Rissers Beach

Tree Traps

Bats and Botanicals

Botanicals, Bats and Bob

Today’s activities included a census of trees in ten more forest sectors. Each sector measured ten meters by ten meters. The height and circumference of each tree over 60 centimeters meters was recorded. Six researchers worked at this for three hours. The dominant species were the coniferous trees. This included; varieties of spruce, hemlock, tamarack, and firs. There were lesser amounts of; birch, maples and beech.
The other half of the team mounted bat houses and would later visit Risser’s beach to search for bats using an echo location translator. Risser’s beach is a Provincial waterfront shoreline forest (“State Park”). It is a site of research on the endangered Atlantic White Fish.

Traps and Trails

Traps and Trails

Today was Thanksgiving Day, October 8th,(Canadian). Our mission for the day was to move our traps from the grassy meadows to the deep forest understory. Again, 100 traps were baited and set. While waiting for our furry visitors, we began cutting a trail section 200 meters long. Using hand saws, an axe and various other tools, our half of the team removed several large trees, underbrush and forest wood. Three hours later we had gone 200 meters. The other half of the team did a plant census within several designated areas. The predominant tree growth was balsam, spruce, white pine and hemlock, all coniferous trees. Although there were some birch and beech, deciduous trees were the exception.

"Poop" Patrol

POOP PATROL

In an effort to determine the mammal population in a given environment, the team would stake out 10 by 10 meter transects or quadrants. We would then examine every square centimeter of ground looking for mammal scat (poop). Over the course of the summer, the research teams examined 150 transects. Today, our team found evidence of Snow Shoe rabbits and white tailed deer. We also attempted to photograph the more reclusive nocturnally active mammals using sensor controlled cameras. The cameras were strapped to trees in various locations at the research site. The team would generally spend the entire day engaged in these activities. Lunch was at the base camp tent “gazebo”. We returned to the resident housing at about 8 PM for dinner.
EW8: 007, 008, 009, 012, 002, 003, 004, EW10:205, 046, 047, EW8: 015

The village of Lunenburg

Lunenburg is a 250 year old fishing village. Quaint homes, shops, historic churches and unique streetscapes can be found on every street. In 1995 UNESCO named Lunenburg a World Historic Site. It is the home port of the tall ships, Bluenose II and Picton Castle. The Fisheries Museum of The Atlantic, home of the largest saltwater aquarium in Eastern Canada, and the Lunenburg Academy are “must see” destinations. The distinctive grid system street plan is characteristic of all British colonial settlements. The blacksmith and dory shop that first opened in 1895 is still building dories!

Kejimkujik Forest

Kejimkujik
National Park
National Historic Site

This protected forest was the original home of the Mi’kmaq tribe of Native Americans. The 381 square kilometers of forest contain hemlock forests with trees that are between 250 and 400 years old, beech tree woodlands, flood plains of the headwaters of the Mersy River, waterfalls and costal bogs. The park also contains the historical Mi’kmaw petroglyphs (stone carvings). The park’s name, Kejimkujik, means “our place”. The endangered Blanding Turtle has been closely monitored in the park for 25 years. Dams built for the logging industry in the 1940s had deprived the park’s rivers of natural oxygenation. The dams were removed in 2005, and the river now supports a growing population of Brook Trout, Yellow Perch, Stickleback and Banded Killifish.