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CIRCLE PHENOMENA IN CANADA |
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| Overview As in previous years, in the summer and fall of 2000, a number of crop circles, those circular or geometric areas in flattened field crops (or in some cases in grass, ice or snow, etc.) were reported in Canada, predominately again in the western and central regions. While this summary focuses on the "standard" crop formations reported (primarily wheat and barley in Canada), it also includes such additional, possibly related reports as a matter of record (for this year including grass and ice rings). Eleven formations were reported in total to CCCRN (formerly CPR-Canada until March 1, 2001) for 2000, including seven in Saskatchewan, two in Ontario, one in Manitoba and one in Quebec. This was down from twenty five in 1999 and fourteen in 1998. While this was less than may have been anticipated, it is important to keep in mind that the numbers for any given year can vary for a number of reasons such as growing conditions (earlier or later growing season than normal), ruined crops (i.e.. wind damage) or farmers being able and / or willing to report formations (knowing who to report them to is important; we know from experience that a number of formations are not always reported to anyone when initially found, either because the farmer didn't know who to contact or didn't realize what they had may be significant, older farmers in particular who are often not familiar with the phenomenon to begin with). In some cases, we have learned of formations sometimes several months or even longer after they had actually occurred. For example, the farmer who discovered the dumbbell formation at Moosomin in 2000 reported then that he had also found another single circle in the same field the year before in 1999, but did not know who to report it to at the time, and as it was only about ten feet in diameter, didn't think too much of it (similar to the Grenfell, Saskatchewan circle in 2000). Other farmers have given similar accounts over the past few years, including one at Alameda, Saskatchewan, who, we eventually learned in July 2000, had between twenty and twenty five rings in his pasture field in 1999. Cases like this reaffirm our opinion that probably a significant number of formations, mainly single circles or small groups of circles, never get reported at all, and therefore remain uninvestigated, and may be more common than we think. Also in 2000, the overall complexity was down from 1999 (only simple circles or basic geometric forms being found), which again may be disappointing to many, however the quality in most cases (in terms of lay patterns, lack of visible damage to the crop, etc.) was just as good as previous years, and again, significant physical anomalies were found in some formations (the classic blown nodes and other abnormalities, including seed heads from inside the Moosomin, Saskatchewan formation which were twisted and deformed, almost having the appearance of "corkscrews"). Where possible, samples were again collected for the BLT Research Team (Dr. W. C. Levengood), which has led the way in the scientific study and laboratory analysis of plant and soil samples from crop formations over the past decade and with whom CCCRN has collaborated for the past several years now. The 2000 Season - Summary and Highlights The first report for 2000 was a set of five small doughnut-shaped rings averaging about 15 feet in diameter in a pasture field at Ashern, Manitoba, north of Winnipeg, found in mid-June by bird watchers. They were reported on CBC radio and a confirming report was received from Chris Rutkowski, Ufology Research of Manitoba. They appeared to be "old-style" UGMs (Unidentified Ground Markings), consisting of a darkening of the vegetation, not crop circles in the classic sense. On June 19, a similar set of rings was discovered in a wild grass field (farmer's name withheld by request) at Willmar, Saskatchewan, south of Regina, reported by CCCRN field research assistant Beata Van Berkom and local reporter Dawn-Marie Barker. Five rings again, averaging about 25 - 27 feet in diameter. They were dark green in colour, similar to Ashern, and the grass was stunted in growth, not flattened as in typical crop circles. Three of the rings had an opening in them, making them more like horseshoes in shape. Another oblong shape about 30 feet long and 6 feet wide, and other isolated lines and "grapeshot" circles were nearby. Possibly fungus rings, although the shapes formed and sizes were interesting. It was learned that another farmer had found a similar set of rings in the nearby area, exactly 25 years ago to the day. The first circle in a regular crop field was found August 9 at Grenfell, Saskatchewan by farmer Lloyd Arthur while combining his wheat field, and reported by local reporter Jamie Gibson from The Grenfell Sun newspaper. Formation was a small single circle, about 10 feet in diameter, in mature wheat. The lay pattern was radial, with the wheat stalks flattened out from the centre to the outside edges, similar to that seen in