Since 1908
Chronicle The
98¢ (plus HST)
Publications Mail Agreement No. 40010318
www.ladysmithchronicle.com
www.chemainuschronicle.com
Serving Ladysmith, Chemainus and area
Mosquitos hosting ball tournament P. 21
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Leadfoots in sights: P. 6
Spotlight to focus on Purple Martins
Pride and Joy
Open house to talk about increasing number of birds Niomi Pearson THE CHRONICLE
Bill Rathlef takes some time to polish his 1963 Lotus Elan S2 during the Brits on the Beach car show at Transfer Beach Sunday, where hundreds of local residents and visitors gathered to take in some cool cars. See page 16 for more photos.
It’s no big secret to local residents that the Ladysmith Harbour has gone to the birds. For more than 20 years, the Ladysmith Maritime Society has played host to an Island-wide recovery program which has slowly helped bring the Western Purple Martin back from the brink of extinction on a wing and a prayer. On July 24, the bird’s the word as the society hosts an open house on the Purple Martin. People can learn more about the recovery program, see the birds in action and take part in a banding session. “It’s a good news story because so many people over the years have gotten together to champion the restoration of this bird and now they can stand back,” said Charlene Lee, project co-ordinator for the BC Purple Martin Recovery Program. “We really don’t want to lose anymore species. We’re losing enough as it is with logging and climate change.” The program began after a provincial government survey completed in the mid-1980s revealed there were only five to 10 breeding pairs of the avian in the Strait of Georgia, which is the only location they are found in B.C. Cue a group of dedicated naturalists and citizens who began to build and install artificial nest boxes designed to keep out the Martins’ competition — the European Starling. The boxes were first placed in the Victoria and Cowichan areas where the bird was sighted, but spread across the Island and Lower Mainland in the years following. Last year, there were a grand total of around 600 breeding pairs in 51 active colonies in B.C.
NIOMI PEARSON/CHRONICLE
See Successful Colony on Page 3
Collision Repairs Need a Makeover?
you can
Trust
We are part of an elite group of independent Collision Repair Shops, that believe in providing you with the finest quality in collision repairs & service. Our talented technicians will amaze you with their custom work.
2010 Customer Satisfaction Premier Achiever Award
Quality Assured Collision Services
Call us today & let us amaze you!
13070 Thomas Road, Ladysmith www.littlevalleyrestorations.com
(North of Ladysmith & South of Nanaimo Airport, off the Island Hwy at the Cedar Hwy Junction)
Fax 250-245-3042
250-245-3022