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mounds are created by consuming one or a few cones generally by squirrels feeding while moving around while the larger mounds are usually the result of continued consumption of cones near the entrance of a cone storage area or midden. These middens may be found in a variety of locations from a hollow tree_to an underground burrow. Middens must retain a high humidity to prevent cones from opening and losing their seeds.

They range in size and their basic function is to provide a storage area for cones harvested during late summer and fall. As winter pro- gresses these cone stores are utilized to supplement food provided by cones left on trees and other types of food utilized by the red squirrel. Thus in years of peak cone crops a large supply of cones is retained from one year to the next and this reserve supply of cones buffers the squirrel population through years of cone crop failure.

Another type of storing behavior exhibited by red squirrels is the placing of apples, fungi and other fleshy fruits in the forks of branches for drying. This prevents fruit from rotting and provides a valuable mineral and vitamin source during the winter months. Additional foods utilized to various degrees include nuts, berries, tree buds, bark, sap and seeds.

The author would greatly appreciate any observations or information readers could provide on the black color phase of the Red Squirrel, particularly with regard to mounted specimens.. Another topic to keep in mind for the next few months is the conifer twig clipping activity of the Red Squirrel.

- Don McAskill 87 Kensington Road Parkdale, P.E.I. C1A~5J3

Phone: 894-4561

OSPREY NESTING SUCCESS ON P.E.I. - 1974

Prompted by numerous sightings of osprey throughout the province, the Fish and Wildlife Division conducted an aerial survey in May and June of 1974. An initial flight on May 30 in Prince County revealed 5 nests, 2 already known as nesting sites from previous.years. A second flight on June 7 over Queens and Kings counties revealed only one nest of previously:known”location-"vJefwaqganrswhile‘working on the Colonial Nesting Bird Project, discovered additional nests on Courtin Island and the Boughton River. The following is a summary of nest location and the success of each nest:

Fox Island # 1 Female on nest May 30, dead adult in nest July 13.

Fox Island #l2 Female on nest May 30, two young July 13.

‘Black Banks Cove Female on nest May 30, vacant.July l3.

Foxley River Female on nest May 30, vacant July 13-

Sickle Point Female on nest May 30, two young July 26“

Courtin Island Adults around nest.Ju1y.5, two young July 26.

Winter River Adults around nest June 7, two young July 26.

Boughton River Active adults July 20, three young July 26.

Of five nests located from the air on May 30, two were vacated by July 13 and a third nest contained a dead adult which has been sent to Ottawa .for pesticide analysis and determination of the cause of death. Two young each were brought off at Foxley Island, Sickle Point, Courtin Island and Winter River. Osprey on the Boughton River brought

off three young. Total osprey production on P.E.I. for 1974 was 11 young.