EONANZA BY THE SEA

by Margaret E. Mallett, Charlottetown

Nov. 4, 1982. Breezy and partly sunny, it was a rare day for early November - in fact it broke the high temperature record with an official reading of 200 Celsius - a good day for a trip to the Island's north shore. Nearing Rustico Island we left the car at the spot where just over 20 years ago the water of the very sizable Little Harbour channel coursed freely. He walked toward the Gulf over the flat sand beach where in times of storm and high tide the sea still threatens to over- run that slender man-made link - the Gulf Shore Road. Beside the Gulf, a lone jogger, clad in shorts, made a run from Brackley Beach to Rustico Island and back again.

With binoculars we now noticed that we had other company on the beach. At the east end of Rustico Island where seaweed (eelgrass) was entangled with the rocks at the base of the cliff some Sanderlings were very busy feeding on something - but what? Approaching in an unhurried fashion, we were able to come very clbse before the Sanderlings took wing and swirled out over‘the Gulf - a flock of eighteen. Back to the beach they came and went to work on a small bundle of sea- weed. Advancing a few more steps toward the cliff, we noticed with amazement that the rocks were black with myriads of small black flies a little larger than the common black fly. Our curiosity partly satisfied, we proceeded westward over the rocks along the shore leaving the 18 Sanderlings to enjoy the feast of flies so providentially supplied.

FROM THE EDITOR

From time to time it seems appropriate for an editor to take pen in hand and conmunicate directly with readers. The present seems to be just such an occasion. Beginning with the February meeting, the Natural History Society will begin meeting at Beaconsfield, home of the P.E.I. Heritage Foundation. Although the move is not far in concrete terms (just across the parking lot), it marks a significant time in the development of the society. The Board Room of the Provincial Health Building has served us well in the past, and we thank the P.E.I. government for making it available to us. However, the considerable growth in

. membership in recent years has enabled us to outgrow this meeting place, and we appreciate the generosity of the Heritage Foundation for welcoming us to Beacons— field for future meetings.

A further indication of the health and energy of the NHS is provided by the increasing number of high quality contributions which are being submitted to the newsletter. Although I do not always have the opportunity to thank each of you personally, I do deeply appreciate the support I have been receiving from members. Articles, sketches, lettering, reports of bird sightings, suggestions, even your comments on what you like or dislike about the newsletter - all are most welcome contributions which help to make this publication more truly a reflection of the members it serves.

At this the beginning of 1983, and of a new phase in the society's life, my thanks to all of you for contributing in your own individual ways to the success of the NHS. I look forward to becoming better acquainted with our many new members (and those of longer standing, too) and, I hope, to receiving newsletter material from even more of you. May 1983 be a most happy and prosperous year for each of you.