Post on 04-Jul-2020
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
What is in a name, a message, a “brand,” and the legal ramifications thereof?
Your board has been pondering the question and answers as part of an updating exercise. It is felt that
some freshening up of wording to, for example, the “Mission Statement” (aka the club Objectives, as
authorized by the Letters Patent), may serve the club better, as we move forward into a new era, with
new members, the digital age of our expanding website and new business cards as examples.
The current Club Objectives (indeed is this the same as the Club Mission Statement?) are as follows:
a) to promote interest in, and the study of, nature generally
b) to promote interest in, and the study of, all aspects of the environment
c) for the objects aforesaid, to carry on printing and publishing, and to sell and distribute literature
d) for the objectives aforesaid, to accept gifts, legacies, and bequests
I pose the following question to reader members: do not sections (a) and (b) essentially state the same
thing? We the board think so. Sections (c) and (d) are prescriptive, and quite appropriate.
What indeed, is a Mission Statement? One attempt is as follows, and seems reader-friendly (exact
reference not available):
A mission statement defines in a paragraph or so any entity’s reason for existence. It embodies its
philosophies, goals, ambitions and mores. Any entity that attempts to operate without a mission
statement runs the risk of wandering through the world without having the ability to verify that it is
on its intended course.
I would like you the reader to review the following draft from one of our experienced member/
mentors as a fresh and I believe relevant update: "Dedicated to the study, appreciation and
preservation of natural ecosystems and species in their indigenous environment. Sharing these values
enthusiastically by active support of research, presentations, publications, field trips and the
acquisition of properties to be left in their natural state in perpetuity to benefit generations to come."
(cont’d on page 3)
ISSN 0836-4702
AUGUST 2015
VOL 69 ISSUE 3
THUNDER BAY FIELD NATURALISTS
2
N ature Northwest is a quarterly
publication of the Thunder Bay Field
Naturalists. Each volume (ISSN 0836-
4702) consists of four issues published in
February, May, August and November. A
subscription to Nature Northwest is a
benefit of membership.
Articles, notes, records, illustrations and
photographs of local and regional natural
history are welcome. Material accepted is
subject to editing and revision. Nature
Northwest is intended to be informative and
thought-provoking. Articles may be edited
and reviewed by different members of the
TBFN Newsletter Committee. Views
expressed are not necessarily those of the
Thunder Bay Field Naturalists or the
Editor.
Send events, stories, trip reviews, articles,
pictures and observations. Your ideas and
suggestions are welcome. Address all
submissions to:
naturenorthwest@gmail.com
Deadline for submissions is the first day of
the month in which the issue will be
produced.
In This Issue:
General Meetings………………..……3
Bald Eagle Observations……………..4
TBFN History………………………...5
Pool 6 Field Trip……………………...6
A New Conservation Partner…………7
Northern Sharp-tailed Grouse………...8
Kam Valley Field Trip………………..9
Book Review: One River……………10
In Memorium:David Hussell………...11
Mink Mountain Field Trip…………...12
Grey Fox……………………………..14
Upcoming Field Trips...……………...15
Club Information……………...……..17
Contributors: Janet Anderson Susan Bryan Marian Childs Nick Escott Rob Foster Art Gunnell Connie Hartviksen David Legge
From the Editor’s Desk…
Our summer issue profiles a few of the many
opportunities we have to enjoy nature in
Northwestern Ontario: trek to a remote area to see
Northen Sharp-tailed Grouse perform their courting
dance; explore the diverse habitats in the Kam River
Valley; watch a Bald Eagle fish; discover a species
new to the area. Our region’s small population and
the wealth of nature are related, but mean that
resources for nature study specific to our area can
be hard to find. TBFN is trying to fill one gap by
updating the district’s checklist of vascular plants.
See page 7 to learn how you can help.
And get out there and make the most of the rest of
the summer.
- Barbara Yurkoski
3
UPCOMING GENERAL MEETINGS
The Thunder Bay Field Naturalists Club meets on the fourth Monday of September, October,
November, January, March and April at Lunan Hall, St. Paul's United Church, 349 Waverley Street,
Thunder Bay. Meetings begin promptly at 7:00 p.m.
Fall meetings details have not been finalized.
Watch the meetings page on the website for upcoming
announcements.
