tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87517966089574965712024-03-23T22:45:42.338-07:00Turtle PatrolThe Turtle Patrol is a volunteer organization that strives to aid in the successful continuation of turtle presence. This blog documents the efforts of the team to encourage the successful nesting, hatching, and breeding of turtles in their natural habitat. Early posts outline how the Turtle Patrol came to be.
We are currently looking for Volunteers!
Should you wish to contact us please email us:
turtlepatrolcanada@gmail.com
Or call the hotline:
(902) 240-8332
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-91070976061885652142022-09-16T06:31:00.000-07:002022-09-16T06:31:05.451-07:0020220909 first fall patrol <p>With what seemed like an early nesting season and a very warm summer, I headed out for a first of the season Patrol. Joining me was Karen McKendry and Thomas Baker. It is always great to bring new folks out and show them what this time of year is all about. While no turtles were spotted, we did find other wildlife. Right at the roadway Bizzy spotted this large Caterpillar. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJ6sl8PWMf1WiKnZmpxCsjFS-M2W-06L25fQ_ZNWSnQwUAscWNi-9NQslnfvfTs0vnAAXYsDLRuF-xK5QW-8CzSO8eIYkah_J-raSrtHgjrGp8NnLcf0aeqYQ8fzrn_hUxZay5KUm4lndru56w1t-mPtU4XIqf2jxISkuCAiJhqWSnjC6M3ZSizix/s2048/20220909%20%20%20%20Cat%201%20851_2202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJ6sl8PWMf1WiKnZmpxCsjFS-M2W-06L25fQ_ZNWSnQwUAscWNi-9NQslnfvfTs0vnAAXYsDLRuF-xK5QW-8CzSO8eIYkah_J-raSrtHgjrGp8NnLcf0aeqYQ8fzrn_hUxZay5KUm4lndru56w1t-mPtU4XIqf2jxISkuCAiJhqWSnjC6M3ZSizix/s320/20220909%20%20%20%20Cat%201%20851_2202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>We spotted a just as large and slightly different large caterpillar along the trail. This seemed to be much brighter in appearance.:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnPHsjmZyvhum7_tgAO4kUGuREbpNoWPwRmRtP36xpvNDPzN3r1nLud6R63JHIjxOTw9hz1RDYuuAungQeEMoeyQApPk6cWbLb9MxFG_Q_1-JpKMDDIMugDa-VbZ1K9JuaMosd8y5wSGqjCBUvtNVDB6g6TFk17tiAf7OW5M3VtgDuuK0GgcA_tBx/s2048/20220909%20Cat%202%20%20%20%20851_2223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnPHsjmZyvhum7_tgAO4kUGuREbpNoWPwRmRtP36xpvNDPzN3r1nLud6R63JHIjxOTw9hz1RDYuuAungQeEMoeyQApPk6cWbLb9MxFG_Q_1-JpKMDDIMugDa-VbZ1K9JuaMosd8y5wSGqjCBUvtNVDB6g6TFk17tiAf7OW5M3VtgDuuK0GgcA_tBx/s320/20220909%20Cat%202%20%20%20%20851_2223.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We found one more of each of the above examples. Here is a shot of the third unit:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi354xcEYdAj9fPr3woRCH5T-0b3uuxjuCtIobQGvwMU0fSmCU7kmTOd2PzpDaUTXXU8gTWnVqwe48z2SrLlxjtzAzSVDcVNW5MT5wNhhWqNWCIUi8PYqPLTvtw1mKY2TZ1LrCkJ6g2xl7sC0LmTfE05G_b9xqx4vijdPlhBHtH62w2ReXErSw0Y3YT/s2048/20220909%20Cat%203%20%20851_2212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi354xcEYdAj9fPr3woRCH5T-0b3uuxjuCtIobQGvwMU0fSmCU7kmTOd2PzpDaUTXXU8gTWnVqwe48z2SrLlxjtzAzSVDcVNW5MT5wNhhWqNWCIUi8PYqPLTvtw1mKY2TZ1LrCkJ6g2xl7sC0LmTfE05G_b9xqx4vijdPlhBHtH62w2ReXErSw0Y3YT/s320/20220909%20Cat%203%20%20851_2212.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We also encounter a number of young Toadlets and one mature American Toad. Pickerel Frogs were plentiful and we spotted 2 Maritime Garter snakes and what I believe was a dark Red-bellied snake. <div>Other sightings were some American Goldfinches and the wing of a Common Nighthawk. </div><div>Perhaps the most significant finding was that the lake has fallen victim to Blue-Green Algae. We notified the Department of the Environment and it was confirmed. </div><div>More patrols coming. </div><div>Put some wild in your life today!</div><div>Turbo<br /><div><br /><p> </p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-17507423600217286832021-10-17T14:56:00.003-07:002021-10-17T15:10:39.526-07:00October 13, 2021 Turtle nesting area tour.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qx8i0aRCW6g/YWybrxPDSNI/AAAAAAAABTA/5kxgjeg0U0wfGOpdE0Ye4ksTIlLIfyw0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/Tour%2BtrioJPG.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qx8i0aRCW6g/YWybrxPDSNI/AAAAAAAABTA/5kxgjeg0U0wfGOpdE0Ye4ksTIlLIfyw0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Tour%2BtrioJPG.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal">It is not all fun and games when we are trying to help
turtles. But it sure is nice when you spend a day with people who have a genuine interest in their well being.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This was a fabulous day with (l-r) HRM Councilor Paul
Russell, HRM Councilor Lisa Blackburn, and Ecology Action Centre-- Wilderness
Outreach Coordinator, Karen McKendry! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Karen managed to "herd the cats", and get us all
together. We then did a four stop tour within the city limits where
construction work has had both positive and negative impacts on Snapping Turtle
nesting areas. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We started out at Red Bridge Pond and covered off the
history of the site, which we here at the Turtle Patrol deem to be a victory. Then
we moved on to two sites on Cobequid Road where an intermediate solution was
developed with Turtle Patrol and the City contributions. We ended our
"tour" at a spot on Windgate Drive in Beaverbank where the reuse of
asphalt on road shoulders resulted in the loss of not only 5 active nests, but
nesting area forever.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Karen and I very much anticipate that future situations like
this can be avoided with just a little communication between groups. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">We here at the Turtle Patrol would very much like to thank Paul, Lisa, and Karen for their time, attention, and support!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul T<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-61687083213873942252021-08-26T05:14:00.000-07:002021-08-26T05:14:06.618-07:00Time to be watching for emerging hatchlings. 20210826<p> Here in Nova Scotia our shortest incubation season, that I have personally seen, is 76 days. With 31 days in July and 31 days in August, and just 14 days in June, that makes 76 days.</p><p>Our summer has been warm and wet, with some very warm nights, very much in line with the shortest season that I have witnessed. So any turtles that nested before the 9th of June have the potential of hatching out any day now. </p><p>Please be on the lookout for emerging turtle hatchlings and let us know @ turtlepatrolcanada@gmail.com if you see any, anywhere and share your experience with us. </p><p>Turbo</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Yx8BC8FJh8/YSeFHdOiqPI/AAAAAAAABRY/EroGJi6av_QpfPP9YxY16_ODi8An4pWwACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20191003%2Bthreesome%2BDSCN1225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Yx8BC8FJh8/YSeFHdOiqPI/AAAAAAAABRY/EroGJi6av_QpfPP9YxY16_ODi8An4pWwACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20191003%2Bthreesome%2BDSCN1225.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sorry for the long absence from the blog, but I had lost the password. Bummer I know. <p></p><p>Please keep an eye open you may find something like this little gathering:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KXY_vGXOB0M/YSeFaFIiwaI/AAAAAAAABRg/cKl2D6eWAyYv27bgnmpNRddwe1wUOb0lwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20190928%2B%2Bsnapper%2BheavenIMG_20190928_125342504_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="1600" height="307" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KXY_vGXOB0M/YSeFaFIiwaI/AAAAAAAABRg/cKl2D6eWAyYv27bgnmpNRddwe1wUOb0lwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20190928%2B%2Bsnapper%2BheavenIMG_20190928_125342504_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Yours in Turtling!</p><p>Turbo</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-88976904490799983492019-07-06T08:39:00.001-07:002019-07-06T08:39:43.041-07:0020190706 A busy morning on PatrolWith the Snappers finally putting in their appearances,David and I had a very busy morning patrolling. David had never seen a snapping turtle up close so he was enthused. With the recent activity I was hoping to show the young man a turtle or two. we were successful almost immediately.<br />
