Island birders are already looking for those first signs of spring — nesting birds, mating calls, the first returnees from down south. We're also entering the fourth year of the Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas, the largest cooperative naturalist project ever undertaken in the Maritime Provinces.

The atlas project is already a success, collecting valuable and accurate data about the breeding ranges of breeding birds in the Mari-

. times, and making some startling discoveries:

‘ * The first breeding record in Canada for the Glossy Ibis

l * The first breeding records in the Maritimes for Wilson's Phalarope and Pine Warbler

l * The first breeding records in New Brunswick for Greater Scaup and

‘ Gadwall

\ * The first breeding records in Prince Edward Island for White-

‘ breasted Nuthatch, White-winged Crossbill and Red Crossbill, and

i a surprising rediscovery of nesting Cliff Swallows, plus a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers and increasing numbers of Bald Eagles.

Although things are going quite well, the atlas project is short of funds, and must raise about $15,000 over the next two years. This money will be used to assist in paying a reasonable salary to the one employee, to reimburse a portion of the expenses of the regional coordinators and to fund special expeditions into remote areas. ‘

If you would like to make a donation, please use the sample card below as a guide and mail it to the Maritime Breeding Bird Atlas, c/o Nova Scotia Museum, 1747 Summer St., Halifax, N.S. B3H 3A6.

As a small "thank you", the project will send a very attractive Atlas crest in‘return for your contibution of $20 or more. All contribu- tions will be acknowledged with a receipt for a charitable donation. The Atlas project is going well. Please help to keep it going.

EASE RECORD MY GIFT TO THE MARITIMES BREEDING BIRD ATLAS

it one)

Cl $200.00 D $100.00 El $50.00 C] $25.00 El $10.00 [J $ 3;. . . ease bill my Visa C] MasterCard D Card no. 5.33;" U piry date Signature

Our handsome three-colour crest will be sent to all donors who give $20.00 or more. Tax receipts will be issued for all donations.

I] Check here if you wish your gift to remain anonymous. **************** Recycling seems to finally be coming of age on Prince Edward Island. ‘ A new business is opening in Montague, based on the blue box concept now used successfully in many major cities. Homeowners are given distinctive blue boxes in which to put (separately) newpaper, glass and cans. It

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