1. pets
2. birds

MAY, 2012
Vol 24 NO. 5
THE
SAGEBRUSH
CHRONICLE
The Future Game
Will be facilitated by
Selena Mclean-Moore of
the
Alberta
Treasury
Board and Enterprise.
This is a hands-on activity
to
“create”
a
green
community
in
this
scenario based program.
Gain a better appreciation
of why regional planning
is important.
May 22
Business Meeting: 07:00
Workshop: 07:30
At
Police Point Park
Interpretive Centre
There will be no feature presentation at the June Meeting of the Grasslands Naturalists. Instead
this will be an evening of socializing at the annual Potluck Dinner on the evening of June 26.
Details for this event will be in the June Chronicle.
Executive, Committees and Programs Personnel
President
John Slater
526-7003
[email protected]
Vice-President
Anne Bernhardt
527-2792
Barry Anderson
527-3519
Secretary
[email protected]
Treasurer and
Memberships
Eileen Cowtan
526-1264
Past-President
Michael O’Shea
504-1662
Directors at Large
Bill Knibbs
Martha Munz Gue
Marty Drut
527-1006
526-2226
527-9710
Operations Comm.
Phil Horch (chair)
529-5918
[email protected]
[email protected]
Interpretive
Program
Corlaine Gardner
Issues Committee
Martha Munz Gue
529-6225
[email protected]
526-2226
[email protected]
Tina Regehr
527-5409
[email protected]
Marty Drut
527-9710
[email protected]
Program Committee Rob Gardner
527-2052
Indoor Presentations [email protected]
Field Trips
Michael O’Shea
504-1662
[email protected]
Carol Porter Bluebird Milt Spitzer
528-3120
Trail
[email protected]
Communications:
Facebook
Website
The Society of Grasslands Naturalists encourages
the study, conservation and protection of all
components of the natural world. The Society
provides educational opportunities, assists in the
collection and provision of species data, acts as
stewards of the environment, discusses
environmental topics and organizes member
activities.
General Meetings: 4th Tuesday, Sept. - May
Executive Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of all months
To join Grasslands Naturalists and/or send a
tax-deductible donation, write:
Grasslands Naturalists
Box 2491
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8G8
Contact info: Nature Centre 529-6225
2012 Memberships: Eileen Cowtan
Individuals
$20
Families
$25
Donations to Grassland Naturalists and
Interpretive Program are another great way to
support local nature and nature education. Tax
receipts are issued for all donations over $10.
Your generosity is greatly appreciated!
EDITORIAL DISCLAIMER
Tina Regehr
Paul Thibault
527-5409
529-6181
[email protected]
Newsletter Editor
The Sagebrush Chronicle is published ten times a
year by Grasslands Naturalists. Submissions of
writing and artwork are welcomed but must
be edited for publication. Deadline: the 7th
of each month. If you would like to advertise in
the Chronicle, more information is available from
the editor.
Milt Spitzer
528-3120
[email protected]
Phoning
Tina Regehr
527-5409
Nature AB Rep
Martha Munz Gue
Marty Drut (alternate)
526-2226
527-9710
Prairie Conservation Rob Gardner
Forum
527-2052
SEAWA Enviro. Rep. Rob Gardner
SEAWA Civic Rep.
Martha Munz Gue
527-2052
526-2226
The opinions expressed by the authors in this
publication do not necessarily reflect those of the
editor and the Grasslands Naturalists. The editor
reserves the right to edit, reject or withdraw
articles submitted. While due care will be taken of
all manuscripts, photos or artwork submitted, GN
cannot be held responsible for any loss or
damage to such articles.
Box
Member’s Corner
Last month’s presentation of a lifetime membership to Grasslands Naturalists to Veronica
Swan has reminded some of our longer term members of the first lifetime membership which
was awarded to Beth Milne. In last month’s membership corner we mentioned the other
honourary lifetime members, Dawn Dickinson and Donna Maclean but inadvertently omitted
Beth Milne from this list. Beth and her husband were two of the earliest members of GN and
Beth, a quiet, modest and unassuming individual, was dedicated to GN and served in the
capacity of Secretary for many years. She was one of the highly stabilizing forces of the
organization for a long time. Beth was presented with a unique award as an Honourary
Member: a self-standing five inch thick chunk of cottonwood bark with an attached plaque.
