NON-CURRENT-NEWS AND MEDIA ARCHIVES-2018
CHICKADEE NESTS IN PIECE OF BIRCH LOG
EBF's technical wizard found a section of a downed birch tree on his travels a few weeks ago and decided to bring it home and attached it to his downspout. Lo and behold a pair of chickadees decided that this small section of birch would be perfect for a nest cavity! Ma Chickadee laid her first egg at 8 PM on May 2.
May 4-five eggs in nest.
Watch live as these chickadees raise their family!
Watch here on ustream
EBF's technical wizard found a section of a downed birch tree on his travels a few weeks ago and decided to bring it home and attached it to his downspout. Lo and behold a pair of chickadees decided that this small section of birch would be perfect for a nest cavity! Ma Chickadee laid her first egg at 8 PM on May 2.
May 4-five eggs in nest.
Watch live as these chickadees raise their family!
Watch here on ustream
MARCH UPDATE 2018
Ellis Bird Farm hosted Shawn Moore of Trimmed Line Tree Services and Wayne Froese of Top Peg Timber Frame Construction at the site recently to asses the health of the trees around the EBF site and to discuss some new projects at the farm.
We are looking to partner with Wayne and Shawn to support their new initiative (Sawing for Schools) and to switch to using lumber - for our birdboxes and bird feeder kits - that has been sourced locally, mostly from the trees that were downed in Red Deer during last spring's wind storm.
UPDATE ON OWLS-Sadly, Ellie and Albert have not settled down on a nest. Last year, they were on their nest by January 29. There are a few factors that may be causing this delay: last fall saw very cold temperatures before the snow fell. These conditions likely caused a huge mouse/vole die off. The snow pack also presents challenges: the rodents are very hard to access because the snow is thick with several crust layers. A very cold and snowy spring is also causing them to postpone nesting.
EBF - Photo by Myrna Pearman
Ellie the Owl watching over the site - Jan 29, 2018
A winters day at EBF - January 14, 2018 - photography by Kirstin Bouwsema
FAMILY NATURE NIGHT WITH CLAUDIA LIPSKI- JAN 27TH, 2018 No matter what the temperature, deer and moose play outside, and so do Nature Kids! At 10:30 AM on January 27, with the temperature a chilly -18 C, hardy families came out to the Kerry Wood Nature Centre in Red Deer to meet Zoe from Nature Kids/Nature Alberta, go on a nature walk with Tanya from the Kerry Wood Nature Centre and to learn and sing about deer and moose with Claudia from Ellis Bird Farm. Yes, there are songs about deer and moose! We were able to see tracks and scat in the fresh snow and we studied what and where the animals had eaten. Children could examine scat, fur, browse and rub sticks while learning about deer and moose bodies and behaviour. The various sizes of antlers provided photo opportunities. Attending a Nature Kids event is an opportunity to learn and appreciate the nature we have close to home and everyone, young and old, is invited to these events. - photos by Jessica Kowalchuk
JAN 2018 -We are happy to have Matt Burton of Your Private Chef return to run the Ellis Café for the 2018 season.
NON-CURRENT-NEWS AND MEDIA ARCHIVES-2016/2017
A COLD WINTERS DAY AT EBF - DEC 31 - PANORAMA BY SARAH RITCHIE
Brian Keating quoted Myrna's Beauty Everywhere book in his last CBC interview
about the survival strategies of winter birds.
Listen to the interview here.
David Miller
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JY Vaneir
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Dean Chessor
DOCUMENTING ELLIS BIRD FARM HISTORY Thanks to a very generous grant from Dow Canada, Ellis Bird Farm has been undertaking an oral history project. This project entails collecting oral interviews with neighours and friends of Charlie and Winnie Ellis, as well as founding Ellis Bird Farm board members and team leaders from the Prentiss site. We have conducted close to 20 interviews already, thanks to the expertise of Duane Rolheiser of Todayville as well as Phil French and Leo de Groot.
Thanks to Dean Chessor (shown here), Grant Oatway and Ron Wright and for taking the time to share their memories of Charlie and Winnie. We also thank JY Vaneir (top right) and David Miller (bottom right), Site Leaders from Dow and MEGlobal respectively, for taking time out of their busy schedules to be interviewed. We are very grateful for this grant and are pleased to have much of the Ellis Bird Farm/Prentiss Site history now documented!
MULE DEER HERD WINTER AT EBF - DEC 31 A small herd of mule deer have been overwintering at the EBF site. Although they are helping themselves to some of the plants, we are glad that they have taken up residence.
 Dark-eyed Junco
ELLIS BIRD FARM CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT We would like to thank Sonya Dreger for volunteering to do the Christmas Bird Count at Ellis Bird Farm on December 17. The most interesting sightings of the day were two Boreal Chickadees and two Dark-eyed Juncos. The two American Robins that had been hanging around the site in December were not seen on Count Day.
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Boreal Chickadee
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EBF STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP
The Ellis Bird Farm board of directors spent a day undergoing a strategic planning workshop on October 17. The workshop, led by Shari Hanson with Alberta Culture and Tourism was a good opportunity for the board to refine its vision and mission, and to commence the process of succession planning.
The Ellis Bird Farm board of directors spent a day undergoing a strategic planning workshop on October 17. The workshop, led by Shari Hanson with Alberta Culture and Tourism was a good opportunity for the board to refine its vision and mission, and to commence the process of succession planning.
THANK YOU WIM AND MARIJKE JALINK
Thank you Wim and Marijke Jalink of Calgary for honouring EBF history by keeping these T shirts, the first we produced, in the early 1990s.. Win kindly donated his T shirt back to EBF.
Thank you Wim and Marijke Jalink of Calgary for honouring EBF history by keeping these T shirts, the first we produced, in the early 1990s.. Win kindly donated his T shirt back to EBF.
MYRNA PEARMAN PRESENTATION IN ALIX
The last week of October was a busy one for Myrna, as she delivered 6 presentations in 5 days. One of her most well-received talks--Fascinating Backyard Birds: A glimpse into the habits and behaviours of our wild neighbours--was delivered at a well-attended public talk in Alix on October 18th. The presentation was hosted by Curt and Donna Peterson and Doug McDermand (Centre), Alix Home Hardware. Other talks were given at an EBF strategic planning meeting and to the Red Deer Garden Club, Parkland Garden Centre, the Wild Bird Store (Calgary) and the Calgary Area Nestbox Monitors group.
The last week of October was a busy one for Myrna, as she delivered 6 presentations in 5 days. One of her most well-received talks--Fascinating Backyard Birds: A glimpse into the habits and behaviours of our wild neighbours--was delivered at a well-attended public talk in Alix on October 18th. The presentation was hosted by Curt and Donna Peterson and Doug McDermand (Centre), Alix Home Hardware. Other talks were given at an EBF strategic planning meeting and to the Red Deer Garden Club, Parkland Garden Centre, the Wild Bird Store (Calgary) and the Calgary Area Nestbox Monitors group.
EBF BOARD OF DIRECTORS THANKS BONNIE MULLIN
The EBF board of directors thanked Bonnie Mullin at the October meeting for her years of service as the Red Deer River Naturalists rep on the EBF board. Bonnie is moving to British Columbia to be closer to family. thank you Bonnie!
The EBF board of directors thanked Bonnie Mullin at the October meeting for her years of service as the Red Deer River Naturalists rep on the EBF board. Bonnie is moving to British Columbia to be closer to family. thank you Bonnie!
DR. DOROTHY HILL DISCUSSES NEW BLUEBIRD TRAIL APP
Dr. Dorothy Hill, right, and EBF's bluebird trail monitor, Claudia Lipski, discuss a new bluebird trail app at the recent Calgary and Area Bluebird Trail Monitors Group meeting. The app, developed by Dr Hill and her team at Mt Royal University, was field tested last summer around Calgary and on the EBF bluebird trail.
Dr. Dorothy Hill, right, and EBF's bluebird trail monitor, Claudia Lipski, discuss a new bluebird trail app at the recent Calgary and Area Bluebird Trail Monitors Group meeting. The app, developed by Dr Hill and her team at Mt Royal University, was field tested last summer around Calgary and on the EBF bluebird trail.
DOW CHEMICAL CANADA & MEGLOBAL TAKE TO THE DITCHES TO KEEP OUR NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN
Each year, the employees of Dow Chemical Canada and MEGlobal take to the ditches to keep their neighborhood clean and free of garbage. In the image above, was taken on Thursday, October 5, while Jean-Yves Vanier, Dow Site Leader and Rozanna Steenbergen, Dow Site Administrator were doing their part to show appreciation for the community they are fortunate to work in. Highway cleanup is an annual event, where Dow Chemical and MEGlobal employees volunteer their time to maintain the litter collecting on Prentiss Road from highway 597 and Lakeside Sargent to pick up trash such as drink cans and bottles, twine and junk food containers. Safety is most important on site, which is why all employees are required to wear high-visibility vests, gloves and carry portable radios. Roadway signage cautioning motorists is displayed throughout the duration of the clean-up.
Each year, the employees of Dow Chemical Canada and MEGlobal take to the ditches to keep their neighborhood clean and free of garbage. In the image above, was taken on Thursday, October 5, while Jean-Yves Vanier, Dow Site Leader and Rozanna Steenbergen, Dow Site Administrator were doing their part to show appreciation for the community they are fortunate to work in. Highway cleanup is an annual event, where Dow Chemical and MEGlobal employees volunteer their time to maintain the litter collecting on Prentiss Road from highway 597 and Lakeside Sargent to pick up trash such as drink cans and bottles, twine and junk food containers. Safety is most important on site, which is why all employees are required to wear high-visibility vests, gloves and carry portable radios. Roadway signage cautioning motorists is displayed throughout the duration of the clean-up.
ELLIS BIRD FARM'S CLOSING DAY FOR 2017
Ellis Bird Farm enjoyed a wonderful closing day, with a record number of people coming out to help celebrate a very successful season. The day started off with Alisha Ritchie delivering a well-received presentation about her thesis research, conducted on Purple Martins at EBF. The Golden Music Makers entertained again (for the 16th year!) to an enthusiastic audience. Then at 3 PM, Barb Shepherd (assisted by Brian Biggs and Claudia Lipski) did the raffle draw. Barb kindly made a beautiful bluebird quilt, which was the subject of much admiration over the summer. Other raffle items were a bird feeder donated by the Botha Hutterian Brethren and a collector bird plate donated by Lorraine Neal. We were glad that Nettie and Joe Young paid us a visit - Joe rebuilt Charlie's old Farmall tractor many years ago. The tractor is on display at the site and much enjoyed by visitors. At the end of the day, Claudia Lipski and a crowd of youngsters released our garter snake back into the wild and Mariilyn Jones came to retrieve her goats. These goats, which Marilyn loans us each summer, are well loved by our young visitors. We appreciate board members Barb Shepherd, Brian Biggs, Gordon Johnon and Leo de Groot for supporting us on closing day. See you next year!
