.

Jacobs, J., and Clarke, W. (2005, January). Avalon Forest Hike October 17, 2004. The Osprey' NalUre Journal of Newfoundland and Labrador, 1§, I.

Meades, W.J., and Moores, L. (1994). Forest Site C lassification Manual: A Field Guide to the Damman Forest Types of Newfoundland. Comer Brook: Western Model Forest inc.

Ryan, A. G. (1978). Native Trees and Shrubs of Newfoundland and Labrador. SI. John 's: Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Department of Environment and Lands.

Acknowledgement s: I thank Bill C larke, John Jacobs and Allan Ste in for reading and comment ing on earlier drafts of this manuscript and for correcting my various misconceptions. The cloudiness and imprecision that remain are mine alone.

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The Birds of Wilma - An unp recedented displacement by Ken Knowles

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At first it seemed that it was a bust. Having heard that Wilma had dropped a variety of assorted sou thern birds on Nova Scotia, Newfoundland birders checked Cape Spear and Cape Race on OCI. 26 to no avail. "This was a wh imper, not a bang" reported Dave Shepherd from Portuga l Cove South. Wrong we were!

The first hint of action came the next morning, and it came from a se ismic vesse l 325 kill east of SI. John 's. Small groups of swifts had been c ircling the ship: three, then four more, then seven accompanied by two tree swa llows and three laughing gu lls. Bruce Mactavish encouraged by email from the sh ip: "Bird now. Tomorrow may be too late."

So the aforementioned Dave Shepherd and Julie Cappelman wen l hack to Cape Race. The call went to St. Jolm's birders. "This is an EVENT." Dave reported an astounding number of Chimney Swifts: "At least a hundred and fifty!" plus assorted other rarities. There were Laughing Gu ll s, two Franklin's Gull s, severa l terns, swa llows, and a cuckoo species. The scale of the event was starting to emerge.

The Chimney Swi ft is a rare vagrant to Newfoundland. They breed as far north as Nova Scotia. spending the winter in Peru and the Amazon bas in. In my twenty years of birding in Newfoundland I've seen perhaps six or seven swifts. On October 281h [ saw eighty-three in one day. About five hundred were reported from 5t. Pi erre. Reports came in from all over the southern Ava lon and from Ship Cove where swifts were seen entering unused chimneys to she lter for th e night. Hundreds of swifts were seen, thousands must ha ve occurred, most of them perished. Stan Tobin of Ship Cove reported finding seventeen dead in hi s chimney wit h an eq ua l number emerging alive the next mornin g.

Chimney Swifts arc an aerial spec ies. superb ly adapted to a life on the wing. They feed on the wing, mate on the wing, and some authorities believe that they can sleep on the wing. The ir small cigar­shaped bodies are out of all proportion to the ir long, narrow, swept-back wings. Their feet are so tiny that they are unable even to cling to a twig. As a result they have learned to spend the night clinging verti ca lly inside a cave, a hollow tree, or. most often today to the inside ofa chimney - hence the name.

Swift s build a nest shaped like a half-cup that consists of bits of ma terial held together by their g lue- like sa li va. In one As ian species, the Ed ible-nest Swiftlet, the nest is entire ly of saliva. (This is the neslused to make birds'-nest soup.) The Chimney Swift dines entire ly on insects that it picks off in the air, trapping them in a mOllth that seems too wide for the size of th e head. Unlike other insect-eaters such as the swa ll ow, the swift has no option of landing to pick insects off the ground in bad weat her. These swills were doomed. Newfoundland in late October has a dearth of Hying insects. The swifts that were found dead were extremely thin and had apparently died of starvat ion. How many birds must have perished at sea and in areas of th e south coast where no observers were present? Whal effect might Ihi s have on the overa ll swift popUlation?

