Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the members of the Fondation Massawippi Foundation will be held on Saturday, May 6th, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

The meeting will be held in person at the St. Elizabeth Church, Community Hall, 3115 Capelton Road, North Hatley, Quebec.

  1. To receive the Corporation’s financial statements and the report of the President for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022;
  2. To elect directors for 2023.
  3. To transact such other business of the Corporation as may properly come before the meeting.

Dated at North Hatley this 17th day of April, 2023

Jane Meagher
Secretary
Fondation Massawippi Foundation

 

AGENDA

Annual General Meeting of Members

10:00 am – Saturday, May 6, 2023

St. Elizabeth Community Hall, North Hatley

  1. Opening of meeting by Chair – Jane Meagher
  2. Constitution of Meeting – Quorum
  3. Approval of Previous Minutes – June 18, 2022
  4. Report of the President – Margot Heyerhoff
  5. Presentation & Acceptance of 2022 Financial Statements – Claude Séguin
  6. Election of Directors for 2023
  7. Adjournment

 

Wood Frog

Written by Jessica Adams (Nature Nerding)
Reading time: 5-6 minutes

Every seasonal transition has its own flavour, but perhaps the most highly anticipated transition is the one from winter to spring. After months of cold, snow and fleeting sunlight, there is nothing quite like the elation one feels at the first taste of spring.

We start noticing subtle hints mid-winter… but what are the cues indicating change is truly coming? The days get longer, the temperatures warm… and the natural world responds in kind with its own array of displays and transformations reassuring us that spring is indeed in full swing.

This month we are inviting you to slow down so as to notice and perhaps even acquaint yourselves with a few spring classics:

 

VERNAL POOLS – MORE THAN SPRINGTIME FOREST PUDDLES

 

Photo de https://appalachiantrail.org/official-blog/vernal-pools-temporary-habitats-for-a-t-wildlife/As a child, I remember a certain time of year when the forest would suddenly be full of “ponds”. This was an exciting time as the possibilities for play and exploration were multiplied tenfold! What I did not realize, however, was how important these ephemeral habitats are to the ecosystem.

Vernal pools are small bodies of freshwater that naturally form in low-lying areas in the forest thanks to rain and snow melt. Though temporary by nature, these seasonal wetland habitats are critical for a variety of species. One reason for this is that they have the unique feature of not containing certain predators, such as fish, due to the fact they are isolated from other bodies of water. As such, frogs, salamanders and fairy shrimp rely on these havens to complete their life cycles with a significantly lower threat of having their eggs or other life stages eaten.

According to Nature Conservancy of Canada, vernal pools are under threat. While their seasonal nature has always implied a certain level of unpredictability, factors such as climate change and habitat loss and degradation are taking their toll on the viability of these habitats. Pools do not last as long, do not swell to as big a size, or – in some cases – do not form at all due to changes in rainfall or landscape. This can mean pool-dependent species suffer from higher resource competition or lack of space (in the case of smaller pools) or simply do not have enough time to complete their lifecycle (in the case of shorter pool lifespan).

Invitation – One of the most beautiful things about nature is the inherent purpose of every element in a system, no matter how trivial it might seem to the untrained eye. Vernal pools are no exception. This spring, as the snow gives way to damp leaf litter and mud, see if you can notice the forming of vernal pools in the forests you frequent. Stop and take the time to see if you can spot any of the critters that typically occupy them. Consider the temporary world you are witnessing and how, within a few weeks, it will disappear, not without first fulfilling a vital role in the surrounding ecosystem.

 

SKUNK CABBAGE – A REAL BOTANICAL TRAILBLAZER

 

Most flowering plants wait to bloom once the threat of snow has more or less passed, but one of our local flowering plants has other plans. Keen to claim its place in the moister sections of the forest floor, this plant slowly begins to emerge from the still-frozen ground…

One of few plants capable of thermogenesis, the Skunk Cabbage is able to grow and thrive in snowier conditions. The flower absorbs oxygen and transforms it into heat, which melts the snow surrounding the plant, protects the plant’s cells from freezing and provides a favourable microenvironment for its flowers to develop.