Article in the Red Deer Advocate column here.
Click images to enlarge.
Ellis Bird Farm enjoyed a wonderful closing day, with a record number of people coming out to help celebrate a very successful season. The day started off with Alisha Ritchie delivering a well-received presentation about her thesis research, conducted on Purple Martins at EBF. The Golden Music Makers entertained again (for the 16th year!) to an enthusiastic audience. Then at 3 PM, Barb Shepherd (assisted by Brian Biggs and Claudia Lipski) did the raffle draw. Barb kindly made a beautiful bluebird quilt, which was the subject of much admiration over the summer. Other raffle items were a bird feeder donated by the Botha Hutterian Brethren and a collector bird plate donated by Lorraine Neal. We were glad that Nettie and Joe Young paid us a visit - Joe rebuilt Charlie's old Farmall tractor many years ago. The tractor is on display at the site and much enjoyed by visitors. At the end of the day, Claudia Lipski and a crowd of youngsters released our garter snake back into the wild and Mariilyn Jones came to retrieve her goats. These goats, which Marilyn loans us each summer, are well loved by our young visitors. We appreciate board members Barb Shepherd, Brian Biggs, Gordon Johnon and Leo de Groot for supporting us on closing day. See you next year!
Article in the Red Deer Advocate column here.
Click images to enlarge.
THANKS TO EBF STAFF
EBF staff spent Friday morning doing a clean out of the Purple Martin nests. A special thank you to Debra McKinnon for volunteering to help us with this messy but necessary task. After entering the data, we have confirmed that the site hosted 100 pairs of martins this year, the same number as last year. The birds started departing for their wintering grounds in Brazil during the second week of August. By August 19, all had left and the site was eerily quiet.
EBF staff spent Friday morning doing a clean out of the Purple Martin nests. A special thank you to Debra McKinnon for volunteering to help us with this messy but necessary task. After entering the data, we have confirmed that the site hosted 100 pairs of martins this year, the same number as last year. The birds started departing for their wintering grounds in Brazil during the second week of August. By August 19, all had left and the site was eerily quiet.
THANKS TO KERRY WOOD NATURE CENTRE
Our thanks to Kerry Wood Nature Centre for sharing some of the bird seed that was donated to them from Peavey Mart! We will use this seed in our feeders over the winter.
Our thanks to Kerry Wood Nature Centre for sharing some of the bird seed that was donated to them from Peavey Mart! We will use this seed in our feeders over the winter.
WRITERS GIFT OF APPRECIATION TO EBF
Dear Myrna, Claudia, Shaylyn and Everyone,
As Writers, it is our pleasure to present our gift of appreciation to you for the wonderful day we had last Saturday at Ellis Bird Farm.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Jane and Writers of the August 8th Writing Retreat.
Dear Myrna, Claudia, Shaylyn and Everyone,
As Writers, it is our pleasure to present our gift of appreciation to you for the wonderful day we had last Saturday at Ellis Bird Farm.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Jane and Writers of the August 8th Writing Retreat.
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THANKS TO DIANE COTE
Diane Cote of Red Deer generously donated a hand-painted feeder and thermometer holder to Ellis Bird Farm. These art items were built and decorated by Diane's sister, Denise Côté and her business partner Johanne Gagnon from Ste- Luce - sur – Mer, Quebec. More of their work can be found at augraindebois@globetrotter.net
Diane Cote of Red Deer generously donated a hand-painted feeder and thermometer holder to Ellis Bird Farm. These art items were built and decorated by Diane's sister, Denise Côté and her business partner Johanne Gagnon from Ste- Luce - sur – Mer, Quebec. More of their work can be found at augraindebois@globetrotter.net
THANKS TO HOME DEPOT
Our thanks to Ann Currie and team at Home Depot who generously donated a pallet of sunflower seeds to Ellis Bird Farm! Our sincere thanks. Also a big thanks to Ron Biel for picking up and delivering the seeds back to the farm.
Our thanks to Ann Currie and team at Home Depot who generously donated a pallet of sunflower seeds to Ellis Bird Farm! Our sincere thanks. Also a big thanks to Ron Biel for picking up and delivering the seeds back to the farm.
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WRITER'S RETREAT WITH DR. JANE ROSS
We were very pleased to host Dr. Jane Ross of the Battle River Writing Centre for a Writer's Retreat at EBF yesterday. The theme of the retreat was "Inspirations." At the workshop, local writers had the opportunity to hear about the inspiring history of Ellis Bird Farm and listen to a young Rotarian, Ashley White, tell about her year abroad. After an activity focusing on writing in and about Nature, participants were invited to find their own place on the EBF grounds to write. They then reconvened and shared their stories. The day ended with a delicious potluck dinner. We would like to thank Jane and Jack Ross - who have retired back to Camrose after spending their careers working for international companies abroad - for providing such leadership and inspiration to local writers!
We were very pleased to host Dr. Jane Ross of the Battle River Writing Centre for a Writer's Retreat at EBF yesterday. The theme of the retreat was "Inspirations." At the workshop, local writers had the opportunity to hear about the inspiring history of Ellis Bird Farm and listen to a young Rotarian, Ashley White, tell about her year abroad. After an activity focusing on writing in and about Nature, participants were invited to find their own place on the EBF grounds to write. They then reconvened and shared their stories. The day ended with a delicious potluck dinner. We would like to thank Jane and Jack Ross - who have retired back to Camrose after spending their careers working for international companies abroad - for providing such leadership and inspiration to local writers!
PURPLE MARTINS AT THE PURPLE MARTIN CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION HEADQUARTERS IN ERIE, PA
Our 2017 live nestcam season has come to an end. Thank you to all of you for helping to make it a success. It proved to be a tremendous outreach tool with millions of views over the past weeks.
We have put together the following time lapse video to memorialize the season as well as be a teaching tool. Please help us continue the outreach by sharing the video via your social media avenues.
Purple Martin Nest Timelapse
www.youtube.com
Watch as a nest of Purple Martins at the Purple Martin Conservation Association headquarters in Erie, PA progresses from eggs to fledglings.
Our 2017 live nestcam season has come to an end. Thank you to all of you for helping to make it a success. It proved to be a tremendous outreach tool with millions of views over the past weeks.
We have put together the following time lapse video to memorialize the season as well as be a teaching tool. Please help us continue the outreach by sharing the video via your social media avenues.
Purple Martin Nest Timelapse
www.youtube.com
Watch as a nest of Purple Martins at the Purple Martin Conservation Association headquarters in Erie, PA progresses from eggs to fledglings.
Saturday July 22
Saturday was a big day at EBF, as we celebrated Canada 150+ and EBF's 35th anniversary. We also had a special smudge ceremony for our new circle deck, which was installed to honour Indigenous history in Central Alberta. The smudge was led by Lyle North-Wind Richards. We also served delicious cupcakes (created by the Lakeside Ladies), had crafts for the children, had a garden tour (led by Cynthia Pohl) and west woods tour (led by Tony Blake), hosted a presentation about the history of Ellis Bird Farm (Myrna Pearman), and heard from special guests who shared stories about the early days of Ellis Bird Farm.
We were also happy to have Beverly Buchwald visit the site. Beverly is the widow of Glen Buchwald, who had a secret meeting with Gary Krigbaum when Union Carbide was first trying to secure land for the Prentiss site. The Buchwalds have been very generous supporters of Ellis Bird Farm.
A big thanks to Morris Flewwelling for MC'ing the afternoon and for sharing some of his never-before-heard stories about Charlie and Winnie Ellis.
Saturday was a big day at EBF, as we celebrated Canada 150+ and EBF's 35th anniversary. We also had a special smudge ceremony for our new circle deck, which was installed to honour Indigenous history in Central Alberta. The smudge was led by Lyle North-Wind Richards. We also served delicious cupcakes (created by the Lakeside Ladies), had crafts for the children, had a garden tour (led by Cynthia Pohl) and west woods tour (led by Tony Blake), hosted a presentation about the history of Ellis Bird Farm (Myrna Pearman), and heard from special guests who shared stories about the early days of Ellis Bird Farm.
We were also happy to have Beverly Buchwald visit the site. Beverly is the widow of Glen Buchwald, who had a secret meeting with Gary Krigbaum when Union Carbide was first trying to secure land for the Prentiss site. The Buchwalds have been very generous supporters of Ellis Bird Farm.
A big thanks to Morris Flewwelling for MC'ing the afternoon and for sharing some of his never-before-heard stories about Charlie and Winnie Ellis.
PURPLE MARTIN BANDING AT EBF
Ellis Bird Farm hosted a team of bird banders at the site to mass trap Purple Martins on July 10. Under the guidance of EBF's Alisha Ritchie (who just received her MSc studying martin migration at EBF), Dr. Geoff Holroyd and his team from the Beaverhill Bird Observatory and Dr. Glen Hvenegaard with his team from the Camrose Wildlife and Stewardship Society, assisted us in checking all compartments to trap and retrap adult martins. The effort was successful, with over 100 adults processed. We were all done by 2:00 AM!
Ellis Bird Farm hosted a team of bird banders at the site to mass trap Purple Martins on July 10. Under the guidance of EBF's Alisha Ritchie (who just received her MSc studying martin migration at EBF), Dr. Geoff Holroyd and his team from the Beaverhill Bird Observatory and Dr. Glen Hvenegaard with his team from the Camrose Wildlife and Stewardship Society, assisted us in checking all compartments to trap and retrap adult martins. The effort was successful, with over 100 adults processed. We were all done by 2:00 AM!
EBF DONATES NESTING MATERIAL FOR NEW ROYAL ALBERTA MUSEUM
Ellis Bird Farm was very happy to collect some flea- and blowfly-infested nesting material from our Purple Martin nests for an exhibit being developed for the new Royal Alberta Museum (RAM). Dr. Jocelyn Hudon, Curator of Ornithology for RAM visited EBF last week to pick up the material and tour the site. He was also interested in learning about Alisha Ritchie's research on Purple Martins.
Ellis Bird Farm was very happy to collect some flea- and blowfly-infested nesting material from our Purple Martin nests for an exhibit being developed for the new Royal Alberta Museum (RAM). Dr. Jocelyn Hudon, Curator of Ornithology for RAM visited EBF last week to pick up the material and tour the site. He was also interested in learning about Alisha Ritchie's research on Purple Martins.
TODAY'S VERY WELL-RECEIVED KNEE HIGH NATURE PROGRAM
Today's very well-received Knee High Nature program was about deer and moose. The program ended with the children making their own creatures out of cork and pipe cleaners!
