Between tax returns, birding, getting the vegetable garden planted and working on some trip planning, I’ve paid somewhat limited attention to my nearby nature project. I was tuned into the news just enough to note that there was progress on the proposed international treaty to end plastic pollution. While media stories suggest there may be a deal by the end of the year, they point out that the most recent round of talks failed to reach agreement on capping plastic production.
News Feed
Parks Canada bans private water craft from several National Parks
Another development since the last installment of the Nearby Nature Project? Parks Canada has banned private water craft in Yoho, Kootenay and Waterton National Parks. Intended to stop the spread of whirling disease and invasive species such as zebra mussels, the move has prompted anger and frustration among responsible water craft owners.
We count ourselves as responsible water craft owners and have diligently drained, cleaned and dried our rigid inflatable kayak after each use, waiting at least 72 hours before entering another water body. Since our kayaking has so far been limited to Banff National Park and Kananaskis Country, we are not immediately affected by the new Parks Canada rules. We’re hoping to see Banff National Park staff step up education and enforcement around this topic over the summer months, to prevent the need for a similar ban in Banff NP.
Cultivating My Nature Connection
I’ve just started reading this book, which I think will lay out some compelling arguments for growing native plants in our gardens. From the back cover: “In a time of climate change and mass extinction, who we garden for matters more than ever”.
Watch for a review in the next installment of Nearby Nature Project. 🙂
My Nearby Nature Project(s)
Birding
We’ve gone out specifically for birding 7 times already this spring. And we’ve seen a remarkable variety of birds, including some lifers. Here are a few highlights:
Mountain Bluebird in Canmore
Western Tanager in Banff
Snow Geese in Canmore
Other Birds
This is not an exhaustive list, and the photos below are even more select: Townsend’s Solitaire, Canada Jay, Song Sparrows, Red-necked Grebes, Western Grebes, Horned Grebes, Harlequin Ducks, Mallard Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, Common and Barrows Goldeneyes, Osprey, Dark-eyed Juncos, American Robins, Great Blue Heron, Common Mergansers, Bonaparte’s Gull, Canada Geese, Cedar Waxwings, all kinds of Chickadees, Ruby-Crowned Kinglets, Red-Winged Blackbirds, Yellow-Rumped Warblers, and more.
Within a week or so, I anticipate the shrubs and trees will be leafed out, making it much more challenging to photography shy songbirds. That’s when I rely on the Merlin app to confirm my sound IDs!
Coyote Sightings
We’ve spotted coyotes near downtown Canmore several times over the past 5 or 6 weeks. Mr GeoK remarked that we’ve not seen them so consistently in that area before. And I overheard one dog walker/owner telling another dog walker/owner to be alert for coyotes, which have been observed following dogs and their owners in town.
I had a closer up coyote observation in Banff in April. Fortunately, the Bow River was between me and the two coyotes. And equally fortunately, I had my birding lens on my camera, so I came home with some solid images.
Other Wildlife Sightings in Canmore
Nature-Friendly Gardening
I’m looking forward to reading the book mentioned above. I expect it’ll be a bit of a reality check on just how nature-friendly my gardening. 😉 For now, I’m waiting for the native wildflower seeds I planted last fall to sprout. And I’ve planted more native wildflower seeds directly, that don’t need the overwintering to sprout.
While not natural, I’ve also got 3/4 of the vegetable garden planted, mainly carrots, onions and beets. I had to go with a low maintenance selection vegetables this year, as we have some travel plans for the summer that would result in some gardening fails if I went for more intensive-care plantings. We’ll see how soon everything sprouts!
Coming Up
Live in Alberta? Or visiting at the end of May? Then consider participating in the Alberta May Plant Count, which takes place May 25-31 each year. This citizen science survey focuses on documenting the flowering status (i.e., phenological stage) of native plant species across Alberta. It’s all with the aim of collecting valuable plant data while encouraging stewardship and appreciation of the amazing natural areas Alberta has to offer. More details on how to participate and submit your observations are available here.