 

Very cool. But why? What is the advantage of showing up so early to the party – especially when there is still snow to contend with? Simply put, the Skunk Cabbage fills a niche that is otherwise unoccupied. It may not look like your conventional flowering plant, but its blooms are one of the first available food sources to pollinators. Named for the pungent odour it emits, meant to resemble that of decomposing flesh, Skunk Cabbage appeals to flies and gnats primarily. However, other insects such as beetles and bees may find themselves visiting the plant either because it is a rare food source for the time of year or, it is speculated, because of its warmth.

Invitation – At a time when many other species are laying low, waiting for more favourable conditions, the Skunk Cabbage challenges what we think we know about the growing season in our climate. I encourage you to set yourself the goal of finding Skunk Cabbage in a humid wooded area near you. Beyond its ability to act as a botanical space heater, it is a flower of stunning character. Bring a magnifying glass with you – what can you learn simply by observing closely with the help of all your senses?

 

THE SOUNDS OF SPRING – A MULTI-SPECIES SYMPHONY

 

What does spring sound like? For me it sounds like…

  • a cacophony of “chicks” and trills rising up from the reeds in the morning sun
  • a whistle and whisper on the wind high above your head as the sky slowly darkens
  • a lone, almost hesitant “cluck” in the mild night air, eventually followed by a resounding chorus of croaks

 

Of course, the sounds we associate with spring depend on the habitats that surround us, who occupy them and at what precise moment of spring we choose to tune in. Even then, the exact composition can differ according to the day, hour, weather and so much more.

Spring is a time of awakening, homecoming and preparation which has the natural world abuzz with activity. Territories being claimed, food being foraged, mates being wooed – everything has a sound that goes along with it. So what is the soundtrack to spring in your neighborhood?

Invitation – Two taxa that take centre stage in the background soundtrack to spring are birds and amphibians. Who do you notice in your surroundings? Below is a list of species you may just be able to hear this spring. Click the link associated with each one, listen carefully and see if you can detect their sounds amidst the ever-evolving chorus throughout April and May.

1. Red-winged blackbird
2. American robin
3. Ruffed grouse
4. American woodcock
5. Wilson’s snipe (winnow)
6. Wood frog
7. Spring peeper
8. American toad

 

At first, it can be challenging to learn how to recognize a species by its sound which is why I recommend learning one at a time. It helps to keep a journal where you not only describe the sound but take note of when you hear it (date and time of day) and where you hear it. This helps you contextualize the sound and also observe any changes from one point in the season to another. Bonus: if you keep a journal this year, you can look back on it next year and compare!

Sometimes we are so focused on the destination of ‘summertime’ that we forget to enjoy the journey that is the spring. Consider this an invitation to slow down more than usual this spring and soak in all of the signs of the natural world re-awakening.

 


Build Your Nature Vocabulary

Use the text and search the web to build your nature vocabulary and try using it the next time you’re out and about in nature, either making observations by yourself or with friends!

  • Vernal
  • Fairy shrimp
  • Thermogenesis
  • Niche
  • Taxa (singular, taxon)

References

– Naturally Curious: A Photographic Field Guide and Month-by-Month Journey through the Fields, Woods, and Marshes of New England par Mary Holland
– Maine Department of Environmental Protection – Fact Sheet Vernal Pools: A Significant Wildlife Habitat
– Nature Conservancy of Canada – Vernal pools (Part One)
– National Wildlife Federation – Skunk Cabbage
– University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin Horticulture – Skunk cabbage, Symplocarpus foetidus

Photo d'oiseaux
Reading time : 3-4 minutes
© CERFO
As our thoughts turn to Spring, we start to think more about birds. A renewed membership with SLOE (La Société de loisir ornithologique de l’Estrie), exchanges between members and a link towards an article published by the scientists at CERFO, led this author to reprint the CERFO article here.
Many of our readers are landowners who might be interested in learning more about field birds.

The worldwide goal of 30% of the world’s water and land to be conserved and protected by 2030 is a huge goal. Let’s break it down to see what we can do, right here at home, in our own backyards. Everyone can make a difference and play a role in conservation and protection. Let us focus on the here and now in order not to be overwhelmed.

Please click here to read the article (available in French), published by CERFO.
“Comment favoriser les oiseaux champêtres en milieu agricole”
(How to encourage field birds in agricultural areas.)