(cont’d from page 1)
I invite your comments on the above theme (the Board is anxious for your feedback), and also, for those
with legal background, advice/suggestions on the legal requirements. I understand the new Ontario Not-for
-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA) is pending and may affect the mechanics of any change.
I have another possible change for consideration. Our (very attractive) business card gives an abridged
version at present, and a reprinting is pending: “Dedicated to the study of natural history, the wise use of
natural resources, the preservation of natural areas, and teaching the public to understand and protect
nature.” No real quibble with the essence, but we think the last phrase is a tad pompous.
Oh, and while I am at it, yet another layer of branding to consider; that is, a “motto.” Our mentor from
above suggests a short but pertinent “ TBFN-we care about nature” or words to that effect. Might this
suffice for the business card? Again your recommendations are welcome.
Recognizing the summer may not be the best time to debate these issues (we are enjoying our natural
splendour immensely as I write), your board is anxious to hear back from you: nay or yea!
Enjoy the articles in this issue.
- David Legge
4
Over the years Ken and I have spent many summer
hours quietly watching the patterns of behaviour of
this pair of Bald Eagles and their offspring. We often
see an adult pick up a fish and first carry it to this
log. I was never quite sure, but after processing these
pictures, I think I know why it makes this stop.
First of all, the initial dive and grab is exhausting for
the eagle, which often lifts a fish equal to its own
weight or maybe more. There have been times when
it couldn't manage and we have seen it flap its way
through the water to shore, then drag the fish up to
this old white pine log and dismember it into
manageable pieces. Sometimes there is still some life
left in the fish, so it gets hard to control.
We concluded that this log is a place where the eagle
doesn't have to do the initial lift all in one go. It
usually lands in profile, with the fish draped over the
log, and sits there for a time to get reenergized and to
make sure its meal is good and dead, not moving
around. Then it rotates itself around facing out and
lines the fish up 90 degrees to its talons. It grabs hold
with one foot, crouches down on the other foot and
gets ready to launch. It lifts both wings as high as it
can to get the maximum downward thrust to lift off
the log with the added weight. Once the eagle has
gained enough height, it uses both talons to properly
hold the fish and carry it all the way up to the nest.
Very interesting to watch.
- Connie Hartviksen
Bald Eagle Observations
The Entomological Society of Ontario welcomes
you to submit your photos of insects and other
arthropods for competition in the annual ESO Bug
Eye photo contest (http://www.entsocont.ca/bug-
eye-photo-contest.html), open to ESO members
and all Ontario residents, no entry fee. Winners to
be announced during the ESO Annual General
Meeting Sept. 18-20th at QUBS. Please see the
attached poster for more information.
Submit photos to esophotos@gmail.com
Submission deadline Aug. 28th
Winners announced Sept. 20th
Prizes:
Best photo: $50
Best photo of an Ontario insect: $50
Best photo by a junior entomologist under 13: 1st
$25, 2nd $20, 3rd $10
People's Choice award: $50
* * * * * *
Enter the Entomological Society of Ontario’s Photo Contest
5
TBFN came into existence on January 26, 1933,
through the efforts of Major Lionel S. Dear, who
was elected President and Colonel S.C. Young,
Secretary. The Port Arthur News-Chronicle, in an
issue dated January 27, 1933, announced the
group’s formation. The new club soon joined the
Federation of Ontario Naturalists (now known as
Ontario Nature).
However the troubles of the depression years
caused activities to lapse, until TBFN was
reorganized in 1937 under the presidency of
Glaude Garton. Membership grew to over 50
persons. Then World War II brought the club to a
virtual standstill.
In 1946 TBFN again revived, this time under the
leadership of Dr. Howard Quackenbush and Dr.
Albert Allen, who had been president from 1943 to
1946 and was again elected to that post from 1951
to 1953. Keith Denis, who was president from
1954 to 1955, was another guiding light in the post
-war years.
Early activities centred on the study of birds,
plants and various flora and fauna but steadily
moved to include environmental concerns and
nature conservancy. TBFN members realized that
large projects, even with only volunteer effort, still
required considerable financing. As a result, the
club applied to become accredited as a certified
charitable organization having authority to issue
income tax deductible receipts for certain
donations.