A review o f lhe weather leading up to Wi lma's arrival in Newfou ndland can clarify what happened in the last week of October. Hurricane Wilma hit Florida on October 24'\ presumably trapping huge numbers of birds from the GulfofMexico and then heading nort h al about nine ty ki lometers per hour. It

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passed near Nova Scotia and Newfoundland late on October 25 th where it encountered a low pressure zone that slowed its force and allowed the trapped birds to head for the nearest land. At dawn on October 26th Nova Scotian birders started reporti ng swifts, swallows, rare terns and even three Magnificem Frigatebirds and two Black Skimmers, a day before Newfoundland received any hurricane birds. What these species all e had in common was that they were birds from the Gulf of Mexico that should have been nowhere near our shores at this time of year. Even the swifts and swallows that occur in Nova Scoti a would have migrated south for the winter in September. What other rarit ies arrived in Newfoundland along with the swifts?

Terns. Dozens of Common Terns that should have been wintering in Florida and fun her south; two repons of arctic terns that should have been on their way to Antarctica! But best of all was a single Gull·billed Tern, discovered by Paul Linegar and Pierre Ryan at St. Vincent's on November 1- . This Gulf Coast species has only occurred once before in Newfound land. It gets its name from a thick black bi ll that looks a bit extreme for any species of tern . St. Pierre reported its fi rst Royal Tern and at SI. Shotts in Newfoundland a view of a depaning tern species on Oct. 28th coul d well have been thi s species. There was a fu rther intriguing report of a Sandwich Tern from St. Vincents by Dave Shepherd . Th is species has also been recorded on ly once before in Newfoundland but was reported in Nova Scotia and St. Pierre after Wilma blew through.

There were dozens of Tree Swallows, a few Bam Swallows and one record late date for Bank Swallow. These species breed in small numbers in Newfoundland but were apparently blown back here, having mostly migrated south in August and September. In the cold Newfoundland fa ll they resorted to feeding on insects in the kelp along beaches, often perching on the kel p itse lf.

The best bird for Newfoundland listers was found on Nov. 6'" at Mundy Pond in Sf. John 's. First reported by Gene Herzberg as a Short·billed Dowitcher it was suspect immediately due to the lateness of the date. Paul Linegar confinned that it was in fact the first Newfoundland record for Long·billed Dowitcher. This spec ies breeds in the extreme northwest of Canada and into Alaska but migrates to the same gulf coast area as the other hurri cane·d isplaced species ment ioned in this article. e

Reports continue to filter in of hurricane waifs from the unbirded areas of the province, including a Black-necked Stilt found on Ramea on October 27tb by Richard Northcott. There is only one confinned record of this species fo r Newfoundland from Trepassey in 1947 and another likely more recent record from Branch. Other rarities possibly related to Wilma include cuckoo sp, a Black·throated Blue Warbler hudd led down the cliff at Cape Race and four swa llows of the ClifT/Cave persuasion. These bi rds were found by Anne Hughes at Cape Spear on Nov. 5'" and could have been Newfoundland 's fi rst Cave Swallows. The date was late for Cliff Swallow, they were perched on a bu ild ing, also uncharacteristic for Cliff Swallow, and, there have been hundreds of Cave Swallows reported from New York and Ontario as well as a few in the Marit imes in the wake of Wilma. Unfortunately the Cape Spear birds didn't stay long enough for a confinning look. There were other late sigh tings of shorebirds, possibly hurricane· related including a late Least Sandpiper and a Wilson 's Phalarope at Long Beach, as we ll as two record·late Lesser YeJlowlegs at Renews.

Not a bird, but possibly hurricane related, was the sighting of a Red Bat feed ing act ively at Renews on Nov. I P". This stunningly red (male?) bat has only been reponed a handful of times in

ewfoundland. It is well·known that fa ll hurricanes can bring unusual southern species to Newfoundland. In 1958

Hurricane Helen brought over a thousand Laughing Gulls to Burgeo and an amazing occurrence of some two dozen skimmers. Perhaps broader coverage in those days would have resu lted in something similar to Wi lma"s resu lts. In Nova Scotia Hurricane Gladys in the third week of October, 1968 brought large numbers of swifts and swa llows to the Maritimes but not to Newfoundland. Hurricane Wi lma was really unprecedented for our province. One can onl y speculate on the numbers of birds that went unreported on e the Burin Peninsula, South Coast and Cape St. Mary 's area due to lack of loca l coverage. It was indeed an event.

