Bioblitz 2018

Experts and citizen-scientists take inventory of species

The fifth annual bioblitz took place along the County’s south shore around Charwell Point Road over a 24-hour period this weekend. Starting at noon on Saturday and extending to noon on Sunday, scientists, subject matter experts and citizen helpers took an inventory of plants, insects, fish and birds that live along this area of the County. This is part of a nation-wide survey of biodiversity and the health of the environment, and similar events take place around the globe. “It began in 1996 in Washington, D.C. and then it spread throughout the US and Canada, and then Europe and Australia,” says Sheila Kuja, one of the organizers of the event. “You choose an area and invite experts, scientists and the general public to come and help to find all the organisms. It’s sort of like a social, so everyone can come and enjoy themselves and learn quite a bit.” The social aspect of the event was highlighted by a communal dinner on Sunday evening and a barbeque lunch on Sunday.

Sarah takes a close look at a painted turtle. She and her family came from Cobourg to take part in the Bioblitz.

The south shore was again chosen, because there is a general lack of information about the biodiversity of the area. It continues a survey of the area that in previous years has included Ostrander Point, the Miller Land Reserve and Point Petre. To the untrained eye—and ear—the area seems mostly wasteland. But upon closer examination, there are numerous species that live and flourish in that region. The poster species for the south shore is undoubtedly the Blanding’s turtle, but it shares the habitat with many other, less glamorous, species. Surveys like these provide a permanent and ongoing record of the creatures that inhabit the south shore. “We send our information to the Kingston Field Office of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests,” says Kuja. “We also send it to the Natural Heritage Information Centre, plus we provide a report that goes to the library and schools and Quinte Conservation Area.”

The blitz started on Saturday with a butterfly and dragonfly identification walk, and continued with a search for amphibians and reptiles led by ecologist Ewa Bednarzcuk. She pointed out the different calls of tree frogs and wood frogs that inhabit the area, and then started a search for snakes. Some people on the walk were relieved that she did not find any this time.

Stream ecologist Les Stanfield did a survey of fish life in the Ducks Unlimited pond. With the assistance of some citizen helpers, he dragged a seine net along a section of the outflow stream, finding over 20 species of fish, including a couple of species he had not seen in many years.

The overnight study of moths yielded over 150 different species, including the extravagantly coloured, palm-sized Cecropia moth. On Sunday morning, amateur field biologist Katie Thomas led a walk to find bird species. Many birds were identified only by their call, sometimes having to be distinguished from the sounds of insects and frogs. Over the weekend, more than 70 bird species were identified. “It provides a really good record of the natural history of the area and provides an indication that the region is healthy and growing as it should,” says Thomas. “You can look at the record and see how things have changed. You have to be mindful of the fact that lists are being compiled in different parts of the County. But that’s the whole purpose of the blitz, to get different area samples. It helps provide an overall awareness of how important it is to have these areas in our landscape.”