Incorporation In the late 1970s, TBFN decided, presumably to be
able to apply for charitable status, that the club
should become a not for profit corporation under
the laws of Ontario. TBFN’s application was
approved on November 20, 1978. It is understood
that the law firm of Illingworth & Illingworth,
whose partners were then (and still are) club
members, undertook to handle the application at no
charge. The club became a corporation without
share capital with the Ontario Corporation number
of 398504 and the official name “Thunder Bay
Field Naturalists Club”. (The members are the
owners of the corporation.) The 11 signatories,
listed below, made up the first Board of Directors.
Douglas S. Asquith, President 1974-75
Beth L. Hunter, President 1976-78
Kenneth W. Gunby
Nick Hordy
Rosemary L. Large
Caroline S. Grant
Joan M. Crowe
Marguerite J. Stevenson
K. Joan Hebden
W. Keith Denis
Myra J. McCormick, President 1978-81
The club’s constitution is spelled out in its Letters
Patent which authorize TBFN to pursue the
following four goals:
To promote interest in and the study of nature
generally
To promote interest in and the study of all
aspects of the environment
For the objects aforesaid, to carry on printing
and publishing and to sell and distribute
literature
For the objects aforesaid, to accept donations,
gifts, legacies and bequests.
In order to maintain corporate status, all necessary
reports and documents must be submitted as
required. Records of the activities of the club must
be kept on file.
- compiled by Art Gunnell
A Short History of the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists Club
FOREST FORAGING
During the week of August 20th, Ontario Nature
will be hosting a variety of workshops promoting
local forest foraging. Please visit the following
website to see information regarding topics and
how to register.
http://www.ontarionature.org/protect/habitat/
foraging.php
The dates are on the website, and we will update
the site as new workshops are booked.
6
With so many interesting developments, Marina
Park is a lovely place to walk and enjoy the
waterfront. However, few realize the hidden cost
of the changes to the shoreline and the destruction
of fish spawning habitat. When such changes
occur, something must be done to restore the
balance.
The Saskatchewan Pool 6 grain elevator, which
once proudly stood nearby, is now history. The
grain elevator was demolished in a planned
implosion, leaving a legacy of contamination, a
few blocks of concrete and rubble and
contaminated soil. Improvements are taking place
slowly. In 2013 an improved pond provided better
spawning and nursery habitat for fish. The existing
fish and turtles were removed before the pond was
completely pumped out, prior to excavation.
Removal of dump truck loads of contaminated soil
and debris widened the pond and increased its
maximum depth to five metres. Root bundles,
boulders and rocky and sandy substrates were
added to improve habitat diversity. The Thunder
Bay District Stewardship Council recently added
nest boxes, which also contributed to improving
the connection to Lake Superior. The perched
culvert at the pond outlet was replaced with a
larger one with a beaver cone. A vortex weir built
at its outlet now helps to retain water when lake
levels are low.
We came to see the results. What a lovely addition
o the marina area! Traditional habitat with lots of
cattails was left on the south side of the pond. Red
Osier Dogwood, birch, maples and White Pines
were planted on the north side. The existing
shallow pond was changed to encourage a new
spawning ground, with a sizable island in the
middle. Water plants such as the Common
Bladderwort were added.
Did this improvement work? Small fish are already
increasing in numbers. White suckers, brook
sticklebacks, mudminnows and fathead minnows
have recolonized the pond from Lake Superior. We
saw a Beaver and a Muskrat in the pond. Birds
were plentiful and included Canada Goose, Red-
wing Blackbird, Northern Flicker, American
Field Trip to the former Saskatchewan Pool 6 Grain Elevator Area
Robin, snipe, Solitary Sandpiper and heron, and
heard Chorus Frogs. At the nearby Northern Wood
Preservers marsh, we also observed Northern
Shoveller, Mallard, Goldeneye, Bufflehead,
Ringneck Duck, scaup and others.
The 18 field trip participants would like to thank Rob
Foster for leading this outing and completing the
project. If you didn’t make it out to the field trip,
don’t hesitate to make a visit to the pond. Park in the
southern most parking lot by the Wilson Street
roundabout and walk south along the road to the
pond.
- Marian Childs
Can you name these wildflowers?
Answer on page 8.
