Canadian Wildlife

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Doing Our Lakes Justice

By Jerika Bradford

If you’re like me, you can’t wait to spend your time on the beach soaking up the rays. And let’s not forget about all those countless hours spent swimming, fishing and canoeing with friends and family on the lake. I’ve always loved lakes and known they play an important role – but just how important?

How healthy your lake is makes a huge difference to your cottage experience. And of course it makes a big difference to the happiness and health of the wildlife that call your lake home. The first 10 to 15 metres of land surrounding lakes and rivers is responsible for 90 per cent of lake life born. That means our shorelines do all the hard work to maintain and keep life in the lakes we love!

That being said, it needs a little help. We need to lend our lakes a helping hand – okay maybe two hands – and help make it as healthy as possible. But how do we start? What do we need to do?

Our Love Your Lake program answers those very questions. It’s a locally driven program created by the Canadian Wildlife Federation and the Centre for Sustainable Watersheds. Essentially, we’re assessing the health of 11 Ontario lakes to improve and preserve natural shorelines.

What Lakes Are We Loving This Summer?

We finished training our staff a couple of weeks ago, and they’re now on the lakes surveying approximately 3,500 shorelines. If you’re on these lakes, keep an eye out for us and give us a wave!

Renfrew – Green, Paugh and Round Lakes
Lakeland Alliance – Chandos Lake
Eastern Ontario – Elbow, Otty and Loughborough Lakes
Sudbury – St. Charles, Hannah, Middle and Fairbank Lakes
Muskoka – Peninsula Lake

When we head out to a shoreline and get our pens and paper out, we’re keeping an eye out for particular signs of shoreline health. We’re looking at the different levels of degraded, ornamental, regenerative and natural characteristics of the shoreline and property, including:

Buffers . Is there a permanent strip of trees, shrubs, grasses and ground cover that helps to protect the water body from environmental impacts?
Erosion . Are there any signs of it? Erosion is a common and natural process that many waterfront properties encounter. The best way to minimize erosion is to retain the natural characteristics of the shoreline.
Lawn care. Did the landowners use pesticides and fertilizers? Those toxins can run off into the shoreline and cause a ruckus for wildlife and lake habitat.
Hardened surfaces . Is there any rock, concrete or metal near the shoreline? These structures eliminate food and habitat for all kinds of creatures in and out of the water. And they’ll likely eventually fall into the lake too.
Septic systems. Where are they located? It’s ideal to keep trees and cars away from the septic area and avoid using chemical cleaners, solvents and antifreeze.
Shoreline access and landscaping. What does the path to the water look like? Steep paths that cut straight down to the water create a straight runoff for water, ending in erosion. Instead use a curvy path to the water (technically called an S-curve switchback), which will prevent erosion in the long run.

After surveying the shorelines, we compile all the data collected to give personalized reports for each landowner on the lake outlining specific actions that would improve lake water quality and shoreline health [LK3] .

For more information about Love Your Lake, visit LoveYourLake.ca.

See you on the water!

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Deer Oh Deer

Article by Gaston Tessier
Images: Arlene Neilson and Corel (banner image)

Canada’s native inhabitants considered deer almost as sacred animals for the food, clothing, and tools they provided. European settlers also quickly learned the great value of deer for their meat and the deerskins sold for money to European markets.

In colonial times, people regarded all natural resources as inexhaustible. Because of this attitude, deer populations came to the brink of disaster in the 1800’s. However, with milder winters, less hunting, protective laws, fewer natural predators, and human-made habitats that offer food and cover, deer populations have increased. They are now at levels where they are causing serious damage to natural plant communities, agricultural crops, and gardens.

With the increase in the human population, cities sprang up in the heart of deer habitat. Today, over ten thousand acres of habitat continue to be lost annually to urbanization. The remaining habitat is no longer able to support existing populations. This has lead to inevitable conflicts as deer seek to survive and man tries to enjoy his garden. Since people and deer share more and more of each other’s habitat, deer damage has become a serious issue.

Deer normally venture out of the woods to feed along marshy and open areas and then retreat back into the protective cover of the trees. Edge areas, where humans have cleared the land to build houses and plant crops, have become preferred sites for deer to forage.