Today's very well-received Knee High Nature program was about deer and moose. The program ended with the children making their own creatures out of cork and pipe cleaners!
BLUEBIRD FESTIVAL A GREAT SUCCESS!
Ellis Bird Farm hosted a very successful Bluebird Festival on Saturday June 8. Our thanks to the following: Jazz Explosion for providing musical entertainment, Susanne Maidment for setting up her hummingbird banding station, Nature Alberta for their Nature Kids display, Red Deer River Watershed Alliance for their station at the pier, and Susan Manyluk for her Holme Hus Antique booth. A special thanks to all the volunteers who endured the heat with smiles, and for our amazing EBF staff who scurried all day long.
Ellis Bird Farm hosted a very successful Bluebird Festival on Saturday June 8. Our thanks to the following: Jazz Explosion for providing musical entertainment, Susanne Maidment for setting up her hummingbird banding station, Nature Alberta for their Nature Kids display, Red Deer River Watershed Alliance for their station at the pier, and Susan Manyluk for her Holme Hus Antique booth. A special thanks to all the volunteers who endured the heat with smiles, and for our amazing EBF staff who scurried all day long.
RED DEER KIWANIS CLUB AND RED DEER TWILIGHT HOMES FOUNDATION VISIT EBF
We were very happy to have three members of the Red Deer Kiwanis Club and Red Deer Twilight Homes Foundation visit EBF last week. They were very pleased with the new paved path and circle deck that they provided funds for. Ron Biel designed and built the deck with assistance from EBF staff. Posing on the deck with Marvin, Alec and Larry is MEGlobal board member, Darcy Gabert
We were very happy to have three members of the Red Deer Kiwanis Club and Red Deer Twilight Homes Foundation visit EBF last week. They were very pleased with the new paved path and circle deck that they provided funds for. Ron Biel designed and built the deck with assistance from EBF staff. Posing on the deck with Marvin, Alec and Larry is MEGlobal board member, Darcy Gabert
NON-CURRENT-News and Media Archives-2016/2017
CANADA DAY AT ELLIS BIRD FARM
Visitors to Ellis Bird Farm had a wonderful Canada Day Celebration on July 1 Highlights of the day included singing Oh Canada, readings by summer staff from the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on our new circle deck, Canada Day crafts for the children, and presenting "Canada Jay" T shirts to Ron and Karen Edwards of Caroline. The Edwards' kindly and generously hosted the celebrity Gray Jays, "Elizabeth and Philip" and allowed EBF to live stream them. Myrna Pearman delivered two short presentations, one on Gray Jays (which we hope will be renamed Canada Jays) and an update on her wildlife wanderings and photography.
Thanks to everyone who came to visit!
Visitors to Ellis Bird Farm had a wonderful Canada Day Celebration on July 1 Highlights of the day included singing Oh Canada, readings by summer staff from the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on our new circle deck, Canada Day crafts for the children, and presenting "Canada Jay" T shirts to Ron and Karen Edwards of Caroline. The Edwards' kindly and generously hosted the celebrity Gray Jays, "Elizabeth and Philip" and allowed EBF to live stream them. Myrna Pearman delivered two short presentations, one on Gray Jays (which we hope will be renamed Canada Jays) and an update on her wildlife wanderings and photography.
Thanks to everyone who came to visit!
OUR 2017 TOURS AND WORKSHOPS - REGISTRATION OPEN
For Group Tours click here
For Knee High Naturalists FULL
For Workshops click here
For Events Calendar click here
For Group Tours click here
For Knee High Naturalists FULL
For Workshops click here
For Events Calendar click here
CANADA’S 150TH AND ELLIS BIRD FARM’S 35TH ANNIVERSARY A GREAT SUCCESS!
Friday July 21
On Friday, we gathered together the founding members of Ellis Bird Farm as well as the early leadership team from the Prentiss site to collect oral history of both the Prentiss site as well as EBF.. We finished off the day with a wine and cheese, a power point presentation about the history of Ellis Bird Farm, and presentations by Gary Krigbaum and Don Young. Gary Krigbaum, who now lives in Iowa, was the General Services Manager at Union Carbide when they were looking to purchase the Ellis farm. He was able to secure the land by promising Charlie and Winnie that the company would look after their birds. He is shown here looking through some of the early EBF archives with his wife, Pam.
Don Young, who now lives in Ontario, was the CFO of the Prentiss site as well an early EBF board member. We were very pleased to also have Walter Lindley, the first Prentiss Manager, in attendance. Don and Walter are shown here meeting for the first time in many years.
We had planned to conduct individual interviews outside on Friday, but the rain and wind forced us inside. Luckily, Winnie's old chicken coop (now called the Hen House Studio) was the perfect venue for doing the recordings.
Friday July 21
On Friday, we gathered together the founding members of Ellis Bird Farm as well as the early leadership team from the Prentiss site to collect oral history of both the Prentiss site as well as EBF.. We finished off the day with a wine and cheese, a power point presentation about the history of Ellis Bird Farm, and presentations by Gary Krigbaum and Don Young. Gary Krigbaum, who now lives in Iowa, was the General Services Manager at Union Carbide when they were looking to purchase the Ellis farm. He was able to secure the land by promising Charlie and Winnie that the company would look after their birds. He is shown here looking through some of the early EBF archives with his wife, Pam.
Don Young, who now lives in Ontario, was the CFO of the Prentiss site as well an early EBF board member. We were very pleased to also have Walter Lindley, the first Prentiss Manager, in attendance. Don and Walter are shown here meeting for the first time in many years.
We had planned to conduct individual interviews outside on Friday, but the rain and wind forced us inside. Luckily, Winnie's old chicken coop (now called the Hen House Studio) was the perfect venue for doing the recordings.
From Left: Darcy Gabert, Gordon Johnson, Brian Biggs, Joanne Susut
Seated: Barb Shepherd, Bob Winchell, Tony Blake.
Missing, Bonnie Mullin, Colleen McPhee and Leo de Groot
Seated: Barb Shepherd, Bob Winchell, Tony Blake.
Missing, Bonnie Mullin, Colleen McPhee and Leo de Groot
ELLIS BIRD FARM'S CLOSING DAY FOR 2017
Alisha Ritchie, who recently graduated with an MSc from the University of Manitoba, will be giving a summary of this thesis research on Monday, September 4 at 11:30 AM.
The Busy Martin: Factors Influencing Purple Martin Nest Activity
Alisha will discuss some of the findings of her thesis, focusing her findings from the RFID work carried out at Ellis Bird Farm (EBF). She will compare nest activity at EBF with that at other colonies across North America.
Monday, September 4th marks Ellis Bird Farm's final day open for 2017. We will be celebrating our 35th year open in the usual Closing Day festive manner, with live music from the Golden Music Makers out of Red Deer, a sale in our gift shop and all our exhibits open for display. We'll be open 11AM until 5PM, with the Golden Music Makers playing 1PM until 3PM. Come enjoy one last visit before we close for the winter.
POLLINATORS: WHAT'S THE BUZZ? Ellis Bird Farm is hosting a Pollinators Workshop on August 12 - 11AM-1PM.The cost is $20 (plus GST).
Pollinators are vital to the production of food and to the health and stability of our ecosystems worldwide. Join Ellis Bird Farm's head gardener, Cynthia Pohl, to learn about our local pollinators, and how to design your gardens to be pollinator-friendly. The workshop will include three components: an introduction to pollinators and their role in our ecosystem, a hands-on workshop where you will construct your own indigenous bee habitat structure and a guided tour around Ellis Bird Farm where you can observe pollinators in action.
Pollinators are vital to the production of food and to the health and stability of our ecosystems worldwide. Join Ellis Bird Farm's head gardener, Cynthia Pohl, to learn about our local pollinators, and how to design your gardens to be pollinator-friendly. The workshop will include three components: an introduction to pollinators and their role in our ecosystem, a hands-on workshop where you will construct your own indigenous bee habitat structure and a guided tour around Ellis Bird Farm where you can observe pollinators in action.
THANK YOU DOW CANADA!
We would like to thank Dow Canada for providing us with a grant to enable us to collect important oral history footage of both the Prentiss site and Ellis Bird Farm. We started with this project on March 27 by hosting an interview between Morris Flewwelling (first EBF Chairman of the Board) and Walter Lindley (first Prentiss Plant Manager). We will continue collecting footage of early Prentiss employees as well as early EBF board members and staff over the next months.
We would like to thank Dow Canada for providing us with a grant to enable us to collect important oral history footage of both the Prentiss site and Ellis Bird Farm. We started with this project on March 27 by hosting an interview between Morris Flewwelling (first EBF Chairman of the Board) and Walter Lindley (first Prentiss Plant Manager). We will continue collecting footage of early Prentiss employees as well as early EBF board members and staff over the next months.
Screenshot by Myrna Pearman
News about Gray Jay nest
On Sat, Apr 15, 2017 at 8:14 PM, Myrna Pearman wrote:
We are saddened to report that the Gray Jay nest has failed. The birds abandoned the nest this morning and, by the time the hosts went out to check it this afternoon, the eggs were gone. While we are very disappointed with this turn of events, it is important to remember that nesting birds face many perils. Squirrels, magpies, crows and ravens were constant threats to Elizabeth and Philip's nesting attempt. It is also unfortunate that the weather deteriorated just before the young were to hatch and that the heavy snow resulted in our webcam system failure.
Thank you to everyone who got as excited about this nest as we did! Liz and Philip gave us the first-ever live view of a Gray Jay nest, a rare and wonderful opportunity.
Bird of a Nation-David Bird - The whiskey jack is all-Canadian: it’s friendly, it’s resilient, and it thrives in winter.
Read article here
On Sat, Apr 15, 2017 at 8:14 PM, Myrna Pearman wrote:
We are saddened to report that the Gray Jay nest has failed. The birds abandoned the nest this morning and, by the time the hosts went out to check it this afternoon, the eggs were gone. While we are very disappointed with this turn of events, it is important to remember that nesting birds face many perils. Squirrels, magpies, crows and ravens were constant threats to Elizabeth and Philip's nesting attempt. It is also unfortunate that the weather deteriorated just before the young were to hatch and that the heavy snow resulted in our webcam system failure.
Thank you to everyone who got as excited about this nest as we did! Liz and Philip gave us the first-ever live view of a Gray Jay nest, a rare and wonderful opportunity.
Bird of a Nation-David Bird - The whiskey jack is all-Canadian: it’s friendly, it’s resilient, and it thrives in winter.
Read article here
ELLIS BIRD FARM IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE!
