Selected Excerpts from the Vancouver Natural History Society “Bulletin”
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- The Rocky Mountain Trench
- End Note 2: The Rocky Mountain Trench (Cont.) (see page 262) 110 August 1959 A Bird Note
- Birds at V.N.H.S. Camp, Manning Park, July 17
- Something Different in Bird Banding
- Notes on the Observation of a Green Heron
- 1960 V.N.H.S. Camp at Tenquille Lake
- End Note 3:Bird Notes (see page 262) Birds and Mammals seen at V.N.H.S. Camp , Tenquille Lake – July 23–31, 1960
| The Volcanoes of Garibaldi
In his talk on ‘The Volcanoes of Garibaldi’ on January 28, Dr. W.H. Mathews dealt with three outstanding examples of volcanic action in the Park area; Clinker, Table and Garibaldi peaks. The evidence indicates that Clinker [part of Mt. Price] was an active volcano during the last ice age, about 10,000 years ago. It has the typical flat top of a volcanic cone with evidence of glaciation on its lower flanks, but not at the top so that the cone appears to have risen through the field of ice that was then spread over the whole area. A fine aerial photograph showed clearly the several streams of lava centering on the cone and flowing in separate courses down the mountainside, one great flow disappearing into Garibaldi Lake. The barrier in Garibaldi Park, about 1500 feet high, is a cross section of one of the main lava flows from this peak, indicating the great depth of the molten river that once made its way down the mountain.
Before Dr. Armstrong showed us some interesting coloured slides, on February 11th, that were taken from both the ground and the air of the Rocky Mountain Trench where he had worked, he provided a brief background of some of the important points known about the trench today. Nowhere else in the world is a topographic feature of this size found. The rocks to the east of the trench are of a different kind from those to the west. The Rockies to the east are sedimentary, being 50,000 to 100,000 feet thick, while the mountains to the west are igneous, or volcanic. Thus the trench marks an abrupt change in the rock formation. The origin of the trench has no simple explanation. Probably no one has studied the rocks on both sides of the trench, although several have worked on one side or the other. Last summer Dr. Leach of the Geological Survey of Canada studied the area to the south. In the north we find that the mountain ranges of the Monashee, Omineca, Purcell and Selkirk are truncated by it. The faulting theory for its origin seems to be the best one proposed so far. Although other physiographic features in the world are caused by faulting, no other like the trench is to be found. Because of its length, linearity and truncated structures flanking it, faulting is believed to have something to do with the trench. There is a great complexity of detail based on the trench’s features, and it will mean much hard work for many years before a final answer to its origin is found. End Note #2: The Rocky Mountain Trench (Cont.) (see page 262) #110 August 1959 A Bird Note In a letter dated June 18th, 1959, Marie Houldon of Hope, B.C. wrote to Mr. Hughes, the Chairman of our Ornithology Section, describing what she and her husband thought was a green heron. From their description and the drawing she enclosed, Mr. Hughes felt sure that it was. Some of the comments she made might be of interest to the members: The bird was first spotted by her husband, Bob Houldon on Sunday, May 24th, as they were sitting by the window having supper. Their home is east of Hope on the shores of Kawkawa Lake. The bird landed and perched for some time in a half dead cedar about 100 feet from their house. Their excitement seemed to have had no effect on the bird. While Bob and Marie frantically scurried around taking turns with binoculars and thumbing through reference books, the bird calmly surveyed the area, first in one direction then in the other, and appeared in no hurry to leave. They have been unable to locate a colour plate of the bird so Marie made a painting of it for Mr. Hughes. It had a heron-like appearance with fairly long light-coloured legs, and sat with a hunched-up look with its neck pulled in. On first approaching to land, and again on taking flight, the neck was noticeably long and outstretched. In size it seemed somewhat smaller and more slender than a crow. The bird had a long dark bill and cap (above the eye) and the wings appeared dark with few, if any markings. The breast was noticeably red-brown with two distinct light-coloured stipes down its entire length, seemingly joined together at the neck. There was also a light streak running back from (or below) the lower mandible toward the cheek. The brown on the breast became grey on the lower underparts. In flight, the bird had a somewhat hesitant but graceful wing action. The next day, May 25th, the bird came again at noon and landed on a log close to shore, about 50 feet away, but stayed just a few