Glenside Ecological Services Limited · Mating and Nesting Behavior of the Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) in teh Northern Portion of its Range. The American Midland

Phone: 705-286-3181

Fax: 705-286-6582

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.glenside-eco.ca

2490 Horseshoe Lake Rd.

R.R.#1

Minden, Ontario

Canada, K0M 2K0

Glenside Ecological Services Limited

Thursday, June 26, 2008 Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation P.O. Box 81 Baysville, ON, P0B 1A0

RE: Lower Oxtongue River

Lot 10, Concession 8

Geographic Township of Franklin

District Municipality of Muskoka

Dear Mr. Mark McLean:

Attached please find the results of the site visit of the above described property conducted by Glenside

Ecological Services Limited on June 19th, 2008. A total of five different ecosites were identified on site

and the report describes each of these as well as reflects on the habitat requirements of the Species at

Risk found in the District Municipality of Muskoka and the suitability of the habitats found on the subject

property. A list of all species observed as well as two maps delineating the various ecosites is provide.

Glenside appreciates the opportunity to work with organizations such as the Lake of Bays Heritage

Foundation and hope our services were performed to your satisfaction. Please let me know if you

require anything further.

Sincerely,

Paul C. Heaven

for Glenside Ecological Services Limited

Enc: Lower Oxtongue River Report

Invoice

Lower Oxtongue River June 26, 2008

Prepared by Glenside Ecological Services Limited 2

ES11: WHITE PINE - RED PINE

This ecosite is found in the northeast corner of the

property and represents a plateau approximately 10 m

above the river. The species composition is 40 % Red

Pine (Pinus resinosa), 19% White Pine (Pinus strobes)

16% Large-tooth Aspen (Populus grandidentata) 10%

White Spruce (Picea glauca) 7% Balsam Fir (Abies

balsamea), and 8% other. Tall shrubbery consisted

primarily of Beaked Hazel (Corylus cornuta) and the

groundcover was dominated by Bracken Fern

(Pteridium aquilinum), Wild Sarsaparilla (Aralia

nudicaulis), Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), Canada

Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense), Late Lowbush

Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) and Northern

Starflower (Trientalis borealis).

Mature and dying white birch (Betula papyrifera) trees

were observed throughout. This species is shade

intolerant thereby suggesting that the area was cleared

in the recent past. This interpretation was supported

by evidence of fire in the form of burned stumps.

Numerous large diameter red pine and white pine were

also observed scattered throughout. Red and white

pine have a high tolerance for fire and these specimens

likely survived the burn.

Standing dead snags and cavities of all types are

common and downed woody debris is abundant

though moderate in diameter.

ES18: POPLAR – WHITE BIRCH – WHITE SPRUCE

– BALSAM FIR

Ecosite 18 represents the largest area of the property

and is found in the lowlands immediately adjacent to

the river. This compartment has a species composition

of 36% Balsam Fir, 24% White Birch, 16 % Red Maple

(Acer rubrum) 9% Trembling Aspen (Populus

tremuloides) 8% White Spruce and 6% other. Tall

shrubbery consisted primarily of Beaked Hazel and Fly

Honeysuckle (Lonicera canadensis) and the

Photograph 1: Ecosite 11

Photograph 2: Ecosite 25



groundcover was dominated by Canada Mayflower,

Bracken Fern, Wild Sarsaparilla, Bunchberry and

Ground Pine (Lycopodium dendroidium).

This area lacked the mature large diameter trees found

on the plateau and the high component of shade

intolerant trees indicate that this area was fully cleared

by the fire in the early 1900’s.

Small pockets of standing water were also observed.

Although this compartment is not a wetland given the

high component of upland species, given its low profile

and close proximity to the Oxtongue River ephemeral

wet areas and periodic flooding are likely.

FES1-4: LEATHERLEAF - FORB SHRUB FEN

The Leatherleaf-Forb Shrub Fen is found at the upper

end of a meandering scar of the Oxtongue River. This

wetland has deep organic soils and is dominiated by

leatherleaf and sphagnum moss. Tamarack (Larix

laricina) and Speckled Alder (Alnus incana) can be

found scattered throughout. Where the water is less

stagnant Broad-leaf Cattail (Typha latifolia) and Wild

Calla (Calla palustris) can be found.

