User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
The field journal location I have chosen is a medium sized wetland, located on the south side of Champlain Lake, Papineau-Cameron, Ontario Canada. I have decided on this location because I have an interest in wetland conservation. Wetlands are generally high in biodiversity and offer unique habitat to numerous species which, has always seemed to peak my interest.
The Champlain Lake south Wetland features a high spread of a thriving cattail species, shorter shrubs along the perimeter, and backs onto a larger forested area that predominantly features coniferous tree species. A small channel allows the water from Champlain Lake to gently feed into the wetland, however, the water is very stagnant and is sheltered from the breeze by the surrounding trees.
Questions I have noted from my first documented field observation on 26-06-2019:
Q1: A large beaver dam is located in a more open area of the wetland and is not restricting or blocking the natural flow of the wetland water. This particular beaver dam does not appear to be a contributor the wetland’s stagnant water. I wonder if the presence of beaver species establishing permanent residency within a wetland, positively contributes to the overall health of a wetland and it’s degree of biodiversity?
Q2: There appeared to be a common species of bird swooping back and forth over the thicker cattail areas throughout this observation sitting. The bird is known as a Red-Winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) and a vibrant orange patch located across the top of their wings can identify the males. I couldn’t seem to understand what these males were doing? Do male Agelaius phoeniceus prefer to feed in more stagnant wetlands? Or is this specific location an ideal nesting ground where the females are more dominant? Why are there so many Agelaius phoeniceus here?
Q3: I noticed one Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) fluttering around the small section of shrubs on the other side of the small wetland channel. Certain butterflies are considered pollinators and there was a high amount of pollen collecting on the surface of the stagnant water. Is this particular wetland considered pristine habitat for pollinating species? Was this sighting of the Papilio glaucus a sign of a healthy wetland? Is this species of butterfly attracted to the area because of the ample amount of pollen being produced?
I am really looking forward to digging in deeper and find the answers to some of my wonders.
– Krysta Warkentin
