Black Powder and Red Insects

First, our thanks to everybody who attended and/or participated in this past weekend's FortFest at Fort Normandeau. Once again contributions from our volunteers, the Firestick Society, the Red Deer aboriginal Dance Troupe and the 65th Mount Royal Rifles Commemorative Regiment were invaluable and, as always, entertaining.

Aside: If anybody atteding FortFest on Sunday got a photo of the outstanding smoke ring created by the 65th's cannon, please get in touch with us. We'd really like a copy of the image.

In the "Seen in the Park" vein, we had one of the areas neatest and more secretive insects brought into us last week. The critter below is an Elm Sawfly, Cimbex americana. While it's somewhat ferocious looking - especially when it's held in an outstretched, empty Gatorade bottle - this large insect is completely harmless. It is a hymenopteran like wasps, bees and hornets, but sawflies have no stinger. If you're really diligent and somewhat lucky, you can find Elm Sawflies resting in the summer sun on the branches of willow, elm and poplars; often along watercourses.

Due to the significant damage they cause to their host Elm trees, Elm Sawfly larvae are considered an agricultural pest.

Elm Sawfly, Cimbex americana

Hi Sharn

New at the Centre

The latest addition to our critter collection at the Nature Centre is currently making himself at home in the bird cage. The Evening Grosbeak was brought to Medicine River Wildlife Centre with a wing injury, and since he was non-releasable he'll be living here at the Nature Centre. He's really a beautiful bird, and I hope everyone will drop by to have a look at him.

If you do come down to the Nature Centre to visit the Grosbeak (or look at the displays or take a walk or browse the bookstore...), be sure to take a moment and look at the Prickly Pear Cactus bed beside our back door (the staff entrance). The cactus flowers are just starting to come out, and when the whole bed's in bloom the waxy-looking flowers make for quite a show.

Blue-Eyed Grass

Sharp-eyed park visitors may find that some of our grass seems to have very ungrasslike flowers. The truth is that the flower is not actually on a grass, but on a member of the Iris family known as Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium montanum) because of its grass-like leaves.

You may not even notice Blue-Eyed Grass flowers at first because they're not very big and tend to blend into the surrounding grass fairly well, but once you've spotted your first flower you'll start to find them on the grassy edges of paths throughout Waskasoo Park.

Peregrine Falcon Webcam

The University of Alberta's Peregrine Falcon Webcam is showing that the Peregrines on the Clinical Sciences Building are currently incubating four eggs. The eggs should hatch mid-June.

The images on the webcams update every fifteen seconds. It's worth a look!

Spring smells

If you were to go for a walk on the Dr. George Trail today, I don't think you'd be able to not notice the start of the wild rose bloom. Rosa acicularis is, of course, Alberta's provincial flower, but it's also one of my personal favourites. The wild rose may not be as showy as a hybrid tea rose, but it's hardy, fragrant, and actually has a very high nutritive value. In a few days' time the walk towards the bird blind trail should smell better than any perfume counter.

Right now, though, it smells more like somebody mixed up far too many perfume-counter samples at once. The culprit isn't the roses, but the small yellow flowers on the Silverberry (better known to some as Wolf Willow) bushes.

It's hard to believe that the Silverberry's tiny, nearly inconspicuous flowers can raise such a big stink, but there's a pretty good reason for it. The plant depends on insects to pollinate its flowers, and scents are quite effective at attracting them. Generally speaking, sweet smells attract bees and butterflies, while rotten smells attract flies.

Many people like the smell of Silverberry, while others find it a bit on the overpowering side. Count me in with the latter group, I suppose, but I'll be happy when the Silverberry's done and the roses are front and centre.

Spring birding

Here are a few thoughts from Jim on what's happening in the bird world right now:

This is the start of "shorebird season" -- look to sloughs and the muddy shores of shallow lakes for things like sandpipers and yellowlegs.

Snipe are winnowing -- that is, making their weird sound as they dive through the air (over and over and over and ...!) in their mating / territorial flights.

Goldfinches, the native sparrows and the birds that catch flying insects -- flycatchers, swallows, peewees, phoebes, kingbirds -- are here now too. We haven't seen many warblers yet, however.

Any waxwings you see these days are likely to be cedar waxwings: the Bohemians have, for the most part, migrated away until Thanksgiving.

And, it's time to put up your hummingbird feeders! Call the Nature Centre at 346-2010 for a recipe for do-it-yourself hummingbird nectar.

Seen in the Sanctuary

I had a chance to get out on the Dr. George Trail briefly this morning. It was fairly quiet out there -- or at least as far as human visitors go, it was quiet. Things are full-on spring noisy in the animal world. If you head out to one of the lake viewing decks you'll likely be treated to quite a show, between the Red-Winged Blackbirds defending territory and the various waterfowl choosing mates or nesting sites.