moments. It was seen again another evening later that week. Its call was a short two-toned effect, beginning on one note and dropping to a lower one. Mr. Hughes wondered if it might nest in the area, but Bob and Marie did not see it during the next few weeks. They are on the lookout, however and are quite thrilled that they were among the first to see the green heron in their district. Birds at V.N.H.S. Camp, Manning Park, July 17th to 25th, 1959. On arrival at the campsite several birds greeted us. Altogether we saw 15 species around the vicinity of the camp, the most outstanding being the families of red-breasted nuthatch that were remarkably tame. They showed no fear of us as they flew from tree to tree, running up and down the trunks in their noisy search for food. We also found an Oregon [dark-eyed] junco’s nest with four fledglings that interested the children in camp. Photographs were taken and fellow camper, George J. Kuthan painted a picture of the nest. The Canada [gray] jays were much in evidence, especially around the kitchen area. July 18th – a truck trip was made on the new road to Spotted Nellie Ridge and the Blackwall Peak where 28 species of birds were seen. Again an Oregon [dark-eyed] junco’s nest was found with four eggs, that several members photographed. A one-legged [common] raven amused us with its attempts to walk away, and ended by flying off the edge of the Ridge and coming back to land again as soon as he found we were harmless. Another outstanding sight was the Swainson’s [gray-crowned] rosy finches feeding at the edge of the receding snowdrifts. Lincoln’s sparrows were seen feeding their young. A Swainson’s hawk was seen hovering between the Black Wall and Spotted Nellie. One immature bald eagle hovered over the same area. The rufous and calliope hummingbirds thrilled us with their beauty as they visited the colourful alpine flowers covering the slopes. Clark’s nutcrackers and Canada [gray] jays showed a lot of interest in our truck full of campers as we made our way to and from the mountains. Our party divided when we reached the end of the road, some to make their way on foot to Three Brothers [Peak] Mountain. That day they saw four species: mountain bluebirds, white-tailed ptarmigan with young, cedar waxwings and blue grouse. The rest of the party wandered around Spotted Nellie and the Blackwall studying flowers, taking photographs and bird watching. July 20th – a bird trip to Beaver Pond was organized. We started out at 6:30 a.m. led by Mr. Bill Munro who was on the [B.C. Parks’] staff of the Nature House at Manning Park. Beaver Pond is a wonderful habitat for birds, providing many nesting sites, with perfect perching places, flyways, dead trees – standing and fallen – and snags in the water where birds can land to drink, bathe and preen. We were fascinated with the sight of birds flitting everywhere, flying in from every direction, back and forth from evergreens and deciduous woods that bordered the Pond. Three species of swallows were seen feeding their young at the nest holes or on tree limbs. Bill Munro was a student at U.B.C. at this time and went on to a career with the Provincial Fish and Wildlife Branch. We watched as a female mallard and her three ducklings searched the pond for food; yellow-bellied [red-naped] and red-breasted sapsuckers perforating the bark of trees; the eastern and western kingbirds feeding their young at the nest; western [Pacific slope] and Traill’s flycatcher [willow] flycatchers were seen, and spotted sandpipers were running on logs and other fallen debris in the water. Altogether 29 species were seen at this most attractive bird paradise. After we returned to camp for breakfast we left again with Mr. Munro to visit the Cambie Pond. There we saw 15 species, six of which were warblers – Audubon’s [yellow-rumped], Townsend’s, yellow-throated [common yellowthroat], pileated [Wilson’s], Macgillivray’s and Myrtle [yellow-rumped], as well as a Townsend’s solitaire. A party left by truck for Paddy Lake in Gibson’s Pass. Only two species of birds were seen – a sparrow hawk [American kestrel], and a common loon. July 21st – a car trip was made over the Skyline Trail and the cars left at the barrier for our hike the rest of the way. Three species were seen – Clark’s nutcracker, the Arctic [black-backed] three-toed woodpecker, and a Franklin’s [spruce] grouse with young. July 22nd – two trips were made into the Lightning Lakes where 12 species were found, the most outstanding being the yellow-throated warbler [common yellowthroat]. July 23rd – Mr. Ted Underhill of the Nature House staff and Dr. V.C. Brink, conducted a tour of the nature trail where we saw a Townsend’s solitaire, its nest and young. We also saw Swainson’s thrush and many red-crossbills. July 24th – Dr. Brink led a car trip to the fossil beds near Whipsaw Creek where we dug for fossils and visited a small coal mine. We saw many mourning doves and [western] meadowlarks and their young