View/Download Newsletter (.pdf, 5.21 MB) - Nature Manitoba

An Environmental 

Catastrophe in the Making: 

The Hay Point Bog Peat Mine 

by Roger Turenne 

“A park is a park is a park” 

Gary Doer, Premier of Manitoba (Nov 2008 ) 

An environmental catastrophe is threatening Hecla/ 

Grindstone Provincial Park. Sun Gro Horticulture has 

proposed to develop a major peat mine on Hay Point 

Bog in the park for the production of horticultural peat 

products. The project would cover an area of approximately 

531 ha. Interested parties had until February 3 to give the 

government their views prior to the granting of an environmental 

license. At the end of January, Nature Manitoba 

submitted a brief to Manitoba Conservation based on the 

following arguments. 

There are two major considerations to weigh when assessing 

this proposal. The first is whether peat mining should be 

permitted at all in Manitoba, much 

eat mining 

“Pis one of the 

worst imaginable 

economic activities 

for the production of 

greenhouse gases.” 

less encouraged, and the second is 

whether this kind of activity has any 

place in a provincial park. 

Peat mining has no place in an 

economy that seeks sustainability 

with a minimum production of 

greenhouse gases. Peat mining is one 

of the worst imaginable economic activities for the production 

of such gases. Peat is one of the most important carbon 

stores on the planet. In Manitoba, our peatlands represent a 

10,000-year accumulation of carbon. Mining a peat bog will, 

over the course of a few decades, release all this carbon back 

into the atmosphere. 

Peat mining incompatible with 

climate change targets 

All over the world responsible governments who are serious 

about climate change are working towards the reduction or 

elimination of this harmful industry. A case in point is the 

(continued on page 10...) 

Bogs such as this provide 

habitat for one of the widest 

diversities of plant and animal 

life in Manitoba as well as water 

filtration services for our lakes. 

In ThIs Issue... 

The Hay Point Bog Peat Mine ................p. 1 & 10-11 

President’s Corner ...............................................p. 2 

Member Profile: Ardythe McMaster .....................p. 3 

Encounters of the Natural Kind ............................p. 4 

Nature in the News .............................................p. 5 

A.G.M. Agenda & Nominees ........................... p. 6-7 

By-law Amendments ...........................................p. 8 

The Prince Baskettail .................................. p. 9 & 11 

Outdoor Activities ........................................ p. 12-13 

Bird News & Photos ............................p. 14-15 & 17 

Atlassing from Big Sand Lake Lodge ............ p. 16-17 

Canoeing from Beresford to Wallace ........... p. 18-19 

Book Review: MB Backroad Mapbook ......... p. 20-21 

Discovery Evenings ............................................p. 21 

Nature Manitoba Workshop Series 2012 ..... p. 22-23 

Lorne Heshka

Canada Post Publications Mail Sales 

Product Agreement No. 0040069231. 

Issued 6 times a year as the official 

publication of Nature Manitoba. 

Subscriptions are a benefit of membership. 

See backpage for membership details. 

Opinions are those of the writers and not 

necessarily the organization as a whole. 

Office and Library 

401 - 63 Albert St. Winnipeg, R3B 1G4 

Phone/Fax: .......................(204) 943-9029 

Email: .................info@naturemanitoba.ca 

Website: ............www.naturemanitoba.ca 

Office Administrator ............ Susan McLarty 

Office Assistant.............. Deanna Dodgson 

Hours: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm 

Monday to Friday 

Nature Manitoba News 

Newsletter Editor ................... Tommy Allen 

Email: ..............editor@naturemanitoba.ca 

Editorial Committee: Tommy Allen 

Donna Danyluk 

Roger Turenne 

Advertising rates are available by 

contacting the editor. Rates are reduced if 

the ad appears at least two times. 

Classifieds are also available for only 15$. 

Submission deadline is the first day of the 

month prior to the newsletter publication. 

Deadline for the May / June 2012 issue 

April 1, 2012. 

This newsletter is printed on Enviro 100 

20lb paper which is 100% Post Consumer 

Recycled and FSC certified. 

2011/2012 Executive 

President ............................ Roger Turenne 

Exec. Vice-President ....... Donald Himbeault 

Vice-President .................. James Whitelaw 

Treasurer ............................. Sean Worden 

Secretary ..................................Alain Louer 

Past President ......................... Les McCann 

2011/2012 Board Members 

Christian Artuso, Lewis Cocks, 

Donna Danyluk, Scott Falkingham, 

Carol Hitchon, Michele Kading, 

Rose Kuzina, Richard Staniforth, 

Michael Sykes 

President’s Corner 

by Roger Turenne 

Optimism amidst the folly 

Sometimes the degree of human folly on matters 

environmental is so overwhelming that it saps the 

morale of even the most dedicated environmentalist. 

Lately we have been treated to examples of such folly at all 

levels of public governance: international, national, 

provincial, and municipal. 

At the international level, the nations of the world 

gathered in Durban, South Africa, in December and effectively concluded, in the words 

of journalist Gwynne Dyer, a suicide pact for the planet. They decided that they would 

make no real effort to slow down, much less reverse, climate change. Our Environment 

Minister, after enthusiastically passing out the Kool-Aid, proclaimed it a great success. 

At the national level, we have the proposed Gateway pipeline which, if built, will almost 

certainly turn out to be the biggest ecological disaster in Canadian history. This is so not 

just because of the near inevitability of a tanker accident or pipeline breakage, but also 

because the only way the pipeline can be financially viable is with a tripling of tar sands 

production in northern Alberta. This is madness on a colossal scale. If you object, you 

will be treated by your own federal government as a radical, disloyal to your country 

and, should you be receiving any funding from 

federal sources, it will be cut off. 

At the provincial level we have the madness of the 

proposed peat mine in Hecla/Grindstone Provincial 

Park (see story on page 1). It’s hard to tell which is 

more surreal: the proposal itself or the fact that the 

government is seriously considering approving it. 

“I t may be precisely 

because (these) assaults 

on our environment are 

so outrageous that they 

just might be stopped...” 

Finally, at the municipal level, we have a mayor who thinks that Winnipeg has too much 

green space and proposes to pave over golf courses without a thought to protecting or 

enlarging the urban wildlife habitat that these areas have provided over the decades. 

It’s hard not to be pessimistic in the face of such onslaughts, and yet… 

It may be precisely because the above mentioned assaults on our environment are so 

outrageous that they just might be stopped. The city’s underhanded approach to the golf 

course issue has galvanized people into forming an association called OURS (Outdoor 

Urban Recreational Spaces) dedicated to injecting environmental input into the final 

disposition of the golf courses. 

Likewise, the assault on a provincial park represented by the proposed peat mine is just 

too over-the-top. I have rarely seen members of a government so ill-at-ease about 

discussing a proposal. This one can be stopped. 

The Gateway pipeline is more threatening by several orders of magnitude, but its 

outrageous nature has also galvanized major opposition. Rather than marginalize the 

environmental groups opposed to the pipeline, the Harper government’s attack on 

“radicals” has had the effect of swelling their membership and their coffers. A ruthless 

government allied with industry on one side, First Nations and motivated citizenry on 

the other – it will be a battle for the ages. And a winnable one. 

If we are in need of inspiration to continue that good fight, we need look no further 

than to Guent Salzmann, founder of the Nature Manitoba Bluebird Fund, about which I 

wrote in the last issue. Well, here’s more good news: the Bluebird Fund doubled in value 

at the start of the year thanks to a second major donation by Mr. Salzmann. The Fund 

now stands at close to $200,000. Incredible! 

This will be the last time I write the President’s Corner column, as I will be stepping 

down as Nature Manitoba president at the forthcoming AGM. Has it been three 

years already? I want to thank those of you who have taken the time to read this 

column and have provided feedback. It’s been great fun. Merci beaucoup! 

Page 2 Nature Manitoba News Vol. 4, Issue 2 - Mar. / Apr. 2012

y Tommy Allen 

Photo: Laura McMaster 

People Passionate 

Ardythe 

McMaster 

About Nature... 

Born on a farm 

near Souris, Manitoba, 

Ardythe learned to appreciate 

nature from her parents, both naturalists. 

She graduated from high school 

never having visited Winnipeg, so she 

was excited to enroll in the Manitoba 

Teachers College and 

join 5 others on their 

first train ride into the 

big city. 

Ardythe’s first teaching 

job was at Birds Hill 

School, and on her 

first day she met fellow teacher Don 

McMaster. Don was “Mr. 

Outdoorsman”, according to Ardythe, 

into fishing and hunting. She and Don 

spent their honeymoon camping in the 

Yukon, and still continue to do a lot of 

outdoor activities together. They’ve 

spent time in East Africa, in the 

Rockies living in a Sioux tipi with their 

kids, and touring Churchill a few 

times. Her teaching career took her to 

Fort Garry, and later to the Winnipeg 

School Division #1, where she taught 

until her retirement. 

Ardythe joined Nature Manitoba in 

1966 for the natural history, but this 

was also when Dr. Pruitt and other 

members were starting regular crosscountry 

ski gatherings. She can recall 

the annual wine & cheese parties, and 

‘T heir land is now a 

part of the 0.05% 

of native prairie left 

in Manitoba...” 

the “Feast in the Forest” 

events put on by MNS 

members. Since then, Ardythe 

published the MNS Bulletin and 

newsletter (which were separate back 

then), served on the Board, and in 

1975 she headed a history committee 

which compiled a 42nd 

anniversary history of 

the Manitoba Naturalists 

Society, the second of 

only two such booklets 

(a third is long overdue). 

She is also responsible 

for starting the workshop series in 

1995, despite many members thinking 

that no-one would show up. 

In 1996, Ardythe and Don moved out 

of Winnipeg onto a quarter section of 

river-bottom forest and native mixedgrass 

prairie along the Assiniboine 

River near Rossendale. They now own 

over 400 acres, and preserve this land 

as a recreational area, known to many 

members for the Bittersweet Ski Trails. 

Their land is now a part of the 0.05% 

of native prairie left in Manitoba, and 

shares one of the main challenges: 

Leafy Spurge. The time spent dealing 

with invasive plants doesn’t seem to 

tire her out, though – she remains an 

active volunteer and ‘citizen scientist’, 

including Project Feeder Watch 

(through Bird Studies Canada). 

Welcome New Members! 

