Miramichi Naturalists’ Club – Minutes of May 10, 2016 meeting

Meeting held at the Friendly Neighbour Senior Citizen’s Building in Nelson-Miramichi.Present: Speaker – Roger LeBlancGuests – Bob and Gisele Brewer (bob.gisele@gmail.com), Patricia McFarlaneMembers – Deana and Peter Gadd, Dave McLeod, Verica and Phil LeBlanc, Dave and Dee Goforth, Holly Frazer, Cheryl Stewart, Sonya Hinds, Jim Saunders

Roger LeBlanc of the Sud-est Naturalists’Club gave a presentation on his recent trip to Baffin Island to record video for a documentary on Snowy Owls. Some highlights of his presentation:-

Snowy Owls eat sea ducks in winter, Nesting habit is unpredictable; perhaps related to the number of Lemmings, Transmitters are used to help track movements of Snowy Owls.

He showed photos of:- Parasitic Jaeger that

Steals from other birds, and Has streamer feathers at end of a triangular tail.

Long-tailed Jaeger with Streamer much longer than Parasitic Jaeger, Eats eggs and chicks of other bird and Steals food from other bird but not as often as the Parasitic.

Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Colorful King Eider, Baird’s Sandpiper Beautiful video from Mirabel Airport of a Snowy Owl lifting off and flying to catch a small

rodent.Roger pointed out that research now shows that more spots on a Snowy Owl , doesn’t mean that it is always a female bird. Documentary will be on TV5 possibly next spring.

Business Meeting

Minutes of April 12 MeetingJim read the minutes of the April 12 meeting. There being no omissions or errors, Liz Bowes moved that the minutes be accepted as read and Patricia MacFarlane seconded it. All in favour. Business Arising from the Minutes

June MeetingWill be held at the Miramichi Marsh. We will meet at the trailhead at the end of Ironmen Road.Bring your own snacks.

Financial ReportDave Goforth reported that not much has happened financially over the last month. He is looking into the additional bank charge pf $2.50 per month. Dave moved that his financial report be accepted and it was seconded by Anne Assaff. All in favour.Young NaturalistsNine children and parents attended the outing At the Miramichi Marsh. Peter moved that the Club support Ken’s efforts with funding of $200 for supplies for Nature Miramichi for the first year or until replenishment is needed. Seconded by Holly. All in favour.Dave McLeod BioBlitz suggestionDave suggested that we pick an area , e.g. French Fort Cove, and use a small part of it (Kethro Lookout) and record all species seen ( plants, animals, insects). We would need:

Containers and labels,Photographs,Documentation,

Dave will work on this for October but it will be brought up at the next meeting to determine if it is a go.Meeting NightPeter Gadd will check with Walter re availability of the hall on the second Tuesday of each month. This was the preference of the members by a show of hands.

Owl SurveysMaple Glen-C.I. Road – 20 people and 7 Barred Owls attended.Julia – Mullin Stream Road – A pair of Barred Owls at stop 7 and a Saw-whet was heard at Stop 9; also two Ruffed Grouse.Pam, Sonya and Phil – Great-horned Owl on last stop.

Plant WatchPlants to monitor are on the are Nature NB website -> Programs->Citizen Science Programs->Plant Watch

Point Church SeniorsPeter Gadd gave a presentation to the Point Church Seniors on Miramichi Marsh birds. Twenty people attended.Miramichi MarshKen Walker was in touch with Ducks Unlimited regarding pipe cleaning.Kingston’s Petro-Can allowed us to put garbage from the Marsh clean-up in one of their dumpsters.Camera Club

Camera Club meeting May 24 at 6 pm at Miramichi Marsh. Attendance at March meeting -13 and at April meeting – 10.Festival of Nature

See Nature NB website – it isn’t too late to register.Nature NB

Proposing a new workshop series – a half day workshop to encourage people to bring wildlife, such as Birds, Bees and Butterflies, into their backyards. Timing – late May, June or July. Suggested that Senior Citizens’ Building would be a good site.Cornell Lab Global Big DayAn outing has been planned for Hay Island on Saturday, May 14. Meet at Tim Horton’s in Douglastown at 8:30 and we’ll stop at Dave McLeod’s on the way.Beaubear Island Cleanup Scheduled for May 17, 18 and 19. Visit https://www.evensi.ca/2016-fuel-management-days-on-beaubears-island-ile-beaubears/175991583 for more information.

Mowing at French Fort CovePeter Gadd received a reply to his letter to the City of Miramichi re mowing at the Cove. Peter’s letter was favorably received and he has sent a compilation of 25 photos of Butterflies to the City.

Adjourn at 9:40Jim Saunders, June 21, 2016