The Souris and Area Branch, P.E.I. Wildlife Federation, will be hosting a public information session at the Industrial Park meeting facility in Souris on Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. Brenda Brydon, habitat technician with the P.E.I. Department of the Environment, will be on hand to present a video and talk about wood ducks. Topics will include wood duck habitat conservation and creation, the nesting box program, and other Eastern Habitat Joint Venture Activities.

- from The Beacon - February 16, 1993

Souris Wildlife Branch Prepared To Tell You All About Trees (& Branches)

Trees are all around us yet we pay so little attention to them. Most of us don't even know what is growing on our front lawns. If you need help figuring it out, read on.

Don't get hung up on scientific names and terminology. It's only there so that we tree surgeons don't confuse one another! If you have a tree you're not sure of, snip off a twig and bring it to the Souris Consolidated School, March 30, at 7:30 p.m.

The Souris and Area Wildlife Branch is co-hosting an information session on trees an d wild plants. Representatiyes from the Department of Forestry and Island Nature Trust will share their experiences and expertise. There is a $2 admission price for non-members. Refreshments will be served.

- from The Beacon - March 15, 1993

The Naufrage River project

The Souris and Area Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation sponsored a stream-clearing project last year on the Naufrage River. Here's a poem about the project, printed with the author's permIssion.

by Leonard McKenna

In the fall of nineteen eighty-two,
To Selkirk we did go.
To finish cleaning out the stream,
To let the water flow.

The sticks and logs and beaver dams
Were there for many an age,
The stream was long and winding
From the dam up to Naufrage.

The task did seem impossible
As we struggled on our way,
And we often got discouraged
As we worked from day to day.

But a little bit of humor
And a little bit of wit,
Kept our spirits up
So no one did want to quit.

To cross the stream from side to side
We had no bridge or track,
And every time that Callahan crossed,
He crossed by piggy-back.

And when the boss would say to him,
Go to the other side,
He'd go aboard most anyone
Just to get the ride.

He held on very tightly
For fear that he'd fall in,
For he knew they'd all be singing
Will ye ne'er come back again.

Randy he did work quite hard,
To make things disappear,
With hook in hand, he said by damn,
We'll make the water clear.

Francis White with all his might,
Sawed up a lot of wood.
Although he made a lot of noise
The job he done was good.

He seemed to like the water
As much as any frog,
In jest we called him Relic
As he grabbed onto a log.

He tried to grow a beard
But of that he could not boast.
I doubt if he can grow hair
Where he needs it most.

And then came Danny Chaisson
Big and strong and tall,
He'd put big blocks up on the bank,
Like they were only small.

He was only newly married
And the work it was not light
So he had to realize
That he had to rest at night.

The foreman is McKenna
And here I better stop,
I can't find anything wrong with him
So I'll let the matter drop.

But many a trying day had he
And often did despair,
With torn boots that needed a patch,
And saws that needed repair.

He'd patch up all their leaking boots,
His boys must not be wet,
Then with his saw to Souris go,
Repairs for to get.

But now the job's completed
And I'm sure you will agree,
That it's as clean a river
As you will ever see.

And I know it should be pleasing
To a man of any rank
If they don't think that we worked hard
There's evidence on the bank.

We have been friends throughout this job,
And our friedship we'll not sever,
And now we go to out a road
Beside the Fortune River.

from The Beacon - March 2, 1993

Larry, Larry He's Our Man

Larry Avery, former vice-president of the Souris and Area Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation, recently received the P.E.I. Sportsperson/Conservationist of the Year Award at the provincial branch's annual banquet. The award, sponsored by the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation, is designed to give public recognition to an Islander who has played a major role in promoting the concepts of better wildlife practices, training or educational programs. Mr. Avery is well deserving of such an award because of his dedicated involvement in the local branch and because of the various activities he has done to improve wildlife and make it a public concern. Mr. Avery received a similar award in his local branch last October. Some of his actions which qualified him for both awards include preparing a comprehensive discussion document on watercourse enhancement in Eastern Kings, planning and raising funds for a semi-natural trout rearing facility on Hay River, organizing and carrying out a spawning survey on North Lake Creek and Naufrage River, helping to organize a provincial coalition of watershed improvement groups, and organizing a song bird identification and feeding program sponsored by the branch. The Wildlife Federation is Mr. Avery's first experience in a volunteer organization and he said his involvement with it comes from a deep belief in what the federation stands for - a true appreciation of nature and the desire' to protect and enhance it. "My grandfather instilled in me a love and appreciation for nature. Although I never understood ecology or conservation, I respected nature and didn't abuse it. When I became involved in the Wildlife Federation, it gave me an opportunity to learn more, about the importance of the environment and what I could do to help in its preservation."