Dec. 15 th 2011 - Feb. 14 th , 2012: 

Kevin Bairos-Novak 

Ken Budyk 

Ellen Cobb-Friesen 

Leah Goertzen 

Paul Goossen 

Lorraine Hercus 

Walter Kulchyski 

Nancy Landry 

Raymond Methot 

Mark & Angela Probyn 

Jim Roy 

Bernice Stebbing 

Junghwa Stellacci 

Jon Svendsen 

Justin Vitt 

Giant Garage Sale 

Sat. April 28th, 2012 

9:30-noon at the Westminster United 

Church. Donations are accepted at 

the church (basement) on Friday 

evening, between 6-9pm, or call the 

office at 943-9029 to drop it off there 

in advance. No TVs or monitors. 

Volunteers needed! 

Contact the office at 943-9029. 

Mantario Summer 

Program 2012 

Photography & Fishing 

Marcel VanEerd & Marc Leclair 

July 9 - 13 

Explore Mantario 

Leigh Cullen & Lorne Klassen 

July 16 - 20 

Pixie Cups to Jack Pines 

Charles Burchill 

July 23 - 27 

Family & Swimming 

Lesly Andrews & Kim Monson 

July 30 - Aug 3 

Astronomy & Photography 

Jennifer West & Brian Hydesmith 

Aug 6 - 10 

Family Week 

Gillian Brennan & Brian Hydesmith 

Aug 20 - 24 

Note: The Mantario Cabin is available 

for members on weeks not used by 

the summer program. Please contact 

the office to check for availability. 

Vol. 4, Issue 2 - Mar. / Apr. 2012 Nature Manitoba News Page 3

Photos: Donna Danyluk 

Encounters of the 

Hard at Work 

Photo and story by Garry Budyk 

Natural Kind 

(Reprinted from the Summer/Fall 2011 

Manitoba Breeding Bird Atlas newsletter) 

I 

came upon this Black-backed Woodpecker while atlassing in the 

Agassiz Provincial Forest. As usual, upon exiting the vehicle I 

stopped to listen for songs and calls. The sound of muffled tapping 

immediately caught my ear. I scanned the area but saw nothing. 

Suspecting that one of the “three-toed” woodpeckers might be 

responsible, I began to investigate the area more closely. Of course, 

the tapping stopped as I zeroed in on the spot! But after it started 

again I was able to track the noise to a nest hole about 3 meters up in 

a Jack Pine. A circle of bark outside the nest hole had been chiseled 

away, revealing fresh bright wood. I surmised that the resulting sap 

may be a deterrent to possible predators. 

The tapping stopped, and I looked up at the nest hole to see a male 

Black-backed Woodpecker peeking out from the hole for a moment. 

Back down he went, then back up he came with a beak full of wood 

shavings. He continued to chip away inside the hole, removing wood 

chips every so often or just resting in the entrance. I returned to my 

vehicle to retrieve my camera and upon returning found the male 

woodpecker resting in the entrance, right on cue! I thanked him for 

his co-operation, wished him and his mate “good luck” and made a 

plan to re-visit the area once his family had hatched. 

I returned to the nest sixteen days after first observing the nest-hole 

excavation. I was delighted to observe a female Black-backed Woodpecker 

leaving and then re-entering the nest hole. She was away 

from the nest for a very short time and was not carrying food upon 

returning, so I surmised that the eggs were still being incubated. 

Enough evidence to upgrade the atlas breeding code to “confirmed”! 

Please send us your short stories 

(approx. 300-500 words) of interesting 

encounters with Manitoba nature. 

A Tale of 

Two Tracks 

by Donna Danyluk 

Two “encounters” with animal 

tracks this winter... on the left, 

wolf tracks alongside our ski 

tracks on Oak Lake, a small lake 

north of the TransCanada Highway, 

west of Spruce Siding. On the right, 

tracks left by a pair of river otters 

just off the Red Ski Trail at Pinawa, 

accented by the trail of a deer 

mouse – perhaps getting out of the 

way of the otters? 


Rod Macivor, The Ottawa Citizen 

Nature in the News... 

Bloodvein partners with 

province on UNESCO 

heritage bid 

The Bloodvein First Nation is 

joining the province’s UNESCO 

Word Heritage bid for the east 

side of Lake Winnipeg. 

Conservation Minister (at the time) 

Dave Chomiak and Aboriginal and 

Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson 

said the province has designated 3,900 

square kilometres of Bloodvein’s traditional 

land as a traditional-use planning 

area, protecting its resources while 

guiding future development. 

“Bloodvein First Nation has developed a 

strong plan to guide economic development 

in the area while protecting the 

land, wildlife, waterways and natural 

resources,” Chomiak said in a prepared 

statement released this morning. “We 

will continue to work with the community 

to implement this plan, protect the 

boreal forest and include it as part of the 

bid for a UNESCO World Heritage Site.” 

Bloodvein First Nation is located more 

than 250 kilometres north of Winnipeg 

on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. 

Big Wilderness Protection Applauded 

(excerpts from the Winnipeg Free Press online edition – Jan. 11, 2012 by Aldo Santin) 

Bloodvein’s land-management plan will 

be part of the UNESCO World Heritage 

Site bid, which will be formally submitted 

this year, Chomiak said. 

The land management plans of the 

Poplar River, Pauingassi, and Little 

Grand Rapids First Nations, two 

provincial parks, and the Pikangikum 

First Nation in Ontario will also form 

part of the UNESCO bid. 

“This is a great day in Manitoba history,” 

Ron Thiessen, executive director of the 

Manitoba chapter of CPAWS, said. 

“CPAWS is proud to work with all 

involved to permanently protect the web 

of life in our great boreal wilderness.” 

Clarence Tillenius 

1913 – 2012 

The Bloodvein River, part 

of the proposed UNESCO 

World Heritage Site. 

Clarence Tillenius, dean of 

Canadian wildlife painters 

and creator of museum dioramas, 

died on January 22, 2012 at the 

age of 98. He was President of 

the Manitoba Naturalists Society 

from 1954-56. A longer story is 

forthcoming in our next issue. 

Vol. 4, Issue 2 - Mar. / Apr. 2012 Nature Manitoba News Page 5 

Roger Turenne

Nature Manitoba’s 

92 Nd ANNuAl GeNerAl MeetING 

Monday, March 19 th 2012 at 7:00pm 

The A.G.M will be held at Le Centre Culturel 

Franco-Manitobain (340 Provencher Blvd.) and begins at 

7:00pm, followed by two member’s presentations - our 

last Discovery Evening for the season. Please be on time. 

We can’t start the meeting until we have a quorum. 

Agenda 

1. Welcome 

2. Minutes of the preceding AGM (March 21, 2011) 

3. Annual Report of the President 

4. Treasurer’s Report and the Report of the Auditors 

5. Appointment of Auditors for 2012 

6. Annual Reports of Nature Manitoba Committees 

7. By-law Amendments (see page 8) 

8. Election of Directors of the Board 

9. Election of the Executive of Nature Manitoba 

10. Presentation of Awards 

11. Adjournment 

NOMINEES – ExECUTIvE 

Don Himbeault 

President 

Don joined Nature Manitoba in 2010, 

and since then has been active at many 

of the organization’s indoor and outdoor 

activities, as well as the board room 

where he currently serves as Executive 

Vice-President. He is a Professional 

Engineer with a passion for the 

environment, sustainable living, and pursuing an active 

outdoor lifestyle. Don’s interests include cycling, canoeing, 

hiking, cross country skiing, and also includes an innate 

curiosity for the scientific and historical aspects of our natural 

world. Don looks forward to sharing his prior experience with 

other boards and promoting the mission of Nature Manitoba. 

Nomination Committee recommendation for 

Board Members for 2012-13 

Executive Board Members for Election: 

President .......................................Don Himbeault 

Executive Vice-President ..........................vacant 

Vice-President ............................ James Whitelaw 

Secretary ............................................ Alain Louer 

Treasurer ........................................ Sean Worden 

Past-President (not for election)... Roger Turenne 

Directors for Election: 

Jerry Ameis Can Li 

Les McCann Rommel Molod 

Continuing Directors: 

Christian Artuso Scott Falkingham 

Michele Kading Rose Kuzina 

Richard Staniforth 

the Scottish Wildlife Trust (Tayside), on the regional committee 

of the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club, and was for seven years 

chairman and secretary of the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club, 

Tayside Branch, before fleeing back to Canada in 2004. 

James has been a Nature Manitoba member since 2004 and has 

greatly enjoyed the bird outings, indoor meetings and 

workshops. James is a keen birder and is interested in all 

aspects of natural history and environmental issues. He enjoys 

his family, his dogs, and his birding trips. He has been moved 

on by the military in Venezuela, detained by the army in 

Ecuador, and robbed at knifepoint in Gambia, and is looking 

forward to more birding adventures. 

Sean Worden 

Treasurer 

James Whitelaw 

Sean Worden is a Certified Management 

Accountant and currently holds the title 

of Controller with Building Products and 

Concrete Supply. Sean serves on the 

Vice-President 

marketing committee of the Manitoba 

Ready Mix Concrete Association and is 

James Whitelaw has a B.Sc. (Ecological 

working on the rebranding and the 

Sciences) from the University of 

redesign of its website. He is an active outdoor trip leader and 

Edinburgh and a Ph.D. (Zoology) from has been on the board of Nature Manitoba as its Treasurer for 

the University of Liverpool. He was a the past five years. In addition, Sean also performs taxation 

staff scientist at the Royal Society and book-keeping services to clients in northeast Winnipeg. 

Aldabra Research Station and worked on Sean has been married to Maureen for 20 years, they have two 

urban nature conservation projects in 

London. He was a member of the management committee of 

teenage daughters and a neurotic golden retriever. 


Bill Blaikie to receive Nature Manitoba 

Prairie Crocus Award at A.G.M. 

Former Minister of Conservation Bill Blaikie will attend 

our AGM and accept the Prairie Crocus Award. This 

award is given “for outstanding service in preserving a 

part of Manitoba in its natural state”. Mr. Blaikie, who was 

instrumental in establishing five new provincial parks 

during a 12-month period, will speak of his experiences in 

working for conservation during his two years as minister. 

