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>> province. My theory with the black --001a113d59224c575805360b23d0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Way back when, while I was working summer jobs in the woods, early in the season the old fellas would aways say "the blackflies still got their white legs, they won't be bitin' yet". And sure enough, the early blackflies had white legs and didn't seem to bite at all. Later in the season, when they got their black legs somehow, they did bite, a lot. I also observed the same thing this year at the cottage. These white-legged blackflies could be another fly altogether, or maybe the males come out earlier ? On Fri, Jun 24, 2016 at 8:51 AM, Fred Schueler <bckcdb@istar.ca> wrote: > > > On 6/23/2016 9:10 PM, Stephen Shaw wrote: > >> As you know, there's a different group commonly called 'blackfly', >> including the blackbean aphid, Aphis fabae, a pest of runner beans and s= ome >> flowers, known to gardeners. Aphids commonly do have a prominent >> asexually-reproducing part of their life cycle that allows for rapid >> multiplication and colonization. In regard to an asexuality/ >> parthenogenesis lifestyle, my initial guess was that you could be >> remembering this plant-sucking aphid type of blackfly, not human-biting >> dipteran blackflies. >> > > * no I was remembering a professor at U of T when I was a grad student in > the 1970s who had a labfull of students working on karyotypes and ploidie= s > of Simuliidae - but I never knew the details, and they just didn't come u= p > in a simple google, so I seem to have misremembered the asexual part. > > fred. > =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D > > > There are a large number of species of 'blackfly', Simuliidae, a family i= n >> the primitive branch of two-winged flies, Diptera -- the Nematocera or >> 'longhorns', referring to their long antennae, the group in question her= e. >> I don't recall ever hearing that any of these reproduce asexually, so >> checked the Manual of Nearctic Diptera vol 1. This indicates that sexua= l >> reproduction is the norm, but mentions the unusual Scandanavian case of = the >> Prosimulium ursinum. There, a female sometimes fails to emerge from the >> pupa, dies in place and disintegrates whereupon matured eggs wash out in= to >> the stream, overwinter, and emerge parthenogenetically next spring. >> >> So you can never be too careful when making generalizations, where >> exceptions to the rule may be lurking. >> Steve (Hfx) >> ________________________________________ >> From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] on >> behalf of Fred Schueler [bckcdb@istar.ca] >> Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2016 5:07 PM >> To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca >> Subject: Re: [NatureNS] absence of insects >> >> On 6/23/2016 3:43 PM, Donna Crossland wrote: >> >>> Darn! Ha, ha, I=E2=80=99ve heard the song played on CBC but never saw= the >>> video. It=E2=80=99s true the black flies seem larger in northern Ontar= io. I >>> think a different species from here. >>> >> >> * there are hundreds of species and, I seem to recall, asexual lineages >> with diverse karyotypes - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simulium - some >> feed on one species of host or another, and some don't take a blood meal= . >> >> fred. >> =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D >> >>> >>> >>> >>> I seem to be too late with thoughts on the black fly. Annapolis Royal >>> has claimed a =E2=80=98_black fly_ _festival=E2=80=99_, though I=E2=80= =99ve never seen a black >>> fly there, and they=E2=80=99d be nothing compared to the wooded heartla= nds of >>> NS. A =E2=80=98_black fly_ _supper=E2=80=99_ probably wouldn=E2=80=99t= draw a big crowd.... : ) >>> >>> >>> >>> Donna >>> >>> >>> >>> *From:*naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca >>> [mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] *On Behalf Of *Rick Whitman >>> *Sent:* June-23-16 4:01 PM >>> *To:* naturens >>> *Subject:* Re: [NatureNS] absence of insects >>> >>> >>> >>> We can't claim it, Donna. Ontario already has it: >>> >>> >>> >>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DqjLBXb1kgMo >>> >>> >>> >>> Rick Whitman >>> >>> >>> >>> On 23 June 2016 at 15:00, Donna Crossland <dcrossland@eastlink.ca >>> <mailto:dcrossland@eastlink.ca>> wrote: >>> >>> Thanks, John, for offering the thought of blackflies being keystone >>> species. Being a non-aquatic person, I hadn=E2=80=99t thought of their >>> filtering abilities and incorporating organic matter. Do you think >>> we=E2=80=99d get very far offering the black fly