MVFN Winter Outing 2010

Explore nature on the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s newest preserve—in Wolf Grove near Union Hall

Sunday, February 7, 2010 —— 10:30 a.m.

 Sharpen your winter twig identification skills—did you know that the first secret to sorting them out is the phrase “MAD Cap Horse”? Remember this and join us in Wolf Grove to explore the land, get to know some common trees by twig, and have lunch on the shore of Bowley Lake.

Location: Meet at the end of Ramsay Concession 4B which extends south off Wolf Grove Rd., about 3km east of Union Hall (the hall is at the intersection of Wolf Gove Rd. and Tatlock Rd.); Ramsay Con. 4B is only about 100m long

Parking: Park either along Ramsay Con. 4B or along the road that extends north on the opposite side of Wolf Grove Rd.

Equipment: Snowshoes are recommended as the snow will be deep in the woods. If you don’t have them, you can follow those who do. The trail is fairly gentle and suitable for cross-country skis, but consider snow conditions the day of the walk and that the property is densely wooded. Dress warmly in layers. Bring food to warm over the campfire. Bring binoculars and a hand lens.

More information: Contact Cathy Keddy at 613-257-3089 or keddy01@gmail.com.

MAD Cap Horse

Filed under: Current Programme, Home, Outings, Upcoming Events by Pauline Donaldson January 22nd, 2010
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Press Release

Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists

January 8, 2010

Carleton Place and Lanark Highlands Christmas bird counts sponsored by the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists show record numbers of wild turkeys and plenty of others

The Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists sponsored two Christmas Bird counts (CBC) in Lanark County, the 59th Annual Carleton Place CBC and the 7th Annual Lanark Highlands count. Over two thousand such counts were held across North and South America, representing the largest citizen scientist activity anywhere in the world. All records are stored with the Audubon Society and used for research and conservation programmes.

These Lanark counts were both exceptional for the record number of wild turkeys seen. Common to both counts was the reduced number of winter finches (low or sharply reduced numbers of pine siskins, crossbills and pine grosbeaks). These northern boreal forest birds are likely finding adequate food further north this winter.

The 59th Carleton Place Christmas Bird Count took place on December 27, 2009 and was led by Iain Wilkes who was also the compiler. Georgina Doe led the feeder counts. Thirty-two field observers and 25 feeder counts took part during a day starting out with fog and clouds with temperatures hovering near zero after the freezing rain of Boxing Day. In all of 41 species were seen and 4562 individuals counted. This is down 7 species and approx. 500 individuals from the 2008 year. Many of the smaller rural roads were difficult to drive and significant surface ice on the road sides made it treacherous in places to pull over on the shoulder. The highlights were 2 Hooded Mergansers, 2 Grackles, 15 Red-winged Blackbirds and a record number of Turkeys at 285. There were a goodly number of Bohemians Waxwings at 159 and as well 500 Snow Buntings seen just outside Carleton Place. At the end of the day a count-in was held where the teams shared sandwiches and refreshments while compiling the results and trading stories of their days outing. Complete individual species recorded for the 2009 Carleton Place Count were:

Canada Goose (30), Mallard (9), Goldeneye (50), Hooded Merganser (2), Bald Eagle (2), Cooper’s Hawk (3), Red-tailed Hawk (5), Rough-legged Hawk (1), Ruffed Grouse (10), Turkey (285), Ring-billed Gull (3), Rock Pigeon (697), Mourning Dove (192), Downy Woodpecker (44), Hairy Woodpeckers (39), Pileated Woodpecker (8), Northern Shrike (3), Blue Jay (244), Crow (382), Raven (12), Chickadee (839), Red-breasted Nuthatch (9), White-breasted Nuthatch (76), Brown Creeper (4), Robin (7), Starling (417), Bohemian Waxwing (159), Tree Sparrow (46), White-throated Sparrow (3), Junco (43), Snow Bunting (515), Cardinal (28), Red-winged Blackbird (15), Rusty Blackbird (1), Grackle (3), Purple Finch (5), House Finch (8), Common Redpoll (10), Pine Siskin (30), Goldfinch (246), and House Sparrow (78).

