zs = Outdoors ™Review Wednesday, April 8, 1992 — Jasper jays imitate some husbands It seems that a number of read- ers were able to make the trip to Nanaimo and take advantage of the opportunity of seeing all those bald eagles and the sealions. They were not disappointed. They had not expected to see them at such close range nor in such incredible numbers. Readers will have noted how suddenly daffodils, aubretia, chi- onodoxa, heather, primulas, grape hyacinths, wandas, forsythia and other flowering shrubs have has- tened into bloom in our gardens. Such things, stimulated by the spring temperatures and moisture, are moving ahead in the outdoors as well. Already, Easter lilies with their very handsome leaves have begun to bloom in John Dean Park, Horth Hill, Central Saanich and Sidney. So have skunk cabbage in low- lying areas with their roots in water. Flowering currant is a riot of brilliant pink to red blossoms, blushing in the warm sunshine. Both species of Oregon grape are sporting elongated flower heads have already begun their unexpect- edly soft and gentle courtship chatter, scarcely heard above the distant clarion notes of offshore old squaw ducks. Dark song sparrows and reddish, streaked, finches are in hesitant song while robins have begun pre-empling their nesting sites. The boisterous calls of the great pileated woodpecker ring through our woodlands. of their usual arrival. The strange “winter” has pro- duced some most unusual events this year, not the least of which was to find the lakes in the south- em Cariboo still open rather than iced over. We also noted on Feb. 27 that there wasn’t a flake of snow on the ground at Jasper and most of the small bodies of water were ice- free. Pigeon hawks (merlins) were back, saw-whet owls are piping all night long while great-horned owls are already incubating eggs, even in those areas where winter sull holds sway. Great horned owls are always our earliest nesting species in the group and must usually begin Sitting since frosts would rupture the eggs. Canada jays, or whiskey jacks, were busily constructing their nests in the Jasper area with the females doing most of the work while the males supervised dili- gently. Did I hear a girl murmur, “Just Ga. LG : aN RICHLOCK RENTALS Sales/Service x 10115E McDonald Park Road (Opposite Slegg Lumber) 656-9422 NOW OPEN SUNDAYS! BUY OUR MOWER AND GET A FREE VACUUM INSIDE. It’s not a limited time offer. Or a limited edition. All Kubota Walk-Behind Mowers come with a high-suction turbo fan that pulls grass up for the cleanest possible cut, and picks up after itself for the cleanest possible lawn. The only thing it leaves behind is the competition. laybota KUBOTA CANADA LTD. like my hubby?” : : - Mallards have started to nest in about to vye with their attractive : | shiny ientos while the basal the dried grass and lowly shrubs rosettes of shooting star give @b0ut our freshwater pools and : promise of a plethora of shapely any day, now, SEMEN black brant reddish-purple blooms atop their 8°°S° will be foraging for seaweed slenler sian. along our shorelines. It is time to plan those outdoor Red winged blackbirds have hikes and once again savor the arrived, the males in full chorus. In Hays quickening pulse of advancing this regard, Mary and I were most spring. surprised to note that numbers of Tt is also time to watch for these had arrived at Bridge Lake, returning migrants in our bays and south of Hundred Mile House by along our shorelines. Bald eagles Feb. 26, almost two months ahead Councils seek legal advice on responsibility for crossing guards A legal opinion on whether a municipal responsibility, secret- school districts or municipalities ary-treasurer Ross Ingram wrote, are responsible for the safety of “The board is no longer able to school children crossing munici- __ divert scarce educational dollars to pal streets is sought by Central the funding of crossing guards.” Saanich council after cancellation Ald. Bruce Tobin noted the of district funding for school school board decision that the crossing guards. safety of children was a municipal As of September 1993, the dis- responsibility appeared to be trict will no longer pay. for cross- prompted by a tight budget. ing guards at Keating Crossroad “This is a new cost which is Ss and Oldfield Road; Central Saa- once again being put on the nich Road and Keating Crossroad municipality,” Ald. Arlene Box and West Saanich Road and Wal- observed. She suggested the lace Drive, council members were municipality get a legal opinion advised in a letter received Mon- _ determining the responsibility for day night. children’s safety. Noting that the safety of resi- Staff were also directed to report dents, including school children, is on the cost of the program. we work at it, we can find a way deadlines for making recommendations to bring stability to our working about where to log and what to protect. forests and protect our priceless environ- CORE is your chance to help shape d NOW OPEN mental heritage. British Columbia’s future. Shouldn’t you FOR LUNCHES It will take goodwill at the table. It be involved? b For Fast Pick Up will take openness, respect, creativity More information on CORE and the and patience. And a process that is fair choices we face is available in a special Phone Ahead ee and balanced. publication, Focus On Resources OREN a That’s why the government of British & Our Environment . 7 DAYS A WEEK Columbia has set up the Commission on Watch for it in your mailbox. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Resources and Environment — CORE. Milkshakes Over the next few months CORE will oe Soft Ice Cream be asking British Columbians to participate It’s time to find Lf in an open public process with specific common eround. ee a oy 2) 0 Vie (4) Free Delivery on /)) Y 3 SS os Gey ee S Br itish olumbia les