Getting the float together for Canada Day - and it was a winner. Second prize for non commercial.
Canada Day for FOPE
Peace Trail Work
Our intrepid volunteers have spent two Sundays putting up the signs for the Peace Trail. One of the days was warm; last Sunday not so! One more work session and the trail will be complete. Many hands do make for light work - and a picnic after never hurts!
AGM
Feb. 24, 2018
The AGM for 2018 was held on this date. A brisk but beautiful hike - with a bit of dancing over the ice - was followed by a presentation by Ducks Unlimited, one of Canada's largest charities. Thanks to all who showed up and supported the AGM.
Open House
April 22, 2018
Our 3 pronged event this year was a success. The hikers had a lovely spring hike with Doug and Greg providing commentary. There were about 18 people on the trail. The kids had a lot of fun tearing around the trail finding the controls - and getting their treasure - hopefully this event will grow next year. We had about 6 kids participating. The open house itself was more of an open yard - it was such a gorgeous day, we all just had to sit outside and eat a hotdog - expertly prepared by chefs McDonald and Hunt. A big thanks from Betty for all who came out and helped.
ALICE POWER 1951 - 2018
Bird Count 2017
Four intrepid field observers, backed up by 10 home feeder counters braved the cold weather to record 686 individual birds from 29 species. The high lights of the count included 8 bald eagles, 3 from the Wallace River population and 4 on the Pugwash River with one at the bridge in Pugwash. Six Common Goldeneyes were observed at Estuary House but larger numbers of both Common and Burrows Goldeneyes were seen in the open water by the bridge in Pugwash along with Red-breasted and Common Mergansers.
While not officially within our count area, a flock of 148 Canada geese were observed flying west over the ice of the Northumberland Strait, presumably looking for an area of open water or somewhere to feed. All the birds, from the bald eagles roosting above Docherty Creek to the herring gulls huddled on the ice of the Pugwash Basin, appeared hunched up and minding the cold.
A sincere thank you to everyone who contributed to the count. I am very impressed with our numbers, considering the weather, and I'm sure NS Bird Society and Bird Studies Canada will appreciate our numbers too.
Official Recognition
Thank you to the Legislature of Nova Scotia for recognizing the work that FOPE does to conserve the ecosystem of the Pugwash Estuary. We were very pleased to receive this after the visit of Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin, MLA.
Christmas Party a success
John and Bonnie opened up their beautiful hall for a wonderful Christmas party this year and many members of FOPE came to celebrate with us. We had way more food than we could eat and people also generously donated to the food bank.
Thank you so much, John and Bonnie. Good party!
So from all of us at FOPE, we wish you a very Merry Christmas. See you at the Bird Count on Dec. 28th!!!
Christmas Market
Once again we partnered with Communities in Bloom to sell at the Christmas Market. Fun to see everyone.
We Won Second
FOPE participated in the annual Christmas Tree Fest at the High School Beat out by Mike Cunningham's tree, we were still second place winners. Thanks to Mary, Sarah, Bonnie, Betty, Sandy and Dianne who all worked on the tree.
Look out Mike Cunningham.
Voila. The prize-winning tree!