were unsuccessful. A conversation with David Cairns led to the revelation that
a Bar-headed Goose had been sighted in the Hudson Strait in approximately 1982
or 1983. He indicated that the individual who sited the bird eventually
concluded that this bird was an escapee. One of Ray Cooke's references
indicated that a small, feral (wild) population of this bird had become
established in Scandinavia. The plot thickened! Was this an escapee or a feral
bird? It was Geoff Robinson who solved the mystery. A week after the bird was
first seen, he was able to contact Hollis MacFadyen and Hollis had lost a
Bar-headed Goose. So ended the chase for the "not so wild" goose. It was a
great learning experience.

NEWS FROM ABOUT

The swift fox reintroduction program in Alberta and Saskatchewan which has
released 465 swift fox since 1983 has been deemed a biological success. A live
trapping program to check success last fall yielded 27 foxes and 2/3 of these
were born in the wild. This project was financially supported by the Swift Fox
Conservation Society and the World Wildlife Fund. It grew out of an effort in
the early 1970s when Miles and Beryl Smeeton of Cochrane imported 2 pairs. The
reintroduction team includes the University of Calgary, Canadian Wildlife
Service, wildlife departments in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The
breeding program includes the Calgary Zoo, the Moose Jaw Wild Animal Park, and
the Edmonton Valley Zoo. (adapted from Environment News 14:1)

The Alberta Bird Atlas project has entered its final year and is making a
push to complete the work in distant areas of the province. (Alberta Bird Atlas
Newsletter 5:1, Spring 1991)

Dr. Alan Burger of the University of Victoria has instituted a beach
patrol of some 30 beaches every month in British Columbia. The program
identifies the causes of death for seabirds and notes beach conditions. It has
shown that the so-called minor spills are a major killer of seabirds. 60
volunteers assist with these surveys. (adapted from Geowatch, Canadian
Geographic June/July 1991)

Wetland loss in the United States since 1780 has cost 53% of the wetlands
or 117,000,000 acres. In 10 states, all in the eastern half of the United
States, 70% or more has been lost. The loss by flyway is 40% in the Atlantic,
48% in the Central, and 61% in the Mississippi and Pacific. (adapted from Ducks
Unlimited, March/April 1991)

The 2nd volume of Immature Insects, published by Kendall/Hunt will appear
on book shelves in early 1991. The two volumes amass almost 2,000 pages on the
immature stages of insects. (adapted from Audubon Magazine, January 1991)

Fuji Film USA will cease using plastic film canisters, start using
waterproof paper instead, and switch to recycled paper for the outside box on
660 million rolls of film. Fuji and Audubon embarked on a 3 year cooperative
effort last year to help communities find a solution for solid waste. (adapted
from Audubon Magazine, January 1991).

The American Woodcock population in the Eastern United States has declined
36% in the past 23 years. In response to this decline, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Ruffed Grouse Society have
combined forces to encourage private landowners to manage their lands for
woodcock. For more information, write to the "Woodcock Specialist, Office of
Migratory Bird Management, USFWS, MS 630 ARLSQ, Washington, DC 20240. (Adapted
from Birder's World, August 1991)

The shorebird migration through the Bay of Fundy is one of the most
spectacular birding events in Canada. Large concentrations of shorebirds such

SPR ae