BIODIVERSITY FORUM

The Canadian Centre for Biodiversity 'invites members of the Society to join their international forum on biodiversity which features a new bulletin Canadian

Biodive§3ity. This bulletin W111 publlsh. deMu“ $25CDN SZSLLS Substantive articles, views, news, and ' reViews on biodiversity and CANADIAN BIODIVERSITY biosyatematics , ‘ Canadiln Centre for Biodiyenity, c/o Canadian Museum of Nuurs , ' P.0.Box3443.Sufion'D' . » Ottawa. Ontario KIP‘6P4 FAX: (613) 9904313

NEWS Enos asour

The Toronto Field Naturalists have the VIP - Volunteers in Park initiative running again to staff their Nature Information Centre in Sunnybrook Park. Their volunteers have operated this pioneer log cabin display, brochure, and map centre since 1980. (adapted from TFN # 427)

Eleven European nations signed an agreement which obliges its signatories to protect bats by locating and conserving their habitats, studying them, controlling pesticides and stopping people from killing them. (adapted from TFN # 427, April, 1992) ,

Thanks to research by selma Barkham in the Spanish Archives, the Canadian Parks Service located a Basque whaling station at Red Bay, Labrador in 1977 and 1978. The underwater archaeology and site inspections have lead to the designation of $2.7 million of their Green Plan funds to support the development of this site. Basque whaling flburished along the Quebec North

,Shore and Labrador Coast for several decades in the mid- to late-1500s. This site is significant in that shore stations include tryworks for boiling the whale blubber, workshops where barrels were made, living quarters, a cemetery with over 100 burials, and sunken Basque gallions that constitute the only ' substantial remains of 16th century sea—going vessels anywhere in the world. (Env. Canada PR-HG-091-Sl and Backgrounder) ‘r

Congratulations to the members of the Belfast Historical Society who were awarded the 1991 Canadian Parks Service Heritage Award. Congratulations also to Mr. Hal Hinds of New Brunswick, Dr. George Ledingham of Saskatchewan, La societe duventor of Quebec, and La sociéte provancher d'histoire naturelle du Canada of Quebec whose significant contributions to natural history were recognized by the receipt of a Canadian Parks Service Heritage Award.

WHERE IS'MY HOME ' Elwood Coakes

A two-inch home - a 53 inch home - or one ninety feet off the ground - these can all be found on Prince Edward Island. Ornithological homes - 150‘ birds have been known or are believed to be building nests on this northern. island. Where would one look for bird homes here? Research gives revelation. The awkward Great Blue Heron nest high up in spruce or poplar trees on. offshore islands whereas the Pied-billed Grebe builds a floating nest.

six woodpeckers species nest here and one other may nest here. Usually they nest in self excavated tree cavities. The nest locations, heights, and other locations where they have been found nesting are described below. The Northern Flicker excavates a cavity 3 to 50 feet or more above the ground in a tree, post, wall, dead stumps, and live poplars. The Yellow-bellied sapsucker

.-7_