His involvement first came in 1991 when Steve Cheverie, with whom he was working at the time, asked him to lend a hand in stream cleaning. He was taken to a stream and given a pair of hip waders and, from then on, he's been part of the Federation's cause to protect the environment. His desire to see stream enhancement in his own area led him to a stream enhancement meeting and then another one, and then, to the vice-president's seat on the branch's executive.

"It's just something I took an interest in," said Mr. Avery. "I began learning a lot and talking to different people and, the more I learned, the more I wanted to learn."

by Tracy Lutz - from The Beacon - April 27, 1993

Spring is in the air, fish are in the ponds and sports fishermen everywhere are gearing up for fun, relaxation and fish - lots of fish! Emery Gillan of Souris Line Road is one of many avid fishermen looking forward to the relaxing enjoyment of fly-fishing. Mr. Gillan began trout fishing as a youngster. When he started, he fished with bait and continued to do so for a number of years. Then, when he was 15, he discovered fly-fishing. "There was an older fellow who worked at my dad's place who used to fly fish. One day I stole his pole, went down to a pond and tried fly fishing for the first time. I really enjoyed it so, after a while, I saved some money and got my own pole and some flies," said Mr. Gillan. For about 20 years, he fished using both flies and bait. Then, about 15 years ago, he gave up bait in favour of fly fishing. "I find it a lot more enjoyable," he said about why he chose fly fishing. "It's a much busier sport than bait fishing. With bait, one might cast once and have to sit for an hour waiting. With fly fishing, you're continuously busy - casting the line, drawing it in. It's a lot more active." Mr. Gillan acknowledges that many shy away from this type of sport because they feel it involves too much technique - something they may feel they don't have. But he insists anyone can do it and encourages people to try it.

"It's not something to be afraid of. One should just get out and get at it," he said. " A person develops technique with practice --there's no deep dark secret to it. If you do a little reading and you practice, you will catch fish."

Like just about everything else, fly fishing tends to be a sport that some people excel at more than others but, with practice and the proper gear, anyone can be successful at it. "It's almost like an art form to watch," said Mr. Gillan. "It's really nice to watch someone really good at it - to see the line curl just so on the water."

He feels fly fishing offers many advantages over bait fishing. First, fly fishing can be done all summer long. After the regular season ends is actually a good time for fishing because it's then that bugs and flies tend to congregate on the water and, of course, where there are flies, there will likely be fish.

Second, fly fishing requires a lighter pole and line and a smaller hook. This makes for more of a struggle when pulling in the fish because one has to be quite delicate. That means one gets more of a fight which most fishermen consider the highlight of the sport.

Finally, fly fishing gives Mr. Gillan and others the option of releasing their fish. The hook catches only the outside of the fish's lip so it little damage is done and it can be returned to the water, thus protecting the trout population for future years.

Fishing doesn't have to be just about bringing home fish. For Mr. Gillan, the sport itself holds the most enjoyment. "About 10 years ago I got down to taking home a percentage of the fish I caught. Now I don't take any - I don't need to.

"Fly fishing, to me, is the greatest way of relaxing. There's nothing like heading down to the pond on a warm evening, taking the pole down, listening to the frogs or watching the, ducks. Fishing offers a lot more than just the joy of catching."

Even so, Mr. Gillan recognizes the difficulty some people have in letting their catches go. Many like to show off their catches so releasing them can be hard.

Mr. Gillan remembers fishing with a young man one time and catching a good two pound trout. After bringing it in and looking at it for a moment, Mr. Gillan returned it to the water. "The young fellow just about died!" he laughs.

His biggest catch using flies was three pounds and 20 inches. Using bait, he once caught a five pounder - 27 years ago.

The fish population has decreased significantly over the last 20 or 30 years. Some reasons for that are farming practices, highway construction, and natural causes such as beavers whose damns may interfere with fish spawning. Most of these problems began simply because people did not realize the danger. Now, fortunately, the problems are being addressed.

"I remember working on my father's farm. It would be natural for us to let chemicals like DDTs into the stream because we didn't know the difference," said Mr. Gillan. "Now more and more people are aware of what's harmful to the environment. As far as bad practices, I'd say things have certainly improved in the last 10 years."