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A possible ship collision with a Sowerby's beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens) that stranded in Conception Bay, Newfoundland.

by Wayne Ledwell - Tangly Whale, Ltd; Jon Lien - Whale Research Group, Memorial Un iversity of Newfoundland and

Denis Wakeham - Marine Mammals Sections, Department of Fisheries and Oceans,

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On 15 June 2004 a female Sowcrby's beaked whale (Mcsoplodon bidens) stranded in Westem Bay, Conception Bay, Newfoundland 47 53.250 N, 53 04.927 W. It was the 14 th Sowerby's recorded in the province since 1979 including animals from two mass strandings (Lien and Barry 1990); Lien el a l. 200 [). It now must be regarded as a relatively common cetacean in Newfound land waters, as evidence by comparative strand ing percentages by species. It is the most common beaked wha le spec ies reported stranded here.

The anima l had stranded the day prior to examination; however, it was clear from the amount of tissue decomposition that the animal had been dead for several weeks. Once the stranding was reported, two Fisheri es and Oceans officers attended it until examination. Figure I shows the external view of the stranded animal. The examination took two days. Morphometries are presented in Table I. The animal had a tooth in the middle of each lower jaw, however they were not eru pted teeth and were discovered when the jaws were macerated in water. External examination showed no wounds or scars that indicated ev idence of fishing gear entrapment or other trauma .

Figure I: Female Sowerby's beaked whale Ihal Slranded in Conception Bay. Newfoundland

96 Table I : Morphometries of a stranded female Sowerby's beaked whale.

Measure

From tip of jaw to: fluke (a long side) centre of blowhole anterior insert ion of dorsal postcrier insertion of dorsal anterior insert ion of pectoral posteri or insert ion of pectoral centre of genitalia

Half gi rths at postcrier pectoral insertion anterior dorsal insertion

anus

Fluke width

Blubber depths at 50 em interva ls from sku ll : behind skull

Measllrement (ill em.)

479 66

291 323 11 5 141 336

11 2 103 78

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3.5 3.5 4.0 3.5 3.7 4.0 2.5 2.5

Ovary Data

Albica"';a ()Vary

Length Width Weigth Size Igst. Foil . #C.A. Size Igsl C.A. Size 2nd C.A. Size 3td C.A

41.5 18 9.5 g 3.7 3 10.9 10.5 6.0

Lllleal m'ory

43.5 18.2 7.8 g 3.9 3 9.1 7.6 5.7

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Samples were taken of a ll major tissue types and deposited with the Atlantic Cetacean Tissue Bank at the At lantic Veterinary Coll ege, University of Prince Edward Island. Addi tional samples of blubber, muscle, blood and bone were taken at 50 cm interva ls along the animals back for homlonal analysis at Memorial e University. The complete skeleton was collected by Tangly Whale.

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97 The overall impression of tile animal was that it was a hea lthy, well-fed individua l that did have

a ca lf this year. Necropsy revealed that it had suffered a fractured ri ght jaw from mid-length to the point of linkage with the skull (Figure 2), and had five frac tured ribs on the left side. The rostrum was also fractured at midpoint. It appeared, from clotted blood around wounds that the animal bled fo r some time before it died.

Figure 2: Lower jaw fraelure of a Sowcrby's beaked wha le .

The natu fe and extent or the injuries this whal e received most likely occurred during an impact with a mov ing object, probably a vessel. Prior 10 this Event, we do not know or other documented cases of vessel colli sions with beaked wha les.

Ac knowledgements: Funding for the Newfoundland and Labrador Entrapm ent and Stranding Programme came from

thc Department of Fi sheries and Oceans. We thank Grant Tobin of Western Bay for his assistance with the necropsy and the Department of Works and Services of Western Bay for their he lp in gett ing the whale ou t of the surf. Wc thank Ji m Meade for hi s help in searching fo r o ther cases of beaked whale - sh ip co lli sions. We thank Pierre Yves Daoust for his work on the Atlantic Cetacean Tissue Bank. The bank will maintain stranding and entrapment records for all areas of At lantic Canada, as well keep records of requests for ti ssues from researchers around the world.

