Nature Sanctuary

Turtle Lake Nature Sanctuary

Because Turtle Lake straddles the boreal forest / parkland interface, we are blessed with much higher number of plant and animal species. Documentation of inhabitants of the Turtle Lake Nature Sanctuary, located between Turtle Lake Lodge and Indian Point on the east shore of the lake has produced some interesting statistics: 220 bird species are found there; 35 mammals and 260 plants and 60 species of lichen have been documented. The butterflies and moth species are incomplete (ongoing) as well as mosses, insects and fungi (mushrooms). These numbers do not represent the total species of the drainage basin.

If the weather isn't good for fishing, sailing or the beach, then it may be a good time to visit the sanctuary. The main gate on the paved grid road is only a few hundred meters south of Turtle Lake Lodge. The sanctuary is completely fenced for your safety and the protection of the natural residents. Pick up a self-guiding brochure and a bird check list at the store or main gate and explore nature in peace. Take the time to read our welcome sign inside the front gate. Keep sunscreen and bug repellent handy and wear a hat. Residents at the two adjacent resorts can access the sanctuary near the shoreline at specially designated gates. All of our animals are not friendly: Beware of bears or moose, but enjoy the squirrels and chipmunks, or visit the frog pond. Boreal chorus and wood frogs live there and birds and animals frequently come for water. Take the time to find the 15 little interpretive signs to learn more about our residents through the eyes of eleven-years-olds from Turtleford and St. Walburg Schools. They designed and made the signs and researched the information. Fifteen benches are scattered throughout the sanctuary along the trails to rest your feet, or just loaf. Some of our more spectacular birds that you may see are: pileated woodpeckers, pelicans, ospreys, bald eagles, great blue herons, great crested flycatchers, rose-breasted grosbeaks and warblers: Blackburnian, Cape May, Magnolia, Nashville, Connecticut and Mourning Warblers. to name a few of the twenty two warbler species who come here. Ravens, blackbirds, sharp tail sparrows, kinglets and grebes create a joyful noise.

Several rare plants grow here. Nine species of orchids, including Franklin's and yellow lady's slippers bloom between spring thaw and August. A succession of flowers to watch for is: purple violet, marsh marigold, pussytoes, dry ground cranberry, wintergreen (four species) Labrador tea, orchids, western red lily, grass of Parnassus, fleabane (daisy), aster and goldenrod. We love our trees and flowers and try to keep them alive and well but, as much of the sanctuary is mature forest, many trees are dying and your must be careful on windy days because the can fall across the trails.

"A BUG'S-EYE VIEW OF THE NATURE SANCTUARY

November, 2010

2010 was unusual for several reasons, but here on the Nature Sanctuary the heavy summer rain produced an unexpected bonus. There were thousands of mushrooms all summer and fall. Not just the bread and butter varieties we see every year, but many beautiful varieties. We have chosen to present them along with some insects as “ A BUGS-EYE VIEW OF THE NATURE SANCTUARY 2010”. From time to time we will present a new group. We hope you like them.

	1). Vermillion Waxgills This tiny red mushroom is only 1 cm across, but taken from the ground up close, it appears quite large. Look for them along the power line trail in August between poles 2-4. You have to really look hard to find them. They are known as vermillion waxgills (Hydrocybe miniata). Photo by Brenda Rutz
Woodland Agaricus This large white mushroom is one of the most common edible mushrooms we can find. It is pure white and “domed” as it emerges through the leaf litter beside the Beaver Trail. It soon becomes flat on top and is about 20 cm across. Notice that the gills are slowly turning dark brown, which is one of the ways we can identify it. It is bigger than your hand and really good to eat. Look for it by mid-July. Woodland Agaricus ( Agaricus silvacola). Photo by Brenda Rutz
	Western Meadow Fritillary This butterfly is frequently found on the sanctuary. It likes goldenrod and is seen mostly in July and August. They love sunlight, so can often be found along the power line trails or the butterfly meadow. The larvae of most fritillaries feed on violets. Bring a net if you like. We practice “catch and release”. Photo by Dorothy Riemer
Ladybird or Ladybug No nature trip would be complete unless you found a “ladybird” beetle or bug. These industrious insects help keep the population of aphids under control. So salute this little fellow. He is an 8-spot ladybird bug. Family (Coccinellidae) Photo by Brenda Rutz
	Red Eyelash Cup Guess what? This isn’t even a mushroom. It is a fungus that prefers to intermingle with small mosses and other lichen. It grows on dead fallen trees in late summer. Know as a “red eyelash cup” (Scutellinia scutellata) and is actually less than one cm. across. Pretty cool little plant. Photo by Brenda Rutz
A Wavy Topped Snail This snail was found in leaf litter in October. This specimen is very tiny and prefers aspen leaves and mushrooms. When alarmed they will withdraw their antennae and tail back into the shell. Photo by Brenda Rutz
	Beaver (Castor Canadensis) Beavers have built a large lodge in front of the north lookout along the lakeshore trail. You can’t help but notice the hundreds of aspen trees that have been felled for food and repairs to the lodge. They have been cutting trees around cottages which makes them not quite welcome in the resort. Take note of the canals that they have established around their lodge. Photo by Brenda Rutz
White Pelicans (Pelecanus Erythrorhynchis) Our flock is sometimes over 150 birds, but they are all immature non- breeding birds. They hang out at the north end of the lake in shallow water. Their wingspan is 9 feet across and they often soar over the lake. Photo by Brenda Rutz
	Wood Frog (Rana Sylvatica) Look for this frog in damp woods in summer. It hibernates in logs, stumps and under stones rather than underwater; will stalk its prey. They help control insect populations (mosquitoes). Check the frog pond in spring and summer and look for tadpoles in the water and small frogs on the land. Please do not abuse them. Photo by Brenda Rutz
Mushroom We have been unable to identify this mushroom species. They grow in clusters on rotting aspen stumps in September. Can you help us? Photo by Brenda Rutz

We hope you enjoyed this brief little bug’s eye view of the Turtle Lake Nature Sanctuary. We will be posting other collections of flora and fauna of the Sanctuary from time to time.

SEE YOU THERE !

Written by Muriel Carlson

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