as a new and official >>> provincial insect of our wonderful province? Ha, ha. >>> >>> >>> >>> Donna >>> >>> >>> >>> *From:*naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca >>> <mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca> >>> [mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca >>> <mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca>] *On Behalf Of *John Kearney >>> *Sent:* June-23-16 8:25 AM >>> *To:* naturens@chebucto.ns.ca <mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca> >>> *Subject:* RE: [NatureNS] absence of insects >>> >>> >>> >>> As always Donna, you have given an excellent explanation of the possibl= e >>> effects of forestry on Black Fly populations. In addition to the lack o= f >>> food for birds resulting from fewer flies, the Black Fly larvae are an >>> important food source for fish and the larvae of larger aquatic insects >>> such as mayflies and damselflies. As filter feeders, the Black Fly >>> larvae play a crucial role in incorporating organic matter into the >>> aquatic food chain. As filter feeders, they could also serve as >>> indicator species for aquatic pollution, and in Nova Scotia especially, >>> for mercury pollution. The adult male Black Fly, which feeds on nectar, >>> may even play some role in pollination. Here we have a species that is >>> crucial to both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Certainly the Black >>> Fly is a keystone forest species. >>> >>> John >>> >>> >>> >>> *From:*naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca >>> <mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca> >>> [mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] *On Behalf Of *Donna Crossland >>> *Sent:* June-22-16 19:20 >>> *To:* naturens@chebucto.ns.ca <mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca> >>> *Subject:* [NatureNS] absence of insects >>> >>> >>> >>> In response to Susann=E2=80=99s question regarding whether other birder= s have >>> noticed a lack of insects: I=E2=80=99ve noticed the past couple of yea= rs that >>> black flies seem to =E2=80=98not be what they used to be=E2=80=99. Mo= stly, the season >>> seems to be noticeably abbreviated. Also the past two spring have >>> witness very cold temperatures in the mornings (last Saturday there was >>> a frost at Milford House and only 4 C when I arrived at 5:20 am). I >>> measure the temperature at every bird survey post and notice that 10-11 >>> C is required before I need to put on some bug deterrent. By then, on >>> most mornings until the warm temps of this week, I=E2=80=99ve pretty we= ll >>> completed the bird survey. >>> >>> >>> >>> Earlier this spring, some of the fishermen were commenting that the >>> blackflies were biting just like in the old days. Things started out >>> =E2=80=98normally=E2=80=99 enough, but then we hit the prolonged cold s= nap and waters >>> were rapidly dropping, too. The blackflies quickly became less of an >>> issue. >>> >>> >>> >>> I=E2=80=99m not a bug expert, but I grew up in one of the buggiest area= s of the >>> province. My theory with the black fly is that it=E2=80=99s traditiona= lly >>> successful life cycle in NS has been altered somewhat from the rampant >>> levels of deforestation. On private lands, it seems that operations >>> have reverted back to cutting right up to the stream edges with no tree= s >>> remaining (I=E2=80=99ve got photos of last winter=E2=80=99s cuts in the= southwest). >>> Even where buffers are left as per legal requirements, the lack of tree= s >>> remaining on the rest of the landscape serve to let streams rapidly fil= l >>> after a rain and then empty quickly, rather than retain moderate flows >>> from filtering through forests. For the black fly, if waters keep >>> running more will emerge, but streams are now drying up more quickly >>> than before when our great Acadian forest blanketed the landscape. The >>> black fly season is shortened. >>> >>> >>> >>> Also bear in mind that breeding success of black flies is sensitive to >>> water pollution in streams (which may be relevant to some areas of our >>> great province). >>> >>> >>> >>> Most folks will herald the shorter black fly season, but I=E2=80=99ve b= ecome >>> more reflective about our migrant birds now than I used to be. >>> Neotropical birds have been coming to this land solely for its =E2=80= =9Cbugs=E2=80=9D >>> and the remarkable =E2=80=98forest habitats=E2=80=99 found here for cen= turies! What are >>> we indirectly doing to their precious food supply needed to feed young >>> birds? (I won=E2=80=99t go into habitat issues.) When I watch the chi= mney >>> swifts and tree swallows flying around, I wonder how things