What looks like a dog, moves like a cat, and smells like a skunk?

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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

COP15

Once it is gone, it is gone forever!
COP15

COP15 Montreal, Dec 15, 2022

One of the key targets of the COP15 is the 30 x 30 objective, which aims to protect 30% of the world’s natural land and sea environments by 2030.

Margot Heyerhoff, who is a Trustee of the Massawippi Conservation Trust (MCT), gave a presentation aimed to inspire participants through telling the story of the MCT, framed by the 4 tenets of conservation (conservation, research, recreation, education). Margot walked them through the humble beginnings of the Trust, the challenges, the successes, the growth in size and scope, the power of passionate volunteers and the many lessons learned along the way. It is a compelling story, told beautifully and it was enthusiastically received and most often described by participants as “inspirational”.

The energy in the room was palpable and positive.

The presentations of the day were focused on biodiversity and accelerating conservation in southern Quebec. Participants included the QC Minister of Environment and Climate Change, conservation organizations and partners, and mayors from Montreal, Monteregie and the Townships.

Key messages were:
• Strengthening, and government investment in, the conservation partnership
ecosystem in southern Quebec
• Urgency in the face of increasing economic pressure on land development,
climate change and the dramatic surge in flora and fauna migrating north into
southern Quebec from the US
• We only get one chance at conservation; once it’s gone it’s gone forever

Appalachian Corridor Association and Nature Action Quebec (NAQ) did excellent work in coordinating the event and supporting us. We learned a lot over the course of the day, met new conservation partners, made new friends and clearly elevated awareness of the Massawippi Conservation Trust.

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Birds and Québec Winters

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Written by Jessica Adams (Nature Nerding)

Winter in Québec can be a tough season for humans. Whether we have chosen to live here or found ourselves here due to circumstances beyond our control, the shorter days, the snow and the cold get to us all at some point. Thankfully, these factors rarely pose a problem when it comes to ensuring our basic needs are met. When necessary, we can seek refuge in our homes and we can replenish our food by simply popping over to the grocery store. While thriving may seem challenging at times, surviving winter is rarely a legitimate concern thanks to the luxuries many of us enjoy.

Wildlife species, of course, do not enjoy the same comforts as humans and therefore plants, animals and fungi rely on strategies (also known as adaptations) to help ensure their survival until the next reproductive season. Birds constitute one group of wildlife that employs a wide variety of fascinating strategies to withstand our harsh winters. Some migrate long distances, others go just far enough to overwinter more comfortably, a fair few stay put and endure, and some deliberately migrate to our region for the wintertime.

Surprisingly, many birds can withstand colder temperatures – even the seemingly fragile hummingbird! So why opt for one of the abovementioned strategies over another? As it happens, it is not so much a question of braving the temperatures as it is maintaining sufficient energy to keep warm despite the cold. Energy is the most important currency in the natural world. Consuming food is energy earned and going about daily activities – such as foraging and flying – is energy spent. Much like we budget money, wild animals budget their energy and staying “out of the red”, so to speak, increases the odds of survival.

In the winter, the constant need to stay warm dramatically impacts wild animals’ energy budget. As such, bird species whose food sources are not as readily available come winter, if at all, will struggle to survive unless they find ways to compensate for this lack of resources such as changing diet or migrating to more bountiful territories. This explains why the array of bird species we can observe in the forest or at the bird feeder changes from season to season.

So who goes where and why? Here are four species you might recognize that illustrate just how beautifully diverse the bird world is when it comes to adaptations to their environment:

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
(Colibri à gorge rubis)
Archilochus colubris

Despite their tiny size, Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds embark on an epic yearly voyage to overwinter in Central America making them long-distance migrants. Dependent on nectar from flowers and occasionally supplementing this diet with small insects, they find themselves with fewer and fewer options as fall creeps in. So while hummingbirds can indeed survive colder temperatures (within reason) they are limited in their ability to consume sufficient resources to compensate for the energy loss involved in keeping warm.

American Robin
(Merle d’Amérique)
Turdus migratorius

American Robins, birds we often associate with the arrival of spring, are considered residents or short-distance migrants. Some may assume that they pick up and leave for the South like many other passerines, however, their seasonal movements actually depend on food availability and any environmental conditions that may affect their ability to forage.

In the summer, Robins dine on insects and other invertebrates as well as a variety of fruits such as chokecherries, dogwood and juniper berries. Come the colder months, when invertebrates are scarce, they have been known to either migrate a short distance in search of more resources or stick around if there are enough berries available in their winter territory. Contrary to species that migrate a more considerable distance, Robins will move just far enough to seek out more ample resources and they do not necessarily follow a direct route, but instead meander from one place to another in search of fruits. Their movements can also be nudged along by weather conditions that make foraging for fruits too difficult, such as a snowstorm.