Beth has passed on but with this write-up we acknowledge her invaluable contribution to GN.
Help Required: Calling all able members and friend: Tree wrapping in Police Point Park is
urgently required. Contact John Slater ((403) 526-7003 or email [email protected] . Also
required is a volunteer group to organize and setup/cleanup the GN Potluck Dinner event.
Contact Tina Regehr at (403) 527-5409 or email [email protected] .
Medicine Hat Interpretive Program
Managed by Grasslands Naturalists.
Many thanks to all GN members and friends who volunteered for the Annual Easter Celebration,
April 6 to 9 at Police Point Park. Your time and effort were gratefully appreciated for making this
event another great success. Also special thanks to the Medicine Hat Kinsmen for sponsoring this
event.
Upcoming Events at Police Point Park
Prairie Threads: Quilt and Fabric Show runs until Saturday, June 30.
Local quilts and fabric art that depict the “Prairie-Past, Present and Future.”
Spectrum Festival: June 1 and 2: Look for us Downtown during Spectrum!
Prairie Bells and Blooms: Sunday, June 10 at 2:00 PM. Wildflower Walk in the Park.
Police Point Nature Centre Gift Shop: Support local art and artists. The May artist of the
Month is Victor Epp whose work is on display at the gift shop. We are looking for other artists
to sell their work in the Nature Shop. We also have nature books and unique nature gifts for
sale in the shop.
Watch for Our Bat Display in July!
Exciting Sightings
The months of April and May are two of the most exciting birding months of the year. That’s when we experience the
largest rush of spring migrants. As of May 9 we have seen the arrival of all our waterfowl, gulls (though terns arrive later),
most sparrow species, blackbirds and the start of thrushes. Yellow-Rumped Warblers have been passing through in fairly
large numbers so far, though other warbler species have been scarce. Shorebirds can be expected in May and early June but
so far the northern migrants have been scarce in our area, though local breeders such as avocets, stilts and godwits are
arriving. To date there have been no real surprises or rarities
but nonetheless, naturalists are enjoying every day that brings
new spring arrivals.
Tundra Swan – By mid-March there were good numbers of
Tundra Swans on sloughs and almost any open water to be
found on the prairies all around Medicine Hat. This lovely
graceful species will push north as quickly as melting ice allows
and will occasionally hang around in our area for quite a while
if there is a lack of open water farther north. By the end of
April they have vacated our area not to be seen again until the
late fall.
Turkey Vulture – In the past decade Turkey Vultures have
become permanent summer residents in our city and they
create a good deal of excitement among local residents,
especially when a dozen or more are seen perching on the Telus tower downtown. On occasion flocks of up to 25 or more
can be seen rising up over the city simultaneously, which they seem prone to do once in a while. Several people reported
the arrival of this species around mid-April.
Snowy Owl – This past winter has been a banner year for Snowy Owl sightings as reported previously. Rob and Corlaine
Gardner had an unusually late sighting on a trip back from Saskatchewan when they observed a single bird in late April.
Swallows – The Tree Swallow is generally the first to arrive in our area as they seem to be the most hardy of swallows and
have even been seen while snow is still on the ground. We can expect to see the first ones around the middle of April
although the occasional bird has arrived even earlier. On May 5, Phil and Annalora Horch observed a flock of Violet-Green
Swallows flying low over the river in Police Point Park. This species nests high in the cliffs above Police Point but occasionally
come down low, especially on colder days when bugs can be caught just above the water where it is warmer.
Brown Thrasher – One of the most unusual sightings of this past winter has only recently been reported. Rod Siegle, a
resident of Southridge, surprised local birders when he announced that a Brown Thrasher has been frequenting his
backyard feeder all winter. He supplied a photograph and Bob Frew ventured over to his home and also observed the bird.
While this species rarely over-winters successfully, it seems that this one did thanks to our mild winter.
