Blandings turtle on naturalists’ Bio Blitz list

Paul Wallace photographed this Blandings turtle walking across his lawn. Where is it going? To support the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists, of course.

The naturalists, and friends, will hold their second annual ‘Bio Blitz’ on June 20-21.

“A Bio Blitz is an intense period of biological surveying in an attempt to record all the living species within a designated area,” says co-ordinator Sheila Kuja.

The program for the 24-hour blitz includes walks to identify birds, plants, insects, fish, reptiles and amphibians. Daytime and evening outings will gather information about the biology of the wildlife area.

This year, the naturalists will concentrate on the Point Petre Provincial Wildlife Area in the western part of the PEC South Shore Important Bird and Biodiversity Area.

“This is a large area,” said Kuja, “but we are hoping to have lots of people turn out to help us survey all the species.”

Species experts will be attending from the surrounding district and other parts of the province to lead survey teams.

“This is a great opportunity for families to spend time in the outdoors and learn about our natural world. Everyone is welcome.”

Interested members of the public are asked to register starting at 11a.m. on Saturday, June 20 at the base camp on Simpson Road. (Go to Simpson Road and Army Reserve Road and follow the signs.)

Registration is $5 for adults and free to accompanied children age 10 and under and includes a campfire supper on Saturday evening and lunch on Sunday.

Financial support for the Bio Blitz is provided by the Biodiversity Education and Awareness Network and Prince Edward County Field Naturalists.

The report from last year’s bio blitz, and other information on the PECFN, is available at www.saveostranderpoint.org