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APRIL 1999  No. 26

UP COMING EVENTS !

The Kennebecasis Naturalist Society usually meets on the 4th Monday of the month at St. Paul's United Church at 7:30 pm.

Mon. Apr. 26: Ayler Chaisson, A fresh water fish habitat biologist will speak on "Indicators of Pollution".

Sat. Apr. 24: Jemseg Waterfowl Field Trip leaving from Tim Horton's at 9:30 a.m. bring a lunch.

May 22 - 24: Grand Manan Birding Trip. Leave early Sat. morning return Mon. afternoon. Cottages have been reserved and there is limited space available. Speak to Carol if interested, 433-3282.

May: A canoe trip will be planned date depending on water levels.

May: A trip to try to see a Northern Goshawk and it's nest in the Smith Creek area. This evening outing will be announced over the phone line.

May 24: Regular meeting at St. Paul's United Church at 7:30 pm.

June: Anagance Ridge Hike to see warblers and an old grave site. This outing will be announced by the phone committee.

June 6-8: The NBFN AGM is going to be on the Acadian Peninsula, centered out of Lameque. These might be dates folks want to mark on your calenders.

June 28: James Landry manager of Brunswick Nursery and President of the NB Horticultural Trade Association will speak on, "Trees, Shrubs and Perennials".

Ghosts Of The Night
by Paul Martin

    Owl Prowl on the 31st of March, for those like me who tend to be lousy at dates that was a Wednesday. Every thing went according to plan on this prowl. It was a full moon though I hear it wasn't blue, (looked blue-ish to me!). The sky clear, and a good gathering of naturalists, 15 in all.

    The master caller, Jim, and his faithful side kick Carol, led us out and about in Kings County on the search for our elusive prey the nightly ghosts known as owls.

    The owl, well most owls, are almost totally active at night when the average naturalist is at home, where it's warm and comfortable. Throughout history the owl has been known as a demon, or a ghost, mostly because it is seen at night in cemeteries (lots of mice,) It is a silent bird and it's calls can be bone chilling when heard at night, in the deep dark forests. Hence, it has been called a spirit of the night.

    Our first stop was Manning Road to watch the mating ritual of the Woodcock at dusk, Carol and I heard a great horned owl hooting, a sign for good luck!

    As the night went on we were able to hear another great horned, plus a very perturbed little Saw-whet owl, who after much searching finally gave us a quick glimpse as he shot over our heads and disappeared into the night. We figured that might be the highlight of the night, boy, were we wrong.

    Jim left the best for last because our next stop was probably the best owl I've ever seen for a crowd pleaser. Jim started to play the caller but the batteries were low and it sounded like the tape was being eaten. But out in the woods came a call "who cooks for you, who cooks for you all" Jim tried the tape again and in flew the owl, over our heads and into a nearby tree. It had the patience to sit there and let us shine a light at it so everyone could get a good look and then it began to hoot is tell tale song.

    That was a great trip and on behalf of the field trip committee I would like to thank Jim for volunteering to guide us and thank all those who came out, because when you plan trips and get a good turn out you feel your time was well spent in planning the events.

Owl Nest Box

    The dimensions for the nestbox I used successfully for Saw-whets at Miscou Island was as follows: Floor dimensions = 7 inches X 8 inches Hole diameter = 2.5 inches Height of box = 14 inches Centre of hole to floor = 11 inches

     Since owls prefer moist to wet areas such as bogs, alder swamps, or spruce stands and they are known to nest in old woodpecker holes, my recommendation is to place the boxes in conifer stands close to areas with water, eg; a creek, river, or bog. I hope this is useful.

TROUT CREEK WALKING TRAIL
by Judy Stockdale

     Fast becoming popular to both nature lovers and anyone who enjoys a stroll through the woods, is a new walkway that was completed in Sussex last Fall. The Town of Sussex received permission from the Department of National Defense to use their property that borders Trout Creek, and with a government work grant, were able to finish what is hoped to be the first stage of a Walkway that will run throughout the town.

    Anyone who has become familiar with this new trail has their own list of sightings, much too long to include in this short article. Every visit will bring new sightings, especially with the new growth and life of Springtime.

    To find this new trail, follow Bryant Drive (off of Leonard Drive by Kiwanis Nursing Home), and park just past the Middle School, where the trail begins on the left hand side. There is no formal name or sign as yet, but it is easy to see and to follow. If you haven't already, take someone special, and discover the many natural treasures this lovely walkway has to offer.