ISSN 0228-8842

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B.C. Naturalist

"Winter Reflections"By Fred Chapman

F.B.C.N. DirectoryConservation in ChinaWild Life Atlases

Directory 2

B.C. Wildlife Symposium 6

Conservation in China 10

The Federation of British Columbia Naturalists1200 Hornby Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6Z 2E2

B.C. Naturalist is publishedquarter)) by the Federation ofBritish Columbia Naturalists100—1200 Hornby Street,Vancouver, B.C. V6Z 2E2.

DIRECTORYOctober 1981

EXECUTIVE OFFICERSPRESIDENT:Dick Stace-Smith4274 West 13th Avenue,Vancouver V6R 2T8 — 224-7027VICE PRESIDENT:Jude Grass202—6444 Silver Avenue,Burnaby V5H 2Y4 — 437-7194TREASURER:Katharine Beamish4667 West 15th AvenueVancouver V6R 3B5 — 224-4209MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN:Owen DC Camp112—1955 West 33rd AvenueVancouver V6M 1B6 — 266-7822RECORDING SECRETARY:Marjorie Smith1146 E. 60th AvenueVancouver V5X 2A7 — 327-1938PAST PRESIDENT:V. C. (Bert) Brink4135 West 16th AvenueVancouver V6R 3E4 — 224-7078HONORARY PRESIDENT:Dr. Ian McTaggart-Cowan3819 Woodhaven TerraceVictoria — 477-7798OFFICE SECRETARY:Bette Cannings205—2040 Barclay StreetVancouver V6Z 2E2 — 687-3333

COMMITTEESCONSERVATION

CHAIRMAN:Kevin Bell1302 SunnysideNorth Vancouver V7R 1B1 — 980-9085Energy Briefs:Jay Lewis3970 West 17th AvenueVancouver V6S 1Z5 — 224-2256Endangered Species:May Smith25032—28th AvenueR.R. 4 Aldergrove VOX 1AO — 856-6312Vancouver Island Marmot Sub-Committee:Bill Merilees1655 Sherwodb DriveNanaimo V9T 1H2 — 758-1801

EDUCATIONCHAIRMAN:Al Grass202—6444 Silver AvenueBurnaby V5H 2Y4 — 437-7194Backyard Habitat Brochure (Ft Al Grant):Bill Merilees1655 Sherwood DriveNanaimo V9T 1H2 — 758-1801Nest Record Schemes:Violet Gibbard465 Ellis StreetPcnticton V2A 4M1 — 496-5368Ecological Reserves Board:V. C. Brink4135 West 16th AvenueVancouver V6R 3E4 — 224-7078B.C. Naturalist Winter 1981 — Page 2

Lands for Wildlife in B.C. Symposium:Natalie Minunzie23292—34A AvenueLangley V3A 7B9 — 534-2116

PUBLICATIONSB.C. NATURALIST

Editorial Committee:Jude Grass, Al Grass, James Addie, HughAikens, Frank Sanford. V. C. Brink.c/o FBCN OFFICE:100—1200 Hornby StreetVancouver V6Z 2E2

EXECUTIVEFinance:CHAIRMAN:Kay Beamish (Treasurer)4667 West 15th AvenueVancouver V6R 3B5 — 224-4209Norman Purssell2338 Ottawa AvenueWest Vancouver V7V 2S9 — 922-7992Joe Lotzkar7195 Selkirk StreetVancouver V6P 6J4 — 261-5685Nomination:CHAIRMAN:V. C, Brink (Past President)4135 West 16th AvenueVancouver V6R 3E4 — 224-7078Frank Paul1804—30th AvenueVernon V1T 2A5 — 542-9031Jim StreetBox 65South Slocan VOG 2GO — 359-7426Awards:Noreen Fairweather8363 VictoriaVancouver V5P 4A8 — 325-2441

MEMBER CLUBSVANCOUVER ISLAND

REGIONAL COORIDINATOR:Allan Hawryzki137 Stamp WayNanaimo V9T 3E2 — 758-3445Arrowsmith Natural History SocietyBox 1542 Parksville VOR 2SODirector:Pauline TranfieldR.R. 2 Allsbrook RoadParksville VOR 2SO — 248-6607Comox-Strathcona NaturalistsBox 3222 Courtenay V9N 5N4Director:David RouttedgeR.R. 3 Kenwood RoadCourtenay V9N 5M8Cowichan Valley Natural History SocietyBox 361 Duncan V9L 3X5Director:Edna SlaterYoubou VOR 3EO — 745-3515Mitlenatch Field NaturalistsBox 392 Duncan V9L 3X5Director:Howard Telosky210—322 Birch StreetCampbell River V9W 2S6 — 286-6607Nanaimo Field NaturalistsBox 125 Nanaimo V9R 5K6Director:Allan Haryzki137 Stamp WayNanaimo V9T 3E2 — 758-3445

Salt Spring Trail and Nature ClubBox 998 Ganges VOS 1EODirector: TBAThetis Park Nature Sanctuary Associationc/o Mrs. Mary Anderson,302—2230 Cadboro Bay RoadVictoria VSR 5G9Director: TBA

Victoria Natural History SocietyBox 1747 Victoria V8W 2Y1Directors:Winston Mair2250 Kinross AvenueVictoria VSR 6G5 — 592-2849Douglas Turnbull3250 Ripon RoadVictoria VSR 6G5 — 592-6025William Barkley1647 Hybury PlaceVictoria V8N 5L3 — 477-3253Fender Island Field Naturalistsc/o A. Brooks, R.R. 1,Port Washington VON 2TODirector: TBA

LOWER MAINLANDREGIONAL COORDINATOR:Jude Grass202—6444 Silver AvenueBQmaby V5H 2Y4 — 437-7194Alouette Field Naturalists12554 Grace Street, Maple Ridge V2X 5N2Director:Duanne van den Berg12554 Grace StreetMaple Ridge V2X 5N2 — 463-8743Chilliwack Field NaturalistsP.O. Box 23, Chilliwack V2P 6H7Director:Bircham Van Home321 Jackson StreetChilliwack V2P 3X2 — 795-5108Langley Field Naturalistsc/o Adeline Nicol,20570—102B Avenue, Langley V3A 6Y3Director:Natalie Minunzie23292—34A AvenueLangley V3A 7B9 — 534-2116Royal City Field Naturalistsc/o L. Ley, 6131 Third StreetNew Westminster V3L 2R1Director:Margaret Rennie203—56 Merrivale StreetNew Westminster V3L 2P6 — 526-2904Sechell Marsh Protective SocietyBox 543, Sechelt VON 3AODirector:Katie AngermeyerR.R. 1 Red Roofs RoadHalfmoon Bay VON 1YO — 885-5539Vancouver Natural History SocietyBox 3021, Vancouver V6B 3X5Directors:V. C. (Bert) Brink4135 West 16th AvenueVancouver V6R 3E4 — 224-7078Jude Grass202—6444 Silver AvenueBurnaby V5H 2Y4 — 437-7194Ken Hall3847 West 23rd AvenueVancouver V6A IKS — 224-7584

Gwen De Camp112—1955 West 33rd AvenueVancouver V6M 1B6 — 266-7822

^^ Norman Purssell2338 Ottawa AvenueWest Vancouver V7V 2S9 — 922*7992While Rock and Surrey NaturalistsBox 44 White Rock V4B 4Z7Director:Daphne Smith13577 Marine DriveSurrey V4A 1G1 — 536-2229

THOMPSON-OKANAGANREGIONAL COORDINATOR:Peter LeggBox 751Vernon VIT 6M7 — 542-9031Central Okanagan NaturalistsBox 3%, Kelowna V I Y 7N8Director:Hugh Westheuser1177 Bazett Road,Kelowna V I Z 2T4kumloops NaturalistsBox 625 Kamloops V2C 5L7Director:Wayne Erickson676 Reemon DriveKamloops V2B 6TI — 579-8192North Okanagan NaturalistsBox 473, Vernon VIT 6M4Directors:Frank Paul1804—30th Avenue

-^ Vernon VIT 2A5 — 542-7629r m Peter Legg

W Box 751Vernon VIT 6M7 — 542-9031North Shuswap Naturalists

• General Delivery, Celista VOE 1LODirector:Audrey SugdenCelista VOE 1LO — 955-6107Shuswap NaturalistsBox 1076, Salmon Arm VOE 2TODirector:Deane MunroBox 1086Salmon Arm VOE 2TO — 832-6560South Okanagan NaturalistsBox 375, Penticton V2A 6K6Director:Walter CharlesR.R. 1 Peach Orchard RoadSummerland VOH 1ZO — 494-9208Oliver-Osoyoos NaturalistsBox 280, Osyoos VOH 1VODirector: TBA

KOOTENAYS

Lake Windemere Naturalistsc/oMrs. J. F. Ballard,Box 511, Invermere VOA 1KODirector:TBAWest Kootenay Naturalists AssociationBox 3121, Castlegar V1N 3H4Director:Hazel StreetBox 65South Slocan VOG 2GO — 359-7426

CARIBOOWilliams Lake Field NaturalistsBox 4575, Williams Lake V2G 2V6Director: TBA

NORTH CENTRAL B.C.Prince George Natural is tsBox 1097, Prince George V2L 4V2Director:Don Wilson5217 Cambridge StreetPrince George V2N 2B6 — 964-4643

SKEENATerrace Outdoor Clubc/o E. Kustas3703 Sparks StreetTerrace V8G 2V8Director: TBA

Prince Rupert NaturalistsBox 515, Prince Rupert V8J IP!Director: TBA

PEACETimber-line Trail and Nature ClubBox 779, Dawson Creek V1G 4H8Director:Don Johnson705—105th AvenueDawson Creek V1G 2K5 — 782-3400