It's definitely spring in the plant community as well. Most of the trees and shrubs have leafed out now, and early flowerers like this Chokecherry are starting to bud. No doubt anyone who's been out on any of the Red Deer trails has noticed that the Balsam Poplars are shedding their winter bud covers. Those are the pointy brown "stickies" that we'll all be pulling off of our shoes, cars, and pets for the next couple of weeks.

For me, a real sign of spring is finding my first Early Blue Violet and my first Wild Strawberry flower. Keep an eye on the sun-warmed margins of the paths throughout the park for these early beauties.

Remember, if you happen to be out on the trails anywhere in the city and notice one of the Nature Centre's naturalists walking along, we'd be more than happy to answer any of your nature or history questions. And if we don't have the answer, we'll certainly give you a hand finding it.

Walking the Wishart

I was out on the 4 km (Wishart) trail fairly early this morning, and for the first time this season (terrible to have to admit that).

Now that the days have warmed up a bit, morning is actually a great time to get out for a walk. The birds are usually more active than they are in the afternoon, and the trails themselves tend to be less busy than they get later in the day.

Spring walkers will notice that green is definitely starting to peek out from under last year's dead grasses. Many of the deciduous trees are budding as well. It's interesting to see, though, that even with the warmth we've had lately the mineral springs are still frozen and are likely to remain that way for a few weeks yet.


One of my more intriguing finds this morning was the beaver-chewed stump you see below:


And why on earth is a chewed stump intriguing? Well, for at least two years now we've had no sign of beaver activity in the Sanctuary at all. I think they probably moved on to greener pastures (or at least the river) when the water level in the lakes was so low during the drought. A freshly chewed stump is a pretty clear indication that they're back again. This one was very close to the far viewing deck on the West Lake. I'd expect to see the beavers doing repairs on the existing lodge across from the viewing deck if that's where they're hanging out, so make sure you keep an eye open for them.

Wind!!

And lots of it. I'm sitting at the front counter watching the very large spruce trees blow around like flags in the wind. Keep your eyes open and your head up while walking both on our trails and anywhere there are trees overhead. In the past we've had entire trees come down in the wind. I'm pretty sure that our regular trail walkers will be to report blown down trees and branches before the day is over.

More importantly, the wind is helping to disperse pollen and seeds, assisting in plant reproduction. During last year's big spring and summer winds we watched massive clouds of pollen blowing off the spruce trees.

Check out our article in the Sunday Red Deer Life.

Keep you hand on your hat. It's a good day for flying kites and watching the clouds race across the sky.

Life at the pond

I took a quick walk down the road to McKenzie Trail this morning to see how the clean-up after last summer's flood has come along. The park should be open to the public again in the first part of May, and we at the Nature Centre are looking forward to doing pond studies with grade five students down there this spring.


It's a bit of a windy day today, but the goose population out on the nesting islands doesn't seem to be especially concerned. The robins are busily hunting all over the park, and down towards the parking lot I could hear the phoebe calling (thanks for the heads-up on that one, Judy).


The loons seem to have moved back as well. Judy was saying that last year's nest had been washed out in the flood and she thought they may have decided to try Three Mile Bend this time instead, but this morning they were happily diving at McKenzie again. Considering the amount of river water that passed through the ponds last year, the birds may be finding interesting new sources of food there now.

Check out the Eagle!

Here is a live cam of a bald eagle nest on Hornby Island - just off of Vancouver Island, B.C. It's really cool!

Happy April

As you can see, it's finally starting to look less like winter out there. Not that I'm counting out another storm since this is Alberta (I am knocking wood as I type this), but even pessimistic me had to admit that it felt like spring this morning.

A chilly, breezy spring, yes. But spring nonetheless.


It's starting to sound like spring as well. The geese are very vocally reminding us that they're back, many other birds are setting territory, and the red squirrels (sorry for the slightly fuzzy shot. It was a quick hand-held zoom snap)... well, the red squirrels are as obnoxious as ever.

I mean that in a good way. I like red squirrels, but I'm the first to admit that between fighting with each other and chattering at every other animal or person who happens to pass by, they're not exactly calm neighbours.

Staying with the squirrels, our Richardson's Ground Squirrels (better known to most as gophers) have emerged from hibernation and are busily searching out anything remotely edible out there.

Yep, it's definitely spring. That doesn't mean, though, that we don't still have a bit of winter out on the trails. If you're going out for a walk, please be careful of the occasional icy patches still to be found in shaded areas.

And speaking of walks, be sure to drop by the Nature Centre on Saturday, April 8th for our Birds and Buds walk. We'll be looking and listening for signs of spring in the Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary. The walk leaves the Nature Centre at 1:00 p.m. Please be sure to dress for the weather.

As always, give us a call at (403)346-2010 for information on this or any other Nature Centre program or event.

