Outdoors TheReview Wednesday, December 11,1991 — C12 >» Trapping a magnificent snowy owl The wintering trumpeter swans have returned to Martindale Flats where they may be seen on the currently accumulating waters there. Several, at least two, peregrine falcons have been reported in the Island View area while I have just my first call of a snowy or Arctic owl spotted at the Victoria Airport. While the sightings of the tum- peter swans and peregrines are not at all unusual at this time of year, the snowy owl is less predictable. The snowy owl immediately brings to mind the exciting times which Eddie Jones and I had in the Edmonton area a few winters ago. We were busy trying to devise a net trap with which we could live-trap snowies and band them with the hope of gaining informa- tion about their life spans, and pethaps, a little insight into their travels. Of course, the trap must be so contrived that it would not injure the owls in any way and we must be able to extricate them from the net and release them as soon as they were banded. Using an old tennis net, a few yards of bent aluminum tubing, some meadow voles and the spring from a coyote trap, we were soon in business. The dodge was to drive along rural roads until we spotted an owl perched either in a tree, on a power pole, or on the summit of a hay stack. We then spread the jaws of the trap flat on the snow at a spot clearly visible to the owl and baited it with short-tailed meadow voles in a small cage on the “pan” of the trap. We then flew a pigeon on a Sitting over the trap for a few ‘Strangely, the snowy did not siruggle when we rushed forward, genily removed if from the constraining web and placed a light, numbered band about tfs leg’ seconds in order to attract the attention of the owl. The most difficult part of the operation was the often protracted wait for the owl to respond to our set. Warmer days were better since we did not wish to expose the voles to the elements when tem- peratures were low. If conditions were adverse, we pulled the trap and drove on to find a more co-operative bird or called off the attempt for the time being. On “lucky days” the owl soon began peering in the direction of BenSanSetastax @ SIDNEY 4 ANTIQUES COLLECTIBLES & GIFT SHOPPE SWE BUY & SELL i a DEC. 4 TO DEC. 17/91 we ALL STOCK FOR YOUR XMA SHOPPING | A fi 27 ise Re If = our set and then began bobbing its head. In another second, it left its perch, dropped low above the snow and headed directly for the trap, its great wings almost brush- ing the surface of glistening crys- tals. Would the bird close in on the target or would it break course and fly off? Would the jaws of the trap close fast enough? We held our breaths. SNOWY OWL At the last moment, the magnifi- cent visitor from the Arctic rose sharply and then plummeted directly down upon the small cage. The wide jaws and light net closed quickly over its deeply feathered body. It was caught securely. Strangely, the snowy did not sttuggle when we rushed forward, gently removed it from the con- straining web and placed a light, numbered band about its leg. We marvelled at its beautiful feathered toes resembling the deep, white insulating plush on the winter soles of jackrabbit and rock ptarmigan. Its bright lemon, dark-pupilled eyes probed ours steadily, quietly. They held not a suggestion of fear. The following year, we had a retum on this bird from Paxutent, Maryland where the records are kept. Our bird had been caught in an Eskimo fox trap on Southamp- ton Island in Hudson Bay. The owl had been released and its band later turned over to a Hudson Bay factor. CY HAMPSON photo The Board of Directors and Staff of the MT. NEWTON CENTRE wish to extend their sincere thanks to the Monday Bee for their generous contribu- tion to the ADULT DAY CENTRE Thanks also to the Mt. Newton Centre Auxilliary and the Royal Canadian Le- gion Branch #37 for their most welcome donations. Their efforts on ou r behalf, and their generosity will enable us to maintain our high standard of service to the seniors in ~ our community. THANK YOU! *x UPHOLSTERY *ANTIQUES | - *DRAPERIES KETC. 6655 TRUDEAU’ TERRACE BRENTWGOD BAY, B.C. TOWN OF SIDNEY NOTICE Tenders are invited for Janitorial Services for the following Town of Sidney Buildings:- a) Town of Sidney Municipal Hall - 2440 Sidney Avenue b) Senior Citizens Centre - 10030 Resthaven Drive c) Sidney Museum - Marine Mammal and Historical - 2538 Beacon Avenue Sealed Tenders must be submitted on Town of Sidney Tender. Forms which may be obtained from the Town Hall, 2440 Sidney Avenue, Sidney, B.C., and must be in the hands of the undersigned by 3:00 p.m., Thursday, December 19th 1991. M:G. Townsend, Director Works and Services Sa -DO-LUNCH AT THE THE PRATRIE [NM 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. %* Homemade all natural soups - daily %* Seafood and Fish sensations %* Hot Sandwiches and Luncheon Platters %* Gooey exciting burgers — all Beef or Chicken Let your imagination run wild! Exciting creative entrees ... Remember all our prices include G.S.T. Ranging from $1.15 to $4.50. * Dinner Menu Served Daily from 4:30 - 11:00 p.m. * Sunday Breakfast Tradition — 11:00 - 2:00 p.m. THE PIRATE TN Neighbourhood Pub Mt. Newton and East Saanich Road é All Prices Include G.S.T. No Reservations Accepted IG Free! Floral Print Box with purchase and we'll give you this exquisite combination of a beautiful floral print box and a lavish bouquet of Potpourri tucked inside. Absolutely Free! 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