A lot of that improvement can be attributed to organizations such as the Wildlife Federation and the Fly Fishers Association. Both groups (and others) are vocal in promoting good f arming practices, organizing useful ventures such as stream clean ups, and promoting awareness of the en vironment's importance.

For Mr. Gillan, fly fishing offers another advantage as well - making his own flies. Fly-tying has become almost as important to him as the sport itself. He began tying his own flies about 20 years ago. He took a course in it and had many books on different types and techniques. He also has quite a collection of materials - so much so that he built himself a shelf/workplace where he can display his materials and do his tying.

The materials he uses can include just about anything imaginable. He has spools and spools of colored thread, copper, brass and lead wires, flosses, calf tails, feathers upon feathers and hair from almost every animal species.

The art of fly tying is to imitate flies in their various stages of growth from the hatching stage to full maturity. Mr. Gillan said fly tiers in eastern P .E.I. tend to be fairly close - trading materials and books amongst themselves - almost like a fraternity.

The chance to meet other fly tiers and the joy in catching fish with a fly he made himself are two added bonuses fly fishing gives Mr. Gillan. He suggests anyone interested in trying it should begin by buying a reasonably cheap pole and gear. Once a person decides to keep fly fishing, he can then purchase more sophisticated equipment. Rods can sell up to $300 or $400. Mr. Gillan said his first rod was made from split bamboo and he worked his way up to quite a good rod crafted by John Gillis of North Lake.

He cautions beginners that everyone cannot fly fish the exact same way and one must perfect and build upon what he learns from others. Patience and desire to learn are two key factors in the sport and, according to Gillan, the rewards are plentiful.

One particularly rewarding evening occurred years ago at Big Pond. Mr. Gillan recounts the episode. " A bunch of us were fishing and no one was catching much. It started to get dark and people began leaving for the night. I was the last to leave and, as I was making my way across the pond to go, the lights from the car ahead of me shone on a spot where trout were jumping all over the place. By this time it was pitch black. I rowed over to the spot where the car lights had shone and I cast my line. That night I caught about 15 trout - each one was 12 to 15 inches long! I let them all go.

"The particular fly I used was one of my own and it was torn to bits. I have never been able to duplicate that type of catch. There was trout on every cast ... and they were beauties!"

by Tracy Lutz - from The Beacon - April 27, 1993

The grade four class at Fortune-Rollo Bay School was asked for their views and concerns about the environment. Class teacher, Sinnot Mullaly kindly complied the answers and we are pleased to publish them in this issue of The Beacon.

We have to pick up garbage. Ski-doos will kill trees. I want to pick up garbage - it is bad to throw it on the ground. The earth is special because trees make oxygen. I like the earth because it is precious. The acid rain falls and goes back up to the sky because it evaporates. I bike to the store and then I won't pollute the earth. It is fun to ride bikes. Conrad Chaisson You should not pollute. Maybe, sometime when you cut down a tree, you should plant a new one and if it is a nice day, you could bike to wherever you are going. Please don't pollute. Nicholas Manning Our environment is a very important part of our lives. When you walk along side of the road, you probably see a lot of trash and the thing that puzzles me is why can't they put it in the garbage can at the place where they were going? But if you're on your way home, put it in your pocket and put it in the garbage can when you get home. I'm not saying all people litter. It's the same with fishermen except theythrow it in the water instead of bringing a garbage bag on board. See, this is how much people litter. I hope you don't. Amy Cheverie Our environment is very special. It provides the wind and the rain. It can be very powerful and dangerous. It could cause floods and lightning storms and thunderstorms. It can cause erosions, it can cause storms out at sea. Kory Taylor The environment is a very special thing. It has good things like the wind and the rain and the plants. The environment has bad stuff like garbage and gases and pollution. Sometimes pollution can make people sick or kill people. The pollution in the environment has made a hole in the ozone layer that lets the sun's rays in our environment and the rays are dangerous to people because they cause skin cancer. Some people really try to get the earth cleaner, but sometimes it doesn't get clean when people throw things around like paper. The grade ones at our school are picking up garbage around the school so the school ground won't be messy. Erin Gregory Save our environment by keeping our earth clean. Try not to travel as much or light fires as much because it is bad for our air and the smoke kills the plants and the trees too. And try not to pollute and keep garbage in a garbage can. Help save our environment by doing these things. Crystal Blaisdell The environment is very precious to me and I'm very careful in what I do, but other people just don't give a care in the world for the environment. Like just last week, I saw people throwing garbage out of a car window and that just made me mad to see that people are so careless. And just to make this paper there are thousands of trees dying and thousands of animals losing homes each day. So just be careful in what you do to the environment so that we'll have a cleaner world and home. Candice Thomas Did you know each year a family throws about 1225 tons of garbage? To save the environment, you can make a compost bin - you could put table scraps, eggshells, apple cores, orange peelings and lots more. Our waters are being polluted too. People throw garbage over sides of their boat. People chop down trees and trees clean our air. Our rainforest is also being ploughed down. Terence Dunphy There is garbage on the ground. We drink water. Our air is fresh. We need a lot of sun. We need a lot of trees. They are a lot of motorcycles and dirt bikes. We have a lot of animals. We live in Canada. Leonard McCormack Our environment is special in our environment there is a lot of garbage that gets burned and that's what causes acid rain. In our environment there is a lot of pollution so I would say "Please do not pollute!" For our environment to keep healthy, please do not do anything to harm it. Jennifer McCormack

