Not Just Another Pretty Landscape: Britannia's Mud Lake Conservation Area

We were pleased to see so many people (32) turn up for this walk, on the early afternoon of Sunday July 20th, despite the threatening rain clouds that circulated above. We would like to thank everyone for his or her interest in participating on this guided nature tour. Our guest speaker, Dave Moore, did a magnificent job leading the group through the Britannia’s Mud Lake conservation area. 

The beauty and serenity was apparent as we walked along Mud Lake and observed a variety of ecosystems and wildlife habitats. As we explored the area in the early afternoon, it became evident that the different ecosystems provided innumerable benefits to the many species that depend on them. We were treated to some superb sights such as: A Great Blue Heron perched on a tree branch leaning over the pond; a porcupine sleeping on a large oak tree branch in broad daylight; several Midland Painted Turtles sunning themselves on a floating log: three Blanding’s Turtles (an endangered species) occupying an adjacent log; a snapping turtle; a Great-Crested Flycatcher; two Green Herons flying low from one wet area to another. As well, along our path, we were entertained by several frog concerts, and saw a variety of birds (there are over 270 species around Mud Lake thanks to its rich diversity of flora and fauna habitats), whereby we could clearly hear the Red-Eye Vireo singing and the slow musical Pine Warbler’s song. Several wasp nests were spotted, neatly hung from nearby tree branches. 

The value of a diverse greenspace, and how different habitats help wildlife in an urban environment, was the primary focus. The benefits of the various ecosystems became clear to all of us and re-emphasized the importance of providing for a wide variety of wildlife habitats in order to preserve a space in which nature can truly thrive.

As Dave led the group through the recreational trails exploring the fauna, flora and a bit of geology, he provided us with valuable detailed information about this wonderful area. We walked along the shoreline of the Ottawa River, through a meadow, alongside a marsh, through deciduous woodland, by a pond, and then through an older coniferous forest. All over the forest, there was evidence of the Pileated Woodpeckers’ work in tree trunks. Part of the mature forested area, were towering White Pine trees, some more than 100 years old, where Great Horned Owls nest. All types of squirrels also make this conservation area their home. We talked about the different woodlands around the pond and what prompts the changes in the understory’s vegetation.

In the various ecosystems we spent a bit of time identifying some of the vegetation: Queen Anne’s Lace, Sensitive Fern, Veronica, Wild Strawberries, Yarrow, Goldenrod, Poison Ivy, and some water plants including Frogbit (loonie sized shaped round leaf) and “Button-Bush” were seen in the pond. In particular, unusual trees were identified: A copse of Hackberry trees (with its “knobby” looking bark); and Blue-beech trees (sometimes called musclewood). Unfortunately, there was evidence of vandalism, where some people carved into the bark of the live trees, weakening the trees’ ability to ward off disease and pests. Some of the other trees and shrubs identified were: Red and Silver Maples, Oaks, Ashes, White Pines, Sumac, Chokecherry, Hawthorne, Honeysuckle (pink, red, orange) and the undesirable Buckthorn.

Dave Moore led a wonderful walk and people were very complimentary about the valuable information he provided during the guided tour. It was truly a pleasure to have him as Guest Speaker and fascinating to listen to what he had to say about the area along the way. Thank you Dave!

And, thank you to all of you who decided to join us on this day and make it such a success.