male Rose-breasted Grosbeak at the feeder. Three species of grosbeaks in one week definitely raised my 
     
     spirits. Also, the presence of ten Purple Finches (four raspberry red), goldfinches and Pine Siskins has been 
     
     delighting the eye and the ear. Many mornings l have awakened to the songs of Purple Finches. Better than 
     
     an aiarm clock! 
     
    
   
   
    
     Postscript: 
     
     Just got a call from Len and Cora Plourd - neighbours that [had let know about the 
     
     Blue Grosbeak being in the area. Cora reported two Blue Grosbeaks to me. 
     
    
   
   
    
     NEWS FROM ABOUT: compiled by J. Dan McAskill 
     
    
   
   
    
     Society members were deeply saddened to hear of the sudden death of Jean Ouellette, a long time 
     
     supporter of the Society and a keen observer of wildlife during his years at the P.E.l. National Park. Jean 
     
     took the initiative and for a number of years was the moving force behind the pot luck lunches at the old 
     
     Dalvay Shelter at the P.E.l. National Park Christmas Bird Count. He joined with Society observers to 
     
     celebrate his love of wildlife on such outings as the owl prowl, amphibian hunts, illustrated lectures, and 
     
     other events. Jean joined with the Society and Fish and \Mldlife Division to help implement amphibian 
     
     surveys in the early 19903. We will miss this fellow lover of wild things and places! 
     
    

    
     The island Nature Trust’s Annual Dinner and Auction yielded a profit of $15,000 this year. The 
     
     funds will be used to continue its land acquisition and conservation projects. Their work, combined with the 
     
     work of the Gavernment of Prince Edward Island and various donors led to the Island achieving a B + grade 
     
     in the World Wildlife Fund’s Endangered Spaces Report Card (adapted from lsl‘and Nature Trust Update #52). 
     
    

    
     The Quebec Labrador Foundation’s OLF 2000 has received pledges and contributions of $1.6 million 
     
     up to the end of February, 1997. This campaign is designed to increase their cornerstone endowment fund 
     
     from $3 to $6 million. The OLF began its work in 1961 and for the past 35 years has been a conservation 
     
     force in various coastal communities of Eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. They have 
     
     expanded their programs to the international scale and the future looks bright. Should you wish more 
     
     information on OLF 2000, contact their Montreal office at 514-395-6020. 
     
    
   
   
    
     ANIMAL AND PLANT SlGHTINGS: compiled by J. Dan McAskill 
     
    
   
   
    
     Heavy rains on March 16 dropped the level of snow deposited in late February and early March snowstorms. 
     
     On March 19th, Bays and rivers were still largely frozen ever and fields were more snow covered than they 
     
     have been most of the winter (JDM). 
     
    
   
   
    
     Flying Squirrel at feeder at Red Head on Mar. 23 (MK). Foxes reported at Argyle Shore and St. Andrews in 
     
     Apr. (B&RH, BC). One seal in water at Bayside on Nov. 16 (LP). Four seals pulled out on ice on 
     
     Hillsborough River on upriver side of bridge in Charlottetown in Mar. (JDM). Spring peepers started singing 
     
     in Stanhope on May 2 (F&JC) and in Mt. Albion on May 4 (HJ). 
     
    
   
   
    
     Good weather and clear shies allowed members to peer skyward for a good look at the comet Hale-Bopp in 
     
     mid-March. A major snow storm whipped its force across the Island on April lst and 2nd, finally blowing 
     
     itself out on the 3rd. The opening of the trout fishing season seen most ponds and rivers coated in thick 
     
     ice. The lateness of the spring was rather emphatically punctuated by the appearance of the first flying 
     
     June Bugs on June 2 (JDM). 
     
    
   
   
    
     BIRDS: Common Loon - 7 at Mill River on May 25 (R89); 4 fishing off shore at Savage Harbour on June 21 
     
     (JDM); Northern Gannet - 25 + at West Cape on May 16 (FRC); Cormorants - 2 at Hillsborough bridge on 
     
     Apr. 6 (SN); Great Blue Heron - 1 in West Royalty on Mar. 28 (LT), 1 at Argyle Shore on Apr. 4 (DH, LY), 1 
     
     at Rocky Pt. on Apr. 4 (SN), 2 at Mt. Albion on Apr. 5 (SN), 15 to 20 at Rustico island on Apr. 6 (LT, PA), 1 
     
    
   
   
    
     -9.