River Valley News - Oct 20, 2022

Help preserve YEG river valley and ravine system via phone photos

Most of us who spend time in Edmonton’s river valley and ravines carry cell phones. If you are interested in helping contribute to a comprehensive data set of plants, birds, wildlife, insects and other forms of nature in our city’s river valley and ravines, please participate in the iNaturalist.ca website and app. It is a great way to learn what species are known, and to submit photos that can become useful scientific data.

The link to iNaturalist records in Edmonton, which has nearly 30,000 photo records of almost 2,600 species is

https://inaturalist.ca/observations?place_id=136028&subview=map By helping document what lives in our river valley and ravines, you will be a citizen scientist contributing to a compelling database of why our ribbon of green must be conserved and preserved for us and future generations.

It is also a neat way to check for records of, say, raccoons in Edmonton, which were recently in the news. There are no photos submitted from within the city limits, but there is a photo taken 3 year ago in nearby Sturgeon County https://inaturalist.ca/observations?place_id=164051&subview=map&taxon_id=41663

Big Lake and Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park

Big Lake borders Edmonton, St. Albert, Parkland County and Sturgeon County. The lake sits on the sands and gravels of the Empress Formation, an aquifer 30 meters below its surface that was laid down by retreating glacial meltwaters.

Big Lake is 8 km in length and 3 km at its widest point. At its delta, one of only three bird’s foot deltas found in Alberta, the lake narrows to 100m. The lake is shallow, with depths varying between 0.3 to 4.1m. Banks along the southern shore are steep, directing the lake’s flood waters towards the west, north and east to feed surrounding marshlands during high water years.

On Earth Day 2005, Big Lake became Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park in honour of the former Lieutenant Governor of Alberta. The park is recognized as a globally significant important bird area for its abundant and diverse bird populations, especially waterfowl and shorebirds.

Over 235 bird species have been recorded at Big Lake and some 180+ are recorded annually. At risk species that use the lake include Trumpeter Swans, Sprague's Pipits and Peregrine Falcons. More information at http://bless.ab.ca/

Fort Sask Hwy 15 eastbound bridge includes pedestrian crossing

After several years in the works, the Highway 15 eastbound bridge crossing the North Saskatchewan River is open for transit. The project involved the construction of a second bridge crossing the North Saskatchewan River at the southern entrance to the City of Fort Saskatchewan and twinning the remaining two-lane section of Highway 15 towards Edmonton. 

The pedestrian crossing portion of the Highway 15 bridge project is one of 14 initiatives undertaken by the River Valley Alliance. According to Kristine Archibald, RVA Executive Director, its $110-million capital program aims to connect the longest river valley pedestrian trail in North America through the longest river valley park system in North America. 

The RVA initiative was launched 20 years ago to support and promote active and healthy lifestyles, anchor the social, environmental and economic fabric of the region, and stimulate regional community building and revitalization initiatives. More information at https://www.fortsaskatchewanrecord.com/news/highway-15-bridge-is-open-for-transit

City of Edmonton river valley trail maps

The city has a selection of comprehensive, seasonal trail maps to help you enjoy our gorgeous, expansive river valley. The maps highlight the parks, trails, boat launches and attractions in the River Valley from the Anthony Henday Drive in southwest Edmonton to Hermitage Park in northeast Edmonton.

There are central, west and east river valley trail maps you can download, a river valley distance guide and links to river valley dog off leash sites and a bicycle map. The city web site also has a Discover YEG Map, an interactive and mobile friendly map you can use to discover the river valley parks and bike routes citywide. Info at https://www.edmonton.ca/activities_parks_recreation/parks_rivervalley/river-valley-trail-maps

October 13 Issue

Virendra writes “Thank you again for this fascinating information. Because of your efforts, we know more about what is around us.”

Jeanna and Kirsten emailed “We so enjoy your excellent newsletter. Always interesting. Many thanks. Your River Valley neighbours.”

