Bald eagle not just an American bird
Dan reported “a pair of eagles flying over our house along the river in Rossdale.” They live throughout a large part of North America and are usually found near rivers and bodies of water. This is the case in Edmonton, where Bald Eagles can be seen in and along the river valley.
They are attracted to the Goldbar area due to the concentration of ducks and other waterfowl in the warm open water from the water treatment plant. During the Edmonton Christmas Bird count between 2 and 6 eagles have been counted annually in the past 7 years, mostly along the North Saskatchewan River.
Bald eagles usually hunt from a high perch and glide down to catch their prey. They will strike from the air and are known to wade into shallow streams or rivers for fish. They are occasionally pulled into the water while trying to catch large fish. These birds are surprisingly good swimmers, using their wings to mimic a motion that is similar to the butterfly stroke.
Juvenile bald eagles gradually spend time on their own away from their parents and learn to hunt by trial and error. They may eat a lot of carrion, especially fish, till they master hunting live food. Learn more at https://edmonton.wbu.com/bird-of-the-month-bald-eagles
Devonian trail in Parkland County
If you are in search of a peaceful hike, the Devonian Trail offers river valley views, country roads and blissful boardwalks. It begins at Prospector’s Point and ends at the University of Alberta Botanical Gardens, formerly known as the Devonian gardens - hence Devonian trail.
This trail is a 12 km round trip which will take 2-3 hours. It has a gravel-rocky path and a wooden boardwalk, with some steep sections as you ascend out of the valley. The Prospector’s Point parking lot is just off Highway 60 and next to the North Saskatchewan River. There are bathrooms and garbage cans at the parking lot.
Named for those who used the area to pan for gold, Prospector’s Point is a great place to relax, fish and take in the views. The trail heading up from Prospector’s Point is on land once owned by Mary Louise Imrie, the first female architect in Edmonton and one of the first Canadian women to establish her own architecture firm.
Inspired by Alberta’s landscapes, she bequeathed the land to the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife foundation in 1988. Her biggest hope was that the people of Alberta could enjoy this beautiful land, and the Devonian Trail is one of the ways you can do that. More information at https://rivervalley.ab.ca/trail-treks/trailtrek-how-to-devonian-trail-in-parkland-county/
Online resources for environment learning from home
As the physical and social distancing measures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic seem likely to stay in force for the near future, the Alberta Environmental Network has compiled suggestions of online environmental learning resources to help kids of all ages learn about the environment during this time of limited activities.
The 17+ online resources include teach and learn at home options for kids, back to school courses for high school students and adults, online films from the festival circuit and interactive simulation tools to see the impact of the choices, decisions, and policies we make on our landscape and climate. Check out options at https://aenweb.ca/news/17-online-resources-learning-about-environment-home-kids-all-ages
Black spruce our coast to coast evergreen
Black spruce trees can reach heights of up to 30 metres. More than 80 per cent of its global range is in Canada where it grows from coast to coast. It is the provincial tree of Newfoundland and Labrador. They typically grow in cold, soggy areas, such as bogs and swamps, but also in upland areas.
The black spruce’s short, stiff, blue-green needles along its drooping branches are arranged in every direction on the tree's twigs. Its cones are small, purplish-brown, and egg-shaped. They can remain on a tree for up to 30 years.
Black spruce cones readily open and disperse seeds after wildfires. It also reproduces through layering, which occurs when the lower branches touch the ground and put down roots that then send up new stems. This strategy enables the species to reproduce in harsh environments where other trees cannot live.
Black spruce plays many important roles in an ecosystem. Its seeds are the primary food source for red squirrels, chickadees, nuthatches, and crossbills, while snowshoe hares, mice and voles eat the seedlings and spruce grouse feed on the needles. Learn more at https://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/what-we-do/resource-centre/featured-species/plants/black-spruce.html
Share river valley event, job posting, or news
If you have a river valley event, job posting, or news that you would like to see published in this newsletter, please send the info to nsrivervalley@gmail.com
Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712
nsrivervalley@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/NSRVCS/
http://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/