Comox Valley Nature

In the News: Outrage at Mack Laing’s estate destruction grows

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Botany

Hello,

The Mack Laing issue has made The Sun with Stephen Hume. Please post on the website and on Facebook. Message should be”

Save Canadian Environmental Heritage! Outrage at Mack Laing’s estate destruction grows. Stephen Hume investigates and adds to the outrage. Please comment on The Sun site and take a minute to sign the new the new e-petition.

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Stephen+Hume+Comox+demolish+former+homes+naturalist+painter/10966431/story.html

http://macklaingsociety.ca/petition/

thanks, loys

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Young Naturalists Outing: Tsolum River Flats, April 12

Posted on April 12, 2015 by Botany

Sunday, April 12th
Tsolum River Walk
1pm – 2:30pm
Join the Young Naturalists’ Club down at the beautiful Tsolum River to explore spring wildflowers. Woodland wildflowers are abundant this season, and we are sure to find pink and white fawn lilies and trilliums. The trail starts at the Courtenay Exhibition Grounds and loops through prime lily habitat.

A few wildlife viewing highlights that can be found along the river are bald eagles, kingfishers and herons. Some of the natural features include dense thickets of alder, a small remnant forest of douglas fir, and wet areas of salmonberry and skunk cabbage. Some of the largest sitka spruce can be found in the Tsolum River floodplain trails.

Meeting Place:
The exhibition grounds parking lot, beside the Comox Valley Curling Club on Headquarters Road, across from Vanier High School. The trail can be muddy, so wear sturdy shoes or boots

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BC Nature eNews April 2015

Posted on April 9, 2015 by Botany

Upcoming Events

Chilcotin Camp – August 20-23 2015. A few spots still available Please email Office
AGM 2015 – Salt Spring Island – May 7 – 10, 2015. Accomodation – if you have not made your reservation for accommodation, please call Nieke Visser – 250-537-5443 for assistance in contacting lodging. Registration Salt Spring Island Trail and Nature Club
Rene Savenye Scholarship applications should be in prior to May 30, 2015 – see website for application.
Skagit Bird Blitz – May 22-24/15 Mt. Robson Bird Blitz – June 5-7/15 Manning Park Bird Blitz – June 19-21/15 – See www.bcnature.ca for more information
Talayoko and Tofino Camps – Sold out with waiting list.
Mt. Robson Bird Blitz – June 5 – 7, 2015 Contact: organizer
Harrison Hot Springs -Eagles & Salmon Camp – Nov. 26-Nov 29, 2015. Information to be posted on website when finalized.Preliminary information available at Field Camps Link

	Earth Day 2015
	April 22, 2015 is Earth Day. Do you or your club have an event planned and if not, need assistance? Here is the Earth Day . Website There are some great ideas to get involved and a place to register your event.

Issue 41

Date April 2015

Marsh Wren – Victoria 2014

Spring Magazine Available on line

For those that don’t receive wish to receive their magazine via Canada Post, the Spring Magazine is available on line. An email notifying you when the latest issue is uploaded. Current magazines are behind members only access. If you require your access and password, please email the Office