Photos by Marian Childs
7
Thunder Bay Field Naturalists Nature Reserves
program has received a generous donation from
Elua (pronounced e–loo-ah) a division of Global
Hydration, headquartered in Thunder Bay. Elua
provides solutions for clean safe drinking water
such as home water filtration systems, water
purifiers and tablets for outdoor enthusiasts, plus
a variety of products for personal use like
reusable water bottles and all-natural drink mixes
to help people kick the bottled water habit. TBFN
will use the donation to help with purchase of our
next nature reserve.
The partnership between Elua and TBFN Nature
Reserves is a natural one. Elua supports the right
to clean drinking water around the world. It also
promotes environmental protection, ensuring
clean water for generations to come. Supporting
the local efforts of TBFN to protect wetlands,
Lake Superior shoreline and pristine natural areas
aligns well with the company’s ideals. Elua is a
member of 1% for the Planet, a growing global
movement of companies that donate 1% of their
sales to approved environmental organizations
such as TBFN. There is a lot of interesting
information about the company, its products, and
its global actions to provide safe drinking water
on their website:
http://elua.com/our-philosophy/#work
You can also connect on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/EluaWater
https://plus.google.com/+EluaWater
https://twitter.com/eluawater
https://www.pinterest.com/
eluawater/
Please give Elua a “thumbs
up” or tweet a thank you
from TBFN if you visit
these sites.
HELP TBFN CREATE A UNIQUE RESOURCE!
In partnership with local experts, TBFN is creating an up-to-date plant checklist for Thunder Bay
District. This is a crucial tool for studying local nature and identifying regionally rare plants,
Arctic-Alpine disjuncts and other important species. TBFN also uses the checklist to confirm the
value of our nature reserves and to assess the value of potential acquisitions. The current list was
last updated in 2003. The new one will be available to the public to download from our web site
and will be for sale in print format at the Lakehead University Bookstore.
The Gosling Foundation (Goslingfoundation.org) has offered to match contributions to this
project, dollar for dollar, up to $2000. If you can contribute to help us reach this goal, go to the
TBFN web site. Specify that the donation is for Nature Reserves. (You do not have to purchase a
membership at the time you make a donation, but we need your contact information to send a
charitable receipt.) Or mail your donation to TBFN Nature Reserves, P.O. Box 10037, Thunder
Bay, Ontario, P7B 6T6. Thank you!
Elua—A New TBFN Conservation Partner
8
As noted in the May issue, TBFN’s Black Bay
nature reserve provides breeding habitat for the
Northern Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus
phasianellus). In this issue, we provide some of
Nick Escott’s observations about this northern
subspecies that is found in only a few locations in
Thunder Bay District.
T. phasianellus breeds in boreal fens across
northern Canada and in Alaska. In our district, it
is a local and uncommon breeder. It is darker than
the Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus
campestris), with other subtle plumage
differences. Its name comes from two long square
-tipped feathers that give the appearance of a tail.
Nick suggests that local populations may date
back hundreds or even thousands of years,
augmented by iruptions from farther north, which
have been documented since 1865. Sharp-tailed
grouse generally stay close to their fens, feeding
on Dwarf Birch buds and catkins. Each spring a
group of males performs the courting ritual on the
lek, or dancing ground. The males stick to their
places in the lek, with the most dominant male in
the centre of the group. The females are attracted
to the dancers, and try to get into the centre,
where they usually mate with the dominant male,
or one close to him.
Because the birds’ habitat, surrounded by Black
Spruce bogs, is relatively inaccessible and lacking
in desirable natural resources, they have been safe
from human disturbance. However the disjunct
populations in our area are more vulnerable, since
they are closer to populated areas. The lek on the
Black Bay Peninsula, which was mentioned in the
May issue, is on TBFN’s 65-hectare nature
reserve, but the surrounding area is not protected.
The possible construction of a permanent logging
road to the edge of the wetland is an ongoing
threat. (See Volume 68, Issue #2, p. 7, 2014.)
For more on Sharp-tailed Grouse in Thunder Bay
District, see Nick Escott’s article, “The Sharp-
tailed Grouse in Thunder Bay District” in Ontario
Birds, volume 21, no. 1, 2003.
* * * * * * * *
A correction to the May article:
The land at Everard Fen was given by the
Government of Canada to the widow or remaining
relatives of a deceased veteran of the Fenian
Raids, which occurred following the war of 1812.
