Nature Saskatchewan: continued watch for Loggerhead Shrike
Keep an eye out for returning Shrikes this May! Spring has sprung and that means many of our birds are back on the prairies to once again raise their families. In this busy time, Nature Saskatchewan asks everyone to keep an eye out for the threatened Loggerhead Shrike.
This fierce bird is often seen perched on tall branches near open spaces. When looking to ID this bird watch for a slate grey back, white belly, and black wings and tail. They also have a striking mask that extends across their face to behind their eyes. When in flight, watch for the flash of hidden white patches on their black wings. “These birds have the unique behaviour of impaling their prey,” Emily Putz, Shrubs for Shrikes coordinator for Nature Saskatchewan explains, “they will find sharp points such as a thorny branch or a wire barb to hang their prey, then rip small pieces off with their hooked beak. Pairs will often hang prey on branches near their nest as a larder for later as well, living up to their nickname as the Butcherbird!”
Prey can often be seen hung in areas with shrikes, especially in the spring when the males return and try and impress the females with their hunting skills. Prey can include
insects such as caterpillars and grasshoppers, birds, amphibians and snakes, and rodents such as mice and voles. They have even been known to take larger prey such as a young gopher! “Thorny shrubs such as Buffaloberry and Hawthorns are especially attractive to nest in and great shrubs to include in your yard site if you are trying to attract shrikes for their pest control abilities,” further explains Putz, “but in yards or shelterbelts, Shrikes might also use prickly conifers or caraganas as substitutes.”
Loggerhead Shrikes populations have been on the decline since the 1960s, with up to 80% of the population lost across their range. Habitat loss and degradation is the leading cause of their decline, both of their prairie hunting habitat and the shrubs they call their homes. Shelterbelts are becoming things of the past which further contributes, as their adapted shrub habitat also becomes sparse.
While the prairie Loggerhead Shrike is listed as Threatened in Canada, Saskatchewan, at the heart of their remaining range, still has the largest population of breeding pairs in the country. Nature Saskatchewan’s Shrubs for Shrike’s program aims to keep Saskatchewan’s population strong by getting more
Tree Removal Tender
eyes and ears our looking for these unique birds and contributing to their population monitoring. The program also works directly with landholders and land managers that may have
spotted them nesting on their land, by conserving their habitat and reporting their sightings through our annual census.
If you happen to spot a Loggerhead Shrike
this spring, please report your sighting to Nature Saskatchewan’s toll-free HOOTline, 1-800-667-HOOT (4668) or email Emily Putz at outreach@naturesask.ca.
Every sighting helps with tracking the population and range of this iconic prairie bird. All caller and program participant information is kept confidential.
The Town of Coronach is seeking a tender from interested parties for removing dead trees on town owned property. All trees to be removed will be marked in advance with spray paint by Town Staff. The work is to be completed in the fall of 2024. All work performed must be in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act standards.
The contractor is required to provide evidence of liability insurance to the Town. The Contractor will also be responsible for providing a clearance from the Saskatchewan Worker’s Compensation Board prior to being awarded the tender. Both an International Society of Arboriculture Arborist’s Certificate and tree climbing course are considered an asset.
In all cases, the Contractor shall provide for protection of public and private property. Special care shall be taken to avoid damage to existing adjacent structures and/or property during the work. Any damage to public or private property must be immediately photographically documented; the photos and a brief description of the incident must be reported to the Town Office within 1 day. Any damage caused by the Contractor to the existing structures and/ or properties shall be rectified by the Contractor, at their sole expense, to the satisfaction of the Town.
The Contractor shall provide all necessary signs, barricades, and cones to block off any pathways or roads during tree maintenance. This shall include the cost of setup and takedown. The Contractor shall dispose of all logs, chipped material, and/or waste wood to the Coronach landfill site free of charge. All material is to be disposed of within a 24-hour period. If for any reason a public roadway is closed for tree maintenance, the Town Foreman or Town Office, must be notified prior to closure and immediately after reopening.
Hours of work must be 7:00a.m. to 3:30p.m. Monday to Friday as approved by the Town Foreman or Town Office.
