NATURE ALBERTA - Eastern Kingbirds Avian Attitude - Winter 2021
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NATURE
WINTER 2021
VOLUME 50 | NUMBER 4
A COMMUNITY
ALBERTA
CONNECTED BY A
LOVE OF NATURE
MAGAZINE
Eastern Kingbirds
Avian Attitude
Raptors of Keeping Loons and
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CONTENTS
WINTER 2021
02 The President’s Perspective
03 Nature Alberta News
04 Parks Win a Reprieve
05 Eastern Kingbirds 24
08 Winter LakeKeepers
10 Why Are Common Loon
Chicks Becoming Less
Common?
14 A Fisheye View of
Cumulative Effects in
Alberta’s Southern
East Slopes
18 Keep Those Wily Urban
Coyotes Wild!
22 The Road to 50:
14
A Logo, a Look, a Legacy
24 Birding the Badlands
30 Stories in the Snow
32 Nature Kids
36 Meet a Member Club
37 Alberta's Nocturnal
Owl Survey
18 10
NATURE ALBERTA MAGAZINE WINTER 2021 | 1
NATURE ALBERTA
MAGAZINE THE PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
VOLUME 50 | NUMBER 4 | WINTER 2021
ISSN 1713-8639
Publisher Nature Alberta As I write this, 2020 is finally ending; a year of
Managing Editor Jason Switner unprecedented challenges, global changes, like
Technical Editor Richard Schneider an opened Pandora’s box. It’s a time of change for
Creative Susan May, intrinsic design Nature Alberta, too, as we say goodbye to Linda
Cover Image Myrna Pearman
Howitt-Taylor as president. For the past three
Editorial Committee years she has been advocating and promoting the
The Magazine Editorial Committee, which
consists of dedicated volunteers, who all have changes needed to revitalize Nature Alberta. Her
a passion for nature, lend their respective leadership has helped guide and build dynamic
experience and expertise to developing
editorial outlines, commissioning articles and teams that will drive us successfully into 2021 and beyond. As incoming President, I thank
reviewing/vetting article submissions for the Linda for everything she has done and the inspiration she has provided. She now moves
magazine. The committee includes:
Lu Carbyn into the position of Past President, where her knowledge and expertise will be valued and
Linda Howitt-Taylor called upon. I wish Linda all the best and hope she now has more time to relax and enjoy
Kim MacKenzie
Valerie Miller the natural Alberta around her.
Richard Schneider To introduce myself, my name is Elizabeth Watts. I have a B.Sc. in Microbiology, and
Content editor@naturealberta.ca have enjoyed a career in clinical trials research — lots of data for processing and details
Subscriptions circulation@naturealberta.ca
to be scrutinized. While not known for any hiking ability, I love being outside, camping
Nature Alberta magazine is published four
times per year by: and soaking up the beauty of Alberta. I plan on taking up kayaking at the first available
Nature Alberta opportunity. I’m on the board of the Alberta Mycological Society, and enjoy guided forays
11759 Groat Road
in the fields and forests (my personal favourite) learning about the boundless world
Edmonton, AB T5M 3K6
(780) 427-8124 of fungi, including what is and is not OK to eat. I live close to Elk Island National Park,
info@naturealberta.ca so volunteering on the Friends of Elk Island Society board is a natural fit. We work to
Nature Alberta Magazine (electronic) is made
available free of charge at naturealberta.ca. promote, conserve and research the unique ecosystems found in the Park, and support
Print copies of Nature Alberta Magazine are educational needs as they arise.
available by annual subscription, which covers
the cost of postage and handling of four 2020 has shown us that change is possible and adaptation is necessary. The pandemic
issues per year for $30 Canada (Canadian has resulted in a surge in people's desire to reconnect with nature. We can build on
funds + GST). Publications Mail Agreement
No. 40015475 that and collaborate with the diverse network of clubs, organizations and individuals
Advertising in Nature Alberta Magazine is throughout Alberta that appreciate the unique ecology and beauty of our land. Even
not considered an endorsement by Nature during the winter months, we can use innovative solutions and technology — including
Alberta. Opinions expressed by the authors
of articles included in this publication do not our new website, social media, and video conferencing to connect to and enhance our
necessarily reflect those of Nature Alberta experience of “This Land of Ours” (with apologies to Oscar Brand).
or its affiliates. The Editorial Committee
reserves the right to edit, reject or withdraw Whether you’re a longtime member or new to Nature Alberta, I welcome you as we
any articles submitted. This publication is
venture into the new year. Thank you for adding your voice to those who speak on behalf
copyrighted and no part may be reproduced in
any form, in all or in part, without the written of our natural environment.
consent of Nature Alberta.
©Nature Alberta 2021
About Nature Alberta
Alberta is home to incredible natural
spaces comprised of beautiful and varied ELIZABETH WATTS
landscapes, and rich biodiversity reflected
in our abundant and diverse flora and fauna.
Across the province, natural history clubs
and their members are engaging Albertans NATURE ALBERTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
in the conservation and appreciation of this
Executive Committee Directors
natural heritage. Nature Alberta represents a
President Liz Watts Alberta Native Plant Council Kimberly Seifert-MacKenzie
network of these natural history organizations
Treasurer Gerben Deinum Buffalo Lake Naturalists Claudia Lipski
in Alberta.
Secretary Amy Bergunde Edmonton Nature Club Len Shrimpton
Past President Linda Howitt-Taylor Grasslands Naturalists Angela Turner
Lac la Biche Birding Society Jennifer Okrainec
A COMMUNITY Lethbridge Naturalists Society Ted Nanninga
Patron
CONNECTED BY A Nature Calgary Kaya Konopnicki
John Acorn
LOVE OF NATURE Peace Parkland Naturalists Margot Hervieux
Red Deer River Naturalists Tony Blake
NATUREALBERTA.CA Member at Large Brian Joubert
2 | WINTER 2021 NATURE ALBERTA MAGAZINE
Nature Alberta News
The New naturealberta.ca Urban Nature Initiative Update
Have you had a chance to explore Since this past spring, Urban Nature Initiative
our completely revamped website? (UNI) Coordinator Kelsie Norton has worked
It’s been rebuilt from the ground up to with homeowners throughout the Edmonton
emphasize three core themes: Learn to create urban oases — yards equipped with
About Nature, Experience Nature, various tools and techniques to enhance and
and Protect Nature. Combining a hub support biodiversity. The results of the program
of resources with an ever-expanding are now available to see — and inspire!
