Sandy Lake & Environs (Bedford, Nova Scotia)

Two adult loons, no chick, off of Sandy Lake Beach Park on Aug 3, 2020

Sandy Lake is 74 hectares in area, good for one pair of loons, usually not more and one pair of loons have been observed to nest on Sandy Lake for many years including 2020.*
*Note, Aug 7, 2020: I have been told that in fact there were two pairs of loons nesting at opposite ends of Sandy Lake until about 5 years ago, but subsequently, only one pair. Says Joe Kerekes: “In unproductive lakes in southwest Nova Scotia, such as those in Kejimkujik National Park, loons usually nest only on lakes greater than 40 hectares (100 acres). It is uncommon to find more than two pairs of loons on lakes of less than 80 hectares. During our studies in this region we were unable to find nonbreeding territorial adult pairs on lakes less than 25 hectares. Loons that live on smaller lakes will often fly to larger lakes to feed.” Currently, Sandy Lake can probably be considered moderately productive so area-wise it lies at transition between lakes supporting 1 pair and and lakes supporting 2 pairs of loons.

Chicks hatch about the beginning of July, and two adult loons with one chick were observed on Sandy Lake until recently.

I saw two adults close to shore at Sandy Lake Beach Park a few days ago; I could not see any chicks. I inquired of some local residents and was told that they had seen the two adults with one chick until about 2 weeks ago, but after that the chick was missing and has not been seen since.
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UPDATE JULY 22, 2020: We indeed got some Good News! HRM Council did NOT accept the recommendation of city staff and voted unanimously to approve the $750,000 contribution towards the NS Nature Trust purchase of Connector Lands (see below). I am told over 800 people and groups wrote to council in favour of HRM. That’s impressive. As well, this council has a good record in the relation to the Halifax Green Network Plan – voters will remember that when the fall elections come up.
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The Chebucto Peninsula is potentially a highly significant conservation area within NS – but we need to ensure connectivity between Parks and Protected areas within the peninsula and across the peninsula to the mainland to make it so. Click on image for more about the Chebucto Peninsula

Today is our National and Nova Scotia Parks Day. It’s a day to celebrate and reflect on our Parks and Protected Areas (PPA).

CPAWS, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, released its annual Parks Report Healthy Nature Healthy People, yesterday and appeals to Canadians to Take Action and encourage the federal government to “put parks and protected areas at the heart of recovery” from Covid19, noting:

In June the federal government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting 25% of land and ocean by 2025 and 30% by 2030, which is an important step. Now they need to invest in implementing this promise on the ground.

The recent global pandemic has forced us to consider the link between nature, human health, and economic health and to re-think our future. Investing in nature protection as part of recovery will help rebuild a healthier, more equitable and green society and economy.

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