NEWS AND NOTES

TYNE VALLEY FIELD TRIP. June 25th turned out to be a beautifully pleasant sunny day, just perfect for the annual 'up-west‘ outing. Seven members met in Charlotte- town and travelled to Tyne Valley to join Dr. and Mrs. Geoff Robinson, our hosts for the day. Travelling in a cavalcade, we stopped at various spots of interest

in the Tyne Valley and Acadian districts of Prince County. At each spot we went

on a brief hike to look for birds and whatever other plants or insects of interest we could find. Fortunately for us (although not so for the poor trees) a recent outbreak of army worms had stripped the leaves from many of the alders and poplars which are so common along the roadsides of west Prince. This created ideal viewing conditions for the various bird species perched among the naked branches. To balance our natural history pursuits of the day, the Robinson's also included

stops of gastronomical and historical interest: a highbush blueberry patch with bushes up to 2m tall, the site of the old Port Hill station and the Acadian Pioneer Village. All in all the day was a most enjoyable and successful event and we warmly thank the Robinson’s for their hospitality.

The following birds were recorded: Great Blue Heron, Osprey, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Kingfisher, Least Fly- catcher, Eastern Pewee, Barn Swallow, Raven, Common Crow, Gray Catbird, American Robin, Swainson's Thrush, Cedar Waxwing, Starling, Red-eyed Vireo, Tennessee Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Chestnut-sided Warbler, House Sparrow, Bobolink, Red—winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown—headed Cowbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, American Goldfinch, Savannah Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow and Song Sparrow.

ISLAND NATURE TRUST SYMBOL CONTEST. Although the Island

‘ Nature Trust already has an attractive letterhead design, the

QTAf; Trust is now seeking an eye-catching symbol that can be easily

7 g _ 5:.f reproduced in advertising displays and fund raising campaigns.

; :- ff'iii' It should be suitable for use on a T-shirt or a pin-on button.

ear? 4' A”_ The winning entry should be:

, "' r, 1. Attractive to all age groups.

” 'xé\ ’ 4§ 2. Simple and easily reproduced.

“" 3. Distinctive (i.e. not easily confused with other symbols).

4. Symbolic of the wilderness characteristics the Island

Nature Trust aims to conserve.

Entries should be submitted by October 30, 1983 to Rosemary Curley, Waterside,

Charlottetown, RR#1 ClA 7J6. The winning design will be redrawn by a professional

artist. The judges reserve the right to withhold prizes if no suitable entries

are received. A prize of $20.00 will be awarded to the winner.

PUSHING WESTWARD. Elsewhere in this issue an article by Rosemary Curley indicates that very few members of the Natural History Society live in Prince County. In an effort to raise our profile in the western part of the province, the Natural History Society and the Island Nature Trust are currently sponsoring a nature photography exhibition and a lecture series at the Eptek Center in Summerside. We are convinced that there must be a good number of Prince County residents interested in the wildlife and natural areas of our province. If you have friends, relatives or acquaintances in Prince County whom you think would enjoy attending the lectures and exhibit, please bring these to their attention. We hope that, if enough interest is expressed this fall in Summerside, someday a Prince County branch of the Natural History Society could be established.

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