On April 9, 2010, fifty-six CSLT friends and members gathered at the Caboto Club in the Marconi Room for the second annual Canada South Land Trust dinner. Doors opened at 6:00 p.m. for an opportunity to socialize and to bid on the many items on the silent auction tables.
At 7:00 p.m. Master of Ceremonies David Ainslie announced that dinner service would commence. A country-style dinner was served including antipasto Italiano, penne with meat sauce, tossed salad, roast chicken and potatoes, Italian mixed vegetables, rolls, Italian pastry and tea or coffee.
Following dinner, guest speaker Dr. Oliver Love was introduced by Canada South Land Trust director Patricia McGorman. Dr. Love is a member of the University of Windsor's Faculty of Biological Sciences, joining the Faculty in Fall 2009. Dr. Love is both an ecologist and a physiologist.
Dr. Love's interest in Snow Buntings developed because of work with Eider Ducks in Nunavit within Canada's eastern Arctic in 2006. Researchers were attracted by nine thousand pairs of Eider Ducks which breed upon tiny East Bay Island near Coral Harbour on Southhampton Island. This population is the largest Arctic colony of Eider Ducks in Canada.
Researchers noted thirty pairs of Snow Buntings on East Bay Island which nest in the many rocky crevasses on that island. The thirty pairs of Snow Buntings on East Bay Island represent the highest recorded density of breeding pairs of Snow Buntings in the world. Snow Buntings spend three quarters of each year wintering in southern Canada and in migration to southern Canada.
Snow Bunting researchers have noted a decline in the number of individuals of this species. Researchers have been using the records of Christmas Bird Counts since the 1940s to compile data. These records show a decline in wintering Snow Bunting numbers in North America.
Researchers have noted a change in agricultural practices in southern Canada, especially more and more production of crops. Climate change may be a factor in the decline of this species. Open prairies and fields have declined in acreage with fewer weeds which produce a seed crop for wildlife such as wintering Snow Buntings.
Snow Buntings do not like activity as they forage for seeds. Due to our farming methods, Snow Buntings now feed along narrow edges and move away from activity into the centre of big fields. This species is adapted to areas where there is no one and no activity. As a species, Snow Buntings are not doing as well as expected.
Snow Buntings are productive in the summer and can do well further north in areas where there are fewer predators. As an example, Snow Buntings in Churchill are less productive (e.g. smaller clutch sizes) than Snow Buntings which nest in northern Ellesmere where there is more food and less predation.
Dr. Love has been studying Snow Buntings on East Bay Island since 2007 to the present. The East Bay Island population is one of two populations being studied.
The National Audubon Society has noted a population decline of 65% by Snow Buntings over forty years in the United States.
Dr. Love stated Snow Buntings breed in the high Arctic from which they migrate to winter in Southern Canada. The main provinces to which Snow Buntings migrate include Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario (an estimated 10 to 15 percent of the population) and Quebec.
Snow Buntings breed once a year producing 5-7 eggs. At Alert on northern Ellesmere Island, seven eggs are produced in a relatively predation-free environment i.e. free of foxes and bears. Snow Buntings have chosen East Bay Island because of its granite boulders under which nests are placed. Many insects are present during nesting season, especially non-biting midges.
The life span of an adult Snow Bunting is unknown. As well as wintering in Southern Canada, Snow Buntings winter in northern U.S.A. in agricultural habitats.
Snow Buntings are sexually dimorphic. Adult male Snow Buntings in summer show a "window in the wing" or large white marking, while the females have a mostly brown wing.
Snow Buntings show a lot of brown in winter, molting once a year to go into winter plumage. In the spring both male and female Snow Buntings rub the tips of their brown feathers to achieve the black colour of summer plumage.
Snow Buntings nest under rocks with nest building taking up to four days. Six eggs are laid over six days with incubation for 10 to 11 days. The nests are often hard to get to.
Both adults and chicks are captured and banded with notes maintained to record which birds are breeding with whom. Snow Bunting behaviour is recorded.
The success of Snow Bunting breeding is heavily tied to insect numbers. If the peak of insect activity is missed, then reproduction will fail.
Southern Ontario as a wintering ground for Snow Buntings is quite important. It is thought that our southern Ontario Snow Buntings breed in West Greenland. It is thought the East Bay Island Snow Buntings winter in Manitoba.
Researchers are trying to understand wintering Snow Bunting movement through the use of tiny geolocators which weigh three quarters of a gram and are being used for the first time on small birds.
Banding of Snow Buntings has occurred in Ontario from Ottawa to Windsor with the majority banded in Fergus, Ontario. In Ottawa, mainly mature male Snow Buntings have been banded. In Windsor, very few males have been banded, the majority being young females. There is "stratification" of Snow Bunting occurrence.
There is an ebb and flow to the movement of male Snow Buntings. Males tend to return to the breeding areas early in spring. Male Snow Buntings are larger than the females. Snow Buntings have a difficult time staying cool (i.e. they can easily overheat). If a heavy snow occurs in winter, these birds move south. If the snow is light, Snow Buntings move north. Snow Buntings in Windsor disappeared on February 16, 2010 due to warming conditions. In Fergus, during the first week of March 2010, the males disappeared.
Changes have happened within the world in which Snow Buntings live. Climate change has occurred while the southern wintering grounds of Snow Buntings have become agricultural areas. A student working for eight months has examined Christmas Bird Count data which shows changes in the population of Snow Buntings.
Corn and soya bean production has jumped in the last one hundred years. Once the average yield of corn was 4 tonnes per hectare. Now production is 9-10 tonnes per hectare.
What is the future of the Snow Bunting in Canada? Dr. Love stated that climate warming may play a role in its decline. Agricultural intensity may have a mixed effect on the abundance of the Snow Bunting.
Following a question and answer session, Dr. Love was thanked by Betty Learmouth for a most informative and enjoyable presentation.
Master of Ceremonies David Ainslie thanked everyone for attending the Land Trust dinner and for taking part in the fund raising silent auction. A special thank you to all who donated towards the silent auction which raised $992.00.
Thank you to Shirley Grondin and Bonnie Ross who looked after the reception table. Thank you to David Ainslie, our MC for the evening. Thank you to Shirley and to Larry Onysko for the silent auction setup.