Author Archives: admin

Mosquito Season – even the frogs get bitten in the Backlands! 24May2024

Joshua Barss Donham made an intriguing post on a private FB site where naturalists share & discuss some of their observations. He gave us permission to post it on backlandscalition.ca. Joshua’s post was about the identity of a mosquito he … Continue reading

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Have you heard a thin, high-pitched rocking sound like a squeaky wheel in the woods lately? 17May2024

By The Bird Team: Joshua Barss Donham. Fulton Lavender, Cathy Smalley, Katie Studholme Have you heard a thin, high-pitched rocking sound like a squeaky wheel in the woods lately? The Black-and-white Warblers are back in town! Another ground nesting bird … Continue reading

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” Large Increase in Fine for Illegal Burning During Wildfire Season” – NS Gov. 16May2024

” The Province has increased the fine for violating the daily burn restrictions to $25,000, effective today, May 16. “Almost all wildfires in Nova Scotia are human caused. With the weather starting to get warmer and dryer, I cannot stress … Continue reading

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Is Carolina Fanwort, an aggressive invasive aquatic plant, now in Williams Lake? 19May2024

UPDATE May 18, 2024: WLCC member Katharine Studholme conducted some follow-up investigation at one patch of new plants in Williams Lake, and is fairly certain it is NOT Carolina Fanwort “and may be a native milfoil.” We are sending identification … Continue reading

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“Municipality’s purchase of land near Shaw Wilderness Park” – HRM 10May2024

The Halifax Regional Municipality has purchased four parcels of land totaling approximately 46 hectares, located to the west of Shaw Wilderness Park, in Halifax. “The municipality intends to use most of this land to add to Shaw Wilderness Park, providing … Continue reading

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Ground-Nesting Birds 2024: more on the American Woodcock 9May2024

By The Bird Team: Joshua Barss Donham. Fulton Lavender, Cathy Smalley, Katie Studholme What’s the most wonderful thing about the American Woodcock: The fantastic camouflage? The comical shape? The explosive flight with sound effects? The nicknames? Or the sublime funky … Continue reading

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Learn Mi’kmaw with shalan joudry: Tree Names 9May2024

Learn Mi’kmaw with shalan joudry: Tree Names (YouTube Video) On Community Forests International YouTube Channel, Posted May 8. “We’re excited to share with you the second in a series of short language videos generously created and shared by L’nu storyteller, … Continue reading

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Prime fire season for the Backlands coming up 30Apr2024

The Spryfield Fire of 2009, which burned about 2/3 of the Backlands, destroyed 8 homes and damaged 10 others, occurred April 29-May 1, 2009. Fire Season in NS: April to October Fire season in Nova Scotia is considered to be … Continue reading

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City Nature Challenge begins Apr 26 (today) & runs to Mon Apr 29, 2024

Halifax is participating in the iNaturalist-based City Nature Challenge again, this year over the days Friday Apr 26 to Monday Apr 29 It’s pretty simple to contribute to Halifax’s effort to document our natural world and illustrate citizen’s love of … Continue reading

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Spring in the Backlands 24Apr2024

By Joshua Barss Donham, Apr 21, 2024. April is such a wonderful time of year with the broom crowberry and Mayflowers in bloom, the spring peepers calling, and migrant birds returning from the south (should see Yellow-rumped Warblers, Palm warblers, … Continue reading

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