Buffalo Lake Naturalists, a nature club based out of Stettler welcomed Jim McCabe, a retired biologist and avid birdwatcher from Drumheller to present a talk on Thursday, Oct. 15 at St. George’s Anglican.
Attended by members of the nature club, the evening had a good turnout.
“Jim McCabe presented on warblers and brownish birds, besides small birds that one can see in the Stettler and Drumheller area,” said Mark Higgins, former president and current member, Buffalo Lake Naturalists.
McCabe also gave bird-watching and photography tips to members.
The Buffalo Lake Naturalists was formed in 1973, to encourage local Albertans to increase their knowledge and appreciation of natural history.
According to Higgins, the objective of the nature club was to work towards conservation of natural areas and native species of animal and plant life, to help prevent misuse of natural resources, and to promote the study of natural history through various channels of communication, field trips, outdoor activities and inventories.
“Our monthly topics are generally related to nature and natural history, and usually aligned with the objectives of the club,”said Higgins. “We have approximately 25 members and have monthly meetings, outdoor hikes and bird-watching expeditions.”
In July 2015, the members visited the Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park in Red Deer River Valley for butterfly count,which included catch, identify and release.
Four dragonflies were observed, Aeschna interrupta (Variable Darner), Ophiogomphus severus (Pale Snaketail), Leucorrhinia intacta (Dot-tailed Whiteface) and Sympetrum internum (Cherry-faced Meadowhawk).
Two damselflies were noticed as well, Enallagma annexum (cyathigerum) (Northern Bluet) and Lestes unguiculatus (Lyre-tipped Spreadwing).
There were 41 observers and 21 species of skippers and butterflies and 141 individuals were seen.