Ellis Bird Farm is pleased to announce the release of another scientific paper related to the documentation of Purple Martin migration using GPS transmitters. Find out where one of our Alberta birds overwintered!
Read or download here.
Ellis Bird Farm is pleased to announce the release of another scientific paper related to the documentation of Purple Martin migration using GPS transmitters. Find out where one of our Alberta birds overwintered!
Read or download here.
ELLIS BIRD FARM CONTRIBUTES TO SCIENCE!
A new paper has just been published about the fall migration Purple Martins. Ellis Bird Farm was one of two locations in Alberta where geolocators have been used to track the remarkable migration of these long-distance migrants. Read it here
A new paper has just been published about the fall migration Purple Martins. Ellis Bird Farm was one of two locations in Alberta where geolocators have been used to track the remarkable migration of these long-distance migrants. Read it here
ELLIS BIRD FARM CELEBRATES 35 YEARS!
Ellis Bird Farm celebrates its 35th anniversary this year! A committee of EBF staff, board members, and both former and present Prentiss site staff are working together to plan special events to commemorate both Canada's 150th as well as EBF's milestone anniversary.
Ellis Bird Farm celebrates its 35th anniversary this year! A committee of EBF staff, board members, and both former and present Prentiss site staff are working together to plan special events to commemorate both Canada's 150th as well as EBF's milestone anniversary.
OUR THANKS TO CAROLYN RALLISON OF LAST WEST GARDENS
School programs are well underway. Teachers and students enjoy the interesting and hands-on nature programs offered at Ellis Bird Farm.
Our thanks to Carolyn Rallison of Last West Gardens for her generous donation of perennials to Ellis Bird Farm. All the perennials are excellent for bees and butterflies. Carolyn has been a big EBF supporter over the years.
Our Glover's Silk Moths are hatching! We were excited yesterday to discover that the adults of these gigantic moths, which we overwintered at the site, are finally emerging. Our thanks to Dr. David Lawrie for donating the caterpillars to us and showing us how to raise these moths. We will release these native moths on the site.
School programs are well underway. Teachers and students enjoy the interesting and hands-on nature programs offered at Ellis Bird Farm.
Our thanks to Carolyn Rallison of Last West Gardens for her generous donation of perennials to Ellis Bird Farm. All the perennials are excellent for bees and butterflies. Carolyn has been a big EBF supporter over the years.
Our Glover's Silk Moths are hatching! We were excited yesterday to discover that the adults of these gigantic moths, which we overwintered at the site, are finally emerging. Our thanks to Dr. David Lawrie for donating the caterpillars to us and showing us how to raise these moths. We will release these native moths on the site.
WE WELCOME FOUR NEW STUDENTS TO THE SUMMER TEAM AT EBF We welcome four new students to the summer team at EBF. Our thanks to Canada Summer Jobs labour support grant, which enabled us to hire these talented and hard-working young people.
From left; Jeremy Fowler, Kayla Godkin, Sarah Ritchie, Tobyn Neame
From left; Jeremy Fowler, Kayla Godkin, Sarah Ritchie, Tobyn Neame
EBF OPENING DAY WAS A GREAT SUCCESS! May 22,2017
Opening day for our 2017 season was a great success with almost 400 visitors! Ellie and Albert's owlets were superstars. Two happy sisters, Ashley and Madison, are shown here getting their portrait taken with Sara (owlet) behind in the tree. |
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OUR THANKS TO JUDY BOYD- JUNE 3, 2017 Our thanks to Judy Boyd for leading a very interesting Beginning Birder workshop at EBF on June 3! We appreciate Judy sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with us! And how heartening to have the workshop filled with young folks!
BLUEBIRD FESTIVAL TOMORROW - SATURDAY! Be sure to come to our annual Bluebird Festival on Saturday! The Festival runs from 1 PM - 4 PM. Once again, we will have Jazz Explosion providing the musical entertainment. We will be presenting two Blue Feather Awards this year, at 1:00 PM.
Other activities during the day will include chickadee box building, children's crafts, a site tour at 2 PM and a bluebird trail tour (weather permitting).
-Presentation of Blue Feather Award (two recipients this year!) (1 PM)
- Live Music: Jazz Explosion (1 - 3 PM)
- Chickadee box building - $6 plus GST
- Bluebird Trail Tours (weather permitting)
- SiteTour (2 PM)
- Crafts/Activities
Other activities during the day will include chickadee box building, children's crafts, a site tour at 2 PM and a bluebird trail tour (weather permitting).
-Presentation of Blue Feather Award (two recipients this year!) (1 PM)
- Live Music: Jazz Explosion (1 - 3 PM)
- Chickadee box building - $6 plus GST
- Bluebird Trail Tours (weather permitting)
- SiteTour (2 PM)
- Crafts/Activities
A BIG THANKS TO RED DEER KIWANIS CLUB MEMBERS!
A big thanks to Red Deer Kiwanis Club members Rolf Thudium, Denny Jeong, Devan Bell and Steve Cormack for helping us install black tin under the Visitor Centre entrance. This tin will prevent the barn swallows from nesting under the high peak above the front entrance door. We welcome the swallows around the rest of the site, but the location above the door is fatally hot for the nestling swallows. Our site Foreman, Ron Biel, did an excellent job of overseeing the work. Thanks again to all involved!
A big thanks to Red Deer Kiwanis Club members Rolf Thudium, Denny Jeong, Devan Bell and Steve Cormack for helping us install black tin under the Visitor Centre entrance. This tin will prevent the barn swallows from nesting under the high peak above the front entrance door. We welcome the swallows around the rest of the site, but the location above the door is fatally hot for the nestling swallows. Our site Foreman, Ron Biel, did an excellent job of overseeing the work. Thanks again to all involved!
THANKS TO TJ PAVING OF LACOMBE - MAY 9, 2017
Our thanks to TJ Paving of Lacombe, AB for laying a new asphalt pathway yesterday between the Visitor Centre and the Café. Access around the site will now be much easier for those with wheelchairs and walkers. Our thanks to the Twilight Homes Foundation for a generous donation, whichpaid for the cost of this path. And a big thanks for TJ Paving for their excellent work, for getting the job done well ahead of schedule, and for also donating part of the project .
Our thanks to TJ Paving of Lacombe, AB for laying a new asphalt pathway yesterday between the Visitor Centre and the Café. Access around the site will now be much easier for those with wheelchairs and walkers. Our thanks to the Twilight Homes Foundation for a generous donation, whichpaid for the cost of this path. And a big thanks for TJ Paving for their excellent work, for getting the job done well ahead of schedule, and for also donating part of the project .
SPECIAL THANKS TO TWILIGHT HOMES FOUNDATION - APRIL 23, 2017
Ellis Bird Farm board and staff are busy preparing for the upcoming season. Thanks to a very generous donation from the Twilight Homes Foundation, we will be able to complete two new infrastructure projects -- a paved wheelchair path linking the Visitor Centre and Cafe as well as a new deck. Meetings have been underway to finalize the details.
THANKS TO A DONATION FROM THE RED DEER KIWANIS CLUB - APRIL 23, 2017
Thanks to a donation from the Red Deer Kiwanis Club, we will be showcasing the history of Ellis Bird Farm on a new timeline display. Here Ron Biel and Shalynn Westervelt put the finishing touches on the display panels.
Thanks to a donation from the Red Deer Kiwanis Club, we will be showcasing the history of Ellis Bird Farm on a new timeline display. Here Ron Biel and Shalynn Westervelt put the finishing touches on the display panels.
WIND STORM - MAY 24TH, 2017
The May 24th storm caused some damage at Ellis Bird Farm. Although there was (thankfully) no damage to any buildings, several trees were blown over along the roadway and around the site. The power was out for almost 40 hours. Staff worked hard on May 25th to clean up the mess, but we had to close the site due to the lack of power. We thank everyone for their understanding.
The May 24th storm caused some damage at Ellis Bird Farm. Although there was (thankfully) no damage to any buildings, several trees were blown over along the roadway and around the site. The power was out for almost 40 hours. Staff worked hard on May 25th to clean up the mess, but we had to close the site due to the lack of power. We thank everyone for their understanding.
CELEBRATE CANADA DAY TODAY AT ELLIS BIRD FARM! EVERYONE WELCOME!
Ellis Bird Farm is celebrating Canada Day in a big and feathered way for our sesquicentennial year. We are highlighting the effort to officially re-name the Gray Jay the "Canada Jay" and make it Canada's national bird. Towards that effort, we will have a petition available for you to sign. We have Gray Jay photos and video footage from our webcam this spring, as well as a nest on display.
There are crafts and face painting from 1:00PM until 3:00 PM and a rousing rendition of Oh Canada sung at 1:00 PM, along with an acknowledgement of the Indigenous presence in Alberta and the signing of Treaty Six. Myrna Pearman will be giving an update on her Beauty Everywhere project at 2:00. Finally, we will demo one of our beautiful and well-occupied Purple Martin apartment-style nestboxes at 12:00 noon and 4:00 PM.
There is something going on for every member of your family! As always, we are open 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM.
Timeline:
11:00 AM Opening
12:00 Noon: Purple Martin house demo
1:00-3:00PM: Crafts and face painting
1:00 PM Oh Canada and Treaty 6 Acknowledgement
2:00 Myrna's Beauty Everywhere project presentation
4:00 PM Second Purple Martin house demo
5:00 PM Closing
Ellis Bird Farm is celebrating Canada Day in a big and feathered way for our sesquicentennial year. We are highlighting the effort to officially re-name the Gray Jay the "Canada Jay" and make it Canada's national bird. Towards that effort, we will have a petition available for you to sign. We have Gray Jay photos and video footage from our webcam this spring, as well as a nest on display.
There are crafts and face painting from 1:00PM until 3:00 PM and a rousing rendition of Oh Canada sung at 1:00 PM, along with an acknowledgement of the Indigenous presence in Alberta and the signing of Treaty Six. Myrna Pearman will be giving an update on her Beauty Everywhere project at 2:00. Finally, we will demo one of our beautiful and well-occupied Purple Martin apartment-style nestboxes at 12:00 noon and 4:00 PM.
There is something going on for every member of your family! As always, we are open 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM.
Timeline:
11:00 AM Opening
12:00 Noon: Purple Martin house demo
1:00-3:00PM: Crafts and face painting
1:00 PM Oh Canada and Treaty 6 Acknowledgement
2:00 Myrna's Beauty Everywhere project presentation
4:00 PM Second Purple Martin house demo
5:00 PM Closing
Ellis Bird Farm is holding a BioBlitz event this coming Father's Day--a neat way to spend some time with Dad!