Thirty-one birders took to the roads and fields for the 7th Annual Lanark Highlands Christmas Bird Count, held on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009 to register every bird seen or heard within the fifteen kilometre radius circle centered on Watsons Corners. The Lanark Highlands count was led by Cliff Bennett, with Bruce LeGallais, Bobby Clarke, Ted Mosquin, and Gloria Opzoomer heading up the sections. Marj Montgomery organized and compiled reports from over sixteen feeder counters, to add to the total. At the end of the count day, participants convened to Nature Lovers Book Store in Lanark for the count-in and hot beverages.
The previous record of 188 turkeys, set in last year’s count easily surpassed this year’s 288. The continued build-up of wild turkeys in the area is now evident as each year of the count produces greater numbers. Total count for the circle was 3154 birds, lowest only to the first Lanark Highlands count of 2829 in 2003. A few dozen (76) evening grosbeaks were found, mostly in the Poland area, two dozen purple finches and only four redpolls showed up and no pine siskins, crossbills or pine grosbeaks were found. In spite of the low numbers, records were set for downy woodpeckers (77), Cooper’s hawk (4) and white-breasted nuthatches (101). New to the count was a brown thrasher, which was hanging around a feeder because of an injured wing and one northern harrier. Last year set a record at 4130 birds. Number of species found this year remained high at 38, two down from last year’s record listing of 40 species. Complete individual species recorded for the Lanark Highlands count were:

mallard duck (1), common merganser (10), ruffed grouse (4), wild turkey (288), bald eagle (3), sharp-shinned hawk (1), northern harrier (1), Cooper’s hawk (4), red-tailed hawk , rough-legged hawk (1), rock pigeon (210), mourning dove (98), barred owl (1), downy woodpecker (77), hairy woodpecker (89), pileated woodpecker (7), northern shrike (2), blue jay (224), crow (97), raven (30), black-capped chickadee (897), red-breasted nuthatch (25), white-breasted nuthatch (101), brown creeper (3), golden-crowned kinglet (1), brown thrasher (1), starling (97), Bohemian waxwing (93), tree-sparrows, (87), dark-eyed junco (55), snow bunting (166), cardinal (7), purple finch (26), house finch (6), common redpoll (4), goldfinch (334), evening grosbeak (76), house sparrow (13).

Filed under: Birding, Home, Press Release by Pauline Donaldson January 9th, 2010
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Press Release

Submitted by the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists

January 8, 2010

Reflections between local history and the natural landscape with Queen’s University Geographer/Historian

For the next lecture in the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists’ (MVFN) “Big Picture Conservation” series, guest speaker Dr. Brian Osborne takes us back to a time when people first began to put down roots in our region. A specialist in unfolding the fascinating history of Eastern Ontario, Dr. Osborne will hold up a two-way mirror to shed light on the interaction between the natural environment and human history. Professor Emeritus of Geography at Queen’s University, Osborne is also past-president of the Ontario Historical Society and the Kingston Historical Society, and advises agencies such as Parks Canada, the National Capital Commission, and the National Film Board.

Our natural environment is a template guiding local human history, from the paths taken by our ancestors in exploration, settlement and stewardship to the marks made on the urban and rural landscape by present day activities. The nature of past and present human activities reflects both the opportunities and harshness presented by the local natural environment, and, in turn, the state of our natural environment mirrors our activities. The rugged, billion-year-old bedrock of the Canadian Shield with its great forests and legacy of ancient glacial lakes, a diverse landscape crisscrossed by rivers and a mosaic of wetlands and uplands-our lives today are intimately connected to our natural heritage. To what extent is our history reflected in the landscape we view today?

To understand and appreciate the intimate relationship between our own lives and the diversity of the natural landscape, attend Professor Osborne’s presentation “Shifting Perceptions of Nature: The Two-way Mirror of Landscapes, Inscapes, and Proscapes” at MVFN’s next lecture, Thursday, January 21, 7:30 p.m., Almonte United Church, 106 Elgin St., Almonte. All are welcome with a $5 fee for non-MVFN members. For further information please contact MVFN’s Program Chair Cathy Keddy at 613-257-3089 or see MVFN’s website at www.mvfn.ca.

Filed under: Current Programme, Home, Lectures, MVFN by Pauline Donaldson January 4th, 2010
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Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists

Press Release

January 2, 2010

Wild Turkeys Excel in Christmas Bird Count

A new record for signing up wild turkeys was registered in the 7th Annual Lanark Highlands Christmas Bird Count, held on Wednesday, Dec. 30. The previous record of 188 turkeys, set in last year’s count, was bested this year at 288. The continued build-up of wild turkeys in the area is now evident as each year of the count produces greater numbers. The Carleton Place Count also registered a record number of wild turkeys.

Thirty-one counters took to the field this year, to register every bird seen or heard within the fifteen kilometre radius circle centered on Watsons Corners. Organized and sponsored by the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists and led by ERA columnist Cliff Bennett, the circle is divided into four equal pieces like a pie. Bruce LeGallais, Heron Mills Road, led section A; Bobby Clarke, Rosetta Road, headed section B; Ted Mosquin, Playfairville area, led Section C and Gloria Opzoomer, Bathurst 9th Conc. organized Section D.