Followed by two member presentations 

for our last Discovery Evening: 

“Revelations of a Young Naturalist” 

with Brock Houndle 

“Pura Vida: Adventures in Costa Rica” 

with Alain & Cindy Louer 

Alain Louer 

Secretary 

Alain has been a member of Nature 

Manitoba since 1996, attracted by his 

great love for the outdoors. He knew 

joining would lead to opportunities such 

as hiking the Mantario trail, and now 

feels the accomplishment of doing so. He 

went to the Mantario Cabin for the first 

time, as a participant, during the 2001 summer program, the 

year the cabin rebuilding was completed. He chaired the 

Mantario Committee for several years, and is also active in the 

outdoor program with hiking, canoeing, skiing and 

snowshoeing. Although far from an expert, he enjoys the 

learning experience of our birding and botany outings, the 

Discovery Evenings, the Workshops and the Garden Tour. Alain 

is a government worker and has been a volunteer for the Union 

Nationale Française since 1994. 

NOMINEES – DIRECTORS 

Jerry Ameis 

My mantra is ‘life is change’. The 

only constant in the universe is 

change. I suspect one reason for this 

mantra is my early experiences. I 

began life in Poland in 1944 as a 

war refugee. From ages 0 to 12, I 

lived in 4 countries and attended 10 different schools until my 

widowed mother settled in Winnipeg’s North End. 

My adult adventures range from teaching mathematics to 

forming an alternative community in backwoods Ontario. 

Currently, I am a professor at University of Winnipeg, with a 

wonderful wife and two kids. I fell in love with canoeing and 

the Canadian Shield country in the 60s. I especially appreciate 

Atikaki and Woodland Caribou parks. 

I was on the Board of the Manitoba Recreational Canoeing 

Association and Harvest Collective. I have been a member of 

Nature Manitoba for three years. During this time, I was on the 

Mantario committee, and led hiking and canoe trips. 

Can Li 

Can Li joined Nature Manitoba 

in May 2010 when she was 

attracted to a canoe trip to 

Mantario, which turned out to be 

an unforgettable experience. She 

has since participated in various 

outdoor activities and met quite 

a number of inspirational leaders and members. On a trip to 

Hunt Lake, Can and other group members found out that they 

were from five different countries, which reflects the ethnically 

diverse membership of Nature Manitoba. Being a library 

worker and a graduate student in library and information 

science, Can spends her days working with human intellectual 

product in all its forms, while in her spare time takes delight in 

being close to nature and admiring its majesty in grandeur as 

well as in small doses. 

Les McCann 

Les has served on the Nature 

Manitoba Board for the past several 

years in various Board positions 

including Board member, Secretary, 

President and Past President. He 

enjoys participating in the Board 

decision making and planning 

regarding the Outdoor Program, 

Discovery Evenings, Finance 

Committee, Nominations Committee, 

Garage Sale, and especially the Bridging the Gap program. Les 

feels Nature Manitoba activities have always enhanced his 

enjoyment of life. Now in retirement, Nature Manitoba 

activities help him in the five areas of life “they” tell you to 

ensure you keep healthy. These are: to maintain a strong social 

network of family and friends, do something for society, doing 

something just for yourself, and physical exercise. The fifth 

strategic area of life is that of personal finances. With the 

minimal costs involved in participating in all the previously 

mentioned activities, Les thinks he is getting maximum bang 

for the buck. 

Rommel Molod 

An avid outdoors person, Rommel 

regrets not joining Nature Manitoba 

sooner, but he thought the Manitoba 

Naturalists Society was a technical 

group involved in the science of 

nature. He has a passion for fishing, 

hiking, cycling and since the summer 

of 2010, canoeing. He hopes that 

one day he will learn to cross 

country ski so that he can join the 

winter ski trips. In his free time, he 

volunteers at a community bike shop in the city’s west end. He 

immigrated to Canada in 2007 and since has been working 

with the Province of Manitoba and currently as an air quality 

specialist. He has a Master in Environmental Management 

degree from the University of San Francisco. 


By-Law Amendments: The Board of Directors of Nature Manitoba is recommending the adoption of the 

following bylaw amendments, to be voted on at the AGM on March 19, 2012. 

Existing By-law Proposed Changes 

8.2 Class of Members 

a. Individual is a member who is 18 to 65 years of age. 

b. Senior is a member who is 65 years of age or over. 

c. Student is a member who is 18 years of age or over 

and in full time attendance at a recognized educational 

institution. 

d. Junior is a member under the age of 18 years. 

e. Family is a membership category that includes 

immediate family living at the same address. 

f. Honourary is a person who is not a member of the 

Society, but who has made a significant contribution to 

purposes which parallel the objectives of the Society. 

Honourary Members may be appointed by the Board 

and are not required to pay membership fees for one 

year. 

g. Honourary Life is a person who has been an active 

member of the Society for at least ten years and 

contributed to a marked degree to the objectives of the 

Society. Honourary Life Members are appointed by the 

Board and are not required to pay membership fees for 

life. 

h. Life is a member who pays a large, one-time fee and is 

thereafter exempt from annual membership fees. 

i. Sustaining is a member who, in addition to the annual 

membership fees, donates a specified lump sum to the 

Society. 

j. Contributing is a member who, in addition to the 

annual membership fees donates a specified lump sum 

to the Society. 

k. Organization is a group or company. 

11. Executive Officers/Committee 

11.4 Term of Office 

Officers may be elected to the same Executive position for 

a maximum of five consecutive years. In the event that a 

vacancy exists, an officer may be re-elected for an 

additional term by a majority vote at the Annual General 

Meeting. 

8.2 Class of Members 

a. Individual is a member who is 18 to 65 years of age. 

b. Senior is a member who is 65 years of age or over. 

c. Student is a member who is under 18 years of age, or 

who is 18 or over and in full time attendance at a 

recognized educational institution. 

DELETE Junior category 

d. Family is a membership category that includes 

immediate family living at the same address. 

DELETE Honourary category 

DELETE Honourary Life category 

e. Life is a member who paid a large, one-time fee prior to 

2008 and is thereafter exempt from annual membership 

fees. 

DELETE Sustaining category 

DELETE Contributing category 

f. Organization is a group or company. 

Comments: A number of the membership categories 

listed in the bylaws are redundant or no longer in use. 

Junior and Student are essentially redundant and can be 

combined, as our current membership fee structure does 

not really distinguish between the two. Following a Board 

decision in 2007, Life memberships are no longer being 

offered, hence the definition is changed to reflect this but 

to recognize the existing life members that are 

grandfathered. As well, the Society recognizes special 

contributions by membership through its various awards, 

rather than conferring special membership classes such as 

Honourary, Honourary Life, Sustaining or Contributing. 

The proposed elimination and modification of some of 

these categories would reflect the current policy and 

practice of the Society. 

11. Executive Officers/Committee 

11.4 Term of Office 

The President may be re-appointed for up to five 

consecutive one year terms. Other officers may be reappointed 

annually any number of times. 

Comments: Specifying a maximum number of consecutive terms to all of the executive members is not common practice 

among other volunteer boards. More typically, the bylaws of other similar organizations will only specify a maximum 

number of reappointments for the President position. Applying a maximum of five consecutive years to only the 

President position will allow for the Society to benefit from an ability to retain experienced Executive Officers beyond the 

current limit on the term of office. 

9.4. Quorum 

Fifty members shall constitute a quorum at any Annual 

General Meeting or Special General Meeting. 

9.4. Quorum 

Forty members shall constitute a quorum at any Annual 

General Meeting or Special General Meeting. 

Comments: A lowering of the number required for quorum is deemed appropriate given that the number of members in 

the Society has declined over the years. 


Photos: Larry de March 

Habitat along P.R. 308 where 

the dragonfly was found. 

THE PRINCE BASKETTAIL 

A New Dragonfly for Manitoba 

by Larry de March and Peter Taylor 

(based on an article originally published in 

Blue Jay, vol. 69, No. 1, pp. 31-33, 2011) 

The edges and corners of a province or state can be productive 

places for naturalists to seek wildlife species at the 

limits of their range. For example, 

birders often visit extreme southwestern 

Manitoba in search of prairie specialties or 

Churchill for subarctic birds that rarely visit 

the south. Extreme southeastern Manitoba 

is less productive for specialty birds, but 

several eastern North American plants, insects, and amphibians 

approach their range limits there. A few years ago, a new species 

of dragonfly for Manitoba, the Prince Baskettail (Epitheca 

princeps), was discovered in that corner of the province. 

On July 12, 2009, seven Nature Manitoba insect enthusiasts 

(Alfred Aug, Larry de March, Deanna Dodgson, Lorne Klassen, 

Nella Schmidt, Peter Taylor and Reto Zach) met at East Braintree 

(about 115 km east of Winnipeg, just south of the Trans-Canada 

Highway) to search for dragonflies and butterflies along 

Provincial Road (P.R.) 308. This road has previously produced 

several records of the provincially rare Baltimore Checkerspot 

butterfly (Euphydryas phaeton), as well as furnishing Manitoba’s 

A male Prince Baskettail 

in southeastern Manitoba. 

his proved to be the 

“T second observation of 

Prince Baskettail in Manitoba.” 

sole record of a small migratory butterfly, the Sachem 

(Atalopedes campestris). 

At one stop during our outing, about 12 km south-southeast of 

East Braintree, Peter Taylor noticed an unfamiliar dragonfly 

perched on a dead Tamarack twig. A promi- 

nent spot pattern on the wings suggested 

female Twelve-Spotted Skimmer (Libellula 

pulchella) or female Common Whitetail 

(Plathemis lydia), but Larry de March 

identified the stranger as a Prince Baskettail, 

based on its relatively large size, long and slender abdomen 

held in an upcurved posture, and the lack of stripes on the 

thorax. The dragonfly remained perched long enough to be 

photographed by several members of the group. Details of the 

abdominal appendages indicated it was a male. It had brown 

eyes, a feature of immature males—as with other dragonflies of 

the emerald family, male Prince Baskettails’ eyes turn brilliant 

green at sexual maturity. 

This proved to be the second observation of Prince Baskettail 

in Manitoba, the first being a breeding record very close to the 

provincial boundary. Marjorie Hughes informed us that Lance 

Barber had collected two females (one found dead), six empty 

larval cases, and one dead larva on July 10, 2004 at Lyons 

Lake, which is on the Trans-Canada Highway just west of the 

Manitoba-Ontario boundary and about 36 km northeast of our 

observation. These specimens are now preserved in the Wallis- 

Roughley Entomology Museum at the University of Manitoba. 

Unfortunately, several further visits to Lyons Lake have failed to 

turn up more specimens. 

