Common loon an iconic Canadian species
This bird’s image is on our $1 currency, which is why we call the coin a loonie. The loon’s wail sounds like a wolf’s howl and is one of the most identifiable bird calls heard around lakes. They have come to symbolize wilderness and solitude and are an important top predator in lake ecosystems.
Loons have 4 distinguished calls: tremolo, yodel, wail, and hoot. Each call has a distinct message. The tremolo is used when it is alarmed, or to announce its presence. The yodel is used by a male loon to announce and defend his territory. The wail is the call and response of the loon world, and hoots are used to keep in contact between parents and chicks or between mates.
Loons eat fish, frogs, crayfish, and other aquatic animals. They spend almost all their time in the water so do not have many predators. Chicks are prey to large carnivorous fish, gulls, crows, and eagles.
Loons have solid bones, unlike other birds, which make them less buoyant and better divers. When diving, they quickly blow air out of their lungs and flatten their feathers, making them super fast and efficient underwater. Learn more at https://www.ealt.ca/species-spotlight-list/common-loon
Fundraiser for solar farm judicial review
The Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition has filed a legal challenge against the City of Edmonton’s decision to rezone river valley parkland to permit Epcor to build a 51-acre industrial solar farm adjacent to the E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant.
Their argument is that the development should not have been approved at the expense of the river valley. The judicial review of City Council’s decision will occur November 19.
On Wednesday, October 20 at 7pm, ERVCC will hold an online fundraiser called Night Out on the North Saskatchewan. The event is by donation, will include a silent auction and all money raised will go to support the court case.
Speakers include Living in the Shed author Billie Milholland, former MP and environmental lawyer Linda Duncan, former Indigenous Relations Consultant for the City of Edmonton Rob Houle, and Wes Olson, bison expert, artist, and former park warden at Elk Island National Park. Tickets at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/night-out-on-the-north-saskatchewan-2021-tickets-174678487057
YEG urban forest threatened by emerald ash borer
Edmonton has a great urban forest made up of our river valley and boulevard trees. Our valley is one of the largest urban stretches of forest in the world. Boulevard trees have been planted to make our city a nicer place.
A large number of boulevard trees are American Elm and Green Ash trees. While there is no native ash forest in Alberta, approximately 60% of the boulevard trees in Edmonton are green ash. But the ash is threatened by the emerald ash borer, a tremendously damaging invasive pest.
This beetle is harmful for three reasons: 1) it has no effective native enemies in North America, 2) it attacks and kills healthy trees and 3) our ash have very little resistance to it. While woodpeckers will eat the larvae, they are not fast or efficient enough to curtail the spread of established beetle populations. Infested trees usually show dieback or yellowing of their canopies and sucker growth, followed by peeling bark and finally death in as little as 1-3 years.
Because of this, much of our urban forest is at serious risk. If left unchecked, emerald ash borer could cause untold costs to our quality of life and local infrastructure as beetle-damaged trees fall apart with little provocation, damaging houses, vehicles, and citizens alike. Learn more at https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/pests/emerald-ash-borer
Virendra emailed “You put together a great newspaper. Lot of my Inbox emails get deleted before those are even opened but I read your News religiously because you gather some of the most interesting information about our city and its river valley and biodiversity. A BIG THANK YOU for continuing to do so.”
Photo by Ria Busink who says “I took this picture in the summer, across the river north of Hawrelak Park, when a vicious thunderstorm was brewing. Love the eery light."
Comment or contribution
If you have a comment, concern, or question, contact us at nsrivervalley@gmail.com Please also email us river valley photos or event information. Your friends, neighbours and colleagues can sign up for this newsletter on our web site.
Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712