According to the original patent held by the land
registry office in Thunder Bay, the Canadian
Government granted to Charles Wilson of
Seaforth 160 acres of bog in Northern Ontario in
1913. The property passed through several
generations of descendants before finally being
donated (with help from Nature Canada and the
Nature Conservancy of Canada) to TBFN in May
2000.
Northern Sharp-tailed Grouse
Photo by Nick Escott
ANSWER TO PLANT QUIZ:
We’ve all heard about Purple Loosestrife and how this invasive plant takes over and replaces native
species. These are two other varieties of loosestrife found on our Kam Valley Reserve. The Fringed
Loosestrife (Lysimachia ciliata) is on the left and the Swamp Loosestrife (Lysimachia terrestris) is
on the right. – Marian Childs
9
This 30 acre TBFN reserve is a rich floodplain
at the confluence of the Whitefish and
Kaministiquia Rivers. Seven intrepid members,
led by Sue Bryan, traversed several distinct
habitats, which required an exciting ford of the
Whitefish. (See photo: Barb Yurkoski is assisted
by Sue Bryan, whilst Bruce Childs calmly looks
on, having completed his journey).
The group viewed distinctive flora at: the forest
walk from the car park; the open flood plain on
the islands and shoreline of the Whitefish River;
the thickets of shrubs/vines on the Whitefish
Kam Valley Nature Reserve Field Trip, August 8, 2015
River banks; the elm/ash hardwood swamp; and
finally, the muddy shore of the Kam River.
In the swamp area Sue identified the regionally
rare Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictoides).
Note the berries are not quite blue yet.
This trip was yet another example of both a great
learning and TBFN fellowship experience.
- report and photos by David Legge
Nature
in Rainy River
Marian Childs recently visited
the Cranberry Peatlands, west of
Fort Frances. She reports that
the Rainy River Field
Naturalists have added 11
interpretive signs to their
boardwalk there. The sign
pictured here was sponsored by
club members Dale and Phyllis
Callaghan.
10
One River is an absorbing account of
two generations of scientific explorers.
For fifteen months, in 1974-1975,
Timothy Plowman and student Wade
Davis journeyed into the Amazon rain
forest. Plowman was inspired by
charismatic educator Harvard professor
Richard Evans Schultes (1915-2001) to
expand on the fieldwork done by
Schultes from 1941-1953. This work
ranged from his search for the long lost
sacred plants of the Aztec to his study
of the peoples living in the Northwest
Amazon of Columbia. Schultes literally stumbled
upon the rare and legendary Blue Orchid (Aganisia
cyanea) found in the wild on only four previous
occasions.
During these 12 years he mapped uncharted rivers
and lived among two dozen native tribes, while
collecting some 20,000 botanical specimens,
including 300 species new to science. Schultes was
not only the world’s leading authority on plant
hallucinogens and the medical plants of the
Amazon, he was a living link to a time when the
rain forest stood vast and inviolate across the South
American continent. While searching for the
identity of curare, he got involved in one of the most
vital quests of the last century – the hunt for new
sources of wild rubber.
In 1743, Frenchman Charles-Marie de La
Condamine was the first European to note the value
of wild rubber. By the beginning the 20th century,
the wealth derived from this discovery rivaled that
of our present day technology giants. Virtually
overnight, a forgotten land of jungle and rivers
became the destination of an army of officials,
merchants and those of unlimited ambition who, in
the name of profit, enslaved the Amazon’s native
peoples in harvesting the white blood of the forest.
Driven initially by the insatiable need for rubber in
the fledgling automobile industry and then World
War Two, under the aegis of the US government’s
Rubber Development Corporation, Schultes lived
with and accepted the consul of the Indians whose
lives were intimately affected by “the weeping
trees”. This resulted in his developing high
yield and resistant strains of the plant. It all
came to a crushing halt in 1945, with the
advent of synthetic rubber.
The book traces the history of Schultes’
fascination with the Amazon and all things
botanical from the time when, he was a
child recovering from illness. His father
read to him from 19th century explorer
Richard Spruce’s seminal book, Notes of a
Botanist on the Amazon and Andes.
When studying Spruce’s collections at the
herbarium at Kew, Schultes found many
specimens of the rubber plant. Not only did this
confirm rubber, genus Hevea, had been very much
on Spruce’s mind, it is thought this was the
motivation that drove Schultes to pick up where his
mentor left off. With the exception of Schultes
himself, no one did more to further the botanical
knowledge of Hevea than Spruce.