References: Lien, J. , Barry, F. (1990) Status ofSowerby"s beaked whale. Mesoplodon bidens, in Canada. The Canad ian Fic ld-Natu ra li st 104 (I) 125-130

Licn, J. Hood., C., Lcdwe ll , W., Corbe lli , C (2001) Ncw Rocords ofSowcrby's Beakcd Whales e (Mesop\odon bidens) in Newfoundland. The Osprey

98 Short-winged Grasshopper (ChorlllipPlIs clIrlipen"is (Harris»

(Orthoptc ra: Acrididae) By Dave Larson

This smal l grasshopper (length 12.5 to 22 mm) is the most common and widespread species of grasshopper in both Newfoundland and Labrador. The spec ies can be recognized by: face slightly, backwardly sloping when seen in profile; antenna long and slightly dorsoventrally fla ttened near base; tubercle lacking between the bases of the front legs; and hind wing clear. However, the species is variable in size with males smaller than fema les ( 12.5 to 16 mm versus J 6 to 22 mm); color highly varied, from mainly green and yellow to brown, with blackish markings and somet imes variously developed whiti sh markings or stripes; and wi ngs of varied length, from shorter than to clearly exceeding length of abdomen. Long­winged individuals can fly but flight is usually over only a few meters.

elIOT/hippus cIITtipe" "is, adult male The rangeofhab itats occupied is very wide. Typically they are in moist grassy areas but they also occur in almost a ll

types of open areas including ericaceous heaths, bogs, fens, grasslands (both natural and cultivated), and disturbed sites such as road allowances, gravel pits and clear-cuts. Although widespread, population densities are usuall y low although a density of about 1.5 adults I m2 was found in a mark-recapture study in a grassy fie ld at the Memorial University Botanic Garden (Anstey 1997). The insects feed primarily on grasses but as populations are generally low, the species has not been reponed as an important pest. The insect typically has one generation a year although a longer life cycle may exist in colder parts of the range. On the Avalon Peninsula, eggs which overwinter in the soil hatch in June or early July and adult grasshoppers are found from about mid-August until they are killed off by frosts in October. In alpine or cooler regions eggs may pass two or three winters before hatchi ng and it is possible that such delayed hatching also occurs in Newfound land.

This is one of the few Newfoundland insects that produces a noise. Thi s is accompl ished by rubbing the hind fem ur against the fo rewing. Along the inner side of the femur there is a row of fine pegs which pass over a low ridge on the forewing. Males produce a courtsh ip song which consists of a series of low amplitude buzzes (aud ible for only a few metres from the insect) and a copulation sound which is a low whirring. They also produce an aggressive stridulation which is like the courtship sound but the pulses are shorter. Females stridu late in answer to males but the sound is very low as their sound producing pegs and ridges are poorly developed.

References:

Anstey. L. 1997. A population estimate of ChorthipplIS curtipenl1is Harris at Memorial University Botanical Gardens. Biology 4820, research paper.

Vickery, V.R. and O.K. McE. Kevan. 1985. The insects and arachnids of Canada, Part 14. The grasshoppers, crickels, and re lated insects of Canada and adjacent regions. Agricu lture Canada, Research Branch, Publication 1777. 9 18 pp.

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I. PreseTlled Mushroollls

A Few Recipes fo r Christmas by Laura Trcvisan and Robin Day

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Moose Pale: Take liver or hamburger from moose or caribou or bear and cook in a pan with onions and ol ive oil. One or two cloves of garlic can be added if desired. Salt this to laste, add fresh chopped herbs. a glass of wine and then add butter to make the mi xture creamy. When we ll cooked and the wine has evaporated, bl end at high speed with littl e olive oil until smooth and serve hot all toast. Wonderfully simple. Store extra in the fridge in a closed con tainer for no morc than a few days.