The authors:

Bérubé-Girouard, V. and E. Boulfroy. 2023. Comment favoriser les oiseaux champêtres en milieu agricole. Fiche d’accompagnement pour l’implantation d’aménagements favorisant la biodiversité en milieu agricole no 4. Centre d’enseignement et de recherche en foresterie de Sainte-Foy (CERFO). 6 p.

“This project is an initiative of the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ), funded through the Advisory Services Program, implemented under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.”

We are also sharing with you a video that was produced on this same theme. It presents the testimonies of two agricultural producers who have implemented this type of development and praise its merits! Available in French.
Photo de groupe

 

The kids are having fun and learning…the two go hand in hand. Jessica, our Nature Nerd educator, is inspiring wonder and curiosity. This winter we received 290 students, spread over 10 days from 6 local schools in cycle 2 (grades 3-4).
The Theme
– Survival
  • Changes in the environment in winter
  • Animal Adaptations to these changes
  • Noticing signs of life in winter

 

As an example of the activities 

– Black-Capped Chickadee

The point: Some animals carry on with their daily activities and have certain adaptations to manage their energy (find food, stay warm, etc.)

Activity: Do you have a chickadee memory?
– Divide the students into 4-5 groups
– Each group gets a specific set of 5 symbols
-They have to remember the symbols and the sequence at the end of the hike

 

 

 

 

A parent said : 

“In summary, Ugo is curious like many children his age and he really enjoys this kind of activity. He is looking forward to going back in the spring.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


You can help us push this program forward
Click below to make a donation:


Open Garden Days at Glen Villa Gardens

We are pleased to announce that Patterson (Pat) Webster will be opening the Glen Villa Art Garden, her private gardens on the shores of Lake Massawippi, for tours on three Saturdays this summer. Pat will donate the proceeds from ticket sales to the Massawippi Foundation. Last year she raised over $50,000. Thank you so much, Pat, for your generosity and time.

This year’s dates are Saturday, June 17, July 15, and August 12. 
Ticket sales will begin next month, and we will announce the date in our April newsletter. Sales will also be announced on Pat’s website, Glen Villa Art Garden.

The cost is still $25 per person. All proceeds benefit the Massawippi Foundation, which works to conserve land, build public trails, and fund projects that benefit communities around Lake Massawippi.

NEW this year! Pat is planning special events, available by reservation for a limited group of visitors: bird walks, garden planning, and design workshops, native plant identification, and more.

Stay tuned!

Migrations in Motion
© Nature Conservancy

 Reproduced from an article from the Nature Conservancy. Justine E. Hausheer
Justine E. Hausheer is an award-winning science writer for The Nature Conservancy.

Reading Time : 3-4 minutes

Justine writes :

New research from Conservancy and university scientists revealed that only 41 percent of the natural land area in the United States retains enough connectivity to facilitate species tracking their preferred climate conditions as the global climate changes. As part of that study, scientists modeled the distribution and habitat needs of 2,903 vertebrate species in the Western hemisphere against land use and projected climate patterns.

Conservancy cartographer and analyst Dan Majka brought this data to life in a series of maps that show what corridors mammals, amphibians, and other animals will use as they move to new habitats under projected climate change. Inspired by wind maps of the United States, and using code from Earth global wind map, adapted by Chris Helm, Majka’s dynamic map allows scientists and the public to see the continent-wide impact of climate change on animals and visualize corridors they will need to move.

The question is, as the animals move to find new habitat because their old habitats are changing due to climate change, where will they go and how will humans interact with them? Looking at the map for the southern part of Quebec, the most heavily populated part of the province, you see the density of the animal migration in this sector.

How can we help?

COP15, the United Nations Biodiversity conference which took place in Montreal in December, concluded with a landmark agreement to protect 30% of the world’s inland waters, land and coastal areas by 2030.
This is a BIG ambitious goal which can cause people to have environmental anxiety.
What if we break it down and see what each community can do in their own backyard?

The Massawippi Conservation Trust (MCT) has been working on land conservation projects since 2011. Together with Appalachian Corridor (est. 2002) and 16 other conservation groups, we are raising awareness, hosting research projects, protecting land through donations, purchases and servitudes. We are building education programs to teach and grow a community of future conservationists.