It was Richard Schultes’ “transcendent knowledge
of plants” that compelled Davis and Plowman to
follow in his footsteps and attempt to reveal the
secrets of the Divine Leaf of Immortality, coca, a
benign stimulant central to Amerindian culture and
religion. Plowman discovered that long before its
refinement into cocaine challenged drug
enforcement agencies worldwide, coca was essential
in the diets of Andean peoples and was used with no
evidence of toxicity for at least 2000 years. Modern
studies further suggest coca helps regulate glucose
metabolism, possibly enhancing the body’s ability
to digest carbohydrates at high elevations. Coca
contains higher than average amounts of calcium,
phosphorous, iron, Vitamin A and riboflavin in that
100 grams of the leaves satisfy the Recommended
Dietary Allowance for these nutrients as well as for
Vitamin E. The levels of calcium alone show coca
to have been an essential element in the traditional
diet, which typically lacked dairy products before
the Spanish Conquest. Davis and Plowman contend
the real issue regarding the debate over the
pharmacology of coca and the harmful effect of
cocaine is one of cultural identity.
(cont’d on page 11)
Davis, Wade, One River: Explorations and Discoveries in the Amazon Rain
Forest. New York: Simon & Schuster (1996) ISBN 0-684-80886-2
11
David Hussell was instrumental in establishing
our Thunder Cape Bird Observatory (TCBO) at
the tip of the Sibley Peninsula. Originally from
England, he came to Canada with a keen
interest in birding and bird banding. In 1959 he
was one of the founders of the Long Point Bird
Observatory (LPBO), on Lake Erie. He was the
first Executive Director of LPBO, which went
on to become the headquarters for Bird Studies
Canada. He also founded the Baillie Birdathon,
in which many of our TBFN members
participate.
David joined Ontario’s Ministry of Natural
Resources as a Research Scientist in the 1980s
and is widely regarded as a founding father of
bird migration monitoring in North America. In
the late 1980s, the Ontario government decided
that the MNR needed to monitor the birds
breeding in our vast northern forests. David
thought that we needed a monitoring station
along the north shore of Lake Superior, since
there was none between Manitoba and
Whitefish Point, Michigan (near Sault Ste.
Marie).
I don’t remember when I first met David. I
think it was in 1984 at a Hawk Migration
Association of North America meeting. In 1991,
he contacted me to come and check out sites
around Thunder Bay that would be suitable for
a migration monitoring station. He came with
birder/bander Dave Shepherd, and after they
looked at a couple of possible sites around the
city, such as Mission Island, the three of us,
along with Al Harris and Bill Climie, trekked
out to Thunder Cape on July 14 1991. Despite
its remoteness, David selected this spot as the
preferred site, and the Thunder Cape Bird
Observatory was born.
David continued to come out to the Cape for a
week or two every fall, sometimes with his wife
Erica Dunn and son, to advise on and modify
the monitoring protocol he had designed for
TCBO. I was amazed at his stamina as he
walked all the way in and out from Silver Islet
with a big backpack, right up until his final
visit, in the fall of 2008.
(cont’d from page 10)
For any inquisitive reader captivated by the
remarkable narrative of One River, Davis
suggests a number of references that provide
launching points. In consulting with Richard
Schultes before the writing of his book, Davis is
able to reveal to his reader the stunning capacity
Schultes had for botany. The brilliance of his
data collection provided essential information in
reconstructing chronologies, localities, types of
plants found and the people who coloured his
journey over the course of this part of his life.
Wade Davis is a native of BC, a licensed river
guide who holds degrees from Harvard
University including a PhD in ethnobotany.
David Suzuki describes him as 'a rare
combination of scientist, scholar, poet and
passionate defender of all of life's diversity.'
What can be said about his excellent One River
that has not already been praised? I can only
urge anyone interested in botany, history and the
curious and adventuresome nature of the human
spirit to read this book.
- Review by Janet Anderson
Over the years David has also been a generous
financial supporter of TCBO, knowing that, as a
volunteer organization, we need financial support to
keep the project running. The Thunder Cape Bird
Observatory has now become a mainstay of the
Canadian Migration Monitoring Network, thanks to
the foresight, perseverance, and support of David
Hussell. He will be missed.
