This CBC item of a few years ago is a wonderful and “seasonally appropriate” introduction to the Mik’maq language.
To delve further into this truly incredible language, as a settler descendant I highly recommend The Language of this Land, Mi’kma’ki by Trudy Sable and Bernie Francis (2012 and 2018): Continue reading
Red-breasted Nuthatch, an old forest species,
in the stands of old pine near the Williams
Lake Dam in theShaw Wilderness Park where
they nest.
Backlands Birders Joshua Barss Donham and Fulton Lavender prepared presentations on the theme “Birds in the Backlands: Indicators of the Health of the Habitat” for a Backlands Ecology Workshop that we held recently.
In Forest Birds in the Backlands, Joshua looks at how many bird species characteristic of immature, regenerating, and mature (old) forest occur in the Backlands. It turns out they are all well represented, reflecting the mosaic nature of Backlands habitats.
The Common Nighthawk, a Species-at-Risk in Nova Scotia, nests on barrens in the Backlands
Fulton Lavender looks at two groups of specialist birds: Goatsuckers and Raptors, again, both, and the former uniquely, represented in the Backlands
So they give us more to celebrate about our Backlands, and incentive for us to work to ensure that the next seven generations can do the same.
Many Thanks, Joshua & Fulton.
First loon spotted on Williams Lake in 2018, on April 8 [click to enlarge] See WLCC post
On Blue Ant Media:
Hear Their Haunting Calls: Cottage Life’s New Documentary Special, Loons: A Cry From The Mist, Spotlights Canada’s Iconic Bird and the Perils Impacting Their Population
The world broadcast premiere of Loons: A Cry From The Mist airs Friday, November 18 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, exclusively on Cottage Life
The November flowering is pretty unusual. There is lots else that is special about this plant and its setting in the Backlands.
Mountain Sandwort on the barrens,
Nov 5, 2022. Photo by Joshua Barss Donham
Click on image for larger version
Birdwatcher and Backlands enthusiast Joshua Barss Donham forwarded this pic to me a few days ago, commenting that “Last Sunday, [we] walked out the trail that begins at the end of Princeton Avenue… to see the view from where the path comes out on to the barrens and overlooks the lower MacIntosh Run. While we were out there we came across this flower. I think that it is pine-barren sandwort… Wondered what your thoughts are.”
So here they are, and a bit more about the plant and its setting…
(i) The plant is Mountain Sandwort (Mononeuria groenlandica*, very similar to the Pine Barren Sandwort (Mononeuria carolinana) which is a species of the Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens habitat in the northeastern USA. Pine Barren Sandwort is now quite rare (conservation status S1, Critically Imperilled), largely because of development in this habitat.
*Even Scientific names change, pre-2014 Mononeuria groenlandica was Minuartia groenlandica; likewise Mononeuria carolinana was Minuartia carolinana.
Click on image for YouTube Video
You have to see the uniqueness of the Backlands to believe that such a rare and rugged place exists in HRM. This aerial video of the Backlands is worth a million superlatives.
The Drone Team is led by Antonio with pilots Thomas, Nicholas, and Zack and directed by Cathy Vaughan of the Williams Lake Conservation Company Dam Committee. Continue reading
An article by Cathy Vaughn in the latest (November) issue of the Chebucto News makes the case for protection of the Backlands very succinctly. It begins:
Rugged granite barrens, rich ecosystems, and rare glacially sculpted landscapes are tucked among Spryfield’s historical villages, fishing communities, commercial businesses and the urban crush of scattered housing developments, sprawling subdivisions and impending building projects. Purcell’s Cove Backlands covers 1,350 hectares of lands between Purcell’s Cove Road and Herring Cove Road, and from Power’s Pond in Herring Cove to the shores of Williams Lake. Hiking and biking trails twist and wind through scrub brush, rich woodlands, and rare Jack Pine/ Broom Crowberry on rugged barrens next to vibrant neighbourhoods and busy communities in Spryfield.
The Purcell’s Cove Backlands Coalition wants to protect these rare lands, their important natural services and access to nature.
Read more in the November Chebucto News, pages 6 & 7. Also on those pages and by Cathy Vaughan: Hike Purcell’s Cove Backlands with Ecology Action Centre about the splendours revealed on an EAC-led hike in the Backlands.
Mid fall, when the huckleberry leaves turn fire engine just before finally being shed, is a great time to visit our Jack Pine-Crowberry Barrens. We are past the peak of it now, especially with recent heavy winds and rains, but there should still be some remnant flashes of red this weekend, great for photographs.
These barrens are most readily accessible via the trailhead for the Osprey Trail; it’s located on Alibaster Way at the southern edge of the Governor’s Brook residential area. For the exact location, view the Trailhead on Google Maps. The Osprey Trail is super-popular for both both mountain-biking and walking. The Osprey Trail is one piece of a larger network of trails in this area built and maintained by the McIntosh Run Watershed Association.
There are a couple of features of the barrens in this area that make it a quite special place.
From Our HRM Alliance
“Join our hybrid public talk on Wednesday October 26, 2022 from 3:00 – 5:00 PM by one of Canada’s leading environmental lawyers, David Donnelly. Join us to learn about a landmark Supreme Court of Canada case while exploring the implications for planning and nature conservation! Hosted by Dalhousie School of Planning at the Richard Murray Design Building – 5257 Morris Street, Halifax, 3rd floor Planning Studio. This is a hybrid event, if you are unable to join in person, you can watch on Zoom here.”
RESCHEDULING NOTICE:
The Public Hearing for the Regional Plan Review, Phase 3 originally on the agenda for Tuesday, September 27th has been RESCHEDULED to October 11, 2022 at 6pm, in Regional Council Chambers (City Hall) – 1841 Argyle Street, Halifax.
From Shape Our City, some details on how to participate.
- Advanced registration is NOT required. View the staff report.
- All oral and written submissions will be considered at that time.
- Written submissions may be forwarded to the Municipal Clerk by mail, P.O. Box 1749, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 3A5; by fax, 902-490-4208; or by e-mail(External link).
- Written submissions should be received by the Municipal Clerk’s office as early as possible and not later than 3:00 p.m. on October 11, 2022.
Some concerns in relation to the Backlands (KH): Continue reading