The majority of the land that we have protected to date is connected, creating a `corridor` for flora and fauna. As we continue to grow, we are looking for more connectivity. We started in an area identified by Appalachian Corridor as being the most vulnerable to human development. These lands, with a very high ecological value, needed urgent attention before they would be lost.

Who protected them? A group of concerned individuals, not scientists, not environmentalists, but people who knew in their hearts that the Massawippi Valley was a special place that needed to be protected for the benefit of all – environmentally, aesthetically and historically.

Although the MCT trustees and Fondation Massawippi Foundation (FMF) board members have changed over time, the current members of the board are still passionate volunteers who bring to the table various skills. We have learned to identify and recognize problematic areas. We are working with our various partners, municipal governments, and other NGOs to see how we can protect more land or change the way we care for the land.

The benefits of ensuring private land conservation in conjunction with local and national conservation projects help mitigate the effects of climate change. Individuals have so much to contribute in terms of helping to regulate water quality and protect irreplaceable natural zones and ecosystems. Achieving objectives in the southern portion of Quebec depends on the contribution of private individuals and local land trusts. After all, most of the land is privately owned.

Some statistics on the land usage of the Massawippi Watershed

512 kms2 in Canada (another 90 kms2 in Vermont)
8.17 kms2 Lake Massawippi
239.6 kms2 of forested land
187.8 kms2 of agricultural land
4,86 kms2 protected by the Massawippi Conservation Trust

We have a long way to go; however, we are making progress. Some conserved lands are providing access to forests and lands for recreational activities and education, contributing to human health and well-being, as well as protecting environmentally sensitive lands, home for insects, birds, and other flora and fauna.  Others are being left untouched for the exclusive use of wildlife.
Climate change is global, meaningful action is local.

COP15 global 30/30, MCT and FMF in the Massawippi Valley 30/30

Metamorphosis
Written by Jessica Adams (Nature Nerding)
Reading time : 5-6 minutes

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
(Quote from Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax)

We often think of conservation as taking place on a large scale, fuelled mainly by grand sweeping gestures like protests and game-changing legislation. But what if I told you that something as simple as caring “a whole awful lot” could be just as important, especially when it comes to finding and claiming our piece in the conservation puzzle?

Caring can take on many forms and in the case of the following story, caring took on the form of a mesh laundry basket…

Back in late August 2018, a retired Townships-dwelling couple stumbled upon an incredible discovery. A pale emerald gem, dotted with gold, hanging from their basement window. What a sight! It was so perfect and beautiful that it hardly looked real. Being of the Nature Nerd persuasion, they suspected it was the chrysalis of the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus), though it was somewhat uncommon for them to spot one in those days. Intrigued, they began to look around the surrounding plants and much to their surprise and delight came across multiple black, white and yellow-striped caterpillars! More Monarchs! This moment of wonder spurred so much interest they began to do some research.

Even at that time, a few internet searches painted a fairly dismal picture with the words ‘threatened’ and ‘endangered’ making several appearances as they tried to learn more about the Monarch Butterfly. Equipped with some background information, the next step seemed not only obvious but completely feasible: they would care for the Monarchs in their own backyard in whatever way they could. This started as simply “keeping an eye on things”. When they noticed the caterpillars being predated by other insects at an alarming rate, they made the decision to intervene. Enter the mesh laundry basket.

With a handful of caterpillars to house, a mesh laundry basket became the perfect nursery. Placed under the gazebo on their front balcony, furnished with a few sprigs of milkweed and a water source, the caterpillars were able to feed to their hearts’ content and begin the process of transforming, undisturbed. That year the couple released a total of seven adult monarchs and documented three individuals in their backyard who survived natural circumstances.

Fast forward to the present day and every year since they have found themselves eagerly anticipating the waning of summer so they can relive the magic all over again. Their operation has evolved according to all they have learned along the way and they take detailed notes on every cohort. In addition to the nursery (now larger and more sophisticated), they have started to place orange flags along the roadside every August. These flags indicate the location of precious milkweed plants and serve as a means of communicating with town workers who are charged with mowing the tall grass- “Let this grow, please!” It has become a tradition, an annual summer ritual and with each adult Monarch Butterfly that floats by, they relish a feeling of wonder, gratitude and connection for their piece of the conservation puzzle.

