family but a little sad for Cass whose hoppy visits were a heart—stirring example of a small creature's struggle for life despite adversity.

SWALLOWS OR PLOVERS ' by Ben Hoteling

During beach surveys for Piping Plovers at Greenwich early this May, I observed a group of small, dark birds in the distance on the beach. When I got close enough, these birds could be readily identified as a mixed flock of Bank Swallows and Barn Swallows. The day was very cold and somewhat drizzly so there were no insects flying. When I approached the swallows were foraging on the beach in much the same manner as plovers would, foraging amidst the sand and wrack for insects and other invertebrates. They seemed very tame and only moved away a few feet at my approach. ‘

As I slowly made my way through the area the birds were using, they would move away at my approach by flying a short distance then reoccupy the same area previously used. Foraging continued throughout my intrusion into their foraging territory and I was able to approach quite close to the birds. The swallows seemed so intent on their foraging that they were disturbed very little by my presence.

The prolonged cold spring of 1992 could have delayed the hatching of many flying insects or changed their flight behavior so that these swallows were forced to adapt to other foraging strategies in order to ensure their survival. This unusual behavior of swallows was ' interesting to observe.

ENVIRONMENTAL CALENDAR

Feb. 8 - "An Islander's Guide to Woodlot Management will commence at the Holland College Technology Center in the West Royalty Industrial Park and run for 10 to 12 consecutive and at least one Saturday field trip. The cost is $35. Contact Ken Mayhew regarding registration 368-4700.

Feb - Mar - The P.E.I. Department of Agriculture will be hosting courses across the Island on Pesticide Safety. Contact Ken Lingley at 368-4044.

Feb. 23 - The Souris Branch of the Wildlife Federation will host another bird night at the school starting at 7:30 p.m. There is a $2 charge to offset expenses.

Feb. 24 — The Henry Dunsmore Island Nature Trust video presentation "Endangered Spaces" will be launched at the Farm Centre at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome and it is hoped that it will be on sale.

Feb. 27 - Tracadie Lions Club will be the site of a workshop on the human history of the Hillsborough River. It starts at 1:30 p.m.

Mar. 2 - Coastal Birds and Waterfowl will be the topic of Wayne Barrett's presentation for the Society's monthly meeting which commences at the Farm Centre at 7:30 p.m.

Mar. 6 - The third in a series of workshops on the Hillsborough River will start at 1:30 p.m. at the Fort Augustus Recreation Centre.

Mar. 11 - Lady Slipper Naturalists meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Summerside Library

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