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As we looked around we spotted a few more of these wonderful sweethearts trying to pass their genes on to another generation of critters that have been on this earth for millions of years!<br />
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The third beauty we spotted was in the act of laying. It is always wonderful when we get to witness this act. I refer to this girl as one of our north side Sally's as they lay their eggs on the north side of the rails not the south side as most of the other ladies do.<br />
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Down the trail a bit we found these two troublesome girls.<br />
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I say troublesome as if they lay between the rails, and their eggs hatch out the hatchlings are doomed to die as they will not be able to get themselves out from between the rails.<br />
These were not the only pair out for a stroll together, here are two more wonderful girls.<br />
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Here is a close up of the third snapping turtle female that is investigating laying her eggs in exactly the same 2 foot square plot of land that two other female snapping turtles have already laid their eggs.<br />
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Of course the world isn't just about turtles, while we are out there strolling around we also find other beautiful things like this black admiral butterfly.<br />
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Take some time today and put some wild in your life!<br />
Turbo<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-23825213226360149372019-05-03T17:47:00.003-07:002019-05-03T18:11:31.590-07:002019 activities are kicking off in fine style!May 3, today and I thought it might be time for an update of what has been going on. If this is any indication this season is going to exhausting. earlier this week Clarence and some unnamed assistant did some site enhancement at a key location. Yesterday was a busy but great day for raising awareness regarding the plight of the Snapping Turtle. I attended a Sackville Business Association gathering (Thanks to Walter Reagan) for the invite. It was a productive hour as i met several people and distributed a couple of our great knitted turtles. In the evening Clarence carried our flag at a monthly Sackville River Association monthly meeting by putting on a 40 minute presentation. He signed up some memberships for our society, and distributed a couple of our knitted turtles so we had a Super day on the second of May.<br />
Today, I was out to see Joe as we cut up some 4x8 sheets of plywood into "blanks" for our Watch 4 Turtles signs.<br />
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We have been provided with permission to use these signs from Kelly Wallace from the Think Turtle Initiative in Ontario. You may have seen her post items in our FaceBook group Turtle Patrol Nova Scotia. She sent along a finished sign and all the specifications of how to make these beauties.<br />
Here is a shot of Joe nipping up the sheets of plywood into the blanks.<br />
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We are having a work party to turn the blanks into the turtle shape and have them primed and ready for painting next weekend Saturday May 11th @ 10:00 a.m. at 103 Dow Street in New Minas. Don't hesitate to contact me (902) 240-8332 if you are able to be there and give us a hand.<br />
This will be the second year in a row that AA Munro Greenwich are offering a day of volunteer assistance. They will be providing our lunch during the day!<br />
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More good news came today in the form of our first local report of a reappearing Snapping Turtle.<br />
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So they seem to be out and about.<br />
Another SUPER thing that happened today is when I picked up the mail I was greeted with this piece of fabulous news.<br />
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So we will now be able to start getting our office set up, our field equipment, and project identification/education items. Here is a BIG shout out to the wonderful Councillors at the Halifax Regional Municipality for committing to our cause!!!!!<br />
Let's hope we don't get too busy to keep everyone up to date on our advancements and results.<br />
Yours in Turtling,<br />
TurboUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-29768465122091712812019-04-27T08:13:00.000-07:002019-04-27T08:13:13.762-07:00A little time in CaliforniaAt the end of February and into March I had the good fortune to spend a little time in California. While birds and mammals are usually my targets, on this trip I was able to spot a few Reptiles to so here you go.<br />
At the Irvine Regional Park I was pleased to find a "hurtle of turtles". Now I know as I am certain that you are aware that a group of turtles is called a "bale". I just thought that with the concentration of these Red-eared Sliders, to get from one side of the group to the other, they would have to hurtle several others.<br />
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On the other side of the pond I was able to get much closer to a pair of these sweethearts.<br />
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At the small zoo that is located at the park I was also able to capture this close up of what I believe is a Gopher Tortoise.<br />
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On the 9th of March we went into the desert and at one of the parks near Palm Springs I took this image of another Gopher Tortoise. This is a younger Tortoise as you can almost "count" his growth rings on his back scutes.<br />
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A couple days later, Lam-Son and I were out and he told me about a spot in Los Angeles where were likely to find some Green Sea Turtles, did I want to go take a look? Absolutely was my immediate reply and we were not disappointed as there seemed to be a few of these lovely creatures around. They seemed to "Bob" up and look to see what was on the shore.<br />
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What a great surprise! Another terrific encounter with yet another species of turtle.<br />
Spring is here in Nova Scotia so please keep an eye out for out turtle friends, and report those sightings to the Turtle Patrol @ (902) 240-8332<br />
<br />
yours in Turtling,<br />
<br />
Paul TUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-68515140561044586382018-07-18T11:29:00.002-07:002018-07-18T12:10:25.609-07:00Not all our volunteers are in the field (20180718) Turtles in the making!Well we here at the Turtle Patrol appreciate all the help we get from our volunteers. Many of them spend hours in the field watching for turtles, monitoring females while they lay, and walk with us in the fall to find hatchlings to get to appropriate water bodies. We also have had volunteers from Gracenote come out and do some site remediation. The ladies from AA Munro Insurance built nest protectors for us. So not all of our volunteers are "in the field".<br />
Here is a bit of a story of one of my favourite volunteers: Ellen Turbitt she helps out by knitting.<br />
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She spends at least some of her time in her busy schedule knitting little turtles for us here at the Turtle Patrol so that we make provide them to folks who provide us with donations. She has been doing a pretty good job so far. I think she has knit 16 or 17 of these wonderful little "Thank Yous".<br />
She is very happy that she has received a $25 donation for this beauty.<br />
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This is a "custom" ordered unit that has been requested from an individual at AA Munro insurance. Andrew wanted something "different" and this is what he is receiving.<br />
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We hope we can keep her active knitting and providing our Thank You gifts because that means we have lots of folks to thank for their help--so we can help the turtles. Of course every now and then the turtles want to thank Ellen for their existence and they provide her with little turtle hugs.<br />