FBCN DELEGATES TOTO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

Burke Mountain, Minnekhada and WidgeonValley Advisory CommitteeNorm Purssell2338 Ottawa AvenueWest Vancouver V7V 2S9 — 922-7992Bert Brink4135 West 16th AvenueVancouver V6R 3E4 — 224-7078Jim Breadon4—149 West 19th StreetNorth Vancouver V7M 1X3 — 980-6113Canadian Environment Advisory Committeeand Non Goververnmenl Environment Ad-visory CommitteeBob Dundas4310 Musqueam DriveVancouver V6N 3R7 — 263-3390Canadian Nature FederationJoe Lotzkar7195 Selkirk StreetVancouver V6P 6J4 — 261-5685Chilliwack River Supply Block Forestry TaskForceBircham Van Home321 Jackson StreetChilliwack V2P 3X2 — 795-5108Ecological Reserves CommitteeBert Brink4135 West 16th AvenueVancouver V6R 3F4 — 224-7078Norm Purssell2338 Ottawa StreetWest Vancouver V7V 2S9 — 922-7992Forest Land Use CommitteePhil Haddock4620 West 2nd AvenueVancouver V6R 1L1 — 224-4062Fraser River CoalitionDick Stace-Smith4274 West 13th AvenueVancouver V6R 2T8 — 224-7027

Ken Hall3847 West 23rd AvenueVancouver V6A 1K8 — 224-7584Fraser River Estuary ForumNorm Purssell2338 Ottawa AvenueWest Vancouver V7V 2S9 — 922-7992Bert Brink4135 West 16th AvenueVancouver V6R 3E4 — 224-7078Lower Fraser ValleyCanada Goose CommitteeJude Grass202—6444 Silver AvenueBurnaby V5H 2Z4 — 437-7194Manning Park ExtensionPeter Hatfield3809 Osier StreetVancouver V6H 2K7 — 738-8345National and Provincial Parks AssociationDavid Macaree«06—2101 McMullen AvenueVancouver V6L 3 B4—738-5362Janet Street3415 West 19th AvenueVancouver V6S 1CI — 738-0526Wayne Weber303—9153 SaturnaBurnaby —421-2020Outdoor Recreation CouncilDavid Macaree606—2101 McMulien AvenueVancouver V6L 3B4 — 738-5362Pitt Wildlife Management Area, SandhillCrane Committee and Lower Fraser ValleySanctuariesBert Brink4135 West 16th AvenueVancouver V6R 3E4 — 224-7078Barry Leach13936 Terry RoadWhite Rock V4B 1A2 — 536-7100Problem Wildlife Advisory CommitteeNatalie Minunzie23293—34A AvenueLangley V3A 7B9 — 534-2116Publk Conservation Assistance FundNorm Purssell2338 Ottawa AvenueWest Vancouver V7V 2S9 — 922-7992Joe Lotzkar7195 Selkirk StreetVancouver V6P 6J4 — 261-5685ROSS CommitteeNorm Purssell2338 Ottawa StreetWest Vancouver V7V 2S9 — 922-7992Bert Brink4135 West 16th AvenueVancouver V6R 3E4 — 224-7078Save Our Parks AssociationDick Stace-Smith4274 West 13th AvenueVancouver V6R 2T8 — 224-7027Bert Brink4135 West 16th AvenueVancouver V6R 3E4 — 224-7078Save the Stein CoalitionAdeline Nicol20570—I02B AvenueR.R. 5 Langley V3A 4P8 — 888-3669South Chilcotin Mountain Task ForceJohn Philip1506—1815 Haro StreetVancouver V6H 1H5 — 683-8039

Continued on page 5B.C. Naturalist Winter 1981 — Page 3

President's message"That wildlife is merely something to shoot at or look at is

the grossest of fallacies. It often represents the difference bet-ween rich country and mere land." Aldo Leopold.

While I do not believe in confrontation tactics, I also do notbelieve in remaining silent when the principles and objectivesof the Federation are challenged. Specifically, I refer to the re-cent column by Mike Halleran in the Vancouver Sun (Don'tLet the Snobs Spoil Your Enjoyment, October 13, 1981). Inthis column, Halleran makes some preposterous statements,some half truths, and some false inuendos. I do not know thebasis for his attack but it is possibly related to thephilosophical differences between our Federation and the B.C.Wildlife Federation. Halleran is one of the policy makers inthe Wildlife Federation and, as such, could view our Federa-tion as a threat. Despite the fact that the two organizationscooperate in many habitat protection issues, we can not denythe fact that for the most part our members are non-huntersand, for those who are paranoic about the rights and privilegesof hunters, we are frequently accused of being anti-huntersrather than non-hunters.

For those who did not see Halleran's column, let me quotesome of his points "B.C. 's Federation of Naturalists boasts afar flung membership representing most of the province. Forthe most part the membership is past 40 and for the most partthey look at birds." Is this true? I do not have a breakdown ofclub memberships based upon interest at the fall meeting atPrince George that some clubs at least are successfully attrac-ting the youth of their community. Also, if the field trips of-fered by the Vancouver Natural History Society can be takenas an example, bird watching is only one of several activitiesthat is pursued. The implication of Halleran's statement is thatby failing to attract young people and by taking a narrow viewof the natural world we can not be considered seriously. Ofwhat he said was in fact true I would be the first to agree withthe implication. Possibly we are guilty of maintaining a lowprofile on environmental issues. After attending the recentB.C. Lands for Wildlife Symposium, I am convinced that theFederation can and does make a significant contribution to en-vironmental awareness in the province.

Up and comingUP AND COMING EVENTSM A N N I N G PARK EXTENSION(CASCADE PROPOSAL) MEETINGS

Dec. 4 Princeton, 3 p.m.-lO p.m. Place: T.B.A.Dec. 5 Robson Square, Vancouver, 3 p.m.-10 p.m. At

these meetings, three proposals will bepresented in a brief. The Environmental LandUse Committee (E.L.U.C.) decision will bebased on the brief, and public input. For moreinformation contact the Parks Division —Lower Mainland Region Office at 929-1291.

Dec. 7 F.B.C.N. Directors Meeting, 6 p.m., 1200Hornby St., Vancouver.

Dec. 8 F.B.C.N. Education Committee Meeting, 8p.m., 202—6444 Silver Ave., Burnaby.

Dec. 29 F.B.C.N. Conservation Committee Meeting,7:30 p.m., 1200 Hornby St., Vancouver.

Jan. 4 F.B.C.N. Directors Meeting, 6 p.m., 1200Hornby St., Vancouver.

Jan. 12 F.B.C.N. Education Committee Meeting, 8p.m., 202—6444 Silver Ave., Burnaby.

Jan. 16 Pacific Northwest Birds and Mammals SocietyMeeting, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Rm. 2449 Biology

B.C. Naturalist Winter 1981 — Page 4

photo Jude Grass

Halleran goes on to suggest that "organized" birdwatchersdevelop some snobbish traits which may not be too appealing— that they become so absorbed in reciting Latin names thatthey spoil the fun of birdwatching. I have attended varioussummer camps and organized trips of the years and I have notmet these so-called 'snobs'. Where are they hiding?.

Another statement that I take exception to is "too manyself-styled naturalists are well informed on birds but are ig-norant when it comes to large animals or fish ". I suppose if wewished to be arrogant we could paraphrase this statement andsay "too many hunters are well informed when it comes tohuntable species but ignorant when it comes to songbirds orother non-huntable species". Certainly we can be accused ofurging the Fish and Wildlife Branch to give more attention tonon-huntable species in developing wildlife management plansfor the province, but this does not mean that we are obliviousto the needs of larger animals and fish. I find it difficult tobelieve that many of our members are so naive as to considerthat their favorite bird can be considered in isolation from therest of nature. If this is only half true, I agree we are in trouble.

Halleran states that he is tempted to remind the self-stylednaturalists that folks like Thoreau and Leopold were avidhunters. He does not have to remind me. More important,Leopold pleaded for an ethic dealing with man's relation toland and to the animals and plants which grow upon it, linkingthe future of the natural world to man's conscience. For afascinating insight into this man and his work, may I recom-mend an article, The Natural World of Aldo Leopold in theNovember 1981 issue of National Geographic.

Dick Stace-Smith

Building, University of B.C., Vancouver.Special speakers R. Wayne Campbell and TedMiller from the Vertebrate Zoology Divisionof the Provincial Museum. In addition manypapers dealing with various aspects of bird andmammal studies will be given throughout theday. Food services are available on campus.For more information contact Rob Butler,Canadian Wildlife Service, Delta, 946-8546.

EVERYONE WELCOMEJan. 25 Sierra Club Meeting, 8 p.m., Robson Square,

Vancouver, Admission $2.00. Topic: LastStand for the Stein.

Jan. 29 Ecological Reserves Annual General Meeting.Jan. 30 Ecological Reserves Annual Volunteer

Wardens Meeting, Faculty Club, University ofB.C., Vancouver. Details will be sent towardens and clubs.

Feb. 1 F.B.C.N. Directors Meeting, 6 p.m., 1200Hornby St., Vancouver.

Feb. 5-6 The B.C. Chapter of The National and Provin-cial Parks Association will be holding a twoday meeting on the theme Tourism — Prostitu-tion or Progress? in the Newcombe

Continued on page 16

Over the editor's desk

Canada has many canyons, but nonelike the Grand Canyon of the Stikine innorthwest British Columbia. For 90kilometres the Stikine River has incised aprecipitous narrow chasm in the lavaflows of neighbouring Mount Edziza, inplaces reaching a depth of over 500metres. Mountain goats patrol its wallsand birds of prey nest on inaccessibleledges. As yet seen by few peoplebecause of its remoteness, the Grand Ca-nyon of the Stikine is one of Canada'sgreat natural wonders.

