PROJECT FEEDERWATCH NEWS 1996-97: adapted from Birdwatch Fall 1997

Last winter, 1,326 Canadian bird feeders representing all provinces and territories in Canada participated in Project FeederWatch. This project allows the observations of backyard bird feeders to be compared statistically so that their observations can be utilized to record and follow population trends across huge areas.

In the winter of 1996-97, the top ten species recorded in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island was as follows:

Species % feeders visited Mean group size Black-capped Chickadee 97.6 4.2 Blue Jay 95.2 3.7 Dark-eyed Junco 88.1 7.2 American Crow 81.0 3.0 American Goldfinch 78.6 7.0 European Starling 71.4 5.5 Downy Woodpecker 66.7 1.2 Hairy Woodpecker 66.7 1.2 Mourning Dove 64.3 4.5 Red-breasted Nuthatch 57.1 1.3

Past results for the Common Redpoll showed that this species peaks in numbers on a two year cycle. Last year most of the population stayed in the north country. The Evening Grosbeak showed its largest drop since 1988-89.

ASSIST ING NATURAL HISTORY EDUCATION: by Gary Schneider

When I ask someone for dead animals, they usually roll their eyes, but believe me there is a good reason for asking. The Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project is entering into an exciting new initiative that will assist us in teaching natural history and forest restoration at the Sir Andrew Macphail homestead in Orwell. ‘

Over the past six years the Macphail Woods project has become very active in the area of environmental education, especially regarding forests and natural history. With the help of many naturalists in the community, we have offered regular walks and talks on bird identification, owls, wildflowers, mushrooms, ferns, tree and shrub identification and forest ecology. As well, we have developed a summer children‘s program, offer school tours and have promoted plantings at schools across the province.

We are now in the process of creating a large, natural history centre as part of the forestry project. With our extensive tree, shrub and wildflower nursery, wildlife garden, pond, streams, three trails and wide range of forest types, Macphail Woods is an ideal spot for combining indoor learning with outdoor education. Schools and our summer students will benefit immediately, but we hope the building will be used for a wide range of adult education as well. This could be everything from more intensive bird courses to elderhostel programs.

This fall, with support from the Federal-Provincial Infrastructure Program, the provincial Employment Development Agency and Human Resources Canada, we began the work to stabilize the barn. The building needs a foundation, new roof shingles, insulation, floors, finish work, wiring and plumbing to suit our needs. But the results will be worth it. The entire building will be used to promote and teach natural history. We already have about 40 mounted birds and want to extend this collection. Displays will highlight native plants, small mammals, birds, amphibians, insects, and a history of what the Island would have looked like before European settlement. Reading material and computer facilities will also be available.

Common Green Darner Anaxjunius