Mountain Bluebird – We all look forward to the arrival of our beloved bluebirds every spring. Mike O’Shea was the first to
report a sighting when he observed two birds in the Cypress Hills area on March 11. For a bird whose existence seems so
fragile, they are surprisingly early migrants. Unfortunately they often get caught in dangerous spring snowstorms which
contributes to quite a high mortality rate. Milt Spitzer and his team of 20-30 volunteers regularly build, place and monitor a
network of bluebirds houses in the Cypress Hills which helps maintain a healthy number of this species in this habitat.
Occasionally we even discover the much rare (for these parts) Eastern Bluebird making use of these nest-boxes.
Western Tanager – One of our most beautiful Alberta species has to be the lovely black, red and yellow Western Tanager.
They are breeders in the Cypress Hills every summer in low numbers but only show up in Medicine Hat once in a while in
spring or fall. Ian Reeve and his wife were thrilled to have a lovely male in their Redcliff backyard on May 7, the first report
of this species this spring.
th
Send your exciting sightings to Phil Horch, 214 – 2992 – 15 Ave. S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 8L5. Phone 403-529-5918
evenings and weekends or 403-548-5318 during business hours. E-mail to [email protected].
SOCIETY OF GRASSLANDS NATURALISTS BOARD MEETING April 3, 2012
Present: John Slater, Bill Knibbs, Eileen Cowtan (host), Barry Anderson, Anne Bernhardt, Val Felesky, Tina Regehr,
Milt Spitzer, Paul Thibault
Minutes: of March 13, 2012 meeting reviewed. Eileen MOVED minutes be adopted; John seconded. CARRIED.
Action Items:
1. Sage Grouse Lawsuit Affidavit: No report from Marty Drut due to his absence. Dawn Dickinson has stepped
down from submitting an affidavit. Marty will continue in his role as leader of this issue.
2. Map of Designated Critical Habitat: No report due to Marty’s absence.
Treasurer’s Report: Eileen
1. Eileen distributed and reviewed the GN Balance Sheet and Income Statement dated March 28, 2012.
2. New bylaws sent to the Alberta Society Act for approval. Federal approval to follow.
3. MOTION by Eileen that Barry Anderson, replacing Tina Regehr as Secretary, be appointed as a new signing
officer for the Society of Grasslands Naturalists, Bank Account #’s 600 10 8629396, 600 20 8629396 and 600
30 296396 at the Servus Credit Union, Downtown Branch, Medicine Hat. That Anne Bernhardt, Vice
President, be appointed to replace Michael O’Shea (past President) as a signing officer of the above accounts.
That John Slater (President) and Eileen Cowtan (Treasurer) remain as the other two signing officers. That all
cheques written for the Society of Grasslands Naturalists be signed by any two of the above-mentioned
individuals. SECONDED by Bill. CARRIED.
4. MOTION by Eileen that Eileen Cowtan, in her capacity as Treasurer, be granted online access to the Servus
bank accounts. She alone will not be able to make any transactions but instead may access the information
for these accounts. SECONDED by Bill. CARRIED.
5. Eileen distributed and reviewed our current GN membership list which contains 147 members.
Board: John
1. The Executive Officers of GN are as follows: John Slater (President), Anne Bernhardt (Vice President), Barry
Anderson (Secretary), and Eileen Cowtan (Treasurer).
2. Appointment of Past President and Directors at Large: MOTION by John that Michael O’Shea (past president),
Bill Knibbs and Martha Gue (directors at large) fulfill these roles. Marty Drut Director at Large in waiting until
approval of new bylaws. SECONDED by Anne. CARRIED
3. Appointment of Reps to External Organizations: MOTION by John that Martha Munz Gue be appointed GN
Rep to Nature Alberta and Marty as Alternate. SECONDED by Bill. CARRIED
4. Further reorganization and restructuring of committees to be discussed.
Issues Committee: Martha
1. No report from Martha Munz Gue due to her absence.
2. Tina provided a brief update from her speech given to the Medicine Hat City Plan on March 28. Specifically,
GN is opposed to the development of the Burnside and Ranchlands areas within the city, because of flooding
and ongoing agricultural use of the rich soil. Additionally, wildlife corridors need to be reviewed before the
city moves forward with any potential development. The MHCP is currently tabled so that the opinions of all
stakeholders can be considered. Tina can provide a hard copy of her speech.