Parks Canada has recognized thesignificance of the Grand Canyon of theStikine, evaluating it as a "truly spec-tacular feature of the Canadian nor-thwest," and rating it as an area of na-tional landmark interest. In fact, nearlya decade ago a Parks Canada surveyteam recommended that the entireStikine upsteam of the Alaskan borderbe set aside as a wild river because of itsmany outstanding attributes. Today, theheadwaters of the river are protectedwithin the Spatsizi Plateau WildernessProvincial Park, and its delta has similarprotection within Alaska's Stikine-LeConte Wilderness. But the Grand Ca-nyon itself, which (though substantiallydifferent) has been hailed as Canada'scounterpart to the Grand Canyon of theColorado, is being actively consideredby B.C. Hydro for the construction oftwo major dams for electricity genera-tion. Utilization of this energy will de-pend upon direct export to the UnitedStates and the development of energy-intensive industries (such as aluminumsmelting), together with a failure to in-stitute an effective program of energyconservation.

The Friends of the Stikine are a groupof concerned individuals who believethat the Grand Canyon of the Stikine isof greater value in its natural state. Someyears ago the Grand Canyon of the Col-orado was similarly threatened withreservoir development, but the people ofthe United States fought to preserve thisincomparable phenomenon. They won.We in Canada must similarly fight topreserve our Grand Canyon. The GrandCanyon of the Stikine belongs to allCanadians, but first and foremost to theTahltan people who have occupied thisland from time immemorial, and forwhom dam construction constitutes anarrogant and irreversible commitment oftheir land before their land claims areconsidered.

To help the people of Canada knowabout and preserve this outstandingfeature of their natural heritage, the

Friends of the Stikine need your sup-port. Your membership and your dona-tions will enable us to inform peoplethrough our newsletter and by othermeans of the value of preserving theStikine as a free-flowing natural river,and of ways to see the Grand Canyon ofthe Stikine and its environs.

TheSIERRA CLUB

of British Columbia's

Bella Coola Valley, British Columbia, Canada

Dennis A Katit who live at Talchako year-roundinvite you to explore with them some of the 3000sq. miles of mountains, glaciers, lakes and tundrathat make up one of Canada's most wild andscenic wilderness areas. Join them on backcoun-try Or lodge-based outings and learn and feelwhat it is 10 be a pan of ihis vasi and variedwilderness. Or, plan your own Canadian Coastmountain vacation at Talchako.Open May 1st to October 31st. Write for com-plete information.

Dennis KuchKatie Hayhurst

Talchako LodgeTWEEDSMUIR PROVINCIAL PARK

via: Box 108. Hageniborg, B.C Canada VOT 1HOphone 604-962-2489

PROVINCIAL PARKS NEWSThe campground at G o Idstream Pro-

vincial Park near Victoria will be closedfrom October for a period of six monthsto allow for extensive upgrading to thesite. Those wishing to camp there will beallowed to use the Day Use area on anovernight basis.

Maclure Lake Provincial Park onTyee Lake near Telkwa has been renam-ed Tybec Lake Provincial Park. Thepark located 16 km from Smithers hascamping, picnicking and day-usefacilities and is a popular summer andwinter recreation site for local residentsand visitors travelling Highway 16.

Conservationcommittee

Chairman Kevin BellVancouver Internationa)Airport Third Runway

Vancouver City Council gave a twohour hearing to groups on this proposeddevelopment at their meeting onSeptember 29. The council will not sup-port or oppose the new runway untilthere have been full public hearings.Transport Canada's Al Bach expects theexpansion plans to get official approvalin 1982. The area of north Sea Islandwhich will be covered by the new runwayis Canada's best area for wintering hawkand owl species.

Federal BUI C-48 CanadaOil and Gas Act

The V.N.H.S. Executive passed aresolution supporting the joint standtaken by the federal opposition partiesagainst this bill as it has placed controlof environmental studies connected withdevelopment under the control of theMinistry of Energy, Mines andResources. If the federal governmentuses this legislation for controlling off-shore oil development the resulting en-vironmental impact studies and regula-tions for controlling pollution could bevery weak.

Continued from page 3

Joyce Lee676 Reemon DriveKamloops V2B 6T1 — 579-8192Norm Pursell2338 Ottawa StreetWest Vancouver V7V 2S9 — 922-7992University Endowment Lands CommitteeDick Stace-Smith4274 West 13th AvenueVancouver V6R 2T8 — 224-7027Bert Brink4135 West 16th AvenueVancouver V6R 3E4 — 224-7078Vancouver Botanical Gardens SocietyFrank Sanford5087 Blenheim StreetVancouver V6N 1N6 — 266-7673Wilderness Coalitions, Spatzizi and othersDick Stace-Smith4274 West 13th AvenueVancouver V6R 2T8 — 224-7027Bert Brink4135 West 16th AvenueVancouver V6R 3E4 — 224-7078Ros PojarBox 3089Smithers VOJ 2NO — 847-9784Rosemary Fox4669 Drummond DriveVancouver V6R 1E8 — 224-5119

CRESTON VALLEY WILDLIFEINTERPRETATION CENTRE

OPEN DAILY — YEAR ROUNDWINTER HOURS 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

B.C. Naturalist Winter 1981 — Page 5

B.C. land for wild life — a commentaryThe direction of the symposium

"British Columbia Land for Wildlife"was firmly established by the keynotespeaker Yorke Edwards, Director of theProvincial Museum, Victoria, whostated flatly that the species of wildlifethat will survive in future are "those thatcan live with man," so the basic problemfacing conservationists is: "How canpeople and wildlife be mixed?" Thisquestion to further problems. Biologistsand naturalists study wildlife but "theyknow nothing about the people dimen-sion." Subsequent speakers complainedthat conservationists, competing forwildlife habitats with other humandemands on the same land, have beenfobbed off with the assurances impliedin the phrases "multiple use," "in-tegrated land-use planning," and "coor-dinated resource managementplanning." In spite of all their efforts inthe last few decades they are still at theend of the line in "the race for space."

Saturday morning's session includedan authoritative plea for faunal diversityfrom Ian McTaggart Cowan. He praisedthe previous symposium on endangeredspecies for correcting the Fish andWildlife Branch's neglect of subspecies,and deplored the patchy record kept sofar of the changing status of B.C.'sWildlife. He challenged biologists andnaturalists to do better in recordingchanges and in responding to them bothwith land and with management. In spiteof the losses suffered in places likeOsoyoos (where local naturalists havemanaged to save only a "sad, patheticpocket-handkerchief sized" remnant ofthe arid lands in the face of the "PontiusPilate treatment from the Ministry ofEnvironment") Dr. Cowan felt that it isnot too late to act. Ninety-five percentof the land in B.C. is provincially own-ed, and funds are becoming increasinglyavailable, so there is now no excuse.

The first of the government speakers,Art Benson (B.C. Ministry of Environ-ment) echoed Yorke Edwards' warningwith the phrase "the earth does notcare." Neither apparently do most peo-ple, so conservationists will have to learnto maintain wildlife within a society bas-ed on industrial development. The trickis to encourage people to strive for a"Habitat for man" that includes a needfor wild animals.

The difficulty in achieving this was in-advertently demonstrated by the govern-ment speakers who followed. Theypresented the complex combination ofoptimism about intentions andpessimism about means that inevitablyleaves audiences in a state of uncertaintyand disquiet. Assistant Deputy MinisterB.C. Naturalist Winter 1981 — Page 6

of Lands, Bob Ahrens, for example,cited the provisions of the law that makeit possible to obtain land for wildlife,but he also frankly warned that the op-tions were no longer free because mostcrown lands are committed to otherneeds.

In the afternoon session, Dob Robin-son, Director of the Fish and WildlifeBranch, endorsed this problem, stressingthat the numbers and species of wildlifein B.C. are determined largely by theForest Service operating on a macro-sale. The Fish and Wildlife Branch,operating on a micro-scale, is left "try-ing to utilize opportunities in the plann-ing process to reduce conflict on the useof Crown Lands." He described hisBranch's participation in CoordinatedResource Management Planning as' 'complicated" compared with themanagement of its own lands. But, inspite of recent improvements in theallocation of funds for habitat pur-chases, these areas are comparativelyfew and of sizes sadly limited by the ris-ing price of land. Don Robinson closedwith a plea to everyone present "as con-cerned, interested people" to becomedirectly involved. In view of some of thedifficulties encountered by naturalistswho have attempted direct involvementwith regional staffs of the Branch, thissuggestion might well provide a usefultopic at a future symposium.

Nevertheless the increasingly signifi-cant contributions from "non-government organisations" were well il-lustrated by the presentation of PamCowtan (National Second CenturyFund), Tom Slater (Ducks Unlimited)and Admiral Robert Murdoch (NatureConservancy of Canada). Positive andencouraging as they are, theachievements of these organisations re-main overshadowed by the conflicts withforestry, agriculture, industry and B.C.Hydro. The speakers on "Current Pro-blems" were unified in their alarm at thedimensions of the threats to wildlifehabitats, while the forces that could beunited in their defence were divided by' 'the tyranny of small decisions*',piecemeal plannng" and "obscurantismand pessimism" in wildlife management.The common need expressed or impliedby these speakers is for an acceptablesystem of values and a sound means ofapplying them that depends, not uponthe willingness, but upon the obligationof other agencies to consider and meetthe needs of wildlife in their plans andoperations. One speaker cited the Na-tional Wildlife Refuges of Oregon as anexample for B.C. and it was indeed a"wildlifer from Oregon" who lifted the

sumposium from a trough of gloom.Dr. Jack Ward Thomas spoke with

that easy humour and self-assurancetraditionally associated with Texans. Henow lives and works in the Blue Moun-tains of Oregon where the Pacific North-west Forest and Range ExperimentalStation is practising a forest manage-ment system that offers a balanced rela-tionship between the human needs forwildlife and other needs for resourcesfrom the same land base. It requires thatforest managers take a holistic ap-proach; they must not only producetrees but also "account for the critters".This is by no means new; it has been atenet of good forestry and estatemanagement in Scandinavia and CentralEurope for decades. In Dr. Thomas'words: "Forest management is themanipulation of the forest environmentto produce the mix of products desiredby the owner". The problem is how toget wildlife a fair place in that mix andhow to define a "fair place".

