O O ':2— . O 
     
    
   
   
    
     mounds are created by consuming one or a few cones generally by 
     
     squirrels feeding while moving around while the larger mounds are 
     
     usually the result of continued consumption of cones near the entrance 
     
     of a cone storage area or midden. These middens may be found in a 
     
     variety of locations from a hollow tree_to an underground burrow. 
     
     Middens must retain a high humidity to prevent cones from opening and 
     
     losing their seeds. 
     
    
   
   
    
     They range in size and their basic function is to provide a storage 
     
     area for cones harvested during late summer and fall. As winter pro- 
     
     gresses these cone stores are utilized to supplement food provided by 
     
     cones left on trees and other types of food utilized by the red 
     
     squirrel. Thus in years of peak cone crops a large supply of cones is 
     
     retained from one year to the next and this reserve supply of cones 
     
     buffers the squirrel population through years of cone crop failure. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Another type of storing behavior exhibited by red squirrels is the 
     
     placing of apples, fungi and other fleshy fruits in the forks of branches 
     
     for drying. This prevents fruit from rotting and provides a valuable 
     
     mineral and vitamin source during the winter months. Additional foods 
     
     utilized to various degrees include nuts, berries, tree buds, bark, 
     
     sap and seeds. 
     
    
   
   
    
     The author would greatly appreciate any observations or information 
     
     readers could provide on the black color phase of the Red Squirrel, 
     
     particularly with regard to mounted specimens.. Another topic to keep 
     
     in mind for the next few months is the conifer twig clipping activity 
     
     of the Red Squirrel. 
     
    

    
     - Don McAskill 
     
     87 Kensington Road 
     
     Parkdale, P.E.I. 
     
     C1A~5J3 
     
    
   
   
    
     Phone: 894-4561 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     OSPREY NESTING SUCCESS ON P.E.I. - 1974 
     
    
   
   
    
     Prompted by numerous sightings of osprey throughout the province, 
     
     the Fish and Wildlife Division conducted an aerial survey in May 
     
     and June of 1974. An initial flight on May 30 in Prince County revealed 
     
     5 nests, 2 already known as nesting sites from previous.years. A second 
     
     flight on June 7 over Queens and Kings counties revealed only one 
     
     nest of previously:known”location-"vJefwaqganrswhile‘working on the 
     
     Colonial Nesting Bird Project, discovered additional nests on Courtin 
     
     Island and the Boughton River. The following is a summary of nest 
     
     location and the success of each nest: 
     
    
   
   
    
     Fox Island # 1 Female on nest May 30, dead adult in nest July 13. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Fox Island #l2 Female on nest May 30, two young July 13. 
     
    
   
   
    
     ‘Black Banks Cove Female on nest May 30, vacant.July l3. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Foxley River Female on nest May 30, vacant July 13- 
     
    
   
   
    
     Sickle Point Female on nest May 30, two young July 26“ 
     
    
   
   
    
     Courtin Island Adults around nest.Ju1y.5, two young July 26. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Winter River Adults around nest June 7, two young July 26. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Boughton River Active adults July 20, three young July 26. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Of five nests located from the air on May 30, two were vacated by 
     
     July 13 and a third nest contained a dead adult which has been sent 
     
     to Ottawa .for pesticide analysis and determination of the cause of 
     
     death. Two young each were brought off at Foxley Island, Sickle Point, 
     
     Courtin Island and Winter River. Osprey on the Boughton River brought 
     
    
   
   
    
     off three young. Total osprey production on P.E.I. for 1974 was 11 
     
     young.