Conservation Items in the News
Ecojustice congratulates Ontario on being first in North America to restrict bee-killing pesticides – See more at: Link National Energy Board dishes Enbridge $264K in penalties Metro News, Canadian Press. The National Energy Board has slapped pipeline builder Enbridge Inc.with $264,000 in penalties this month. Two penalties — each worth $100,000 — relate to work on its Line 3 pipeline in Manitoba that the board says caused environmental and safety hazards. Last summer, the board ordered Enbridge to stop work on the Alberta-to-Wisconsin line for about a month after an inspection found numerous problems. Separately, a $64,000 penalty was levied related to design changes to a storage tank in Regina that had not been approved. Board spokesman Darin Barter says the “administrative monetary penalties” are a relatively new measure for the NEB and the amounts Enbridge has racked up are the highest so far. Enbridge spokesman Graham White says the company is reviewing the penalties to determine its next steps. Canadian Natural Resources Fined $125,000 For 2010 Oil Spill Huffington Post Canada, Canadian Press. Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. is facing $125,000 in penalties nearly five years after an oil spill in northwestern Alberta. The sentence was handed down in provincial court last Friday after the company pleaded guilty to an offence under the Fisheries Act. In a release, Environment Canada says $113,000 will go toward its Environmental Damages Fund and the remaining $12,000 will be paid as a fine. Canadian Natural has also been added to the Environmental Offenders Registry. In May 2010, about 6,000 litres of crude spilled from an emergency overflow tank at a Canadian Natural site near the town of Spirit River. Of that, 750 litres entered Sneddon Creek, a tributary to the Peace River. Environment Canada says its investigation concluded the spill was caused by valves that were left open and that the Calgary-based company failed to ensure operational procedures were foll! owed.

B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network update for 2015
Our new WhaleReport App is almost ready! It’s the most wonderful time of the year and we are celebrating for two reasons: the beginning of boating season is on the horizon and our iPhone app has been completed! This means you will very soon be able to report your sightings via our WhaleReport app, which will be available for free download from the Vancouver Aquarium’s App store on iTunes. Stay tuned for the app’s release announcement, coming very soon! To read more, please go to this Link

Interesting Sites and Articles
Anne Murrays – Snakes and Spawn – Article Arctic Circle Cam – Link Animal Homes – PBS Special – Link for more information A series of Webcams in Montana – this one is for Long Eared Owl – Long Eared Owl This webcam is for Great Horned Owl Vanderhoof Migratory Bird video Water is life; we can’t afford to waste it – Link Birds that bring gifts and do the gardening Link >br> Heron Cam – Stanley Park Link Here

About Town
Vancouver Bird Week May 2-9, 2015 Vancouver Public Library Programs May 2 2015 (7:00 PM – 8:30 PM) Central Branch Dinosaurs in my Garden? The World of Birds and Birding with Dr. Peter Candido Numbering over 10,000 species, birds are the most diverse group of vertebrates on earth. Explore some of the amazing abilities of birds and learn about some of the species found in the Vancouver area and beyond with Dr. Peter Candido. May 8 2015 (7:00 PM – 8:30 PM) Central Branch Ruff Sex: Fighters, Wingmen, and Female Mimics with Dr. David Lank Ruff sandpipers have three types of males that differ distinctly in breeding plumage, courtship behaviour, and genes. Learn how and why dark plumaged territorial males, light plumaged co-displaying associates, and rare ‘female mimics’ co-exist and which ones females prefer with Dr. David Lank. May 9 2015 (7:00 PM – 8:30 PM) Central Branch Owls and Ducks in Cities, OH MY! A Bird Week double header on urban birds. First, owls were a common feature of farmland one or two generations ago, but have become increasingly difficult to find. How have owls been able to adapt to urbanization in the last 30 years and what challenges do they face, with Sofi Hindmarch. Then we look at waterfowl grazing adaptations and how land use planning can shift behaviour to better co-exist with these important species, with Holly Middleton. Earth Day 2015 – check with your local community or Naturalists club for any planned activities in your area for Earth Day.