- Nick Escott
(This “in memorium” includes excerpts from:
“Pioneers of Thunder Cape”, Thunder Cape News,
10(1) February 2003, and “A Tribute to Dr. David
Hussell (1934 –2015)”, Birdwatch Canada #72,
Summer 2015)
In Memoriam - Dr. David J. T. Hussell (1934 – 2015)
12
As usual, our Mink Mountain field trip on June
13th was delightful. Somehow, between the
mountain and the trip home, the group managed
to spot 56 species, about the same as last year.
We couldn’t identify as many ducks and geese: 5
compared to 8 last year. Highlight of the outing
was finding an egg beside the trail, tentatively
identified as a Turkey Vulture’s egg.
Repeat sightings:
Canada Goose
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck
Common Golden-eye
Common Merganser
Ruffed Grouse
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
American Kestrel
Herring Gull
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Black-capped Chickade
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Winter Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Veery
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Bobolink
Brown-headed Cowbird
American Goldfinch
Black-throated Green Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Common Yellowthroat
Birds seen which were not identified last
year:
American Bittern
Northern Harrier
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Spotted Sandpiper
Virginia Rail
Great Crested Flycatcher
Philadelphia Vireo
Eastern Bluebird
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Return to Mink Mountain
Name this plant
This is a plant
quiz without an
answer. Mike
Carter
photographed
this interesting
plant recently.
Can anyone
identify it? If so,
the answer will
be printed in the
next issue
Photo by Marian Childs
13
Membership Application/Renewal Form
Name:_________________________________ (Email) ___________________________________
Address:_______________________________ (Postal Code) ______________________________
Phone: (home) __________________________ (work/cell) _______________________________
I prefer to receive Nature Northwest by (circle one): Post mail ($5 fee) /Email (0$ fee) / Both ($5 fee)
□ Family $30 □ Single $25 □ Senior (65+) $20 □ Student $20
□ Life $350 □ Corresponding (non-voting)$16 □ Thunder Cape Bird Observatory $10
Donation of $ to (circle 1) (TBFN) (TCBO) (Jr. Nats) (Nature Reserves) (Tax receipt issued for donation)
Juniors: Name(s) + Age(s)
__________________________________________________________________
Are you willing to share knowledge in a particular area as a speaker or field trip leader or co-leader? If yes,
in what area?
_____________________________________________________________________________
Please add $5 to your renewal fee if you want to receive Nature Northwest through the mail. For example,
please pay $35 for a family membership). Your TBFN and TCBO memberships expire on December 31st.
To ensure a May Newsletter, please register by February using this form, or print the form from the TBFN
website (www.tbfn.net) and mail to TBFN at PO Box 10037 Thunder Bay ON P7B 6T6. You can also pay using
Paypal on the TBFN website: www.tbfn.net
All membership information is confidential and as such the Club will not sell or distribute this information
Ontario Nature-TBFN Northern Regional Conference
Friday and Saturday, September 18-20
The field trips and presentations accompanying business meetings are open to all members. Most of the
activity is centered at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.
Preliminary highlights
Friday afternoon: tour of Greenwich Wind farm (Dor ion area) and Ouimet canyon.
Saturday: field tr ips with Mark Smyk (geologist), Dr . Len Hutchison (mycologist), Ryan LeBlanc,
and Will Stolz (Ontario Nature).There will be visits to the Tee Harbour area, the Lookout, and
presentations at the Tea Room, Silver Islet and Karen’s Kountry Kitchen.
Final details to follow; space limitations may apply at some events.
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Bats at Pine Bay - Saturday August 22nd
An outing to learn about area bats and monitor them around sunset at our Pine Bay reserve. Meet at the
Movati Athletic Club Saturday evening. Contact Steve Kingston 475-1761 (w) or Marian Childs 577-1324
to confirm meeting time.
Wolf River Watershed Silviculture - Saturday, August 29th
A visit to several locations along the Wolf River Canyon to see the results of intense forest management
done from 1980 to 2000. Meet at the Landmark Inn parking lot at 9 a.m. Contact Mac Squires
forestry44@hotmail.com to confirm.