are going >>> for them and their progeny... >>> >>> >>> >>> Donna Crossland >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> *From:*naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca >>> <mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca> >>> [mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] *On Behalf Of >>> *rita.paul@ns.sympatico.ca <mailto:rita.paul@ns.sympatico.ca> >>> *Sent:* June-20-16 8:48 AM >>> *To:* naturens@chebucto.ns.ca <mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca> >>> *Subject:* Re: [NatureNS] Golden-crowned Kinglet family group >>> >>> >>> >>> Maybe birders are noticing a lack of insects Susann! >>> >>> but anglers seem not in agreement but maybe birders >>> >>> blood is not in this year! Just like wine. >>> >>> Enjoy the last days of spring >>> >>> Paul >>> >>> >>> >>> On June 20, 2016 at 7:02 AM Susann Myers <myerss@eastlink.ca >>> <mailto:myerss@eastlink.ca>> wrote: >>> >>> Pat McKay and I did some woods birding yesterday along the Old >>> Mineville Road, a very quiet rough track that runs between West >>> Porters Lake and Mineville, HRM. In one area there were a lot of >>> Golden-crowned Kinglet calls, and we saw a group of more than >>> 4 kinglets flitting around in the woods together, feeding and >>> calling. We couldn't get a good enough look to confirm fledgling >>> plumage, but this appeared to be a family group. >>> >>> >>> >>> A little research confirmed that this is the right season for a >>> first brood of fledglings to be out of the nest and moving about >>> with their parents. Tufts gives April 16 for the average start of >>> nesting on Wolfville Ridge, and roughly mid-May for the completion >>> of egg laying. /The Birders' Handbook/ indicates that incubation >>> takes 14-15 days, and fledging another 14-19; it also indicates tha= t >>> this kinglet typically has 2 broods. >>> >>> >>> >>> Also notable were a good showing of butterflies and a lack of other >>> flying insects - no black flies, and the only mosquitoes that >>> bothered us were at a salt marsh in the early morning, where we wen= t >>> to hear Sora. Although the day became windy, there was no wind fel= t >>> down at ground level in the woods. Are other birders noting this >>> absence of insecs? >>> >>> >>> >>> Cheers, >>> >>> Susann Myers >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >> -- >> ------------------------------------------------------------ >> Frederick W. Schueler & Aleta Karstad >> Daily Paintings - http://karstaddailypaintings.blogspot.com/ >> Vulnerable Watersheds - http://vulnerablewaters.blogspot.ca/ >> Mudpuppy Night in Oxford Mills - http://pinicola.ca/mudpup1.htm >> RR#2 Bishops Mills, Ontario, Canada K0G 1T0 >> on the Smiths Falls Limestone Plain 44* 52'N 75* 42'W >> (613)258-3107 <bckcdb at istar.ca> http://pinicola.ca/ >> ------------------------------------------------------------ >> >> > -- > ------------------------------------------------------------ > Frederick W. Schueler & Aleta Karstad > Fragile Inheritance Natural History > Daily Paintings - http://karstaddailypaintings.blogspot.com/ > Vulnerable Watersheds - http://vulnerablewaters.blogspot.ca/ > Mudpuppy Night in Oxford Mills - http://pinicola.ca/mudpup1.htm > 4 St-Lawrence Street Bishops Mills, RR#2 Oxford Station, Ontario K0G 1T0 > > on the Smiths Falls Limestone Plain 44* 52'N 75* 42'W > (613)258-3107 <bckcdb at istar.ca> http://pinicola.ca/ > ------------------------------------------------------------ > --=20 Rick Ballard Dartmouth,Nova Scotia, Canada --001a113d59224c575805360b23d0 Content-Type: text/html; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable <div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:georgia,= serif">Way back when, while I was working summer jobs in the woods, early i= n the season the old fellas would aways say "the blackflies still got = their white legs, they won't be bitin' yet". And sure enough, = the early blackflies had white legs and didn't seem to bite at all. Lat= er in the season, when they got their black legs somehow, they did bite, a = lot. I also observed the same thing this year at the cottage.</div><div cla= ss=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:georgia,serif"><br></div><div cla= ss=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:georgia,serif">These white-legged= blackflies could be another fly altogether, or maybe the males come out ea= rlier ?