Public involvement in increasing the numbers of the Wood Duck 
     
     in our province also generates much needed public interest in our 
     
     precious wetlands. Becoming a Wood Duck Nest Box Guardian provides 
     
     a perfect winter outing for Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, 4-H groups, 
     
     and/or families with an interest in the outdoors. With a minimal 
     
     amount of effort, you can help to provide the Wood Duck with a safe 
     
     convenient place to nest. In 1992, 5 nest boxes were used by wood 
     
     ducks and the numbers are expected to rise in the future. These 
     
     boxes are also used by other cavity nesters such as grackles, 
     
     swallows and starlings. 
     
    

    
     If you would like to become a volunteer wood duck nest box 
     
     guardian, contact either Brenda Brydon, Tom Duffy (n: Rosemary 
     
     Curley at the Department of Environmental Resources at 368-4683. 
     
    
   
   
    
     THE SHARPENED QUILL 
     
     "Why are baby eagles always smiling? 
     
     Because their parents tell them many tall soaries!" 
     
     Evelyn Meader 
     
     ANIMAL AND PLANT SIGHTINGS compiled by Dan McAskill 
     
     Records for the period of April 9th to May 31, 1994. 
     
     FUNGI: false morell found in pine 
     
     plantation in Goose River; cup fungi 
     
    
   
   
    
     abundant in a balsam fir plantation 
     
     on the 48 Road (JDM). 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     FLOWERING PLANTS: The following plants were in flower on June 1, 
     
     namely: Rhododendron at Mermaid; wild pear (Amelanchier) at Donagh 
     
     and Argyle Shore; pin cherry at Argyle Shore; painted trillium, and 
     
     white and blue violets at various locations. Mountain ash was in 
     
     flower from June 8th through to .June 18th at Donagh. Horse 
     
     Chestnut was in flower in Charlottetown on June 17th (JDM). The 
     
     pollen crop frOm spruce trees was very heavy in the St. Peter’s 
     
     area with the edge of the river coated with a layer of yellow 
     
     pollen and the Jones Archaeological Site having a wind blown layer 
     
     up to 2 inches deep (JDM, MK, JB) 
     
    
   
   
    
     AMPHIBIANS: Spring Peepers - first reported at Mt. Albion on Apr. 
     
     11 (HJ); Wood Frog - first heard at Donagh on Apr. 12th 
     
    
   
   
    
     -10—