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Unusual sightings are common this springYoung foxes out exploring.By Bill Stil willUnusual, unique, rare and exciting wildlife sighting are taking place throughout ruralManitoba this spring. Topping off the list is a cougar sighting near Plum Coulee, but that is far from the only interesting report.Near Deleau,Manitoba, a white-faced ibis was photographed recently. While this isunusual, these birds have been spotted at Whitewater Lake for sever al conse cutiveyears. Perhaps they are expanding their range.According to information on the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature website, the ibis is listed as “accidental” in Manitoba. Sightings are “infrequent and far outside the usual range and includes species recorded once or twiceor only at very great intervals. ”The white-faced ibis is a wading bird with a length of about 19 inches and a wingspan of approximately 37 inches. They are bronze-brown coloured and appear black from a distance. One very noticia-ble feature is their long down-turned bill.Last year great egrets were regulary sighted throughout much ofsouthern Manitoba.Again, this is a birdspecies that is well outside its normal range. These large pure-white wading birds are likely around this year as well.Se ver al burr owingowls have been spotted this spring. One was sighted near Neepawa and second was reported near Miami, Manitoba. Burrowing owls are considered to be “very rare”.If you are driving around this weekend keep your eye out forred fox pups. The young of this year can currently be found frolicking outside the den. Some of the young foxes are already getting quite large.There are many interesting birds and animals worth watching. For example, you might find a den of young coyotes. Great blue herons nest in colonies and if you happen to know of any groups please send the information along. That would also apply to any active “birds of prey” nests if they are accessible for photography without fear of disturbing the birds.Another species of real interest is the turkey vulture. Not that many years ago this was an unusal sighting in most parts of the province. Today they are relatively common. However, few people ever see their nests. In Saskatchewan recent studies show they often nest in abandonedfarm buildings. Do you know of any turkey vulture nests?Within a few weeks we will begin to find lady-slippers blossoming throughout the region. The yellow lady’s slipper is quite common but the showy lady’s slipper is far less abundanent. Last year they were blossoming around mid-June.Another species of real interest is the small white lady-slipper. If you happen to know of any nearby patchesplease send the information along. One of the few places where this endangered species is found in the Brandon Hills.If you make any interesting observations this spring please email the writer at bills@mts.net.Bill Stilwell is the author and naturalist who lives at Neepawa. He is the author of the best-selling nature book “Manitoba Naturally“. To order copies in time for Father’s Day, email manitobanaturally@mts.A pair of white-faced ibis, near Deleau.
Newspaper Details
Russell Banner
Russell, Manitoba, CA
Tue, Jun 17, 2008
Page 10
Full Page
Clipped by
Kevin S.
CA 08 Apr 2022
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