library of content — including Visit naturealberta.ca/support-urban-nature
integrating articles from this magazine to watch four videos that feature homeowners
in a searchable blog-like format — our putting beneficial management practices
aim is to become the best resource (BMPs) into action in their yards. These folks
available to learn about nature and accomplished some pretty impressive things
conservation in Alberta. in just one season. If you’re inspired to make
The site is designed to serve as a some changes in your yard, you don’t have to
hub for what we hope will become go it alone. Supporting Nature and Biodiversity
a Nature Network — a place where in Urban Yards is packed with tips and techniques
all our member clubs can spotlight just like the ones put into practice on the
their news and events, so anyone demonstration yards. You can read or download a
in the province can easily find and copy at naturealberta.ca/support-urban-nature,
participate in activities in their area. or contact birds@naturealberta.ca for a physical
We’re excited to have an online copy.
presence that can grow along with us We have to give special thanks to Ryan
as an organization! Northcott of Panoramic Media for the
beautiful work on the videos. Panoramic Media
specializes in corporate filmmaking and drone
photography and cinematography, bringing a
wider perspective to the production process.
Ryan’s work speaks for itself and we would
encourage anyone looking for professional
video production to get in touch with him.
Visit panoramicmedia.com or email
ryan@panoramicmedia.com.
We also thank the Edmonton Community
Foundation for funding the UNI, and
homeowners like Lissa, Amanda, Holly, and
Calvin for sharing their urban nature journeys.
NATURE ALBERTA MAGAZINE WINTER 2021 | 3
CONSERVATION ISSUES A NATURE ALBERTA PERSPECTIVE
Parks Win a Reprieve
A lbertans love their parks! Individu-
als like you from across the prov-
ince have written to the government by
in the East Slopes, permitted the sale of
Crown lands, increased the intensity of
forest harvesting, reduced environmen-
mining. In December, nearly 2,000 ha
of East Slopes landscapes that the
Lougheed government identified as
the thousands, voicing their opposition tal monitoring, and permitted hunting ecologically sensitive were put up for
to the proposal to delist 164 parks from of sandhill cranes for the first time in bid. A large open-pit mine, proposed
the provincial parks system. And thou- Alberta’s history. by Australian mining giant Benga
sands of "Defend Alberta Parks" lawn It is important that we celebrate Mining, is already in review, and many
signs have sprung up in neighborhoods the policy reversal on parks and more are in queue. You can read more
everywhere. Fortunately, it seems the acknowledge the power we have to about the implications of mining in
message finally got through. effect change by working together. this important landscape in Sarah
Just before Christmas, like Ebenezer But don’t take those lawn signs down Milligan’s article on page 14.
Scrooge, Minister of Environment and just yet! This is not a time to be Coal: The Good News
Parks Jason Nixon appeared to have a complacent. This year the government The new coal mines in the East
change of heart, declaring that “Many will be advancing plans to align the Slopes are targeting metallurgical
Albertans, including myself, love and management of parks and public lands, coal, mainly for export to Asia. The
value our parks and wild spaces.” More and there is a danger that the level of news is much better for the thermal
significantly, he reversed the govern- protection within parks could decline coal that is burned to make much of
ment’s policy direction and promised, as a result. Alberta conservation groups, Alberta’s electricity. TransAlta and
in writing, that no parks will be delisted including Nature Alberta, are prepared Capital Power — the two main pro-
and that “all will retain their current des- to engage on this front to keep our parks ducers of coal-generated power in the
ignations and associated protections.” protected. We hope that you will remain province — are transitioning from coal
This is an important development. As engaged as well, since it’s the choir, not to natural gas years ahead of schedule
recounted in the Summer 2020 issue of the conductor, that makes the music. (now 2021 and 2023, respectively).
Nature Alberta Magazine, the Alberta Coal: The Bad News This will reduce greenhouse gas
government has been rapidly advancing Since rescinding Alberta’s long- emissions by millions of tonnes each
an anti-environmental policy agenda. standing Coal Policy, the Kenney year, reduce the release of mercury
In addition to the proposed delisting of government has wasted no time in and other pollutants into the air, and
parks, it has rescinded the Coal Policy leasing the once-protected lands for coal reduce the demand for thermal coal
put in place to protect sensitive lands mining.
4 | WINTER 2021 NATURE ALBERTA MAGAZINE
Eastern
Kingbirds
BY MYRNA PEARMAN
Eastern kingbirds are readily identifiable by their
distinctive black and white plumage. MYRNA PEARMAN
L ast August, while enjoying an evening walk in the Great
Sandhills east of Leader, Saskatchewan, I had an unexpected
encounter with an eastern kingbird. It flew in surprisingly close,
This encounter was one of many I’ve had with eastern king-
birds. Common across most of Alberta, these highly visible birds
are readily identifiable by their black plumage, conspicuous white
a big, juicy two-striped grasshopper in its beak. I watched as it tail tip, and distinctive shallow, rowing wingbeat flight pattern.
bashed the hapless hopper against a horizontal branch, then Regularly seen perched on barbed wire, fenceposts, and treetops,
tossed it into the air, caught it at a different angle and bashed they wait — in classic flycatcher style — on a perch for an insect
it again. It repeated this process three times before gobbling it to fly by, then sally out to snatch it in mid-air. They supplement
down. It then sat for a few moments in apparent contentment their insect diet with fruit, especially in late summer.
before flying off.
NATURE ALBERTA MAGAZINE WINTER 2021 | 5
Eastern kingbirds belong to a group of birds known as the tyrant
flycatchers, and the Latin name of this species, Tyrannus tyrannus,
reflects their pugnacious nature. They are extremely aggressive
toward each other, with territorial disputes often including
dramatic aerial combat. They are also aggressive toward other
species, especially crows and other nest predators. Apparently,
they will also attack humans if their nests are threatened, but I
have never been subjected to any aggression, even when (quickly
and quietly) observing their nests and young.
Although eastern kingbirds will nest in a variety of locations
and have been known to use artificial nesting structures, it has
been my observation that they prefer to build their dishevelled
yet sturdy nests over water. The female constructs the nest,
which can take up to two weeks to complete. She lays two to five
red-splotched white eggs, which she incubates for 14–17 days. The
nestlings, which hatch with orange skin covered in white fuzz,
grow quickly and fledge at about 16–17 days. Both adults feed the
young. Interestingly, genetic research confirms that kingbirds not
only mate outside the pair bond, but they sometimes parasitize
each other’s nests.
