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Activities
by the Friends of Massassauga Point, and at the Conservation Area
Osprey
Nesting Platform
An
osprey nesting platform was installed the summer just south east of the old
hotel location, in the easterly section of the Bur Oak Savanna Habitat Restoration
project (see below)
The pole
is a "class 2" hydro pole, 14 meters (45 feet) high and cemented
in a drilled hole in the limestone base. It is well above the surrounding
tree line and about 30 meters from the water's edge.
The location
of the platform was set by consultation with local naturalists. It should
be a very attractive nesting site for the local osprey which are often seen
fishing in the near-by bay. Over the last few years there have been regular
hatchings at the platform near #28 and Massassauga Road which is only about
5 km from this platform. There should be a demand for nesting sites for these
new osprey residents.
We are all
keeping our fingers crossed that we'll have a nesting pair as early as next
spring, in 2006.
The
Massassauga Point Bur Oak Savanna Habitat Restoration Project
This
project is aimed at restoring the bur oak savanna which has been identified
as a globally and provincially rare vegetation area by the Natural Heritage
Information Centre of OMNR. The objective is to increase the biological
diversity of the Point and return the project site to the aesthetically appealing,
park like savanna vegetation, of the 1800's.
The site
was originally open bur oak woodland with shagbark hickory, but species such
as red cedar and common buckthorn have crowded out the native savanna vegetation.
Core testing of some of
the burr and deams oak revealed ages of about 175 years, while the shagbark
hickory were about 150 years old.
The invasion of the site by these species had progressed
to a point where the native savanna was almost unrecognizable except for the
numerous open grown oaks and hickory overtopping the cedar and buckthorn.
This project
was made possible through funding by the Quinte Watershed Cleanup acquired from
Environment Canada's EcoAction 2001 community action program, with
support from Ontario Works, under the auspices of Quinte Conservation Authority.
Over
6 acres has been restored. Objective is to add spring native wild sedge
and grass planting on this acreage and add another 2 to 4 acres for restoration.
The restoration of the savanna will continue. A controlled burn will be necesssary
each spring for several years, in order to control the invasive common buckthorn
and to encourage the local grasses to germinate.
We also
plan to add, this spring, an osprey nesting platform. With the strong comeback
of ospreys in this area, we are optimistic that a breeding pair will find this
platform to their liking.
We are also
working with Tallgrass
Ontario, a volunteer organization dedicated to preserving the remaining
Ontario Tallgrass Prairie and Savannas, for sharing of ideas and resources.
Prince Edward County Field Naturalist Tour
Ed,
along with representatives from "Friends" led this group on an evening
tour of Massassauga Conservation Area this July. Some of the more interesting
plants observed included deams oak, side oak grass, sleepy catch fly grass,
death camus, wild onion, snow berries, narrow leaf jersey tea, etc. Also on
the Alvar was a very old burr oak, estimated to be about 200 years, but because
of the dry, harsh conditions, was quite small. A bonsai oak?
The group enjoyed the time
and Ed's knowledgeable discourse.
Society for Ecological Restoration (SER)
An Ontario Based group dedicated to the restoration of ecologically significant
sites across the province.
A walk has been set up during August, 2002 (date to be finalized) with
this group.
With the monitoring plots that have been set up, this group will add to our knowledge
of Massassauga Point through their participation.
Many of the SER group are trained, experienced naturalists, and can provide us
with insights
into the restoration program and professional quality expertise in plant identification.
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