The first essential is that wildlifemanagement and timber managementplans "must be simultaneouslyderived". Secondly, there has to beagreement to maintain viable popula-tions of the highest possible number ofresident wildlife species associated withthe various habitats or plant com-munities in the area. In the Blue Moun-tains, for example, 378 specimens ofvertebrates are divided into sixteengroups called "life forms" each sharingthe same habitat needs. By managingtimber to provide the diversity ofhabitats required by these 16 groups the"species richness" of the forest isassured. The impacts of "speciesrichness management" on wood produc-tion have to be considered. Obviouslytimber output cannot be drasticallyreduced to maintain abnormal numbersof woodpeckers and flickers. But, con-versely, it must not be increased beyondthe point that would endanger the sur-vival of viable populations of suchwildlife in the forest. Most foresters to-day recognise that the maintenance ofwildlife is part of their role in ensuring abalanced, healthy ecosystem in whichthe dangers of infestations of pests arereduced. Their problem is how toachieve this aim in practice.

Part of the reason why Dr. Thomas'approach has a good chance of workingin the U.S.A. is that there is a muchhigher level of legal obligation in federaland state agencies to meet public expec-tations. He made several references tolegal actions and court cases that forcedgovernment services to improve theirmanagement. The U.S. citizenry alsosubjects its government services to

r

photo Jude Grass

Yorke Edwards

regular scrutiny and review. In contrast,our public enquiries tend to come onlyafter things have evidently gone wrong."Wildlife and the Law" might well pro-vide another topic for consideration atthe next symposium.

The program ended with a delightfulpresentation in slides, sound and film byAlexandra and Robin Morton. The joiede vivre of the Orcas was charminglymatched by the enthusiasm of theseyoung reseachers and their sheer delightin realizing that their work may haveswift and decisive results in bringing pro-tection at least to a small part of thewhales' habitat.

As usual on these occasions the phrase"preaching to the converted" was ban-died about. Certainly the need to seek awider audience was confirmed yet again.But this symposium took us, asnaturalists, one step nearer to that aimby adding to our understanding of theproblem. We were forced, albeit reluc-tantly, to face the sad reality that theterm "wilderness" has to be acceptednot as an absolute but as a relative term.For future generations "wilderness" willbe in the eye of the beholder. Our task isto ensure that it is not just a wasteland;that can be best done by ensuring thatwild creatures are still to be found in it.

Although there was regret that littletime was available for discussion, mostparticipants came away with the feelingthat progress had been made at this sym-posium.

All shared the gratitude expressed byDr. Chad Day to the speakers, many ofwhom came long distances to help raiseour awareness of developments in thisimportant field.

Special thanks are due to theorganizers Natalie Minunzie, BertBrink, Chad Day, and Rod Silver whohad to-do a tremendous amount of workto make the event the success that it was.There is Ittle doubt that these symposiahave established their value as a regularevent in the Naturalist's year.

The Director's of the Federation ofB.C. Naturalists would welcome furthercomment on this symposium and sugges-tions for future topics.

Barry Leach

ReflectionsOne day last September I cycled up to

the Golden Ears Park (13 miles from myhouse and ALL uphill) and, chaining mybicycle securely to a tree, set off up thetrail to the Lake Lookout. I hadna' gonea step, a step, A step but barely ane — asthe Scottish ballads phrase it — when Iheard a party of people coming up thetrail behind me. Inasmuch as they seem-ed to be an extremely noisy party, Ihoped that they would branch off ontoanother trail. But no, they got increas-ingly closer and increasingly louder, so Iincreased my pace and, assuming thatthey would be stopping at the LakeLookout I went on past it and hid myselfup Viking Creek, where I lay around onthe rocks and took pictures of the sunshining through the vine maple leaves.

After about half an hour or so I judg-ed that they would be leaving and conse-quently bent my steps back down to theLake Lookout. Sure enough they wereon their way back down, shouting andyelling and calling back and forth to oneanother like a cageful of baboons let outfor the day. Quietly I crept into the bluffand sat down under a tree and let thesilence flow back around me. And, as Iwas sitting there, a poem began to formin my head, so I wrote it down — andhere it is, just as it came to me ...

They've left, that noisy group,Oh, they enjoyed themselves,

they stood and tookPictures of one another on the bluffThey posed and grinned and acted

tough,They called and yelled and goofed

about.Why did they think they had to

shout?To scream and yell, and with their dinTo frighten every denizen.They frightened off the stellars jayThe little squirrel hid awayThe chickadees and kinglets fledThe pileated hid his headThe bear took refuge up a treeAnd scared the what-not out of me

The Canadian Wildlife Service is in-terested in the location of swansthroughout the year. If you havesightings why not contact RickMcKelvey, Canadian Wildlife Service,Box 340, Delta, B.C. V4K 3Y3.

Photo credit: Jude Grass

Where I was hiding up the creek.(For I too decided I should seekTo hide myself without delayUntil they all had gone away.)

* * *

And when they left I tiptoed out,And sat myself beneath the stoutGreen branches of a friendly treeAnd let the silence close on me.The jay returned, he flashed his crestAnd preened himself, and swelled his

breast.And in the sun his plumage shoneMetallic blue as brabazon.The squirrel came briskly down the

treeAnd peered around him fearlessly.(So still I sat he did not knowThat I was musing there below.}The Chickadees and kinglets smallCame flitting back through the tree-tops

tall.And chirped and chick-a-dee-dee-dee-dAbove my head to find their feed.The pileated, with a shout,Resumed his searching all aboutFor insects tasty. His bright headWith hammer blows delivered dreadTo insects hidden deep beneathThe shelter of the cambian sheath.

* * *

That left the bear. Oh, surely heWould not come down and molest me?Surely he would sense the mood,The bond of common brotherhood.That made both of us hide awayFrom that blind, thoughtless, noisy, gayGroup of bright people trespassing

there,Who could not see, who did not care.And, as I sat beneath the treeWith peace and beauty around me,The bear did amble down the trail.He swung his head, he could not failTo see me, but he passed me by.Did I see htm wink his eye?Did I see him turn and grinAnd grumble somewhere deep within"Jane Goodall knows their next of

kin!"Duanne van den Berg

Alouette Field Naturalists

B.C. Naturalist Winter 1981 — Page 7

Wild life atlasesA project for naturalists

What whales occur in the Strait ofGeorgia? How many kinds of snakes arethere? Do tree frogs occur on the QueenCharlottes Islands? What species ofvertebrates are endangered? Are Bur-rowing Owls still in British Columbia?

These are a few of the many questionsthat can be answered by a new projectwe are proposing, namely, an ATLASOF VERTEBRATES OF BRITISHCOLUMBIA.

Seven years ago staff at the ProvincialMuseum started to systematically bringtogether material on the mammals,birds, reptiles and amphibians found inBritish Columbia. Initially, this materialwas to be used for museum publicationsand later, if sufficient information couldbe gathered, to produce a "speciespage" summarizing data for more than550 vertebrates found in the province.Bristol Foster and Charles Guiguet sug-gested the project be taken a step furtherto produce an atlas. This concept wasfurther encouraged, and supported, byYorke Edwards, Director of the Provin-cial Museum.

At first, the task of bringing togetherexisting information seemed formidable.Material had to be researched, data ex-tracted and then transferred to a systemwhich was simple and inexpensive butuseful. Gradually, as the process of sear-ching was undertaken it became evidentthat the project was not impossible. Theend was in sight! Today, over half of theestimated million or so records havebeen transferred and organized into amaster data file. We are now ready forthe final "push" and therefore aresoliciting help from natura l i s t sthroughout the province to complete thisproject.

First, let me tell you more about theatlas and our involvement.

SOURCES OF INFORMATIONEach species account will will be

developed from information obtainedfrom five main sources. These are:1. Specimen records — nearly 125,000

specimens of B.C. vertebrates exist invarious museums throughout theworld. Once obtained these records

^^^'^^^^^£WM%^:-**<&

will provide the undisputed baseupon which each species account willbe built.

2. Literature — over 8,000 publishedand unpublished works have nowbeen gathered, nearly half of whichhave already been read and ap-propriate material extracted. Theseinclude scientific journals, theses,books, g o v e r n m e n t repor t s ,naturalist publications, etc.

3. Diaries and Field Notebooks — his-torical and current records from bothscientists, and naturalists. Some ofthese include the records of P. A.Taverner, James A. Munro, AllanBrooks, Clyde Patch, I. McT.Cowan, Yorke Edwards, Earl God-frey, Martin W. Holdom, CharlesGuiget, Gien Ryder, Werner Hesse,Vic Goodwill, Wayne Weber, RalphRitcey, and Theed Pearse.

4. Miscellaneous Government Projectsmaterial here includes game harvestdata, bird-banding results, breedingbird counts, winter bird counts,aerial surveys, nest records scheme,compulsory inspection data, furreturns, and similar formal records.

5. Naturalist Observations — these in-clude documented observations ofmammals, birds, reptiles and amphi-bians by naturalists in B.C. From Vsto '/z of all information used in theatlases will come from this source.

OBJECTIVESOur objectives are to show the follow-

ing for each species:1. known distribution in the province2. seasonal and annual occurence3. breeding chronology which could

include gestation period, egg-laying,incubation, fledging, chorusing, lar-val development period, etc.

4. relative abundance by season (ie.spring, summer, fall and winter)

5. status (general, threatened, en-dangered, etc.)