According to the recently published field guide, Dragonflies 

and Damselflies of the West (Princeton University Press, 2009), 

the Prince Baskettail’s preferred habitat is “moderate-sized 

streams to fair-sized rivers, usually slow-flowing, and large 

ponds and lakes... more at lakes in northern part of range”. 

Lyons Lake is a typical, small shield lake surrounded by 

mixed forest. The habitat along P.R. 308 where we found the 

dragonfly was low-lying, open-canopy forest, primarily Black 

Spruce and Tamarack, with a well-filled drainage channel 

and many drowned trees on one side. The nearest potential 

larval habitat appeared to be the channel, and the nearest 

larger water body is Birch Lake, 2 km to the northwest. 



The Wilderness Committee 

An Environmental Catastrophe in the Making: 


United Kingdom, a country which has a centuries-old 

tradition of peat mining, and well-established companies 

involved in this activity. This year, the UK is closing down 

this industry entirely, in spite of the fact that the country is 

in dire economic straits and desperately needs the jobs and 

income that peat mining provides. 

Why are they doing this? Because they 

have come to realize that the release of 

greenhouse gases through peat mining 

nullifies the expensive reductions in 

greenhouse gases being made in other areas of the British 

economy. Yet Manitoba, with its stated objective of respecting 

its Kyoto commitments, does the exact reverse. Something 

is very wrong with this picture. 

Is a park no longer a park? 

It boggles the mind that the Manitoba government would 

even consider allowing such a destructive activity to take 

(...continued from page 1) 

eat mining is NOT 

“P a sustainable or 

a renewable industry.” 

place within the boundaries of a provincial park. In 2008, 

when Premier Gary Doer announced the phase-out of forest 

activity in all of Manitoba’s parks save one, he summarized 

his government’s position with the bold declaration: “a park 

is a park is a park.” Yet peat mining is infinitely more 

destructive than forestry. 

A forestry operation covering a similar 

area of the one proposed here would be 

over in a matter of weeks and, with 

replanting, the regrowth would begin 

almost immediately to once again sequester the carbon lost 

through clearcutting. On the other hand, peat mining would 

take place over 45 years. During this time, the ecological 

services provided by the peat bog, including providing 

habitat for one of the widest diversities of plant and animal 

life in Manitoba as well as water filtration services for our 

lakes, would come to a complete halt. 



THE PRINCE BASKETTAIL 


Based on internet searches and correspondence with several 

dragonfly experts, the two nearest previous Prince Baskettail 

records to Manitoba are in Beltrami County, Minnesota and 

near the north shore of Lake of the Woods, east of Kenora, 

Ontario. These are respectively about 174 km south and 89 km 

east of our observation. The Ontario Odonata Atlas (http:// 

nhic.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/nhic/odonates/atlas.html) also 

shows a cluster of records farther southeast of Kenora in the 

Rainy River district of Ontario. Thus the Manitoba records, 

though adding to the provincial list, represent only a modest 

range extension. Given the limited exploration of extreme 

southeastern Manitoba by naturalists, local populations could 

be long-standing and do not necessarily represent active range 

expansion. The Prince Baskettail is one of several dragonfly 

species that reach their northwestern range limits in or near 

extreme southeastern Manitoba; who knows what further 

exploration of the area might turn up? 

An Environmental 

Catastrophe in the Making: 



Not a sustainable industry 

Even using the best so-called “restoration” activities postmining, 

it takes approximately 30 years for the bog to start 

storing carbon again. It will take thousands 

of years for it to recapture all the 

greenhouse gases released as a result of 

the mining operation. Peat mining is NOT 

a sustainable or a renewable industry. 

A modern economy, as presently 

constituted, requires oil and gas, mineral 

resources such as copper and nickel, and trees. A modern 

economy has no need for peat moss. There are readily 

available, equally effective, and no more expensive 

substitutes for horticultural peat moss. 

Environmental Assessment 

biased and unreliable 

KGS Group, an engineering consulting firm, has prepared 

a so-called “environmental assessment report” for submission 

to Manitoba Conservation as required by the Manitoba 

Environment Act. One does not need to read very far into this 

report to discover that it has been bought and paid for by the 

proponent. There is not even a pretense of objectivity when, 

on page 10, one can read the following: “The purpose of the 

proposed development is to continue to provide quality peatbased 

growing media products to meet the demand of our 

distribution network in over 40 countries worldwide.” Our? 

The entire report is replete with industry spin and propaganda, 

including repeated references to “harvesting” peat. 

This is industry-speak in order to suggest a renewable 

resource, which peat most certainly is not. One can no more 

“harvest” peat than one can “harvest” copper or nickel. 

A different view of the 

same Prince Baskettail. 

e will also know if 

“W we have a minister 

who understands what 

conservation means.” 

The KGS Report barely deals with the most harmful effect of 

the proposal which is the release of greenhouse gases (GHG). 

It provides little context for its affirmations and makes no 

reference to the content of ongoing discussions in the United 

Nations and in the European Union on the subject. The report 

states that post-mining decomposition accounts for 71% of 

the production of greenhouse gases, but then makes the 

following affirmation on page 25: “However, GHG emissions 

from decomposition are associated with the end use and 

should not be attributed to the producer.” 

That’s akin to an accused who states that, 

while he did fire the gun, he cannot be 

held responsible for what happened to the 

bullet after it left the barrel. 

The report then makes its GHG 

calculations based on only 29% of gas 

releases and expresses that as a percentage of total 

greenhouse gases emitted throughout Canada to come up 

with a ludicrously small number, thereby concluding that the 

proposal would have no harmful effects. Using this 

methodology, no industrial activity on earth could ever be 

considered to have a harmful effect on the environment. The 

KGS report is a sham. 

If the Manitoba government allows this project to proceed, it 

will constitute a de facto abandonment of its own stated 

objectives with respect to the reduction of greenhouse gases, 

and an abandonment of former Premier Doer’s affirmation of 

what a park should be. 

The decision on the peat mine will be the first test of the 

leadership of Manitoba’s new Conservation Minister Gordon 

Mackintosh. In an interview he stated that a decision would 

come fairly soon so it is possible that by the time this article 

is published, we will know the outcome. We will also know 

if we have a minister who understands what conservation 

means. 

In the next issue of Nature Manitoba News (May/June), just 

in time for gardening season, look for an article on alternatives 

to peat moss. 


To receive weekly updates of outdoor activities, send a message to triplist@naturemanitoba.ca. 

Skiing/Snowshoeing at 

Larters Golf Course 

Sun. March 4th 

Cross-country ski or snowshoe at 

Larters Golf Course, on Main Street 

north of the Perimeter, around 1pm. 

Contact Bryon Burvill at 233-7904 

or bpb1@mymts.net. [Rate 2-3] 

Skiing/Snowshoeing 

at Rennie 

Sun. March 18th 

Join Bryon in the Whiteshell area at 

Rennie for a day of cross-country skiing 

or snowshoeing. Will leave around 9am. 



Ski Pinawa 

Sat. March 24th 

Ski the Pinawa area on some of the 

easiest or toughest trails. If insufficient 

snow is on the ground, an alternative 

activity will be arranged. 

Contact Les McCann at 895-8108 or 

lmccann2001@yahoo.com. [Rate 1-3] 

Shannondale Hiking 

Sat. April 7th 

Hike the Shannondale trails near Morden. 

Contact Les McCann at 895-8108 or 

lmccan2001@yahoo.com. [Rate 2-3] 

Classified Ads 

For just $15 you can get 3 lines/30 

words to say whatever you want. 

Email editor@naturemanitoba.ca. 

Trip Leader Forms 

Nature Manitoba’s Trip Leader forms 

are available on our website, in the 

“Outdoor Activities” section under 

“Trip Leader Forms”. Please fill 

them out for every trip, and return 

them to the Nature Manitoba office. 

Contact the office if you would 

prefer paper copies mailed to you. 

Snowshoeing/Hiking 

at Birch River 


Perhaps the last chance for snowshoeing 

this winter – so join Bryon at the 

Birch River snowshoe area. Will 

leave at 9am. Depending on snow 

conditions, this may turn into a hike. 



Snowshoeing/Hiking at 

Narcisse Nature Area 


An interesting combination of activities – 

snowshoe around the Narcisse area where 

the snake dens may be in full spring mode. 

Will leave around 9am. Depending on snow 

conditions, this may turn into a hike. 



The following summer canoe trips 

are being included now as they 

require advanced planning for both 

participants and the trip leaders. 

Milk River Canoe Trip 

Fri. August 10th - Tue. August 14th 

Enjoy this classic southern Alberta 

canoe trip, which starts in the town of 

Milk River, meanders through southern 

Alberta badlands and finishes in the 

surreal Writing-on-Stone Provincial 

Park. Two days of canoeing, with one 

day planned to camp at Writing-on- 

Stone before the long drive back. 

Contact Shannon Healy at 218-2176 or 

vuorikiipeilija@gmail.com. [Rate 5.0] 

1-week Hiking caMPs near Banff 

Skyline Hikers of the Canadian Rockies is a 

non-profit group offering 1-week summer hiking 

camps near Banff. Gear transportation to a base 

camp, tents, meals, hot water and an electric bear 

fence provided. Five hikes of varying difficulty/ 

length offered daily. Good music and fun. 

Visit www.skylinehikers.ca, contact Nature 

Manitoba member Rosemary McVicar at 

ramcvicar@mts.net or 832-7998. 

Eastern MB Canoe Adventure 

Third Week of August 

Join Jerry Ameis for another canoeing 

adventure for 8-9 days. The exact date is 

not firm but the trip will start in the third 

week of August when the bug count is 

low. The plan is to start at Tulabi Lake, go 

up the Bird River system to Eagle Lake, 

portage to Eden Lake (the headwater lake 

of the Manigotagan River), stay at Eden 

two nights, head back to the Bird River 

via Wingiskus Lake, and then return to 

Tulabi. This area is just south of Woodland 

Caribou Park. Eden Lake is aptly named. It 

is a marvelous place to stay and explore. 

E-mail Jerry at raven981@mts.net for more 

info and/or to book a spot. [Rate 5.0] 

Quetico Canoe Trip 

Sat. August 18th - Sat. August 25th 

The very name “Quetico” means canoe 

tripping paradise. Join Sean Worden on 

this backcountry canoe trip across the 

northern part of Quetico Provincial Park. 