Wild Mushrooms: Leam to recognize at least one wild mushoom type reliably and collect on ly these if you are a beginner or just use the domestic varieties if unsure. OUf Natural HislOry Society gives educationa l forest walks in the early autumn. Brush the mush rooms clean with a cloth. Do not wash mushrooms as they lose some flavour and get too wet.

(You can adapt thi s recipe & use small cucumber. egg plant, peppers, zucch ini).

Sli ce the mushrooms into chunks if large and boil for 10 mins. in half and half vinegar water so lution adding 15g of salt to every kilo of mushrooms. Remove the mushrooms and let air dry on a cloth over night. When perfectly dry add th ese in layers to sterili zed jars and pour in a layer of olive oil with Ii

few grains of black pepper and a laurel leaf, etc. Repeat this in layers rocking the bottle back and fonh to allow all air bubbles to escape. Add oil to the top, seal the jars and store for 2 months in a coo l dark place. Enjoy the mushrooms and use the flavoured oil on sa lads and cooked vegetables.

1. Wild Mushroom & O"ion Soup

Sli ce 800g afonions. sprinkle with salt and let them rest for two hours. Then saute in butter till golden, add a glass of beer and simmer for 20 mins. Blend thi s til l creamy. Next finely slice 150g of mushrooms and saute in olive oil for 10 mins. season ing with pepper and majoram. Combine oni on puree with the flour while stiringand slowly add vegetable stock, milk and entire con tents of th e mushroom pan while simmering and stirring to avoid bum or stick ing. This takes 45 mins and th en add cream at the end . Ladel the hot soup on toast in individual bowls and sprinkl e with cop ious amounts of a grated sharp or medium cheese. Gril l this in the oven till the cheese melts go lden and serve immediately. Gamish with more marjoram. A ri ch main course .

100 In Memoriam

Barry May

N a t u ra 1 i S I ,

outdoorsman, athlete and physician Barry May died suddenly, while attending a medical conference in Montreal, on Tuesday. November I, 2005, at the age of 62.

Barry served on the executive of the Humber Natural History Society, where he has been a long.time active member. He was involved with establishing the Tuckamore Club,

forerunner of the HNHS and the Hiking Club in Comer Brook; he was also a founder of the Blow Me Down Cross Country Ski Park. tn the beginning years ofWERAC, Barry served as member and Chair of the Comminee for over a decde. He practiced the spec ialty of Respiratory Medicine at Western Memorial Regional Hosp ital, where he was Director of the Intensive Care Unit and Chief of Medicine.

Although considering sell ling in the Yukon or Alaska, where he served in the Native Health Care Service, it was the ready accessIb il ity to unspoiled nature that convinced him to choose Newfoundland. During hi s 28 years in Newfoundland he has explored virtua lly every comer o f the province, from Labrador 's Torngat Mountains 10 the sand banks of Burgeo. For family and friends he has organized a regular slimmer camping trip to a different island off the coast of Newfoundland and a regular winter trip to his loved Blow Me Down Mountains for years. His favourite area, "our playground", was in the mountains and woods behind his home in Humber Vi llage.

Knowledgeable about all fie lds of natural hi story, fo r many years his favourite pastime was birding. In the last few years he became fasc inated with mushrooming, which became his new passion. He was an active participant and organizer of the annual mushroom week-end, FORAY NEWFOU OLAND & LABRADOR. He has travell ed on forays to Europe and had made plans for many more mushrooming trips III the future. Although his wife Judy has always done the cooking at home, Bany became a committed mushroom cook. For at least Iwo years, not a day went by that he did not saute some mushrooms on toast and during the Forays he assumed responsibi lity for the mushroom cookouts.

Barry was a man who tru ly lived a good life, for he was able to appreciate the value of its every passing moment. Weather did not deter him from enjoying the outdoors: he always went out and always found it a "good day" Having spent many hours with him in the woods under all kinds of conditions, I know that his most common comment would always be to point ou t how fortunate we were to be able to enjoy it. be it rai n, wind, sleet, snow or even sunshine.