3. The meeting with MP’s and MLA’s will be postponed until after the provincial election April 23.
4. John to arrange meeting with SRD Fish & Wildlife (Dale Eslinger) near the end of April.
5. With reference to the Tax Recovery Land Transfer near Vulcan and Taber, Paul Thibault spoke briefly about
his concerns over the fragmentation of the land and the effects this has on the survival of indigenous species.
He believes that GN should take on a preventative role in this regard rather than a reactionary one. More
follow-up with this issue is needed.
Communications Committee: Tina
1. It was suggested that the communications committee (Tina, Eileen, Paul, Corlaine, Anne) convene to examine
methods to promote the work of GN. Such devices would include website, facebook, brochure, displays and
other such social media. Tina will call a meeting to begin this process.
2. Milt Spitzer continues as editor of the monthly Sagebrush Chronicle.
3. On April 24 Wayne Nelson will present an indoor program on Turkey Vultures. More details to follow.
Interpretive Program: Corlaine
1. No report from Corlaine due to her absence but a definite urgency for more volunteers for the Easter
weekend, April 6-9 and Thursday April 5 from 2:30 – 5:00 pm to help set up.
Field Trips:
1. Milt is tentatively planning a waterfowl trip on April 21 – more details to follow.
2. A possible owling trip led by Mike to the Cypress Hills on April 27 – more details to follow.
Nature Alberta: Martha
1. No report from Martha due to her absence.
2. Martha is planning to attend the AGM on April 14-15 and share her report at a future Board meeting.
SEAWA: Tina
1. Tina attended the SEAWA AGM meeting on March 30 where two speakers voiced their concerns regarding
water security and water allocation. Martha was elected to the SEAWA Board as a public member.
Other Business
The Ecojustice Sage-grouse application for judicial review and possible lawsuit was discussed. Further discussion and
possible vote on this issue is planned at the next General meeting April 24. A quorum of 37 members is required for
passing a motion.
Adjournment: 9:15 pm. Next Board Meeting Tuesday May 8, 2012, 7pm, at John Slater’s, 32 McNeely Court SE (near
the college), phone (403) 526-7003.
Upcoming Events and Field Trips
Saturday, May 26 at 1:00PM: Led by Jan Scott. Meet at the east end of the 500 block of 11 Street, SE
(where the trail starts). Please phone Jan if you plan to attend (403 526-5639). If the weather is
adverse Jan will contact you about an alternate date.
Sunday, May 27: Medicine Hat Spring Bird and Flower Count. Help still needed! Do your own
territory or help with an assigned one. Count birds or flowers or both! Go all day or just for an hour or
two! Contact Marty Drut at the Nature Centre for details and to sign-up at (403) 529-6225 or email
[email protected] .
Saturday, June 2: Cypress Hills Bird Count: Meet at the Elkwater Visitor Services Centre at 08:30 AM.
You may wish to phone (403) 893-3833 (ask for Chris Dodds) to reserve a route.
Sunday, June 10 at 2:00PM: Prairie Bells and Blooms. A wildflower walk in Police Point Park. Meet
at the Nature Centre at 2:00PM.
Friday, June 15: Prairie Wildflowers and Birds Trail Walk led by Michael O’Shea. From 7:00 to
8:30 PM. Meet at the Ross Creek Trailhead, 110 Ewart Crescent SE. Follow Carry Drive from Dunmore
Road. Turn right at Ross Glen Drive. Take the first left turn. Stop at the posts. Phone: (403) 504-1662.
Thursday, June 21 or 28: Heritage Trees Walk: Led by Dennis Baresco. Details for this walk will
be announced in the June Chronicle. Also Dennis will be making a short 10 minute presentation at the
Potluck Dinner regarding this program.
Saturday, June 23: (Tentative): Medicine Hat Jane’s Walk. Details to be announced in the June
Chronicle.