Please submit all costs as an hourly rate for labor and equipment. A tender must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked “Tree Removal Tender” and addressed to: Town of Coronach, Box 90, Coronach SK SOH OZO. Tenders must be postmarked or dropped off at the Town Office by 5:00 pm on June 6, 2024. Highest, or any tender, not necessarily accepted. Tenders will be opened June 6, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Town Office, 212 1st Street East, Coronach, SK SOHOZO.
Dated this 22nd day of May 2024
Renea Paridaen Chief Administrative Officer
2024 Poplar River Mine Hay Tenders
Westmoreland Mining LLC will be receiving private bids for the cutting and removal of grass and alfalfa from the following parcels:
Parcel Description
1Approx. 175 acres in the E½ 31-3-26 W2.
2 Approx. 300 acres in Section 15 and SW 14-3-26 W2. Active mining area.
3 Approx. 160 acres South of the PRNM shop and office, the W ½ and SE of 17-3-26 W2. Active mining area.
4 Approx. 230 acres in the S ½ of 19 and N½ 18, all 3-26 W2. Active mining area.
5 Approx. 415 acres in sec. 19-3-26 W2.
6 Approx. 170 acres within and adjacent to the PRNM Rail loop, in the E ½ of 24-3-27, NE 13-3-27, SW 19-3-26 and NW 18-3-26, all W2.
7Approx. 470 acres in sec. 30-3-26 W2.
8 Approx. 400 acres in the N ½ 30-3-26 and S ½ 31-3-26, both W2.
9 Approx. 290 acres in the W ½ of 31-3-26 and SW 6-4-26 all W2.
10 Approx. 495 acres in the E ½ of 25-3-27, SW 25-3-27 and the SE 36-3-27, all W2.
11 Approx. 145 acres in the E ½ of 24-3-27 W2.
12 Approx. 150 acres in the NW 24-3-27 W2.
13 Approx. 200 acres in the N ½ 16 and the S ½ 21-3-26 W2. Active mining area.
14 Approx. 420 acres in the E ½ 21 and SW 22-3-26 W2. Active mining area.
15 Approx. 200 acres in the E ½ 22, SW 23-3-26 and NW 14-3-26, all W2. Active mining area.
16 Approx. 200 acres in the N ½ 15 and S ½ 22-3-26 W2. Active mining area.
17 Approx. 115 acres in the N ½ 14 and S ½ 23-3-26 W2. Active mining area.
18 Approx. 210 acres in Section16 and the NW 17-3-26 W2. Active mining area.
19 Approx. 208 acres in NW 23, NE22 and SW 26-3-26, all W2. Active mining area.
20 Approx. 223 acres in SW 27 and NW22, all W2. Active mining area.
21 Approx. 165 acres along the rail corridor between PRNM grid road and ¾ mile south of Highway #18.
The map can be found at www.poplarrivermine.com and viewing of the parcels or receiving a map by email can be arranged by calling Alana Prefontaine at 306 994-6813 or emailing aprefontaine@westmoreland.com.
Bids are to be placed on an individual parcel basis utilizing the above parcel numbers for identification. The bids are for the first crop only. All parcels are located at Poplar River North Mine. All successful bidders must sign a liability release agreement, provide Westmoreland Mining with crop production data based on the number of bales removed and bale weight.
Mark bids with Confidential Hay Tender as the subject line and email to tenders@poplarrivermine.com or clearly mark on the outside of a sealed bid and mail to: Attention: Alana Prefontaine Poplar River Mine Box 599 Coronach, SK S0H 0Z0
Bids must be received by Noon on Monday June 24, 2024. Terms will be cheque upon notification of successful bidder. Highest or any bid not necessarily accepted. All work must be completed, and bales removed by September 30,
Assiniboia Times, Assiniboia Saskatchewan -- May 31, 2024 9
2024. Successful bidders cutting hay in the ACTIVE MINE AREA MUST wear hard hats, safety glasses, steel toed boots and reflective clothing while on mine property. Buggy whips are required to be attached to all light vehicles in the active mine area and must be provided by the bidder. All equipment must be equipped with a roll over protection system. POPLAR RIVER MINE WILL NOT PROVIDE BUGGY WHIPS FOR LIGHT VEHICLES
Photo courtesy May Haga/Nature Saskatchewan
Box 90, Coronach, SK S0H0Z0
Escape the race office@townofcoronach.ca • 306 267 2150 • townofcoronach.ca