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101 His opinion of life and family was the same: he never ceased to comment on our good fortune to

li ve as we do. Barry was a commiued and loving famil y man, who wenl to a lot of effon to keep everybody connected and invo lved, encouraging and supporting, where needed. He is sadly moumed by his wife and partner in a ll his ventures, Judy, nvo sons and two daughtcrs· in-law. a lmost four grandchildren, sib lings and olher family.

He was a good friend . The pain of his loss is only leavened by the genuine joy of having enjoyed hi s friendship.

Rest in peace .

Barry May (2nd from R). friends and dogs (also hi s fri ends) on his beloved Humber Lookout . now renamed Barry 's Lookout , overlooking hi s horne in Hu mber Village. His ashes were strewn there by fam ily and friends in a memori al ceremony .

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Are You Involved

In Environmental or atural History Projects?

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF NEWFOU OLAND AND LABRADOR

What and Why?

and

WILD THINGS SCHOLARSHIP

A $500 scholarship to assist the studies of a person whose enthusiasm and abili ty as a VOLUNTEER has enhanced the environment and natural hi story of Newfoundland and Labrador and 10 facilitate the deve lopment of thaI person's career in an environmentally-related field.

WHO?

A resident of Newfoundland or Labrador who is (or wi ll be): enrolled in a post-secondary programme related to environmenta l studies. This person will have demonstrated an active commiltment toward environmenta l or natural history issues through vo lunteer act ivities and wi ll be capable of completing

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their proposed programme of study. e WHERE?

Any post-secondary educationa l institution.

HOW AND WHEN?

Before April 15, 2006, complete the appl ication fonn found al our website www. nhs.nf.ca

NHS - Wild Things Scholarship Natura l History Society of Nfld and Labrador Inc. P.O. Box 1013 51. John 's, NF A I C 5M3 Phone: (709) 754-3321

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The Tuck/Walters Award

This award is named illlllemOlY of D,: Leslie M. Tllck and Captain Hany Wallers

Or. Lcs Tuck was New foundland's first Dominion Wildlife Officer. and Harry WalleTs was tnc Director of the Newfoundland Rangers Force. Following Confederation with Canada. Dr. Tuck headed the Canadian Wildlife Service in the province -ll position he held for more than twenty-five years. In the latter part of his long and distinguished career. Dr. Tuck he ld the L. J. Paton Research Professorship in thc Psyschology Department of Memorial University. He was instrumental in the reactivation of the Natural History Society in the 1950's. C aplain Harry Walters served for many years as the Head arthe Newfoundland Wildlife Di vision. which he was instrumental in establishi ng.

Both Walters. working provincial ly, and Tuck, working federally, were instrumental in establishing our provinee's fi rst seabird reserves (Funk Island, Cape St. Mary's, Witless Bay, and Hare Bay) and the fomler Avalon Wilderness Area. Their combi ned effons put natural history awareness, protection and appreciation on a solid footing in Newfoundland and Labrador. Although they were employed in resource conservation and management careers, their enthusiasm and dedication transcended their duties. and it is for these qualities that the society has chosen to honor their memory wi th this award.

The TucklWalters Award is discretionary - it does not have to be given out every year. On the other hand, it may be given to more than one recipient if the Nominating Comm ittee feels this is appropriate. Successful ca ndidates arc individuals who have made outstand ing and enduring contributions to th e advancement of natural history appreciation and protectioll in Newfoundland and Labrador. outside Ihe parameters of their employment responsibi lities •

Tuck/Walters Award Winners

Dr. Don Barton

George Brinson

Bill Davis

Dr . • Io hn Gibson

Dr. Les lie Harris

Stephen Herder

Charlie Horwood

Bernard Jackson

Uenry Mann

Cregory Mitchell

Michael Nolan

Or. Uarold Pelers

Dr. Roger Tory Peterson

Tony Power

Dr. Don Steele

Clyde Tuck

For more information or to make a nomination for the Tuck/\"allcrs Award. con tact