the large seven-circle Edmonton, Alberta #2 formation from 1999. No tracks were reported found in or around the circle, and the centre region was initially described as darkened or singed appearing. CCCRN Saskatchewan coordinator Dennis Eklund was able to visit the site on August 27 and do a general survey, although the formation had already been swathed over and was generally messy and uneven in appearance by that time. The only abnormalities found were a few swollen nodes. Media coverage included The Grenfell Sun newspaper. On August 10, a set of three large circles was found in a combination barley / oats field at Oro-Medonte Township, Ontario, near Orillia. Discovered by farmer Garnet Horne, and initially reported by CCCRN field research assistant June Mewhort. Ground investigations conducted by CCCRN Ontario coordinator Drew Gauley, CCCRN field research assistant Mike Bird, June Mewhort and former Canadian MUFON director Henry McKay. The largest circle was about 70 feet in diameter, the second 50 feet and the smallest 30 feet. Mr. Horne was both excited and somewhat unnerved by the formation, never having seen any before, and reporting that the circles had not been there the previous night, but were there by early morning, with no footprints or other tracks being found. All circles were flattened counter-clockwise. Mr. Horne also reported that his two dogs initially refused to go in or near the circles, something which has been reported before. Around a thousand visitors came to see the circles in the next ten days or so after they were found. Media coverage included The Ottawa Citizen, The Calgary Sun and The Orillia Packet & Times newspapers. The next crop formation reported was again in Saskatchewan, this time at Moosomin. Found August 20 by a local crop duster, and reported by Nancy Talbott of the BLT Research Team, the formation was a large basic 'dumbbell' type pattern in wheat, similar to early 80s formations in England and Europe. Approximately 250 feet in length, it was one of the largest formations to date in Canada, despite its general simplicity. Again, no footprints or pathways initially found. Ground studies were conducted by CCCRN Saskatchewan coordinator Dennis Eklund. The larger circle had two layers of flattened crop, counter-clockwise on top and clockwise underneath. The smaller circle was one layer, counter-clockwise. The crop in the connecting pathway was flattened in two opposite directions, running from each circle and meeting in the center of the pathway, where a tuft of crop pointed toward the outside edge of the pathway. As with Oro-Medonte, the farmer (name withheld by request) reported that peoples' dogs refused to go near or in the formation, and acted very agitated. Inside the formation, seed heads on many of the stalks were found to be significantly deformed, twisted and curled, almost like "corkscrews". Plants outside the formation were normal. Media coverage included The World-Spectator, The Leader Post and The Western Producer newspapers. On August 24, farmer Randy Ellis discovered a single circle while combining his wheat field at Hazlet, Saskatchewan, near Swift Current, and reported it that afternoon to CCCRN. Circle was in duram wheat, about 22 feet in diameter with a tight clockwise spiral lay. Again, no damage or entry pathways found, and the circle is in a field with no tramlines (as most are in Canada and the US), and well into the field, not visible from any roads. Randy's wife Heather reported that she felt unusually light-headed inside the circle, like she was feeling some kind of energy (another fairly common occurrence). Unfortunately this formation was not able to be investigated on the ground by CCCRN. Media coverage included the local CBC television news affiliate CJFB in Swift Current and The Western Producer newspaper. On September 6, CCCRN Saskatchewan coordinator Dennis Eklund was surprised to hear of another circle just on the outskirts of his hometown of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on the local news. He and field research assistant Beata Van Berkom were soon able to get to the location of the formation, a ringed circle about 43 feet in diameter in oats. First noticed by passing motorists on a nearby road and shown on local news. The farmer was elderly and not too interested in any publicity, but the neighboring farmers assisted in the investigation. The counterclockwise central circle had a tuft of standing crop in the center, and was surrounded by the outside ring, also counterclockwise. Various anomalies were associated with this circle, including Dennis' (manually operated) camera failing to work properly inside the formation after the first few shots on the first day of the ground investigation. Later, the photographs taken inside the formation didn't turn out at all, while ones taken outside were normal. The nodes on the oat stalks inside the formation were shrunken and dehydrated-looking, often leaving only a dark ring indented into the stalk. Nearby were areas of "randomly downed crop", flattened in irregular patterns, including a large 350 foot roughly circular area surrounding