As deer populations continue to increase, hungry and sometimes starving animals can ruin a gardener’s efforts in just one night. They strip trees, shrubs, and other plants of foliage from ground level to a height of six feet. Deer are sometimes considered rats on hooves because of their ability to adapt to most situations. Their survival can be attributed to their keen sense of smell, binocular 270 ° field of vision, ability to communicate danger with tail flagging, and agility in escaping from predators.

An average-sized adult deer requires approximately seven pounds of leaves, stems, buds, and blades per day. That is a lot of landscaping! If they fed well, were not chased by predators, or disturbed by deterrents the first time they visited your area, you can be assured that they will return — deer are creatures of habit. The dominant animals leave scents that will be followed by other deer. Your garden has now become part of their territory!

In winter, when the snow becomes deeper, they gather for the protection of many eyes, ears, and noses to detect enemies. They survive the cold season on a meager diet of woody plant buds and evergreen branch tips. By spring, in a state of near starvation, they are very anxious to regain their lost weight. Throughout spring and summer they may come and nibble on the new and tender growth of your plants. However, it is in the fall, as winter nears, that they scrounge for anything that looks fattening. Fruits, seeds and nuts will be devoured as soon as they are available.

It is easy to recognize the damage they cause to trees and shrubs even if you have not seen them actually feeding. Since they do not have upper incisors, they are unable to neatly clip-browse as other animals do — branch tips will have a torn and ragged appearance.

Just as xeriscaping was developed to meet the demands of gardening with limited water, deer-o-scaping can be defined as a style of gardening that incorporates plants and gardening methods to discourage and minimize deer damage. Avoiding plants that deer prefer, using plants they do not like, and incorporating a garden design aimed at discouraging deer may be the only way to save your landscaping efforts.

Rural gardens and crops attract deer because they offer all their preferred food in the middle of their domain. They can find plants, animal feed, water, and salt or mineral blocks put out for livestock, within close proximity of safety.

Most suburban gardens are planted over ancestral trails that deer have used for generations to find food and water. Even if exposed to traffic, noise, strange smells, and dogs, they will come to yards in search of food. Suburban deer that have already fed extensively on gardens and flowerbeds will be the hardest to deter.

To learn about deer-resistant gardening, click on one or more of the following links:

Plant Choice
Landscape Design
Deterrents
Fencing
Scent Deterrents
Taste Repellants
Visual Deterrents
Sound and Noise Deterrents
Other Deterrents

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Firm Footing

By Cooper Langford

To salt, or not to salt? That is the question as winter settles in, once again raising the risk of slips and falls on icy sidewalks and driveways. Many people spread rock salt around their homes to reduce risks. But salt runoff is hazardous to local water systems. So before you start sprinkling, consider these tips.

Salt Early

Salting works because it prevents ice from binding with the pavement underneath. If you can prevent this bond from forming, ice will be easier to clear by shovelling, which is your greenest ice-control alternative.

Know Your Product

Many de-icers are marketed as green products, but be sure to read the labels before you buy. Chlorides, which are cause for serious environmental concern, are the key chemicals in most mixtures. Even green products will have them, so follow the directions carefully to minimize your impact.

Drain Properly

Know the drainage around your property, and make sure that water from the snow you clear doesn’t flow back onto walks or driveways. If it does, you’re simply creating more ice out of the stuff you’ve already cleared.

Wear Good Boots

If you have proper winter footwear, you’ll be at less risk of slipping and falling, thus reducing the need to use salt-based de-icers. Dressing for the season may be the most environmentally sound choice you can make.

Eight Reasons to Get Excited About Fall

By April Overall

It’s no secret that people are rather protective of summer weather. “Don’t wish it away,” they say. But for some reason, I’ve been yearning for fall all summer long. I finally took a leap of faith and told my boyfriend (because he of all people has to love me no matter what). “I’m excited for fall.” “Yes! Football season will start,” he replied. “And sweaters! And pumpkin spice lattes!” I retorted. “And …… football,” he repeated.

But we both know it’s more than sports, cozy knits and pumpkin infused drinks that tug at our heart strings. It’s the season itself. It’s cooler weather that calls for cuddling. It’s the crunch of leaves under your Hunter boots. It’s a fresh start.