Let it snow :)

It has come at last... snow!! Bring out the sleds, skis, or my favorite... snowshoes!! If you don't have a pair of snowshoes, feel free to come on down to the nature centre and rent one of ours. We will show you how to put them on, give you some tips for your trip all for the low cost of $2.00 per person per hour. Or you can rent them for the day and take them elsewhere in the Waskasoo Park System or out of town. If you are snowshoeing in the Gaetz Lake Sanctuary, please make sure you still stay on the trails. Thanks and have fun while it lasts.

Flying in the sky!

such wonderful reasons to look up! A visitor just told me of how he just saw a Cooper's Hawk not 20 ft flying above and it reminded me of not one week ago when I was walking to work and saw a bald eagle flying just over the 67th St bridge. So take a look up once in awhile - it just might be as beautiful as stopping to smell the flowers :)

Job Posting - DayCamps

Open Competition:
Day Camp Coordinator

The Normandeau Cultural and Natural History Society, a non-profit charitable society which operates the Waskasoo Park Interpretive Program on contract for The City of Red Deer, has one position available for the coming summer as a Day Camp Coordinator.

Based at Red Deer's Historic Fort Normandeau and the Kerry Wood Nature Centre, the successful applicant will provide living, cultural history and natural history activities to day camp and sleepover participants. The position also entails assisting the Park Interpreters with their programming, and related duties such as planning, program preparation/cleanup, research and dressing in period costume to deliver living history and natural history programs.

Essential Qualifications:
· excellent public communication/drama skills and experience with/love for working with the public (including seniors, adults and children);
· post-secondary education in western Canadian history and/or biological sciences, education or interpretation
· an excellent knowledge of the sights, attractions, major events, roads and parks of Red Deer, including the bike trails of Waskasoo Park;
· current first aid/C.P.R. certificates;
· a valid driver's permit and reliable transportation;
· a neat appearance and the willingness to wear the Park uniform and period costumes properly, and to abide by the NCNHS's smoking and other policies;
· the ability to work cooperatively with other staff and volunteers;
· willingness and ability to stay the entire term of this position;
· willingness and ability to work most or all weekends and evenings;
· good health: some lifting is required;
· good organizational skills and the ability to plan your schedule and workload;
· basic knowledge of the human history of central Alberta.

Desirable Qualities:
· experience and training in drama;
· experience in art, traditional crafts (e.g. poultry or other livestock husbandry, baking, quilting, candle-, ice cream-, rope- or soap-making, sewing, spinning/weaving, animal husbandry, fence building, carpentry, wheel- or barrel-making, gardening, etc.)
· experience with computers (Windows environment): word processing, spreadsheets, database, desktop publishing;
· ability to cook on and bake in a wood-fired stove;
· knowledge of the natural history of central Alberta.
· retail sales experience;

Wages, Term and Conditions of Employment:
· June 26 to September 1, 2006, inclusive.
· This is a full-time summer position (37.5 hours/week, for 10 weeks)
· One position is available.
· Accommodation is not provided.
· Regular evening and weekend work is required.

To Apply:
Apply in writing by March 10, 2006 to:

Manager, Waskasoo Park Interpretive Program
6300-45th Avenue
Red Deer, AB
T4N 3M4
Fax: 403 347-2550
email: programs@waskasoopark.ca

Include a résumé outlining related experience and references, and a brief letter explaining why the position is of interest to you. No phone calls, please. Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Keep Your Eyes Out

There is definitely benefits to keeping an eye out while walking in the Sanctuary. A family has recently sighted a porcupine sleeping in the squirrel tree just ahead of the fork in the trail to the bird blind. She was really high up, a good reminder to look everywhere.. up, down, and all around.

Holiday Fun

The holidays are here and if you are wondering what to do, come to the Nature Centre. Our gallery is displaying one of the most wonderful owl exhibits. Come see if you can guess what each owl sounds like. And the weather is supposed to be beautiful all week so there is no better time to take a walk around the sanctuary. The building hours are as follows:
now to Dec 24: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Dec 25: closed
Dec 26 and 27: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Dec 28 to 31 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Jan 1: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Jan 2: return to normal hours 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Hope to see you and have a good year :)

Seen in the Sanctuary:

Woodpecker holes on a fallen log.

Not all evergreens have needles

Sharp-eyed visitors to the Sanctuary this time of year may notice the occasional patch of plants that hasn't turned brown with the coming of the cold temperatures. In this particular case the plant in question is Pink Wintergreen (Pyrola asarifolia).

While this wintergreen isn't the wintergreen used to flavour gums and mints, it has historically been used to ease toothaches, calm sore throats, and even stop or slow down bleeding.

Pink wintergreen can be found on the floor of moist conifer forests in central and northern Alberta. The small, round, leathery leaves appear to grow stemlessly from the ground. As the plant's common name implies, the leaves tend to stay greenish (but tend toward red in the winter) throughout the year. Each plant sends up a flower stalk in early to mid summer. The pink, cup-shaped flowers are attractive but easy to miss amongst the forest floor litter.

On the Wishart Trail

A look at part of the abandoned river channel. Obviously this picture was taken before our recent snowfall...