6. population trends (often an "edu-cated guess")

7. preferred habitats8. period of records, that is earliest and

latest9. total number of records per grid (as

a base for comparison of coverage,etc.) on provincial map

10. vulnerability index (ie. potential andreal threats).

Additional material may be included,possibly as transparent overlays, as theproject progresses.

FORMATThe accompanying map for the Com-

mon Loon is the fifth "prototype" todate. It is still not satisfactory. Present-ly, the map follows the NationalTopographic Grid which divides the pro-vince into 1752 squares. This is simpleand easy to use and understand. Presen-tation of data, however, is a draftman'sn igh tmare . For example, the"breeding" component (white dots) isnot readily distinguishable. Maintopographic features, cities and towns,and even grid squares cannot be seenclearly. Plastic overlays may howeversolve some of the problems. Early in1982, a final base map will be drawnafter an "atlas committee" meeting ofgovernment personnel, naturalists, andother interested persons. I wouldwelcome comments on the project, theformat and if you are interested 1 willsend you a copy of our "PROPOSALFOR AN ATLAS OF BRITISH COL-UMBIA VERTEBRATES" whichdiscusses the project in more detail.

ANTICIPATED BENEFITSThe atlases will summarize pertinent

information for more than 550vertebrates and, hopefully, meet theneeds of a wide variety of people in-terested in British Columbia's wildlife.These will include land and wildlifemanagers, museologists, researchers, en-v i ronmenta l i s t s , conservationists,naturalists, students, consultants,p r iva te i n d u s t r y , b i rdwatchers ,educators and many others.

For the first time, people will have attheir fingertips an up-to-date summary

B.C. Naturalist Winter 1981 — Page 8

of the present knowledge availableabout vertebrates in British Columbia.There is no doubt that, in the long run,we will have an important tool in protec-ting, studying and filling in gaps in ourknowledge of wildlife in the province.

Another important consideration isthat the atlases are being developed onexisting data, which is permanentlydeposited and available. In the future,computers may hasten the extraction ofinformation from the data base.

WE NEED YOUR HELPApparently, this project is unique in

that it is the first attempt to bringtogether and present all existing infor-mation in a "total atlas" concept. ForBritish Columbia it isn't too difficultsince we are only a hundred years old.However, we need your help to finishthe project and make it possible.

We still need documented observa-tions , (ie. species, date, observers),number, exact location and remarks) forlost localities in British Columbia. Thelap of the Common Loon may be a

useful guide to indicate areas for whichwe need information. The idea is to get

at least one record (if the animal occurs)per "season" for each grid in the pro-vince. We especially need records ofmammals (even common species) andreptiles and amphibians. If you are notpositive about the observation, don'trecord it. We have standard cards thatcan be sent to interested participants oryour notes can be sent to me directly atthe Provincial Museum. These will betransferred later.

We have also a backlog of field notes,specimen catalogues, and historicaldiaries that have to have pertinentrecords transferred to our cards. Ifanyone can help with the task please letme know and we can arrange to sendyou material. Think about it. If we canget 10 people to extract 10 records perday (ten minutes work) for one year, wewill have over half of the remainingmaterial transferred by the end of 1982.

We are convinced that the atlases willhave far-reaching effects for wildlife inBritish Columbia. We need your advice,support and participation if this projectis to be realized. If you want to becomeinvolved, please contact me:

Wayne CampbellB.C. Provincial Museum

Victoria, British ColumbiaV8V 1X4 (phone: 387-3649)

We hope to keep participants inform-ed on developments concerning theatlases in quarterly progress reports,published in the B.C. NATURALIST.

THANK YOU!

NocturneIt is on record that as far back as the

17th century natural historians believedthat the seemingly chaotic nighttimeflights of moths were related to attacksby hunting bats.

Now two Canadian naturalists, M. B.Fenton and J. H. Fullard, have confirm-ed this interesting observation.*

Bats we know, following studiesundertaken a few decades ago, can flyrapidly in total darkness using echoes ofsounds they produce to detect and avoidobjects from which these echoes re-bound; quite a bit is known today aboutecholocation or biosonar used by bats.Not so well known is the fact that manymoths, night flyers and prey for insect-eating bats possess "ears" sensitive toultrasound on thorax, abdomen and/ormouth parts and that these moths res-pond to the ultrasound orientation criesof bats. Moths, hearing the cries of bats(cries which are generally inaudible tohuman ears), can take evasive action.Some moths such as tiger moths can alsomake "clicks" before being attacked bybats which according to Fenton andFullard "jam" the bat sonar.*American Scientisl 69.3, My-Jn, 1981(pp. 226-275).

V C Brink

ANNUAL OCCURRENCE &BREEDING CHRONOLOGY

B.C. Naturalist Winter 1981 — Page 9

Impressions on conservation in China todayDr. L. K. WADE

Department of Biology,Capilano College

In June of this year I was fortunateenough to participate in a five memberCanadian botanical delegation to China,under the auspices of the University ofBritish Columbia Botanical Garden,Canada Department of Agriculture, andthe Van Dusen Botanical GardenAssociation. Dr. Roy Taylor, Directorof the UBC Botanic Garden led thedelegations. Our major objectives didnot include an evaluation of conserva-tion practices per se but were rathercentered around two other aims:establishing personal contact with col-leagues in a number of botany, hor-ticulture and forestry departments inboth universities and science academieswith a view towards promoting futureexchanges of plant materials andknowledge, and gaining of some firsthand experience of natural vegetation inChina.

From a botanical standpoint China isincredibly rich, having some 30,000native vascular plant species, a large por-tion of which occur in temperate zones.Not only is the flora rich, but the mostbeautiful and varied species of manygenera are those in China. Rhododen-drons, hydrangeas, viburnums, maples,primulas, oaks, cotoneasters, barberries,magnolias and bamboos are allrepresented by dozens of species, thegenus Rhododendron alone beingrepresented by over 300 species, not ap-preciably less than half the world's total.Many other temperate genera are foundonly in China and these include thefamous Dawn Redwood (Melasequoiaglyptostroboides), the Dove Tree(Davidia involucrala), and the Chinese"Fir" (Cunninghamia lanceolata). It isnot surprising that from a horticulturalviewpoint China is often considered"The Mother of Gardens", having con-tributed close to half the number ofplant species grown in western gardens.Plant exploration by Westerners wascarried out with great zeal in China untilthe Second World War and the subse-quent change to a new order, thePeoples Republic of China. Only noware the botanically rich western moun-tainous areas of China gradually beingmade accessible again to Westernerswho feel, on the basis of Chinese ac-counts and the reports of the pre-war ex-plorers, that a host of botanically andhorticulturally interesting species remainto be discovered. Our second aim thenwas to experience some of the floristical-ly rich mountain areas for ourselves, tobring back photographs, if not actualB.C. Naturalist Winter 1981 — Page 10

plant material, and to determine howfeasible future co-operative field studiesmight be between our two nations. Ourhosts were pleasant, friendly and co-operative in the extreme and few if anybarriers were set up which might havefrustrated the achieving of our objec-tives. They were also refreshingly candidand displayed a great sense of sometimessardonic humour — we heard and sawlittle of official "party lines" or ovenpropaganda.

My impressions of the state of conser-vation in China are what I was able topick up through observations, chanceremarks and conservations, and cannotbe construed as representing anythingother than one person's impressions bas-ed on one month in a few small areas ofan enormous land. Our first week wasspent in Peking and environs, mainlyvisiting botanical institutions and touristhighlights such as the Forbidden City,Summer Palace, and the Great Wall.Here, as elsewhere in China, every pieceof land that can be cultivated for foodproduction is cultivated, with the resultthat few if any examples of naturallowland or valley bottom ecosystems re-main. Natural vegetation, usually exten-sively cut over, is seen only in uplandhabitats such as the Western Hilts nearPeking and the mountainous regions tothe west. Reforestation is a relativelynew concept in China, having beenpreceded by several thousands of yearsof timber removal without thought toreplacement. The planting of trees alongcity streets is also a recent phenomenon,having been rigorously promoted by thelate Chairman Mao Tse Tung. Thevisitor to China today is thus struck bythe monumental tree planting program-mes, both in the cities (approximately3,000,000 have been planted in Pekingalone in recent decades and the city stilllooks "treeless" by Vancouver stan-dards!) and on the partially denuded,often badly eroded upland hills andmountains. There appears a great senseof urgency and committment aboutthese programmes. Billboards exhortpeople not to cut trees, or if tree cuttingcannot be avoided, to replace each treecut with three new seedlings. The priori-ty today seems to be an attempt to makeup for lost time, with the emphasis beingon the number of trees planted in bothcity and country, rather than on thepreservation of specific tree species.Thus in the cities, such as Peking, wesaw the abundant use of non-nativestreet trees including Canadian poplars,while in milder climates Australianeucalyptus and silky oaks lined thehighways. Upland areas were being

reforested mainly with several species |ubiquitous, tough, native pine species.City parks, such as the famed SummerPalace in Peking, are often oases forremnant stands of native trees, in thiscase Plnus bungeana, a beautiful pinewith orange, white and grey bark in ajigsaw pattern. Many rural upland areasas well, once preserved because of theirsacred nature and still the sites ofnumerous temples, are now designatedas parks and are rich in nativetree.shrub, and herb species, oftenremarkably undisturbed.

