Looking out for the turtles
Looking out for the turtles
Construction is underway to provide a partial new path connecting the Russel Lake trails in Dartmouth. However, a recent clearing stirred up some problems for some local residents: mama Eastern painted turtles.
These turtles will nest in the same environment every season and are a species of concern in Nova Scotia. According to the Museum of Natural History,
“Status
COSEWIC: Special Concern
Threats
Turtles face a variety of threats, including the loss of wetland habitats, road mortality, climate change, fishing by-catch, and pollution in aquatic habitats. Nests and hatchlings are predated by raccoons and skunks
The introduction of exotic and invasive animals into aquatic environments, along with the collection of turtles and hatchlings for the illegal pet trade also contribute to the decline of many turtle species.”
Local resident Bernie, who has documented years of turtle nesting in the area, rang the warning bells when pre construction began, putting the protected turtle nest right in the line of the machines. Bringing this to the NS Turtle Patrol’s attention, the rush was on to save the nesting site as machines began the clearing which had a direct hit on the nesting area.
The new path extension would see a paved area running from Norman Newman and parallel gravel path and parking lot.
Earlier today, the NS Turtle Patrol met with a DNR member along with HRM Project Construction Inspectors along with Bernie to assess the situation and to check the debris for the possibility of finding signs of a destroyed nest (none found, hopefully already cleared).
The inspection resulted in a plan to protect the nest and refill the area and to move the new path entrance towards the parking lot, joining the remaining work without disturbing the nest in the hopes to continue the breeding nest of the little dinosaurs who join painted turtles in and around Russell Lake and wetland nearby.
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