Need convincing? We’ve got eight reasons to quit mourning the end of summer and start lusting after fall.

1. Grab Your Runners

Baby, you were born to run. You’ve had an inkling for ages, but at the start of summer you vowed to dust off your trainers and start the Couch to 5K program. Only….the summer sun was out and blazing…and your body just couldn’t handle all that heat. Go easy on yourself! Just because a new fitness regime didn’t pair up well at the start of summer doesn’t mean you should ditch your dreams of becoming a runner. In fact, now is the time to go all out on your fitness goals! Autumn hooks you up with cool temperatures and crisp breezes that will enable you to workout outside longer (and bring you closer to your goals!). So whether you’ve always wanted to run a 10k or think it’s about time you learned how to rollerblade, get out there!

2. Say Cheese

Set the stage for an outrageously adorable fall photo shoot by raking the leaves in your backyard into a heaping pile. Then ask the adorable people or pets in your life to come on out and play while you snap pictures! What a lovely ode to autumn!

3. Woah, Nelly

As much as summer holidays are fun, there’s a lot of hustle and bustle involved. And sometimes you need a vacation after your vacation. There’s something to be said for slowing down, don’t you think? Start a new routine this fall that’s based on just that. Instead of pressing play on your PVR while you get ready, why not grab your breakfast and get out to sit out on the front porch to witness the changing of the leaves on your street. Or head for an after school stroll through the park with your kids to hear all about their new teacher and classmates.

4. How About Them Apples?

Spend a day at the apple orchard this September. Sip hot apple cider as you fill your basket with granny smiths and connect with the earth. Don’t forget to show off your supreme baking skills afterwards by making your signature apple crumble!

5. Help the Bats

Bats have been in some serious trouble the past few years with a disease called white nose syndrome (WNS) sweeping the nation. Entire colonies of little brown bats are being wiped out by the deadly disease. Our leading bat researcher, Karen Vanderwolf, is on the case, but what can you do? Why not create a little spot in your backyard that will welcome these winged mammals? When you monitor a bat box, you will be helping us track these precious bats.

6. Fall Back

You’ll get an extra hour when the clocks go back (unless you live in Saskatchewan, of course), so plan to spend those minutes wisely. You could sleep through it, or you could head outdoors! Plan something special – pack up some hot soup, tea and extra blankets and head for a delicious autumn picnic.

7. Boo!

Gear up for Halloween with a weekend camping excursion! Make your way to one of Canada’s amazing camping sites and tell ghost stories around the bonfire over s’mores.

8. Colour Chameleons

You could take a drive through the woods to witness the fall foliage, but better yet, dust of your bicycle and hit a bike path. Listen to the leaves crunching beneath your tires and breathe in the crisp, fresh air!

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Crooners in the Wild

February 9, 2017
By April Overall

For decades, we’ve witnessed girls swooning (and sometimes fainting!) when their favourite crooners have grabbed the mic. In the animal kingdom, males clear their throats and belt out mating calls to potential mates – letting the ladies know who is the strongest, most compatible mate.

Humpback Whales

If your pipes are half as good as the Humpback Whale, you’re one lucky guy. Male Humpbacks serenade females with songs that can last for hours. In fact, one composition can last more than 10 minutes! Researchers believe the volume, length and intricacy of its songs can indicate the male’s fitness. The louder, longer and more complicated the song, the more likely a female will be to pay attention.

Cicadas

Did you know that the way to a male cicada’s heart is through his stomach? Males generate their piercing mating calls via vibrating membranes on their abdomens. The sound is equivalent to the racket a chainsaw makes at 120 decibels.

Mice

Researchers at Duke University have found that when male mice are on the single scene and looking for a new mate, they belt out complex songs to impress the ladies. It often does the trick! When they meet up with the female in the flesh, male mice change their tune to longer, quieter melodies. Listen to their ditties here.

Spring Peepers

In early spring, male Spring Peepers gather near wetlands and use their pipes to attract mates. While these frogs might be small in stature, they can make quite a racket. The louder they call, the more likely they’ll attract a mate. Each frog makes approximately 20 peeps per minute. Some of them even work together, singing in chorus – the baritone of the crew kicking the song off.