From Peking we flew to the olduniversity city of Chengdu in SzechuanProvince, located near the western edgeof the Great Red Basin, a region of mostintensive rice cultivation. In the city andits lowland environs scarcely anythingremains of the original vegetation, buton the nearby hills and low mountainswe were shown well preserved extensiveexamples of the original forests, in thiswarm temperate climate mostlyevergreen laurel forests of great struc-tural and fioristic diversity. Most of ourtime in Szechuan was spent on Mt.Omei, a 10,500' limestone outlier of themain Szechuan Tibetan border ranges,located about 120 km. south of Chena< •on the edge of the Red Basin. This gi!mountain has been sacred to the Bud-dhists for thousands of years and manytemples are situated on it at all altitudesincluding the summit. An extensive andancient trail system threads its greatridges and gorges and allows relativelyeasy access. Because of its sacred nature,the entire mountain with all its vegeta-tion has been preserved except forcultivation on the lowermost slopes andis a botanical, and to a lesser extent,zoological paradise. To a lesser extentbecause, unlike the trees, some of thelarger mammals such as leopards haveapparently disappeared within the lastfew decades. We spent a truly delightfulfive days on Mt. Omei, ascending from6500' to the summit one day (havingbeen driven on narrow mountain roadsto that altitude) and taking four days todescend from the cool temperate fir andrhododendron forests at the summit tothe near sub-tropical lowlands. Eachnight was spent at a different Buddhisttemple, these also functioning ashostelries. The temples and the trailswere shared with large numbers of Bud-dhist pilgrims, mostly women in theirtwilight years, to whom a pilgrimage tothe summet of this sacred mountain i-- •lifetime objective.

These temples play another very in-teresting role. For thousands of years,tree species of special significance have

The delegation in Silver Fir (Abies faberi)forest at 3500 m. in Mt. Omei, Szechuan Pro-vince.

photo Roy ForesterCurator Van Dusen Gardens

been planted around them. Today oneoften sees the largest and finestspeciments of several tree species in ornear the temple grounds and, if thetemples are in forests as on Mt. Omei, itis now impossible to tell where the

anted trees end and the natural forestgins. In some instances, as is true in

Europe as well, tree species have1 beenplanted and moved around by man forso long that the limits of the originalnatural ranges have become obscuredand the question as to whether or not atree species is really native to a particularregion is long argued. Predominantamong temple trees in China is the an-cient ginkgo or maidenhair tree (Ginkgobiloba), a species which may owe its sur-vival today to the practice of planting itin temple grounds. In both Szechuanand later in Yunnan Province we sawenormous ginkgoes in both templegrounds and close by in the surroundingforests and were told that in some areasthe species is being used in reforestation.Spared over the centuries because of itssacred nature, Mt. Omei today is a vastnature "reserve" for many thousands ofplant and animal species combined in abewildering array of different com-munities. There is localized disturbancealong the narrow trails and around thetemple sites which has undoubtedly hadan adverse effect on large mammals, butthe plant communities a few metres oneither side of the trail appear undisturb-ed. The mountain is so dissected by great

es and limestone buttress-like flanks,,iat many areas appear all but inaccessi-ble and are probably very seldom if evervisited. Once, during our descent wecame across a troop of macaques of all

ages who were obviously used to beinggiven food by pilgrims and other hikers.The response from a small group ofChinese hikers who happened along atthe same time was obvious delight at see-ing these wild animals (until one of themwas badly bitten by a large mate!).

Areas such as Mt. Omei, however, areprobably natural oases in a sea ofcultivated and cutover land and on thewhole we saw little apparent primaryforest. Butterflies of many species,especially Papilionids, were abundanteverywhere, but birds seemed scarcewherever we went in China. We saw noreptiles or amphibians at all, aside fromtadpoles in several mountain streamsand a single watersnake swimmingamong lotus leaves in a park in Kunm-ing. While we have no way of knowinghow population numbers might actuallybe affected, the widespread and ancientpractice of using almost every im-aginable small bird, reptile, amphibian,or insect as ingredients in folk medicinesmust take its toll. In many areas, in-cluding temples on Mt. Omei, "phar-macists" had set up their stalls and werebusily selling such items as'dried snakesand legless lizards, heron heads andnecks, monkey skulls and skeletons, andother unidentifiable bones, feathers,beaks, heads, etc. Plants of medicinalvalue too were seen being gathered alongthe trails of Mt. Omei and people pickedwildflowers quite freely. If fact wediscovered populations of the spec-tacular giant lily C a r d i o c r i n u mcathayensis through first noticing thediscarded stems of this species lyingalong trails where they had been thrown,a practice that disgusted the ChineseAcademy of Science botanists who ac-companied us. Thus it seems that whilethe central government is urging conser-vation and promoting tree planting, thepractices of the rural peoples in thisregard are still rooted firmly in the past.Animals are to be hunted and eaten iflarge enough, while small ones are ofmedicinal value as are dozens, probablyhundreds, of plant species. A conserva-tion ethic as we like to think we unders-tand and practice it seems at the presenttime in China the concept of a few,mainly university academics and somegovernment circles.

Unique and famous large mammals,notably the Giant Panda, are nowreceiving much study and conservationattention, while lists of endangered plantspecies for different regions have beendrawn up and were shown to us. Ourguides, however, frequently remarkedon^the difficulties of getting concepts onconservation, pollution control, betterland management and the like across tothe people as a whole, a frustration nofexactly unknown in Canada!

From Chengdu in Szechuan Provincewe travelled south by train to the city ofKunming in Yunnan Province, adelightful 24 hour journey memorablefor its vistas of emeral green cultivatedvalleys backed by great mountains, ofgreat river gorges and enormously longtunnels, of tiny railway stations inremote mountain valleys, and for itssuperb food and service. Much of theroute lay through mountainous terrainwhere reforestation was much inevidence, usually with pines, but theresults of centuries of tree cutting wasalso evident in the scarred and erodedlandscapes. Even in remote areas,however, every valley bottom whichcould be cultivated was, the bright greenof the rice paddies usually being extend-ed some distance up the slopes by ter-races. The loss of alt valley bottom landsto cultivation must have greatly affectedcontless animal populations and may beone reason birds seem so scarce.

Kunming is a beautifully situated city,backed by hills and overlooking LakeDiananchi. Its elevtion of 6450' gives it apleasant spring-like climate at a sub-tropical latitude. Yunnan is botanicallythe richest of China's provinces, sur-passing even fabled Szechuan. Kunmingand its environs, although far east of therichest areas in the western mountainregions, still gives one more than a tasteof the unique vegetation of China. Thehills to the west of Kunming, like theirequivalents near other Chinese cities, arethe locations of many famous temples,around which are huge ginkgoes andother planted trees. The wooded areas ofthese hills support primaeval forest insome areas , second growth in others.We were delighted to see forests of a raretree of the pine family, Keteleeria evely-niana, which looks much like Abies ex-cept that its cones fall intact. Theseforests were full of interesting trees andshrubs, many of which are little knownin the west.

Some 100 km. from Kunming is the"stone forest", a region of limestonekarst formations comprised of myriadsof blocks and weathered pinnaclesthreaded by pathways and inhabited byspecies of interesting trees, shrubs, andherbaceous plants. Here too butterflieswere plentiful, but birds were noticeablyscarce. In both these areas protection ofthe native plant species was vigorouslypromoted.

Canton was the last city on ouritinerary and our time there was spent inthe Botanic Garden and at anotherlimestone beauty spot, Seven Star Crags.In this last place the limestone peakswere inhabited not only by native plantsbut by introduced Plumeria and cactii

Continued on page 14B.C. Naturalist Winter 1981 — Page 11

Two recent breeding recordsUntil recently the Black-throated

Green Warbler was considered to be ac-cidental in British Columbia, althoughornithologists suspected that it bred inthe north-eastern parts of the Province(Godfrey, The Birds of Canada, 1966).

After moving to Fort St. John in1975, I found this species to be a fairlyfrequent summer resident, restricted tostands of mature White Spruce, foundalong the southern banks of the PeaceRiver and a few smaller streams.-

On 30 June, 1981, between 1100 and1115 hours, I witnessed the followingevent at Kiskatinaw Provincial Park,which is at about Mile 35 of the AlaskHighway. In an extensive grove of WhiteSpruce and Balsam Poplar, I "squeakedout*' an adult female Black-throatedGreen Warbler. About a minute later, amale joined her. Both birds seemedmoderately agitated.

After three minutes, the female mov-ed into a Balsam Poplar and fed a newlyfledged juvenile warbler. The juvenilewhich had a visible fleshy gape and veryshort rectrices, must have been only twoweeks old.

I focused a spotting scope upon theyoung bird, it appeared generally dullbrown. Fine brown stripes ran down itschest and on to its upper belly. Its crownwas dark brown, its superciliary stripe alight buff, and its eye line dark brown.Its outer re trices were partially

obscured in shadow but appeared to bebroadly marked with white beneath.

The female fed the juvenile once whileI watched through the scope. When Ipaused to write notes, the young warblerdisappeared.

On 1 July, 1981, from 1920 to 1930hours, I saw a male Black-throatedGreen Warbler feed a recently fledgedBrown-headed Cowbird chick severaltimes in an alder beside a small stand ofspruce, at mile three of Johnstone Roadin Taylor, along the south bank of thePeace River. Since this site is at least tenmiles from the location visited on 30June, it is extremely doubtful that I waswatching another member of the samebrood.

The male of 1 July was rather tameand allowed me to watch him feed thecowbird closely. I did not see the femalewarbler, nor any juveniles.

Since this, species is known to breed inthe Peace River area of Alberta (Salt andSalt, The Birds of Alberta, 1976), it isnot surprising that the Black-throatedGreen Warbler should be foundbreeding in north-eastern British Colum-bia. However, the observations of 1 Julymay be the first known case of Cowbirdsparasitizing this warbler in B.C.

Christopher Siddle

THEY'

photo Richard Cannings

BURROWING OWL PROJECTThe F.B.C.N. Endangered Species

and Habitat Committee has received agrant from the World Wildlife Fund foran amount of $2,000 to establish a studyproject in conjunction with the B.C.Fish and Wildlife Branch. The commit-tee consists of Dr. Fred Bunnell, Depart-ment of Forestry, U.B.C.; Bull Munro,B.C. Fish and Wildlife Branch, Victoria;and Rick Howie of the F.B.C.N.