Black-Capped Chickadee
(Mésange à tête noire)
Poecile atricapillus

Black-Capped Chickadees grace us with their amiable presence year-round and are therefore considered residents. Resident bird species are generally well-equipped to get through winter and the humble chickadee has some of the most interesting adaptations to help it survive.

In terms of ensuring enough energy intake, chickadees will shift their diet and foraging style. In summer their diet consists of 80-90% insects and this drops down to about 50% come winter when things like berries and seeds are more readily available. Furthermore, by foraging with other birds, they increase their odds of finding resources because they cover more ground and each communicates with the flock when it comes across a food source. Individuals will also set themselves up with reserves they can rely on when other food sources are in short supply. In the fall, chickadees are hard at work stashing food throughout their range. They tuck hundreds of seeds in holes in trees, under flaps of bark and in all kinds of other nooks with the intention of returning to these locations as needed. They remember where they hid everything thanks to a fascinating physiological adaptation. Every fall, the part of the chickadee’s brain responsible for spatial memory grows by approximately 30% to help the bird recall where it stashed food. The miracle of nature at its finest.

In addition to securing enough food, limiting the energy spent on keeping warm is equally important to chickadees’ survival strategy. When it comes to managing the cold, chickadees regularly fluff up their feathers, increasing the layer of insulation around their bodies and helping them maintain their core temperature (while looking adorably plump). On particularly cold nights, they find somewhere sheltered to roost and will enter a state of regulated hypothermia, dropping their body temperatures drastically (by about 9°C) so the overnight rate of heat loss (and energy consumption) is reduced. Otherwise, they rely on shivering to keep them warm, but this can be so intense that they use up most of their fat reserves and need to replenish them the next day.

Common Redpoll
(Sizerin flammé)
Acanthis flammea

Depending on population growth and food ability, Common Redpolls will find themselves in our neck of the woods in winter (or further south) and for this reason, they are considered irruptive migrants. Similar to Robins, they adjust their winter movements from one year to the next according to food availability. Redpolls call the arctic tundra and boreal forest home, but if they experience a population increase one season followed by a shortage in food in the next, they will migrate further south. This seems to happen approximately every two years. While spending the winter in our region, they’ll forage birch and alder seeds and are known to visit birdfeeders where millet, thistle and nyjer seeds are available.

Hailing from a much harsher environment, Redpolls are no strangers to cold, however, they have evolved adaptations to help them cope with extremes. To reduce the amount of time spent exposed to the elements as they forage, Redpolls make use of a pouch in their throat (diverticula) to store seeds until they can move to a more sheltered area to feed. This maximizes their ability to gather seeds under strenuous (and energy-depleting) conditions. When particularly frigid nights are in the forecast, Redpolls exploit the insulating quality of snow and will – believe it or not – break through the snow using their heads and then tunnel a foot or so further and spend the night snow roosting. This is an effective strategy that is also used by the likes of the Ruffed Grouse.

Stepping into January means something different for everyone. Whether you love, despise or simply tolerate the winter, turning to the natural world can provide a welcome (and sometimes much-needed) shift in perspective. The above-mentioned species are just a handful of examples of all the magic at work and taking the time to be curious and pay attention to your surroundings will almost always inspire joy and wonder. On that note, no matter your winter disposition, I leave you with some invitations:

When you snuggle up in your warm bed at night, have a thought for the Common Redpoll who may very well be sleeping under the snow or the Black-Capped Chickadee, feathers ruffled, slowly slipping into a state of regulated hypothermia

When you can’t find what you’re looking for at the grocery store and have to try somewhere else, think of the American Robin needing to travel hundreds of miles if suddenly there aren’t enough fruits available

When it feels like winter will never end, remember the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird who, without fail, will be back next spring, right along with the flowers and warm sunshine

And just let yourself say “Wow.”

 

 

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!

  • Species
  • Adaptations
  • Long-distance migrants
  • Short-distance migrants
  • Residents
  • Passerines
  • Irruptive migrants
  • Snow roosting

References

Jonathan (Joff) Elkas

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Jonathan (Joff) Elkas

Joff currently works at BCE as senior legal counsel. He is a bilingual business lawyer with over twenty-five years experience with expertise in general commercial, IT, franchise, consumer protection, privacy and telecommunications regulatory law.
He holds degrees from Université de Sherbrooke (Baccalaureat en droit (L.L.B.)) and McGill (B.A. – History, Distinction).

Joff is married to Nancy Wells and is the father of three children. He is the son of Marlene and Sam Elkas of Sherbrooke.

He is an active community member holding positions in various boards over the past few years including the position of President at the North Hatley Club Inc.; Vice-President and chair of communication at Pillars Trust Fund Inc. 2015 – 2019; Friends of McGill Football, during his involvement over 6 years he spear-headed fundraising initiatives for the coaching staff. He was a co-winner of McGill’s E.P. Taylor Award (2015) in recognition of the founding of the Michael Soles Football Award, an endowment to support outstanding student athletes playing McGill Football.

When asked what were his reasons for his involvement in the Massawippi Foundation, Joff said:

” The opportunity to join the board of the Massawippi Foundation was too good to pass up. My father, Sam, had been a long-time board member and, for years, would tell me about the great things this little team of dedicated volunteers was accomplishing for the Massawippi Valley (and the fun it was having doing it). I had not only admired the Foundation’s achievements in just over 10 years – millions raised, over 1200 acres of forest preserved – but also the “win win” nature of the efforts themselves. It was as much the “how” of the accomplishment as much as the “what”.

For example, building ecologically sensitive hiking trails on conserved lands really struck a chord with me. By encouraging residents and visitors to explore and educate themselves about our local environment in a healthy and responsible way, we ensure it continues to be appreciated and cared for over the long term. These are the types of initiatives I aim to support and promote. My goal is to ensure the Foundation continues to thrive and perform its important work as the leading ecological steward of the Massawippi Valley. Through continued innovation and thoughtful collaboration with our community partners, I’m confident we will get there.”

Jonathan (Joff) Elkas

Good Governance

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Alan Capes

Alan is a Civil Engineer (Concordia University) with an MBA (McGill University}. For 35 years his career focused on building business cases, and implementing, multi-million dollar business transformation projects and leading technology strategy at CN Rail. Alan founded and led the world’s largest rail technology user community, across North America, Europe and Asia. Alan has also been a guest lecturer on business strategy at several Quebec universities. In retirement, Alan co-founded and serves as a Director of La Fondation Ruisseau Bouchard in Dorval and is a Director of the Ayer’s Cliff Fair.

When asked what were his reasons for his involvement in the Massawippi Foundation, Alan said:

“My parents loved the Townships and bought a small waterfront property on Lake Massawippi in 1947, it instantly became the centre of the Capes family for generations. This is where our roots are firmly planted. In retirement my wife Lynn and I moved here permanently and the house routinely flows with our two sons from Montreal and family from Ontario and British Columbia. We love this land; the lake, the mountains, the trees and rivers of the Massawippi valley and the amazing neighbors and communities that thrive here.

I can think of nothing more rewarding and important than participating in protecting and sharing this wonderful ecosystem with future generations of family, friends and strangers alike. Building on over 10 years of extraordinary successes of the Massawippi Foundation, there are many exciting opportunities ahead: critical rivers, wetlands and forests to protect, expanding and enhancing public access to trails, actively engaging young people in nature awareness and experiences, and working with agricultural communities to enhance the quality of the land. I am excited and grateful to work on these and many more opportunities, with this team and these communities, to improve the quality of all life in our little part of the planet.”

Alan Capes

Once it is gone, it is gone forever! COP15

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COP15 Montreal, Dec 15, 2022

One of the key targets of the COP15 is the 30 x 30 objective, which aims to protect 30% of the world’s natural land and sea environments by 2030.

Margot Heyerhoff, who is a Trustee of the Massawippi Conservation Trust (MCT), gave a presentation aimed to inspire participants through telling the story of the MCT, framed by the 4 tenets of conservation (conservation, research, recreation, education). Margot walked them through the humble beginnings of the Trust, the challenges, the successes, the growth in size and scope, the power of passionate volunteers and the many lessons learned along the way. It is a compelling story, told beautifully and it was enthusiastically received and most often described by participants as “inspirational”.

The energy in the room was palpable and positive.

The presentations of the day were focused on biodiversity and accelerating conservation in southern Quebec. Participants included the QC Minister of Environment and Climate Change, conservation organizations and partners, and mayors from Montreal, Monteregie and the Townships.

Key messages were:
 Strengthening, and government investment in, the conservation partnership
ecosystem in southern Quebec
 Urgency in the face of increasing economic pressure on land development,
climate change and the dramatic surge in flora and fauna migrating north into
southern Quebec from the US
 We only get one chance at conservation; once it’s gone it’s gone forever

Appalachian Corridor Association and Nature Action Quebec (NAQ) did excellent work in coordinating the event and supporting us. We learned a lot over the course of the day, met new conservation partners, made new friends and clearly elevated awareness of the Massawippi Conservation Trust.

What took place at COP 15:

  • Adoption of an equitable and comprehensive framework matched by the resources needed for implementation
  • Clear targets to address overexploitation, pollution, fragmentation and unsustainable agricultural practices
  • A plan that safeguards the rights of indigenous peoples and recognizes their contributions as stewards of nature
  • Finance for biodiversity and alignment of financial flows with nature to drive finances toward sustainable investments and away from environmentally harmful ones

In case you missed it and want to know more:

Q : What is the COP 15?
A : For those who are still confused about COP 15, we invite you to view this very enlightening section of the Nature-Québec (NAQ) website and there is also a short video summary: https://naturequebec.org/la-cop15 (available in French)

Q : How was Appalachian Corridor directly involved?
A: On December 15, co-organized with NAQ and the Coalition des Montérégiennes, they organized a day dedicated to promoting the importance of taking action for Southern Quebec with municipalities (and cities) to accelerate conservation in Southern Quebec.

Q. What was announced at COP15?
A. Biodiversity protection – Quebec announced $650 million for an ambitious Nature Plan 2030
The Quebec government announced several measures at COP15, including the implementation of the Nature Plan 2030, which provides for investments of $650 million over seven years. This plan aims to achieve the next global conservation target of 30% of the world’s land by 2030.

Ici Radio Canada Stéphane Bordeleau
Published December 15, 2022

Translated from the original French version.

Invited to speak Thursday morning at COP15 in Montreal, Quebec Premier François Legault pledged to introduce a water protection bill in the next parliamentary session that would, among other things, increase the fees on water drawn from the province.
“In the coming years, freshwater reserves will become increasingly precious. We must protect them.”
– A quote from François Legault, Premier of Quebec

Let’s protect what we value most NOW! Giving Tuesday

Let’s protect what we value most NOW!

Giving Tuesday

Looking for a unique gift to offer someone for Christmas? Why not give a donation to their favorite cause and make a positive impact on the environment.

       

By giving to the Massawippi Conservation Trust you help us to:

  • continue in our mission to steward and protect environmentally sensitive land in the Massawippi valley;

  • build trails to provide free community access to nature for health and wellness;

  • fund our education program (NEW IN 2022!) for local primary school students.

We protect what we love and we love what we know.

BAT CONSERVATION OF THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS

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Bats are one of the world’s most misunderstood species, yet they exist on every human-inhabited continent. There are so many myths tainting the image of these unique mammals. History has made them out to be scary creatures when in fact bats are important human allies, vital in the fight against pesky insects. In truth, the scariest thing about bats is this: they’re being decimated in Canada by a disease called White-nose Syndrome.

As humans, we’ve learned all too quickly how diseases can spread through closely gathered populations exposed to infection. Bats are no different. White-nose Syndrome has reduced bat populations by almost 95 per cent in eastern Canada, leading to several species being designated as Endangered. This summer, White-nose Syndrome was found on bats in Saskatchewan. Critical social distancing is impossible for bat populations headed back to their winter hibernation sites. As colonies instinctively gather together, there is a greater risk of contracting White-nose Syndrome. Clearly, it’s a frightening time to be a Canadian bat!
Reproduced from the Canadian Wildlife Federation website.

THE MISSION OF BAT CONSERVATION OF THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS IS TO TAKE CONCRETE ACTIONS TO PROTECT BATS IN THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. THIS PROGRAM BENEFITS FROM THE EXPERTISE OF BIOLOGISTS WITHIN THE APPALACHIAN CORRIDOR TEAM AS WELL AS RESSOURCES AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS THAT SUPPORTS ITS ACTIVITIES.
To find out more please click on the Appalachian Corridor website 

Salamander Sequence

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Email from Félix Plante, University of Sherbrooke

“The inventory of creek salamanders was successfully completed last Thursday by the members of COGESAF and myself.
We were able to find and count all three species of creek salamanders, the purple salamander, the two-lined salamander and the northern dusky salamander.
As mentioned previously, since this is a long-term study, the complete and popularized results will be transmitted only after the 10 years of inventory planned for the project.
The inventories will therefore continue each year, and will be carried out by the COGESAF team.
I thank you again for your precious collaboration, it is much appreciated.”