Bugs R Us – Young
Naturalists Club
by
Lorrie Schrader
Our January 27,
2011 meeting was so special.
We had Rick Howie from Kamloops
speak to our group about Owls. Rick has
been leading the Christmas Bird Count in this and other locations in and around
Kamloops for many years and is a
preeminent authority on birds. Rick started the meeting off with a power point
presentation on the many Owls we have in the Shuswap area. His presentation was
enhanced with his Owl calls which he then encouraged everyone to try. But, the
highlight of the afternoon was special guest, Pilot the Burrowing Owl. Everyone
got a chance to pet Pilot and ask many questions about his diet, habitat and
territory. Pilot had everyone captivated
and graciously
allowed us to pet and observe him.
allowed us to pet and observe him.
We learned that this
beautiful bird is endangered in Canada
because; of too many predators, loss of grasslands, poisoning due to chemical
sprays, and not enough burrows (the animals that dig the burrows are in
decline). We thank Rick Howie and Pilot so much for
coming out to spend the afternoon with us.
Murray Evaschuk had his microscope viewing
station set up and put one of Pilot’s crickets on a slide for everyone to
see.
You can learn more about Burrowing Owls at www.burrowing owlbc.org
Bugs R Us is a YNC School Nature Club at North Shuswap Elementary School, Celista BC. Thank you to teacher Jannis Delisle and North Shusawp Naturalist Club Member Lorrie Schrader for all their work!