Marj Montgomery, Drummond 12th line, organized and compiled reports from over sixteen feeder counters, to add to the total.

Numbers of birds counted this year were the second lowest in seven years, due mostly to the absence of winter finches from the northern Boreal Forest. A few dozen (76) evening grosbeaks were found, mostly in the Poland area, two dozen purple finches and only four redpolls showed up and no pine siskins, crossbills or pine grosbeaks were found. In spite of the low numbers, records were set for downy woodpeckers (77), Cooper’s |hawk (4) and white-breasted nuthatches (101). New to the count was a brown thrasher, which is hanging around a feeder because of an injured wing and one northern harrier.

Total count for the circle was 3154 birds, lowest only to the first count of 2829 in 2003.

Last year set a record at 4130 birds. Number of species found this year remained high at 38, two down from last year’s record listing of 40 species. Complete individual species recorded were mallard duck (1); common merganser (10, ruffed grouse (4), wild turkey (288), bald eagle (3); sharp-shinned hawk (1), northern harrier (1), Cooper’s hawk (4), red-tailed hawk #), rough-legged hawk (1); rock pigeon (210), mourning dove (98), barred owl (1), downy woodpecker (77), hairy woodpecker (89), pleated woodpecker (7), northern shrike (2), blue jay (224), crow (97), raven (30), black-capped chickadee (897), red-breasted nuthatch (25), white-breasted nuthatch (101), brown creeper (3), golden-crowned kinglet (1), brown thrasher (1), starling (97), Bohemian waxwing (93), tree-sparrows, (87), dark-eyed junco (55), snow bunting (166), cardinal (7), purple finch (26), house finch (6), common redpoll (4), goldfinch (334), evening grosbeak (76), house sparrow (13).

At the end of the count day, all participants convened to Nature Lovers Book Store in Lanark for the count-in and hot beverages. Refreshments were provided by store owner Mary Vandenhoff, assisted by Mary Dixon. The Lanark Highlands Christmas Bird Count is one of over two thousand counts held across North and South America and is the largest citizen scientist activity anywhere in the world. All records are stored with the Audubon Society and used for research and conservation programmes.

Filed under: Birding, Home, Press Release by Pauline Donaldson
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Field Naturalists to Sponsor Annual Lanark Highlands Christmas Bird Count December 30, 2009

The 110 th Annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) for 2009 will take place over a six week period beginning in mid December.

One day counts have been operating for decades in Lanark County and area including Carleton Place (the oldest, started in 1944), Rideau Ferry, which takes in Perth and Smiths Falls, Pakenham and newest to the list, Lanark Highlands. All counts are conducted within a 15km radius circle.

The Lanark Highlands CBC circle, was established by the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists (MVFN) in the Lanark Highlands area in 2003. Centered on Watson’s Corners, this circle includes Brightside to the north, most of Dalhousie Lake to the west, south to within a km. of Balderson and east to include Middleville.

A count is conducted by local interested birders forming into teams and combing the villages, roads, trails and woodlots during the count day to record every bird seen or heard. The results compiled are sent to Bird Studies Canada at Long Point Ontario.

CBCs have been around since the year 1900 and are conducted all over North and Central America, the Caribbean and Hawaii and now, in South America. This event produces the largest definitive census of our bird population distribution and is used for many research and conservation programmes designed to encourage the continuing health of our avian friends. The CBC is definitely the most significant, continual, citizen-scientist based conservation movement to this day.

The date for the Lanark Highlands Christmas Bird Count will be Wednesday, Dec. 30, 8:00 P.M. til 4:30 P.M. All persons interested in the health of our local bird population, are invited to join in on the count. Teams will be formed, each team with a more knowledgeable birder as leader. They will be assigned a count area and will spend the daylight hours counting every bird they see or hear. At the end of the day,
all will gather at the Nature Lovers Book Store in Lanark Village, to record their findings and enjoy hot refreshments.

Residents in the count circle who have active bird feeders are also invited to take part in the tally. To register for the feeder counts, please contact the feeder coordinator Marjorie Montgomery, 259-3078 or email mateetukm@sympatico.ca before the tally date. Then, on Dec. 30, feeder watchers will count every bird coming to their feeders or appearing in their yard, and phone in their resulting tally to Marj. These numbers will be added to the numbers from the field observations.

Count coordinator and compiler for this count is Lanark Era columnist Cliff Bennett. To register for the field count, please contact Cliff at 256-5013 or by e-mail bennett@magma.ca.

Filed under: Birding, Home by Pauline Donaldson November 26th, 2009
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