We had a great time with a lot of support from the crowd. Thanks to David the professor, Ryan the paddler and the other participants.
July 1, Canada Day
Thank You
The Northumberland Links Golf Course was given a print of the Pugwash River painted by noted Nova Scotia artist Tom Forrestall. The Golf Club was kind enough to allow FOPE to host its 2016 Feast of Land and Sea there last September. Accepting the print is Liz Roscoe, president of NLGC.
And the Winner Is . . .
Our own Stephen Leahey was the winner of this year's beautiful quilt done by Miriam Thompson. This (and to a much smaller extent the hot dog sale) was the key to this year's April fundraising
It was not a very warm day!
And we fed a few hungry souls doing their good deed for the environment.
Renovations
Everything is coming together in our house, and it will look a lot better for this year's open house in April than it did for last year. The many hands saying is certainly true, but the biggest accolades go to the two leaders, Werner and Louise van Thielen. The upstairs has been painted and the floor has been laid. Onward to the ground floor.
Our Newest Lifetime Member
Maureen Woodlock has been with FOPE since the beginning, doing the books, keeping us on the straight and narrow, pitching in with everything. A volunteer who goes above and beyond. She richly deserves to be our latest lifetime member.
AGM - February 25, 2017
This year's AGM focussed on reviewing the projects and work done this year. It was preceded by a snowshoe where members once again experienced our two beautiful trails.
A draw was held for those who snowshoed, and the winner was Merlin Brown. He was awarded his prize, a copy of "Hiking Trails of Mainland Nova Scotia" by Sarah Witney, organizer of the hike.
Bird List Christmas Bird Count, Dec. 29, 2016
The 2016 FOPE Christmas Bird Count was a huge success.
A total of 2412 birds were identified involving 41 different species.
Thirty volunteers took part in the count, 15 home feeders were counted and 5 teams of hikers covered more than 30 kms of hiking trails identifying birds in their natural habitats along the way. Two teams of birders drove 50 or so kilometers of road around the Pugwash Estuary, stopping periodically to count birds at when spotted or at likely sites.
Co-ordinator of the Count, Betty Hodgson of the FOPE Board, would like to thank all those who took part. This is the first year we have undertake the Christmas Bird Count of a "circle" recognised by the NS Bird Society. results of our count have been submitted to the NS Bird Society and through them to Bird Studies Canada and the International Audubon Society.
European Starling 1187
Black-capped Chickadee 217
American Goldfinch 155
American Crow 153
Herring Gull 93
Blue Jay 83
Canada Geese 70
Evening Grosbeaks 61
Mourning Doves 52
Dark-eyed Junco 50
Rock Dove (pigeon) 49
Snow Buntings 46
White-winged Scoter 25
Raven 20
Ring Necked Pheasants 19
Common Merganser 17
Red-breasted Merganser 15
Hairy Woodpecker 12
American Tree Sparrow 11
Bald Eagle 10
Downy Woodpecker 10
Golden-crowned Kinglet 9 Ruffed Grouse 9
House Sparrow 8
Pileated woodpecker 7
Bufflehead 4
Pine Grosbeak 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch 3
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Bonaparte's Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Barrows Goldeneye 1
Rough Legged Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Great Horned Owl 1
Gray Jay 1
Song Sparrow 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
White-throated Sparrow 1
Pine Siskin 1
Belted King Fisher 1
Counting the Birds
Dec. 29, 2016 - Friends of the Pugwash Estuary held a Christmas Bird Count in conjunction with the NS Bird Society. Betty had lined up a number of people around a 12.5 km. radius of the estuary house, and others whose main focus was on the Pugwash Estuary. Participants were asked to note the number of each species at their feeder or around town. It is still too early for results, but we will report them as soon as available. A good group arrived to walk the trails - it was a stunningly beautiful day in the woods.
Launching of a Terrific New Book
On Friday, December 16th, the new book, A History of the Pugwash Estuary, was launched in fine fashion. Those who were most responsible to bringing it to fruition came together to celebrate. Stephen Leahey had the idea and directed the process which included finding and hiring Skeena Lawson, the talented young historian from Mt. Allison. Terry Smith and Thelma Colbourne attended. They were two of the local experts whom Skeena interviewed - unfortunately Ralph Thomson and Howard Ferdinand were unable to attend. The Historical Society which provided office space and information for Skeena was represented by Wayne Arsenault and Thelma Colbourne. Editor Hazel Felderhof was there as was Production Director Theresa Rushton. This attractive and informative book will be quickly sold out! To buy your own copy, go to the SHOP section of our webpage.