Moth flying like a hummingbird and feeding on my verbena bonsinara in the early evening. Photo by Maureen Elhatton

Comment or contribution

Please note that articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the wide variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley. Email river valley photos, event information, comments, or questions to nsrivervalley@gmail.com

Sincerely yours,

Harvey Voogd

North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society

780.691.1712

River Valley News - Oct 13, 2022

New interactive atlas a bird watcher virtual paradise
The Bird Migration Explorer mapping tool, a new online atlas of bird migration, includes interactive, animated maps of the full annual migration for 458 species; more than 4.2 million point-to-point migratory bird connections across the hemisphere; and visualizations for 19 selected Conservation Challenges that migratory birds are exposed to throughout the year across the Americas.

The Bird Migration Explorer mapping tool, available free to the public, is an ongoing collaboration between 11 groups that collect and analyze data on bird movements, including the National Audubon Society, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Birds Canada, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, and the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center.

The site will bring together online data from hundreds of scientific studies that use GPS tags to track bird movements, as well as more than 100 years of bird-banding data collected by USGS, community science observations entered into Cornell’s eBird platform, genomic analysis of feathers to pinpoint bird origins, and other data. The Bird Migration Explorer is available at https://explorer.audubon.org/home?threatOverlay=expand&zoom=3&x=1306099.1620122588&y=2810864.562197212

City’s current black knot focus is southwest Edmonton
With over 380,000 trees in the Open Space and Boulevard tree inventory, the City of Edmonton has a four-year pruning cycle for trees impacted by black knot. Pruning takes place between late fall to early spring when tree and spores are dormant, knots are easier to see, and temperatures consistently below zero. Edmonton’s southwest quadrant is the focus of the fall 2022-winter 2023 pruning schedule.

Black knot is caused by the fungus Apiosporina morbosa and attacks various trees and shrubs. It infects trees within the Prunus genus, which includes different types of plum and cherry trees. The fungus has also been known to infect shrubs in the Rose family. The spores spread in warm and wet weather.

It is spread through spores by rain, wind, birds, and insects that have had contact with infected trees. The spores spread in the spring and infect other trees, then in the summer the infection creates green swellings at the tip of the branches. In the following years, these swellings blacken and enlarge.

Black knot is an increasingly common disease. Trees on private property are the owner’s responsibility. When pruning trees in your yard, destroy infected pruning immediately, as they can continue to produce spores for months after being removed. Galls should be sealed in a plastic bag and placed in your black garbage cart for disposal. More information at https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/pests/black-knot

This plant named for North American explorer Meriwether Lewis
Wild Blue Flax, Linum lewisii, is a Prairie flax that grows 18-20 inches tall. It rarely stands straight up, but rather leans at an angle. Flowers are pale blue. Each stem produces several flowers, blooming from the bottom upward. The seeds are produced on the lower flowers while those above continue to bloom.

Graceful airy stems covered in blue flowers bloom early summer and repeat blooms more lightly throughout summer. Not long-lived, allow volunteer seedlings to replace the older plants. Mature plants do not like to be transplanted, but small seedlings transplant well.

This plant is a great drought-tolerant species for dry areas. It stays small in the first year of growth but will grow rapidly and bloom in 2nd year. Info at http://eng.snappages.com/native-plants-l

Comment or contribution
Please note that articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the wide variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley. Email river valley photos, event information, comments, or questions to nsrivervalley@gmail.com

Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712

River Valley News - Oct 6, 2022

Manitou Asinîy, also known as the Manitou Stone, to return home
The Government of Alberta has signed a co-stewardship agreement to work with the Manitou Asinîy-Iniskim-Tsa Xani Center to return the Manitou Stone to its historic home where it will be protected and shared.

The meteorite returned to Alberta in 1972 when the University of Toronto loaned it to the Royal Alberta Museum, and it was renamed the Manitou Stone. In 2002, the UofT transferred stewardship of the stone to the museum. Studies determined the 145-kilogram rock was more than four billion years old.

