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6 - Qrono Weekly Times, Wednesday, May 20th, 1081 Pines'Gymnastic winners Posing in the above photo and Robert French. These gold medals, one for vaulting ment was held last Thursday are: Andy Van Dueson, Rick ' boys participated in the and one for the Boys Floor evening at the Pines Senior Vpnderstarre, Jim Brown, County Gymnastics Tourna- *• Routine competition. The Public School. Jeff Garnett, Mark ;Mazur ment. Mark Mazur won two- County Gymnastics Tourna- WOODS, WATER AND WILDLIFE by Ron Reid - Federation of Ontario Naturalists The Return of the Peregrin Falcon In 1977, biologist Gerry McKeatlng began a project designed tq, fly in'the fpce of "progress" - he started his plan to re-introduce the peregrine falcon to Ontario. Ontario. For eons, the peregrine had dominated Ontario's skies, swooping jdown at speeds of more than 300 knvhr on the smaller birds that were its prey. But in the years following World War II, the poisonous pesticides that mounted through the food chain took their toil on t the mighty peregrine, especially on the eastern race. By 1963, the last peregrine nested in Algonquin, and then they were gone. Only a few in the remote reaches of the arctic held on. With increased control of persistent pesticides, the environment appeared safe for peregrines once more. But could they survive? McKeatlng sought the 4 answer, by releasing four young falcons, raised in a special captive breeding program program in Alberta, within the Park in 1977. Since then, over 50 birds have been part of an expanded release program. But have the falcons returned? In a cooperative venture between the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Federation of Ontario Naturalists and the Elsa Wild ' Animal Appéal this 'spring, 30 volunteers went searching for an answer. Seven former nesting sites were chosen. On the first weekend in May, each was "staked out" by a team of four, waiting and watching. Unfortunately, most of the watching was in vain. Only Mike" Cad man recorded recorded a positive sighting of a pergrine, and the status of all the former nesting sites is still in doubt. But for the participants, a spring weekend in Algonquin was a rewarding experience in any case. Canada geese by the thousands passed overhead, broad-winged hawks swung their lazy circles skywards, and the first spring warblers chirped in the bushes. Black bears emerging hungry from their winter sleep provided an interesting diversion as well. Was our single falcon a returning bird? Perhaps, but perhaps only a repeated blitz in 1982 will provide the answers, tit the meanwhile, another 16 young peregrines will be released this summer, and the great Algonquin experiment will continue. Courtice High back to regular hours The Northumberland and Newcastle Board of Education Education has ruled that classes at the Courtice High School will return to the 9 to 3 ' period rather than the early start at 8:00 a.m. of the past school term. Harry Bradley, principal at the school, said earlier he would have no objection to the earlier class starts providing providing it was general throughout the area. He said he didn't want his school to stand alone. The Board's tfhnspprtation 1 committee told the board last Thursday that it would cost ,money to continue,the two- tier'busing system that 'had been in effect. Last year it was reported that the board was saving money due to the early start of classes at Courtice. Swimming Pools Inground Pools installed or kits. Also above ground 'and on-ground pools. ' Pool Chemicals and Accessories. Water Delivery. , ' FREE ESTIMATES. I* Taylor Sand • and Gravel Ltd. ■ Orono, Ontario, 983-5003