GN Outing to Western Reservoirs
On April 21, 2012 five eager spring birders gathered at the A&W to set out for Rattlesnake, Sauder’s and Murray
Reservoirs to view what wonders the early spring migration
had wrought. We weren’t to be disappointed as the weather
did more than co-operate as each of the reservoir surfaces
were like glass with nary a breeze to disturb the calm. To go
along with these ideal conditions we had great views of many
species of birds; in all 57 species were tallied.
On the way to Rattlesnake Reservoir we saw a lone
Pronghorn in the field with, what looked like, a very young
fawn with her. When we stopped to look with our binoculars
we were only able to see the adult; we presumed that the
mother put the fawn down in the grass to hide it from our
view.
Water bird species tallied included 17 species of duck, 4
species of grebe, Common Loon (3), pelicans and cormorants,
Snow and Canada Geese, American Coots, as well as Tundra
Swans. Shorebirds included Killdeer (5), American Avocets
(24), Willet (1), and Marbled Godwit (1). Some of the more
notable passerines seen included: Tree Swallows (2), American
Pipit (2), Song Sparrow (1), and Yellow-headed Blackbird (2).
Since we all rode together on this trip I had threatened the
group that we would be out until we spotted one of three
rarities (Eurasian Wigeon, Long-tailed Duck, or Sabine’s Gull).
It was afternoon when we were at Murray Lake and some of
the crew were getting fidgety as we had as yet not seen any of
the three and several participants had afternoon
appointments. Mike O’Shea desperately started scouring the
lake with his scope and soon came up with the bird of the trip;
A Eurasian Wigeon! Yahoo!
Grassland Vegetation Inventory Tour by Marty Drut
On April 30, I attended a field tour to learn more about the new Grassland Vegetation Inventory (GVI) and how it
works. The tour was organized by Cathy Linowski with Medicine Hat College and led by Ron McNeil with
Landwise, Inc., a consulting firm based in Lethbridge. Attendees included representatives from other consulting
firms, government representatives, students, and members of other NGO’s.
GVI was created by Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (SRD) and represents the provincial government’s
first comprehensive inventory and classification of plant communities for southeastern Alberta. It was developed
with input from the province’s rangeland management, fish and wildlife, wetland management, and land use
sectors. GVI is comprised of ecological range sites (i.e. site types) based on soil information for areas of native
vegetation and general land use for developed areas. One primary goal of GVI is to better account for the
complexity of grassland systems and give land managers an important tool to improve habitat management and
reclamation. For GVI, lands are classified into three Primary Classes, five Land Classes, and 32 Site Types.
The tour began in low elevation dry grass communities near Murray Lake, progressed to mid-elevation mixed
grass communities near Red Rock Coulee, and finished with high elevation montane communities in the Cypress
Hills. During the tour, we learned to recognize Land Classes and Site Types within each community. Plants
present at a site (minimum 5 ha) and examination of geological features were primary clues used to help classify
various locations observed at each stop along the tour. We also examined and discussed impacts GVI would have
on future reclamation projects for fixing damage from development such as pipelines in native grassland.
All in all it was a great opportunity to interact with others involved with maintaining and restoring native
grasslands in our area and learning a new system for looking at and better understanding the intricacy of
grassland systems. If you would like to know more please feel free to contact me.
April Presentation: Turkey Vultures
By Wayne Nelson
Mr. Wayne Nelson of Camrose entertained and informed the
23 members present at the GN Monthly meeting on April 24,
2012 with his talk and slide presentation on the presence
and nesting habits of Turkey Vultures in East Central Alberta.
Mr. Nelson studied at UBC and then did further studies at the
U of C. In the 1960s Mr. Nelson studied the reproduction of
Peregrine Falcons in the Queen Charlotte Islands at a period
in time when the populations of Peregrines were crashing
due to the insidious nature of DDT. After these studies were
complete he went to work with the Alberta Fish and Wildlife
Department where the study of Turkey Vultures was
initiated. After retiring from the Department Mr. Nelson has
continued his study of the Turkey Vulture.