SWT2-1: ALDER MINERAL THICKET SWAMP

Two Alder Mineral Thicket Swamps can be found along

the watercourse draining from the above described fen

into the Oxtongue River as well as in a second meander

scar to the south. This wetland in dominated by a

thicket of Speckled Alder. Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda

cinnamomea), Goldthread (Coptis trifolia), Bunchberry

(Cornus canadensis) and Sphagnum moss dominate

the ground cover.

MAM2-6:BROAD-LEAVED SEDGE MINERAL

MEADOW MARH

A small mineral meadow marsh can be found in the

Oxtongue meander scar to the south. This wetland is

Photograph 4: SWT2-1

Photograph 3: FES1-4



dominated by sedges and rushes,

specifically Cottongrass Bulrush (Scirpus

cyperinus), Fringed Sedge (Carex

crinita), and Stalk-grain Sedge Carex

stipata). The Alder Mineral Thicket

Swamp encompasses much of this

wetland as shown in Photograph 5.

SPECIES AT RISK

Table 1 lists the Species at Risk for

which the Natural Heritage

Information Centre has documented in

the District Municipality of Muskoka.

This list was provided to Glenside

Ecological Services Limited in June of

2008 upon request.

Reviewing this list, historically the Henslow’s Sparrow and Cerulean warbler are found further south of

the subject property1. The Least Bittern prefers cattail marshes with scattered pockets of open water in

the size range of 5 ha2 and this type of habitat is not found on the subject property. The Peregrine

Falcon preferred nesting sites are cliff faces ranging from 50-200m in height3 and this habitat feature s

not found on the subject property.

The Golden-winged Warbler prefers forests of early succession, alder thickets and beaver marshes4.

Ecosite SWT2-1 is an alder thicket and would be suitable habitat for the Golden-winged Warbler.

In regard to reptiles, the Eastern Foxsnake and Massasauga are historically found in the western

portions of the District Municipality of Muskoka5 and therefore would not likely be associated with the

subject property. The Milksnake has a habitat preference for open habitats though can be found in pine

1 Cadman, M.D., P.F.J. Eagles and F.M. Helleiner, 1987. Atlas of Breeding Birds of Ontario. Federation of Ontario Naturalists, University of Waterloo Press, Waterloo, Ontario 2 COSEWIC. (2001). COSEWIC Assessment and Update Status Report on the Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis in Canada. Ottawa: Committee on the Status of Endangered Widlife in Canada. 3 COSEWIC. (2007). COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus (pealei

subspecies - Falco peregrinus and pealei anatum/tundrius - Falco peregrinus anatum/tundrius) in Canada. Ottawa:

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 4 COSEWIC. (2006). COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Golden-winged Warbler Vermivora chrysoptera in Canada. Ottawa: Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 5 NHIC Herp Atlas 2008 http://nhic.mnr.gov.on.ca/nhic_.cfm

Photograph 5: MAM2-6



forests and mixed pine hardwoods6 and therefore may be found on the subject property. Eastern Hog-

nosed snakes have a preference for dry mixed forests and pine/oak forests associated with poor sandy

soils, for hibernation and nesting purposes7. Ecosite 11 as described above would be considered suitable

habitat for the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake. Further the primary food source of the Eastern Hog-nosed

snake is the American Toad; American Toads were observed on the subject property. The Eastern

Ribbonsnake is a semi-aquatic species that frequents wetlands, ponds and streams with a preference for

quiet shallow water with abundant sunlight and bordered by low dense vegetation.8 The Broad-leaved

Sedge Mineral Meadow Marsh found on the subject property would be suitable habitat.

Five-lined Skinks prefer rocky outcrops with good cover rock9 and this habitat feature is not found on

the subject property.