While watching one eastern kingbird nest near Delburne a
few years ago, I was able to observe and photograph the parents
tending the nest. There was more than feeding going on. I also
observed that the parents would wait for the young to defecate,
whereupon they would either eat the fecal sac or carry it away
from the nest.
Eastern kingbird fledglings stay dependent on their parents for
about three to five weeks, which is thought to be one reason why
the species is only single-brooded (laying a single clutch during
a breeding season). They remain together as a family group until
the young are fully independent.
Eastern kingbirds overwinter in South America, primarily in
the western Amazon, where they forage together in flocks along
riparian areas. Fruit is eaten during fall migration and makes up
most of their diet on the wintering grounds.
The next time you’re out hiking, travelling the backroads, or
canoeing, keep your eyes peeled for these wild neighbours. It’s
worth taking the time to observe and appreciate their striking
beauty, spirited behaviour, and saucy attitude. Enjoy the show!
Eastern kingbirds build a messy but sturdy nest, often low over
the water. Both adults are diligent parents. MYRNA PEARMAN
6 | WINTER 2021 NATURE ALBERTA MAGAZINE
Eastern kingbird young are very demanding of their parents for two to three weeks after fledging. MYRNA PEARMAN
Myrna Pearman is a naturalist, writer, photographer, and recently retired as the
Biologist and Site Services Manager at Ellis Bird Farm. She can be reached at
myrna@myrnapearman.com.
NATURE ALBERTA MAGAZINE WINTER 2021 | 7
Winter LakeKeepers
BY BRADLEY PETER
F or many, cold weather and freezing
lakes means an end to lake activities
for the year. However, for a determined
group of citizen scientists, frozen lakes
signal the start of a new environmental
monitoring opportunity.
In Alberta, the bulk of lake monitor-
ing occurs during the warm summer
months, and not for selfish reasons. The
summer is when threats to lake eco-
systems and water resources are most
obvious: toxic cyanobacteria blooms
form expansive neon scums, invasive
plants grow into dense mats, and
boaters risk carrying invasive organ-
isms from lake to lake. As the summer
ends, the invasive plants die off, and
cyanobacteria go dormant, sinking to
the bottom of the lake… Or do they?
In February of 2013, bright pink
photosynthetic cyanobacteria, called
Planktothrix rubescens, rose from the
depths of Fork Lake and became trapped
in the surface ice. Looking down through
the ice created a dramatic effect:
the ice glowed an otherworldly pink.
Subsequent ice cores revealed row upon
row of frozen cyanobacteria, and toxicity
tests detected toxin concentrations
that more than doubled Alberta’s Volunteer Vien Lam collecting data from Spring Lake during an ice fishing trip. MARIELLE LAM
recreational guideline. This discovery
led to a blue-green algae advisory so little data has been collected from effect does climate change have on
posted by Alberta Health Services — lakes in the wintertime, we don’t have winter lake conditions? These gaps in
in February. The same phenomenon a clear answer. The same goes for other our understanding of Alberta’s lake
was later observed at Matchayaw Lake important questions related to lake ecosystems inspired the Alberta Lake
during November of 2017. ecosystems, such as how do summer Management Society (ALMS) to begin
What factors lead to these under-ice cyanobacteria blooms influence the investigating lakes under the ice.
blooms of toxic cyanobacteria? Because quality of winter fish habitat, or what
8 | WINTER 2021 NATURE ALBERTA MAGAZINEWinter limnology presents inter- following year, the program caught on
esting logistical challenges. Sample with watershed stewardship groups
sites that are easily accessible in the and participation more than doubled.
summer can become dangerous in In 2019, 25 volunteers sampled 22
the winter depending on snow and lakes across 44 sampling events.
ice conditions. Traditional sampling Geographically, lakes ranged from
gear might not fit into an auger hole. Beauvais Lake in the south to Snipe Lake
Delicate instrumentation might freeze. in the north. As a testament to Alberta’s
And how do I keep my fingers warm? citizen science community, volunteers
Fortunately, Alberta has an active com- were making excursions solely for data
munity of individuals who are equipped collection, rather than in addition to a
for winter fieldwork and regularly visit pre-planned ice fishing trip.
lakes between December and April: ice After only two years, the program has
anglers. Recognizing this community of started to generate interesting results.
potential citizen scientists, ALMS devel- Some lakes that exhibit low phosphorus An ice core collected from Fork Lake in 2013
oped the Winter LakeKeepers program concentrations in the summer demon- reveals bands of frozen pink cyanobacteria.
DR. RON ZURAWELL
with financial support from the Alberta strated high phosphorus concentrations
Ecotrust Foundation. in the winter. One volunteer measured hopes to ensure a sustainable future for
Before heading out, participants in high dissolved oxygen concentrations healthy lake and aquatic ecosystems.
the Winter LakeKeepers program first and observed a pink hue to the water ALMS would like to thank our incred-
complete an ice safety quiz. Then, they — a sure sign that cyanobacteria was ible volunteers and the generous sup-
are provided with training materials and making another appearance. ALMS port of our funders, including Alberta
a sampling kit. Sampling kits include has prepared the results into reports on Environment and Parks and the Alberta
a multimeter probe used to measure their website, and the data is uploaded Ecotrust Foundation. We always wel-
temperature and oxygen concentrations to DataStream, an open-source water come more volunteers; if you are
throughout the water column, a sample quality portal that is becoming increas- interested in becoming involved with
bottle and glove to allow for the collec- ingly popular amongst citizen science any of ALMS’ programs, please visit
tion of a total phosphorus sample, a hot programs. alms.ca
water bottle to prevent the contents of Winter LakeKeepers is just one of
the sampling kit from freezing, and a many citizen science programs offered
field sheet for recording environmental by ALMS and other organizations across
observations. Environmental obser- Alberta. These types of programs are an
vations are crucial to understanding affordable way to deliver environmental
winter lakes. For example, snow cover monitoring, but the benefits are not
and ice transparency are critical factors just in the economics. Engagement of
influencing the amount of light available citizen scientists creates an ownership
under the ice — a key requirement for of environmental data, breaks down the
the growth of cyanobacteria. silos that separate academics from the
In 2018, the pilot year of the program, public, and enables citizens to use envi-
ten volunteers braved the elements ronmental data to improve the health Bradley Peter is a Professional
to collect data from ten lakes. These of the environment. Through programs Biologist and the Executive Director
samples were collected primarily during such as Winter LakeKeepers, ALMS of the Alberta Lake Management
Society.
pre-planned ice fishing excursions. The
NATURE ALBERTA MAGAZINE WINTER 2021 | 9Why Are
Common
trial processes like metal smelting,
manufacturing, and oil refining. Once
in the atmosphere, these chemicals
Loon Chicks
transform and make rainwater acidic,
which lowers the pH of lakes over time.
