Submitted by Rob Wilson on behalf of YFBTA
Naturalists from across Saskatchewan (and a few from Manitoba) gathered in Saltcoats recently as they participated in the annual Spring Meet of Nature Saskatchewan. At an evening reception in the Saltcoats and District Hall YFBTA president, Lauretta Ritchie-McInnes welcomed the sixty-nine registrants. Members of The YFBTA board and executive were introduced as well as YFBTA's Summer Programmer, Shevon Wilson.
Gary Seib, General Manager, indicated that two books have been published by Nature Saskatchewan and that copies are available for viewing and purchase ("Ferns and Fern Allies" by Vernon Harms and Anna Leighton; "Dragonflies and Damselflies" by Gordon Hutchings and David Halstead; " A third book, this one produced by award winning Saskatchewan authors Robin and Arlene Karpan, entitled "Saskatchewan's Best Hikes & Nature Walks" was also available.
YFBTA is proud of the fact that the Karpans chose to include one of its charter trails, The Leflay Trail (Saltcoats) and four of its affiliate trails, The Ecological Preserve Trail, The Hjertaas Nature Trail, The Isabel Priestly Nature Trail (Yorkton) and The Good Spirit Lake Provincial Park Trail (Canora) in their book. Anna Leighton, one of the authors of "Ferns and Fern Allies" was also in attendance so registrants enjoyed a great opportunity to meet some of these authors, to purchase some of the first copies and to obtain autographed copies.
The final program event was entrusted to Steven Maier, a professional musician, who plays with the Saskatoon band, "Crestwood".
At "8:23 a.m. sharp" registrants could be seen leaving from Saltcoats and District Community Hall heading in three different directions. Perhaps portending a good day Saltcoats well-known albino robin appeared near to the loading area giving some of the more alert birders a very unusual sighting.
Highlights for group one were a family of newly hatched Great Horned owls (and wonderful photographic opportunities), willets and sightings of once-common but-now-infrequently seen, Meadow Larks and Bobolinks.
A second group visited The Rokeby Marsh area, the farm of Morley and Paula Maier and an area near Little Leach Lake. Highlights were sightings of American Avocets, a Blue-headed Vireo and a Brown Thrasher.
The third group toured the Isabel Priestly Trail along York Lake. Highlights were sightings of Western Grebes, a weasel and a Ruffed Grouse on her nest.
The tours all stopped at Yorkton's Western Development Museum for their lunch. They were treated to bread freshly baked in the museum's unique oven.
Another exciting tour continued following lunch.
By the conclusion of the meet over 60 bird species had been located.
An evening program ensued. Nature Saskat-chewan announced acceptance of a new affiliate naturalist group. This group works on behalf of nature in the Neudorf area and will be known as The Neudorf Nature Trails and Wild Bird Sanctuary Society. Guest speaker of the evening was Chuck Deschamps who emphasized the need for regional land use long-range planning to be undertaken among all stakeholders. The number of wetlands and the wildlife habitats they contain continue to decline and nowhere more rapidly than in our region.
Prior to concluding the evening, retiring Nature Saskatchewan employee Margaret Skeel was honoured. To mark the importance of the work Margaret has done over fourteen years an annual scholarship fund has been re-named as The Margaret Skeel Scholarship fund. Margaret was also presented with a gift certificate from Fresh Air Experiences.
This was the third occasion upon which YFBTA drew naturalists from across the province to this region.
To learn more about the YFBTA or to get involved, visit: www.yfbta.com.