</div></div><div class=3D"gmail_extra"><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote= ">On Fri, Jun 24, 2016 at 8:51 AM, Fred Schueler <span dir=3D"ltr"><<a h= ref=3D"mailto:bckcdb@istar.ca" target=3D"_blank">bckcdb@istar.ca</a>></s= pan> wrote:<br><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0 0 0 .8ex= ;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><span class=3D""><br> <br> On 6/23/2016 9:10 PM, Stephen Shaw wrote:<br> <blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1p= x #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"> As you know, there's a different group commonly called 'blackfly= 9;, including the blackbean aphid, Aphis fabae, a pest of runner beans and = some flowers, known to gardeners.=C2=A0 Aphids commonly do have a prominent= asexually-reproducing part of their life cycle that allows for rapid multi= plication and colonization.=C2=A0 =C2=A0In regard to an asexuality/ parthen= ogenesis lifestyle, my initial guess was that you could be remembering this= plant-sucking aphid type of blackfly, not human-biting dipteran blackflies= .<br> </blockquote> <br></span> * no I was remembering a professor at U of T when I was a grad student in t= he 1970s who had a labfull of students working on karyotypes and ploidies o= f Simuliidae - but I never knew the details, and they just didn't come = up in a simple google, so I seem to have misremembered the asexual part.<br= > <br> fred.<br> =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D<div><div class=3D"h5"><br> <br> <blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1p= x #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"> There are a large number of species of 'blackfly', Simuliidae, a fa= mily in the primitive branch of two-winged flies, Diptera -- the Nematocera= or 'longhorns', referring to their long antennae, the group in que= stion here.=C2=A0 I don't recall ever hearing that any of these reprodu= ce asexually, so checked the Manual of Nearctic Diptera vol 1.=C2=A0 This i= ndicates that sexual reproduction is the norm, but mentions the unusual Sca= ndanavian case of the Prosimulium ursinum.=C2=A0 There, a female sometimes = fails to emerge from the pupa, dies in place and disintegrates whereupon ma= tured eggs wash out into the stream, overwinter, and emerge parthenogenetic= ally next spring.<br> <br> So you can never be too careful when making generalizations, where exceptio= ns to the rule may be lurking.<br> Steve (Hfx)<br> ________________________________________<br> From: <a href=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank">na= turens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca</a> [<a href=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.= ns.ca" target=3D"_blank">naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca</a>] on behalf of Fr= ed Schueler [<a href=3D"mailto:bckcdb@istar.ca" target=3D"_blank">bckcdb@is= tar.ca</a>]<br> Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2016 5:07 PM<br> To: <a href=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank">naturens@c= hebucto.ns.ca</a><br> Subject: Re: [NatureNS] absence of insects<br> <br> On 6/23/2016 3:43 PM, Donna Crossland wrote:<br> <blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1p= x #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"> Darn!=C2=A0 Ha, ha,=C2=A0 I=E2=80=99ve heard the song played on CBC but nev= er saw the<br> video.=C2=A0 It=E2=80=99s true the black flies seem larger in northern Onta= rio.=C2=A0 I<br> think a different species from here.<br> </blockquote> <br> * there are hundreds of species and, I seem to recall, asexual lineages<br> with diverse karyotypes - <a href=3D"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simulium= " rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simuli= um</a> - some<br> feed on one species of host or another, and some don't take a blood mea= l.<br> <br> fred.<br> =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D<br> <blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1p= x #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"> <br> <br> <br> I seem to be too late with thoughts on the black fly.=C2=A0 Annapolis Royal= <br> has claimed a =E2=80=98_black fly_ _festival=E2=80=99_, though I=E2=80=99ve= never seen a black<br> fly there, and they=E2=80=99d be nothing compared to the wooded heartlands = of<br> NS.=C2=A0 A =E2=80=98_black fly_ _supper=E2=80=99_ probably wouldn=E2=80=99= t draw a big crowd....