Natural Histor); Sociefy news .

The April 7 meeting of the Natural History Society was very well— . attended and many issues were discussed. Bruce Smith was chosen to be the NHS representative to the Island Nature Trust, replacing Pat Doyle. Pat held the position for three years and was thanked for his many contributions. He was recently elected as President of the Central Queens Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation and couldn't fill both positions (unless someone invents a 36-hour day!)

Bruce told members about the Challenge '87 Project that the NHS and the Conservation Strategy will co-sponsor if approved. Eight students will conduct surveys of shorebirds, colonial nesters and raptors. A steering committee will be set up if the grant comes through to oversee the project. The Conservation Strategy was approved in principle and accepted April 3 by the provincial legislature. All 65 ‘recommendations were agreed with, although not all will be undertaken right away.

Another shorebird survey will take place this year, and Mary Willms related some of her past experience with the survey. For more information, contact Rosemary curley at 651—2585.

Concern was voiced at the meeting over the designation of rivers on PEI for aquaculture. Escape problems and the physical tie—up of waterways are just two of the potential areas of concern. Pat Doyle said that tradi— tional uses can be severely curtailed and is trying to get other groups besides the Wildlife Federation and the Fly Fishers Association involved.

A meeting was held April 9 with Jim Jenkins from Fisheries and Oceans and hopefully someone will report on it at the May meeting.

Dan McAskill will lead the annual Amphibian hunt, probably towards the end of April on a nice, rainy night.

Wildlife Parasites: Their World and Yours was the subject of the tall! and slide show given by Dr. Rick Cawthorn of the Atlantic Veterinary Coll . Great slides may have left some feeling queasy, but Dr. Cawthorn really shed a new light on parasites and drew lots of questions afterwards.

MARITIMES BREEDING BIRD ATLAS

BY ROSEMARY CURLEY

Saturday, July 4, is Atlas Day and several square bashes are planned. Pick the square nearest or of most interest to you and bring your binoculars, a lunch and a friend. Field trips are scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. but remember that you can see more birds if you start earlier. In the meantime, make a trip to your calendar and reserve July 4 for the birds. All are welcome. WEST POINT PRIORITY SQUARE: The West Point square is about 50% water and includes a good mix of wood and farmland, and a varied coastline. Meet leader Gerald MacDougall at the Regional Services Centre in O'Leary at 8:00 a.m. or at the entrance to Cedar Dunes Provincial Park (Rte 14) at 8:30 a.m. ALBANY PRIORITY SQUARE: The Albany square is located inland just north of Borden and includes small marshes, hardwood and softwood stands, and you ’ guessed it, farmland. Meet leader Jennifer Brown at the railway tracks ju