flying from the ground as we approached. While at the lookout at Valley View we observed a brown-headed [boreal] chickadee, then at Muddy Creek a solitary [Cassin’s] vireo was both heard and seen. At Copper Creek we saw only a killdeer plover. The party that climbed Windy Joe reported seeing a chestnut-backed chickadee. At Pinewoods Lodge we saw violet-green swallow and barn [swallows] and chipping sparrows as well as their nests and fledglings. Altogether 73 species of birds were seen during our 10-day camp in Manning Park. We had hoped to see more unusual birds but considering that it was nesting time for many we felt well rewarded. D.M. Bradley Nothing of note in Issue #111 #112 October 1960 Something Different in Bird Banding The following comments are from the News from Bird Banders, a quarterly publication by the Western Bird Banding Association in the U.S.A. (Business Manager: Mr. Leland Stallcup, 6227 Buena Ventura Ave., Oakland 5, California.) The article was written by [V.N.H.S. member] Mr. William M. Hughes and appeared in the Vol. 34, No. 4 Issue of October, 1959. “On Nov. 2, 1958 Mr. R.F. Oldaker of Vancouver, B.C. met Mr. J.G. Sarles, Miss Betty Wise and Miss Gwen Wright in Stanley Park. Mr. Oldaker is not a bird bander but he does possess a telescope which he made himself. It was on this day that he started to read band numbers with this instrument. Since then he has been providing a great service to banders. From Nov. 2, 1958 until Sept. 24, 1959 he read and reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the band numbers of 428 glaucous-winged gulls, 37 California gulls and 1 red-winged blackbird. The California gulls were banded in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Montana, Wyoming and Idaho. Some of the glaucous-winged gulls were banded in Washington, Vancouver Island areas, and in Vancouver. A juvenile California gull, banded on June 30, 1959 at Snake River, Weiser, Idaho, was observed on the Vancouver City dump on July 23, 1959. Mr. Oldaker would be pleased to hear from anyone interested in bird banding. His address is 456 East Hastings, Vancouver, B.C.” Bird Trip to Pitt Lake At dawn on Sunday, May 29th, 1960, a robin woke me singing its station identification. In due course I proceeded on our bird trip at the south end of Pitt Lake. We met at the Mallard Hotel where Bill Hughes instructed the 18 bird watchers how to get to our destination. He also pointed out tactfully that loud talking would scare away all the birds and we should proceed cautiously, in single file, in our six cars, halting when birds were seen. This we did to the end of Pitt Polder road, where we could go no farther. Our objective was the nest of a sandhill crane. We identified thirty other species, among them a pair of Brewer’s blackbirds having a battle on the ground with a crow. Watching them from a telegraph wire was an eastern kingbird. Overhead a [northern] goshawk soared away with a squealing pretty in its talons. In the distance, among the swollen, waterlogged dikes, a pair of osprey and a pair of [great blue] herons were looking for safe, wet nesting sites [sic]. Under the broad eaves of a square farm building the nests of 40 cliff swallows were counted on one side, and a similar number of ‘cheek-by-jowl’ nests were on the other three sides of the building. The mourning doves added to the gloom of the intermittent rainfall that increased as we neared our objective. Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink! D. Bradley Notes on the Observation of a Green Heron Mr. Hughes suggested that Miss Gwen Wright record for this bulletin the green heron she saw on June 5, 1960: “On Sunday, June 5th at about noon, I sighted a green heron on Barnston Island. About two miles east of the ferry landing, on the north side of the road, there is a marshy pond and boggy area; this is bounded on one side by a meadow and on the other by cultivated fields. At the end, opposite the marshy pond, is dense bush – willows, evergreens and underbrush. I saw the heron rise from the marshy pond and fly to a low stump in the boggy area on the edge of the meadow, about 200’ to 500’ from the road. It sat there preening and as the light was good I had a very fine view of his plumage.” ……………………….. Mr. Hughes suggested that Miss Doris Nye also write a report for this bulletin on the green heron she saw on September 2nd, 1960, at the beginning of the dyke road at the foot of Pitt Lake. The following is a quotation from her letter: “The heron flew up from the shallows on the north side of the dyke road, erecting a large dark crest and alighted on a branch in the water further along. To get the sun behind me, I crept along the far side of the road and was rewarded with a clear side view of the bird with its long neck stretched up. The colours were vivid – orange bill, chestnut on head and neck, yellow stripe below eye, and yellow legs. Its crest was erect again as it flew off to the marsh on the north side.