=C2=A0 : )<br> <br> <br> <br> Donna<br> <br> <br> <br> *From:*<a href=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank">n= aturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca</a><br> [mailto:<a href=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank">= naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca</a>] *On Behalf Of *Rick Whitman<br> *Sent:* June-23-16 4:01 PM<br> *To:* naturens<br> *Subject:* Re: [NatureNS] absence of insects<br> <br> <br> <br> We can't claim it, Donna. Ontario already has it:<br> <br> <br> <br> <a href=3D"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DqjLBXb1kgMo" rel=3D"noreferrer= " target=3D"_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DqjLBXb1kgMo</a><br> <br> <br> <br> Rick Whitman<br> <br> <br> <br> On 23 June 2016 at 15:00, Donna Crossland <<a href=3D"mailto:dcrossland@= eastlink.ca" target=3D"_blank">dcrossland@eastlink.ca</a><br> <mailto:<a href=3D"mailto:dcrossland@eastlink.ca" target=3D"_blank">dcro= ssland@eastlink.ca</a>>> wrote:<br> <br> Thanks, John, for offering the thought of blackflies being keystone<br> species.=C2=A0 Being a non-aquatic person, I hadn=E2=80=99t thought of thei= r<br> filtering abilities and incorporating organic matter.=C2=A0 =C2=A0Do you th= ink<br> we=E2=80=99d get very far offering the black fly as a new and official<br> provincial=C2=A0 insect of our wonderful province?=C2=A0 Ha, ha.<br> <br> <br> <br> Donna<br> <br> <br> <br> *From:*<a href=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank">n= aturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca</a><br> <mailto:<a href=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blan= k">naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca</a>><br> [mailto:<a href=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank">= naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca</a><br> <mailto:<a href=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blan= k">naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca</a>>] *On Behalf Of *John Kearney<br> *Sent:* June-23-16 8:25 AM<br> *To:* <a href=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank">naturens= @chebucto.ns.ca</a> <mailto:<a href=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca" t= arget=3D"_blank">naturens@chebucto.ns.ca</a>><br> *Subject:* RE: [NatureNS] absence of insects<br> <br> <br> <br> As always Donna, you have given an excellent explanation of the possible<br= > effects of forestry on Black Fly populations. In addition to the lack of<br= > food for birds resulting from fewer flies, the Black Fly larvae are an<br> important food source for fish and the larvae of larger aquatic insects<br> such as mayflies and damselflies. As filter feeders, the Black Fly<br> larvae play a crucial role in incorporating organic matter into the<br> aquatic food chain. As filter feeders, they could also serve as<br> indicator species for aquatic pollution, and in Nova Scotia especially,<br> for mercury pollution. The adult male Black Fly, which feeds on nectar,<br> may even play some role in pollination. Here we have a species that is<br> crucial to both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Certainly the Black<br> Fly is a keystone forest species.<br> <br> John<br> <br> <br> <br> *From:*<a href=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank">n= aturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca</a><br> <mailto:<a href=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blan= k">naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca</a>><br> [mailto:<a href=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank">= naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca</a>] *On Behalf Of *Donna Crossland<br> *Sent:* June-22-16 19:20<br> *To:* <a href=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank">naturens= @chebucto.ns.ca</a> <mailto:<a href=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca" t= arget=3D"_blank">naturens@chebucto.ns.ca</a>><br> *Subject:* [NatureNS] absence of insects<br> <br> <br> <br> In response to Susann=E2=80=99s question regarding whether other birders ha= ve<br> noticed a lack of insects:=C2=A0 I=E2=80=99ve noticed the past couple of ye= ars that<br> black flies seem to =E2=80=98not be what they used to be=E2=80=99.=C2=A0 = =C2=A0Mostly, the season<br> seems to be noticeably abbreviated.=C2=A0 Also the past two spring have<br> witness very cold temperatures in the mornings (last Saturday there was<br> a frost at Milford House and only 4 C when I arrived at 5:20 am).=C2=A0 =C2= =A0I<br> measure the temperature at every bird survey post and notice that 10-11<br> C is required before I need to put on some bug deterrent.=C2=A0 By then, on= <br> most mornings until the warm temps of this week, I=E2=80=99ve pretty well<b= r> completed the bird survey.<br> <br> <br> <br> Earlier this spring, some of the fishermen were commenting that the<br> blackflies were biting just like in the old days.=C2=A0 Things started out<= br> =E2=80=98normally=E2=80=99 enough, but then we hit the prolonged cold snap = and waters<br> were rapidly dropping, too.