What is a BioBlitz? It's an intense team effort to find as many animal species in one location as possible. Ellis Bird Farm is hosting our own effort to observe different bird and other animal species on Sunday, June 18 from 1-3PM. We will have scientists on hand to help us identify the species around us, including Susanne Maidment demonstrating hummingbird banding, Tim Schowalter with an owl pellet display and Joey Temple identifying bugs at the Wetland Centre. Come discover the diversity of creatures onsite at Ellis Bird Farm and help us count the species in your own Bioblitz Booklet. There will also be an owl craft to do. Bring Dad and the whole family!
What is a BioBlitz? It's an intense team effort to find as many animal species in one location as possible. Ellis Bird Farm is hosting our own effort to observe different bird and other animal species on Sunday, June 18 from 1-3PM. We will have scientists on hand to help us identify the species around us, including Susanne Maidment demonstrating hummingbird banding, Tim Schowalter with an owl pellet display and Joey Temple identifying bugs at the Wetland Centre. Come discover the diversity of creatures onsite at Ellis Bird Farm and help us count the species in your own Bioblitz Booklet. There will also be an owl craft to do. Bring Dad and the whole family!
We are pleased to announce that the first Purple Martins arrived at Ellis Bird Farm yesterday. The owlets are peeking their heads over the nest, the snowshoe hare continues to turn brown, a pair of geese are nesting near the entrance gate, a mallard has tucked her nest beside the cafe patio, and the ants are busy with their nuptials!
Spring is here!
A pair of snowshoe hares have spent the winter around the EBF site. They are now turning colour.
A pair of snowshoe hares have spent the winter around the EBF site. They are now turning colour.
CBC Radio Interview with Myrna Pearman - Mar 29, 2017
Birdwatchers all over the world are getting an exceptionally rare view of a gray jay in Caroline, Alberta, thanks to Myrna Pearman. She is a biologist with the Ellis Bird Farm in central Alberta. Her team set up a nestcam on a gray jay earlier this month.
Listen here.
Birdwatchers all over the world are getting an exceptionally rare view of a gray jay in Caroline, Alberta, thanks to Myrna Pearman. She is a biologist with the Ellis Bird Farm in central Alberta. Her team set up a nestcam on a gray jay earlier this month.
Listen here.
Gray Jay nest. March 18th, 2017
We are pleased to announce that Ellis Bird Farm has successfully installed a webcam on a Gray Jay nest! Gray Jay nests are notoriously hard to find, so it was a great honour to be offered the opportunity to install this cam on a nest in the Caroline, AB area.
We thought it fitting to enable the world to have a rare opportunity to watch the nesting activities of Canada's National Bird, especially during this, Canada's 150+ anniversary year!
We are pleased to announce that Ellis Bird Farm has successfully installed a webcam on a Gray Jay nest! Gray Jay nests are notoriously hard to find, so it was a great honour to be offered the opportunity to install this cam on a nest in the Caroline, AB area.
We thought it fitting to enable the world to have a rare opportunity to watch the nesting activities of Canada's National Bird, especially during this, Canada's 150+ anniversary year!
Thanks to the Wild Bird Store, Calgary, for a very successful book signing on Saturday! We appreciate their ongoing support of Ellis Bird Farm!
The real culprits!
Our webcams have revealed the mystery of our disappearing bird seed! And here we were blaming the squirrels for figuring out how the weight activated feeders worked. We will obviously have to move the feeders higher up, out of their reach.
Watch our live webcam any time of day here.
Summer students needed 2017 NOT CURRENT
Ellis Bird Farm is looking for summer students. If you are enthusiastic and have an interest in nature and education, we invite you to submit your resume to info@ellisbirdfarm.ca
Site Operations Assistant x 2
Position Duration: May 15 - August 31 (maximum 14 weeks)
Must be a student returning to full time studies in the fall
Grounds Position x 1
Position Duration: May 8 – August 31 (maximum 14 weeks)
Preferably a student returning to full time studies in the fall
Ellis Bird Farm is looking for summer students. If you are enthusiastic and have an interest in nature and education, we invite you to submit your resume to info@ellisbirdfarm.ca
Site Operations Assistant x 2
Position Duration: May 15 - August 31 (maximum 14 weeks)
Must be a student returning to full time studies in the fall
- Develop and deliver interpretive programs (school programs, public tours, nature day camps, birthday parties)
- Assist with site operations
- Plan and participate in events and programs
- Assist with visitor services and gift shop
- Assist with domestic animal care
- Janitorial and site maintenance
- Grounds work
Grounds Position x 1
Position Duration: May 8 – August 31 (maximum 14 weeks)
Preferably a student returning to full time studies in the fall
- Lawn mowing
- Planting
- Weeding
- Pruning
- Equipment maintenance
Getting owl nest ready for Ellie and Albert
Claudia LIpski has helped our IT wizard, Scott H, get the owl webcam ready. Her most recent job was to nidificate: she robbed a few neighbourhood magpie nests of sticks and rearranged them in the owl basket so that Ellie and Albert will have some nice renovated digs to move into. (Nidificate--to build a nest)
Claudia LIpski has helped our IT wizard, Scott H, get the owl webcam ready. Her most recent job was to nidificate: she robbed a few neighbourhood magpie nests of sticks and rearranged them in the owl basket so that Ellie and Albert will have some nice renovated digs to move into. (Nidificate--to build a nest)
Myrna Pearman giving presentation in Rimbey, January 20th
Myrna will be giving a presentation entitled Beauty Everywhere at the Rimbey Library on Friday, January 20th, at 7:00 PM. The talk will highlight some of the nature experiences and photography that are included in her new book (Beauty Everywhere), a compilation of five years of nature essays published in the Red Deer Advocate. The talk, hosted by the Rimbey Library, is free and refreshments will be served.
She will also be giving a backyard bird feeding talk at 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 21 at Parkland Garden Centre in Red Deer.
Myrna will be giving a presentation entitled Beauty Everywhere at the Rimbey Library on Friday, January 20th, at 7:00 PM. The talk will highlight some of the nature experiences and photography that are included in her new book (Beauty Everywhere), a compilation of five years of nature essays published in the Red Deer Advocate. The talk, hosted by the Rimbey Library, is free and refreshments will be served.
She will also be giving a backyard bird feeding talk at 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 21 at Parkland Garden Centre in Red Deer.
Ellis Bird Farm in December, 2016
News and Media Archives-2016
Brian Keating praises Myrna Pearman's new book on CBC Radio-December 5, 2016
Our Homestretch naturalist Brian Keating is back with a book that he thinks we should all be reading, or perhaps be giving as a Christmas gift.
Listen to this episode on CBC radio show here.
Our Homestretch naturalist Brian Keating is back with a book that he thinks we should all be reading, or perhaps be giving as a Christmas gift.
Listen to this episode on CBC radio show here.
Claudia and Myrna have been busy filling book orders - books sales spiked after Brian Keating's CBC interview!
Newspaper write-up on Myrna-December 5, 2016
Red Deer Advocate wrote a nice front page article on Myrna.
Read it here.
Another article here.
Red Deer Advocate wrote a nice front page article on Myrna.
Read it here.
Another article here.
Myrna's book launch was a great success!
A big thank you to all who came out yesterday to support my book launch! Over 60 people attended and Kerry Wood Nature Centre sold a record number of books!
I was very pleased that Fred Schutz could attend. Fred has been a life-long friend and mentor who instilled in me my great love of nature. The book is dedicated to him. Fred also has a new book out - at age 96! He is shown here signing one of his previous books for Jim Potter. The Beauty Everywhere cover photograph is of a Saw-whet Owl taken on Jim and Bonnie's beautiful property near Delburne. Many other pictures in the book were also taken at "Potter's Paradise." I am truly grateful to everyone who helped make this book possible!
A big thank you to all who came out yesterday to support my book launch! Over 60 people attended and Kerry Wood Nature Centre sold a record number of books!
I was very pleased that Fred Schutz could attend. Fred has been a life-long friend and mentor who instilled in me my great love of nature. The book is dedicated to him. Fred also has a new book out - at age 96! He is shown here signing one of his previous books for Jim Potter. The Beauty Everywhere cover photograph is of a Saw-whet Owl taken on Jim and Bonnie's beautiful property near Delburne. Many other pictures in the book were also taken at "Potter's Paradise." I am truly grateful to everyone who helped make this book possible!
Myrna's exciting new book will be launched today at Kerry Wood Nature Centre, Dec 4th, 2-4 PM. She will give a presentation at 3PM.
To celebrate the launch of this exciting book, it will be on sale for 20.00 plus GST. Everyone welcome!
To celebrate the launch of this exciting book, it will be on sale for 20.00 plus GST. Everyone welcome!
A few pictures around the site, showing the fall colours. Autumn at Ellis Bird Farm
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Lightroom workshop well attended
EBF Board member, Leo de Groot, kindly donated his time to teach a two-day Lightroom workshop at EBF at the end of October. The workshop was well attended and well received.
Home Hardware hosted a very well attended "Bird Night"
Myrna has been busy in October, giving bird feeding presentations. Here she is with Curt Peterson and Doug McDermand of the Alix Home Hardware. The store hosted a very well attended "Bird Night," last week where they showcased some of their bird feeding products. Myrna was the guest speaker.
Myrna has been busy in October, giving bird feeding presentations. Here she is with Curt Peterson and Doug McDermand of the Alix Home Hardware. The store hosted a very well attended "Bird Night," last week where they showcased some of their bird feeding products. Myrna was the guest speaker.
19th Anniversary celebrations at the Wild Bird Store in Calgary, October 2nd, 2016
Myrna Pearman was pleased to participate in the 19th Anniversary celebrations at the Wild Bird Store in Calgary, held at the store on October 1. Shown here is Myrna with Wild Bird Store staff on the left and Kelley and Don Barany of Chin Ridge Seeds (Taber) on the right.
Myrna Pearman was pleased to participate in the 19th Anniversary celebrations at the Wild Bird Store in Calgary, held at the store on October 1. Shown here is Myrna with Wild Bird Store staff on the left and Kelley and Don Barany of Chin Ridge Seeds (Taber) on the right.
Ron and Claudia have been busy getting all the patio furniture put away and the buildings winterized.
Adobe Lightroom Course at Ellis Bird Farm – October 29 & 30, 2016
This course will give extensive training in the use of Adobe Lightroom, which is the most popular photo-editing program in use today. Your presenter will be Leo de Groot, currently President of the Central Alberta Photographic Society.