The decision to hold the 1960 Society camp at Tenquille Lake [July 23-31] was a fortunate one as the area was entirely new to all but a few who had visited it with Prof. Davidson many years before. One of the notable features of the attendance was the large representation from widely scattered points throughout the Province: - Salt Spring and Cortez Islands, Lillooet, Hope, Pemberton, Kelowna and Mission. Over 60 in all took part in the expeditions and activities. The Ronayne family helped us in so many ways. John was a tower of strength with his advice, guidance and information on field trips. Irene led the fossil trips; Rosemary helped the cook; Jack led the trip to the old mine with the pyrite deposits, and Mrs. Ronayne welcomed the tired hikers at the end of the long trail with delicious refreshments. The camp council were busy attending meetings and leading many of the field trips. The group was particularly fortunate in having the help of Dr. K.J. Beamish whose assistance was most generous and patient. Tenquille Lake is one of the beauty spots of our Province which so few are able to enjoy, and yet one is well repaid for the effort of reaching it. During our week in camp the open green area became a carpet of glorious colour. The majestic mountains are reflected in the deep waters of the beautiful Lake. Considerable snow remained on the mountains, in fact there were patches quite close to our camp. A lot of geological work has been done in the area, claims staked, old mining trails, abandoned log cabins and drilled core holes. Wildlife was not abundant, but enough to make it interesting for our ornithologists and mammalogists. A number of fish were caught, but while small, they were of excellent quality. With the exception of light rain on the last morning when we ‘broke camp’, the weather was perfect. The nights were cold and some learned the hard way how important it is to take plenty of warm bedding for a mountain camp. We had an abundant supply of excellent water. We all enjoyed good health and did justice to the generous meals. Campfires held their usual attraction with startling new talent discovered. Outward transportation of our baggage and equipment met with difficulty. Our chartered plane had been commandeered to fight forest fires. However, we did eventually get everything back to Vancouver, and all agreed the camp was a success. We returned with stiff and tired muscles but with the satisfaction that we had profited by our week’s close association with the ways of Mother Nature. Stewart Bradley. #113 November 1960 End Note #3:Bird Notes (see page 262) Birds and Mammals seen at V.N.H.S. Camp, Tenquille Lake – July 23–31, 1960 Unfortunately wildlife was not abundant in the area. We had hoped to find some unusual birds and mammals. However, 43 species of birds were seen as well as a few mammal species. Three bird trips were organized. The first was on July 25th to the north end of the Lake. The second trip was the next day, from the south end of the Lake along the east side, then to the north end. On July 27th, the third trip took place through the Pass south of the camp to the sloping meadows. The Clark’s nutcracker and young were frequent visitors around the camp. They were tame but not as daring and bold as the Canada [gray] jays usually are, which to our surprise were scarce. On inquiring the reason, Mr. Ronayne told us they were such a pest around the camp he had taken means to drive them away. [!] Chipping and song sparrows were the most common birds seen. Others were: vesper and golden-crowned sparrows, Oregon [dark-eyed] junco, gray-crowned rosy finch, red crossbill, pine grosbeak, pine siskins and young, Townsend’s solitaire, western tanager, American robin, varied thrush and young, cedar waxwing, hermit thrush, horned lark, warbling vireo, alpine [water] pipit, black-capped and Hudsonian [boreal] chickadees, Audubon [yellow-rumped warbler], MacGillivray’s and black-capped [Wilson’s] warblers, red-breasted nuthatch, ruby-crowned kinglet, rufous hummingbird, winter wren, olive-sided flycatcher, American crow, western wood-peewee, [black-billed] magpie, Franklin’s [spruce] grouse and young, red-tailed hawk, ptarmigan (white tailed and young), osprey, spotted