=C2=A0 The blackflies quickly became less of an = issue.<br> <br> <br> <br> I=E2=80=99m not a bug expert, but I grew up in one of the buggiest areas of= the<br> province.=C2=A0 My theory with the black fly is that it=E2=80=99s tradition= ally<br> successful life cycle in NS has been altered somewhat from the rampant<br> levels of deforestation.=C2=A0 On private lands, it seems that operations<b= r> have reverted back to cutting right up to the stream edges with no trees<br= > remaining (I=E2=80=99ve got photos of last winter=E2=80=99s cuts in the sou= thwest).<br> Even where buffers are left as per legal requirements, the lack of trees<br= > remaining on the rest of the landscape serve to let streams rapidly fill<br= > after a rain and then empty quickly, rather than retain moderate flows<br> from filtering through forests.=C2=A0 For the black fly, if waters keep<br> running more will emerge, but streams are now drying up more quickly<br> than before when our great Acadian forest blanketed the landscape.=C2=A0 Th= e<br> black fly season is shortened.<br> <br> <br> <br> Also bear in mind that breeding success of black flies is sensitive to<br> water pollution in streams (which may be relevant to some areas of our<br> great province).<br> <br> <br> <br> Most folks will herald the shorter black fly season, but I=E2=80=99ve becom= e<br> more reflective about our migrant birds now than I used to be.<br> Neotropical birds have been coming to this land solely for=C2=A0 its =E2=80= =9Cbugs=E2=80=9D<br> and the remarkable =E2=80=98forest habitats=E2=80=99 found here for centuri= es!=C2=A0 What are<br> we indirectly doing to their precious food supply needed to feed young<br> birds?=C2=A0 (I won=E2=80=99t go into habitat issues.)=C2=A0 When I watch t= he chimney<br> swifts and tree swallows flying around, I wonder how things are going<br> for them and their progeny...<br> <br> <br> <br> Donna Crossland<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> *From:*<a href=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank">n= aturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca</a><br> <mailto:<a href=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blan= k">naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca</a>><br> [mailto:<a href=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank">= naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca</a>] *On Behalf Of<br> *<a href=3D"mailto:rita.paul@ns.sympatico.ca" target=3D"_blank">rita.paul@n= s.sympatico.ca</a> <mailto:<a href=3D"mailto:rita.paul@ns.sympatico.ca" = target=3D"_blank">rita.paul@ns.sympatico.ca</a>><br> *Sent:* June-20-16 8:48 AM<br> *To:* <a href=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank">naturens= @chebucto.ns.ca</a> <mailto:<a href=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca" t= arget=3D"_blank">naturens@chebucto.ns.ca</a>><br> *Subject:* Re: [NatureNS] Golden-crowned Kinglet family group<br> <br> <br> <br> Maybe birders are noticing a lack of insects Susann!<br> <br> but anglers seem not in agreement but maybe birders<br> <br> blood is not in this year! Just like wine.<br> <br> Enjoy the last days of spring<br> <br> Paul<br> <br> <br> <br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 On June 20, 2016 at 7:02 AM Susann Myers <<a href=3D"mailt= o:myerss@eastlink.ca" target=3D"_blank">myerss@eastlink.ca</a><br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 <mailto:<a href=3D"mailto:myerss@eastlink.ca" target=3D"_b= lank">myerss@eastlink.ca</a>>> wrote:<br> <br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 Pat McKay and I did some woods birding yesterday along the Ol= d<br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 Mineville Road, a very quiet rough track that runs between We= st<br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 Porters Lake and Mineville, HRM.=C2=A0 In one area there were= a lot of<br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 Golden-crowned Kinglet calls, and we saw a group of more than= <br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 4 kinglets flitting around in the woods together, feeding and= <br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 calling.=C2=A0 We couldn't get a good enough look to conf= irm fledgling<br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 plumage, but this appeared to be a family group.<br> <br> <br> <br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 A little research confirmed that this is the right season for= a<br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 first brood of fledglings to be out of the nest and moving ab= out<br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 with their parents.