Island Naturalist – Apr-June 2010

MARITIME BREEDING BIRD ATLAS – FINAL FIELD YEAR:
The Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas has entered its last year of data collection on the breeding birds of the
Maritimes. There’s lots of work still to be done. You can help us by contributing your observations on the breeding
behaviour of birds. Please contact the MBBA at www.mba-aom.ca or call Rosemary Curley, Prince Edward Island’s
Coordinator at 569-1209.
MARITIME BUTTERFLY ATLAS:
To date, 59 species of butterflies, 57 of which are native and one of which is endemic, have been identified in
Prince Edward Island while there have been 77 recorded in Nova Scotia and 83 in New Brunswick. The numbers may
change as work is underway on the systematics of the azures. The Maritime Butterfly Atlas is gearing up to commence a
five year atlas project for the Maritimes. John Klymko of the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre offered an
introduction to our butterflies and butterfly atlasing at the Natural History Society’s April meeting and, on May 25 ,th
2010, held a collection clinic at Beaconsfield’s Carriage House in Charlottetown.
The Atlas work will identify species of conservation concern, allow for better informed conservation decisions,
and produce a baseline dataset for future comparisons. It will use the same atlas squares as the Maritimes Breeding Bird
Atlas. Collectors can either take close up photographs of butterflies or collect and submit specimens using techniques
laid out by the AC-CDC. Those interested in participating should contact John at 506-364-2660 or via E-mail at
jklymko@mta.ca