GROWLS - 21 May 2008 Minutes of Meeting

OLD BUSINESS:

Web Site: Mark Hendricks has done excellent work on kick-starting the GROWLS web site and Ted Leather is doing follow-on massaging. More effort is required to populate the various areas of the site. Individual log-on to the Members Only area will be incorporated.
“Planet Earth” showing at the Roxy was a success. Look for another session in the near future;
Eagle deflectors: BC Hydro has installed warning devices on wires at 3 island locations that have figured prominently in past eagle electrocutions. Ian Lawrence will compose a newspaper article;
Frog Night: Sheila Malcolmson (a.k.a. Sheila M) sent an e-mail updating us on the subject. She awaits a final report from Purnima Govindarajulu before communicating with the 19 volunteers (including 5 who volunteered their ponds for the initial survey) for follow-on actions. Since Dar is not available as GROWLS Point Of Contact on this subject, Sheila Hanizewska (a.k.a. Sheila H) has volunteered as POC;
Eagle Taxidermy: it was overwhelmingly voted ‘in favour’ to continue with taxidermy of ‘our’ electrocuted eagle. Laurel Bohart of Cortes Island will be approached to do the work. This animal will provide valuable training for GROWLS courses and in educational presentations to school children and visitors.

Equipment Demo: Nikki Stewart demonstrated 2 Catch Poles, heavy gloves and Cage Net available from ACES/Animal Care Equipment & Services. A $700 grant from the Gabriola Recreation Society will be used to procure 2 x 5’ Catch Poles (with loop release mechanism) and two pairs of heavy raptor-proof gloves (Med & Large size). The Net will be discussed with Wild ARC personnel before making a decision to purchase;

Case Studies:

Wildlife	Lived	Died	Unk	Comments
small birds	4	1	2
owl			1	initially seen in ditch by Bulton\'s farm
eagle		1		Diagnosed as Avian Pox
bat		1		found injured on house deck
deer	2	5		4 vehicle strikes
sea lion			1	referred to DFO Marine Mammals
raccoon	4	7	4
beaver	1			Sandwell Beach area
squirrel	1			nest in fallen tree

Intruder Alert: Islanders have been asked by BC MoE to report any sightings of the Eastern Grey Squirrel on the island (in fact, anywhere north of Duncan) so that species containment can be provided in order to protect our smaller red squirrels. A large poster depicting both species is presently shown in the Village bulletin board, and smaller ones are being produced for distribution on-island. Sheila Lake (a.k.a. Sheila L) will coordinate the small posters. Sheila H will investigate use in GES;
Butterfly Alert: Jean Wyenberg highlighted an endangered species, the “Taylor’s Checkerspot”. No sightings on Gabriola have yet been reported;
Owl Release DVD: Scott Smither presented a video show highlighting the release of ‘our’ Barred Owl and of a sea lion feeding frenzy near Mudge Island.

The meeting was adjourned at 2030L hrs. The next monthly meeting will be Wednesday, 18 June @ 1900L hrs in the Rollo Centre.

Sheila Lake, 247-8886