Have you ever stopped to think about our environment? As I write, trees are "being cut down, lakes and rivers are being polluted, and our environment is becoming ruined. If this keeps up the environment will be destroyed for the future. The next time you throw a gum wrapper or tin can on the ground instead of putting it in a garbage can, remember what it is doing to the environment. We can make a difference. Erica MacIsaac If you pick up garbage it will keep the environment clean. If you could take a bike to places instead of taking car, it will clean the air. If you clean out the rivers and streams, it would be cleaner. Jennifer Manning Do you know what cars and trucks do to the environment? They make pollution. If you have to go somewhere that's not too far, take a bike or walk, or run. Do you know what trees do for us? They give us oxygen. Why is it important that we have oxygen? Without it people, prants and animals would not live. Stephen Kelly Most people litter but they shouldn't. My school is picking up the garbage there is only two people - Charlotte and Andrea. They are in grade one. When people pollute, it hurts the air. I don't litter. We try to keep our yard clean. At least we try. People should try not to litter. Candace Jenkins Animals are getting extinct. The pollution is harmful to the earth. Gas is harmful to the environment. Ski-doos pollute the air. Oil is hazardous to the earth. Trees give oxygen to people. Adam Fraser Here are the members of the Grade IV class. Our environment is being destroyed by pollution, gases and other chemicals. Our trees are being cut down. Rainforests are being destroyed. Ri vers and lakes are being polluted by boats leaking fuel, sewage being dumped and garbage being thrown in. We are even polluting the air by cars, trucks and airplanes. Burning garbage is also polluting the air and spraying potatoes, corn and other vegetables. People are trying to help clean our environment by recycling. Many things can be recycled like cans, newspapers and bottles. Instead of taking so many cars and trucks, we could car pool or take the bus. Farmers are also trying to help the environment by using less sprays and chemical fertilizers. Sylver MacDonald Our environment is very precious. If we don't take care of our environment we won't live! Don't cut down the rainforests because we will all suffer from lack of oxygen. It is not fair to cut down trees and get off scotfree! The earth lS our home and we have to take care of it or we will all suffer. The acid rain kills a lot of animals and fish. We are very lucky that we don't get a lot of acid rain on P.E.I. If we did, we would not have our fish and potatoes. It is not fair to hurt the earth. Bandaids won't help the earth get better! PLEASE DON'T POLLUTE! David Steele If you pick up garbage, it keeps the environment cleaner. Trees keep the earth clean. The sun keeps you warm. Pollution is bad for the earth. Water is good for the earth. Energy keeps you warm. Dirt bikes, ski-doos and boats pollute the air. Hunting is bad for wildlife. Flowers are good for the earth. Rowing, biking, walking and jogging is good for your body. Jonathon White In the environment there are trees and grass and pollution. There is air pollution that comes from cars and trucks and buses. Waste and trash pollutes our rivers and lakes. The animals need cleaner homes. People are polluting their home. Every day people throw their garbage on the ground. Mary-Dawn Peters