The first phase of the project will Iat the present literature on the Burring Owl and its rehabilitation. The se-cond phase will include field studies inB.C.

Tiny newlightweightbinocularsfromPentax.

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ACTUAL SIZE.

B.C. Naturalist Winter 1981 — Page 12

Unusual birdr sightings

By Wayne Weber and Richard CanningsThis column is intended as a news

feature, to let naturalists know aboutnew and unusual bird' sightingsthroughout B.C. This, our second instal-ment, lists the available bird sightingsfrom May to September, 1981. Wesolicit all sightseeings of species whichare casual or accidental (not occurringannually), either in B.C. as a whole or inyour particular part of the province.Records listed here should be consideredas unconfirmed reports, although wewill make every effort not to includerecords which are poorly documented orquestionable.

If you have one or more sightingswhich you think is worth reporting here,please send a detailed description (orphoto) of the bird to Mr. R. WayneCampbell, B.C. Provincial Museum,Victoria, B.C. V8V 1X4. (The Museumis also interested in all records of com-moner bird species; please see the articleon the Atlas of Vertebrates of B.C. inthis issue.) Wayne will be collaboratingwith us on this column in future.

r Laysan Albatross — 1, May 21, aboutkm SW of Tofino, Mark Shepard. A

very rare bird in near-shore waters,usually occurring much farther offshore.

Magnificent Frigatebird — 1 imm.,Aug. 25, off Lanagar I. (QueenCharlotte Is.), George Deagle (photosobtained). First confirmed record forB.C.

Ross' Goose — 1, May 10, Swan Lake(near Vernon), Mike Shepard et al.Casual in B.C.

Upland Sandpiper — 2, June 18,Haines Road, Mike Shepard, Dave Stirl-ing. Possibly nesting in area; very rareand localized in NW B.C.

Curlew Sandpiper — 1 imm., Aug. 31and Sept. 1, lona I., Wayne and RobinWeber, Brian Kautesk, Bruce Mac-donald, Roy Phillips. Fifth record forB.C. (third this year!) and second forVancouver area.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper — 1, Aug.29, lona I., Jack Williams et al. (5observers); 1, Sept. 10, EsquimauLagoon, P. R. Williams. Very rare tocasual transient in both Vancouver andVictoria areas.

Marbled Godwlt — 1. Aug. 24 toSept. 1, Mud Bay, Bruce Macdonaid,m.ob. (many observers). Casual tran-

in SW B.C.; about the eighth Van-uver area record.Hudsonian Godwii — 2, Aug. 25 to

Sept. 2 (1 remaining to Sept. 8), MudBay, Bruce Macdonaid, m.ob. Very rare

*to casual transient in Vancouver area.

Ruff — 1, Sept. 3, lona I., BruceMacdonaid, Roy Phillips; 1, Sept. 25,lona I., Brian Kautesk. Very rare tocasual in B.C.

American Avocet — up to 4, May 11to about May 25, Duck L. (nearCreston), Betty-Ann Chapman, PennyOhanjanian, Rob Butler, Paul Goossenet al. Very rare in B.C., althoughpossibly annual near Creston, andnested there in 1968.

Black-necked Stilt — 1, May 10, DuckL. (near Creston), observers as forAvocets; photos taken. Fifth record forB.C. and first for Interior.

Long-tailed Jaeger — 1, Sept. 11,Semiahmoo Bay (White Rock), JackWilliams et al. (6 observers). Sixthrecord for Vancouver area; casual on in-ner coast.

Thick-billed Murre — about 20 pairs,Triangle I., Aug. and Sept., AnneVallee, Richard Cannings (photos ob-tained); young raised successfully bysome pairs. First nesting record for B.C.

Horned Puffin — 4, July 19, AnthonyL arid vicinity (Queen Charlotte Is.),Mike Shepard, Ray Williams; 3, Aug.17, same area, Mike Shepard et al. Veryrare in B.C., and first found nesting in1977, Horned Puffins appear to beholding on or increasing slightly.

Flammulated Owl — Pair successfullynested (young fledged in early Aug.),near Kamloops, Rick Howie. First B.C.nesting record away from OkanaganValley.

Ovenbird — 1 singing male, May 22,Richter Pass (W of Osoyoos), MikeShepard et al. First record for OkanaganValley; casual in southern B.C.

Black-headed Grosbeak — 1 male,June 16, White Pass (near Yukonborder), Mike Shepard, Dave Stirling.Far north of normal range in B.C.

Sage Sparrow — 1, Sept. 24, WhiteLake (NW of Oliver), Al and Jude

Grass. Second record for B.C. and forCanada.

Swamp Sparrow — 1, Aug. 26,Jericho Park, Vancouver, MichaelPrice. Second record for Vancouverarea; casual in southern B.C.

NOTE: Several reports from the Van-couver area of Rufous-necked, LittleTemminck's, and Long-toed Stints,some of them very c a r e f u l l ydocumented, are still under review atthis time,

CORRECTIONS: The Upland Sand-piper at Manning Park was also seen andwell described by Wally Sumner. TheLong-toed Stint at lona I. was last seenJuly 2, not July 1 as stated previously.The Curlew Sandpiper at Comox, July11, was also seen and described by MaryNarod.

Our cover artistFred Chapman is an internationally

known a w a r d - w i n n i n g n a t u r ephotographer from Burnaby, whosespecialty is patterns in nature. Fred'sphotographs have appeared in CameraCanada and he recently had a one manshowing in Robson Square, Vancouver.He is presently on the executive of theNational Association of PhotographicArts (N.A.P.A.) Canada.

Deadline fornext issue

January 15, 1982

TIME TO RENEWAll direct members are reminded to

renew their F.B.C.N. memberships for1982. We hope that others will seriouslyconsider becoming direct members too;in order to support the many causes, andthe ongoing work of the Federation, onbehalf of Naturalists throughout theprovince.

MembershipD Regular $10.00 D Active 25.00 D PatronD Sustaining 15.00 D Contributing $50.00 D Life

G Affiliate (non-profit organization) — $10.00 and up.D Associate (profit organization) — $10.00 and up.

Send to:Membership Chairman F.B.C.N.100-1200 Hornby Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6Z 2E2

NameAddress ,

Membership Class Amount Enclosed $Renewal New

Fees in excess of $10.00 are Tax Deductible

100.00200.00

B.C. Naturalist Winter 1981 — Page 13

Continued from page 11

which had obtained such a hold theyseemed likely to completely take over.

In summing up my overall impressionson the state of conservation in this greatland, I felt quite heartened. Until veryrecently even feeding, clothing, and ade-quately housing her one billion peoplewas a challenge of the first magnitudeand the conservation of plants andanimals must have seemed by com-parison a low priority. That China hascome as far as it has in formulating con-servation policies, in reforestation prac-tices, and in promoting conservation atgovernment and university levels all inthe last few decades, is a remarkableachievement.

The VOLUNTEER LIST will bepublished in the B.C. Naturalist — Spr-ing 1982 edition. Anyone wishing to actas a contact person in their communityshould write to Bette Cannings,F.B.C.N., 100—1200 Hornby St., Van-couver, B.C. V6Z 2E2 (before Jan. 15).Please give name, address and phonenumber and your natural historyspeciality (i.e. birding, botany, general,etc.). This list will be used by travellingnaturalists wishing to familiarizethemselves with your area.

A new Checklist of Birds of Provin-cial Parks by David Stirling is availablefree of charge by writing to: Parks andOutdoor Recreation Division, 1019Wharf Street, Victoria, B.C. V8W 2Y9and from Regional and District office ofthe Division.

TRIPS IN THE OFFING — 1982I am currently exploring the possibili-

ty of the following trips in 1982:GALAPAGOS ISLANDS: October-

November 1982 — 14 days in the islandsincluding 10 days cruising as part of par-ty of 4, 8 or 12 persons. Anticipatedcosts about $900 not including any airfares. Additional travels to ManchuPichu (Peru) and the Amazon River(Ecuador) are a possibility.

INSIDE PASSAGE — NANAIMOTO QUEEN CHARLOTTE CITY — 10leisurely days via Alert Bay, RobsonBight, Anthony Island and the SouthMoresby Wilderness. Return by air fromSandspit to Vancouver. Anticipated costabout $950 per person — party size 10people.

INTERESTED?? Write me for fur-ther details and a place on the 'list*.Both trips are first come first served.

Bill Merillees, 1655 Sherwood Dr.,Nanaimo, B.C. V9T 1H2

Photographs Requested —Back Yard Habitat Project

Good quality photographs both blackand white and colour are being sought^"for use in the Federation's Back Yard*Habitat publication. Pictures of com-mon back yard wildlife species, especial-ly mammals, reptiles, amphibians andinsects are required. In addition picturesof the following subjects being used byback yard wildlife are particularlydesirable.

1) Plants, both native and hor-ticultural attractive to wildlife.

2) Plantings, habitat arrangements,ponds, gardens, etc. designed forwildlife.

3) Nest boxes, feeders, bird baths,dusting areas, and other similar struc-tures of simple design.

4) Deterrants to unwanted wildlife orsafety devices to protect wildlife.

Good quality black and white photosin a 5"x7" glossy format or colourtransparencies 35mm or larger aresuitable. EACH PHOTO must have thephotographers name, address includedas well as the date, location and subjectdetails of the photo. All pictures will bereturned at the completion of the pro-ject.

Send photos to Bill Merilees, 1655Sherwood Dr., Nanaimo, B.C. V9TIH2.

Share the feeling.With a long distance call.

Nothing beats sharing the good timeswith someone close who's far away.

And when it's Showtime in Super,Natural British Columbia, long distancemakes it easy to share. ff fj Tfl C«9

Naturalist Oriented Tours to:

Western ArcticNorthern Yukon

Kluane National ParkSpatsizi

Queen Charlotte Islands

Also anthropolgy trips, photographyworkshops, alpine and river expeditions,ocean kayak tours.Resource people include noted wildlifebiologist George Calef and photographerFreeman Patterson.