This moderately challenging 7-day trip 

will cover roughly 62 miles, 14 lakes and 

15 portages. A variety of scenery, no long 

portages, and a mix of travel days makes 

this trip ideal for those looking for their 1st 

backcountry canoe trip. From the put-in 

at Beaverhouse Lake we will view the 

pictographs on Quetico Lake, go through 

Jean Lake to Sturgeon Lake (with a day 

trip or layover day). We will travel the 

Deux Rivieres route to Pickerel Lake and 

end at French Lake. Limited to 8 people, 

and permits will be arranged on Mar. 17. 

A $100 deposit will be needed, with all 

group trip costs to be paid prior to the trip. 

For more information or reserve your 

place, contact Sean at 781-0796 or by 

email at srworden@mts.net. [Rate 5.0] 


Les McCann 

(Generally on Wednesdays) 

Any Nature Manitoba members are 

welcome to join the Grey Hares on trips. 

An easier trip is usually possible if someone 

is willing to lead a leisurely group. 

Ski Kildonan Park 

Golf Course 

Wed. March 7th 

9km of easy, gentle trails. Heated changing 

rooms, washrooms, and concesssion. 

Daniella Rempel at 633-0668. [Rate 1.0] 

Ski Beaudry Park 


Level, well-groomed, forested trails 

with warming huts. 5km to 15km. 

An easy ski is possible if someone is 

willing to lead a leisurely group. 

June Thomson at 837-6469. [Rate 2.0] 

Visit the Royal Canadian Mint 

Wed. March 21st 

Visit to the Royal Canadian Mint at 

Fermor and Lagimodiere, with an optional 

hike in the area to follow. Cost $4 for 

seniors, less for a group of 20 or more. 

Call Norm Asher at 339-1132. 

Book by Mar. 14th. [Rate 1.0] 

St. Adolphe & 

Windygates Hawk Watches 

Mid-March to Mid-April 

During this time, birders will be out at 

the St. Adolphe and Windygates hawk 

watch sites, weather permitting. Days 

with light winds, especially from the 

south, and sunny skies are best, but birds 

also migrate in less-than-ideal weather. 

Registration is not needed, come and 

go as you please. For directions to the 

sites, consult Finding Birds in Southern 

Manitoba. Contact Rudolf Koes at 

661-0763 for more information. 

Hike in Winnipeg 


The choice of area to be decided. An 

easy walk is possible if someone is 

willing to lead a leisurely group. 

Doris Orchyk at 837-6166. [Rate 1-2] 

Hawk Watch 

Wed. April 4th 

Come watch hawks migrating by the 

thousands in the Pembina Valley near 

Windygates, south of Morden. Bring a 

chair and binoculars. Sit and watch, or go 

for a short hike in the beautiful valley. 

Call the office at 943-9029. [Rate 1.0] 

Mystery Cycle Tour 


Cycling Winnipeg’s trails with Charles 

Begley – a mystery tour! Don’t forget 

to wear a helmet, check your bike, 

brakes, and pump the tires. 

Charles Begley at 233-8395. [Rate 2.0] 

Mystery Hike in Winnipeg 


Another mystery tour! An easy walk 

is possible if someone is willing 

to lead a leisurely group. 

Bryon Burvill at 233-7904. [Rate 2.0] 

The Grey Hares smiling at the 

Whitemouth Ski Trails, as they’ve 

found a great place to ski in 

this unusual winter. The snow 

did warm up too much, though, 

in the last 20min of the ski. 

Woodcock & Owl Foray 

Saturday, April 28 

By late April, American Woodcocks 

and owls should be calling and 

displaying. With any luck we should 

see and hear some other species 

as well, including marsh birds. 

Contact Rudolf Koes at 

661-0763 to register. 

GENERAL RATING 

GUIDELINES APPLICABLE 

TO ALL ACTIVITIES 

Rate 1 Novice: Typically 2 to 3 hours 

duration. Little or no experience required. 

Easy terrain. Limited physical fitness 

acceptable. Weather not likely to be severe 

and normally we can retreat to shelter. 

Rate 2 Intermediate: Typically 4-6 hours 

long. Some previous experience and skill 

desirable. Some steep or difficult terrain. 

Moderate physical fitness required. 

Seasonal weather normally not severe. 

Rate 3 Advanced: Typically full day trip. 

Previous experience, significant skill and 

good physical condition required. Steep or 

difficult terrain. Sustained strenuous activity 

required. Weather not normally severe. 

Rate 4 Advanced: Trip of several days 

duration with heavy packs, specialized 

equipment and skills. Effects of inclement 

weather and injuries more severe. 

Seasonal weather not normally severe. 

Rate 5 Advanced: Trip of several days 

duration with heavy packs, specialized 

equipment and skills. Possible severe 

weather conditions – wind, cold rain, 

sleet – may halt trip and demand use 

of skilled survival techniques or make 

accidents or physical injuries life threatening. 

Aid or rescue is difficult to obtain. 

PLEASE NOTE: 

All those planning to participate in a trip 

must register with the leader beforehand, 

unless otherwise indicated. Space is often 

limited, so call early. If the leader cannot 

be reached, call the office at 943-9029. 

As a member of Nature Manitoba you have 

the right to participate in all of our activities 

and programs, but you must provide a 

valid membership card. Trips are led by 

unpaid, non-professional volunteers. 

Trip leaders may exercise discretion and 

decline to include any person. When 

registering you must rely on your own 

assessment of your ability to participate, 

based on the requirements of the trip 

as described in the trip rating guidelines 

and at www.naturemanitoba.ca. 

By showing up it is understood that 

you acknowledged and are prepared 

and able to participate at the level 

indicated. You will be required to sign an 

Informed Consent and Liability Release 

Agreement in order to participate. 

Participants must be prepared for inclement 

weather. Participants must have adequate 

clothing, water, food, must carry their own 

gear, and are responsible for ensuring it is 

in good working condition. See the Outdoor 

Activity section of our website for more 

details on the Trip Rating Guidelines. 


Christian Artuso 

(Regular Bird News 

Column & Spreadsheet 

returning next issue) 

by Robert Parsons 

In spite of predictions of an early 

onset to winter, with colder than 

normal temperatures, the weather 

conditions leading up to, and during, 

the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) 

period were pleasant, with nearly no 

snow cover, and well above normal 

temperatures. This undoubtedly 

caused participants to expend a 

little more effort than usual. 

Because of problems with a 

new data entry system, many 

count compilers had not 

reported their totals by my 

publication deadline and I 

can’t give as precise 

numbers or statistics as 

usual. I have complete 

results from 6 counts, 

partial results from 

another 8, and am 

Rough-legged 

Hawk 

expecting another 7 for a total number 

of 21 counts held in Manitoba this year. 

There were no new counts, but it was 

nice to see a revived Morden count, 

which was missing in action for 

several years, but is now under 

the care of a reliable compiler. 

Number of species ranged from 

a high of 46 in Winnipeg to a 

low of 16 at Cranberry Portage. 

Cypress River had a great total 

of 42 species, impressive 

considering the much smaller 

number of participants (and 

hours) than the Winnipeg CBC. 

A trend on many counts, at least 

those with an acceptable level of 

effort, is for a gradual increase 

in species numbers. Whether this is an 

actual increase or the result of better 

knowledge of a count circle makes for 

enjoyable speculation. 

Despite the mild weather, there was not 

a great deal of waterfowl reported. 

Canada Goose, Mallard and Common 

Goldeneye turned up on counts where 

they are regular, with record numbers in 

some cases, such as in Pinawa. 

Pinawa also recorded a count 

week Common Merganser. 

There were a couple of rarer 

species: a Canvasback in 

Winnipeg was a good find, as 

was a Green-winged Teal in 

Minnedosa. A teal-sized 

duck at Balmoral may 

have been a second 

Green-winged Teal. 

Bald Eagles seem to be 

increasingly frequent on 

nearly all counts across 

Southern Manitoba, with 

several counts at or near record 

totals. Other raptors were scarce. 

Considering the lack of snow, it was 

surprising there weren’t more Roughlegged 

Hawks lingering, but the dry 

weather of last summer may have caused 

poor reproduction of small rodents, 

resulting in little food for them. There 

were singles at Cypress River & 

Glenboro. A Prairie Falcon was an 

excellent find at Cypress River. 

Ian Thorleifson 

Northern Mockingbird 

wintering near Minnedosa, 

December 2011. 

There were 16 Eurasian Collared-Doves, 

four more than last year, on four counts: 

Brandon, Morden, Portage and 

Glenboro. The increase might be a result 

of Morden’s return to the CBC fold, 

rather than an actual increase, as all four 

counts have had them before. There 

were four Mourning Doves at Cypress 

River and one in Brandon. 

Snowy Owls staged a major flight out of 

the arctic this year. Many were reported 

in the fall and early winter, but a lot of 

them had moved on southward by count 

period. Most counts had them, but not in 

huge numbers, with the highest number 

being five each at Brandon, Oak 

Hammock and Delta Marsh, the latter a 

record high. Other owls were scarce, but 

did include a count week Barred Owl at 

Pinawa, detected by radio collar! 

A Black-backed Woodpecker in Winnipeg 

was certainly out of its normal habitat. A 

few Northern Flickers were reported on 

at least two counts, including a “Redshafted” 

form on the Pinawa CBC. 

Blue Jays and Black-billed Magpies 

seem to be recovering in numbers from 

West Nile Virus, although at least one 

compiler commented on low numbers. 

American Crows continue to do well, at 

least in the Red River Valley, and 

Common Ravens are seemingly doing 

well everywhere, as demonstrated by an 

astounding 50 on the Lyleton CBC, 

where it is only in recent years that they 

have been recorded. 

Snow Buntings were somewhat scarce 

this year, although 786 at Oak Hammock 

made a good total. 

There were a large number of Dark-eyed 

Juncos reported on several counts, with 

Cypress River having a record high. A 

Chipping Sparrow in Winnipeg was a 

nice find. Winnipeg also recorded its 

usual complement of Whitethroated 

Sparrows, and there 

were a few others elsewhere, 

as well as Harris’s Sparrows 

at Cypress River and Selkirk. 

On the whole, though, 

wintering sparrows were not 

notable this year. 

It was not a remarkable 

winter finch count, 

although 577 Common 

Redpolls (but no Hoary 

Redpoll?) on the Dauphin 

CBC made an impressive 

total. Red Crossbills on the Cypress River 

CBC were a good find. Evening Grosbeak 

numbers prompted comments like 

“lowest number since 1974” and “I don’t 

know when I’ve seen so few” if they got 

any notice at all. Apparently there was 

plenty of food available in northerly 

areas and most finches may have quite 

simply stayed put. 


