Our Island Environment. It will feature three sets of concurrent workshops on 12 issues including ground water, waste management, energy, wildlife, landscape preservation, air quality, agriculture and the environment, environmental impact assessment, and other areas. Contact the Department of Environment for further information.

Mar. 13 (?): The NHS's normal meeting night at the Farm Centre was already booked by a farm group so we've had to move to the second Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Gerald MacDougall will speak and show slides on the Eagles of Prince Edward Island.

Apr. 3: Mr. Brian Hearn will provide an illustrated presentation to the Society on the Caribou of Newfoundland. The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m.

May 1: Please clean off those great slides you have and get them ready for submission. The Society's Annual Slide Show will be featured at the Farm Centre. The meeting will start at 7:30 p.m.

SUBNIVIAN BEHAVIOR

With the onset of snowfall the week of November 20th and the heavy snows since then, this winter looks like a good time to watch for the subnivian (under snow) behavior of a variety of animals. One of the most visible animals to display this behavior on the Island is the red squirrel, particularly if you have a feeder located some distance from the nearest cover.

This behavior appears to be utilized as an energy conservation tactic by certain mammals and birds. They utilize burrows under the snow to feed or rest. The temperature in these burrows rarely fall below minus 6 degrees centigrade while the surface air temperature can plunge to 20 degrees below zero and colder with wind chill factors far below this. Some of the animals which display this activity include Grey Partridge, red squirrels, meadow voles, and woodland jumping mice.

BIRD SIGHTINGS

Bald Eagle - 1 at Hillsborough Bridge, December 23 (DM)

Ring-necked Pheasant - 1 in Murray'River, November 25 (AS)

Barred 0wl - 1 at New Harmony on September 29 followed the observer while she ran a cruise line. It approached within 10 feet during three stops on the line. (RR)

Pine Warbler - 4 at feeder in Southport, December 19 (AM)

Pine Grosbeaks - 4 immature at Montague, November 23, 24 (GB)

Bohemian Waxwings - 20 at Montague on November 23, 24 (GB)

Common Redpoll - 1 in Tyne Valley, December 26 (DR)

40 seen in Bethel on December 26th (DM)

Nhite-Throated Sparrow - 3 at Montague feeder on December 1,2,3,5 (GB)

Thanks to all those who contributed their bird sightings. This issue's

contributors were: GB - Gwen Beck; AM - Arlene McGuigan; DM - Dan McAskill; DR

- Dorothy Robinson; AS - Anne Stewart;RR - Ruth Richman;

LATE BLOOMS

Alan Saint reported seeing buttercups in flower October let in Charlottetown and dandelions on October 22nd at Dunstaffnage.

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