You will learn how to:
Import your photos into the program’s Library module which can handle 200,000 images or more
- Automatically apply custom settings during the import
- Customize the way the software displays your images on screen
- Analyze your photos for technical quality
- Filter your photos to expedite organizing them
- Rank your images
- Organize them so you can easily find photos using keywords
- Add watermarks or signatures
- Export them again in various sizes and formats
- Modify basic settings like exposure, contrast, shadows, blacks, saturation, and more
- Use the histogram to decide what adjustments are appropriate
- Use presets to quickly apply adjustments
- Make fine adjustments to individual colors in images
- Sharpen your image
- Control noise
- Automatically have lens corrections applied
- Correct distortions in images
- Use special tools to crop, remove spots, apply graduated filters, and adjustment brushes
Lightroom also has Map, Book, Slideshow, Print and Web modules which we will touch on if there is time.
The schedule for the course will be:
Saturday, October 29
9:00-11:00 Library Module Part 1
11:00-12:00 Question and Answer session
1:00-3:00 Library Module Part 2
3:00-4:00 Question and Answer session
Sunday, October 30
9:00-11:00 Develop Module Part 1
11:00-12:00 Question and Answer session
1:00-3:00 Develop Module Part 2
3:00-4:00 Question and Answer session
Cost $100 (half price for Central Alberta Photographic Society Members)
The happy winners- 2016
The quilt went home to a very excited raffle draw winner today!
Michele Bevan of Breton was the lucky winner of Barb Shepherd's beautiful bluebird quilt.
The quilt went home to a very excited raffle draw winner today!
Michele Bevan of Breton was the lucky winner of Barb Shepherd's beautiful bluebird quilt.
Winner: Joyce Ing of Carstairs
The happy winner of Joyce Youle's beautiful wolf cross stitch was Joyce Ing of Carstairs. Her friend, Linda Neumiller, was on hand when Joyce's name was called. She kindly delivered the prize to Joyce.
A big thank you to Joyce Youle of Regina for her donation of this beautiful piece!
Between our two raffles this summer, we generated a total of $1,678.00.
A big thank you to Joyce Youle of Regina for her donation of this beautiful piece!
Between our two raffles this summer, we generated a total of $1,678.00.
End of season approaches 2016
The Purple Martins left early this year - most had left Ellis Bird Farm by the 13th of August (we usually count on at least a few being around until the 20th). It is time to clean out the old nesting material, disinfect the nest cavities with a shot of bleach water, and nest seed for next year with chopped straw. This messy job is being tackled by (from left to right) Ron Biel, Shalynn Westervelt and Meagan Gabert.
The Purple Martins left early this year - most had left Ellis Bird Farm by the 13th of August (we usually count on at least a few being around until the 20th). It is time to clean out the old nesting material, disinfect the nest cavities with a shot of bleach water, and nest seed for next year with chopped straw. This messy job is being tackled by (from left to right) Ron Biel, Shalynn Westervelt and Meagan Gabert.
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Ellis Bird Farm honours Gary Krigbaum of Iowa - 2016
Ellis Bird Farm was honoured by the recent visit of Gary and Pam Krigbaum of Iowa. It is Mr Krigbaum who we can thank for Ellis Bird Farm!
After it was determined that the Ellis farm was the ideal location for a petrochemical site, Union Carbide Canada tried unsuccessfully to deal with Charlie and Winnie. Finally, the Union Carbide CEO sent Mr Krigbaum, Manager of General Services, out from Toronoto to talk to them. It was Mr Krigbaum's promise to Charlie and Winnie that the company would "look after their bluebirds" that sealed the deal. Mr Krigbaum then met in secret with a well respected local realtor, Glen Buchwald, to obtain the options to the land. The goal was to secure the property without affecting local land prices.
Mr Krigbaum has never been back to the site after sealing the deal with Charlie and Winnie, so it was a very memorable day to have him visit and reconnect with some of the other people who were instrumental in establishing Ellis BIrd Farm and getting it off to a strong start.
Glen Buchwald remained a strong supporter of Ellis Bird Farm until his passing. His wife, Beverly, continues to support us. We were very pleased that Gary and Beverly had a chance to meet again and enjoy a short visit.
Ellis Bird Farm was honoured by the recent visit of Gary and Pam Krigbaum of Iowa. It is Mr Krigbaum who we can thank for Ellis Bird Farm!
After it was determined that the Ellis farm was the ideal location for a petrochemical site, Union Carbide Canada tried unsuccessfully to deal with Charlie and Winnie. Finally, the Union Carbide CEO sent Mr Krigbaum, Manager of General Services, out from Toronoto to talk to them. It was Mr Krigbaum's promise to Charlie and Winnie that the company would "look after their bluebirds" that sealed the deal. Mr Krigbaum then met in secret with a well respected local realtor, Glen Buchwald, to obtain the options to the land. The goal was to secure the property without affecting local land prices.
Mr Krigbaum has never been back to the site after sealing the deal with Charlie and Winnie, so it was a very memorable day to have him visit and reconnect with some of the other people who were instrumental in establishing Ellis BIrd Farm and getting it off to a strong start.
Glen Buchwald remained a strong supporter of Ellis Bird Farm until his passing. His wife, Beverly, continues to support us. We were very pleased that Gary and Beverly had a chance to meet again and enjoy a short visit.
A very busy Closing Day- 2016
Ellis Bird Farm hosted a very busy Closing Day. Myrna Pearman's bird feeding talk was well attended and we were entertained once again by the Golden Music Makers. The raffle draws were held at 3 PM, with Marney Marshall (96 years young) drawing the names. We will have a list of winners posted shortly. She is pictured here with her son and granddaughter, who she (luckily!) drew for door prizes! We were also pleased to have Joel from KJCountry/Z99 at the site for the afternoon!
Ellis Bird Farm hosted a very busy Closing Day. Myrna Pearman's bird feeding talk was well attended and we were entertained once again by the Golden Music Makers. The raffle draws were held at 3 PM, with Marney Marshall (96 years young) drawing the names. We will have a list of winners posted shortly. She is pictured here with her son and granddaughter, who she (luckily!) drew for door prizes! We were also pleased to have Joel from KJCountry/Z99 at the site for the afternoon!
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Closing day 2016
Ellis Bird Farm will close for the season on Monday, September 5! We will be open as usual from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM.
From 12:30 PM until 1:00 PM, Myrna Pearman will do a presentation about backyard bird feeding. Her newest book, Backyard Bird Feeding: An Alberta Guide will be on sale (they make excellent Christmas gifts!). In celebration of fall and the arrival of Blue Jays at feeding stations, we will have a special sale on shelled and unshelled peanuts.
Myrna will talk about how you can share your backyard (but not your bird feeders!) with squirrels!
From 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM, musical entertainment will be provided by Red Deer's Golden Music Makers.
We will also have a sale in our gift shop, and the draw for our raffle items will occur at 3:15. NOTE: due to the popularity of the quilt donated by Barb Shepherd, our first raffle sold out early. We have a second raffle, with a second quilt, on now. Any raffle tickets purchased on Closing Day will also be eligible for door prize draws!
The Zed98.9/KG Country Radio Summer Cruiser truck will be live on location. They will have some giveaways for visitors. It’s a fun addition to our closing day event. Stop by and say hi!
Come celebrate the glorious summer of 2016 one last time with us!
University of Manitoba Graduate Student, Alisha Ritchie, has been conducting ground-breaking research on Purple Martins at Ellis Bird Farm. She recently presented a paper at the North American Ornithological Conference entitled Intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing parental provisioning rates of a migratory songbird, Purple Martin (Progne subis). Alisha will be give a repeat presentation of this paper at Ellis Bird Farm on Thursday September 1 at 4:00 PM. All are welcome. Refreshments will be served.
Purple Martin Presentation by Alisha Ritchie- Thursday, Sept 1st, 4PM
Purple Martin Presentation by Alisha Ritchie- Thursday, Sept 1st, 4PM
Be sure to check out our calendar of events!
Ellis Bird Farm Event Calendar for 2016
Ellis Bird Farm Event Calendar for 2016
Bug Jamboree was fun for all! Listen to John Acorn's BUG JAMBOREE song!
Knee High Nature program on Wednesday August 10
Claudia LIpski led another well-received Knee High Nature program on Wednesday. These very popular programs introduce children to the wonders of nature! There is one program left, next Wednesday, Aug 17th. Pre-registration is required here
Claudia LIpski led another well-received Knee High Nature program on Wednesday. These very popular programs introduce children to the wonders of nature! There is one program left, next Wednesday, Aug 17th. Pre-registration is required here
Ellie and Albert successfully nested again this year!
All about them here
"Wishing our Ellis Owl Family long life and high flying until we meet again. Thanks for all the precious memories and outright joy you brought us Haley, April and Gus, especially our lil Gus"
- Chat gal WendyWoot-1
All about them here
"Wishing our Ellis Owl Family long life and high flying until we meet again. Thanks for all the precious memories and outright joy you brought us Haley, April and Gus, especially our lil Gus"
- Chat gal WendyWoot-1
Art and Nature Day Camp a success! A keen group of budding naturalists and artists enjoyed an Art and Nature Day Camp at Ellis Bird Farm on Tuesday, August 6, 2016
Pollinators – What’s the Buzz?!
Pollinators are vital to the production of food and to the health and stability of ecosystems worldwide. Join head gardener, Cynthia Pohl, to learn about our local pollinators and how you can design your gardens to be pollinator friendly.
-Presentation - Introduction to Pollinators: What pollinators are. Why they are important. What you can do to help ensure pollinator health.
-Hands on workshop - Construction of solitary indigenous bee habitat structures and participate in the building of the Ellis Bird Farm pollinator hotel.
-Lunch break.
-Pollinator walk and talk - walk through the Ellis Bird Farm gardens to see both indigenous and non-indigenous pollinators at work and look at garden design to demonstrate principles that are beneficial to pollinators.
-Planting for Pollinators - focus on using indigenous plants, why they are important and how to use them successfully.
Planting for Pollinators - Aug 16th, 9:30-4:30 PM
Pollinators are vital to the production of food and to the health and stability of ecosystems worldwide. Join head gardener, Cynthia Pohl, to learn about our local pollinators and how you can design your gardens to be pollinator friendly.
-Presentation - Introduction to Pollinators: What pollinators are. Why they are important. What you can do to help ensure pollinator health.
-Hands on workshop - Construction of solitary indigenous bee habitat structures and participate in the building of the Ellis Bird Farm pollinator hotel.
-Lunch break.
-Pollinator walk and talk - walk through the Ellis Bird Farm gardens to see both indigenous and non-indigenous pollinators at work and look at garden design to demonstrate principles that are beneficial to pollinators.
-Planting for Pollinators - focus on using indigenous plants, why they are important and how to use them successfully.