Christian Artuso 

Rarities are always the spice of a count. In addition to those 

already mentioned, here is a probably incomplete list, all single 

birds except where otherwise noted: Turkey Vulture was 

reported in count week at Cypress River; Peregrine Falcon in 

“E vening Grosbeak 

numbers prompted 

comments like ‘lowest 

number since 1974’ 

and ‘I don’t know when 

I’ve seen so few...’ ” 

Winnipeg; Red-bellied 

Woodpecker in Winnipeg; a 

startling three Townsend’s 

Solitaires in Cypress River; 

Varied Thrush in Winnipeg; 

Northern Mockingbird in 

Minnedosa; Northern Cardinal 

in Winnipeg. 

I am hopeful all counts will appear on the National Audubon 

Society web site once the glitches have been resolved. I can 

also supply a computer file of the complete table of counts for 

anyone who requests it (email parsons8@mymts.net). I 

appreciate the extra efforts compilers made with data entry 

and sending me results or summaries when it became apparent 

the data entry problems were not going to be fixed. I’d like to 

give a big thanks to all who took part. 

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch 

at a feeder near Kenton, 

MB in January 2012. 

“Not a guff-taking bird…” 

Among this winter’s noteworthy birds were two Graycrowned 

Rosy Finches, a western species that is only 

an occasional winter visitor to Manitoba. One of these 

made regular appearances throughout January at a feeder 

on Harvey and Bonnie Sangster’s farm near Kenton. 

Among the first to see the bird, Garry Budyk reported 

on Manitobabirds (Yahoo group) that it “was very active 

and took no guff from the House Sparrows.” Peter Taylor 

then responded with the following post: “Yes indeed, the 

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch is not a guff-taking bird! We had 

over-wintering individuals in Pinawa in 1978-79 and 1987- 

88, and they would not let a grosbeak of either persuasion 

land on a feeder. And that was in the days when Pinawa 

feeders regularly swarmed with Evening Grosbeaks! As 

I recall, they did not fly in and drive off occupants, but 

took over the feeder when empty and then drove away 

all comers. The low centre of gravity, handy for clinging 

Great Bird Search 

Saturday, May 26th 

To register, call Ward or Marlene at 256-8724. 

Forms can be picked up from the office, or you can 

have one mailed to you by contacting the office 

at 943-9029 or info@naturemanitoba.ca. 

Important Bird Areas 

The Important Bird Area (IBA) caretaker program 

is coming to Manitoba soon. Interviews for a 

part-time IBA coordinator will be completed in 

February. Watch this space to hear about this new 

program and how to get involved! You might even 

like to visit www.ibacanada.ca in the interim! 

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch 

(“coastal” or “hepburn’s”) in 

Charleswood on Feb. 4, 2012. 

to mountains in a gale, gave them a pugnacious posture 

and a definite advantage in boxing above their weight!” 

Garry’s observations corroborated this behaviour, as he 

further noted that “The Kenton bird seems to have a similar 

habit... it usually waits for a lull in the House Sparrow 

activity and then moves in and makes itself at home. 

Although we saw it share a tray feeder with a few House 

Sparrows, when that ‘one more’ tried to get in on the 

action, the rosy-finch reacted quickly and sent it packing.” 

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch in Winnipeg 

In early Feburary, another Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch 

appeared at a feeder in Charleswood, but this one was 

the “coastal” or “Hepburn’s” type (littoralis subspecies) 

that is even rarer in Manitoba. It has a full grey “hood” 

unlike the more common “interior” type (the Kenton 

bird), where the pale grey is restricted to the crown. 

According to Christian Artuso, having both subspecies 

groups in our province simultaneously is exceptional! 


Katherine Schulz

Photos: Richard Staniforth 

The Big Sand Lake Lodge in the 

northwest corner of Manitoba. 

Atlassing from 

Big Sand Lake Lodge 

by Richard Staniforth 

(Reprinted from the Summer/Fall 2011 

Manitoba Breeding Bird Atlas newsletter) 

Six days of bird atlassing at Big Sand Lake in mid-June 

with Rudolf Koes started and ended with transportation 

doubts thanks to weather, but the “in-between” was 

superb. Big Sand Lake is in the northwest corner of Manitoba, 

between Lynn Lake and South Indian Lake. Like most of 

northern Manitoba, it is a region of lakes and extensive 

boreal forest. Unlike most of Manitoba, it has huge amounts 

of sand, originally deposited about 8500 years ago by 

sub-glacial rivers, now exposed as high, wind-swept esker 

ridges that snake across the terrain for many kilometres 

between bogs and lakes. What a contrast – the eskers are dry, 

Esker clifftop from which 

we viewed Mew Gulls. 

View from the lodge 

across Big Sand Lake. 

well-drained and dominated by Jack Pines, Bearberry and 

lichens whereas the surrounding forest is a muskeg of Black 

Spruce, Labrador Tea and Sphagnum Moss. 

Our first day of atlassing gave us a key bird – Mew Gull. We 

were sitting on a cliff top when two smallish gulls landed in 

the water directly beneath us. At first their heads were 

directed away from us and we could not see the critical beak 

colour. At last, one turned in our direction and there it was – 

a pale yellow, unmarked bill. A high-five was instantaneous! 

After this fortunate observation, other exciting birds came to 

us regularly: Arctic Terns, a colony of Common Terns, the 

nest of a Black-backed Woodpecker, Merlin’s nests with eggs, 

a nest of a Common Loon, Rusty Blackbirds foraging for food 

at the water’s edge, a large flock of White-winged Crossbills 

feeding in the burnt Jack Pine forest, Northern Waterthrushes 

and Red-breasted Mergansers at every stop, an agitated pair 

of Olive-sided Flycatchers, a flock of White-winged Scoters, 

and the squeaks and trills of a dozen warblers and sparrows. 

The surprises were many! Amongst the 82 species that we 

encountered were several that 

nlike most 

“Uof Manitoba, 

this region has huge 

amounts of sand, 

originally deposited 

about 8500 years ago 

by sub-glacial rivers...” 

we had not expected: Upland 

Sandpiper, Red-winged 

Blackbird, a pair of Eastern 

Kingbirds, Clay-colored and 

Savannah Sparrows. What 

were they doing so far out of 

range or habitat? 

We were only to see two 

kinds of mammals: a cow 

moose and a river otter. The moose was swimming from an 

island to the shore as we came around a headland in the 

boat. We saw her long ears projecting like a pair of shoes 

above the waves even before we could see her head. She 

promptly about-turned and returned to the island, clambered 

out onto the rocks, shook herself like a dog, spraying the air 

with a sunlit shower of golden water droplets and then 

quietly slid into the willows and alders. We were to see 

neither wolf nor black bear, but their tracks were on every 

sandy beach and mud trail that we hiked. We saw no reptiles, 


Ardythe McMaster 

but Wood Frogs were spotted and heard on several occasions and a single 

Boreal Chorus Frog trilled out one evening. 

Of all Big Sand Lake butterflies that we were to see, it was the Old World 

Swallowtail that was the most special for me. I had missed it in the UK where I 

had grown up and where this is one of the largest and most magnificent of 

butterflies species. Over there, it is both very local and very rare, so it was a 

red-letter “lifer” for me to see one at last. The other butterflies that I could 

identify at Big Sand Lake were a single Mourning Cloak, Freija fritillaries, 

Brown Elfins, Northern Cloudy-wings, Northern Pearl Crescents, Spring Azures 

and Canadian Tiger Swallowtails. 

Big Sand Lake Lodge is owned and operated by the people of South Indian 

Lake in Sand Lakes Provincial Wilderness Park. Rudolf and I were extremely 

fortunate to have had the opportunity to enjoy the generous hospitality of 

Rick and his friendly staff, and we thank Bonnie Chartier and Christian Artuso 

for allowing the trip to come in our direction. 

For more “remote atlassing adventures”, see the Summer/Fall 2011 

issue of the Manitoba Breeding Bird Atlas newsletter, available at 

www.birdatlas.mb.ca/newsletter_en.jsp. 

A loon nest on 

Big Sand Lake. 

Winter Bird Bath 

by Ardythe McMaster 

One of the best investments I ever 

made was a thermostat-controlled bird 

bath! While there are those who 

maintain that these are bad for birds in 

the winter, I was more swayed by the 

Bird Studies Canada encouragement 

that Feeder Watchers should offer 

water as well as suet and various 

seeds. It has proven to be a great 

draw for birds, and almost all birds 

comes regularly to drink; fewer use it 

to bathe. 

It was -34C on the morning (not this 

winter!) I took this photo. Note the frost 

on the ‘eyebrows’ of these grosbeaks! 

October BirD TOUr of Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico 

A greAt introduction to troPicAL Birding! 

Join Carolyn Curtis Hernandez, a long-time Manitoba birder, in a 9-day birding tour 

of Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve in Veracruz, Mexico. The expansive reserve consists 

of coastal plains, mangroves, montane forest, rainforest and Lake Catemaco. 

Some of the sought after bird families include toucans, parrots, hummingbirds, woodcreepers, tropical 

flycatchers, tanagers and our own neotropical migrants on their wintering grounds. This is also the 

time of year to see hundreds of thousands of migrating raptors passing through the area. 

Carolyn has regularly birded the area for ten years and is eager to introduce 

others to the beauty of Lake Catemaco and the Sierra de Los Tuxtlas. 

The next trip is planned for oCtobEr 13 – 21, 2012. For details, please call 

Carolyn at (204) 489-2483 or e-mail to chernandez@shaw.ca. 


Photos: Jerry Ameis 

Cliffs, Cairns & Canoes – from Beresford to Wallace 

by Jerry Ameis 

The Nature Manitoba trip into Woodland Caribou Park 

(WCP) in July of 2011 was enjoyed by six paddlers: 

the leader (myself), three Nature Manitoba paddlers 

(my son and daughter, Dustin & Amanda Ameis, and 

Monica Reid), and two non-member paddlers (Jim and 

Gary). The original plan was to start at 

Wallace Lake, canoe a partial loop, and 

return to Wallace. But plans can be as 

changeable as the flight of a dragonfly 

when paddling in Shield country. 

The waves on Wallace made a 3 km 

crossing hazardous. We decided instead to paddle from 

Beresford to Wallace. That way we would have the wind at 

our backs on day 1, a much safer proposition. The new plan 

involved a car shuttle of 30 minutes round trip. 

