October 15 - 21: Toronto will be the lite for the ECO-ED Conference which will feature various types Of Beflflions on methods of communicating and educating people to act on development and environmental issues. For 'more information write ECO-Ed Congress Canada, 191 Niagara Street, Toronto, Ont. MSV 1C9. ‘ '

YORK BIRD SIGHTINGS ' John te Raa

Sunday morning, April 5, the trees in the yard were full of small birds. At first I wasn't too sure what they were. When I went outside with the binoculars, the trees were alive with contentedly chirping birds. I

‘ recognized the melancholy song of the Pine siskin.‘ Looking through the

binoculars it was quite obvious that the_majority of the birds were goldfinches. The males were in the process of getting their breeding plumage. while trying to COunt the finches in the maple trees, I spotted eight Purple Finches, males and females, and seven Pine Siskins among the goldfinches. The Purple Finches were busy picking at the maple buds except for one singing male. I did count forty-three goldfinches in the hardwood trees, judging by the level of activity in the spruce trees there may well have been over a hundred finches in the yard. Six Evening Grosbeaks observed the activity from the top of the birch tree, while three Red-winged Blackbirds observed from the top of the poplar tree. The Song Sparrow was singing from the top of the brush pile and the.chickadees and Blue Jays were going about their normal business. It was hard to believe that I was standing on top of three feet deep snow. ‘ I ' -

GRAND MANAN BIRDS by Dan HcAskill

One of the more fun parts of editing the Island Naturalist is seeing what the mail brings to the door. In late March one of the pleasant surprises it brought was a letter from Brian Dalzell and a copy of his new book, Grand

’-Manan Birds, a Checklist with Occurrence Graphs and a Site Guide. Brian, a long time NHS member and sighting contributor to the Island Naturalist, produced the book for the Grand Hanan Tourism Association which is selling the

'book for s 4.75 via the mail or for $4 on Grand Hanan. '

The book provides bar graphs (see below) for the 325 species of birds reliably reported between 1970 and 1990 and a checklist for the 343 species that have been proven to occur in the Grand Manan archipelago. In addition, 'it provides a map to 24 birding sites with a description of the habitat type and birding highlights to be anticipated at each. The five column checklist at the back allows listing for five trips, for five habitats, or whatever other use you might like. All in all, its a great addition to the Maritime birding scene and a very useful book if you will be dropping by Grand Hanan for a vacation devoted to birding or relaxation. ,

sample Bar Graph:

COMMON NAME Jan. 1: Feb. “If. , April “Iv July , 09. 5.91. 061. Nova Doc. Rod-throat“ Loon: enerall «1’ rates ~ TI I I I at sea without stopping y ' ° . 'H L ' ' I I I I I' '

The book is available via mail from the Association at P.o. Box 193, North Head, Grand Hanan, N.B. EOG 1L0 or from local tourism operators.

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