sandpiper, sparrow hawk [American kestrel], killdeer, loon (heard only), Canada [gray] jay. We were puzzled by a strange bird call heard throughout the day. No one recognized it. The call was three notes repeated again and again, but the mystery bird wasn’t near enough for anyone to identify. With the help of bird books and binoculars, we found the elusive little bird – it was none other than the golden-crowned sparrow twittering his three note call “do-re-me”. We conjectured that because the season was later at such a high altitude it could have been a mating call, or, because none had ever heard it before, it was the song of the golden-crowned sparrow! Few mammals were seen which was disappointing as we had hoped to see more. However a few hoary marmots (Marmota caligata) were seen. While on the July 27th bird trip, we heard a loud shrill whistle, and on looking around, we saw a large one sitting at the opening of his burrow in the flower-strewn meadow below us. He must have weighed 25 or 30 pounds. We watched as he climbed upon a large boulder and sprawled on top to sun, oblivious to the group watching. Two of our party walked slowly towards the marmot with cameras focused and ready. Very slowly they approached and still he lay on the rock. When only six feet away, he sat up on hind legs and the girls got their pictures before he jumped off and scurried to the opening of his burrow. A female mountain goat and kids were seen on one of the hiking trips up the mountain. Deer and bear tracks were noted, but no signs of the animals themselves. Red squirrels and northwestern [yellow-pine] chipmunks were observed. There was good fishing in the Lake and a number of rainbow trout were caught, cooked and eaten by the fishermen among the campers. Dorothy M. Bradley Point Roberts We intended to watch the migration of waterfowl October 23rd, but possibly because of the mild weather only small numbers of loons, [northern] pintails, scaups, scoters, oldsquaw and red-breasted mergansers were seen. One interesting observation close to shore showed how hard life is for a merganser. It had caught a bullhead [sculpin] but was prevented from swallowing it by two glaucous-winged gulls that forced it to dive again and again. Finally, it was exhausted and one victorious gull flew away with the battered fish. Some time later we watched a large bird apparently standing still in mid-air. First one then a second rough-legged hawk hovered over the fields looking for food, every so often swooping down to the ground, but had no luck in their hunt. One perched nearby in a bush and everyone had a good view of it through the telescope. Point Roberts This October 29th trip to Point Roberts brought us numerous flocks of migrating birds. Oldsquaw was the dominant species, but the highlight was a flock of 36 snow geese winging their way southward. A school of fish may have been passing the Point when many western grebes, red-breasted mergansers and gulls settled on the water to feed right in front of us. We also had good views of Heermann’s gulls with their red bills, and of parasitic jaegers patrolling the area. Not only waterfowl were on the way to milder climates, but also flocks of [American] goldfinches, [American] robins and blackbirds were daring to cross the open waters. Their life in the south will not be without danger however, as sharp-shinned and Cooper’s hawks followed in the same direction. #114 January 1961 Directory: sites sites -> Answer True False 2 points Question 2 sites -> 587 Return function, r i(X) r i(0) r i(1) r i(2) r i(3) 1 0 2 4 6 Thermal Station, I 2 0 1 5 6 3 0 3 5 6 10 sites -> Glossary for Chapter 1 Algorithm sites -> North Carolina Inclusion Initiative Mapping Where Children with ieps are Being Served Purpose sites -> Northern England’s set-jetting locations sites -> Physical custody of 1033 program property accountibility form statement of Physical Custody: By signing for the below 1033 property I am a Law Enforcement Officer of the aforementioned Law Enforcement Agency sites -> Nstructions for Acquiring Excess Equipment online, through the 1033 Program sites -> Memorandum of agreement Download 2.61 Mb. Share with your friends:
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