Off we paddled upstream on the Garner 

River and eastward through Garner 

Lake to the beach at the east end. 

Day 1 ended with the sunset 

basking our campsite with 

streams of light. 

Two days and 14 portages later 

we reached Haggart Lake. We 

stayed two nights to relax, explore, 

and fish. Lake trout graced our 

menu. On day 5 we changed plans 

again to avoid a possible strong headwind. 

We headed northeast through Haggart 

and Bulging lakes to the Adventure Creek system. 

We stopped for lunch at a peninsula just before the chute 

into Bulging. The site has special significance. A memorial 

cairn marks a place of both sad and happy memories. 

Howard Holtman erected the cairn in memory of his son, 

ut plans can be as 

“B changeable as the 

flight of a dragonfly when 

paddling in Shield country.” 

A memorial cairn at 

Bulging Lake. 

The cliff portage on 

Adventure Creek. 

Michael, who died at age 16 of a degenerative disease. The 

peninsula is the last place where they had shore lunch in 

1989. Michael died four months later. 

On day 6 we travelled downstream on Adventure Creek. 

Water levels were low, turning portage 

landings into rock gardens that make 

landings difficult. Along the way we 

came across a bull moose standing in the 

creek. It stared at us for a short while, 

and then ambled off, disappearing from 

sight in the forest. 

The last portage before Donald Lake was at a spectacular 

canyon. The creek squeezes through a narrow gap under 

gigantic boulders that have broken free of the canyon walls. 

Our goal was a campsite on an island in the 

southern bay of Donald Lake. As we 

approached the island we could see 

that someone was already there. 

This was not good news. Donald 

Lake is big, with few campsites, 

and the sun was getting low. 

I noticed a flag flying in the 

breeze. Hum! Maybe one of the 

campers was the retired Texas 

professor that I had been communicating 

with. He had e-mailed me for 

advice on canoeing in WCP. We had been 

exchanging plans in the hope of meeting up. I 

had mostly given up on that because of the changes in 

our route. 

I called out: “Are you Wayne?” Yup, it was my Texas virtual 

friend. He and his canoeing buddy welcomed us and soon 


Breaking for lunch on Bulging 

Lake near the memorial cairn. 

we were putting up tents on a crowded point. I had camped 

there ten years ago. At that time there many places to set up 

a tent. Now flattened trees littered the forest floor, courtesy 

of a windstorm. 

We stayed two nights, exchanging stories and perspectives 

on life. We avoided conversations about guns and religion. 

No sense in disturbing an amicable situation. 

Smoke from a forest fire welcomed us on day 8. It was time 

to begin the journey to Wallace. We left the smoke behind 

as we headed west. 

On day 9, we camped at Crystal Lake, near the westernmost 

boundary of WCP. It was difficult to sleep that night. 

The air was hot and humid with no breeze. We arose still 

tired at 6:30am. Wallace was our goal – we had a long day 

ahead of us. 

The 6 km stretch of the Wanipigow River between Crystal 

and Siderock lakes is narrow and mostly straight, with 

rock-garden sections and five portages (depending on water 

levels). The river is bordered on the south by a granite wall 

of rock that begins at Crystal and continues along the shore 

of Siderock as well (hence the name of the lake). There is a 

less pronounced granite wall on the north side of the river 

as well. The river is a marvelous place to canoe except for 

the occasional low water levels that sometimes necessitate 

slogging through mud to reach a portage. About halfway 

between Crystal and Siderock is a treasure – a small lake 

with high cliffs and deep clear waters. 

We progressed well down the river. We water walked the 

rock gardens, thankful for an opportunity to cool off on a 

hot day. At the last portage, we could see possible trouble in 

the distance. A dark brooding thunderstorm was making its 

way across Siderock. We decided to continue on because it 

looked like the storm would miss us. 

It didn’t. The storm veered and greeted us just before the 

lake. We were in a narrow twisting river channel in the 

middle of a reed-filled marsh. We plunged on. Shelter was 

about 500 metres away on the north shore of Siderock. 

During the hectic paddle, the storm dumped enough water 

into the canoes to create tidal bores with every paddle 

stroke. Waves were not a problem because we were on the 

lee side of the shore. When we reached terra firma, the 

storm had moved on and we ate lunch with the sun smiling 

on us. 

A meandering 6 km section (as the crow flies) of the 

Wanipigow awaited us. Two hours later we reached the 

Wallace landing. After car shuttling and loading, we were 

off to Bissett for supper – but no food service to be found 

there. Pine Falls was our next hope. No luck again. Every 

restaurant was closed except for a Subway. Foot-long subs 

are a reasonable alternative after ten days of reconstituted 

stew-like suppers. 

We said our farewells at the Subway and headed our 

separate ways to Winnipeg. It had been a fine trip, with 

good memories for all. 

The now much-exposed beach 

at the east end of Garner Lake. 


ManiTOBa 

BackrOaD MaPBOOk 

& OUTDOOr recreaTiOn gUiDe 

BOOK REViEW 

by Donna Danyluk 

For those of us who travel the backroads of Manitoba in 

search of birds or in pursuit of other adventures, a 

highway map just doesn’t cut it. 

Our well-used copy of the first edition 

of the Manitoba Road Atlas by MapArt 

Publishing, now held together with 

tape, has become even more precious. 

The replacement second edition is a 

more expensive, thicker, coil-bound 

version that is larger only because it 

now includes complete street maps for 

Winnipeg and other towns – not 

exactly useful for a backroads 

traveller! 

There is now a competitor, the 

Manitoba Backroad Mapbook from 

B.C. publisher Mussio Ventures, one of 

their series of Canadian mapbooks. 

This coil-bound book uses larger scale 

maps than the MapArt atlas – 

1:250,000 compared to 1:500,000 – 

allowing for much more detail to be 

shown. Unlike MapArt, these largescale 

maps extend beyond the 55th 

parallel. The maps for the extreme 

north and northeast regions are also 

larger scale (1:1,000,000) than the 

1:2,000,000 northern maps in 

MapArt, and seem to show every 

single body of water and creek. 

The greater detail afforded by the 

larger scale makes for extremely busy 

maps, with seemingly every last road and trail depicted, down 

to farmyard entrances on section roads. The legend shows a 

different type of line for each type of road or trail, but some of 

these lines are hard to differentiate on the maps as they are 

just different thicknesses of a black line. The legend lists a 

confusing array of road types, using B.C. terminology not 

translated to the Manitoba system: freeways, highways, 

secondary highways, arterial paved roads, rural paved roads, 

local paved roads, forest service/main industry roads, active 

Published by Backroad Mapbooks, 

Mussio Ventures Ltd., 

Coquitlam, BC. $25.95. 

www.backroadmapbooks.com. 

industry roads (2wd), other industry roads (2wd/4wd), 

unclassified roads (4wd), and deactivated roads – whew! It’s 

not clear where Manitoba’s gravel section roads fit into this 

complicated scheme. 

The trail types in the legend are equally confusing – longdistance 

trails, Trans-Canada Trail, duo sport trails (whatever 

that is), snowmobile trails, ATV trails, developed trails, and 

routes/undeveloped trails – and are shown with various 

coloured or dotted lines. (No trails are shown in the MapArt 

atlas.) Added to this are other types of dotted and dashed lines 

for powerlines, pipelines, lake/river paddling routes, as well as 

contour lines. Overlain on the maps are both a township/range 

and a UTM grid; the UTM grid is at 10 km intervals, conveniently 

matching the Breeding Bird Atlas squares. Latitude and 

longitude are shown with marginal 

tick marks (the MapArt atlas has only 

a township/range grid.) 

f you like plenty of 

“Idetail in your maps, 

you’ll like the Manitoba 

Backroad Mapbook.” 

A brief field test of this mapbook on a 

fall trip revealed a type of road 

(numbered provincial gravel road) 

depicted on the map with a line type 

not included in the legend, a mislabelled 

section road, trails on the map 

that were obscure on the ground, and 

other trails or roads that were missing 

on the map. With this amount of 

detail, there are bound to be mistakes. 

The subtitle “Outdoor Recreation 

Guide” refers to a 60-page reference 

section with descriptive listings and 

locations for outdoor adventures in 

Manitoba: fishing (at 22 pages, by far 

the largest section), hunting, paddling 

(lake and river canoe routes), parks, 

trails (multi-use, i.e. hiking, walking, 

biking and horse trails, and a surprisingly 

short list of ATV trails), wildlife 

watching, winter (equal weight given to ski and snowmobile 

trails) and backroads (both natural and man-made attractions). 

The information for this section would have been gathered 

from a wide variety of sources. A quick skim shows it to be 

reasonably comprehensive (except for the rather meagre list of 

13 natural attractions in the “backroads adventures”), but also 

revealed typos and erroneous and questionable details. A 

notable gaff is the use of a grizzly bear photo with the black 


Tommy Allen 

“I 

would not set out on any of their thin black or 

dotted lines without good local information.” 

bear listing in the hunting section, and in one write-up, a 

reference to the Red Deer River instead of the Red. This 

section could have used a more thorough proofread and 

fact-check. A plethora of symbols for various activities and 

points of interest are scattered over the maps, sometimes in 

the wrong locations. I would not recommend this book as a 

sole source of information about a particular trail, park, etc. 

If you like plenty of detail in your maps, you’ll like the 

Manitoba Backroad Mapbook. While I prefer the clarity and 

simplicity of the MapArt atlas, with its fewer line types, for 

navigating by car, the Manitoba Backroad Mapbook can lead 

you to trails that might be explored on foot or bike. Personally, 

I would not set out on any of their thin black or dotted lines 

without good local information! And, I’ll be taking good care 

of our now irreplaceable dog-eared MapArt Road Atlas. 

Discovery 

Evenings 

2011 - 2012 

Monday, March 5 th , 2012 

A Box and Some Gravel: Peregrine 

Falcon Recovery Efforts in Manitoba 

Tracy Maconachie 

(Project Coordinator, Manitoba 

Peregrine Falcon Recovery Project) 

The Manitoba Peregrine Falcon Recovery Project began in 

1981 with the release of four captive-bred Peregrine Falcon 

chicks in Winnipeg. The goal was, and still is, to establish and 

support a self-sustaining wild population of peregrines in the 

province. Since then over 200 chicks, wild-hatched and captivebred, 

have been released from locations in southern Manitoba 

and many of their offspring have returned to nest successfully in 

locations across the Canadian Prairies and the U.S. Midwest. 