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Just like other turtles, when the time is right, there is little they like better than a little basking in the sunlight.<br />
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I should let you know that Ellen is my mom, and that is why she is my favourite volunteer!<br />
Should anyone out there like a little Thank You memento from the Turtle Patrol all it takes is a little donation :)<br />
Yours in Turtling<br />
Paul T<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-86096822010445779602018-06-29T09:23:00.002-07:002018-06-29T09:23:55.764-07:00A Super Volunteer day. (20180621) A Special thank you to Gracenote a division of Neilsen Earlier this year the Turtle Patrol was contacted by Gracenote to see if we would like some volunteer effort. We were happy to have some strong backs and willing hands. So we made arrangements for them to come out on Neilsen's Global Impact day on June 21st. Clarence handled the arrangements and we ended up receiving 10 volunteers. We decided that we would put them to work doing habitat enhancement at our educational site. Clarence headed down early and to see if we were going to have any live turtles to show our guests and was ready to go at 9:30 when everyone arrived. Upon arrival at our primary educational site we were greeted by Grace. She was sniffing around looking for the "right" place to lay her eggs.<br />
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Clarence and I split our crew into two groups, and I took my crew to the second pond and we got to work removing destructive vegetation from the nesting area.<br />
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There are specific areas where vegetation is of particular concern as the roots will grow right into the eggs laid by the Snappers and make the eggs unviable. Here is a look at how much the guys in the crew were able to clear up.<br />
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I was doing trial trimming to ensure the walk into this site was clear and trimmed so patroller's opportunity to encounter ticks were minimized.<br />
Clarence's crew did a similar stellar job at first pond and the place looks great!<br />
Next it was back to my place for lunch and nice cold water that was supplied by AA Munro Insurance. During lunch Clarence and I answered many questions regarding Snapping turtles andwe hope the Gracenote folks got something out of the session.<br />
We then headed out to our second large patrolling area that contains our greatest population of known nesting females. Here is a quick shot of most of the Gracenote crew, some with their AA Munro water bottles ready for their next stroll and education opportunity.<br />
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While we spotted no Snappers we were treated to a viewing of a Painted Turtle basking in the sun- what little was available,<br />
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So, once again a special thanks to Gracenote volunteers: Craig Sampson, Aaron Landry, Charles Zwicker, Ian Sutherland, Cliff Wheadon, Tom Bilodeau, Scott Rose, Greg Taves, and Ye Liang. We hope you had a great day and learned a little about our Nova Scotia Snappers. I would also be remiss if I didn't thank Alison Conrad from Deloitte, and Jenn Stotland from Halifax Earth, who also came out on the 21st and provided assistance.<br />
As a followup, here is a shot of Grace just before she laid her eggs the very next day.<br />
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She is a beauty!<br />
Take some time and put a little wild in your life today!<br />
Turbo<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-15521564256848101142018-06-19T03:03:00.001-07:002018-06-19T03:11:57.642-07:00Nest Protector construction (20180616) Thanks to AA Munro and Hefler Forest Products.Well with the nesting season already upon us we finally managed to scrape together enough donations to begin building some "nest protectors" for this and future years Snapping turtles. With lumber trim ends provided by Hefler Forest products, screws and staples provided by my sister, and top-side screening provided by AA Munro we set to work.<br />
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I would also like to thank the ladies of AA Munro and friends who provided the labour. Here are just two of the three helpers that the Turtle Patrol had on this beautiful day.<br />
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In all we managed to bang together 20 of these boxes for use by the Turtle Patrol. Having a air-assisted stapler helped fabulously.<br />
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So now all that is left is to find some nests to protect.<br />
Thanks again to the folks from AA Munro for their generous donation of time and energy, not to mention the most expensive component of a protector, the top-side screen.<br />
A "shout out" also goes again to the folks at Hefler Forest Products for the generous donation of trim ends. Last and definitely not least a huge Thank You to my sister and fellow contructor, Angie!<br />
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This effort represents 18 hours of volunteer effort and about the equivalent of $300 in materials.<br />
Thanks for taking the time to read and view!<br />
<br />
TurboUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-38318710529728708072018-06-08T17:04:00.001-07:002018-06-08T17:04:55.657-07:00Our biggest rehabilitation effort to date (20180606) A HUGE thank you to Hefler Forest Products!Well folks sometimes you just get blown away, that was the case this week as we worked on our largest effort of the year so far. We had popped in and mentioned to the folks at Hefler that we would like to come in and do some rehabilitation for some nesting Snappers. Dana greeted us warmly and told us we had the go ahead, and mentioned that she would let us know when they had some gravel for us. On June 4th, Dana let us know that there was gravel available for us to use. What a speedy response. We Headed over on the 5th and started work. The following shots are kind of what we started with. This first shot provides a peek at the gravel pile we had to work with and some of the area we would be working on.<br />
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We had material in front of these barriers which we wanted to move behind, in order to encourage our Snapper ladies to lay in a safer environment. </div>
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This far end view shows us our target for a nesting pad. It also illustrates the area by the recently replaced telephone pole that had stirred things up and brought a lot of large aggregate to the surface of area. In the background you can see the pile of gravel. </div>
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Some of the barriers had quite a bit of material that we wanted to move behind. </div>
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So we got started raking and shoveling, shoveling and raking. When it came time to build the pad front end Loader man Terry moved some of our topping to be reused after we installed our gravel bed. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MzfaPUuAbqw/WxsV94KGgpI/AAAAAAAAASo/meFUAbtJo7cFeVu3ruj0RNC2U2uFXEAcQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0402%2BHefler%2Bin%2Bprogress.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MzfaPUuAbqw/WxsV94KGgpI/AAAAAAAAASo/meFUAbtJo7cFeVu3ruj0RNC2U2uFXEAcQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0402%2BHefler%2Bin%2Bprogress.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Talk about efficiency over having to shovel! We were ecstatic that we didn't have to Pick and Shovel all that material. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J0KFG_IFXlY/WxsWd-kCvqI/AAAAAAAAASw/7E15hSGNYhcXPNrBG0cq2q9dPC5Qx5wiQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0406%2BHefler%2Bin%2Bprogress.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J0KFG_IFXlY/WxsWd-kCvqI/AAAAAAAAASw/7E15hSGNYhcXPNrBG0cq2q9dPC5Qx5wiQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0406%2BHefler%2Bin%2Bprogress.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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After several hours we are happy to report we got the job done! While we didn't use all of the gravel the pile was considerably smaller when we were done. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--u4_JYzgvIg/WxsWxiILvPI/AAAAAAAAAS4/70MWToRxcsAsuJqNr0thYHTkYfNlCgNewCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0407%2B%25281%2529%2BHefler%2Bend.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--u4_JYzgvIg/WxsWxiILvPI/AAAAAAAAAS4/70MWToRxcsAsuJqNr0thYHTkYfNlCgNewCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0407%2B%25281%2529%2BHefler%2Bend.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The area behind the barriers were all raked up and we ended up with about 4 inches of fresh material added to what was already there.</div>