In highly acidic lakes (pH less than 6),
fish growth and survival can become
Becoming
reduced, leading to lower productivity
in fish predators like loons.
An additional consequence of acid
Less Common?
rain is that it speeds the transformation
of elemental mercury into its organic
and more toxic form, methylmercury.
As a result, the mercury naturally pres-
ent in the environment can become
BY KRISTIN BIANCHINI
damaging. Additional mercury enters
the environment through the burning
T he common loon is a bird that most
Canadians easily recognize. With
its jewel-like red eyes, striking black and
waterbodies to study 69 lakes near
Sudbury, Ontario. My goal was to figure
out which lakes had loons and to count
of fossil fuels (especially coal), certain
industrial processes, and waste incin-
eration. Mercury from such sources is
white plumage, and beautiful, echoing how many of those loons had chicks. stable in the air and can travel far from
call, the common loon is a bird that is Specifically, I wanted to determine the initial point of release.
hard to miss and even harder to forget. the number of six-week-old young Because mercury is not broken down
Like most people, I’ve always been per loon pair—a measurement loon when ingested, it becomes increasingly
excited to spot a loon or to hear its call researchers refer to as “productivity.” concentrated at higher levels of the
when I’ve been near a lake. But it wasn’t Most predation losses occur within the food chain. The implication is that top
until I started working with loons as a first six weeks of life, so the number of predators, like loons, can ingest high
biologist that I realized how fascinating six-week-old young per pair is a good concentrations of mercury as they eat
and important these birds truly are. indicator of the number of loon chicks contaminated fish. Adult loons with
I started studying loons in 2019, that will survive to become adults. high mercury in their bodies spend less
when I began work as a postdoctoral Measuring loon productivity is also an time caring for chicks, and chicks with
researcher with Birds Canada and excellent indicator of lake health. As top high mercury in their bodies are worse
Acadia University. I had two jobs. The predators, loons are sensitive to damage at fighting off infections and avoiding
first was to analyze almost 40 years of at lower levels of the food chain. For predators. As a result, there are fewer
loon monitoring data from over 1,500 example, processes that decrease the six-week-old young per pair on lakes
lakes, and the second was to spend a number of fish in a lake can cause food with higher mercury levels.
summer canoeing around northern shortages, especially for young loons. In theory, the lakes I visited for
Ontario to look for loons. You can Being a top predator also makes loons my field work should have provided
imagine which job excited me the most. more vulnerable to pollutants, like acid excellent habitat for loons. They were
My summer looking for loons was one rain and mercury. all remote lakes with very little human
I will never forget. I spent the better part Acid rain occurs when sulphur diox- disturbance, and to my eye, the lakes
of three months driving over rugged ide and nitrogen oxides are released looked clean and unpolluted. But of
logging roads, bushwhacking through into the atmosphere by vehicles, power the 69 lakes I visited, only four had
the forest, and paddling across countless plants burning fossil fuels, and indus- loon chicks. On average, there were
10 | WINTER 2021 NATURE ALBERTA MAGAZINECommon loon adult with small chick. DARWIN PARK
just 0.09 six-week-old young per loon acid rain and mercury pollution, there
pair on these lakes. That is just 20% of is also shoreline development and
what previous studies have suggested is
required to maintain a stable number of
Determining boating activity to consider. And there
are natural challenges as well, such as
adult loons. These results suggest that
the loon populations on these lakes are
the specific depredation of loon eggs and chicks
by other animals and harassment from
in trouble.
Unfortunately, similar declines are
causes of biting black flies. Sorting this all out was
the goal of my desk job.
also being observed in other locations.
Data from the Canadian Lakes Loon
the observed Working with a team of colleagues,
I analyzed 38 years of Canadian Lakes
Survey, a citizen science monitoring
program managed by Birds Canada, indi-
decline in loon Loon Survey data from 1,577 Ontario
lakes. I focused on Ontario because this
cate that loon productivity in Canada
has dropped from over 0.8 six-week-old
productivity is province had the longest dataset and
included the largest number of lakes. In
young per pair per year in 1981 to under
0.6 in 2018. Other studies have shown
no easy task all, I examined the effects of 16 different
factors on loon productivity, including
similar declines elsewhere.1 Therefore,
even though loon populations are cur-
because there lake acidity, fish mercury levels, fish
abundance, lake size, lake location,
rently considered stable in Canada, if
this trend continues, we could start
are numerous spring temperatures, spring and winter
precipitation, and the presence of loon
to see fewer and fewer common loons
every summer.
interacting predators and competitors. What I found
was that lake acidity and mercury are key
Determining the specific causes of the
observed decline in loon productivity is
threats to drivers of common loon productivity
declines.2 Lakes with higher acidity (pH
no easy task because there are numerous
interacting threats to untangle. Besides
untangle. less than 6) had lower productivity and
showed steeper declines in productivity
NATURE ALBERTA MAGAZINE WINTER 2021 | 11An increasingly frequent sight: a common loon adult without any young in springtime. RICHARD SCHNEIDER
over time. I also found that loons urban centres and by oilsands projects, with a low buffering capacity poses a big
produced fewer chicks on lakes with and both sources are projected to problem for loons, which breed in the
higher fish mercury concentrations. increase acid rain production across northern half of the province.
What about loons in Western Canada, northeastern Alberta in coming years.3 Mercury also poses a significant
far from the mining developments and Moreover, soils in northern Alberta have threat to loons in Alberta. Many lakes
dense human populations of Ontario? a low buffering capacity, so even small in Alberta currently have mercury con-
Unfortunately, acid rain is a problem amounts of acid rain can cause lakes centrations that exceed the province’s
here as well. In Alberta, sulfur dioxide to become acidic.4 This combination safe consumption limits.5 If eating fish is
and nitrogen oxides are emitted from of high acid rain production and soils not safe for people, you can bet it is not
safe for birds that eat nothing but fish.