Methodist missionary George McDougall felt the stone hampered his ability to convert Indigenous people to Christianity. So, he stole it and moved it to his churchyard near Smoky Lake. It sat there for 10 years before he donated it to his alma mater Victoria Methodist College. For a century, it remained in Victoria College, which became part of the UofT.

Edmonton ward Sspomitapi honours the Buffalo Old Man meteorite, now named Manitou Stone. Sspomitapi means star person in Blackfoot. The ward name was given in honour of the Buffalo Old Man meteorite that was located within Blackfoot territory. They permitted all tribes to share and perform ceremonies before the meteorite was taken away in 1866.

In Blackfoot cosmology, the sun is the father, and the moon is the mother. There are many stories acknowledging the sky beings which include the stars. Sspomitapi was sent to earth by the creator for the Blackfoot and the bison to have a reciprocal relationship. It is also brought sacred teaching which are still used today. Watch video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmUhuqbGIJY

Not all owls are nocturnal
Owls are top predators and help control populations of rodents, including mice. Most populations are secure in their status, but some are Sensitive in Alberta, and the Burrowing Owl is endangered in Canada. Conserving forest, grassland and open habitat is important for ensuring healthy populations.

Owls do not build nests, but use tree cavities, abandoned nests of crows and hawks, or mammal burrows. Some also use artificial nest boxes or platforms. They swallow their food whole, and regurgitate a pellet of the inedible fur, feathers and bones a few hours later.

Not all owls are nocturnal. Some are active during the day, and some are most active at dawn and dusk, referred to as crepuscular. The Great Horned Owl is Alberta’s official bird. Edmonton & Area Land Trust has prepared an Alberta Owls info sheet https://static1.squarespace.com/static/569ec99b841abaccb7c7e74c/t/62b0dcabc39f03541beb9b12/1655757997412/Infosheet_Owls.pdf

Roper Pond natural area a YEG hidden gem
Located at 7004 McIntyre Rd, Roper Pond was constructed in 2004 as a naturalized stormwater treatment facility and was built to mimic a riverine marsh ecosystem. The site consists of a large open water area with an emergent vegetation fringe and surrounding upland deciduous forests along the southwest and southeast perimeter of the wetland.

Roper Pond is connected to riparian areas of Mill Creek that form a relatively continuous corridor southward. The Mill Creek riparian corridor also extends northward to the North Saskatchewan River; however, portions of the creek are culverted causing interruptions in the corridor.

It has a loop trail that can easily be done in less than ½ hour. Driving by this industrial area, you would never know this neat natural area existed in the heart of Edmonton. Moose, deer, rabbits, coyotes, gophers, and a large variety of birds, including owls, plants and insects, have been seen here. Information at
https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/environmental_stewardship/roper-pond-constructed-wetland

Fall owl banding at Lady Flower Gardens until October 28
Boreal Avian Research & Conservation Association (BARCA) is doing owl banding at Lady Flower Gardens every Thursday and Friday evening until October 28. On September 22, they successfully released a rehabilitated Long-eared owl from WILDNorth. They also captured and banded three Northern Saw-whet owls, two hatch-year and one second year.

After breeding season ends and young saw-whet owls become completely independent, they start moving away from breeding grounds. Data suggests that the juvenile owls are the first to start this journey, followed by older birds. In Alberta, post-natal dispersion of these small owls, as well as Fall movements, are still not well understood.

By trapping and banding owls during September to October, BARCA wants to investigate the timing and the magnitude of Northern Saw-whet owl migration, as well as document the importance of forested habitats near large urban centers or industrial areas.

One of its main study sites is at Lady Flower Gardens, an 80-hectare floodplain forest, situated on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. Dominant trees are balsam poplar and trembling aspen, with pockets of white spruce. It is one of the few native forest pockets in the highly industrialized area around Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan. More information at https://www.barcaalberta.org/news

Ghost Magpie – Photo by Lu Carbyn

Comment or contribution
Please note that articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the wide variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley. Email river valley photos, event information, comments, or questions to nsrivervalley@gmail.com

Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712