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The fronts of the barriers have all been cleaned up nicely. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8F8DO8J82wU/WxsXprMhsBI/AAAAAAAAATE/Z6bw0i9Zl28Y_gpcla4IJ6be_zzCRfwYgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0409%2BHefler%2Bend.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8F8DO8J82wU/WxsXprMhsBI/AAAAAAAAATE/Z6bw0i9Zl28Y_gpcla4IJ6be_zzCRfwYgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0409%2BHefler%2Bend.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This final shot tells the story of not only the new pad, but also the work that was done by the telephone pole. We were able to create a second pad about 8 feet in diameter in that area that should provide a nesting sight for two or more females. The pad in the fore ground was elevated by about 4-6 inches which should be a wonderful spot for the ladies to get their business done. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OjnAUzNL3ac/WxsYSRIrQrI/AAAAAAAAATQ/Cpu5GcsWx5wwqwp04hYDUhlD8vP5b9kswCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0414%2BHefler%2Bend.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OjnAUzNL3ac/WxsYSRIrQrI/AAAAAAAAATQ/Cpu5GcsWx5wwqwp04hYDUhlD8vP5b9kswCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0414%2BHefler%2Bend.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So a BIG shout out to the kind and caring folks at Hefler Forest Products for providing such a wonderful nesting area for the Snappers in the area. What a classy organization. </div>
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Yours in turtling</div>
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Turbo</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-47192559708947217742018-06-08T16:05:00.001-07:002018-06-08T16:05:33.068-07:00<div class="_5pbx userContent _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_fw9" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 6px;">
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The Snapping Turtle Breeding Season has Commenced!</div>
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The Turtle Patrol has been busy busy busy this spring getting ready for the breeding season. In addition to getting lots of organizational stuff done, meeting with people and passing out business cards like crazy, we have been doing a ton of field work. Already this spring the Turtle Patrol has visited 64 turtle locations. Our main field focus has been preparing these sites for laying females which involved evaluations,<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"> cleanups and habitat enhancement.</span></div>
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We have another 10 sites slotted for enhancement this week in the Halifax metro area and we plan to work fast as to the south and west of HRM the Snapping Turtles are already laying.</div>
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Our first report came yesterday of a laying female in Kentville at Miners Marsh and this beautiful photo was taken there by Sally Rose. Today a video of a second laying female was captured by Joelle Bezanson at Kejimkujik National Park.</div>
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We are now entering our next phase where our main focus will be on patrolling for laying females. <span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="smile emoticon"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/fa5/1.5/16/1f642.png?_nc_eui2=AeHjpSfiVQCZahLhOsdWvKnZjEY1zq6zBfljUEgLgkAfruvgl9zSN7VLoTqeSM6zNE6dWG5PM0-hLmy7ZhWjjp2Lpt9IZbPlg7Qhhecj2oegNg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span aria-hidden="true" class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;">:)</span></span> There are a ton of sites that need to be covered so please send me a message and let me know any days any of you are available to do a patrol and we can easily find sites for you to do. <span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="smile emoticon"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/fa5/1.5/16/1f642.png?_nc_eui2=AeHjpSfiVQCZahLhOsdWvKnZjEY1zq6zBfljUEgLgkAfruvgl9zSN7VLoTqeSM6zNE6dWG5PM0-hLmy7ZhWjjp2Lpt9IZbPlg7Qhhecj2oegNg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UNGGp5MdHuQ/WxsLGWiaDhI/AAAAAAAAASA/po9gC3jEXbM6X3h7HxS6JY2bSeZghF6JgCEwYBhgL/s1600/34266503_10216326056368861_7778683336427307008_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UNGGp5MdHuQ/WxsLGWiaDhI/AAAAAAAAASA/po9gC3jEXbM6X3h7HxS6JY2bSeZghF6JgCEwYBhgL/s320/34266503_10216326056368861_7778683336427307008_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="smile emoticon">Yours in turtling,</span></div>
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<br />Clarence</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-78832641407507573032018-05-28T05:07:00.002-07:002018-05-28T05:07:44.681-07:00Some rehabilitation and a new "spot" 20180527 Clarence and Paul do some site work and visit a new siteSunday morning and Clarence and I are in the truck to so some site inspections and explore an area we wanted to checkout last fall. Our First spot was in one of our Windsor locations where the snappers had terrific success last fall. We had our rakes and a shovel with us and needed them both. This first "rehab" just needed some raking and smoothing before the nesting season.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k0KtNyDkmRQ/Wwvrud6kLKI/AAAAAAAAAP8/j72_UsbQmCI67gLA-NPhSqImcXrH3lKdQCLcBGAs/s1600/20180527%2Bfirst%2Bsite%2BIMG_0324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k0KtNyDkmRQ/Wwvrud6kLKI/AAAAAAAAAP8/j72_UsbQmCI67gLA-NPhSqImcXrH3lKdQCLcBGAs/s320/20180527%2Bfirst%2Bsite%2BIMG_0324.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
The next spot started s quite a indentation in the hillside that these snappers use. Here is a shot after we loaded the first several shovels full of material.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DVyUYNOo6h4/WwvsXvmBaZI/AAAAAAAAAQE/ya4Tt85-zn0DJ_2TdkUNJhLFu2xvh0jGgCLcBGAs/s1600/20180527%2Bmid%2Bway%2BIMG_0344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DVyUYNOo6h4/WwvsXvmBaZI/AAAAAAAAAQE/ya4Tt85-zn0DJ_2TdkUNJhLFu2xvh0jGgCLcBGAs/s320/20180527%2Bmid%2Bway%2BIMG_0344.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
It is tough to get the proper perspective on some of these images. The "hole" was about 10 inches (25cms) deep. We raked to recover some of the local gravel that had washed into the pond.<br />
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As there was not a lot of sand mixed in with this "washed" material, we had to find a little local mud to add to the the layers of gravel we tossed in. <br />
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Once we finished, with a little sunshine to dry out the damp material, you wouldn't even know we were there.<br />
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Even where we recovered the gravel, you would scarcely see any impact of what we did.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7TiK6ix5fgA/Wwvt3ZES-zI/AAAAAAAAAQs/wNpryoIfyL8zjDKICLmXCfeQZUoHIR3UACLcBGAs/s1600/20180527%2Btidied%2Bup%2BIMG_0352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7TiK6ix5fgA/Wwvt3ZES-zI/AAAAAAAAAQs/wNpryoIfyL8zjDKICLmXCfeQZUoHIR3UACLcBGAs/s320/20180527%2Btidied%2Bup%2BIMG_0352.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