Mosquitoes

The bzzzzzzz you hear as a mosquito passes by you might unnerve you but to a female mosquito it’s music to her ears. Females perk up their hearing when males pass them by because males will change their tone to compliment her own. On the flip side, other females will have a very different tone. When they hear a tone similar to their own, they know romance is on the horizon.

North American Bison

From July to September, male North American Bison seek out females to mate with. While a dominant male protects the females he intends to mate with that season, other males will challenge him to fight by calling out, or “bull roaring”. These calls can be heard kilometres away and at all hours until mating season is over.

Thursday, May 4, 2017

Creating a Wildlife-Friendly Shoreline

By Maria MacRae

Cottages and camping are standard features of Canadian summers and tend to revolve around shoreline areas. A quiet canoe across a misty morning lake, a late afternoon trip trolling for fish, or simply lying quietly on a dock as the water’s tide rocks you to sleep are wonderful ways to spend part of a summer day. But what would those moments be without the hawk silently circling overhead or a dragonfly zipping past as it hunts for insects. Wildlife is an integral part of life in Canada and shorelines are a great place to experience it.

Those of us that are lucky enough to own a piece of Canadian shoreline need to consider how we can ensure that our property continues to support wildlife. Natural shorelines are the best habitat for the greatest diversity of wildlife. The most effective thing shoreline landowners can do to ensure our aquatic wildlife survives is to keep their shorelines natural. But what if your shoreline has been altered already? How can you welcome wildlife back to your property?

If human activity has already unnaturally altered your shoreline, you may still be able to welcome back wildlife with a bit of effort. If the changes are not too great, you can just leave the area alone and allow nature to take its course. If there is little nature left, however, you can help wildlife by adding some native shoreline vegetation.

Seek out qualified advice before you make any changes. Choosing the appropriate species and ensuring that plant material is locally native is not always easy. There are plenty of government agencies, shoreline conservation groups, cottage associations and lakeholder associations that provide advice and resource material on everything from shoreline restoration to the proper maintenance of septic systems. They can also advise you on any approvals you may need.

But you can be proactive all on your own, too! Learn about the wildlife associated with your area and what they need to survive. What features does your property provide? What is missing? If aspects are missing, is it because your property doesn’t naturally provide them or has it been altered? Shorelines vary naturally, even along the same stretch of lake. Some areas are rocky, others muddy and vegetated, while some have natural sandy areas. Each of these areas has its part to play in an aquatic ecosystem. Don’t try to change your shoreline from its natural state into something different. Not only will this harm wildlife and the lake as a whole, but it won’t last. An area that’s not naturally a sandy beach can’t be forced to be so even if you continually dump sand along the edge. It will quickly wash away into the lake, damaging fish habitat in the process.

Keep in mind that shoreline areas are protected under a variety of federal, provincial and municipal legislations. Leaving these areas natural is not only beneficial for wildlife, but can also save you money. Altering shorelines in a way that damages fish habitat without first seeking the proper authorization can result in large fines and significant restoration costs. Before you make any changes to your waterfront, such as adding a dock, contact the appropriate municipal, provincial and/or federal authorities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have all the proper approvals.

Any efforts you make to improve the habitat potential of your shoreline will be rewarded through the diversity of wildlife that will visit, enhancing your wilderness experience. Just think of those quiet mornings watching a great blue heron skulk along the shoreline searching for fish or the excitement of spotting a river otter as it slides into the water. It is these experiences that make spending time along a shoreline so worthwhile.