Drop in and see us at, or write to

Ecosummer Canada Ltd.1666 Duranleau Street

Dept. BCN 4*Granville Island Market

Vancouver, B.C. V6H 3S4

B.C. Naturalist Winter 1981 — Page 14

EducationCommittee

"To become a student of Nature doesnot consist of collecting in any formwhatsoever. Collect notes from the liv-ing object, and enter them regularly andsystematically in your Nature note-bookby all means; let your field glass, yourmicroscope, and your camera be cons-tant companions ..."

from Fifty-two Nature RamblesW. Percival Westell, F.L.S.1906. London

The book from which the abovequotation was taken is an all but forgot-ten volume, and yet it shouldn't be! Themessage the author bore for his youthfulreaders is as true today as it was in 1906.

W. P. Westell went on to say: "Thecommonest wild plants-daisies anddandelions if you like — our most cons-tant and abundant bird friends; therobin and the sparrow; if you will thecommonest insect — the house fly; foran example; all of these and morebesides have mystery still unravelled;secrets still untold, wonderful stories on-ly waiting to be enquired into."

As naturalists we all know what theauthor was getting at . . . but what aboutnon-naturalists? Our work in the Nature

f^ication Committee is important toour cause as Naturalists. Conservationand Education should, I feel, compli-ment each other. By sharing our delightand enthusiasm we may thus help to"convert" others to sharing our concernfor the earth and its wild creatures.Won't you help?

If you have any ideas about what theEducation should be doing PLEASE letus know. We need you!

Write to Al Grass, Chairman, Educa-tion Committee, F.B.C.N., 100-1200Hornby St., Vancouver, B.C. V62 2E2.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT:1) Bird-a-thon — It is the Chairman's

opinion that Bird-a-thon is not dead.You may or may not be aware of the factthat numerous successful Bird-a-thonsare held around the country each yearand they do raise money for the sponsor-ing organization.

Basically a Bird-a-thon works muchlike a Walk-a-thon, wherein peopleplace bids, not per kilometer but perbird. Local celebrities are asked to par-ticipate and everyone has a lot of fun.Finally, the activity is generally givengood media coverage. Your ideas areneeded on how to make a Bird-a-thon

F.B.C.N. Display — The Commit-tee will report to the Directors on thefeasibility of designing and producing atravelling display for the Federation.

Many organizations and governmentagencies consider these displays to be animportant part of their public educationprograms. In the past few months wecould have used such a display severaltimes. We would like to hear your ideason a portable display. Keep in mind thatdesign and portability are our two basiccriteria. Perhaps you think that its not agood idea — we'd like to hear that sideof the question too.

Camps were also discussed since manymembers appear to want a camp.Hopefully there will be more to report inthe next B.C. Naturalist. Here again, weneed organizers and volunteers to help inthe planning of such an event. Are thereany such people out there? Let us know.

Al Grass, Chairman

Ecological Reserves Wardens: The an-nual meeting will be held in Vancouveron January 30 at University of B.C. In-formation will be sent to wardens andclubs at a later date.

Ecological Reserves Films: Three16mm films are presently available deal-ing with the role Ecological Reserves inB.C. F.B.C.N. clubs should make use ofthese films at their evening meetings, thefilms are:The Forest and Vladimir Krajina (29min.)

Visually seductive, this film uncoversa few hard truths under the packaging ofDr. Vladimir Krajina, botanist andteacher, is waging a successful battle inB.C. for the creation of ecologicalreserves. He explains the importance ofsuch sanctuaries, and why man mustknow and respect nature's laws if futureneeds of industry and the desires for ahigh quality of life are to be reconciled.Triangle Island (13 min.)

Forty miles northwest of VancouverIsland lies Triangle Island, an ecologicalreserve and home of close to one millionbirds. Bristol Foster, head of the B.C.Ecological Reserves Program, guidesyou across the Island through coloniesof birds and sea lions. He stresses theneed of preserving the ecological balancefor the survival of future generations.Keeping the Options Open (20 min.)

A new film about the role ofEcological Reserves in B.C.

These films are available from: Na-tional Film Board at: 1161 WestGeorgia, Vancouver, V6E 3G4. 545Quebec St., Prince George, V2L 1W6.811 Wharf St., Victoria, V8W 1T2 orthrough Lynn Milnes, EcologicalReserves, Parliament Buildings, Vic-toria, V8W 1X5.

16mm projectors are generallyavailable from local libraries andschools.

F.B.C.N. Awards: In 1978 theF.B.C.N. executive established several

awards for service in various aspects ofnatural history. Nominations for theseawards (to be presented at the SpringA.G.M.) must be received by January30, 1982.

The Awards are as follows:Elton Anderson Award: The purpose

of this award is to recognize the serviceof a person or persons who have servedthe Federation and who have emulatedto a profound degree the dedication,devotion and energy exhibited by ourformer president to further the Federa-tion across the province.

Club Service Award: The purpose ofthis award is to recognize outstandingservice at a local level by a person or per-sons to an affiliated organization or theF.B.C.N. by the F.B.C.N.

Recognition Award: Presented to aperson or persons who have madeoutstanding contribution to theunderstanding and appreciation of thenatural history of British Columbia.(e.g. to authors, teachers, ad-ministrators of museums, aquariums,etc.), or to other prominent persons.

Nominations may be made by anymember of the F.B.C.N. Each nomina-tion must be accompanied by an outlineor resume giving the resons why the can-didate is being proposed.

Please send nominations to: AwardsCommittee, F.B.C.N. 100-1200 HornbySt., Vancouver, B.C. V62 2E2.

C.B.C. — PROVINCIALPARKS CO-PRODUCTION

Spatsizi Wilderness, Cathedral Lakes,Ft. Steele Historic, Anthony Islands —these are just a few of the Parks that willappear in a series on B.C.'s ProvincialParks to be aired nationally on C.B.C.television next spring.

Five weeks were spent this summercriss-crossing our magnificent provincefilming the people and places that willmake this first-hand look at our provin-cial treasures a special experience for allviewers.

This series, hosted by Bob Switzer ofthe C.B.C. and co-ordinated by WayneStetski of the Lower Mainland Region,features such diverse activities as ice-climbing on Mt. Robson, river-raftingnear Goldpan, beachcombing onNaikoon, and a Vaseux rattlesnake.

Watch for it. It'll be a treat.(Forum Vol. 3 No. 4 Oct. '81)

A reminder to all clubs doingChristmas Bird Counts (other thanAudubon-American Birds) to send theresults in to the B.C. Naturalist beforeJan. 30, 1982. Summaries will bepublished in Summer 1982 edition,B.C. Naturalist Winter 1981 — Page 15

Trips for Naturalists -1982Hawaii March 20 - April 4

Explore the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui and Kauai with your naturalist guide. VisitVolcanoes National Park, Kanaha Pond, Hosmer Grove, Alakai Swamp and more. Time forswimming and relaxation too! Leader: Mike Shepard.

Whale Watching and Long Beach Adventure April 9-12, April 22-26, May 21-24Experience the Pacific wilderness on a four day tour to the west coast of Vancouver Island:whale and sealion watching, shorebird migration, and inter-tidal life. Includes boat trips, scenicflight and seafood sampling party.

Haines Triangle June 26 - July 1A special natural history tour to the northwest corner of British Columbia. Explore extensive al-pine areas, glacial outwash plains and boreal forests. See Smith's Longspurs, Gray-cheekedThrushes, Arctic Terns and all three species of ptarmigan. Mountain flowers in bloom includeAlaska Moss Heather, Bog Rosemary, Glaucous Gentian and Alpine Azalea. Wildernesslodge accommodation at Dezadeash Lake. Leaders: David Stirling & Teresa Shepard.

More 1982 Tours:Western Mexico Birding Jan. 7-21 Queen Charlotte Islands:Adventure in Mexico Jan. 27 - Feb. 11, Feb. 10-25 Cruise: July 4-16Race Rocks - Sealion Cruise Mar. 27 Bus Tours: July 7-11, Aug. 18-22Okanagan Birding May 29 - June 6 Wilderness Adventures: July & Aug.Yukon Adventure June12-23 Quadra & Cortes Islands Sept. 10-12Alaska Cruise June 13 - July 4 California Birding Sept. 18 - Oct. 3

For more details on tours, send for our 1982 Program.

Swiftsure Tours Ltd., 119 - 645 Fort St., Victoria, B.C. V8W 1G2 (604) 388-4227

I

Continued from page 4Auditorium, Victoria. For more informationcontact them at Box 6007, Station C, Victoria,B.C.

Feb. 22 Sierra Club Meeting, 8 p.m., Robson Square,Vancouver, Admission $2.00. Topic: Fight forRobson Bight

Feb. 23 F.B.C.N. Conservation Committee Meeting,7:30 p.m., 1200 Hornby St., Vancouver.

Mar. 1 F.B.C.N. Directors Meeting, 6 p.m., 1200Hornby St., Vancouver.

Fall Director's MeetingOn the Thanksgiving weekend Direc-

tor's and Executive from around theprovince gathered at Prince George.Representation included members fromKelowna, Vernon, Williams Lake,Dawson Creek, Pitt Meadows, Langleyand Vancouver along with the host clubThe Prince George Naturalists.

The meeting took place in the Collegeof New Caledonia on Saturday after-noon and Sunday morning and werefollowed by several field trips. On Satur-day evening the host club provided adinner for the visiting delegates at thehome of Jim and Marg Caldwell.

The meeting provided the Director'swith first hand knowledge of the effectsand problems to be caused by the pro-posed massive northern developmentprojects.B.C. Naturalist Winter 1981 — Page 16

VANCOUVER'S

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PENTAX —BUSHNELL—TASCO

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Vancouver B.C.738-5717