But even with thirty years of experience and expertise, every 

year is a new challenge for both the peregrines and the Project. 

The difference between a successful year and a tragic one can 

be determined by something as random as a gust of wind or as 

simple as a plastic box with some gravel. Join Tracy Maconachie 

for an insider’s look at the Project’s recovery efforts (past, 

present and future) and what to watch for when the birds 

return in mid/late March. 

Sample section of a map 

(reduced by about 50%). 

Nature Manitoba’s Discovery Evenings are held 

at Le Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain, 

340 Provencher Blvd, in St. Boniface. 

All programs will be held in Salle 

Antoine-Gaborieau (on second floor). 

Programs start at 7:30 pm except for the 

March 19 th AGM which starts at 7 pm. 

Admission is $2.00 for members and $3.00 for 

non-members. Members must show a valid Nature 

Manitoba membership card to get the reduced rate. 

For more information, call the Nature Manitoba office 

at 943-9029 or email info@naturemanitoba.ca. 

Monday, March 19 th , 2012 

ANNUAL 

GENERAL MEETING 

(early start at 7:00 pm) 

See pages 6-8 for more information about Nature Manitoba’s 

2012 A.G.M. The meeting will be followed by the Prairie 

Crocus Award presentation to Bill Blaikie, and two member’s 

presentations: 

“Revelations of a Young Naturalist” 

with Brock Houndle 

“Pura Vida: Adventures in Costa Rica” 

with Alain & Cindy Louer 

Thank you to everyone who purchased a copy of 

the 2012 Prairie Garden book in December. This 

fundraiser brought in $285.00 for Nature Manitoba. 

Your contribution was greatly appreciated! 

Ruby Tekauz 


Manitoba Backroad Mapbook

NATuRe MANiTOBA’S 

wOrksHOP series 2012 

from January 10 th until May 8 th 

PrE-rEgistration required! Contact the Nature 

Manitoba office at 943-9029 or info@naturemanitoba.ca. 

rEgistEr EarLy to aVoid disaPPointMEnt. 

Class sizes are limited to 28 (we no longer have 

access to a larger room at Kelvin to accommodate 

workshops with enrolments larger than 28) 

if you are unable to attend, please CanCEL by calling 

the office so others may benefit from the vacancy. 

We ask for your understanding and suggest that you sign 

up for onLy tHrEE WorKsHoPs. if you are interested 

in more than three workshops, you are welcome to call 

the office one week prior to any additional workshops. 

if there are any vacancies, you will be able to register. 

FEE: $5 for Nature Manitoba members, $10 for non-members 

(students: $3 for members, $5 for non-members). Workshops 

are open to children over 10, accompanied by a parent. 

enDangerMenT in BirDs 

instructor: Christian Artuso, 

Nature Manitoba Birder 

date: Tuesday, March 6, 2012 

Approximately 14% of the world’s bird species are considered 

globally threatened and another 8% are listed as “nearthreatened”. 

This talk will attempt to summarize global patterns 

of endangerment, discuss international vs national/regional 

criteria for “red-listing” species, examine various threat types and 

which birds are most vulnerable to them, and try to engage you 

in a conversation about conservation on a continental, 

hemispheric and global scale. 

sParrOws... 

or wHaT was THaT “LBJ” anyway? 

instructor: Ward Christianson, 

Nature Manitoba Birder 


Do you enjoy watching birds, but think identification of sparrows 

(“little brown jobs”) is for someone else? Come and learn to be 

that someone! Ward will help you sort out the important field 

marks for successful identification. 

tiME: 7:30pm 

LoCation: KeLViN HiGH SCHOOL (Room 31), 

Stafford Street at Academy Road, with the 

exception of “Identifying Minerals and Rocks 

on your Walks” which will be held at the university 

of Winnipeg. Parking at Kelvin is available in the 

lot behind the school, by the west entrance. 

Workshop Co-ordinator: Julia Schoen 

Cindy & Al Louer, Lorne Heshka and the 

study skin of a Great Horned Owl at the 

Jan. 24 workshop “The Owls of Manitoba.” 

a BLOOMing ParaDe 

cHOOsing PerenniaLs 

for your garDen 

instructor: Marilyn Latta, 

Nature Manitoba Plant Enthusiast 


The great thing about growing perennial plants is that they come 

back year after year in the garden. The main disadvantage of 

perennials is that the blooming periods are restricted to only part 

of the gardening season and can vary from as little as one week 

to several months. The challenge, then, is to select a combination 

of perennials that will bloom at different times throughout the 

season creating a progression of different flowers. This workshop 

will focus on how to plant a combination of bulbs, 

horticultural varieties and native plants to provide a parade of 

bloom throughout the growing season so that there is something 

new happening in your garden from early April to late October. 

Page 22 Nature Manitoba News Vol. 4, Issue 2 - Mar. / Apr. 2012 

Julia Schoen

Want to dig deep into the wonders of nature 

under the guidance of an expert? then 

nature Manitoba workshops are for you! 

iDenTifying MineraLs and 

rOcks on yOUr waLks 

instructor: Kim Monson, 

Geography Department at the University of Winnipeg 

date: Tuesday, April 3, 2012 

Location: PLeASe NOTe CHANGe OF 

VeNue to 5L22, 5th floor of Lockhart Hall, 

university of Winnipeg, 480 ellice Ave. 

ever look down when you’re out walking and wonder, “What is 

that rock, where did it come from, how did it get there???” if you 

have, this workshop is for you. With the aid of rock and mineral 

specimens, maps and test kits, you will learn how to identify 

many of Manitoba’s common rocks and minerals. Bring your 

favourite rock or mineral along and figure out what it is. 

THe UniVerse on a granD scaLe 

instructor: Jennifer West, 

Astronomy Instructor at the University of Manitoba 


in this workshop, i will present an overview of the kinds of 

objects that make up our universe: asteroids, planets, stars, 

galaxies and beyond. i will also try to give participants a sense of 

the enormous distances involved. The scale of our universe is 

truly mind-boggling! 

ManiTOBa Trees in winTer 

instructor: Richard Staniforth, Retired Professor 

of Botany at the University of Winnipeg 


A workshop to sort out the differences between Manitoba tree 

species in the winter. Specimens are provided, but you are 

welcome to bring your own twigs, too. We will include all of the 

native species of conifer and hardwood trees, and also some of 

the more common planted exotics, as time permits. Regrettably, 

Manitoba shrubs are too numerous to include in this workshop. 

MOreLs and OTHer fUngi 

instructor: Dr. David Punter, Retired Professor 

of Botany at the University of Manitoba 


Morels are the mushrooms that appear in the spring while most 

other fungi can be found in late August and September. 

Participants in this workshop will begin learning to identify 

mushrooms in time for the morel season. A field trip will be 

offered in the late summer. 

THe weaTHer – 

iT’s a new gaMe OUT THere 

Help your Perennial garden Learn to Live Through it 

instructor: Charlotte Tataryn, Landscape Designer 

date: Tuesday, May 1, 2012 

Nature is all about change and gardening through whatever 

surprises are in store. Help ensure your trees, shrubs and 

perennials will thrive despite an ever-changing climate. After 

three years of rain followed by a drought, annual lovers are 

beginning to question their expense and lack-lustre performance. 

Perennial gardeners are watching their once healthy 

plants, shrubs and trees suffer – some lost to disease and others 

dying without any “apparent” reason – and not understanding 

why or how. Better knowledge will help give all your perennials, 

soft and woody, the best odds to survive our unpredictable 

winters and springs and help save you time, money and frustration. 

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran, just tired of browning 

cedars, planting petunias and marigolds, are fed up with trying 

to keep the grass green, or have just dug yourself a space to 

garden and don’t know what to do with all that dirt or what to 

plant in it... this is the workshop for you. 

anTs 

instructor: Dr. Bill Preston, Retired Curator of Reptiles, 

Amphibians and Fishes at the Manitoba Museum 

date: Tuesday, May 8, 2012 

This presentation will include some of the more interesting 

aspects of about 60 ant species found in Manitoba as well as in 

other areas. Ant biology and ant behaviour will be included, as 

well as methods of ant study. 

Ardent birder Jody 

Jones gets close 

and personal with 

the study skin 

of a Great Gray 

Owl at the Jan. 24 

workshop instructed 

by Rudolf Koes. 


Julia Schoen

Publications Mail Agreement Number 40069231 

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 

401-63 Albert Street 

Winnipeg, MB R3B 1G4 

Phone: (204) 943-9029 

info@naturemanitoba.ca 

Become a Member 

of Nature Manitoba! 

Individual $40, Family $55, Student $20, Senior $35 

Receipts for income tax purposes are issued 

for amounts in excess of membership. 

About Nature Manitoba 

The Objectives of Nature Manitoba are to: 

• Foster an awareness and appreciation of the natural environment 

and an understanding of humanity’s place therein; 

• Provide an association and voice for those interested in natural 

history and the outdoors, and cooperate with individuals and 

organizations with similar goals; 

• Arrange educational and recreational programs and field trips to 

promote an understanding of the natural environment; 

• Stimulate research and record and preserve data and material in 

natural history and allied subjects; 

• Work for the preservation of our natural environment. 

he Jackpot! You’ve hit the 

“Tjackpot! This issue of Nature 

News is the best one ever put out! Full 

of interesting and informative stuff.” 

– Ardythe McMaster 

(about the Jan/Feb issue) 

WhitEWAtEr LAkE 

Bird FEstivAL 

May 21 – 23, 2012 

interpreter cal cuthbert will lead 

us through two days of exploring 

the beautiful region of Boissevain 

& Turtle Mountain with emphasis 

on Whitewater Lake. Many of 

Manitoba’s nearly 300 species 

of birds recorded occur in this 

region providing exciting birding 

opportunities! Package includes: 

» Evening reception, meet 

& greet, agenda review & 

campfire on Monday (7-8pm) 

» Breakfast, lunch, supper & 

coffee breaks each day 

» Supper at the Sawmill in 

Boissevain on Wednesday 

» two nights of accommodation 

at turtle Mountain Bible camp 

» transportation both days 

Package price: $349 per person 

Please contact Dale Banman 

for more info at (204) 534-6303 

or tmcdc@boissevain.ca.

View/Download Newsletter (.pdf, 5.21 MB) - Nature Manitoba

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?