Western Sandpiper Migration
Roberts Bank is a critical stop on the Pacific Flyway. There are few such stopping places for the Western Sandpipers on their long journey north from Central and South America, where they have spent the winter, all the way north to Western Alaska. Yet this is where Port Metro Vancouver plans to build a second container terminal, on a huge man-made island right on Roberts Bank. If this port development were to go ahead it will likely damage this critical ecosystem and in particular the unique biofilm on Roberts Bank. Not only that but they plan to expand the port causeway destroying part of the biofilm altogether. It is this biofilm that Western Sandpipers rely on as a critical food source during their stopover as they migrate north to their breeding grounds. This annual migration is a huge natural spectacle and not to be missed. This major annual migration event at Roberts Bank is one of the most important in the whole of Canada. At its peak there are tens of thousands of birds in huge flocks in the air, swooping in to feed and slurping on the biofilm as they build up their strength before continuing on their journey. This has to be witnessed to understand its importance. This area has to be saved from any further industrial or port development – the entire species depends on it. We (Against Port Expansion Community Group) have chosen April 25 for this year’s “Peep-In”. The migration will be underway and the morning high tide will have peaked at 10:25 and will then be on the ebb (falling tide), which is when the sandpipers feed. We want to demonstrate to Port Metro Vancouver that we will not allow them to destroy this valuable habitat. We need as many people as possible to come out and show their support to protect Roberts Bank against any further industrial development. Directions: 1. From Highway 99 southbound take the second exit after the Massey Tunnel onto Highway 17a. 2. Drive on Highway 17a towards Ladner and the first traffic light. 3. At this traffic light turn right onto Ladner Trunk Road (Highway 10). 4. Drive through Ladner town centre. 5. At Arthur Drive go across the traffic light onto 47a Avenue, which then runs into River Road West. 6. Continue west along River Road West all the way to the end, where there is plenty of parking. 7. Lock your vehicle and DO NOT leave any valuables in it. 8. Walk west along the dyke – for about 10 minutes to Brunswick Point. Link Make sure to bring your cameras, binoculars and/or telescopes. We hope to have naturalists on site to explain what is happening. Rubber boots are essential. The best views of the sandpipers are from the marsh immediately below the dyke. However make sure not to stray out onto the mud. There are lots of soft areas and we do not want anybody to get stuck. Tell your friends. Invite groups that you belong to. We look forward to see you on April 25.

Festivals to attend around our province
April 17 to 19, 2015 – Mayne Island, BC Active Pass Nature and Arts Festival 2015 – for more information please visit this link May 1 -2 – Tofino Shorebird Festival – for more information – Link Here May 8,9, & 10 – The Creston Valley is celebrating the third annual Creston Valley Bird Fest. With over 300 recorded migrating and resident bird species in the valley, Important Bird Area and International Ramsar status, and over 7000 hectares of protected wetland, this is where the birds are. For a list of festival events, please visit this Link Meadowlark Nature Festival – May 14 to 18, 2015. For more information – please view this link

SongbirdSOS
SongbirdSOS is the artfully-shot story of the mass depletion of songbirds in the Americas, an alarming thinning of populations that has seen declines of many species since the 1960s. Watch the episode Link Here

Nature Trust Campaign to fund South Okanagan Antelope Brush Conservation Area
The Nature Trust of BC is working to acquire 34.6 hectares (85 acres) to create the largest private holding of rare Antelope-brush habitat in the South Okanagan. Fifteen years in the making, this fourth and final phase of the Antelope-brush Conservation Area project is underway. Located at the south end of Vaseux Lake, between Okanagan Falls and Oliver, this acquisition along with The Nature Trust’s adjoining property is home to more than 20 species at risk. Most notably, this land supports more than half of the Canadian population of the Behr’s Hairstreak butterfly. Bighorn Sheep, Pallid Bat, Desert Night Snake, Great Basin Spadefoot and Lewis’s Woodpecker are among other species at risk that are known to occur on these lands. If you would like more information about The Nature Trust of BC or our Antelope-brush campaign, please feel free to ask us any questions or visit naturetrust.bc.ca. More about the Antelope-brush campaign, specifically, can be found on this pdf we put together that SOSCP kindly posted on their website for us: link

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Upcoming Botany Walk: Kin Beach Provincial Park, April 8th

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Botany

I will lead a walk at Kin Beach Provincial Park at 1:30 PM on Wednesday, April 8.
The weather forecast sounds very good. We will meet at the picnic tables beside the main parking area.
Sincerely, Helen Robinson

Posted in Field Trips, Plants and fungi | Comments Off

Upcoming Botany Outing: Nettle Soup at Kate’s, and Mack Laing Park Plant Inventories Comparison from now to 1980 and 2005, on April 13th

Posted on April 4, 2015 by Botany

Our next Botany group meeting will take place on Monday April 13th at the house of Kate 11.30 am. Kate has kindly offered to make Nettle Soup since urtica sp. is in season!!