Mercury contamination is of particular
concern in northeast Alberta because
oilsands operations are a significant
source of methylmercury emissions.6
Climate change may also intensify the
problems that acid rain and mercury
pose for loons in Alberta and else-
where. A study from Ontario found an
association between recent changes in
climate, including warmer temperatures
and higher precipitation, and increased
fish mercury concentrations.7 Climate
change is also predicted to cause more
frequent and extreme water level fluctu-
ations, and this can increase lake acidity
and the amount of mercury in loons.8
Figure 1. Common loon productivity in Canada declined between 1981 and 2018. The horizontal dashed
line indicates the level needed to maintain a stable loon population.
12 | WINTER 2021 NATURE ALBERTA MAGAZINEWhat You Can Do To Help
There are many meaningful ways for References: 5. Government of Alberta. 2016. Mercury
you to support loon conservation, and 1. Tozer, D.C., C.M. Falconer, and D.S. in Fish in Alberta Water Bodies 2009-
thankfully, there is still time to avert Badzinski. 2013. Common Loon 2013. Alberta Health, Health Protection
Reproductive Success in Canada: The Branch, Edmonton, Alberta.
serious population declines. By learn-
West is Best but Not for Long. Avian 6. Kirk, J.L., D.C.G. Muir, A. Gleason,
ing more about loons and the threats
Conservation & Ecology 8:1. X. Wang, G. Lawson, R.A. Frank,
they face, you can help spread aware-
2. Bianchini, K., D.C. Tozer, R. Alvo, S.P. I. Lehnherr, and F. Wrona. 2014.
ness of their plight and can get others
Bhavsar, and M.L. Mallory. 2020. Drivers Atmospheric deposition of mercury
interested in protecting this amazing of declines in common loon (Gavia and methylmercury to landscapes and
species. Another way is to support Birds immer) productivity in Ontario, Canada. waterbodies of the Athabasca oilsands
Canada (birdscanada.org), the coun- Science of the Total Environment region. Environmental Science &
try’s leading science-based bird conser- 738:139724. Technology 48:7374-7383.
vation organization. 3. Government of Alberta. 2014. 2011 Acid 7. Chen, M.M., L. Lopez, S.P. Bhavsar, and
You can also help by becoming a citizen Deposition Assessment for Alberta. S. Sharma. 2018. What’s hot about
scientist yourself and participating Alberta Environment and Sustainable mercury? Examining the influence of
in the Canadian Lakes Loon Survey: Resource Development, Edmonton, climate on mercury levels in Ontario top
birdscanada.org/loons. My research Alberta. predator fishes. Environmental Research
4. Carou, S., I. Dennis, J. Aherne, R. 162:63-73.
would not have been possible without
Ouimet, P.A. Arp, S.A. Watmough, 8. Watras, C.J., H.-Y. Teng, A.W. Latzka,
the amazing efforts of thousands of
I. DeMerchant, M. Shaw, B. Vet, V. M.W. Meyer, and Z. Zhang. 2020.
survey participants. By taking part in
Bouchet, and M. Moran. 2008. A Near-decadal oscillation of water
the loon surveys, you can collect critical
National Picture of Acid Deposition levels and mercury bioaccumulation
information to help conserve loon Critical Loads for Forest Soils in Canada. in the Laurentian Great Lakes region.
breeding pairs and their chicks. Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environmental Science & Technology
Finally, for anyone who lives on a Environment, Ottawa, Ontario. Letters 7:89-94.
lake or who enjoys visiting a lake in the
summer, there are a number of simple
ways to have a positive impact. Slow
down while boating, especially near the
shoreline. This helps to minimize wakes
and prevents washing out loon nests
and separating small chicks from their
parents. Allow native wetland plants to
grow in wide strips along shorelines to
provide shelter for small loon chicks and
habitat for the fish that loons depend on.
Use non-toxic, lead-free fishing tackle,
which prevents loons from ingesting
toxic lead jigs and sinkers. Anglers
should also properly dispose of fishing Breeding pair with small chicks. DARWIN PARK
lines to avoid loons becoming entangled
and injured. By working together, we
Kristin Bianchini is from St. Albert, Alberta. After completing her Ph.D. at the
can ensure that this beloved species is
University of Saskatchewan, she moved to Ontario, where she is currently working as a
around for years to come. postdoctoral researcher with Birds Canada and Acadia University.
NATURE ALBERTA MAGAZINE WINTER 2021 | 13A Fisheye View
of Cumulative
Effects in Alberta’s
Southern
East Slopes
BY SARAH MILLIGAN
I n photography, a fisheye lens allows the photographer to capture an extremely
wide angle of view. You can take a snapshot of an entire landscape complete
with mountains, forests, meadows, and lakes. If you are a photographer exploring
alteration and changes in climate. West-
slope cutthroat trout once inhabited
most streams in southwestern Alberta
Alberta’s southern East Slopes, your fisheye lens might capture just that—a seemingly from the alpine zone to the prairies, but
untouched, beautiful landscape. Turn around and point your lens in another direction, today are largely restricted to the Rocky
Mountains and foothills.1 Bull trout have
however, and you might see a road crisscrossing a cold mountain stream and well
also experienced a significant westward
sites, cutblocks, and random campsites dotting the background. This is actually a
contraction of their historic range.2
very busy landscape.
As Lorne Fitch, professional biologist
The southern East Slopes region is fish species — are illustrative of this. and former adjunct professor with the
both busy and ecologically significant. Native fish communities are acutely University of Calgary, puts it: “Native
It is home to the headwaters of the sensitive to landscape and watershed trout declines are a message hard to
Bow and Oldman Rivers and provides a mismanagement, which makes them an ignore. Their plight is a signal that many
number of ecological services, including important indicator species. If they’re of the values Albertans hold for the East
fresh water for downstream commu- not doing well, it’s a signal that other Slopes are at risk.”3 Given the alarms
nities and irrigation districts, habitat aquatic and terrestrial wildlife might these species are sounding, it’s time to
for numerous native species, and not be doing too well either. ask serious questions about the future
world-renowned tourism and recreation Bull trout, the only native char to of this important region. What will the
activities. Its natural resources support historically occupy all the drainages of landscape and wildlife populations look
forestry, oil and gas, mining, ranching, Alberta’s Eastern Slopes, and westslope like? What is our land-use trajectory
and agriculture. cutthroat trout, the only subspecies of and is it sustainable? If it’s not, how do
However, no landscape can provide cutthroat trout native to Alberta, inhabit we change our trajectory?
