If you missed the fascinating presentation by Dan Strickland on his research into the Canada Jay in Strathcona Park (see the announcements here and here), a recording of the webinar is now available, courtesy of the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/367152631049115152
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on September 19.
Slime mould continues to fascinate…the video clips sent recently by Joy inspired me to put together a few photos of local slimes. [Click a photo to enlarge it.]
Thanks to Jan S. for the photo of wolf’s milk slime, and Sharon N. for the dog’s vomit slime.
If any of you come across an interesting slime mould in your travels (usually in moist, deep woods, but sometimes in unexpected places), send me a photo and I’ll add it to the collection.
*If any of these are misidentified, speak up!
2. Insect-egg slime (Leocarpus fragilis), Miracle Beach Park
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on September 14.
Here’s a note from John and some pics that will brighten these rather sombre smoky days:
“With all this gloomy smoke around us I thought I should send in some bright happy pics of two of my favourite wildflowers:”
3. And the glorious Erysimum arenicola (sand-dwelling wallflower). From Mt. Arrowsmith.
Submitted by Fred N. on behalf of the Tree of the Year committee.
When I heard one of the Tree of the Year nominees was a yellow cedar in Royston I became intrigued. Yellow cedar (Xanthocyparis nootkatensis, formerly Chaemacyparis nootkatensis) on the coastline this far south was rare. They are common at Paradise Meadows but outside their range at Royston. A field visit revealed an 80-year-old tree, 30 metres tall and just a stone’s throw from the beach on Greig Avenue. Karen C. and I were touring many of the nominees, scoring them against the criteria of objective values and subjective values. The yellow cedar was special. [Click photo to enlarge.]
This tree was nominated by CVN member Judy W. Her description best describes it:
The seedling was collected on Forbidden Plateau by Ted Greig and planted outside their gate, when their son Jim went overseas in WW 2. Ted and Mary Greig ran the Royston Nursery from 1929-1966. The yellow cedar is in the road right of way and Mary protected it for many years from the Dept. of Highways.
This yellow cedar scored highest on subjective value and had only one mark against it objectively based on the crown condition which is probably a result of root damage as the driveway and sidewalk constrict growth.
For 2020 the CVN Tree of the Year is the Royston Yellow Cedar.
Congratulations Judy!
Check out this amazing short film about the western toad migration. It was filmed at a small lake north of Campbell River.
youtu.be/5S-lZtE1J6M
Tadpoles: The Big Little Migration
youtu.be
Four years in the making, join my journey with the western toad in this short nature documentary. For more visit: maxwelhohn.com Follow me on Facebook...Research from Audubon on wildfire’s effect on birds. Although birds can flee a fire it it not
known how smoke from large fires impacts the bird populations.
www.audubon.org
Big burns are natural, but climate change could make especially destructive fire seasons the new normal.Bat Conference - The conference is hosted by the BC Community Bat Program, South Coast Bat Conservation Society, Metro Vancouver Regional Parks, and Burke Mountain Naturalists SocietyBMN is co-hosting the Bat Matters 2020 Virtual Conference, Creating Bat-friendly Communities, September 28 to October 9.
This two-week virtual conference will feature a variety of prerecorded video presentations and online discussions presented by specialists in the field of bat research, conservation, and stewardship in BC. You will learn the latest from the experts on:
- Building Bat-friendly Communities in BC
- Examples from the Field - Peachland, Richmond, and Kelowna
- Urban Bat Conservation and Integrating Research
- Local Stewardship and Community Involvement in Bat Conservation
- Living with Bats
- Bats and Human Health
- The Goldilocks Approach: Use of Bat Boxes in a Changing Landscape and Climate
- How to Find Information on Important Bat Habitats
In addition to daily video presentations, there will be a moderated, interactive 90-minute online Webex discussion at the end of each week. Registration is $25. For details and to register, visit the conference web site www.burkemountainnaturalists.ca/bat-matters-2020/
Hosted by the Got Bats? BC Community Bat Project, South Coast Bat Conservation Society, Metro Vancouver Regional Parks, and Burke Mountain Naturalists Society.