a nearby clump of trees about 200 yards north of the ringed circle and meandering "pathways" going through the crop, about 3 - 4 inches wide. The plants in these areas also had the same kind of node deformities as in the ringed circle. Media coverage included local CFUC television news. Around the same time, a second "formation" was found in another field about a mile from the first Saskatoon location, consisting of more random patches of flattened crop (wheat in this case) and other "long straight lines" which made sharp turns in the field, generally following the other patches. This field had already been swathed by farmer before these could be studied on the ground, but the farmer did make records of them. Similar patterns of downed crop were also found and investigated by CCCRN field research assistant Judy Arndt in the Edmonton, Alberta area in 2000. Being more random and widespread in the region, these were not categorized as formations per se, but a report from Judy on these will be available soon as a comparison study. These were the only type of crop "formations" reported in Alberta in 2000. It was interesting to note that within these areas of "lodging", many blown nodes were also found. The last known crop formation for 2000 was found at Viscount, Saskatchewan, just east of Saskatoon, on September 12 , where circles have been found before in previous years. Two simple circles close to each other in a wheat field, very similar to a pair of circles in the same area in 1999. Circles were about 45 feet and 43 feet in diameter respectively, and approximately 100 feet apart. Discovered by farmer Don Solmes while combining, in a remote part of the field, about a mile or so from the nearest road or path. Both circles had a tight, counterclockwise swirl and were in near-perfect condition when found. Due to their remote location, it is unlikely anybody would have ever seen them apart from the farmer, if he had not reported them to CCCRN. Ground studies conducted by CCCRN Saskatchewan coordinator Dennis Eklund. In the larger circle, compass reading deviations of 3 - 4 degrees were seen, increasing as one moved toward the centre. Also in this circle, many blown and expanded nodes were seen, all being the second node from the bottom of the stalk. The smaller circle had noticeably stretched, but not blown nodes. The final reports for 2000 were a departure again from the usual crop circles, in this case two "ice rings", one at Lac Pelletier, Quebec found November 19 and the second at Delta, Ontario, found December 2. Similar ice rings have been reported in Canada and elsewhere before, such as at Alonquin Park, Ontario in 1997 and Wells Gray Park, BC in the mid-1970s although not in nearly the numbers as the crop formations. The Delta ring was found about 7:00 am in the morning, after a cold night of -14 c. Reported by CCCRN Ontario coordinator Drew Gauley. Joan LaForty, the property owner, stated that the ring was not there the previous night. The ring was approximately 15 feet in diameter and 3 inches wide, and was a perfect circle etched into the thin ice of the small pond behind their barn; the ice was reportedly too thin for anyone to walk on. Media coverage included an article The Mural newspaper. The second ring was found on Lac Pelletier, a small lake in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec. Report received from UK crop circle researcher Francine Blake, who learned of the formation while on a visit to eastern Canada. Basically similar to the Delta ring, although not as much is known about this formation unfortunately. A series of circles and rings was reported on the same lake in 1999. Conclusions While in some respects 2000 may have seemed a bit of a disappointment compared to 1999 in particular, the phenomenon did continue to make its appearance in Canada, following the same general trends that it has for the past decade or so, with formations that are basically simpler in form than many in the UK and Europe, but still producing a wealth of data, including good physical evidence that can be followed up on and studied further. Work toward this end continues, in particular with the BLT Research Team. The reports of other phenomena such as the ice rings should continue to be investigated as well, even while they may not have any relation to the crop circles; at this point it is too early to tell. Additional Notes A print version of this summary, with additional data, diagrams, photos, maps and newsclippings will be published shortly. Proceeds help support further research projects. An archive of full reports and images is available on the CCCRN web site. This report may be reprinted, as long as copyright credits are provided. For Further Information CANADIAN CROP CIRCLE RESEARCH NETWORK Main Office: Suite 202 - 325 East 14th Avenue Vancouver, BC V5T 2M9 Canada Tel / Fax (office): 604.731.8522 Tel (cell): 604.727.1454 E-Mail: psa@direct.ca Web: http://www.geocities.com/cropcirclecanada Provincial Branch Contacts: http://www.geocities.com/cropcirclecanada/contacts.html Reporting Hotline: 604.731.8522
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