Save our environment by keeping our earth clean. Try not to travel as much or light fires as much because it is bad for our air and the smoke kills the plants and the trees too. And try not to pollute. Keep garbage in a garbage bag. Help save our environment by doing all these things. Thank you. Amanda Blackett We save our environment by not littering and not polluting our rivers and lakes. People should always keep our environment clean and always put garbage in the trash can because if you don't, our environment will get all dirty. We need trees in the environment for our newspaper. We need sun and water for our plants, trees and grass to grow. People should not litter or it will kill our environment. So, what people should do is keep our environment clean. Melissa Dawn MacInnis There are some ways you can protect your environment. You should try to recycle or reuse as much as you can. Try cutting the top out of mllk bags (but first wash them out) for storing biscuits or frozen vegetables. You can reuse plastic buckets. You can reuse plastic shopping bags. There are a lot of different ways you can reuse things. Remember these three special words - recycle, reuse, reduce. Beth McCloskey The environment is an important part of the world, because people live and animals live and don't pollute the water like the people in the trucks that are taking oil place to place. People leave energy on when they're going somewhere. Rainforests are being cut down and animals are being killed by hunters and trappers. People that own boats are killing seals and throwing garbage overboard. Acid rain kills water animals in rivers and oceans. And did you know that the ozone layer is getting closer to the earth? Please don't pollute the world. Mitchell Jackson The environment is a place that animals live. All kinds of animals live on earth. I really love animals and the reason why we're alive today is because of trees and the fresh air that are very useful to us. The trees keep the air clean and that's why animals and people are living today. Kim Laybolt Pick up garbage - don't pollute the environment. Cars and trucks and ski-doos and dirt bikes can pollute too. Don't run your car if you don't have to - walk or take the bus or use your bike. James Blackett Ski-doos can pollute the environment. Rain forests helps people breath. Garbage is bad for the environment. Guns are bad for the environment. Pollution is bad for people. Mark Christian We drink water from the environment. Acid rain causes air pollution. Acid rain destroys the forest. We get energy from our environment. Our environment keeps trees living. We use cars in our environment. We live in houses. We need energy to live. Jonathon Hebert When you pick up garbage, it will help keep the earth clean. Try Lo use your car as little as possible. When you drive your car, it puts pollution into the air. You should plant new trees when you cut some down. Gerard Arsenault I like going outside in summer. In some places the pollution is too bad. Here are some things we could do to stop pollution. We should keep our air clean and don't smoke, keep our grass clean and don't litter, don't cut down trees so we can breath better. I think we should keep our environment clean and we will all live a full, healthy life. Sharon Winters

by Tracy Lutz - from The Beacon - April 27, 1993

Trees are all around us yet we pay so little attention to them. Here are some pointers on identifying some trees in our area.

One should differentiate shrubs from trees. Shrubs grow to about 25 feet in height and, according to most field guides, anything taller is a tree.

There are two basic types of trees. Deciduous trees, also known as broad-leafed or hardwood, shed their leaves in winter. The other type is coniferous, also referred to as evergreen or softwood. With the exception of larch, all native conifers keep their leaves (needles) in winter. Alrhough the difference between hardwoods and softwoods seems obvious, there are confusing similarities among species within each group. Of course, there are certain things to look for, clues you might say.

Tree identification methods differ with the seasons. Summer identification usually can be made using only the leaves. First, look at how they are arranged on the twig. Are they alternate, opposite or whorled? Also, is the leaf simple or compound (having several leaflets)? Leaf size and shape is also important but remember, not every leaf you pick will match perfectly with your field guides or references.

The best field days are in June and July when the foliage is freshest. By August, leaves have been damaged by insects and weather. Even after leaves are gone, one can learn a lot about trees. In winter, look for tree height and shape, as well as bark colour and texture. Twigs and buds have their own characteristics which provide tell-tale signs.

For example, when a leaf falls off, a leaf scar is formed. Remnants of the vascular system appear as tiny dots. These bundle scars, when counted, can aid in identifying twigs but this is usually not required. Understandably, knowing certain botanical terminology will benefit the beginner, but it's not necessary to dive too deeply. Of course, a tree may be known by several common names, but it has only one scientific name. This Latin name can be used worldwide to refer to the specific tree, whereas common names change from region to region. For instance, the tree we call Juniper does not belong to the genus. Juniperus, as does red cedar. What we call juniper is actually Larix laricina, and is also known as larch, hackmatak and tamarack."

by Donna Gillis - from The Beacon - April 27, 1993

The warm summer months are a time of plenty for wildlife. Many species have already reproduced and are rearing their young. Now is a good time to change our attitudes toward feeding wild animals.

Foxes in particular are opportunistic feeders. It's a matter of availability versus utilization - how available food is versus how much energy is required to access a food source. In other words, a fox won't work too hard if it doesn't have to. While feeding wildlife is no great crime, it can lead to serious problems.

