Comments and/or questions?
Web Master

Jim Edsall reports that the NB Bird Information Line ,382-3825 is seriously low on funds. In order to save this vital, (to birders), service, donations, from either individuals or naturalists groups, are needed.

If you believe this service for birders should be maintained, please send your donation to

Don Gibson

50 Golf Club Rd.

Fredericton, N.B.

E3B 5M4

Jim Edsall

59 Anne St.

Moncton, N.B.

E1C 4J4

UP COMING EVENTS !

Oct. 27, 7:30 pm: Laurel Bernard is doing her master's degree at UNB on the habitat selection and breeding success of BLACK TERNS. Her study area is along the Saint John River from Oromocto to just below Gagetown. Laurel will give an illustrated talk of her findings.

Oct. 29, 7:30 pm: Shur-Gain is hosting a bird feeding clinic in the conference room. Jim Wilson will be giving an illustrated talk on bird feeding. Door prizes will be drawn.

Sunday, Nov. 2, Butternut Ridge Field Trip. Meet at the Smith Creek Hall at 1:30 pm to drive to the Havelock area. Brian Hicks will give a guided tour of the new trail he has developed.

Dec. Christmas Bird Count: details will be announced at the Nov. meeting.

Jan. 26, 6 pm: Annual potluck and members sharing night. Bring photos, crafts, stories, displays relating to nature to share with the rest of the club.

Bird Group Names

From a Nature Conservancy Poster, the following "official" descriptions of groups of various birds, obviously gleaned from the literature:

• A covey of quail (also partridges)
• A fall of woodcocks
• A spring of teal
• A siege of herons
• A charm of finches
• A tidings of magpies
• A congregation of plovers
• A flight of swallows
• An ostentation of peacocks
• A rafter of turkeys
• A walk of snipe
• A deceit of lapwings
• A dule of doves
• A dissimulation of birds
• A pitying of turtledoves
• A paddling of ducks
• An exultation of larks
• A gaggle of geese
• A dexcent of woodpeckers
• A mustering of storks
• A bouquet of pheasants
• A watch of nightingales
• A murmuration of starlings
• A parliament of owls
• A host of sparrows
• A murder of crows
• A cast/peal of vultures.

Dragonflies and Damselflies

For those of you interested in Dragonflies and Damselflies, the following is the latest on two publications that depict many (but certainly not all) Odonata that are found in the Maritimes.

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of Algonquin Provincial Park is available for $2.95 + $1.72 (P&H) from:

The Friends of Algonquin Park

P.O. Box 248

Whitney, Ontario

K0J 2M0

It is also on sale at the Fundy Guild's outlet at Fundy National Park so other shops and perhaps museums might carry it too.

The second publication is the "Dragonflies and Damselflies of Cape Cod". It is presently out of print but a new edition is in the works and should be ready by late September, 1997. The price is $10.95 (US) + $3.00 (S&H) from:

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History

P.O. Box 1710

Brewster, Mass 02631

ph. 508-896-3867 ext. 22

fax 508-896-8844

THE 300 CLUB

I asked David Christie recently about The 300 Club. It is an informal list of people who have sighted 300 birds in New Brunswick. David knows of 35 people for sure and suspect there may be as many as 2 to 5 more.

How long did it take them? Anywhere from about 3 to 25 years.

A new goal came into being in 1996 when Cecil Johnston was the first to claim 350 with the Great Grey Owl in Feb.

This year Jim Wilson, Stuart Tingley, Mike Majka and David Christie have hit that number. Mary Majka has only one to go. Peter Pearce is at about the same level.

Whether 300, or 350, it is an impressive achievement and we would like to congratulate Shirley Hunt of the MONCTON NATURALISTS CLUB, her #300 NB Bird was Grand Manan's WESTERN KINGBIRD.