oiunieers are needed

If you are a birder or bird-watcher, we need your help. In June, 1986, the five-year Maritimes Breeding Atlas gets underway. The final product will be a book of maps, one for each breeding bird, accompanied by a text. Each map will clearly delineate the breeding range of a par- ticular species in the Maritimes, providing information which scientific research and birding records have failed to do for most species. The breeding range of the crow and robin is well—known, but the maps for the Roseate Tern, Bald Eage, Upland Sandpiper and Northern Oriole might be surprising. All the field work will be done by volunteers. .

The Atlas will be a benchmark record of breeding birds in the Mari— times and in future years will be a handbook for scientific researchers and birders. The Atlas should also provice information on habitat fea— tures attracting certain species. For birders who maintain lists, it should enhance the numbers game. The Atlas may also point to the need for better conservation techniques to maintain habitat for rarer species.

Participating in an Atlas Project is reported to be addictive and we expect an influx of volunteers from states and provinces where Atlases are now complete. Still, we must rely on our home-grown talent for the bulk of the fun. If you want more information or want to participate, contact Rosemary Curley at 651-2585. All levels of expertise are needed.

During the recent review of the Environmental Impact Statement for the Hibernia Development Project, Environment Canada presented their position on the oil field.

The Hibernia oil field is located on the northeast Grand Banks approximately 310 km east of St. John's. Mobil Oil (Canada) Ltd. has proposed to start production from the field in 1992 using a concrete, gravity base production platform Specially designed to withstand the rigours of the Grand Banks.

Environment Canada's position, as presented to the panel, was that the oil field could be developed in an environmentally accept— able manner provide that more thorough evaluations of the environmental risks concerning project design, construction, operation and abandon- ment were conducted. Ten specific recommendations were presented to the panel to assist them in arriving at a decision on mitigation necessary to ensure an environmentally safe project. The recommendations included: the need to consider a greater impact area on the Grand Banks and to include coastal zones; development of an effects monitoring program; development of contingency plans; further research on containment and cleanup of oil spills on the high seas, and an evaluation of the risk

to seabirds.

For more information contact: John Neate, Environmental Protection Service, Environment Canada, P.O. Box 5037, St. John's, Newfoundland, AlC 5V3 (709)772-5488.