an inexhaustible supply of benefits to the cold waters found along Alberta’s To answer these questions, we need
humans. And in the southern East Slopes East Slopes. Both are listed as threat- to put down our camera and pick up
region, there are growing indications ened species in Alberta and have exper- another tool called ALCES: A Land
that a tipping point has been reached. ienced rapid declines in abundance and Cumulative Effects Simulator. ALCES
Wildlife — particularly our native distribution due to progressive habitat is a computer model that tracks land-
14 | SUMMER 2020 NATURE ALBERTA MAGAZINEPanorama of Lake Minnewanka. Z. KOZOMARA
use activities and their accumulating because they are cool-water species management scenarios and to use that
footprint over time at high resolution. It and become stressed by warmer water to inform land use and conservation
allows us to understand how landscapes temperatures. Progressive changes in planning in the region. One scenario, the
will change over time and to assess the climate will also have a dramatic effect business-as-usual model, assumed that
ecological effects of these changes. The on the water cycles, which in turn will resource development would continue
model does this by integrating scientific impact stream flows, water quality, along its current trajectory. A second
findings obtained through ecological spawning substrates, food availability, scenario, the protection model, placed
field studies and then applying these and disease risk for aquatic species.4 an emphasis on protecting the land from
findings to future landscapes. By integrating all of this ecological further industrial development. The
For example, studies have shown that information and applying it to evolving protection scenario also assumed that
industrial processes — including timber future landscapes, ALCES can predict non-permanent industrial footprints
harvest, mining, oil and gas exploration how trout and other species are likely (access roads, seismic lines, and well
and extraction, and the associated to fare in coming decades. We can sites) would be reclaimed and that a
access roads — cause habitat fragmen- use the model to explore alternative combination of access management
tation, which negatively affects trout management scenarios, helping us to and regulatory protection would lower
populations. Industrial access roads understand the implications of today’s angling mortality to levels observed in
also facilitate entry to remote areas by actions on tomorrow’s landscapes. other protected areas in the province.
anglers, which increases angling pres- Such studies afford us a glimpse into Several outcome measures were
sure. Roads and other industrial features alternative futures and allow us to select used to assess the consequences of
can also lead to greater frequency and the future we want. each scenario, taking cumulative effects
intensity of flooding, blockages and In 2019, the Alberta Chapter fully into account. The focus was on
changes in water flows, and increased of The Wildlife Society (ACTWS) bull trout and westslope cutthroat
sediment and phosphorus loads. commissioned a cumulative effects trout viability, measured in terms of
Assessments of future landscapes assessment of this type for Alberta’s the Alberta government’s Fish Sustain-
also need to take climate warming southern East Slopes. The overarching ability Index.5 Additional environmental
into account. Bull trout and westslope goal was to provide a science-based metrics included the overall intensity of
cutthroat trout are at particular risk assessment of two alternative the industrial footprint, the amount of
NATURE ALBERTA MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020 | 15intact land, water quality, and an indica- these priority areas for conservation
tor of approximate water flow. Natural were in western watersheds (Figure
resource gross domestic product was 1). Fortunately, these watersheds have
used to assess economic outcomes. low potential for new oil and gas devel-
The analysis afforded a fisheye view opment. Therefore, the economic con-
of the future of Alberta’s southern East sequences of protection relate mainly
Slopes — and it doesn’t look good under to forest harvesting, which contributes
the business-as-usual model. The Fish much less to GDP than energy devel-
Sustainability Index is predicted to opment. The upshot is that western
progressively decline as human and watersheds are both of highest value
climate-induced stressors progres- to trout and carry the lowest cost of
sively degrade freshwater habitats. protection. For an area described as the
Consequently, further declines in the last stronghold for trout populations in
abundance and distribution of bull trout the region, this is good news.
and westslope cutthroat trout can be The cumulative effects assessment
Figure 1. Watershed conservation priority
expected. Few sustainable populations found that other environmental out- ranked by conservation cost-effectiveness.
are likely to remain outside of protected come measures displayed a similar Higher values indicate higher priority.
areas. spatial pattern to trout sustainabil-
Fortunately, there is an alternative. ity, indicating that land-use impacts should be targeted. The cumulative
If we train our fisheye lens on a future encompass the broader ecosystem. effects assessment has identified target
landscape that is protected rather than Water quality and intact land cover are areas where there are good prospects
developed, things look much better for low in the eastern downstream portion for protecting or restoring values and
trout. Watershed protection resulted of the study area, where land conver- the where costs of protection can be
in substantial risk reduction in several sion to agriculture and settlement is minimized.
watersheds, allowing fish sustainability widespread. In the business-as-usual So, now that you’ve seen a glimpse
to stay at moderate risk 50 years into scenario, resource development caused into the world of tomorrow, how does
the future despite climate change. Fac- further habitat fragmentation of the it feel to be there? Are you happy with
tors contributing to the effectiveness landscape, with intact land cover being the status quo or would you rather
of protecting these watersheds include largely limited to protected areas after see a different trajectory for Alberta’s
higher elevation and therefore lower five decades. In addition to the ecolog- Southern East Slopes?
sensitivity to climate warming, relative ical implications, this can also lead to There is opportunity for change. As
habitat intactness, and the potential hydrologic changes, including elevated surprising as it may sound, watershed
for habitat reclamation. The potential risk of runoff and downstream flooding. planning for the East Slopes of Alberta
to reduce access is also critical for The view from our model-assisted is still in its infancy. Management deci-
lowering angling pressure, which was fisheye lens is quite clear. This isn’t sions regarding our resources occur at
identified as a limiting factor for both just a fish issue, it’s an entire ecosys- many levels, from individual landowners
trout species. tem issue. Achieving a balance in the through to government-led regional
By comparing the Fish Sustainability southern East Slopes — ecologically, planning. As fisheries biologist Jennifer
Index and natural resource GDP results economically, and socially — will require Earle describes: “As an individual, you
under the two management scenarios, more than maintaining the status quo. might not think there is much you can
it was possible to identify the water- Conservation action will be needed to do to address large landscape threats
sheds where environmental benefits maintain viable native fish communities such as sedimentation, man-made
were greatest and the economic costs along with other natural capital values. barriers to fish passage, and climate
of protection were lowest. Most of Furthermore, we know where this action change. As part of a group, however,
16 | SUMMER 2020 NATURE ALBERTA MAGAZINEyou can get involved in stewardship
initiatives that help champion these
Coal Mining in the Southern East Slopes
issues and effect change at a local The Alberta Chapter of The Wildlife Society, along with other groups like the
scale through volunteer projects.”6 The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, the Crowsnest Conservation Society,
Alberta Chapter of The Wildlife Society Timberwolf Wilderness Society, and Livingstone Landowners Group, recently
and organizations like it need members participated in the Grassy Mountain Mine Public Hearing. Benga Mining Ltd.