We then headed into our targeted investigation area, and we were very pleasantly surprised by what we found! We met some of the local cottage owners and they were very aware and knowledgeable about the local snappers. The were quite gracious and encouraging in letting us walk our area of interest. Now for the "good news/bad news": we found a high concentration of activity with 27 predated nests from last year. There may have been even more, those were just the nests we could count due to the presence of egg shells. We were also told of a nest that was located in the yard of one of the Cottager's.<br />
We would like to thank Myrtle, Donna, Carl, and Steve for their time and willingness to work with us on the Turtle Patrol!<br />
On the way home we stopped in at two areas where we had single nest success stories last fall and did some raking and shoveling to encourage snappers to lay there again this year.<br />
So three sites visited and rehabbed, and new hot spot to keep an eye on this fall, a really successful day.<br />
We are always looking for volunteers to help with work of this nature, so drop us a line and see if you can help out!<br />
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Yours in turtling,<br />
TurboUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-87050605052059198592018-05-26T18:51:00.000-07:002018-05-26T18:59:14.738-07:00A little late with this post, but thought I better get it up as soon as I could. Happy Turtle day!<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Welcome to World Turtle Day! To celebrate the Turtle Patrol has created a new Facebook page called Turtle Patrol Nova Scotia. The Turtle Patrol's goal is to help our native turtles survive in the wild, to share turtle news and to talk turtles with like minded individuals. If interested you can join us by clicking on the following link: </span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1467598523346553/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">https://www.facebook.com/</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit;"></span>groups/1467598523346553/</a><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k9SuO0beVGM/WwoPBO5jxAI/AAAAAAAAAPk/4p3jemCK0C83kMzeLK7n4l61uM3D5C1DgCLcBGAs/s1600/33243552_2122307507987775_6421487191448354816_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="567" height="270" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k9SuO0beVGM/WwoPBO5jxAI/AAAAAAAAAPk/4p3jemCK0C83kMzeLK7n4l61uM3D5C1DgCLcBGAs/s320/33243552_2122307507987775_6421487191448354816_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We look forward to conversing with you!<br />
Yours in turtling,<br />
TurboUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-38468061430649394752018-05-12T12:23:00.001-07:002018-05-12T12:23:13.441-07:00First big Turtle release (20180511) Working with Hope For WildlifeWell the big day has finally arrived May 11, 2018 our first turtle release in conjunction Hope For Wildlife. We had a total off 11 turtles to return to nature after some rehabilitation. Ever seen a truck full of Snappers?<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YCY62aeXtRo/Wvc6MbbNfUI/AAAAAAAAAOE/60yFmur6sWcivyWHSr9ktUOI-KB2O2qzACLcBGAs/s1600/20180511%2Btruck%2Bfull%2Bof%2Bturtles%2B28C_9047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YCY62aeXtRo/Wvc6MbbNfUI/AAAAAAAAAOE/60yFmur6sWcivyWHSr9ktUOI-KB2O2qzACLcBGAs/s320/20180511%2Btruck%2Bfull%2Bof%2Bturtles%2B28C_9047.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We owe a big Thank You to Hope for Wildlife, they arranged not only for public media to be present but also their own film crew that does the Hope for Wildlife Television show. I am told it might be up to 2 years before the show actually airs as they have a lot of great material already filmed!<br />
Clarence and I have some theories that we are trying to confirm so we are starting to shoot images of the underbelly of any turtles that we can. Just look at the expression this little guys face! This is one of 7 that we released outside of Windsor, Nova Scotia.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zGaO8PeZ8A/Wvc8XWJ5KnI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/PAQp6mVkNoYHMyp30eIPBZhDKA1rAoB8gCLcBGAs/s1600/20180511%2BUnder%2Bbelly%2Bof%2Ba%2BSnapper%2B28C_9061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1578" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zGaO8PeZ8A/Wvc8XWJ5KnI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/PAQp6mVkNoYHMyp30eIPBZhDKA1rAoB8gCLcBGAs/s320/20180511%2BUnder%2Bbelly%2Bof%2Ba%2BSnapper%2B28C_9061.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
H7- Hope for Wildlife release #7 turtle was a real rebel he didn't want to head to the water initially.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fgvuMzh1714/Wvc8zk0nH_I/AAAAAAAAAOY/ArQlLYJtf2wTNh5ATtIxv6s_VE71LlXNgCLcBGAs/s1600/20180511%2BH7%2Bthe%2Btrouble%2Bmaker%2B28C_9093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1600" height="184" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fgvuMzh1714/Wvc8zk0nH_I/AAAAAAAAAOY/ArQlLYJtf2wTNh5ATtIxv6s_VE71LlXNgCLcBGAs/s320/20180511%2BH7%2Bthe%2Btrouble%2Bmaker%2B28C_9093.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
With a second attempt H7 headed in the right direction and we just had to keep an eye on him for a bit to ensure he made it into the water.<br />
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It was amazing to watch these little bulldozers get through the heavy grasses at waters edge. They just stick their nose in a little hole, drop their front feet and push/drive forward with the hind legs!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LWHfpp6tBXE/Wvc9dioRVMI/AAAAAAAAAOo/pZYQ9PKEsJoVn5GBgabuA2EALTh2tVpvgCLcBGAs/s1600/20180511%2Bheading%2Binto%2Bmy%2Bnew%2Bhome%2B28C_9106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1600" height="199" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LWHfpp6tBXE/Wvc9dioRVMI/AAAAAAAAAOo/pZYQ9PKEsJoVn5GBgabuA2EALTh2tVpvgCLcBGAs/s320/20180511%2Bheading%2Binto%2Bmy%2Bnew%2Bhome%2B28C_9106.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
After about 20 minutes of H7 getting in the water we spotted him making his way to the large pond that Clarence had selected for these seven snappers to call home.<br />
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It was nice that we had so many turtles to release at this one site. It provided us with time to observe early released turtles to occasionally check in and see if we were gone yet.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SFgP0nO21ZI/Wvc-DTdauxI/AAAAAAAAAO4/S9AWcufS-wseqjBEEa2-Jd0V-yoZBMnfwCLcBGAs/s1600/20180511%2BAnother%2Byoungster%2Bsettling%2Bin%2B28C_9115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1049" data-original-width="1600" height="209" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SFgP0nO21ZI/Wvc-DTdauxI/AAAAAAAAAO4/S9AWcufS-wseqjBEEa2-Jd0V-yoZBMnfwCLcBGAs/s320/20180511%2BAnother%2Byoungster%2Bsettling%2Bin%2B28C_9115.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It is so rewarding to see them feeling at home in their new environment. I am not certain that this little fella didn't want to audition to be a permanent member of the cast.<br />
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We finished up our day with Al, he found a beautiful spot to release this last snapper in the Gays Lake watershed. A special thanks to Dan the landowner for allowing us to put this young lady into a piece of snapper heaven.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ECqB9GJZ44/Wvc-vkJNLeI/AAAAAAAAAPM/NFvd2nbg-t4lpFnwUg6t52XYhm0O4LtkgCLcBGAs/s1600/20180511%2BH1%2Bin%2Bher%2Bnew%2Bhome%2B28C_9165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1600" height="203" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ECqB9GJZ44/Wvc-vkJNLeI/AAAAAAAAAPM/NFvd2nbg-t4lpFnwUg6t52XYhm0O4LtkgCLcBGAs/s320/20180511%2BH1%2Bin%2Bher%2Bnew%2Bhome%2B28C_9165.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It is hard to express at just how happy we are with all the results of the day and the feelings of jubilation experienced by the members of Turtle Patrol.<br />