The focus of the meeting will be native and invasive plants in the Baybrook and Mack Laing Park areas. On the walk we should observe what is present now, in comparison with inventories that have been done in the past (one in the 1980s and one in 2005), and we can consider whether it would be useful to do another formal one before there is any major disturbance of the areas around Baybrook and Shakeside.

Happy Easter, Alison

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Bird Outing Report: Courtenay Airpark, Mar.26, 2015

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Krista

Five birders met at the Airpark for the Thursday Walk. There was no rain, not a lot of wind, and even a bit of sun. 31 species were recorded . Highlight was the female Ruddy Duck that has spent the winter in the slough We also had a Wilson’s Snipe and a few Greater Yellowlegs. Yellow-rumped Warblers were singing while Ruby-crowned Kinglets were tuning up a bit as they passed through.

Canada Goose
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Bufflehead
Common Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Bald Eagle
Greater Yellowlegs
Wilson’s Snipe
Mew Gull
California Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Northwestern Crow
Bushtit
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird

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BC Nature President Letter: Mack Laing associated with the Geological Survey of Canada

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Botany

Dear Mr. Ives and Councillors of the Town of Comox,

Recently we have learned about your decision to demolish not one but both Mack Laing Houses in your community. It goes without saying this potential act is of great concern to naturalists not only in your area, but to all naturalists and environmentalists in British Columbia, and yes even in Canada.

You are likely aware that Mr Laing is a great pioneer and played a pivotal role in the natural and environmental history of Western Canada. He made many literary and scientific contributions, was instrumental in the National Museum of Canada. His expeditions associated with the Geological Survey of Canada laid the foundations of Western Canada’s ecological and economic heritage. In short, he was a giant in Canada, British Columbia and Comox.

The decision you have taken, to erase his memory would be a cultural affront to the province, the Museum of Natural History, to the Geological Survey of Canada and indeed to the town of Comox. I implore you respect his generous donations, follow up his explicit directions as stated in his will, from which the town has been a great beneficiary.

I am certain that the Geological Survey of Canada, of which I am also a direct member, the Naturalist Museum of Canada, the province of British Columbia and the Town of Comox will be very grateful to you, if you continue to protect the heritage of this great Canadian,

As you might know BC Nature ( Federation of BC Naturalists) is the largest nature organization in British Columbia with over 5000 members, is associated with Nature Canada, and works closely with BC Parks on many environmental and nature issues.

With regards,
Kees Visser
President BC Nature

Pdf File: BC Nature re Mack Laing by Kees Visser Letter

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Brant Festival Boat Tour

Posted on March 17, 2015 by Krista

The Nature Trust of BC has news about an upcoming boat tour, part of the Brant Wildlife Festival:

· Comox Wildlife Boat Tour
Sat. Mar. 21, 1 to 4 p.m.
View birds and wildlife with Comox Harbour Charters. The tour will begin in Comox and travel to Fanny Bay and back. Pre-register: $100 per person 1-866-288-7878 or e-mail

More Brant Festival events here.

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Upcoming Event: Butterfly count. (SWI Collaboration). Cumberland Marsh area and Mount Washington, July 4th

Posted on March 14, 2015 by Botany

Saturday July 4^th. (Club event).
Butterfly count. (SWI Collaboration). Cumberland Marsh area and Mount Washington.
Details later.

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Upcoming Event: Annual CVN Summer Picnic, June 28