Animals become dependent on our leftovers. For example, a fox will return to a generous feeding area time and again. It no longer looks for apples and mice, and its hunting skills are soon diminished. Also, if a parent gets lazy, it won't teach its young the skills needed for survival. This laziness increases the risk of starvation and predation. Predators hunt, kill and eat weaker animals. This behaviour is not only natural, but entirely necessary arid we must respect that. However, we don't have to contribute to it. Conditioning animals to become beggars instead of predators is not doing them any favours; There are kinder ways to provide food for wildlife.

The bottom line is this: providing a naturaf food source is far better and safer than leaving leftovers in your backyard. A wider variety of native species will be attracted to your property and the risks to human health are greatly reduced. So remember, don't feed the animals!

by Donna Gillis - from The Beacon - May 25, 1993

TREE PLANTING On June 4 th. Grade six classes of Rollo Bay Consolidated School will be involved in an environmental project. The Souris IGA offered the students 500 tree seedlings to plant (five to seven species) within walking distance of the school. These trees will eventually provide shelter and nesting sites for wildlife; new varieties of trees for science nature studies; and shelter along ski trails. In appreciation for planting the trees locally, the IGA hosted a barbecue lunch for the students; A large ceremonial tree was also planted at the school. The classcmembers thank the IGA for giving them the opportunIty to participate in such a worthwhile project. FISH TOUR A fisheries field trip representing the Rollo Bay Consolidated School's grade six end of the year trip will go on June 9. The trip is an excellent wrap-up to the Fisheries Unit the students completed in science, highlighted by the salmon incubation unit in their classroom. The students will be given a guided tour of the Cardigan Salmonoid Enhancement Facility. The next stop is at the Leard's Pond fishway, where the fish trap will be opened. The third stop is at Mooney's Pond and Interpretive Centre where a number of activities (supervised canoeing, guided tours. etc.) are planned and students will be treated to a barbecue (all sponsored by the Morell River Management Co-op and the Atlantic Salmon Federation). On the way home, the class wiIl stop at Indian Bridge to see some river enhancement projects.

- from The Beacon - June 8, 1993

Give him a pair of binoculars and Gerald MacDonald from Monticello knows just what to look for. Many times he gets up at 6 a.m. before work and spends time walking along the north shore looking for fine feathered friends. Gerald comments, "I tie bird watching in with enjoyment of the scenery around me whether I'm walking along the shore or snowshoeing through the woods in winter. The joy is in sighting new birds and learning things about them. It's a very inexpensive, private hobby that you can do alone or with a group in any season." Gerald started bird watching in the mid 70's around home and along the north shore. "I was naturally interested not only in birds but in science in general." In 1980 he joined the Natural History Society of P.E.I. This group is involved with the official bird counts over Christmas --a National Park count, a Hillsborough count, and a Montague count. These are done to see whether particular species in the area are expanding or contracting. This spring Gerald found a Boreal Chickadee nest which is not very common to the Island. And a Brown Thrasher which is a rare bird for the Island was seen in his home area. Other unusual sightings were of an Indigo Bunting by June and Emery Gillan and a Baltimore Oriole by Francis Stewart. Gerald also caught sight of a European duck called a Garany Teal that had taken up residence in Priest Pond. Recently, Gerald was involved with taking a bird watching group up to East Point to watch Eider Duck and visit the Cormorant colony. The Souris and Area Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation has a committee established to take a look at the interest within this area in bird watching and plant/mushroom identification. If interested, you can contact Gerald for more information on how you can become involved in this exciting pastime.

by Jessica Warren - from The Beacon - August 3, 1993

Most of you travelling back and forth into Souris via Chepstow during the past several weeks have probably noticed the activity at Norris Creek, just below the Eastern Kings Arena. This activity has involved the removal of a collapsed 60-toot section of box culvert and complete replacement of the structure to provide tor water passage under the roadway. A conservative estimate of cost to complete this restoration was recently placed at approximately $55.000 by representatives of P.E.I. Transportation and Public Works!

Failure of this culvert has been attributed to the influence of our national symbol the beaver, and it's industrious ways. Despite the presence of a metal "cage" at the entrance to the culvert to discourage establishment of blockages the local aquatic rodent exercised it behavioral instinct and chose this site to establish a dam.

Those responsible for inspection and maintenance of road/river crossings have had occasion to visit the Norris Creek culvert often over the past years to clear the blockages engineered by the persistent beavers. Despite this attention the effect of continuous assaults in this man-made structure finally took its toll last spring when the redirected water flow undermined the culvert walls and ultimately resulted in the structure's collapse.

