Cape Split Hike
– Make a trip to Cape Split with leaders Jim Wolford (542-9204) and Patrick Kelly (472-2322). This will be joint trip with the Halifax Field Naturalists. There will be interpretive stops along the way. Spring wildflowers and birds should be abundant. This walk requires good footware and people are reminded to stay away from the edge of the cliff. You should bring water with you and a lunch as we usually don’t get to the end of the trail until lunch time. Meet at the Wolfville waterfront at 8:15 a.m. or at the start of the trail in Scott's Bay at 9:00 a.m.

The Butterflies of Nova Scotia and the New Maritimes Butterfly Atlas — John Klymko. The talk will consist of a brief introduction to butterflies and a discussion of the species occurring in Nova Scotia, including “Maritime Specialties” and Nova Scotia’s species of conservation concern. The Maritimes Butterfly Atlas will then be introduced. This citizen-science project is the first comprehensive butterfly survey for the Maritime Provinces and will rely on records submitted by volunteer naturalists. It aims to greatly improve the baseline knowledge of butterfly occurrence in the Maritimes, allowing for the identification of species of conservation concern and more informed conservation decisions.

John grew up in southern Ontario, did his BSc and MSc at the University of Guelph, and has done insect, bird and plant work in Ontario and the Maritimes. He is now the zoologist at the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre where he focuses on butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies, and other insect groups.

Blomidon Provincial Park — Jim Wolford (902 542-9204, jimwolford@eastlink.ca) will lead a walk from the campground about two kilometers to a seasonal pond that has the very rare and beautiful fairy shrimp. Other pond life, spring plants/flowers, and birds will also be seen. A lookoff toward Five Islands Park, across the Minas Basin, will be visited. BNS members can meet and meet and carpool from the Wolfville Waterfront at 9:15 a.m. or meet Jim at the Blomidon Park registration building at 10:00 a.m.

 
Historic Hants County
— This is a field trip from the Nova Scotia Bird Society. Suzanne Borkowski 445-2922 E-mail: suzanneborkowski@yahoo.ca will lead this trip which will start at 8:00 a.m. in the parking lot of Mount Uniacke Estate Park. (Those wishing to carpool should meet at the Wolfville Waterfront and leave by 7:00 am to ensure they arrive on time.) The main gate will be locked, but the 2nd gate (coming from Halifax) will be open. The trip will start by exploring some of the grounds at Mt. Uniacke then continue along back-country roads through Hants County. Bring a lunch to be enjoyed at Smileys Park. No rain date.

Friday, May 28 to Sunday May 30, 2010 –
Nature Nova Scotia Annual Meeting.
–  This year the Federation of Nova Scotia Naturalists will be holiding its annual meeting in Sherbrooke, Guysborough County. Details will be available on the NetureNS web site, www.naturens.ca.

Friday, May 28 to Sunday May 30, 2010 –
Nature Nova Scotia Annual Meeting.
–  This year the Federation of Nova Scotia Naturalists will be holiding its annual meeting in Sherbrooke, Guysborough County. Details will be available on the NetureNS web site, www.naturens.ca.

Friday, May 28 to Sunday May 30, 2010 –
Nature Nova Scotia Annual Meeting.
–  This year the Federation of Nova Scotia Naturalists will be holiding its annual meeting in Sherbrooke, Guysborough County. Details will be available on the NetureNS web site, www.naturens.ca.

 
Palmeter's Woods – Judy Tufts (542-7800) and Nancy Nickerson (542-9332) will lead a walk through these woods, behind Evergreen Home for Special Care (655 Park St.), located in the western end of Kentville. Come and explore this little green gem with us: look and listen for local birds, search the woodland floor for flora and fauna; there will be a good chance to see a variety of warblers and other migrants, and fascinating woodland plants. Meet at the Wolfville waterfront at 7:30 a.m. or at the parking lot behind Evergreen Home for Special Care in Coldbrook at 8.00 a.m. Juniors to seniors welcome. (The early meeting time will give more time to hear bird songs as they are most active in the early morning. This year, the June date also means there will be more flora to see.) Rain Date: Sunday, June 6.

Native Plant Sale at the Botanical Gardens
–  Learn more about gardening native, purchase native plants for your home garden and take an early spring tour of the Gardens. Plant material grown by our volunteers from seed collected in the Gardens will be available for sale as well as material from several local nurseries. One of the best was to attract local wildlife is to plant native vegetation. A variety of information booths from local groups will be displayed in the main lobby. All welcome. The plant sale goes from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon.

Sea Turtles in Nova Scotia — Laura Bennett, Canadian Sea Turtle NetworkIn this talk, Laura will be describing sea turtles in Nova Scotia and the efforts of the Canadian Sea Turtle Network to conserve these animals. She will also share some of the outcomes from our research and volunteer programs

Laura Bennett is Coordinator of Conservation and Community Outreach with The Canadian Sea Turtle Network. The Canadian Sea Turtle Network is a non-profit organization involving scientists, commercial fishermen, and coastal community members that works to conserve endangered sea turtles in Canadian waters and worldwide.

Herbert River Trail
. Patrick Kelly 472-2322 patrick.kelly@dal.ca will be leading this walk for the Nova Scotia Bird Society. This easy walk follows the rail bed of the former train line that ran from Windsor to Truro via Kennetcook. It runs along the Herbert River for a good part of its length. In addition to birds it is also a great walk for spotting floodplain vegetation. Meet at the Newport Rink parking lot at 9:00 a.m. Take Exit 5 from Highway 101 and follow Highway 14 east for about 10 km to the village of Brooklyn. At the cenotaph, keep left and follow Highway 14 north for just under 1 km. At the intersection (Petro-Canada station) Highway 14 turns right. Continue straight on Highway 215 (Note the YIELD sign. you do NOT have the right of way!) The rink is on the right as soon as you exit the intersection. Bring insect repellent. We should be done by lunch.. Rain date Sun 11 July.

Moon Over the Water – The view from The Lookoff on the North Mountain is something that many society members are likely familiar. But how many have watched the Sun set and the Full Moon rise from that vantage point. Tonight, the Moon will rise around 8:30 PM, about half an hour before the Sun sets and about two hours from being full. The tide will be coming in, although you will have to stay until after 1:30 AM if you want to see the moonlight with the tide in all the way! Arrive for around 8:00 and enjoy the evening. We will likely hear lots of nature sounds as it darkens and the brighter constellations will come into view. Weather permitting, of course.

Beginning Birders Trip — Windsor, Hants County. Leader: Patrick Kelly 494-3294 (w) 472-2322 (h) Email: patrick.kelly@dal.ca. Limited registration. Pre-registration is required.  These trips are geared for those who have always had an interest in bird watching, but were not sure how it was actually done. Bring binoculars and field guides, if you have them. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the parking lot for the Windsor Tourist Bureau, which is just north of Exit 6 (Water Street) on Highway 101. We should be 1–2 hours and will visit a few different types of habitat in the town of Windsor. No storm date for this trip.