Wolf Howl Apr 2007

We welcome all our new and returning members and invite everyone to our next meeting on April 10 to hear Andy Fyon speak on Earth, Fire and Water: Geology and Flowering Plants. Andy is a Geologist and amateur naturalist. His interest is in Earth Geology and the relationships between geological processes and plants, animals, birds and people. This presentation is designed to illustrate in non-technical terms how geology and geological processes are very much a part of our daily lives through their influence on plant (and animal) communities. Flowering plants use a variety of strategies to survive in habitats that reflect different geological conditions.

With only 2 general meetings left this season, I would like to thank all our wonderful members for contributing to a successful year. One final project, our 2008 Sherriff Creek calendar will be the icing on the cake. For those who missed our last general meeting, we introduced a fund raiser for our club – a 2008 Sherriff Creek Calendar with photos taken by our members. If you have photographs of Sherriff Creek please bring them to the next meeting (8 x 10 photos preferred). We will also have a sign up sheet for those who wish to purchase one or more calendars for themselves or as gifts for friends and relatives. This list will assist us when we approach the printers. If you cannot attend or have questions please phone me, Gerard, at 848-8382.

Joyce MacKenzie and her daughter Niki will be participating in the Baillie Bird-a-thon on May 12 and 13. The goal is to see how many species of birds they can find in 24 hours. This is a project that benefits both Bird Studies Canada and the Penokean Field Naturalists. Please help us all by sponsoring Joyce and Niki. You can phone Joyce directly or there will be sponsor sheets at the next meeting.

We have put away our bird feeders until next winter and would like to thank all our members who contributed to the purchase of bird seed. Thank you also to Debbie Denley and SAD for the donation of seed.

Another activity of the Penokean Hills Field Naturalists is the Bluebird and Tree Swallow boxes that we monitor along with the Friends of Algoma East. The swallow and wood duck boxes at Sherriff Creek in the Cattail Marsh area were cleaned in early 2007. We now have 12 tree swallow boxes in the Cattail Marsh which resulted in 8 tree swallow and one blue bird nest. We lost one box when the tree fell down. We have 8 wood duck boxes with 3 successful nests. We could not locate one of the wood duck boxes and one person went through the ice in the search.

In 2006, we had a total of 39 swallow and 4 bluebird fledglings in our boxes. This is an increase from 2005 when we had 29 swallows and 4 bluebirds. While monitoring the boxes throughout the nesting season we also discovered 3 vesper fledglings, a lunar moth just coming out of its cocoon, lots of white admirals mudding on the ground but no bear sightings.

In the Equestrian Field area at Sherriff Creek we have 6 boxes and unfortunately we had no successful nests. However, across the street at the Equestrian stable area, we had our 4 bluebird fledglings – one successful box out of 7. Also at the Panel Mine Peninsula we had 4 successful boxes out of 7 with 20 swallow fledglings. At Quirk 1, just past Panel Mine Road, we had 19 swallow fledglings in 4 boxes out of the 8 monitored.

From clearing brush in front of the blue bird boxes at Sherriff Creek, to cleaning out the boxes in Sherriff Creek, in the equestrian field, and at Panel Mine Road and the peninsula to monitoring the boxes throughout the breeding and nesting season we received a lot of assistance. Thank you to the people who helped us to have a successful year and to get ready for this year’s breeding season: Norm Black, Terry and Audrey Carr, Scott Helman, Joan and Gerard MacGillivray, Naomi Maggs, Marretta Warianko, Tony Wooding, and Dave Young.

Upcoming Outings
Please note: The Penokean Hills Field Naturalists Club, its officers or agents will not be held responsible for any accident or liability whatsoever incurred as a result of participation in any meeting, activity or field trip organized by them.

Come to outings dressed appropriately for the day (check the weather forecast). Trip leaders have the right to refuse people who are not properly equipped. Participants must make leaders aware of any serious medical condition that may arise during an outing. Bring water, a snack or lunch depending on duration of outing. Also your binos, camera, and field guides.
For general outing information, call Hans Kamps at 461-7737
For scheduled outing information, please call the leader of the outing
Sign up sheets will be available at the PHFN general meeting, and any member interested in participating in any activities should obtain more specific information by calling the trip leader(s).

Every Saturday, stroll through Sherriff Creek Meet at the Sherriff Creek parking lot at 10:00 a.m. for the stroll.

Rescheduled – Wednesday, April 11, Chutes Provincial Park - Leaders: Hans Kamps, Clarence Paris 461-7737. Meet at Brunswick Walk parking lot at 9 a.m. to carpool to Massey. We will visit the Seven Sisters rapids and the twin bridges. Dress for the weather. Duration: 4-5 hours.

Sunday, April 22, Earth Day (Sanctuary Clean Up Day) weather permitting - Leader: Hans Kamps 461-7737. Meet at the Sherriff Creek Sanctuary parking lot at 1p.m. Please wear rubber boots or waterproof footwear. Disposable gloves, plastic garbage bags and required equipment will be provided. Duration: 2-3 hrs.

End of April, North Shore Spring Bird Migration (date to be announced) - Leaders: David Young
848-9590 and Joan MacGillivray 848-8382. Meet at Brunswick Walk parking lot at 9 a.m. to carpool to the Spanish Marina, Bootlegger Bay, Lauzon Creek, Blind River Marina & Mississagi Delta. Duration: 6-7 hrs.

Wednesday, May 23, Wild Flowers and Plants at Old Hydro Rd. (weather permitting) - Leaders: Naomi Maggs 848-5656 and Marg Reckahn 461-3505. Meet at Brunswick Walk parking lot at 10 a.m. to carpool to Spragge. Duration: 5-6 hrs.

End of May, Early June, Chutes Prov. Park Trillium Tour (weather permitting) - Leader: David Young 848-9590 and Hans Kamps 461-7737. Meet at Brunswick Walk parking lot at 9 a.m. to carpool to Massey. Bring a bug jacket/repellent. Duration: 6-7 hrs.

Coming Soon - Events/Outings
May or June: Mine Tour
June: Medicinal Flowers, Plants & Trees

Pot luck Picnic – August 24 – 5 – 7 p.m. Westview Park. Bring your dishes and cutlery and a dish to share.

Garage Sale – details to follow – please save your items and bring to our sale to benefit PHFN.