This story serves as a heartwarming example of the difference individuals can make when they care about something enough to take notice, learn more and then take action. It is also part of the inspiration for an upcoming project the Foundation has brewing…

Milkweed & The Massawippi Foundation Monarch Project

 

As a migratory species that travels thousands of miles every year to overwinter in Mexico, a multitude of factors have caused a significant decline in the Monarch population. When you zoom out and focus on the scale and complexity of the Monarch’s plight, it is discouraging, to say the least. Deforestation of their winter habitat and extreme weather caused by climate change have taken their toll. Where to begin? When you zoom in and consider the factors that are important in our region specifically, however, the situation seems far less daunting maybe even simple.

While Monarch butterfly adults will feed on the nectar of various indigenous plant species, Milkweed alone is the food source for hungry Monarch caterpillars who will eventually undergo metamorphosis. Unfortunately, this native plant has suffered a significant decline due to the use of herbicides throughout the Monarch’s range. What’s more, studies conducted within the last decade suggested the decline in Milkweed was the most important factor influencing the more recent Monarch population struggles.

Not unlike other plant species, the fact it was once “everywhere” and the fact its name contains the word “weed” likely contributed to it being disregarded by many as a plant of little consequence. But this article is not about lamenting the past, it is about looking to the future.
Once you know what it looks like, it is impossible to ignore the abundance of Milkweed flanking the first section of the trail at Scowen Park in North Hatley. In summer it grows tall and blooms with gorgeous, ample umbels of pinkish purple with a surprisingly pleasant fragrance. In the fall, the plant slowly desiccates and the seed pods mature and eventually crack open displaying a fish-scale arrangement of seeds. Even now, in winter, the dried-up stalks and split pods protrude from the snow. For the Massawippi Foundation, this habitat represents a world of possibilities.

Starting this spring, the Foundation is excited to launch its very own Monarch Butterfly Project. Inspired by stories such as the one above and by various initiatives of organizations across the country (see list below), the Milkweed-filled meadow at Scowen Park will become a hub for learning about and protecting the Monarch Butterfly population that breeds in our area.

The plan is to adopt and build on elements of programs started by other organizations so as to create a project that contributes to existing conservation efforts and is also unique to Scowen Park. Central components of the project include:

  • Learning about and preserving the Milkweed and meadow habitat at Scowen Park
  • Raising community awareness about Monarch conservation
  • Leading educational activities and citizen science data collection days
  • Building a nursery where the public can witness the magic of Monarch metamorphosis

Consider this article as Part I of several outlining this exciting project as well as the fascinating natural history of the Monarch, pollinators in general, and the habitats on which they depend. We could not be more thrilled to be moving forward with this and we invite you to get in touch if you have resources to share or have an interest in getting involved.
Build Your Nature Vocabulary

Use the text and search the web to build your nature vocabulary and try using it the next time you’re out and about in nature, either making observations by yourself or with friends!

  • Chrysalis
  • Endangered (vs. Threatened)
  • Deforestation
  • Indigenous plants
  • Metamorphosis
  • Umbel
  • Citizen science

References

About the author of this article :
Mark Gloutney is Ducks Unlimited Canada’s national Director of Science, Education and Business Planning.

 

Originally published in The Globe and Mail on September 9, 2022
Thank you for granting us permission to share this article.

Reading Time: 4-6 minutes

Chances are high that you saw it over the summer at your favourite lake: thick scum on the water’s surface, often resembling pea soup. Blue-green algae (also called cyanobacteria) can render water unsafe for swimming and often makes people, pets, livestock, and wildlife sick.

In July, Nova Scotia listed 26 waterways suspected to have blue-green algae blooms. Officials with Alberta Health Services identified blue-green algae in areas of Camp Lake, east of Edmonton, and Haunted Lake (an ironic name for a place fouled by the sinister sludge), east of Red Deer. The Saskatchewan Health Authority issued a blue-green algae warning for Little Manitou Lake, southeast of Saskatoon. British Columbia’s Capital Regional District saw toxic algae blooms in three different lakes across two regional parks in August.

In other areas, the issue has been a recurring problem. For the past two decades, federal authorities have been closely monitoring algae conditions in three lakes with chronic blooms – Lake Winnipeg, Lake of the Woods and Lake Erie. The recently released State of the Great Lakes 2022 Report, published jointly by Canada and the United States, suggests there’s still a long road ahead for some of these iconic waterbodies, citing “significant threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem, including the impacts of nutrients.”