=C2=A0 Tufts gives April 16 for the averag= e start of<br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 nesting on Wolfville Ridge, and roughly mid-May for the compl= etion<br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 of egg laying.=C2=A0 /The Birders' Handbook/ indicates th= at incubation<br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 takes 14-15 days, and fledging another 14-19; it also indicat= es that<br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 this kinglet typically has 2 broods.<br> <br> <br> <br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 Also notable were a good showing of butterflies and a lack of= other<br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 flying insects - no black flies, and the only mosquitoes that= <br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 bothered us were at a salt marsh in the early morning, where = we went<br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 to hear Sora.=C2=A0 Although the day became windy, there was = no wind felt<br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 down at ground level in the woods.=C2=A0 Are other birders no= ting this<br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 absence of insecs?<br> <br> <br> <br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 Cheers,<br> <br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 Susann Myers<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> </blockquote> <br> --<br> ------------------------------------------------------------<br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0Frederick W. Schueler & Aleta = Karstad<br> Daily Paintings - <a href=3D"http://karstaddailypaintings.blogspot.com/" re= l=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://karstaddailypaintings.blogspot.co= m/</a><br> Vulnerable Watersheds - <a href=3D"http://vulnerablewaters.blogspot.ca/" re= l=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://vulnerablewaters.blogspot.ca/</a>= <br> Mudpuppy Night in Oxford Mills - <a href=3D"http://pinicola.ca/mudpup1.htm"= rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://pinicola.ca/mudpup1.htm</a><br= > =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0RR#2 Bishops Mills, Ontario, Canada K0G 1T0<br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 on the Smiths Falls Limestone Plain 44* 52'N 75* 42'W= <br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0(613)258-3107 <bckcdb at <a href=3D"http://istar.ca"= rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">istar.ca</a>> <a href=3D"http://pi= nicola.ca/" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://pinicola.ca/</a><br= > ------------------------------------------------------------<br> <br> </blockquote> <br> -- <br> ------------------------------------------------------------<br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 Frederick W. Schueler & Aleta Karsta= d<br></div></div> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0Fragile Inheritance Natural Histor= y<span class=3D""><br> Daily Paintings - <a href=3D"http://karstaddailypaintings.blogspot.com/" re= l=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://karstaddailypaintings.blogspot.co= m/</a><br> Vulnerable Watersheds - <a href=3D"http://vulnerablewaters.blogspot.ca/" re= l=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://vulnerablewaters.blogspot.ca/</a>= <br> Mudpuppy Night in Oxford Mills - <a href=3D"http://pinicola.ca/mudpup1.htm"= rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://pinicola.ca/mudpup1.htm</a><br= ></span> 4 St-Lawrence Street Bishops Mills, RR#2 Oxford Station, Ontario K0G 1T0<di= v class=3D"HOEnZb"><div class=3D"h5"><br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0on the Smiths Falls Limestone Plain 44* 52'N 75* 42'W<= br> =C2=A0 =C2=A0 (613)258-3107 <bckcdb at <a href=3D"http://istar.ca" rel= =3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">istar.ca</a>> <a href=3D"http://pinico= la.ca/" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://pinicola.ca/</a><br> ------------------------------------------------------------<br> </div></div></blockquote></div><br><br clear=3D"all"><div><br></div>-- <br>= <div class=3D"gmail_signature" data-smartmail=3D"gmail_signature"><span sty= le=3D"font-family:georgia,serif">Rick Ballard </span><br style=3D"font-fami= ly:georgia,serif"><span style=3D"font-family:georgia,serif">Dartmouth,Nova = Scotia, Canada </span><br style=3D"font-family:georgia,serif"><span style= =3D"font-family:georgia,serif"></span></div> </div> --001a113d59224c575805360b23d0--
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