Both the Blanding’s Turtle and Spotted Turtle feed in marshesError! Bookmark not defined. and the

marsh type found on the subject property would provide suitable habitat. The Stinkpot also prefers a

marsh habitat, though is limited to an aquatic environment. The marsh on the subject property is

hydrologically linked to the Oxtongue River and therefore would be suitable habitat. The Wood Turtle

has a preference for slow moving, meandering rivers with sandy substrates as well as alder thickets and

alder swale10. The Alder Mineral Thicket Swamp found on the subject property would be suitable

habitat for the Wood Turtle. The Northern Map Turtle is historically found in the western portions of the

District Municipality of Muskoka11 and therefore it is unlikely that it would be found on the subject

property.

In regard to the vascular plants, Butternut is shade intolerant and commonly found in association with

basswood, black cherry, beech, black walnut, elm, hemlock, hickory, oak, red maple, sugar maple, yellow

poplar, white ash and yellow birch. This forest structure is not found on the subject property. Similarly

American ginseng is found in sugar maple dominated forests and therefore not likely found on the

subject property. Engelmann’s quillwort is an aquatic species found in shallow waters in fresh flowing,

circumneutral to calcareous waters and substrates. The substrate typically consists of a sand or silty

6 Fischer, L. (2002). COSEWIC status report on the milksnake Lampropeltis triangulum in Canada in COSEWIC

assessment and status report on the milksnake Lampropeltis triangulum in Canada. Ottawa: Committe on the

Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 7 Cunnington, G. M., & Cebek, J. (2005). Mating and Nesting Behavior of the Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon

platirhinos) in teh Northern Portion of its Range. The American Midland Naturalist , 174 (2), 474-478. 8 Smith, K. (2002). COSEWIC status report on the eastern ribbonsnake Thamnophis sauritus in Canada in COSEWIC

assessment and status report on the eastern ribbonsnake Thamnophis sauritus. Ottawa: Committee on the Status

of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 9 COSEWIC. (2007). COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Five-lined Skink Eumeces fasciatus in Canada. Ottawa: Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 10 Kraus, T. (2005). Update COSEWIC Status Report on Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta). . Midhurst: Interim Draft

Report prepared for Committee on the Status of Endangered Widllife in Canada. 11 NHIC Herp Atlas 2008 http://nhic.mnr.gov.on.ca/nhic_.cfm



sand layer over clay or clayey-sand, often within a dense granitic cobble bed. The Lower Oxtongue River

has a sandy substrate however it is unknown whether it is calcareous or not.

Further research would be required to determine the habitat requirements of the remaining species

which is an exercise beyond the scope of this project.

There are approximately another 80 rare species found in the District Municipality of Muskoka and with

the Ecosite descriptions provided above it is feasible to review the habitat requirements of each rare

species and scope further inventories on determining the presence of species for which suitable habitat

is present.

Table 1: Species at Risk in the District Municipality of Muskoka

Scientific Name Common Name Status

COSEWIC OMNR

Bartonia paniculata ssp. paniculata Branched Bartonia THR THR

Chimaphila maculata Spotted Wintergreen END END-R

Isoetes engelmannii Engelmann's Quillwort END END-NR

Juglans cinerea Butternut END END-NR

Panax quinquefolius American Ginseng END END-NR

Phegopteris hexagonoptera Broad Beech Fern SC SC

Ammodramus henslowii Henslow's Sparrow END END-R

Dendroica cerulea Cerulean Warbler SC SC

Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon SC THR

Ixobrychus exilis Least Bittern THR THR

Vermivora chrysoptera Golden-winged Warbler

SC

Clemmys guttata Spotted Turtle END END-NR

Emydoidea blandingii Blanding's Turtle THR THR

Eumeces fasciatus Five-lined Skink SC SC

Glyptemys insculpta Wood Turtle THR END-NR

Graptemys geographica Northern Map Turtle SC SC

Heterodon platirhinos Eastern Hog-nosed Snake THR THR

Lampropeltis triangulum Milksnake SC SC

Pantherophis gloydi Eastern Foxsnake THR THR

Sistrurus catenatus Massasauga THR THR

Sternotherus odoratus Stinkpot THR THR

Thamnophis sauritus Eastern Ribbonsnake SC SC

Acipenser fulvescens Lake Sturgeon END SC

Esox americanus Grass Pickerel SC SC

SUMMARY



The ecosites described provide a variety of habitats ranging from fens, shrub thickets and marshes to

coniferous forests and shade intolerant mixedwoods. Further ecosite 11, with the prominance of red

pine and numerous mature specimens with diameters exceeding 50cm, is limited in the landscape.