Bird Banding on McKellar Island – September 12th – cancelled if serious rain This is an open house at John Woodcock’s mist netting site to view fall migrants and get a close look at the
work he is doing. He and other volunteers will be there from 7:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. There is a short hike
over level terrain to the observatory from the roadside parking on Baffin Street. Visitors can tag along as
nets are checked every half hour, see how the captured birds are banded, documented and released. Also
on-going daily, is a census of all birds seen or heard and visitors’ observations are most welcome.
McKellar Island Bird Observatory www.facebook.com/mckellar. Phone 807-709-6870
Fungus Finds - Sunday, September 13th Join mycologist Dr. Len Hutchison to learn about local mushrooms, toadstools, and other fungi. Meet by
the Centennial Park bridge at 1 p.m. for this 1– 1/2 hr field trip. Contact his office 343-8508 to confirm.
Glacial History of the Thunder Bay Area - Saturday, September 26th
A day trip exploring the geomorphology of the border area around Thunder Bay. Meet at 9:00 am at the
Motivi Athletic Club on Arthur Street. Bring a lunch. Confirm by calling Brian Philips 344-3770.
Silver Islet Migrants - Saturday, October 3rd - 8:00 am Search out migrating fall warblers and other birds on the Sibley Penninsula. Meet by the Landmark Inn at
County Fair Plaza at 8:00 a.m. This is an all day affair, so please bring a lunch. Contact Bert Harding 630-
4735 if you have any questions.
UPCOMING FIELD TRIPS
Grey Fox Breeding Confirmed
near Thunder Bay!
This recent photo of a lactating female confirms
breeding of a pair of grey foxes near Thunder
Bay. This threatened species (Urocyon
cineroargentus) is near the northern limit of its
range at Thunder Bay. In addition to historical
records, there have been some recent sightings from
several locations near Thunder Bay in the past few
years, including up to four individuals visiting a
bird feeder during winter months. With luck, this
smaller relative of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) will
continue to call the area home.
- Rob Foster
Photo by Paul Higgins
15
TBFN Board of Directors 2015 Contacts
President & Ontario Nature Rep David Legge 983-2155
Past President Brian McLaren
Vice President Marian Childs 577-1324
Secretary Kathy Sakamoto 577-1959
Treasurer Karolyn Hoard 475-5116
Vice President, Field Trips, Junior Naturalists Marian Childs 577-1324
Advocacy, MNR LCC Dog River Mattawin Forest Rob Macey 624-7024
Inventory and Sales John Pentick 577-4540
Junior Naturalists Emese Boyko 631-4011
Membership Chair Christina Stricker 683-6696
Publicity and Promotion Bruce Thacker 344-2279
Thunder Cape Bird Observatory Ted Armstrong 577-3997
TBFN Standing Committees & Support
Newsletter Editor Barbara Yurkoski 613-692-0916
Webmaster Rob Foster 346-4950
Thunder Cape Bird Observatory Allan Gilbert 768-8582
Bird Records Committee Chair, Project Peregrine Chair Brian Ratcliff 768-8408
Bluebird Committee Chair Susan Robinson 344-1739
Nature Reserves Committee Chair Sue Bryan 345-6446
TBFN Reps on Community Committees
MNR LCC Spruce River Forest Brian Moore 344-2986
MNR LCC Dog Lake/Mattawan River Forests Rob Macey
MNR LCC Lakehead Forest Gerry Stricker 683-6696
Public Advisory Committee to the Thunder Bay Remedial Action Plan Jean Hall Armstrong 577-3997
Thunder Bay District Stewardship Council Jean Hall Armstrong 577-3997
MNR Fisheries Management Zone 9 Advisory Council Walter Momot
Thunder Bay Field Naturalists --- Information for 2015
The Thunder Bay Field Naturalists Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study of natural
history, the wise use of resources, the preservation of natural areas, and teaching the public to
understand and protect nature.
Mailing Address/Phone:
Thunder Bay Field Naturalists Website: www.tbfn.net
P.O. Box 10037
Thunder Bay, ON P7B6T6
Meeting Dates:
4th Monday of September, October, November, January, March, and April, 7 p.m.
Annual Dinner meeting is held 4th Sunday of February
16
Thunder Bay Field Naturalists PO Box 10037 Thunder Bay ON P7B 6T6
Publications Agreement No 41362520
Photo by Larry Graham Pictograph at TBFN’s Nipigon River reserve