The Turkey Vultures of Central Alberta primarily nest in old abandoned farm homes usually in corners
of the attics often making the access to the birds an adventure. The Turkey Vultures brood the eggs
(normally two) for a period of a month and then tend to the chicks for two more months before they are
able to fly. Mr. Nelson and his accomplices visit known nest sites early in the chicks hatching (can tell
the age of the chicks by photo comparisons) and then plan their tagging for a time just before the
hatchlings are ready to fly (60 days from hatching). Birds are wing tagged not leg banded as the leg
bands can form great accumulations of guano that can lead to infection. This accumulation of guano
results from the Turkey Vultures method of cooling down in hot days. They poop on their legs and the
resultant evaporation cools the birds down.
Some of the other interesting vulture facts:
 Turkey Vultures can sniff cadavers after about a day and half after death even when buried in
earth to a depth of over a foot but Condors do not have this sense of smell.
 The adult turkey vultures are docile to work with but the young are aggressive and make
haunting noises leading some people to believe that abandoned farm homes are haunted.
 Male and Female Turkey Vultures cannot be distinguished visually.
 Adults have red heads while the young have gray heads.
The Alberta Turkey Vulture tagging study began in
2008 whereas Stuart Houston of Saskatchewan had
begun tagging Turkey Vultures in Saskatchewan in
2003. In 1958 Al Oeming of Game Farm fame found
Turkey Vultures nesting on an island in Lower Mann
Lake. In southeastern Alberta it is surmised that most
of the nesting takes place in cliff crags as farm homes
are less numerous and not as hidden from view. As the
abandoned homes slowly disintegrate where they no
longer provide shelter from the rain and elements the
Turkey Vultures will have to find alternate nest sites
and is speculated that these sites may be in abandoned
vehicles.
Adopt a Species at Risk
By John Slater, President
In the February edition of the Sagebrush Chronicle, there was an article summarizing the introduction from the
Federal Government’s Environment Canada booklet, Species at Risk – a guide to Canada’s species at risk in the Prairie
Provinces, March 2009 together with the page concerning the endangered Greater Sage Grouse. This month, the page
from that booklet on the endangered Burrowing Owl is printed below. The owl occurs in southeast Alberta during the
summer breeding season and is one of the prairie’s most loyal inhabitants by nesting in the burrows of the
Richardson’s Ground Squirrel. A campaign to protect the bird and its habitat has been successful in raising the level of
concern among landowners and the general public.
Grasslands Naturalists
Box 2491, Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 8G8
MEMBERSHIP FORM 2012
YES! I would like to be part of the Society of Grasslands Naturalists.
Name: ________________________
Name of 2nd Family Member: _______________________
Address: _____________________________
Individual: $20/year ______
City / Prov: ___________________________
Family:
Postal Code: _________________________
Organization: $25/year ______
Telephone: ___________________________
Donation: ________ Tax Receipt Available
email: _______________________________
TOTAL ENCLOSED: _____________
Preference to receive GN Chronicle newsletter by post
Signature(s): _________________________
Date: _____________________________
$25/year ______
_____ email _______
_______________________________
Date: __________________________
WAIVER FORM 2012
I may wish to participate in field trips and events organized by Grasslands Naturalists.
I affirm that as a participant I am prepared to stay with the group and follow the directions of the coordinator.
I affirm that, knowing my personal state of health, I feel that I am mentally and physically capable of participating in the trips
and events that I choose to attend.
I acknowledge that I am aware of the inherent risks, hazards and dangers associated with activities arising from my
participation in trips and events which may result in injury to me or result in my death.
Therefore in consideration of my participation in these trips and events, for myself, my heirs, my executors, my
administrators and my successors, I voluntarily assume all risks and hereby waive all my rights against and
unconditionally release and discharge the Grasslands Naturalists, its members, directors, officers, its affairs and its
coordinators from all manner of activities, causes of action, suits, claims and demands for damages, personal injury,
death, loss or damage to property, expenses or otherwise which may or shall arise in any way as a result of my
participation in the above trips and events.
__________________________________________________
Signature of Member
__________________________
Date
__________________________________________
Signature of 2nd Family Member
__________________________
Date