Category Archives: natural history

Apr 23 on Sandy Lake: Spring LakeWatcher sampling, pair of loons sighted 23Apr2026

Posted on April 24, 2026 by admin

I wasn’t looking forward to conducting the spring limnological observations today on Sandy Lake; rain, cool temps and winds were forecast. However, it turned out to be a near ideal day. There was no wind – that really helps when … Continue reading →

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A few early spring nature notes from Sandy Lake & Environs 23Apr2021

Posted on April 23, 2021 by admin

On Monday April 19th, Ed G and I lowered a probe to the deepest part of Sandy Lake and found that the lake had “turned over” and was well oxygenated from top to bottom. View the limnological limnological profile. That … Continue reading →

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Did the deer follow the hare or the hare follow the deer to Marsh Lake?

Posted on February 17, 2021 by admin

On a few-degrees-below-zero day in early February, I set out from Sandy Lake Beach Park  to go to  Marsh Lake. I especially  wanted to see the hemlock-lined Upper Peverill’s Brook in winter, where it flows into Marsh Lake. Sandy Lake … Continue reading →

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In the Water and on the Drumlin by Bedford Lions Sandy Lake Beach Park

Posted on December 9, 2020 by admin

Some reasons to celebrate and some reasons to be concerned about Sandy Lake & Environs Short link for this page: https://cutt.ly/ShAkAGM (www.cutt.ly/ShAkAGM) A presentation by David Patriquin to the Bedford Lions Club on Dec 3, 2020. View Hi-Res Video of … Continue reading →

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Anticipating Hurricane Teddy & some thoughts about winds and Nova Scotia forests

Posted on September 23, 2020 by admin

Hurricane Teddy is tracking northward and “is expected to impact Atlantic Canada and the Gulf of St. Lawrence region Tuesday and Wednesday as a “very dangerous” post-tropical storm as it moves through the region, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, storm … Continue reading →

Posted in Acadian forest, Conservation, natural history | Leave a comment

Trips by Transit’s first “virtual trip” is to the proposed Sandy Lake – Sackville River Regional Park!

Posted on September 17, 2020 by admin

Trips By Transit is a K’jipuktuk (Halifax) based community organization that promotes citizens getting out and about in nature without having to own or have ready access to a car, or be limited by lack of familiarity with places to … Continue reading →

Posted in Acadian forest, Biophilia, HRM Greenbelt, natural history, Talks & Walks | Leave a comment

Four breeding age female Eastern Painted Turtles were deliberately run over near Marsh Lake

Posted on July 14, 2020 by admin

UPDATE Aug 1, 2020: View Turtles facing a tough road across the country By Staff in Halifax Today, Aug 1, 2020. ——- One of the special attributes of Sandy Lake & Environs is the presence of three of Nova Scotia’s … Continue reading →

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‘Heard a Mink Frog’s wooden “cut, cut, cut” lately?

Posted on June 21, 2020 by admin

There has been an interesting discussion on the NatureNS listserv (reported publicly on Nova Scotia Bird News by Date) about Mink Frogs. It was initiated by this post (bolding inserted) by N.D. on June 15, 2020: Heard a new (for … Continue reading →

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Now we can enjoy spring in the forests of Sandy Lake & Environs

Posted on May 3, 2020 by admin

Icelanders started a bit of a trend with their urging people to hug trees to overcome isolation during our days of Covid-19. We’re still under Covid-19 distancing rules in NS, but as of May 1, 2020, we can again visit … Continue reading →

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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 →

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