and financial support to continue to is proposing to construct and operate an open-pit metallurgical coal mine near
engage in science-based conservation the Crowsnest Pass, approximately seven kilometres north of the community of
and management of wild animals and Blairmore. As proposed, the life of the mine is about 25 years. The hearing was
wild spaces. Please consider lending an opportunity for groups and individuals to voice their support or opposition
a hand. to the proposed coal mine. It was also an ideal platform for presenting the
results of the cumulative effects assessment, which included the proposed
Grassy Mountain coal mine footprint and its estimated revenue in the analysis.
ACTWS’s full report, Cumulative The results indicate that the watershed containing the proposed coal mine is
Effects of Land Uses and Conservation ranked as a high-priority watershed, suggesting that the conservation benefits
Priorities in Alberta’s Southern East to trout and ecosystem services over the long-term outweigh the short-term
Slope Watersheds, can be read at: economic gains from the mine.
bit.ly/actws-east-slopes Without the clarity of a fisheye view into the future of Alberta’s southern
East Slopes, that message is eyebrow-raising. It’s an important reminder that
the people who reside, work, or play in these watersheds, as well as those who
never set foot in the watershed but still value it, need the tools of this report to
inform decisions about the future. The Grassy Mountain Mine is unlikely to be
the last large-scale development project to be proposed for Alberta’s southern
Sarah Milligan is a Professional
Biologist whose interests include
East Slopes. In 2020, the government of Alberta rescinded the 1976 Alberta
wildlife, habitat, and landscape Coal Policy, which has opened headwaters in the East Slopes to open-pit coal
ecology. She lives and works mining. This is additive, of course, to the myriad of other land-use pressures
in Alberta and holds a M.Sc.
that have already put the health and function of an ecologically significant
in Conservation Biology and
Environmental Science from the landscape at risk.
University of Alberta.
References: Alberta Sustainable Resource Devel- footprint. Frontiers in Ecology and the
1. Alberta Westslope Cutthroat opment, Species at Risk Conservation Environment, 18(5), 271-280.
Trout Recovery Team. 2013. Alberta Management Plan No. 8. Edmonton, 5. Fish Sustainability Index was esti-
Westslope Cutthroat Trout Recovery AB, 90 pp. open.alberta.ca/publica- mated according to Alberta Environ-
Plan: 2012-2017. Alberta Environment tions/9781460102305 ment and Parks’ Cumulative Effects Joe
and Sustainable Resource Develop- 3. Fitch, Lorne (2020). “A Danger- Model, which was developed to assess
ment, Alberta Species at Risk Recovery ous Man with a Dangerous Concept.” multiple threats to aquatic species at
Plan No. 28. Edmonton, AB, 77 pp. Nature Alberta Magazine, 50(3), 12-14. risk in Alberta.
Accessed from open.alberta.ca/publi- 4. Ebersole, J.L., R.M. Quiñones, S. 6. Earle, Jennifer (2020). “Alberta’s
cations/9781460102312 Clements and B.H. Letcher (2020). Bull Trout Need Our Respect – and
2. Alberta Sustainable Resource Managing climate refugia for freshwa- Our Help.” Nature Alberta Magazine,
Development. 2012. Bull Trout Con- ter fishes under an expanding human 50(2), 8-11.
servation Management Plan 2012-17.
NATURE ALBERTA MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020 | 17Keep
Keep Those
Those Wily
Wily
Urban Coyotes
Wild! BY COLLEEN CASSADY ST. CLAIR
My goal was to understand how millennia and are extremely good at
coyotes make a living in cities and to adapting to, and then exploiting, our
identify the factors that are associated human habits. I use these terms—adapt
with conflict. I hoped this information and exploit—in a neutral way. Coyotes
would facilitate coexistence between are among the handful of species that
people and coyotes to increase security thrive in cities, in contrast to most other
for people while supporting the many species, which avoid urban areas or face
ecological and aesthetic benefits coy- local extinctions.
otes bring to cities. The associated
research has been a collaborative
effort with wonderful participa-
I
tion from academic colleagues,
’ve heard many opinions about urban
civic officials, a private company,
coyotes. “They don’t belong here!
citizens, and, especially, several
Can’t the government move them some-
graduate and undergraduate stu-
where else?” “They have a right to exist
dents in my lab at the University
and we’ve invaded their space.” “They
of Alberta.
make me afraid for my kids and myself,
What I’ve concluded over the
just walking down my own front street.”
past ten years is that there are
“I love seeing coyotes and have never
four broad components to reduc-
had a negative experience with one.”
ing conflict: (1) remove or secure
These kinds of sentiments about coyotes
attractants, (2) control and protect
come via emails, conversations, radio
pets, (3) increase wariness of bold
call-in shows, and posts to the website
coyotes, and (4) prevent denning
of the Edmonton Urban Coyote Project
in residential areas. None of these
(edmontonurbancoyotes.ca).
recommendations is unique to
I began studying urban coyotes a little
Alberta’s cities or the studies
over a decade ago because Alberta’s
in my lab. But we’ve uncovered
cities, like virtually every city in North
some details that help us stay a
America, have seen a steady increase in
step ahead of wily coyotes, which
reports of urban coyotes over time. This
have shared space with people for
is likely the result of cities expanding
into rural areas and coyotes expanding
their range over the past many decades. Top: A mature coyote in prime condition.