Planting for Pollinators - Aug 16th, 9:30-4:30 PM
Central Alberta Photographic Society visits EBF
The Central Alberta Photographic Society from Red Deer visited the Ellis Bird Farm on Wednesday evening, July 20 as 18 club members took in the greenery and its feathered denizens. Myrna was very kind to open the Farm especially for them in the evening. The event started off with “golden hour” sunshine, so beloved by photographers, which continued to beam down on the group for the full 10 minutes during which a rain storm hit that saw the members all scamper for cover in the site's buildings! But after the storm passed a beautiful full rainbow filled the sky to the east and the fresh air and water droplets on the flowers all contributed to some great photography. The 100 families of nesting purple martins chirped away constantly as they fed their soon to fledge young, and many other bird species put in appearances for the shooters. A special but short-lived treat was the appearance of a long-tailed weasel. Perennial stars of the visit to the site were again the goats who proved very friendly to the photographers as usual. The evening was truly beautiful after the rain and some members of the club lingered on until well after 9:00, photographing 4 young barn swallows being fed by their parents right above the main entrance. Very much appreciated was the provision of coffee, lemonade and cookies by EF to keep up the club members’ strength while they pressed those shutter buttons over and over.
This was a repeat visit as the club also had an outing to EBF the year before, and judging from the interest at this current outing, they may well ask to come again next year.
-Leo de Groot
The Central Alberta Photographic Society from Red Deer visited the Ellis Bird Farm on Wednesday evening, July 20 as 18 club members took in the greenery and its feathered denizens. Myrna was very kind to open the Farm especially for them in the evening. The event started off with “golden hour” sunshine, so beloved by photographers, which continued to beam down on the group for the full 10 minutes during which a rain storm hit that saw the members all scamper for cover in the site's buildings! But after the storm passed a beautiful full rainbow filled the sky to the east and the fresh air and water droplets on the flowers all contributed to some great photography. The 100 families of nesting purple martins chirped away constantly as they fed their soon to fledge young, and many other bird species put in appearances for the shooters. A special but short-lived treat was the appearance of a long-tailed weasel. Perennial stars of the visit to the site were again the goats who proved very friendly to the photographers as usual. The evening was truly beautiful after the rain and some members of the club lingered on until well after 9:00, photographing 4 young barn swallows being fed by their parents right above the main entrance. Very much appreciated was the provision of coffee, lemonade and cookies by EF to keep up the club members’ strength while they pressed those shutter buttons over and over.
This was a repeat visit as the club also had an outing to EBF the year before, and judging from the interest at this current outing, they may well ask to come again next year.
-Leo de Groot
Bio Blitz a great success! EBF had a very successful BIo Blitz on Saturday July 23. Our thanks to Susanne Maidment, Larry Roy, Tim Showalter, Judy Boyd (and Otis from Medicine River Wildlife Centre) and Janessa Matthew (Red Deer River Watershed Alliance) for sharing their knowledge and expertise with our visitors!
BIO BLITZ today 1-3 PM Saturday, July 23
This free, fun and interactive event will focus on learning about our wild neighbors. Biologists will be on site to share their expertise on “Owls and Others”.
-Meet "Otis the Owl" from the Medicine River Wildlife Centre
-Local bird expert Judy Boyd to talk about Otis and owls.
-Susan Maidment will be demonstrating hummingbird banding techniques.
-Owl pellets by Tim Schowalter
-Animal scats and signs by Larry Roy
-Site tours to learn about the plants and animals of Ellis Bird Farm will be offered at 1 PM and 2 PM.
Welcome everyone! No reservations needed.
This free, fun and interactive event will focus on learning about our wild neighbors. Biologists will be on site to share their expertise on “Owls and Others”.
-Meet "Otis the Owl" from the Medicine River Wildlife Centre
-Local bird expert Judy Boyd to talk about Otis and owls.
-Susan Maidment will be demonstrating hummingbird banding techniques.
-Owl pellets by Tim Schowalter
-Animal scats and signs by Larry Roy
-Site tours to learn about the plants and animals of Ellis Bird Farm will be offered at 1 PM and 2 PM.
Welcome everyone! No reservations needed.
Ma Squirrel is nesting in a nestbox beside the grain elevator. 5 babies!
Watch her and her brood here.
Watch her and her brood here.
2016 Canada Day and Bluebird Festival at EBF! Over 300 people enjoyed Canada Day and the Bluebird Festival at Ellis Bird Farm on July 1. |
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EBF has a new yard light!
Thanks to EBF Board Member, Colleen McPhee, and her husband and sons, EBF has a new yard light. We are grateful to the McPhee team for this new and important addition to the site!
June 2016
Thanks to EBF Board Member, Colleen McPhee, and her husband and sons, EBF has a new yard light. We are grateful to the McPhee team for this new and important addition to the site!
June 2016
Ellis Bird Farm opened for the season with cake!
Ellis Bird Farm opened for the season with cake! Donors and supporters of Backyard Bird Feeding: An Alberta Guide joined the EBF team to help celebrate the amazing success of the book, which has sold 5,000 copies in 5 months.
A special thank you to Peavey Industries, The Wildbird General Store (Edmonton), the Wild Bird Store (Calgary), Chin Ridge Seeds and private donors (Walter and Betty Lindley, Evelyn Jensen and GM Will Consulting) for their support. All profits from the sale of the book - now in reprint - support the education programs of EBF
Ellis Bird Farm opened for the season with cake! Donors and supporters of Backyard Bird Feeding: An Alberta Guide joined the EBF team to help celebrate the amazing success of the book, which has sold 5,000 copies in 5 months.
A special thank you to Peavey Industries, The Wildbird General Store (Edmonton), the Wild Bird Store (Calgary), Chin Ridge Seeds and private donors (Walter and Betty Lindley, Evelyn Jensen and GM Will Consulting) for their support. All profits from the sale of the book - now in reprint - support the education programs of EBF
Ellis Bird Farm made science history on Tuesday May 31
Ellis Bird Farm made science history on Tuesday May 31 when University of Manitoba Grad Student, Alisha Ritchie, and her EBF team (Cheyenne Knight, Claudia Lipski and Myrna Pearman) retrapped a very special yearling Purple Martin. This bird had been retrofitted with a light level geolocator last season, as a nestling, and is the first songbird EVER(!) to be tracked on its first migration. The bird had evaded several attempts to trap it, so it has been named Houdini.
Ellis Bird Farm made science history on Tuesday May 31 when University of Manitoba Grad Student, Alisha Ritchie, and her EBF team (Cheyenne Knight, Claudia Lipski and Myrna Pearman) retrapped a very special yearling Purple Martin. This bird had been retrofitted with a light level geolocator last season, as a nestling, and is the first songbird EVER(!) to be tracked on its first migration. The bird had evaded several attempts to trap it, so it has been named Houdini.
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Photo by Myrna Pearman
Saw-whet owl nest box
We are very honoured to be able to share some amazing footage inside a saw-whet owl box. A nestcam was placed in this box (located near Edmonton) before the owls commenced their nesting season, so we are able to view and enjoy this remarkable footage without disturbing the owls at all! Enjoy!!
Enjoy the videos here
Still image (left) by Myrna Pearman. Video footage shared with permission by a bird bander from the Edmonton area.
We are very honoured to be able to share some amazing footage inside a saw-whet owl box. A nestcam was placed in this box (located near Edmonton) before the owls commenced their nesting season, so we are able to view and enjoy this remarkable footage without disturbing the owls at all! Enjoy!!
Enjoy the videos here
Still image (left) by Myrna Pearman. Video footage shared with permission by a bird bander from the Edmonton area.
Ellis Bird Farm is very grateful to Brad Pears of Netsetter Wireless (a local wireless internet provider) for donating bandwidth so that we can stream our web cameras. We are grateful for this very generous support!
An Alberta company: www.netsetter.ca
An Alberta company: www.netsetter.ca
Photo by Myrna Pearman
Chickadee nests in piece of birch log
EBF's technical wizard found a section of a downed birch tree on his travels a few weeks ago and decided to bring it home and attached it to his downspout. Lo and behold a pair of chickadees decided that this small section of birch would be perfect for a nest cavity!
Watch live as these chickadees raise their family!
Watch here on ustream
EBF's technical wizard found a section of a downed birch tree on his travels a few weeks ago and decided to bring it home and attached it to his downspout. Lo and behold a pair of chickadees decided that this small section of birch would be perfect for a nest cavity!
Watch live as these chickadees raise their family!
Watch here on ustream
Our new Ellis Cafe Chef, Matt Burton, chatted with EBF board members and staff after serving a seven-course "trial run" lunch last week. The votes are in - the food is delicious! Matt and his wife, Jenith, are looking forward to running the Cafe this season! Check out the website for the new menu!
Ellis Bird Farm's Cynthia Pohl and Myrna Pearman were recently interviewed by Rebel Sky Media, a Winnipeg-based video production company. The company is traveling across Western Canada interviewing people and organizations that are involved in protecting pollinators.
Welcome! Today is opening day.
Ellis Bird Farm will open today at 11:00 AM. We will be celebrating the recent release of Ellis Bird Farm's newest publication, Backyard Bird Feeding: An Alberta Guide. As well, Ellis Bird Farm is very excited to welcome our new Café operator, Matt Burton of Your Private Chef Ltd., who brings with him new inspiration and lots of culinary experience.
We will also be offering other interesting Opening Day festivities, including a family-oriented migration game, chickadee boxes to be built on site, baby goats to pet and musical entertainment between 2:00 – 4:00 PM. It should be a marvelous start to another season--hope to see you!
Ellis Bird Farm will open today at 11:00 AM. We will be celebrating the recent release of Ellis Bird Farm's newest publication, Backyard Bird Feeding: An Alberta Guide. As well, Ellis Bird Farm is very excited to welcome our new Café operator, Matt Burton of Your Private Chef Ltd., who brings with him new inspiration and lots of culinary experience.
We will also be offering other interesting Opening Day festivities, including a family-oriented migration game, chickadee boxes to be built on site, baby goats to pet and musical entertainment between 2:00 – 4:00 PM. It should be a marvelous start to another season--hope to see you!
Pathway Improvements at EBF - May 1 ,2016
A team consisting of EBF board members and staff, under the direction of Head Gardener, Cynthia Pohl, worked hard last Saturday to transform a tangled mess of pruned tree trunks and branches into another interesting and artistic "node."
A team consisting of EBF board members and staff, under the direction of Head Gardener, Cynthia Pohl, worked hard last Saturday to transform a tangled mess of pruned tree trunks and branches into another interesting and artistic "node."
We are pleased to announce that Ellie and Albert, the EBF Great Horned Owls, are the proud parents of three owlets!
Viewers can now watch the Ellie 24-7!
Viewers can now watch the Ellie 24-7!
We’re delighted to announce the new design of our website. It has a very user-friendly structure, resulting in a better visitor experience for all ages.
We also now have an online bookstore for you to shop, and new photo galleries for you to browse.
