The Canadian Field-Naturalist (E-Journal)
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Range Extensions of 35 Bryophyte Species in the Black Spruce–Feather Moss Forest of Western Quebec, Canada
Get PDFAlthough the North American bryophyte flora are relatively well known, bryophytes of the Black Spruce–feather moss forest in the Nord-du-Québec administrative region, especially its southern portion (49–51°N, 74–79°W), remain under-sampled. Here, we report 169 bryophyte taxa for this region, of which 35 (14 true mosses, 20 liverworts, one sphagnum) represent noteworthy records, including 20 taxa new for the region. These new occurrences close several gaps in distribution in the study area and, more broadly, in the boreal Black Spruce (Picea mariana) forest of adjacent ontario. Microhabitat preferences of the species are also documented. This work represents a substantial contribution to knowledge of the bryophyte flora, which will help refine protection priority ranks of species of Quebec and Labrador
Autumn Raptor Migration in Yellowstone National Park, 2011–2015
Get PDFRaptors are wide-ranging, vagile avian predators whose populations can be difficult and costly to monitor on their breeding or winter range. However, monitoring raptors during their annual northbound or southbound migration is a cost-effective and efficient alternative to time-intensive, single-species breeding surveys. In 2010, we observed numerous Swainson’s Hawks (Buteo swainsoni) and Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) migrating through the Hayden Valley in central Yellowstone National Park, prompting an investigation into raptor migration patterns in the park. Our objectives were to monitor annual autumn raptor migration in Hayden Valley from 2011 to 2015 and to determine the relative role of this undocumented migration site by comparing our observations to simultaneously collected migration data from three other sites in the Rocky Mountain Flyway. From 2011 to 2015, we observed 6441 raptors of 17 species across 170 d and 907 h of observation. Red-tailed Hawks, Swainson’s Hawks, and Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) accounted for 51% of the total individuals observed over five years. Overall counts from Hayden Valley were comparable to counts from the three migration sites in the Rocky Mountains, although abundance of individual species varied by site. Data from this study suggest that Hayden Valley may serve as a stopover site for migrating raptors and presents an opportunity for future research. By improving our understanding of where raptors migrate and the characteristics of stopover areas in the Rocky Mountains, land managers may develop effective strategies for protecting raptor populations and habitat from threats including development and climate change
River Otter (Lontra canadensis) Killed by Wolves (Canis lupus) during Winter in Northern Minnesota
Get PDFFew accounts exist of Gray Wolves (Canis lupus) killing small sympatric mammalian predators. In January 2017, we observed a River Otter (Lontra canadensis) that had been killed by wolves on the ice in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota. This is one of only a few documented instances of wolves killing otters
Erythrism in Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) in Maritime Canada
Get PDFWe document three cases of erythrism in Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Although the source of erythrism in Maritime P. crucifer remains uncertain, the occurrences reported here demonstrate this colour morph to be a widespread, although apparently rare, form in the Canadian Maritimes region
Snake mortality and cover board effectiveness along exclusion fencing in British Columbia, Canada
Get PDFWe report on snake mortalities along exclusion fencing in southern British Columbia, showing Western Yellow-bellied Racer (Coluber constrictor mormon) deaths were disproportionately higher than our encounter rates with the species within the snake community. This suggests racers were susceptible to fence mortality more so than Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes (Crotalus o. oreganus) or Great Basin Gophersnakes (Pituouphis catenifer deserticola). Datalogger recordings revealed temperatures under cover boards were well above the tolerable temperatures of the three snake species, although the boards appeared to temper ambient heat more efficiently than natural vegetation. We caution that the effects of fencing and cover boards may vary across ecosystems and snake species