TONY LEPRIEUR
Right: An urban coyote at rest. COLLEEN
CASSADY ST. CLAIR
18 | WINTER 2021 NATURE ALBERTA MAGAZINEBefore sharing some of the details In Edmonton, it is increasingly com- Natural food sources are also abun-
of what we’ve learned, I think it’s mon for coyotes to den in derelict sheds dant in cities, especially sprawling
important to acknowledge some or under decks and sunrooms. Last cities like Edmonton and Calgary where
characteristics of urban coyotes that spring, we discovered nine pups in such there are abundant open fields, forested
are relevant to successfully coexisting a location, birthed by a small, appar- areas, river valleys, golf courses, grassy
with them. Relative to surrounding rural ently lone female. She likely sought freeway verges, and major railway lines
areas, coyotes frequently reach higher this denning location, which required with spilled agricultural products. Prey
population densities in cities because Houdini-like contortions while crawling sources such as insects, rodents, and
of earlier breeding, larger litters, and under a fence to access, mainly for its birds have become more abundant
higher survival of pups. In addition, security from other, more dominant coy- through progressive policies of pest
urban pups are slower to disperse, which otes. The large size of her litter (five to management that eschew chemical
results in large family groups of adult- six is average) probably meant she had control. Underground stormwater pipes
looking animals. Their urban diets are access to high-calorie human food, such create naturalized habitat and attrac-
more diverse than in rural areas and they as garbage, but there was no such food tive wetlands bordered by shrubs and
readily make use of buildings and other source immediately around the den site. grasses. These natural features provide
infrastructure as den sites. Coyotes that What kind of food could a meek but many ecosystem services cities need, but
would not survive or reproduce without wily coyote like this one find nearby? they also attract coyotes. Conflict can
human sources of food and shelter There are many surprising sources. result, especially in adjacent residential
are able to do so in cities. The food Work in my lab, led by Maureen Murray or recreational areas.
subsidy is usually the root of subsequent and Deanna Steckler, showed that urban For wildlife professionals tasked with
problems with conflict, which often coyotes eat rodents, rabbits, insects, managing urban wildlife, the presence of
involves den sites in residential areas. and berries, as expected. But they also coyotes, even in residential areas, does
eat birdseed, fruit (of both native and not automatically signal conflict. Con-
domestic species), pet food, compost, flict requiring intervention occurs only
and all manner of garbage, ranging from when people or their pets are directly
a leather glove to an entire wrapped threatened by coyotes with aggres-
burrito. Several people have shared sive and repeated approaches. This
stories and photos of coyotes climbing behaviour is almost always accompanied
crabapple trees to eat the apples! by food conditioning and/or the pres-
Sometimes people provide food to ence of a den site, both of which increase
coyotes and other wildlife intentionally. defensive behaviour toward pets and
This has motivated a proposed and very sometimes people. Thus, key actions
Alberta's cities... welcome bylaw amendment in Edmon- for minimizing conflict are: securing or
have seen a steady ton to prohibit feeding of wildlife except removing attractants, preventing food
increase in reports of for conventional, suspended bird feed- conditioning, controlling or containing
urban coyotes over ers. Over the years, every single time pets, and preventing establishment of
time. This is likely I’ve investigated clusters of complaints den sites in residential areas.
about aggressive coyotes, I have found Many of the coyotes that use res-
the result of cities
evidence of access to human sources idential areas are young, dispersing
expanding into rural of food. Feeding was associated with animals and first-time breeders that are
areas and coyotes the lethal attack on a 110-pound dog in excluded from natural areas by larger,
expanding their range Edmonton and severe bites to the head more dominant coyotes. Murray’s work
over the of a toddler in Burnaby. Repeated access showed that animals suffering from
past many to human sources of food produces food mange (a skin parasite) are more likely
decades. conditioning: the association animals to use residential areas, particularly
make between people and food. It con- during the day. She also identified the
sistently generates conflict, whether characteristics of residential yards that
with coyotes, wolves, bears, or geese. are most likely to attract coyotes. These
NATURE ALBERTA MAGAZINE WINTER 2021 | 19Left: Two coyotes at home in one of Calgary's natural areas.
TONY LEPRIEUR
Below: A coyote casually moves through a playground.
COLLEEN CASSADY ST. CLAIR
Many of the coyotes
that use residential program for residential neighbourhoods.
areas are young, We are investigating whether intensive
and repeated frightening encounters
dispersing animals and
with trained volunteers can teach
first-time breeders coyotes to be generally more wary of
that are excluded people, thereby reducing the likelihood
from natural areas by of encounters and conflicts. By
larger, more dominant designating both treatment and control
include the lack of a fence, presence of coyotes. neighbourhoods, we will later be able to
hiding cover (dense vegetation, sheds, assess the effects of the hazing program.
old cars, piles of debris), and food In both neighbourhood types, volun-
sources. Mangy animals were much teers will conduct patrols, assess coyote
more likely than healthy coyotes to wariness, and follow up on complaints
shelter under decks and beside house for decades to infect coyotes, but a by residents. In treatment neighbour-
foundations. In a nasty feedback loop, new, more virulent strain has arrived hoods, volunteers will react to coyotes
eating human-sourced food, especially from Europe, probably with imported that permit close approaches (i.e., that
compost containing mycotoxins, can dogs, only in the last decade or so. This are habituated to people) by chasing
result in immune suppression, which parasite usually cycles between coyotes them while throwing tennis balls,
increases susceptibility to parasites and and their rodent prey, but humans can shaking a can full of coins, and shout-
disease. Another student, Scott Sugden, be infected if they accidentally eat the ing. Similar but more intensive forms
showed that animals in poor condition microscopic eggs deposited with coyote of aversive conditioning are already
exhibit disrupted microbiomes in their feces. Since 2013, 17 Albertans have been used in Edmonton and Calgary by city
intestines, which appear to stem from diagnosed, but the infected number may wildlife professionals and have been
protein-poor diets. be much higher because symptoms, used successfully to manage bears in
Beyond the conflict associated with related to liver cysts, can take 10 to 15 protected areas for a couple of decades.
coyote behaviour, a new parasite makes years to develop. We hope our community-based aversive
it more important to deter coyotes from Because the rates and severity of conditioning program will complement
residential yards and similar human-use conflicts with coyotes has been rising in current approaches by increasing the
areas like playgrounds and community residential areas, grad student Gabrielle frequency and immediacy of negative
gardens. The tapeworm parasite Echi- Lajeunesse and I are initiating a experiences for coyotes encountering
nococcus multilocularis has been known community-based aversive conditioning people in residential areas.
20 | WINTER 2021 NATURE ALBERTA MAGAZINEYou can also read
