Post by nickinthegarden on Sept 24, 2018 14:29:14 GMT -8
I have been trying to check out Jackman Wetlands a couple times a week for the last month or two. Gord had originally enlightened me to this location for shorebirds last year and it does get some interesting birds; Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitchers, Wilson's Snipe, Pectoral Sandpipers, Spotted Sandpipers, Killdeer and more. But I have been able to seen more 4 footed wildlife at this park than I have at any other.
There are two large ponds almost lakes at this location and one of them has two small islands in it that seem to play home to Beavers. I was surprised when I saw 5 of them there swimming back and forth across the pond. There is a pile of branches against one of the islands and I suspect this could be their den.
My friendly Beavers by Nick, on Flickr
In the same pond I suspect the River Otters also use one of the islands for dens as there are large holes into the hillside in several locations. One day I saw 5 of them playing and hunting as they made their way from the south pond to the more northern one with the possible dens sites.
Otter Family by Nick, on Flickr
One morning I spotted a pair of Raccoons walking across the spit of land in the southern pond and then they swam across the pond, stopping at the shore to check out possible critters for breakfast.
This week Raccoons by Nick, on Flickr
This morning I looked up from counting birds through my camera lens to see a Coyote perched on the side of the shore watching some Mallards, perhaps weighing the chance of getting the duck to getting soaked. Later it would creep around the edge of the pond and come up behind me, not close but checking things out.
Coyote by Nick, on Flickr
Not the first time I have seen Coyotes there and I warn silly dog owners who have their pets off leash about the Coyotes and the danger they represent to their dogs. Most do not listen, I care more about their dogs than they do.
I have also seen turtles, snakes, lots of frogs but no Deer or Bobcat. One of the parks workers told me they have never had a report of bear or cougars in the park. It is a rough park and I guess as it is more developed less wildlife will visit it or will be visible. It has through the spring and summer the usual species of birds one would expect in this area but it is unique in the shorebirds it gets. The unfortunate fact is it is well used and abused by dog owners, it is even used for training hunting dogs, which can be real annoying hearing the "gunshots" and the whistles.
There are two large ponds almost lakes at this location and one of them has two small islands in it that seem to play home to Beavers. I was surprised when I saw 5 of them there swimming back and forth across the pond. There is a pile of branches against one of the islands and I suspect this could be their den.
My friendly Beavers by Nick, on FlickrIn the same pond I suspect the River Otters also use one of the islands for dens as there are large holes into the hillside in several locations. One day I saw 5 of them playing and hunting as they made their way from the south pond to the more northern one with the possible dens sites.
Otter Family by Nick, on FlickrOne morning I spotted a pair of Raccoons walking across the spit of land in the southern pond and then they swam across the pond, stopping at the shore to check out possible critters for breakfast.
This week Raccoons by Nick, on FlickrThis morning I looked up from counting birds through my camera lens to see a Coyote perched on the side of the shore watching some Mallards, perhaps weighing the chance of getting the duck to getting soaked. Later it would creep around the edge of the pond and come up behind me, not close but checking things out.
Coyote by Nick, on FlickrNot the first time I have seen Coyotes there and I warn silly dog owners who have their pets off leash about the Coyotes and the danger they represent to their dogs. Most do not listen, I care more about their dogs than they do.
I have also seen turtles, snakes, lots of frogs but no Deer or Bobcat. One of the parks workers told me they have never had a report of bear or cougars in the park. It is a rough park and I guess as it is more developed less wildlife will visit it or will be visible. It has through the spring and summer the usual species of birds one would expect in this area but it is unique in the shorebirds it gets. The unfortunate fact is it is well used and abused by dog owners, it is even used for training hunting dogs, which can be real annoying hearing the "gunshots" and the whistles.