Providing Shoreline Habitat for Wildlife Tips

To support both water and land birds, ensure your shoreline has sufficient emergent vegetation (plants that grow up out of the water), such as bulrushes or cattails, upland grasses and other vegetation. These provide food, cover and nesting sites. Trees, both living and dead, and shrubs along the shore not only provide food and nesting sites but also offer perches for sighting prey and shelter from the elements.
Vegetation that grows above the water along shoreline areas provides vital cover for shoreline mammals to reach the water’s edge without being spotted by predators. Seeds, nuts, fruits and tubers provided by aquatic and shoreline vegetation are a direct food source.
Protect existing aquatic vegetation (plants within the water) as fish habitat. It provides spawning areas, oxygen, nurseries for young fish, food sources, hunting grounds and shelter from predators.
Protect or add trees and shrubs along the shore to help shade the water to keep it cool and well oxygenated, filter out pollutants and stop erosion, which decreases water quality.
Fallen trees, logs and other woody debris in the water may seem unnecessary but are actually important for the provision of shade, shelter and feeding sites.
Amphibians and reptiles need sufficient aquatic and shoreline plants for nesting, food and shelter. Plants also support the insects that are important in their diet. Add some logs and rocks for shelter, nesting and basking sites.
Due to the permeable nature of their skin, many amphibian species are susceptible to aquatic contaminants. Remember that handling amphibians with sunscreen, insect repellent or other chemicals on your hands can also be hazardous to their health.
Emergent vegetation, such as sedges and rushes, and shoreline vegetation are important for dragonflies as cover from predators, places to crawl up as they emerge from the water as adults and as resting spots.
Fertilizers are one of the chemicals that can have a huge affect on water quality. In contrast, naturally vegetated shorelines help to filter out nutrients and chemicals and keep them from reaching the water. Leave your landscape natural and forgo a lawn. If you want a bit of lawn, plant it further away from the shoreline, avoid the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and leave a buffer zone of native plants along the water's edge.

PLANTS
Plants — both large and small — play a crucial role in keeping our water systems healthy. The diversity of plant species directly affects the variety of wildlife that a habitat is able to support. Ensure that your shoreline has a diversity of native plant species along the water’s edge, in the water and also in upland areas.
Some Good Plant Choices -

Trees and Shrubs:

Cedar – Cedars help to stabilize shoreline areas while also providing food for mammals, such as deer, hares, and birds, such as common redpolls and pine siskins. Their dense foliage is important nesting and winter shelter for many animals and birds.
White pine – Due to their great height, white pines are considered super canopy trees – trees that poke through the top of the forest canopy. This allows them to act as landmarks for migrating birds and as essential nesting spots for large raptors, such as bald eagles and osprey. These trees are also a valuable food source for birds, such as nuthatches, grosbeaks and crossbills, and mammals, such as chipmunks and squirrels.
Maples – Maples provide food for many animals, including snowshoe hares, grey, red, and flying squirrels, ruffed grouse, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, and purple finches. Maples also supply one of the first tastes of nectar for early bees and are good cavity-nesting sites for wood ducks and other birds and mammals.
Willows - The extensive root systems of willows are invaluable in reducing soil erosion. They are also great shelter shrubs and an important food source for many wildlife species including butterfly larvae, pollinating insects, birds such as alder flycatchers, woodcocks, warblers and grouse, and mammals, such as muskrats and porcupines.
Serviceberries – Serviceberries provide fruit for songbirds and mammals, while their flowers are a good early season food source for bumblebees and other pollinators.
Red osier dogwood - Red osier dogwood is a valuable wildlife plant for the food it provides to pollinators, mammals and especially to birds, such as great-crested flycatchers, American catbirds and pine warblers. It is also a great soil stabilizer when planted along shoreline areas.

Shoreline vegetation:

Marsh marigold – Their flowers attract pollinators.
Joe-Pye weed – Joe-Pye weed provides nectar and pollen for butterflies, bees and other small insects and its seeds provide food for birds such as finches, sparrows and wild turkeys.
Sensitive fern – This and other ferns provide valuable shelter for shoreline wildlife.
Asters – These flowers are an important late-season source of nectar and pollen for butterflies, bees and other pollinators. Their seed heads provide a good source of seeds for small birds.
Sedges - The seeds are eaten by songbirds, such as sparrows and finches, as well as rails, grouse and some ducks. Mammals such as moose eat the foliage and roots. Many Carex species are butterfly larval plants, of particular importance to many of the skippers.