While algae occur naturally in water, excess nutrients feed overgrowth. The problem often begins far away. Runoff water from the watershed flows downstream, carrying nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen. This could be a result of agricultural runoff, sources such as improperly managed septic fields, or wastewater treatment overflows.

Climate change is only making matters worse. Hot weather creates favourable conditions for blue-green algae blooms. August saw heat warnings issued in five provinces, spanning Eastern Canada from Ontario to the Maritimes. British Columbia also saw days of record-breaking temperatures this summer. As heat waves drive more people to seek respite in the water, the sickness plaguing Canada’s lakes may turn them away. People and animals exposed to toxic algae blooms can experience sudden flu-like symptoms and neurological problems.

Facing this, what can we do to keep our lakes healthy and clean? Protect and restore our natural wetlands.
Wetlands are amazing ecosystems that slow runoff flows, keeping excess phosphorus, nitrogen, and other harmful nutrients from lakes and streams. But they continue to be undervalued. Shrouded by cattails, the still and shadowy waters of marshes, ponds and bogs are often mistaken as a symptom of poor water quality rather than a solution to it. But don’t let appearances fool you. Wetlands are one of the most powerful solutions for chronic water issues.

Conservation organizations have long touted wetlands as water filters and a natural defence against the growth of blue-green algae. New research is quantifying this power.

For two years, Ducks Unlimited Canada studied eight small restored wetlands on the north side of Lake Erie to measure their ability to reduce nutrients in water before it reaches a lake. These small wetlands were low-lying, “edge-of-field” areas that had little value for crop production but enormous value in catching runoff from the surrounding agricultural lands. The wetlands retained 60 per cent of the most problematic form of soluble-reactive phosphorus from the water. They also retained 46 per cent of total phosphorus and 47 per cent of total nitrogen. Complementary research conducted in Manitoba showed that draining wetlands increases the amount of nutrients delivered to rivers and lakes downstream.

The good news is we have a strong understanding of what’s causing these outbreaks of blue-green algae and what can be done. The bad news is we’re not investing nearly enough to have a significant impact on the problem. Ducks Unlimited Canada estimates about 32 hectares of wetland are lost every day in Southern Canada.

Until we do more to conserve and restore wetlands, we can expect more beach closings and health advisories. Beyond the obvious drain on summertime fun, the economic, social and ecological repercussions will be significant. Depletion of fishery stocks, losses to tourism, as well as additional expenses related to water monitoring and treatment are all costly realities.

Wetlands are life preservers amid our water crisis. But these ecosystems are stressed. Will we move to protect them before it’s too late – for them, for our freshwater and for all of us?

Click on the link for more information and articles on wetlands written by our friends at Ducks Unlimited: https://www.ducks.ca/stories/

Written by Jessica Adams (Nature Nerding)

Reading Time : 5-7 minutes

Two of my most memorable Nature Nerding experiences happened in the Massawippi Foundation’s trails last winter and both came about because I followed my nose…

While hiking back up from the lake at the Massawippi Trail in Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley last February, I paused abruptly because I caught a hint of something pungent in the fresh winter air. Being quite certain what it was made me keen to have a poke around the trail. My friend watched as I let my nose be my guide, finally stumbling upon the source of the odour.

“Fox pee!” I exclaimed. My unbridled enthusiasm piqued hers and so I went on. “See? If you crouch down just here and sniff, you’ll smell a ‘skunky’ smell.”

Because she knows me and loves me just as I am, she obliged and a bemused, yet intrigued look came across her face. The investigation ensued. We followed the tracks leading to and from the urine and came across yet another goldmine of discovery: a mini kill site. Some small mammal had met its maker at the hand (paw) of a hungry Red Fox. And we got to see the disturbed snow and a few tufts of fur. Not so cool for the little critter, but a very neat find for a keener like me.

Fast forward to March 2022 and we are leading one of our first school activities at Scowen Park when that familiar smell wafts my way. With approximately 20 elementary school students in tow this time, the process of stopping is somewhat trickier. The look of excitement on my face manages to get everyone’s attention, however, and so I proceed to share my observation. And while talking about what my nose is picking up, I scan the surrounding area for tracks and traces. There it was, as though I had planned it. Right next to the trail is a spot of fox urine on a snow-covered log.