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Yours in turtling<br />
TurboUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-82091008088110907032018-05-06T16:44:00.000-07:002018-05-06T16:44:22.889-07:00Thanks to Nova Scotia Power (20180501) Our first site enhancement project.We were notified that Nova Scotia Power had dropped off two yards of gravel at one of our nesting sites that happen to be on their property. So Bernie, Clarence, myself, and Bizzy went in and did some shoveling and raking to enhance two areas for turtles to nest.<br />
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It was a nice cool morning, and getting it done at this time of year we avoid the bugs.<br />
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It only took us about an hour of effort to finish up. Clarence heard a couple of drumming grouse as he walked in.<br />
I want to once again thank Stephanie and Jeremy from Nova Scotia Power for the generous support for our Nova Scotia "grizzlies"!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nf-4CvMuV-w/Wu-Sxqv-hXI/AAAAAAAAANs/70DkXvSB4TcFjBDF6kvN_8xFEvuHx_qDgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0245%2BNSPower3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="1500" height="233" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nf-4CvMuV-w/Wu-Sxqv-hXI/AAAAAAAAANs/70DkXvSB4TcFjBDF6kvN_8xFEvuHx_qDgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0245%2BNSPower3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yours in Turtling!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-15816766466133377582018-04-23T16:06:00.002-07:002018-04-23T16:20:09.914-07:00Hope for Wildlife (20180419) The Turtle Patrol's first visitThanks to Clarence's many years of contact with Hope, he was able to get us a visit and personal tour of their turtle facilities. I wish to note here that we were treated very well and even took part in their daily scrum, that deals with issues and emergencies.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3z6lZM0JNWo/Wt5Z5tpNklI/AAAAAAAAALo/xOjf-b9ZGY85y_n6xPhalnpuRT4l4O0YACLcBGAs/s1600/20180423%2BHope%2Bfor%2BWildlife%2B28C_8449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="993" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3z6lZM0JNWo/Wt5Z5tpNklI/AAAAAAAAALo/xOjf-b9ZGY85y_n6xPhalnpuRT4l4O0YACLcBGAs/s320/20180423%2BHope%2Bfor%2BWildlife%2B28C_8449.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
Here is a look at a couple of the wonderful tubs that they have for the larger turtles.<br />
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They have wonderful care and attention daily, with lots to eat. Can you find Waldo in here?<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ANWKq_0Fyio/Wt5cPn9oALI/AAAAAAAAAL8/TOzFK0StknAfpfZay3mzOeQ2JDXVTxdewCLcBGAs/s1600/20180423%2BHope%2BTurtle%2Bhome%2B2%2B28C_8445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ANWKq_0Fyio/Wt5cPn9oALI/AAAAAAAAAL8/TOzFK0StknAfpfZay3mzOeQ2JDXVTxdewCLcBGAs/s320/20180423%2BHope%2BTurtle%2Bhome%2B2%2B28C_8445.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
These shots are actually were actually taken on the 23rd as I had returned to get some swabs of the turtles, reasons for that will be explained in a future post.<br />
So now I have to introduce you all the volunteers that contributed to the cause. We (Jenna, Nicole and I) started with the smallest of Snappers that was readily available.<br />
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What a ferocious sweetie. This little guy is only about 8 months old and growing like a bad weed. This is all due to a "head start" program. That is where they keep them awake and fed through the winter so they have a great start to the spring. Here is turtle number two.<br />
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Next up were a couple of young snappers that had been turned in to Hope as they were being kept by a private individual as pets. This one had a stubby little tail as a result of being kept with other larger snappers.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-erqRRJPNdT0/Wt5jX5y87_I/AAAAAAAAAMc/kHEYaEL_qxwCz3pebkKUyrBT5uXRsiy5ACLcBGAs/s1600/20180423%2BHope%2BTurtle%2B3%2B28C_8435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-erqRRJPNdT0/Wt5jX5y87_I/AAAAAAAAAMc/kHEYaEL_qxwCz3pebkKUyrBT5uXRsiy5ACLcBGAs/s320/20180423%2BHope%2BTurtle%2B3%2B28C_8435.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Aren't these little "grizzlies" neat? Let me tell you that they are lightening fast even at this age and Jenna had to be careful when holding them.<br />
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Here is the largest of the turtles that we swabbed on this day. Another wonderful speedy striking killer, that is just trying to earn a living. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1KK9_6tgHBE/Wt5lJCA9RNI/AAAAAAAAAMw/La7UCyvYTh8jdJH_F8GNT5cn6nYaE6qLwCLcBGAs/s1600/20180423%2BHope%2BTurtle%2B5%2B28C_8446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1600" height="201" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1KK9_6tgHBE/Wt5lJCA9RNI/AAAAAAAAAMw/La7UCyvYTh8jdJH_F8GNT5cn6nYaE6qLwCLcBGAs/s320/20180423%2BHope%2BTurtle%2B5%2B28C_8446.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This won't be the last time you get to see these beauties. The Turtle Patrol will be there with Hope and the crew when these guys are released into the wild, and I am expecting to be taking photos.<br />
I want to thank Michelle and Susan as well as Jenna and Nicole for all their help today!<br />
Yours in Turtling,<br />
Turbo<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-77310276209029028842018-04-16T10:50:00.001-07:002018-04-16T15:08:24.165-07:002017 Summary of activity for The Turtle Patrol <div class="_5x46 _1yz1 clearfix" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: -1px; zoom: 1;">
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<span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Clarence has been hard at work summarizing our 2017 efforts. One Stat we haven't captured yet is total hours of effort, we will need to do a better job of recording that for 2018</b></span></div>
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Hello fellow Turtle Patrollers, our combined efforts thus far have produced the following results: <span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="smile emoticon"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/fa5/1.5/16/1f642.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span aria-hidden="true" class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;">:)</span></span></div>
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We have gathered data on 274 locations.<br />
We have discovered 42 breeding areas.<br />
We have documented 113 nests. <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"><br />We have recorded the predation of 70 nests.<br />We have located 40 successful nests.<br />We have noted 1 failed nest not associated with predation.<br />We have assigned unknown status to 2 nests.<br />And most importantly we have saved almost 200 turtles! (191 to be exact).</span></div>
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Thank You all for a job well done and I look forward to getting out looking for turtles with each of you in 2018. We have a lot of exciting things planned for this year. The map below represents the counties where we have carried out surveys thus far. More news and plans for Spring Surveys to pop up soon. <span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="smile emoticon"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/fa5/1.5/16/1f642.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /></span></div>
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As you can see, we also did patrols in 10 of the counties here. We covered a lot of ground, and I am certain will cover even more in the upcoming year. </div>
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I have dubbed 2018-- The year of growth!</div>