Aquatic plants:

Blue flag iris - Bees eat the pollen of blue flag iris, hummingbirds drink its nectar and its rhizomes are sought after by muskrats, beavers and waterfowl.
Common cattail - This species provides nesting material and sites for birds, such as marsh wrens, red-winged blackbirds and American coots. The rhizomes provide food for geese as well as muskrats. Cattails also provide spawning areas for fish and are great for stabilizing shoreline soil.
Water smartweed - Water smartweed seeds are a valuable food source for waterfowl and many songbirds. The flowers attract pollinating insects.
Pickerelweed - Pickerelweed seeds, leaves, pollen and fruit are eaten by muskrats, waterfowl, songbirds, such as red-winged blackbirds, redpolls, and sparrows, and butterflies, bees and other pollinating insects. The plant also provides cover for fish such as pickerel.
Yellow pond lily - This plant’s large leaves offer shelter to fish below and serve as a platform for frogs and insects. Yellow pond lily provides food for waterfowl, marsh birds, fish, insects and mammals, especially moose.
Floating arrowhead – Arrowhead serves as a food source for birds such as rails, geese, mallards and teals, and for mammals such as muskrats.
Coontail - Coontail leaves and seeds are food for waterfowl and shorebirds, and muskrats occasionally eat the leaves, but it is more often used as shelter for small animals, insects and fish.
Pondweeds - Pondweeds are an important shelter and food source for numerous animals, such as invertebrates, muskrats, moose, deer and beavers. Waterfowl, such as mallards, teals and pintails, eat its seeds.

Monday, May 1, 2017

Creating a Buzz

By Pamela Logan

Launched during National Wildlife Week 2009, CWF’s Quebec-based program Pollinators Habitat-Challenge (Défi-Habitat Pollinisateurs) has created quite a buzz. The aim of the program is to increase awareness about the decline in the number of pollinators and to encourage the creation of new pollinator habitats.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all over Quebec were invited to join the program. Partners could either incorporate a pollinator component into an existing program or develop a new project for pollinator conservation. Activities could centre on increasing awareness about pollinators or creating new pollinator habitats, of course always focusing on indigenous pollinators and plants. The response was incredible. Sixty organizations and institutions and the municipality of Sainte Faustin-Le Carré partnered with CWF to promote the Défi-Habitat Pollinisateurs.

Busy as Bees
The program was kicked off at the Montreal Biosphere with presentations by renowned Quebec researchers. Partners received scientific information about the pollinator crisis and potential solutions.

CWF staff conducted training sessions and presentations for our partner organizations and made available to all of them presentations, support and educational material for their own activities and projects under the Défi-Habitat Pollinisateurs program. CWF produced envelopes containing different combinations of native plant seeds designed to attract bees, hummingbirds or butterflies. A fourth mixture was designed with plant seeds suitable for potting. Each envelop had between 700 to 1,500 seeds, and all totalled, 17 species of Quebec indigenous plants were used.

Our partners took up the Pollinators Habitat Challenge with full force. Information about the program was included in their bulletins, newsletters, websites and posters. They appointed DHP ambassadors to champion awareness projects and lead new habitat development. They assisted with the distribution of seed envelopes and support materials to their members, groups and communities. And they created a network of pollinator habitat proponents.

Seeds of Success
With the help of partners, the program was promoted in 20 municipalities. New pollinator-friendly habitat was established in agricultural, urban and suburban areas. Participants included young adults, children and families. Between 7,500 and 8,000 people were reached and are now more aware of the important role of pollinators. More than 7,500 kits of seed envelopes and guides were distributed to the population free of charge. Close to 5,000 plants were used in greening projects, and about 2.4 square kilometres were sown in urban, suburban and agricultural areas directly by 36 organizations. Forty-seven partners carried out awareness and outreach activities.

The success of the project was a team effort! With the financial contribution from Earth Day (Quebec) through the Fonds Écomunicipalité IGA, and in-kind contributions of thousands of hours of hard work from our partner organizations, together we were able to achieve more. Thanks to the wonderful participation of our partners, this challenge made a difference. Stay tuned, because this is just the beginning.

Interested in finding out how you can create a pollinator-friendly garden? Our Backyard Certification Program recognizes individual efforts to create wildlife habitat in backyards and gardens. Visit WildAboutGardening.org to learn how you can make your garden welcoming for wildlife and pollinators.

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