Limestone Log 7 - 2024
Volume 35, Issue 7
July 12 - 20, 2024
Above: Field sketch by Lori Waters. A collection of items found near Raven stashes, in the forests of East Limestone Island.
Above: Field camp research cabin. Photo by Kaitie Riddell
Weeks 13 & 14
It’s the final week of the season! This wraps up Laskeek Bay Conservation Society’s 35th year! We reflect and give thanks Haw'aa Hawaa to all the volunteers, interns, researchers and staff who have made it a safe, productive and magical season. The only constant around here is change— we have observed the rhythms and cycles of change throughout the season, both the people who have come to learn and help with our long-term monitoring, as well as the cycle of life in the more-than-human world.
As new faces and friends have come and gone from camp, spring has transitioned into summer and another season’s cohort of birds have been laying eggs in burrows and raising fledglings. What a joy to observe and document! To be still and diligent enough to learn the secrets of our feathered friends. In addition we record subtle shifts over time, that’s why long-term data sets are so important!
Red-breasted Sapsucker. Photo by Amaya Black.
Marine Debris
We were joined in camp this week by Nick Pfeiffer from Germany during his epic 7 month trip around Canada, (so far Haida Gwaii has been the highlight for him, but don’t spread it around). Kaitie Riddell joined us from Ucluelet where she works at the Ucluelet Aquarium.
The final week of the season was jam packed with diverse projects. Crew ventured to the south side Reef Island for a marine debris survey and beach clean-up, as well one on East Limestone Island. Interesting finds include a kid’s toy waffle, plastic bottles from all over Asia and grass growing out of a hunk of Styrofoam. Nature finds a way!
Marine Debris – Check out Marine Debris initiative in action on the Ucluelet Aquarium Instagram, or follow the link below:
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Kaitie, Amaya, Rian and Nick and marine debris cleanup results.
Wildlife Trees
Rian, Nick and Kaitie smashed the record of measured wildlife tree on East Limestone! They used a range finder, clinometer and measuring tape to calculate the tree height and the height to the cavity that is being used for nesting. Tree-ginomety! In addition to height, the team mapped and tagged all the new trees used for nesting this season.
Wildlife Monitoring Cameras
While the tree team clamored through the understory, Amaya changed batteries and downloaded deer camera photos—part of our long-term invasive species monitoring. The team also checked raccoon monitoring cameras.
Here is what Nick and Kaitie have to say about their experiences on East Limestone Island:
Blog entry - July 14th by Nick
The Raven Insight
"I think the most exciting and mind-blowing thing I got to learn ‘bout the animal world, is that ravens are actually awesome!! Like everybody knows that crows and ravens are intelligent, but gosh, did you ever hear a bird sounding like a waterdrop or like a cat? And then ravens are kind of realizing what we humans usually do. For example, they see us arriving at Boat Cove (Heart Cove) with bags full of debris and as soon as we leave it, they would go and check out what cool things we’ve brought. AND: they are frickin’ all black! That is so elegant."
Above: Kaitie and Nick on sea survey, with Rian driving the boat.
Blog Entry - July 17th by Kaitie
Life’s Cool
Life has such a unique way of bringing people together, and I think Limestone Island is one of those few magical places where really special moments happen. Where people from all walks of life can come as they are and take part in something new, something fun, something adventurous and exciting.
I honestly was first drawn to Haida Gwaii because I was told the moss was epic, which I can definitely confirm, indeed it is! But I never imagined being able to experience Haida Gwaii in this way, and I think that’s what makes Laskeek Bay Conservation Society so unique and special. The way this very inclusive and immersive learning experience has created a way to show people some of the natural history of this area and also the rich cultural history of Haida Gwaii, it’s truly so beautiful.
I can’t wait to share my experience with my friends, family, colleagues, and anyone else I have the opportunity to cross paths with. I’m excited to let them know that they too can volunteer even if they don’t have a formal background in biology, or science in some way, that they are most welcome as long as they’re willing to maybe step a little outside their comfort zone and try something different, but so impactful and helpful to the work you all are doing.
Thank you so much Laskeek Bay Conservation Society for this amazing opportunity to learn and also see and feel the moss I’ve dreamt of. I will never forget this time here, the people I’ve met and I hope to be back here again for years to come.
Until then, I wish you all the best bird sightings and cool findings and I will see you all again sometime soon!
Cheers!
Kaitie Riddell
PIGU Chick Census
Thanks to some weather, the crew had to postpone leaving camp by one day, which allowed Rian and Amaya to conduct a Pigeon Guillemot (PIGU) chick census. The PIGU nest boxes are on a steep rocky cliff, which crew scrambled down to count this year’s hatchlings.
2024 Field Season End Note:
Pack it in, pack it out, clean it up! With the hard work of Nick, Kaitie, Amaya and Rian, we were able to pack out all of our research materials, deep clean, inventory and pack the boat to haul out garbage from beach clean ups. Thank you again for all contributions and volunteers near and far, to another incredible season. And thank you to East Limestone Island and K’uuna Gwaay Conservancy.
We hope to see some of you back on East Limestone Island again one season soon! Please note that volunteer spaces begin to fill up as early as February each year, so sign up as soon as you are able. Watch our website early in the new year for details.
We thank all of you for reading our newsletters, for your feedback and for the donations - these make it possible for us to keep going! We are happy to report we have an abundance of news and photographs to continue to share, and some of our programs continue throughout the year, so look for a 2024 Fall Newsletter in November, and a 2025 Winter Newsletter early in the new year.
One final point - for those of you on Haida Gwaii, we are planning a 35th Anniversary Event on November 2, at the Kay Centre in Skidegate, we hope to see you there! Details will be released closer to the date, but there will be feathers!
Haw'aa/Haawa!
