Mockingbird (Island Naturalist #1 18); providing advice for periodic revisions of the Checklist of Birds of Prince Edward Island; noting the noted the presence of significant numbers of Bald Eagles feeding on gaspereau in the Hillsborough River at Mount Stewart marsh and subsequently advocating, then creating an eagle feeding platform at which he has documented up to 30 Bald Eagles feeding; researching and mapping of the remaining Acadian dykes on the Mount Stewart marsh and compiling research information on the shipyards and the water control structures used at Mount Stewart; carving a number of Greater Black-backed Gull eggs for use in a project that has been submitted for reducing potential predation of Common Terns on the Hillsborough River, carving and displaying bird carvings, serving as a volunteer firefighter and protecting nesting wildlife from fires; and encouraging the skills of many budding young naturalists in the Mount Stewart region and is well lmown in his community for these skills.

Bruce’s many significant contributions led to his recent nomination for the Island Nature Trust’s J. Angus MacLean Natural Areas Award which was presented to Bruce at the Nature Trust’s 2005 amiual meeting.

CONCERNS RAISED ON NEW WIND FARM: by Dan Kennedy

I was away during a good part of May and missed the announcement on the construction of a wind farm at East Point. By chance, I heard about it on Compass recently and was immediately concerned about the potential impacts of a wind farm in and around East Point. This areil‘is a migratory bird travel corridor and is the most significant migratory bird land fall location on Prince Edward Island. As an experienced birder, I have birded across the Island as well as many other locations. Studies of bird ecotourism indicate that birding has an economic impact of $50 billion annually in North America. More and more birders are visiting the Island to experience its high bird diversity. Based on many visits to North Cape since the wind farm at that site was constructed, this East Point proposal could seriously impair bird based ecotourism at the Island’s pre-eminent coastal and migratory birding site. Once wind turbines are turning, you won't be birding by ear at East Point. If you don't believe me, visit North Cape. All that you will hear is the swish of the turbine blades.

Since watching the Compass article, I started a web based search for information on the impact of wind turbines on bird life. Some figures on bird mortality are available on the web. This information indicates that 75 Golden Eagles per year were being killed at a California wind farm, 300+ birds were being killed per turbine in Germany; and. 875+ birds were being killed per turbine in Sweden.

In my opinion, thorough research will be required to address any negative environmental or ecotourism impacts on the creation of a wind farm near the East Point land fall migration site. If you are interested in assisting with research on this topic, please contact me at 651-2926 or via Email at dankennedy@islandtelecomcom

NIGHT SOUNDS: by Dwaine Oakley

This evening (June 29‘“) around 9 pm I heard then saw two Common Nighthawks as they hawked insects over Leard's Pond in Lorne Valley. While watching the two birds and listening to their peent calls for a short period of time, I was also lucky enough to see the male dive a couple of times at the female in a courting display which produced the wing whir noise in the process. (Adapted from PEIbirders mailing list E-mail dated Jun. 29/05)

NEW FORESTRY ATLAS PUBLISHED:

The P.E.I. Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry’s Forestry and Land Resource Modelling Section has completed the new Prince Edward Island Atlas. This oversized, spiral-bound map book features a map scale of l:55,000, forests circa 2000, Demonstration Woodlots, golf courses, Provincial Parks, National Parks, road names, cemeteries, and much more than was available in the l:50,000 Prince Edward Island Road Atlas. The new Atlas will retail at $30 plus GST. Copies of the Atlas are available at the J. Frank Gaudet Tree Nursery, 183 Upton

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