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Happy turtling!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-7926708156152799422018-02-19T17:07:00.004-08:002018-02-19T17:07:46.554-08:00A surprising loss of a mature Leatherback.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H-cb1VfhWVU/Wot0Y2ge8LI/AAAAAAAAALE/q00IAmLuDWU8Dep8sv-nxE4QhLgfEh6SQCLcBGAs/s1600/Leatherback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="620" height="238" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H-cb1VfhWVU/Wot0Y2ge8LI/AAAAAAAAALE/q00IAmLuDWU8Dep8sv-nxE4QhLgfEh6SQCLcBGAs/s320/Leatherback.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Please have a read of this rare situation here:<br />
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<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/leatherback-turtle-bras-d-or-maclean-dfo-1.4534762">CBC Story</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-21494528445878644032018-02-18T14:22:00.001-08:002018-02-18T14:34:19.689-08:00A Note from Clarence about some good news out at Springfield Lake (20180218)<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_5a89fbc5130a75d67822235" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">
Springfield Lake Update -- Potentially Good News for Snappers.<br />
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This lake is almost completely surrounded by homes and shorelines urbanized and altered in ways that are not very suitable for nesting Snapping Turtles.<br />
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In the fall Paul and I checked out all public access areas including a small public beach but found no turtle signs. <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"><br /><br />Early this year after talking to local residents I was told that for years many locals have seen a slow moving big Snapping Turtle that enters Springfield Lake in the spring and leaves again in the fall. It's entrance and exit point is the small beach we had checked out.<br /><br />A few weeks later I learned that no baby snappers have been reported in the lake for a number of years, but recently what was estimated to be a 5 year old Snapper was observed.<br /><br />Today I talked to a home owner who's property boarders the lake and they have agree to put in some turtle nesting habitat along their shoreline. <span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="smile emoticon"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/fa5/1.5/16/1f642.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span aria-hidden="true" class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;">:)</span></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-57197494354759579722017-11-22T08:35:00.001-08:002017-11-22T15:47:58.072-08:00A trip to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (20171116) What a great place.On our recent trip to Toronto the bride allowed to make a short side-trip to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre. What a terrific spot to visit and get to see some turtles. I was able to meet Donnell, one of the many folks that work there. They were getting ready for an afternoon event so I didn't want to stay very long. I did get to meet several of their more permanent guests like this little Painted turtle. It has quite a bit of damage on its shell.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nTfla5BbC2Y/WhWiiZK7zKI/AAAAAAAAAJs/GSm2nLWJ51Qi7gcus9__AT2FEMmQf2p2wCLcBGAs/s1600/20171116%2B801_7574%2BOTCC%2BPainted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nTfla5BbC2Y/WhWiiZK7zKI/AAAAAAAAAJs/GSm2nLWJ51Qi7gcus9__AT2FEMmQf2p2wCLcBGAs/s320/20171116%2B801_7574%2BOTCC%2BPainted.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The Painted shared a large tank with this beautiful Blanding Turtle that only has one eye. This is my first ever sighting of a Blanding Turtle!<br />
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In a separate tank right next door is a turtle we don't get to see in Nova Scotia, is a Map turtle. Named as the stripes on their legs, shell, head, and neck look like contour lines on a map. This was another first for me to see.<br />
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They also have a 35 year old male Snapping turtle. It was kept as a pet for almost 30 years, and has been at the centre for 5 more. While it is healthy and robust, all those years in captivity have taken the "turtle" out of this Snapper. He doesn't know how to hunt or defend himself so he cannot be released to the wild. He is a beautiful large specimen.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-og8lVjJ-Dxo/WhWkxOgsaYI/AAAAAAAAAKI/BETnCImH9tc3Gc4stO7OQD1cOBkPrBHzQCLcBGAs/s1600/20171116%2B801_7583%2Botcc%2BSnapper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="1600" height="218" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-og8lVjJ-Dxo/WhWkxOgsaYI/AAAAAAAAAKI/BETnCImH9tc3Gc4stO7OQD1cOBkPrBHzQCLcBGAs/s320/20171116%2B801_7583%2Botcc%2BSnapper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Next up is yet a third new turtle to me, and another we don't get here in Nova Scotia.<br />
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These little guys are only about 10 centimeters long, so even fully grown they are quite small.<br />
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So take few minutes and visit their web site: <a href="https://ontarioturtle.ca/">OTCC</a><br />
They are doing a great job and have helped almost 900 turtles in 2017. They do damage repair, incubation of eggs, and a lot of education! What a terrific crew.<br />
I also got to see my first Wood turtle, but it was in pretty rough shape.<br />
Take some time today, and put a little wild in your life!<br />
TurboUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-9353507344973806172017-11-13T10:06:00.001-08:002018-04-09T12:22:32.969-07:00What did we learn in 2016? A brief summary of our Turtle Patrol season.We thought it would be appropriate to record what we found from a statistical aspect from this year's patrols. Clarence as the scientist has all of the details of what happened on most of our days. So here is the summary.<br />
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Snapping turtles<br />
4 nests, 7 dead babies, 8 baby Snappers saved!<br />
We also found many predated nests. We had 9 in my area and in the third major spot that we attended on November 9, had 35. We need to do something to minimize the destruction of nests next year.<br />
<br />
We are definitely looking forward to 2017 and hoping to find more baby snappers and more nests. We are planning to construct some nest "protectors" but our issue is that our areas are very public with a lot of both foot and ATV traffic. We are hoping next year perhaps we can connect with some private land owners and get the protector to them to aid in the successful hatching of our Snapping Turtles.<br />
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Take some time and put a little wild in your life, it will do you good!<br />
<br />
Until next year,<br />
<br />
Clarence and TurboUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-61065442915686946852017-11-13T09:57:00.001-08:002017-11-13T09:57:23.620-08:00Well yet another stroll in a new Area (20161109) Can we have even more success?With yesterday's wonderful encounter Clarence and I headed to the area with the most numerous nests that we have found this summer. Hopes were high that we would find a number of nests and perhaps even more youngsters to save. It was another beautiful fall day with temperature in the 12C area, and the sun shining brightly.<br />
We found two successful nests, but all we found were empty shells. The first we believe was a painted turtle nest as it only had 2 or 3 empty shells. The second nest was definitely a Snapper nest with a lot of empty shells.<br />
We also had the pleasure of encountering this beautiful Red-bellied snake-- which was a first ever for me.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xmZBIiHbcnU/WgncQ9yI5zI/AAAAAAAAAJY/tUWWWRKK56IM9xOkyMm5g9k4EKsPkJxrACLcBGAs/s1600/20161109%2B%2BRBS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="1600" height="186" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xmZBIiHbcnU/WgncQ9yI5zI/AAAAAAAAAJY/tUWWWRKK56IM9xOkyMm5g9k4EKsPkJxrACLcBGAs/s320/20161109%2B%2BRBS1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Here is a second image of this wonderful little beauty.<br />