Although the abundance of this ecosite in the District Municipality of Muskoka is unknown, in the

County of Haliburton found immediately to the east this ecosite represents only 1% of the forested

landscape12. The subject property also has extensive natural shorelines thereby providing wildlife with

uninhibited water access. The diversity of habitats would be suitable for numerous Species at Risk,

specifically the Golden-Winged Warbler, Milksnake, Eastern Hog-nosed Snake, Eastern Ribbonsnake,

Blanding’s Turtle, Spotted Turtle, Stinkpot and Wood Turtle.

Table 2, Table 3 and Table 4 lists the species observed during the site visit of the subject property on

June 19th, 2008.

Table 2: Vascular plants

FAMILY Scientific Name Common Name GRANK SRANK

ACERACEAE

Acer rubrum Red Maple G5 S5

APOCYNACEAE

Apocynum androsaemifolium Spreading Dogbane G5 S5

AQUIFOLIACEAE

Ilex verticillata Black Holly G5 S5

Nemopanthus mucronatus Mountain Holly G5 S5

ARACEAE

Calla palustris Wild Calla G5 S5

ARALIACEAE

Aralia nudicaulis Wild Sarsaparilla G5 S5

ASTERACEAE

Eurybia macrophylla Large-leaf Wood-aster G5 S5

Hieracium caespitosum Yellow Hawkweed G? SE5

BALSAMINACEAE

Impatiens capensis Spotted Jewel-weed G5 S5

BETULACEAE

Alnus incana Speckled Alder G5 S5

Betula alleghaniensis Yellow Birch G5 S5

Betula papyrifera Paper Birch G5 S5

Corylus cornuta Beaked Hazelnut G5 S5

CAPRIFOLIACEAE

Linnaea borealis Twinflower G5 S5

12 Heaven, P. C. (2007). County of Haliburton Natural Heritage Mapping: A compilation and preliminary

assessment. Haliburton: Haliburton Highlands Land Trust.