We also now have an online bookstore for you to shop, and new photo galleries for you to browse.
On a sad note...
The EBF beavers have disappeared. They disappeared shortly before freeze up last fall, so we are not sure what happened to them.
With the beavers gone, we cleared part of one lodge off the wheelchair path so that the path will again be accessible, while still allowing visitors the opportunity to see these creatures' amazing handiwork.
Thanks to everyone who helped on this project.
If you’re curious about how beavers build their lodges, check out this video on YouTube.
Check out our Video Gallery for recordings of the beavers captured on Ustream.
APR 2016: One box of 48 books - that's all we have left of the 5,000 Backyard Bird Feeding: An Alberta Guide books that were printed. In just five short months, this book is virtually sold out. We have a reprint ordered! -Myrna Pearman
Spruce Meadows Horticultural Garden Show was excellent Ellis Bird Farm enjoyed a very successful weekend at the Spring Garden Show in Calgary. Kathryn Kopciuk and EBF board member, Gordon Johnson, both volunteered to help Myrna Pearman and Claudia Lipski tell show attendees about EBF. Over 1,000 rack cards were handed out! |
Claudia Lipski, Myrna and Kathryn Kopciuk.
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Left: Myrna and nature photographer Russ Amy whose images grace the book.
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Above: Myrna and Carolyn Sandstrom, EBF webmaster and photo coordinator for Myrna's book BACKYARD BIRD FEEDING: An Alberta Guide.
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New Operator for the Ellis Café- MAR 2016
The Ellis Café (formerly the Ellis Bird Farm Teahouse) has a new operator! We are pleased to introduce our new operator Matt Burton from Your Private Chef Ltd. Matt comes to the Ellis Café with a variety of culinary experiences, beginning with his training as a pastry and culinary chef in Montreal, Quebec. Matt has worked in many different restaurant settings over the years, most recently working his magic with bread at Cobs Bread Bakery.
Matt has a passion for fresh food and local ingredients, and he is excited to work with local producers to bring his vision for tasty and beautiful food to Ellis Bird Farm. We look forward to seeing (and tasting!) what he schemes up for the Ellis Café this season. Ellis Bird Farm opens for the 2016 season on May 23.
Matt Burton met with EBF board members Bonnie Mullin and Gordon Johnson on February 2nd to sign the new Ellis Café Contract.
The Ellis Café (formerly the Ellis Bird Farm Teahouse) has a new operator! We are pleased to introduce our new operator Matt Burton from Your Private Chef Ltd. Matt comes to the Ellis Café with a variety of culinary experiences, beginning with his training as a pastry and culinary chef in Montreal, Quebec. Matt has worked in many different restaurant settings over the years, most recently working his magic with bread at Cobs Bread Bakery.
Matt has a passion for fresh food and local ingredients, and he is excited to work with local producers to bring his vision for tasty and beautiful food to Ellis Bird Farm. We look forward to seeing (and tasting!) what he schemes up for the Ellis Café this season. Ellis Bird Farm opens for the 2016 season on May 23.
Matt Burton met with EBF board members Bonnie Mullin and Gordon Johnson on February 2nd to sign the new Ellis Café Contract.
New aerial photograph of EBF- March 21 2016
Jim Wigmore took some aerial photographs of EBF recently and we thought we'd share (thanks Jim!). What a beautiful tree-protected space Charlie and Winnie created!
Jim Wigmore took some aerial photographs of EBF recently and we thought we'd share (thanks Jim!). What a beautiful tree-protected space Charlie and Winnie created!
Bob Holtkamp, who lives in Yorkton, SK, has kindly transported the first delivery of the beautiful Morley Maier boxes that we will be auctioning off this coming season. Thanks Bob!
Our thanks also to Morley for preserving prairie heritage by transforming pieces of abandoned prairie homes in the Yorkton area into vintage bird boxes. We will have about 20 of these boxes on display when we open this season. The bidding wars will be fierce on these remarkable works of art! |
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Ellis bird farm is being promoted at the Calgary Horticultural Society's Spring Garden Show!
Come and chat with Myrna Pearman at the Garden Show this weekend at Spruce Meadows.
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, both Saturday and Sunday.
Garden Show 2016 website here
Come and chat with Myrna Pearman at the Garden Show this weekend at Spruce Meadows.
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, both Saturday and Sunday.
Garden Show 2016 website here
The Mountain Bluebirds are back! The first reported ones in the province were by Millarville on March 7 and near Botha on March 9. photo by Russ Amy
Ellie and Albert, the resident pair of Great Horned Owls, are back at Ellis Bird Farm! One of them was first seen at the nest on January 27th! Albert has been spotted hanging out on the perch! Stay tuned for further announcements.
Myrna presented with award! - March 5th, 2016
Myrna Pearman was presented with the Popular Publication Award (for Backyard Bird Feeding: An Alberta Guide) by the Alberta Chapter of The Wildlife Society at their awards banquet in Drumheller on Saturday, March 5th. Shown with Myrna is EBF Board member, Brian Biggs, and Claudia Lipski.
Myrna Pearman was presented with the Popular Publication Award (for Backyard Bird Feeding: An Alberta Guide) by the Alberta Chapter of The Wildlife Society at their awards banquet in Drumheller on Saturday, March 5th. Shown with Myrna is EBF Board member, Brian Biggs, and Claudia Lipski.
A well-received bird talk by Myrna - Mar 6, 2016
Myrna delivered a bird feeding talk at Spruce It Up Garden Centre in Calgary on Sunday afternoon. She is shown here with Brad Watson, Store Manager.
Myrna delivered a bird feeding talk at Spruce It Up Garden Centre in Calgary on Sunday afternoon. She is shown here with Brad Watson, Store Manager.
A well-received presentation-Feb 25, 2016
Myrna Pearman delivered a well-received presentation at the Greater Edmonton Area Teacher's Convention on February 25th. The title of her talk was "An Inspiration of Bluebirds." She was delighted to have among the audience two former summer students at EBF, Ronald and Erica Van den Pol. Ronald and Erica both teach in Ft. McMurray. Like most former students, they remain enthusiastic supporters of Ellis Bird Farm!
Myrna Pearman delivered a well-received presentation at the Greater Edmonton Area Teacher's Convention on February 25th. The title of her talk was "An Inspiration of Bluebirds." She was delighted to have among the audience two former summer students at EBF, Ronald and Erica Van den Pol. Ronald and Erica both teach in Ft. McMurray. Like most former students, they remain enthusiastic supporters of Ellis Bird Farm!
Chickadee Visits the Owl Nest
Our owl webcams captured a friendly visitor! Keep your eye on the bottom right side of the screen to catch the black-capped paying a visit to the owls.
Chickadee Visits Nest
Our owl webcams captured a friendly visitor! Keep your eye on the bottom right side of the screen to catch the black-capped paying a visit to the owls.
Chickadee Visits Nest
Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference FEB 2016
Ellis Bird Farm was well represented at the recent Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference in Saskatoon. Alisha gave a presentation at the conference and Claudia Lipski and Myrna Pearman had a poster. Claudia is shown here chatting with one of the conference attendees about EBF!
Ellis Bird Farm was well represented at the recent Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference in Saskatoon. Alisha gave a presentation at the conference and Claudia Lipski and Myrna Pearman had a poster. Claudia is shown here chatting with one of the conference attendees about EBF!
New Operator for the Ellis Café FEB2016
The Ellis Café (formerly the Ellis Bird Farm Teahouse) has a new operator! We are excited to
announce that our new operator is Matt Burton from Your Private Chef Ltd. Matt comes to the Ellis Café with a variety of culinary experiences, beginning with his training as a pastry and culinary chef in Montreal, Quebec. Matt has worked in many different restaurant settings over the years, most recently working his magic with bread at Cobs Bread Bakery.
Matt has a passion for fresh food and local ingredients, and he is excited to work with local producers to bring his vision for tasty and beautiful food to Ellis Bird Farm. We look forward to seeing (and tasting!) what he schemes up for the Ellis Café this season. Ellis Bird Farm opens for the 2016 season on M
Matt Burton met with EBF board members Bonnie Mullin and Gordon Johnson on February 2nd to sign the new Ellis Café Contract.
The Ellis Café (formerly the Ellis Bird Farm Teahouse) has a new operator! We are excited to
announce that our new operator is Matt Burton from Your Private Chef Ltd. Matt comes to the Ellis Café with a variety of culinary experiences, beginning with his training as a pastry and culinary chef in Montreal, Quebec. Matt has worked in many different restaurant settings over the years, most recently working his magic with bread at Cobs Bread Bakery.
Matt has a passion for fresh food and local ingredients, and he is excited to work with local producers to bring his vision for tasty and beautiful food to Ellis Bird Farm. We look forward to seeing (and tasting!) what he schemes up for the Ellis Café this season. Ellis Bird Farm opens for the 2016 season on M
Matt Burton met with EBF board members Bonnie Mullin and Gordon Johnson on February 2nd to sign the new Ellis Café Contract.
Shelving for archival material. JAN 2016
Ron Biel and Claudia Lipski installing the last of the shelves in the office at the EBF Visitor Centre. These shelves will be the new home for EBF archived materials and records.
Ron Biel and Claudia Lipski installing the last of the shelves in the office at the EBF Visitor Centre. These shelves will be the new home for EBF archived materials and records.
And then there were two...The first egg of owls Ellie and Albert hatched on April 18th and the second egg hatched April 20th. We don’t have exact times since Ellie keeps her eggs and now her owlets very close underneath. Ellie will stay on the nest with them for a week or so then she will join Albert in bringing food into the nest as well as protecting them. After 6-7 weeks these tiny fuzz balls of downy cuteness will be grown enough to begin ‘branching,’ a phase where they climb out of the nest onto branches of the tree and begin to spread their wings, strengthening those muscles in preparation for their first flight.
News and Media Archives-2015
Brian Keating reviews Backyard Bird Feeding: An Alberta Guide
CBC RADIO EDMONTON with Brian Keating - December 7th, 2015
CBC RADIO The Homestretch December 30, 2015
If you're wondering how to attract our feathered friends to your backyard year round, there's plenty of advice in a new book. Myrna Pearman is a biologist and the site manager at the Ellis Bird Farm in Lacombe. She spoke with Doug Dirks about her guide.
Grant for EBF to assist with the 2016 North American Bluebird Society conference
Dec 1st: Several grants were presented today at a special RDDCF "Giving Tuesday" event held at the Collicut Centre. Here, Myrna Pearman receives a grant to assist with the 2016 North American Bluebird Society conference.
Myrna's radio interview with Meryl Coombs on "Let's Talk Gardening" - CHQR 770 "News Talk" Calgary
Total Duration: 8.02 minutes - November 29th, 2015
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