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We had a wonderful couple of hours. All told we found 35 predated nests on this walk so this is an area where there could be some great work that could be done to improve Snapper nesting success.<br />
Put a little wild in your life today!<br />
Turbo<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-64887388452021739642017-11-13T09:17:00.000-08:002017-11-13T09:17:06.032-08:00Save 7 (20161007) We would have definitely lost this guy.The seventh of October brought what I though would be my last patrol of the year (2016). We had a great day and a big storm was scheduled for tomorrow, so Bizzy and I headed out hoping for one or two more turtle sightings for the season. On our way "out" we spotted this beautiful young White-throated Sparrow.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hfmab8KC6AE/WgnPrmASMjI/AAAAAAAAAIA/b-sBT183cHwBumA9eoMJbHfY2KDLrie3gCLcBGAs/s1600/20161011%2Bwts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1600" height="197" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hfmab8KC6AE/WgnPrmASMjI/AAAAAAAAAIA/b-sBT183cHwBumA9eoMJbHfY2KDLrie3gCLcBGAs/s320/20161011%2Bwts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
On our return, as it seems is when we spot these little guys, this guy looked like he was done.<br />
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If you notice his yolk sack is totally absorbed, so he has been out of the nest for a bit.<br />
I picked him up and started warming him up, then got him a little water. After about 40 minutes he was moving like a champion. So I released him at one of our spots, and he was off to the races. <br />
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What I did note about this unit in particular was his curly tail. Every other baby I have seen had a very straight tail. Here is another shot of him heading to the pond.<br />
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Just before ending the patrol We grabbed a few images of this good looking Maritime Garter.<br />
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That makes 7 for the year and I was feeling really good about deciding to head out for a patrol.<br />
Take an hour out of your time today, and put a little wild in your life!<br />
TurboUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-71546179300424862772017-11-11T06:48:00.000-08:002017-11-11T06:48:26.964-08:00Baby number 6 (20160929) a few other critters from the environment.With a couple of days in between, it was time for another patrol along the rails. While the turtles were tough to find, Clarence and I did spot this beautiful Maritime Garter snake.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2mdTTUzIIIM/WgcK3RzaNvI/AAAAAAAAAHE/pndxjSyU_w8YK0my9K7HOSjZ32EgIJ69QCLcBGAs/s1600/20160929%2BMari-Garter1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="1600" height="183" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2mdTTUzIIIM/WgcK3RzaNvI/AAAAAAAAAHE/pndxjSyU_w8YK0my9K7HOSjZ32EgIJ69QCLcBGAs/s320/20160929%2BMari-Garter1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Another nice find this afternoon was this Pickerel frog.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nlCq_EdxPhs/WgcLht6iPWI/AAAAAAAAAHM/waCTo9gLOeUhDc0vCfJlnaab5cEsLtpjwCLcBGAs/s1600/20160929%2BPickerel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="1600" height="189" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nlCq_EdxPhs/WgcLht6iPWI/AAAAAAAAAHM/waCTo9gLOeUhDc0vCfJlnaab5cEsLtpjwCLcBGAs/s320/20160929%2BPickerel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our next discovery was at the second hot-spot area and it was this rather large nest opening that we assumed was a predated (opened by predators) nest. We only assumed this because of the size of the opening. </div>
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Once again on our return trip we spotted a baby turtle, right in Clarence's path. I have been told that there are two colour phases in Snappers; dark and cinnamon, This looks like a cinnamon unit.</div>
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Here is the little guy on his release log, all ready to start his new life in the safety of a pond. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f160d; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 17.6px;">We finished out walk in this area with this very beautiful Maritime Garter. Our third snake of the day and a very light colouration specimen. I also found the patterning on this snake to be very unique!</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0fc_KaKUqmM/WgcNfprXPyI/AAAAAAAAAHw/qeVIgGZdV0oh1MaR6Fg7EI3BdWuupRT7wCLcBGAs/s1600/20160929%2BMari-garter3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0fc_KaKUqmM/WgcNfprXPyI/AAAAAAAAAHw/qeVIgGZdV0oh1MaR6Fg7EI3BdWuupRT7wCLcBGAs/s320/20160929%2BMari-garter3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f160d; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Another very successful patrol and our saves now add up to 6 so far for the year!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f160d; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Take some time today and put a little wild in your life!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f160d; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Turbo</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751796608957496571.post-58193122026552131162017-11-11T06:30:00.000-08:002017-11-11T06:30:22.015-08:00Clarence's first baby Snapper of the year (20160924) a Katydid included. Well Clarence was finally able to make it out for a patrol along the rails. We had yet another beautiful day and it was a successful stroll. Although we didn't see anything on the walk out the end of the trail, we did capture an image of this Katydid.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-see1SPm7K2I/WgcHaLk8a4I/AAAAAAAAAGk/fQ6tjk_7CDgWL874b0ge-LLV6XLsYkTtQCLcBGAs/s1600/20160924%2Bkatydid1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-see1SPm7K2I/WgcHaLk8a4I/AAAAAAAAAGk/fQ6tjk_7CDgWL874b0ge-LLV6XLsYkTtQCLcBGAs/s320/20160924%2Bkatydid1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
On our return Clarence spotted this little fella working his way along between the rails.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIwRiruA7t8/WgcHxjs73cI/AAAAAAAAAGo/0LbLta9QNsYVcs7cHgh0ObV9xb0OuwhrgCLcBGAs/s1600/20160924%2BSnappy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIwRiruA7t8/WgcHxjs73cI/AAAAAAAAAGo/0LbLta9QNsYVcs7cHgh0ObV9xb0OuwhrgCLcBGAs/s320/20160924%2BSnappy1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This is a male, as you can see from the length of the tail. The females tail is quite a bit shorter, but all the babies we have found to date have been males. The sex of the turtle is determined by the temperature in the nest. If it is cool or hot in the nest then females will be born, if the nest temperature (at the critical time) is just warm then males will be the result.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x3d2WBniyKc/WgcIY-u96lI/AAAAAAAAAGw/tKCMoKHHSnUE3hmIe189exZGzXQeYCZKQCLcBGAs/s1600/20160924%2BSnappy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1019" data-original-width="1600" height="203" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x3d2WBniyKc/WgcIY-u96lI/AAAAAAAAAGw/tKCMoKHHSnUE3hmIe189exZGzXQeYCZKQCLcBGAs/s320/20160924%2BSnappy2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This image shows no yoke sac on the belly of this specimen indicating he has been out of the nest for a bit, trying to find a water hole. Here he is on a "release log", a spot very close to the water so with minimal effort he can gain the safety and security of his home for the next couple of years.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Txl3WWK2vac/WgcIxfLsbGI/AAAAAAAAAG4/hI6Xd1RluCMZpyIWdAf8m_9BclI-NsHfQCLcBGAs/s1600/20160924%2BSnappy3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Txl3WWK2vac/WgcIxfLsbGI/AAAAAAAAAG4/hI6Xd1RluCMZpyIWdAf8m_9BclI-NsHfQCLcBGAs/s320/20160924%2BSnappy3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Baby number 5 has been saved. This is really feeling good.<br />
Take some time and put some wild in your life!<br />
TurboUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0