Nature PEI

What to Bring: repellent, water, a snack, proper foot Summerwear, sunscreen, binoculars
Goes ahead, Rain or Shine, unless otherwise noted.
Flower Fly Insect Pinning Workshop, Thursday May 17 6:00- 9:00 Learn how to prepare flower fly specimens to museum standards.
Leader: John Klymko, Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Center
Meet: Beaconsfield the Carriage House, Corner of West and Kent, Charlottetown.
Summerside Boardwalk Birder’s Stroll. Saturday, May 19th 8:30 – 9:30 am. Search out the diversity of spring migrants and resident birds.
Leader: Donna Martin (more information 902- 436-4063)
How to get there: Meet in the parking area near the western end of MacKenzie Drive.
Spring Wildflower Ramble, Valleyfield Demonstration Woodlot, Valleyfield, Sunday May 27, 2:00-4:00 pm
Leaders: Rosemary Curley and Connie Gaudet (more information 902- 569-1209)
How to get there: Meet at the corner the Valleyfield Road (Rte 326) and the Dalmaney Road (Rte 354) at 2 pm
Eagle Banding! The date is dependent on eaglet growth and weather, but possibly in the
vicinity of Saturday June 9th
Leader: Gerald MacDougall eagle.dynasty@gmail.com
Advise Gerald of your interest and supply your coordinates to him. How to get there: Gerald will confirm date and time.
Wildflower Walk, Fullerton’s Conservation Park, Stratford, Thurs. August 2, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm.
Leaders: Rosemary Curley and Doug Murray (more information 902- 569-1209)
How to get there: Turn into Reeve’s Estates off the TCH, then turn right on McIntosh Dr.
Keep straight until you reach a parking lot at the Fullerton’s trail entrance.

Tuesday May 1 – 2018 – Prehistoric PEI. Will Beckett, Island Filmmaker and photographer, with be our guest speaker on prehistoric history of PEI. Will is currently developing a documentary on the prehistory of the Island with the first two episodes now available on You Tube. This Nature PEI meeting starts at 7:30 pm at Beaconsfield, the Carriage House, corner of West and Kent Street, Charlottetown. Suitable for young naturalists so please consider inviting any younger people who might appreciate joining you for this educational evening. When Will presented a similar talk at UPEI the youngsters in the crowd had many questions and enjoyed learning more.

All are welcome to join Nature PEI, Tuesday May 1, 7:30 pm at Beaconsfield, the Carriage House in Charlottetown (West/Kent St.) for Will Beckett’s presentation.

No admission is charged and refreshments are served.  This event would be a suitable topic for young naturalists so please consider inviting younger family members or friends who have an interest in science, nature or photography.

Prehistoric PEI Episode 1

Prehistoric PEI Episode 2

Usher in Spring with an evening of spectacular nature photography by PEI naturalist and photographer Lucas MacCormack.   During his presentation Lucas will take us through the many different natural habitats on PEI, sharing his favourite photos of everything from small mammals to large mammals, birds of prey to songbirds, and flowers to insects. Lucas will provide a few words about each image, as well as how he went about taking the photo.

At 15 years of age, Lucas is well known for his unique and inspiring images of nature as well as his knowledge of the subjects he photographs. His interest in nature started a few years ago with birding and he soon became fascinated with all aspects of this complex natural world. Lucas notes that “Once I got my hands on some decent camera gear I began thinking more about photography rather than just taking quick snapshots of whatever I saw.”  His photographic interests now range from birds and wildlife, to macro work with plants, insects and other small creatures, and he enjoys doing landscapes and portraits as well.

All are welcome to join Nature PEI, Tuesday April 3, 7:30 pm at Beaconsfield, the Carriage House in Charlottetown (West/Kent St.) for a photographic walk on the wild side with an extraordinary young photographer and naturalist.

No admission is charged and refreshments are served.  This event would be a suitable topic for young naturalists so please consider inviting younger family members or friends who have an interest in science, nature or photography.

MEDIA RELEASE

26 March, 2018. Illustrations Secured for Upcoming Mammals Book.

A mammal book without illustrations is like a striped skunk without its musk glands — its message will not be as effective as it could be. Nature PEI is pleased to secure a set of 62 illustrations for the upcoming book “Mammals of Prince Edward Island and Marine Mammals of the Southern Gulf,” to be published in 2019 by Island Studies Press at UPEI.

The illustrations depict range maps for each species, and colour illustrations of mammals and their tracks and skulls. Twenty-four of the sets of illustrations will portray the marine mammals species that occur — or once occurred – within the waters of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. Few would suspect that list would be so long, which is one reason for capturing their history and details in this upcoming book.

The illustrations were produced for the Canadian Museum of Nature, and initially enhanced Donna Naughton’s 2012 book, “The Natural History of Canadian Mammals.” The artwork was secured with financial contributions from diverse sources including Purity Dairy, the Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation, the PEI Wildlife Conservation Fund, and Nature PEI.

A team of five authors are producing the mammal accounts and incorporating significant new and remarkable information from recent studies employing modern study techniques. They also aim to take a closer look at local mammal information, including historical information.  Rosemary Curley of Nature PEI notes “It has not been done before and there appears to be a lot of interest in our product.”

Media Contacts: Island Studies Press ispstaff@upei.ca; 902-566- 0386

Rosemary Curley, President, Nature PEI rcurleypei@eastlink.ca 902-569-1209

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Join the PEI Invasive Species Council for its Third Annual Workshop!

The afternoon will include a wonderful presentation series and an educational expo. Groups participating in the expo include: CFIA, Parks Canada, Island Nature Trust/PEI Spotter’s   Network, MacPhail Woods, Nature Tracker, and much MUCH more.

DATE: March 16, 2018

TIME: 1-4pm

LOCATION: PEI Farm Centre, 420 University Ave., Charlottetown

For a full list of speakers and displays, please visit the PEIISC website at www.peiinvasives.ca.

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Join us at Nature PEI’s monthly meeting to experience the sights and sounds of PEI’s elusive (but  sometimes effusive)  herptiles with Dwaine Oakley,  instructor in the Holland College Wildlife Conservation Technology program.   “We will explore the life history of the salamanders, frogs, toads and snakes of Prince Edward Island” notes Dwaine, adding that “We will not only learn how to identify the species by sight, but we will enjoy the night sounds of the more common ones”.  Dwaine enthusiastically points out that “Since spring is right around the corner we will also focus on some cool egg masses.”

Dwaine has spent considerable time exploring and documenting the fauna of PEI. He has had a keen interest in wildlife and the outdoors since he was a child that later grew with the discovery of photography where he could share his passion with others. Dwaine has served as President for Nature PEI and more recently, the Island Nature Trust.

Get ready to leap into spring ! Reserve March 6 at 7:30 pm at Beaconsfield, the Carriage House in Charlottetown to meet Dwaine and learn more about our native reptiles and amphibians. All are welcome!