Lonicera canadensis American Fly-honeysuckle G5 S5

Viburnum cassinoides Northern Wild-raisin G5 S5

Viburnum lantanoides Alderleaf Viburnum G5 S5

CORNACEAE

Cornus canadensis Bunchberry G5 S5

CUPRESSACEAE

Thuja occidentalis Eastern White Cedar G5 S5

CYPERACEAE

Carex bebbii Bebb's Sedge G5 S5

Carex crinita Fringed Sedge G5 S5

Carex intumescens Bladder Sedge G5 S5

Carex lacustris Lake-bank Sedge G5 S5

Carex stipata Stalk-grain Sedge G5 S5

Dulichium arundinaceum Three-way Sedge G5 S5

Scirpus cyperinus Cottongrass Bulrush G5 S5

DENNSTAEDTIACEAE

Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Fern G5 S5

DROSERACEAE

Drosera rotundifolia Roundleaf Sundew G5 S5

DRYOPTERIDACEAE

Athyrium filix-femina var. angustum Lady Fern G5T5 S5

Dryopteris carthusiana Spinulose Shield Fern G5 S5

Gymnocarpium dryopteris Oak Fern G5 S5

Onoclea sensibilis Sensitive Fern G5 S5

EQUISETACEAE

Equisetum fluviatile Water Horsetail G5 S5

Equisetum sylvaticum Woodland Horsetail G5 S5

ERICACEAE

Chamaedaphne calyculata Leatherleaf G5 S5

Gaultheria hispidula Creeping Snowberry G5 S5

Gaultheria procumbens Teaberry G5 S5

Ledum groenlandicum Common Labrador Tea G5 S5

Vaccinium angustifolium Late Lowbush Blueberry G5 S5

Vaccinium myrtilloides Velvetleaf Blueberry G5 S5

FAGACEAE

Quercus rubra Northern Red Oak G5 S5

GROSSULARIACEAE

Ribes cynosbati Prickly Gooseberry G5 S5

IRIDACEAE

Iris versicolor Blueflag G5 S5




JUNCACEAE

Juncus effusus Soft Rush G5 S5

LAMIACEAE

Scutellaria galericulata Hooded Skullcap G5 S5

LILIACEAE

Clintonia borealis Blue Bead-lily G5 S5

Maianthemum canadense Wild-lily-of-the-valley G5 S5

Streptopus lanceolatus Rose Twisted-stalk G5 S5

LYCOPODIACEAE

Huperzia lucidula Shining Clubmoss G5 S5

Lycopodium clavatum Running Pine G5 S5

Lycopodium dendroideum Treelike Clubmoss G5 S5

MONOTROPACEAE

Monotropa hypopithys American Pinesap G5 S4

MYRICACEAE

Myrica gale Sweet Bayberry G5 S5

NYMPHAEACEAE

Nuphar variegata Yellow Cowlily G5T5 S5

OSMUNDACEAE

Osmunda cinnamomea Cinnamon Fern G5 S5

OXALIDACEAE

Oxalis acetosella Irish Shamrock G5 S5

PINACEAE

Abies balsamea Balsam Fir G5 S5

Larix laricina American Larch G5 S5

Picea glauca White Spruce G5 S5

Pinus resinosa Red Pine G5 S5

Pinus strobus Eastern White Pine G5 S5

PONTEDERIACEAE

Pontederia cordata Pickerel Weed G5 S5

PRIMULACEAE

Trientalis borealis Northern Starflower G5 S5

PYROLACEAE

Pyrola chlorantha

Greenish-flowered Wintergreen G5 S4S5

RANUNCULACEAE

Coptis trifolia Goldthread G5 S5

Thalictrum pubescens Tall Meadow-rue G5 S5

ROSACEAE

Fragaria vesca Woodland Strawberry G5 S5

Fragaria virginiana Virginia Strawberry G5 S5




Potentilla palustris Marsh Cinquefoil G5 S5

Prunus serotina Wild Black Cherry G5 S5

Sorbus americana American Mountain-ash G5 S5

Sorbus decora Northern Mountain-ash G4G5 S5

Spiraea alba

Narrow-leaved Meadow-sweet G5 S5

RUBIACEAE

Galium asprellum Rough Bedstraw G5 S5

Galium triflorum Sweet-scent Bedstraw G5 S5

Mitchella repens Partridge-berry G5 S5

SALICACEAE

Populus balsamifera Balsam Poplar G5 S5

Populus grandidentata Large-tooth Aspen G5 S5

Populus tremuloides Trembling Aspen G5 S5

SARRACENIACEAE

Sarracenia purpurea Northern Pitcher-plant G5 S5

TYPHACEAE

Typha latifolia Broad-leaf Cattail G5 S5

VIOLACEAE

Viola cucullata Marsh Blue Violet G4G5 S5

Table 3: Non-vascular plants

FAMILY SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME GRANK SRANK

SPHAGNACEAE

Sphagnum sp. A Moss

MNIACEAE

Mnium sp A Moss

Table 4: Incidental wildlife observations

Mammals

Beaver Castor canadensis

Wolf Canis lupus

White-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus

Raccoon Procyon lotor

Red squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus

Black bear Ursus americanus

Avifauna

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

Yellow-rumped warbler Dendroica coronata



Common yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas

Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapillus

Black-throated blue warbler Dendroica caerulescens

Pileated woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus

Yellow-bellied sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius

Black-capped chickadee Parus atricapillus

Song sparrow Melospiza melodia

White-throated sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis

Dark-eyed junco Junco hyemalis

Belted kingfisher Ceryle alcyon

Cedar waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum

Common grackle Quiscalus quiscala

Winter wren Troglodytes troglodytes

Amphibians

American toad Bufo americanus

Green frog Rana clamitans melanota

Leopard frog Rana pipiens

Northern spring peeper Pseudacris crucifer crucifer

Figure 1: Ecosites of the Lower Oxtongue River

Figure 2: Aerial photograph of the Lower Oxtongue River

Documents

Glenside Ecological Services Limited · Mating and Nesting Behavior of the Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) in teh Northern Portion of its Range. The American Midland