Dr. Bill Montevecchi. Chair TuckIWallers Awards Commi ttee

Cognitive and Behavioral Ecology Program Memorial University of Newfoundland

St. John's, NL AlB 3X9

Telephone: 737-7673 E-mail: mont@morgan.ucs.mun.ca

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The Natural History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador Membership Application

Name: Date: Addrcs-s:-----------::C::-ity:-rr=o-"-'n-: ------ Province:

Codc:._:-:-________ Country/Slate if not in Canada, ____ _ E-mail address: _______ -:::-______ ---:-_______ _ Telephone - home: ______ officc: ______ fax: ___ _

Renewing members: _ continue Osprey from lasl received issue

_ continue Osprey wi lh next issue

Mailing address for Society publication "The Osprey" (if diffl.'rcnt from above):

I would like to become more actively involved in fhe activ ities of the Socicf)l: _ Planning outdoor acch'ilies _ Outdoor Education Programs _ Ind oor Education Programs _ Environmenta l Advocacy _ Letter writing _ Planning monthly mcclings _ Contributing to the Osprey

Other _______ _

Postal

My inlercsts arc: (Please be sp<.'Cifk. to help us with our program planning.) birds? wildflowers? animals? marine mammals? indoor events? indoor work- shops? outdoor events? walking? interpretive wa lks? hiking? cross-country skiing? canoeing'! cycling? back-pack camping? winter camping? Other: __________________________ _

Annual membership fee enclosed: $ 25.00 l\1y donation 10 Ihe society (a tax receipt will be issued):

Society Lapell)ins: (til 53.00 each

Societ), Jacket C rests: (til 54.00 each

Bird Checklist's 50.50.3/51.00 100/$25.00

TOlallo cheque/mone ' order enclosed :

Please make )"Imr cheque payahle t (J: "The Natural History Society of Newfoundland an d Labrador" and send it logelher with this fonn 10:

The l\1embershi,) Coordinator The Nalura l l-tislory Society of Newfoundland and Labrador P.O. Box 1013 SI. John 's, NLAIC 5M3

Bring this form to the next regular Societ)' meeting al The Memoria l Univers ity Botanical Garden on the THIRD TI-IURSOAY of each month from September to June. No meeti ngs during July and August.

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Rarities - Only from the Natural History Society

Cetting to Kn ow the Weeds · the Collected Writings of Charlie Horwood. Charli e was a faithfu l and long-serving member of the Society. He was also a thoughtful and insightful naturali st with a gift for caplUring hi s vies of the natura l world, in writing. Thi s 160 page book reproduces over filly of Charlie 's best short pieces.

Soft cover $14.95

Society Lapel Pins - Back by popular demand. These four-co lor enamel pins reproduce the Society's "Osprey", origina ll y designed by John Maunder, in blue, brown and while on a go ld back: Oval.

Lapel Pins 53 .00

Society J acket Crest - NEW! These crests are based on the original "half moon" design drawn by Newfound land art ist Reg inald Shepherd. They feature a stylized osprey snatching a fi sh. They are embroidered in five colours, and are approximately 4" wide by I 3/4" high.

Embroidered Crest $4.00

• Society Memberships - Any time is a great time to give a membership to the Na tural History Society. The cosl is $25.00 good for one year. II incl udes four issues of The Osprey, and not ices to all Society functions.

Membership $25.00

The Wild Things Scholarship

The Natural Hislory Society of Newfoundland and Labrador conducts the competiti on for the Wild Things Scholarship. This annual $500 scholarship is sponsored by Wild Things, a nature gift shop in S1. John 's, NL. It is awarded to a post-secondary sludent recogni ze their committment to the environ ment and natural history of the provincc as evidenced by their vo lunteer naturali st acti vities. Application fonns can be found on our website: www.nhs.nfca

Past Recipients

Lynn Hartery 1992 Susan Paule 1998

Ela ine Goudie 1993 Andrca Carew, Joe l Healh 1999

Helen Manning 1994 Laura Wareham 2000

Tammy Legge 1995 Alana Yorke 200 1

Michael Sharpe 1996 Diana Cardoso 2002

Crai g Purchase 1997 Juliana Co fTey 2003 Lesley Blake 2004