To add insult to injury, while the $125 per hour excavator was attempting to remove the damaged material, and the bridge repair crew was busy preparing for the resulting project, a big old beaver began its inspection routine. Each day for about a week the beaver would visit the area of activity, take a good look about, and then return upstream. apparently satisfied with the progress, nevertheless a little put out by the "human interference." These inspections have most likely continued after hours, when more time could be afforded to examination of the reconstruction process.

Although this story has human interest appeal, the reality of the beaver-highway crossing relationship is that many, many thousands of dollars are spent every year in P.E.I. to maintain, repair, and replace structures that are adversely affected by this herbivore. Last year the regional office for highways maintenance calculated that over $50,000 had been allocated in a single year in Kings County alone to address the effects of beaver, which involved removal of hlockages, construction/placement/maintenance of "cages," replacement of smaller culverts, and repairs to washed out roadways. Add to this an amout in excess of $80,000 of the major culvert/bridge repair division's annual P.E.I. operating expense to restore crossings damaged as a direct result of beaver influence and you have the makings of a "beaver budget!" Please let us know if you have a 'Beaver Tale" to share with our readers.

by Larry Avery - from The Beacon - September 13, 1993

The Souris and Area Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation invites hunters. waterfowl enthusiasts and the general public to gather at Souris Consolidated School on September 22, at 7 p.m.

Guest speakcr. Bill Barrow, technician employed with Canadian Wildlife Service, Sackville, N.B. will be presenting a video and slide show on waterfowl identification. Also, he will be speaking on issues such as lead poisoning and banning lead shot from specific P.E.I. wetland.

Conservation Officer, Buddy MacIntyre will be available to field questions concerning the '93 waterfowl hunting season. Both beginner and seasoned sportspersons are sure to enjoy an interesting evening.

The branch's next meeting is scheduled tor October 6, at 7:30 p.m. at their office in the Souris Industrial Commission Building. Executive, directors and nembers are urged to attend as a full agenda is expected. As always non-members are welcome.

- from The Beacon - September 13, 1993

Steve Cheverie (left) and Mickey MacDonald (right) hold the ribbon for Barry Hicken, Minister of the Environment at the opening of the Hay River Trout Rearing Facility. Attending the function were representatives from many organizations and all levels of government.

During the years 1988-89 Darrel Lesperance, a commercial fisherman and owner of this property operated an aquaculture facility here to raise approximately 2000 Rainbow Trout annually. The activity was deemed too labour-intensive and costly, and was discontinued. In August 1992 members of the Souris & Area Branch of the PEl Wildlife Federation approached Darrel to ask him if he would be willinig to work with them as part of a local effort related to fish stock enhancement. Darrell subsequently decided to support this initiative by donating the use of his tank site to the group. Technical advice and guidance was sought and given willingly from the federal fish hatchery in Cardigan, the Atlantic Salmon Federation, the PEl Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and the PEl Department of the Environment. Of course money was required to cover expenses... and it came froma number of varied sources such as the new Federal/Provincial Watershed Improvement- Recreational Fisheries Development Program, Babineau Fisheries Limited, and the Provincial Fisheries & Aquaculture Department. PEl Transportation and Public Works was called upon to repair the culvert floor upstream from the site at the #16 road crossing. These repairs included the construction of a collection box to provide for the rearing facility's water supply. Federation members and community volunteers donated many hours to clean up the area, including the river section adjacent to the site. The Canada Employment and Immigration Commission through its Job Creation Program provided funding to hire three workers for eight weeks so that necessary plumbing, construction, and site improvements could be completed. Support from the private sector included: concrete from MacLean' s Ready Mix for a new tank floor, the necessary finishing work on the floor from Ray Nicholson, burlap bags from Russell. Ching & Sons, and technical support/direction from Cheverie Construction. The tank is 18 feet in diameter and 2.5 feet deep. It's liquid capacity is approximately 22.500 litres.

Arrangements were made with the provincial Fish & Wildlife Division to collect brood stock from the North Lake system, and with the help of local resident Robert Baker a quantity of Speckled Trout was obtained using a portable electric shocking device. The trout were taken to the Cardigan hatchery where their eggs were processed, and the resultant fish held to the "fed fingerling" state before bringing them to the restored facility at the Lesperance property on May 19th, 1993.

Since that time volunteers have been feeding and monitoring the health of these seventy-two hundred juvenile fish on a daily basis. Pending examination and disease-free certification by DFO, the fish are destined for release back into the North Lake system by late November 1993.

Plans for 1994 are to utilize the facility's capacity and produce approximately 12 thousand stockable fish for the Eastern Kings County area. These fish will support and supplement depleated stocks in selected water systems where hahitat is currently being restored.

