Fall Flotilla 2018

Oct. 13, 2018 - Some of us hiked and some of us paddled. We started out together with Betty outlining the day. Mike led the hikers; Margie showed the paddlers where to go.

There were 13 hikers and 13 paddlers. The colours for both were spectacular and every now and then, the sun did poke through. For the paddlers, the water was completely smooth - no wind. Thoroughly delightful.

Back at the FOPE house, we compared stories of adventures. Lina had a great one to tell.

Tom provided the food; Ed was our master chef - and then there was Barb’s cake.

Another successful flotilla. Here Betty and Mike hold the paddle which will be raffled off at the FOPE Celebration Dinner on November 24. Thank you Jim Faulice for donating it. It is a beauty!!

Fall Bird Count

The FOPE Fall Migratory Bird Count was a great success. Assisted by Amy-Lee Kauwenberg from Bird Studies Canada, 46 species of birds were identified totalling 1968 or nearly 2000 birds. Flocks of mergansers, Canada geese, and starlings numbered into the hundreds; 82 great blue herons were spotted within our observation circle. Although most shore birds have migrated to the south, a small group of semipalmated plovers, several greater yellowlegs and a spotted sandpiper were seen.

This semipalmated plover was spotted during the bird count.

Harbourfest 2018

Waiting to sail the good ship "Off Kilter".  Designed and built by Diane Burnham, Rocky Irons and Jimmy Felice and crewed by Captain Jim Felice and Mate Bob Nogler.

A proud moment as they get ready to set sail.

A rather soggy start.  And where is the mate?

Attempt # 2 is also rather shortlived.

The crew sadly watching "Noah's Shark" make it safely to harbour.

Flotilla 2018

The weather certainly cooperated and unlike last year's flotilla (where we sat inside and watched the lightning), we paddled in both shade and sunshine.  We had a number of new flotilla paddlers with us. 

Thanks to all who helped - and particularly to Sarah who organized many volunteers to clean, spray, acquire. safety check and barbeque.  But especially, thanks to all who participated.  See you at the FALL FLOTILLA.

Canada Day for FOPE

Getting the float together for Canada Day - and it was a winner.  Second prize for non commercial.

CAMP

June 26, 2018

After many false starts because of the weather, CAMP finally happened. The data was once again sent off for analysis.

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.