The kiddos who were curious enough, got up close to smell. Some were, understandably, content to “take my word for it”. Regardless, the conversation that followed around Red Foxes in winter and animal signs, in general, was quite possibly, one of the richest I’ve had. It was one of the rare occasions where we could actually talk about something and observe at the same time, feeling like we got a special glimpse into the world of this elusive canid.

Winter is actually one of the best times to learn about wildlife. This is because not all activity ceases in winter, and for some mammals like the Red Fox, it can actually be a critical moment in their lifecycle. Furthermore, snow provides a beautiful substrate on which we can observe some of the most fascinating goings-on of the forest. These two factors coupled together have helped me learn more about the Red Fox over the years, a species whose presence can be much harder to detect in other seasons.

So how can you expand your forest walk horizons and become more acquainted with wildlife like the Red Fox, for example?

Pick up interesting nature tidbits: I was first introduced to the concept of skunky fox pee by a fellow Nature Nerd (and animal tracker extraordinaire). Without this, I may not have ever noticed the smell while walking in the woods or I may very well have made the obvious assumption – must be a skunk who woke up? Consider this article as your tidbit – now roll with it!

When in the forest, slow down and let your Nerdy senses tingle: I noticed the skunky smell by myself for the first time while on a solo wander in the woods. The odour triggered a memory and so I took the time to see where the observation would lead. Next time you are in the forest, whether you slow down your pace or decide to stop for a few minutes, consider this an opportunity to truly engage your senses. If you focus on your sense of smell, for instance, does anything stand out?

Follow the clues, ask questions and make more detailed observations: Imagine you’ve smelled the smell. Now follow your nose! Maybe it’s the spot of urine you notice or maybe you see a trail of pawprints – or both. Ask questions like: Where is the urine located? What are the characteristics of each individual paw print? What about the pattern of the trail as a whole? Gather as much information as you can and try to even take photos or notes because this will help with follow-up investigation at home.

Do some research at home: Researching further at home can help you confirm your observations and learn more about the animal in question. In the case of the Red Fox, I had two main questions I wanted to answer: Other than the skunky urine, how can you tell the difference between a fox trail and that of a similarly-sized dog? Why the more pungent pee in winter?

As far as tracks go, foxes are members of the dog family, explaining the resemblance in pawprint, however, their trail is much more cat-like. One big difference between a fox trail and a domestic dog’s is the directness of a fox trail. A wild animal with energy to conserve has no time to dilly-dally and typically moves straight from point A to point B. A dog guaranteed two meals a day, can meander from one tree to the next, sniffing to its heart’s content. Insofar as the cat-like quality of the fox trail, this is because they direct register – which means their back paws land directly in the prints left by their front paws as they walk.

What’s the significance of strong-smelling urine? Come to find out, tods and vixens are in their mating season at this time of year and are busy trotting throughout their territories scent-marking. Urine is more potent this time of year as it is chock-full of information. Our unrefined sense of smell picks up skunk… Foxes pick up everything from the other fox’s sex and age to its breeding and dominance status.

I’ve been known to refer to my ability to detect the smell of fox pee in the air as a Nature Nerd “party trick”… but anyone can train their nose to do it, really. It’s not what you would call a subtle smell. The thing is, many of us walk the woods with an objective in mind. Whether it be to breathe in some fresh air, move our bodies or connect with a friend or family member- the agendas we bring with us into the forest can often distract from all the magical things just waiting to be noticed. It’s only normal, but it’s also worth reconsidering how we engage with nature from time to time so we may give ourselves the chance to behold this magic by simply slowing down and… taking a whiff.

Build Your Nature Vocabulary
Use the text and search the web to build your nature vocabulary and try using it the next time you’re out and about in nature, either making observations by yourself or with friends!

  • Canid
  • Direct register
  • Tod and vixen
  • Scent marking

References

  • Naturally Curious: A Photographic Field Guide and Month-by-Month Journey through the Fields, Woods, and Marshes of New England by Mary Holland
  • Tracking & the Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks and Sign by Paul Rezendes

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