These satellite trout rearing sites also serve further benefit by providing an educational opportunity for our youth, and by providing a focus for community support.

- from The Beacon - September 30, 1993

Each year, the Souris and Area Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation honours individuals who have made a significant contribution to wildlife conservation. Members of the public are invited to submit nominations for the following awards: C. Edgar Rose Sportsman/Conservationist of the year, honouring an individual who promotes ethical sportsmanship and/or good conservation practices; Farmer/ Forester Award, honouring any farmer/forester who carried out sound conservation practices; C. Roy White award, honouring any youth who demonstrates keen interest or involvement in wildlife conservation.

All nominations should include names of nominee and nominator, as well as information on the nominees contribution. Please forward nominations to Souris and Area Branch, P .E.I. Wildlife Federation, Souris, P.E.I. prior to December 10th, 1993.

- from The Beacon - December 7, 1993

On the morning of November 29, 1993 my phone rang - on the other end of the line was Albert Cheverie from Naufrage Harbour. Al was quite concerned over a snowy owl that was sitting on the ground near his home. The owl appeared to have a broken wing as it could only fly short distances. The owl must have slammed into a building or wire during the height of a wind storm we had the previous night. Al suggested that I get to Naufrage quickly as the school bus would be arriving to pick up his children and he feared the owl would fly off to a spot where we couldn't reach it. I arrived on the scene just as the bus was leaving with his children and Al told me that the owl had flown off to another location,behind a shanty-like building, the bird barely visible as it crouched in a trough behind the building sheltered from the wind by dune grass. I suggested that we should use an old fishing net that was nearby to capture the owl, but Al said it was in very poor condition so he ran to his home and landed back with his son Ezekiel's favorite blanket. The blanket did the job and the owl was transported to my truck where he remained until Conservation Officer Buddy Maclntyre arrived to pick it up. Buddy planned to take the owl to the new Vet College for wing repairs, later to be released back to our wind swept northern shore.

Betsy Keenan and Buddy MacIntyre show us an injured Snowy Owl on its way to Charlottetown to be treated and then released.

by Gerald MacDonald - from The Beacon - December 7, 1993

This past September a number of our community members decided to volunteer their time to help conserve and protect very special watershed segments of our environment here in Eastern Kings.

The overall "River Watch Program " is being administered by the Island Nature Trust in cooperation with the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation with funding and administrative assistance from the new Watershed Improvement Recreational Fisheries Development Program.

It is the goal of the River Watch Program to raise awareness about community and organizational initiatives to enhance stream habitats as well as the lands adjacent to these waterways. Since the efforts take place largely on privately owned property it is important that the users of the various watersheds be encouraged to exercise proper consideration and regard for such properties.

The general concept of River Watch has been modelled from a similar and successful program in Newfoundland.

After being "screened in" for acceptability volunteers are provided with an information package about the program and the river system that they have been asigned to, and are also issued with a bright red hat and jacket (complete with name tag) all of which serve to identify them as "river watchers".

As part of their duties they are expected to make regular tours of their respective areas and to report their observations to the Watershed Improvement/Rec-Fishery Program's Regional Co-ordinator for consideration and possible action, if warranted.

A few of the disturbances worthy of note might include; tree cutting, campfires, road and trail construction/condition, erosion, off-road vehicle use, presence of garbage, and signs of vandalism.

The number of people encountered and their use of the waterway is often recorded, as well as observations pertaining to wildlife presence. They also have been encouraged to report any indication of fish and game related offences to the concerned authorities.

In summary the River Watch program provides beneficial service to both resource users and the landowners alike by actively promoting responsible "outdoor etiquette" and because of their intimate knowledge of their assigned river system they will often be called upon to provide guidance to others.

The River Watch/Conservation Guardian volunteers in our area are:

North Lake Creek: Sheila Eastman, Richard Sheehan and Robert Baker
Sourls River: Dave Mullally
Fortune River System: Dave Chisholm and Robert MacDonald
Naufrage River: Cliffie MacDonald, Valda MacDonald and Boyd MacDonald
All Systems Support: Steve Cheverie and Emery Gillan

Across the Island there are a total of 61 volunteers watching 10 water systems across the Island. Anyone desiring additional information about the River Watch Program are invited to contact any of the above persons in your area or call Larry Avery or Jackie Waddell at Island Nature Trust.

by Larry Avery - from The Beacon - December 7, 1993

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Souris Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation

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