least 66 different eagles were identified here. Presently at seven feed- ing sites 225 to 250 different birds have been observed while feeding. Band identification on some of the birds has shown that they come from as far away as Michigan, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Ed- ward Island. Most seen, of course, are local area birds. Survival rates, based on the identification of bird bands at the feeding operation, ap— pear to indicate that perhaps at least 50 to 60% "E§§===§§\

of the immatures survive to adulthood. This is an encouraging sign and a considerably higher rate that originally thought. It seems that as eagles get older and more efficient at finding and obtaining wild food, they make less use of the feeding areas.

Recent small—scale winter feeding for eagles in New Brunswick has shown that plac— ing deer carcasses along a river where eagles are seen very infrequently during the winter will attract and keep ,:. a few birds in a local area from November to February. Tm Winter feeding programs for eagles can contribute to “M the health and welfare of both wintering and breeding birds, immatures and adults, of an endangered species in New Brunswick. Such programs pro— vide much neededfood for the young birds during severe winters. Addition- ally, the use of contaminate-free food here may offset adverse effects of eagle reproduction that may be attributable to contaminated wild food sources further south. Attracting and keeping birds in the vicinity of a feeding area may encourage them to nest in the immediate area where per- haps they hadn't nested before or perhaps return to former breeding sites or improve production at existing nesting sites.

Winter feeding can increase the survival of young eagles and it may also contribute to increased production of a breeding population in New Brunswick that, while small and reproductively stable, could benefit from ~such assistance.

(This article first appeared in the New Brunswick Naturalist. Mr. Stocek is a biologist and instructor at the Maritime Forest Ranger School in Fredericton, New Brunswick.)

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ALMOST THAT TIME AGAIN! ALMOST THAT TIME AGAIN! ALMOST THAT TIME AGAIN!

"That Time“ is early January, when the Predictable Early Birds will send in their membership dues or will pay at the January 5 meeting. By this time several names will have been deleted from the membership list. How— ever several new members have joined the Natural History Society, keeping themembershipabove 180. Cheques should be made out to the Natural His— tory Society of P.E.I., and should be mailed or delivered to Miss Margaret E. Mallett, 53 Fitzroy Street, Charlottetown, P.E.I. ClA 1R4. Best Wishes

to you all for a Happy and Prosperous New Year. M.E... *******~k******~k************

New loco-Hon

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