Property surveys: Assessing ecological significance
When a group of Hudson landowners suspected that their properties were host to many different ecosystems, they went in search of a professional opinion. In the summer of 2020, they invited Nature Conservancy Canada (NCC) to survey the flora and fauna and assess the ecological value of their properties. Later that summer and into the fall, NCC staff and consultants specialized in ornithology, botany and herpetology (reptiles) visited six properties to survey the flora and fauna.
Each landowner received a personalized booklet in which the property survey results were compiled, along with:
- A description of the flora and fauna observed in the woodlands, meadows and wetlands.
- A map of the various plant communities, pointing out the rare plant species and the invasive alien species observed.
Plants identified
Among the rare plant species were the Butternut tree (Juglans cinerea) and Halberd-leaf Tearthumb (Persicaria arifolia).
The invasive alien species observed included Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), European Buckthorn (an escaped horticultural plant) and European Frog-bit.
Birds inventoried
Le Nichoir’s Jo-Annie Gagnon and local expert Wayne Grubert helped inventory the woodland and open-country birds. Some species of note found in the area include the Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis), the Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) and the Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus).
Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina)
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
Reptiles observed
Two herpetologists visited the area on several occasions over the summer and observed a number of reptiles, among them the Blue-spotted Salamander (Ambystoma laterale), the Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata) along with many Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) and Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta).
Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina)
Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta)
Conservation recommendations and expertise
NCC provided each landowner with general recommendations for protecting the natural features of their properties. One such recommendation was to protect the habitat through legal means – and it is this that led to the founding of the Fiducie de conservation du ruisseau 53 / Creek 53 Conservancy Trust (Creek 53).
NCC’s contribution during this initial flora and fauna survey work is deeply appreciated, as is the continued support and expertise they bring to Creek 53.
This project was undertaken with the financial support of:
