Author Archives: admin

A species to watch: freshwater mussel

Posted on January 2, 2020 by admin

  The freshwater mussel Pyganodon cataracta occurs in abundance at Sandy Lake. I have viewed many living specimens while snorkelling in the shallows (down to 2-3 m) and discarded shells are common amongst emergent wetland plants around the fringes of … Continue reading →

Posted in natural history | Leave a comment

The NW Pinch Point

Posted on November 11, 2019 by admin

“Pinch-points (also known as bottlenecks or choke-points) are areas where animal and plant movement is funneled through narrow linkages. Pinch-point modeling methods are based on current flow models from electrical circuit theory. Locations where current is very strong indicates constrictions … Continue reading →

Posted in HRM Greenbelt | Leave a comment

The Marsh Lake Dyke

Posted on October 16, 2019 by admin

I had viewed Marsh Lake from south of the lake  in 2017, but it wasn’t until Oct 9, 2019 that I walked some of the northern shore. I did so with a friend, Bob K.,  from the NS Wild Flora … Continue reading →

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Forest north of Marsh Lake

Posted on October 4, 2019 by admin

Forests north of Marsh Lake were on my bucket list to investigate from the time I caught my first glimpses of them in 2017 (photos at right). They looked to be magnificent mixed Acadian forest. On Sep 20 and 22, … Continue reading →

Posted in Acadian forest | Leave a comment

A salmon jumped right out of the water in Sandy Lake!

Posted on September 26, 2019 by admin

Modified Sep 27, 2019 About 10 days ago, a salmon was sighted in a “classic pose” jumping right out of the water at Sandy Lake. As I was told the story 2nd or 3rd hand and reported initially, I understood that … Continue reading →

Posted in Fish, Sandy Lake | Leave a comment

Tues Sep 24 2019 at 6PM at Halifax City Hall: Important Public Hearing on Green Network Plan – re Wildlife Corridors

Posted on September 22, 2019 by admin

UPDATE Wed Sep 25, 2019: The Amendment “to the Regional Plan’s conservation design development agreement policies to specifically reference the Important and Essential Corridors shown on Map 5)”  received unanimous approval at yesterdays meeting of Halifax Regional Council!!!!   Walter Regan … Continue reading →

Posted in Halifax Green Network | Leave a comment

Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019: Public engagement on the Bedford-Sackville Greenway Corridor

Posted on September 14, 2019 by admin

From HRM: Join us in the first round of public engagement to let us know about your experience using the Bedford-Sackville Greenway Corridor! Information on facility usage, user experience and priorities will be collected to aid in the development of … Continue reading →

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Water quality issue at Sandy Lake Bedford has subsided (Aug 9, 2019)

Posted on August 9, 2019 by admin

Whatever it was, “it” has largely subsided. “It” appeared at Sandy Lake Beach quite suddenly on Tuesday a.m. Aug 6, 2019 On Wed a.m., Aug 7, HRM took water samples and put up a No Swimming sign; a Risk Advisory … Continue reading →

Posted in Water Quality | Leave a comment

Advisory issued for Sandy Lake due to possible blue-green algae bloom Aug 7, 2019

Posted on August 7, 2019 by admin

UPDATE 2:35 pm, Thurs Aug 8, 2019: Risk advisory for Sandy Lake lifted “When an algae bloom is observed, a risk advisory is issued and initial testing is done to determine whether the algae bloom is toxin producing. If the … Continue reading →

Posted in watershed | Leave a comment

Sandy Lake inundated by unpleasant, suspended, reddish, soapy material Aug 6, 2019; and lake level falling quickly

Posted on August 7, 2019 by admin

I happened to be at Sandy Lake Beach Park on the morning of Aug 6, 2019, shortly after the beach area was inundated with an unpleasant suspended, reddish, soapy material. It wasn’t there when the lifeguards first arrived. They told … Continue reading →

Posted in Beavers, Water Quality | Leave a comment