searchable, include events calendars for naturalist clubs across Canada, have electronic newsletters, manage membership lists, provide electronic images of wildlife, and are interactive. Dan volunteered to assist with the potential development of this web-based system. (adapted from verbal briefing by Dan Kennedy at the NHSPEI December meeting).

A letter was received from the Canadian Nature Federation formally announcing that their name had been changed to Nature Canada (NHSPEI Executive Committee Minutes Nov. 26)

A number of complaints were received from members because the Farm Centre doors were locked before the Society’s meeting was concluded and members arriving late could not get in unless someone seen them and opened the door. Representatives of the NHSPEI Executive Committee wrote to the Farm Centre Association attempting to resolve the issue of proper access to the meeting room area. The Farm Centre Association indicated that they had resolved the problem and indicated that the buzzer would be fixed and the sign would be posted to allow access to members during the meeting. (NHSPEI Executive Committee Minutes Nov. 26'“ and Dec. 7th NHSPEI meeting) v

Rosemary Curley advised Society members that she had agreed to serve on the pro-tem board to work towards funding for the creation of a new Maritime Breeding Bird Atlas (MBBA II) which would use on line data entry to facilitate some of the rather onerous paper challenges faced in the first MBBA. (NHSPEI Dec. 7‘h meeting)

We need to be on the lookout for Owls as there seems to be a southern movement of them this year. These include Snowy, Great Grey, Boreal, and Hawk Owls. The following is an interesting report from the Duluth, Minnesota, Birding Report for November 18'“: "The movement of OWLS into our area has continued this week, with over 140 GREAT GRAY OWLS and over 80 NORTHERN HAWK-OWLS seen across northeastern Minnesota. There are so many OWLS around that it is hard to recommend specific areas" On Amherst Island, Ontario (a place that's been known for OWLS in recent years, particularly during irruptions of OWLS, and their food source), the first report of a BOREAL OWL this season came yesterday, November 22"". Also in Ontario, there have been reports of GREAT GRAY OWLS in the areas of Algonquin Park and Ottawa. In addition to the Midwest US (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan), and in southern Canada, SNOWY OWLS have begun to appear in New York State, and in New England. (Adapted from Eric Marcum E-mail Nov. 22)

CALLING WINTER BIRDS: By David Seeler

Yes it is again that time of year - From the first of December to the end of February it is time to keep track of all species observed here on our Province - hopefully we can outdo our sister provinces who are now engaged in this program! Please send ALL species reports to the list, myself or Dwaine and we will keep track of the species observed with an update at the end of each month. To aid in data collection on the list server program, please place the term WBL: (winter bird list) in the subject line so we do not miss any report.

2004-05 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS: Results compiled by Dan McAskill, Ruth Richman, & Gary Schneider

This was a wild year for some of those who participated in the counts this year. Despite some snow squalls at East Point itself, the East Point count was cool and clear for the most part. The P.E.I. National Park started early in the day with snow and slush and icy roads then heavy rains before the rain cleared in the mid- aftemoon. The Hillsborough count was scheduled for December 27th but a northeaster (blizzard) brought over 40 cm of snow and winds over 100 km per hour. Fortunately, the count day conditions for the Montague count on January 2"" and the Hillsborough count on the 3'd brought relatively good weather.

For the 34‘h consecutive year, the Society has conducted Audubon Christmas Bird Counts on Prince Edward Island and this is the 105"I consecutive year for CBCs in North America. In total, some 50,000 people

5