ISLAND RESIDENT WINS QLF CARING FOR THE EARTH AWARD:

A resident of Mermaid, Mr. David Doughton, has been presented the prestigious Caring for the Earth Award by the Quebec-Labrador Foundation's Atlantic Centre for the Environment. The award recognizes a person's leadership, service, and dedication to the field of conservation and sustainable development in eastern Canada and New England. Inaugurated in 1995, this is only the fourth time the award has been made and the second time an Island resident was received the distinction. In addition to the honour, the Caring for the Earth Award carries a cash award for $1,000.

David was recognized for his significant works as a volunteer with the Environmental Coalition of Prince Edward Island, P.E.I. Environmental Network, Public Transportation Co-operative of P.E.I., and the Eastern Co- operative Health Organization (ECHO) as well as work on the national level with the Canadian Environmental Network's Health and Sustainability National Caucus. In addition to these contributions as a volunteer, the award recognizes his dedication to his professional work as Community Economic Development Systems Coordinator with the Regional Co-operative Development Centre.

It is a pleasure to offer the Society's congratulations to David on this prestigious award and to share a wee bit of the story with our members!

HAZELBROOK WILDLIFE: by Janet Fraser

My observations are made from a hilltop at the centre of open, wind-swept fields on a farm with potatoes on either side in three year rotation. There is a swampy area and some woodland about 1/2 km back, with a spring pond about 17 m (50 ft) across which rarely freezes and two Ducks Unlimited ponds which are encouraging raccoons if nothing else. Now, with a spruce hedge about 8 to 10 m (25 to 30 ft) high and another cedar hedge near the house, plus two big cedars at the front comers of the house, and many shrubs and trees in the borders of the property and fence lines, the wildlife population here is really on the rise.

In spring and summer, there are Black Ducks and Canada Geese flying over and a Bald Eagle on a NNW/SSE course regularly. Grey Partridge appear every winter in a small covey - five reduced to four this year. The winnowing sounds of snipe can be heard all summer in the evening and Northem Harriers, male and female, are frequently seen. A red fox still boldly patrols the farm roads and a very naive red squirrel sits on the bird feeder until I almost touch him. Great Blue Herons make frequent calls at the ' " ponds.

'In the yard, there are increasing numbers of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, robins, warblers (Yellow- rumped and Yellow) nesting, and goldfmches, a few Bobolink (eSpecially when I'm mowing the hay! alas). House Sparrows have taken over the nearby bird nest boxes for Tree Swallows but one at the spring pond still has Tree Swallows. A family of crows raids the compost daily and Blue Jays abound. Starlings, Common Grackles, and blackbirds are all around in summer but only a couple of starlings are staying at the feeder this winter. Also, there are only three chickadees, two juncos, one song sparrow, two American Tree Sparrows among the "regulars" this winter.

On January 8th, there were seven robins visiting the high-bush cranberry bushes. They didn't come near the feeder. While there haven't been any redpolls, the Downy Woodpecker seems to come in early March/late April only. Snow Buntings come and go. A pair or ravens "gawked" around just after the big snowstorm.

Such common enjoyments; who needs the exotic?