Post by Dan on Jan 23, 2008 14:49:00 GMT -5
Pheasants Forever Niagara (PFN) is a habitat organization not a pheasant stocking organization. They currently have at least one project in Niagara and are looking to expand.
Ian Magee, a Conservation Officer is heading up the initiative and wants to expand into Fort Erie. The Fort Erie Conservation Club (FECC) and the Thorold Legion Conservation Club (TLCC) are the only organizations I still know of who release pheasants in the Niagara Peninsula.
Anne Yagi the area wildlife biologist representing the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) agreed that it would be nice to replace the "put and take" pheasant population with a self sustaining strain. The problems with establishing this target is the lack of habitat. That combined with the stocking of a weaker strain and uncontrolled development will kill any hope of introducing the "Saskatchewan" strain of pheasant.
Well Pheasants Forever is working to improve the habitat which utilizes native plants in wetland and grassy areas to build habitat that not only benefits pheasants but will promote an entire echo system. Endangered species as well as insects, butterflies and birds will all benefit from these plantings.
The FECC hosted Ian Magee last month (Dec) at their general meeting to talk more about Pheasants Forever. After the meeting we determined that our $1500 pheasant, turkey and wildlife budget would be better spent on habitat then the birds. The birds we were stocking are farm raised and have lousy survival skills. If disease is to come to the field it's more than likely to come from farm stock than the wild.
The plan. If Ian Magee can get approval to do a planting on either private or CA land, the FECC will donate their budget to PFN to buy seed. PFN will match this amount and partner with the FECC and what ever group than can fund or help plant habitat. Things are moving quite quickly here in Fort Erie with some possible locations chosen and funding available.
Here are the FECC's choices so far. Note that approval of the NPCA or other involved groups needs to be cemented first but hopefully this everybody wins situation will make it an easy sell.
The Stevensville Conservation Area has 3 favoured locations. One big 2 small. The first and biggest is the "back 40" which hosts both some open space, water and young evergreens bordered by hardwoods. Here are some pictures and a video. First the "Back 40" the largest area.
The "back 40" favoured location of the FECC.
Now the Hill area. This is on top looking down onto the pond.
Here's from the other side of the pond looking up the hill. There is some erosion here due to lack of plant life.
Here is the "bridge" location.
and now off across town to Shagbark Trail which is cared for by the bird loving community called the Bert Miller Nature Club. This is perhaps the largest location.
A view of the field which ends at an old growth forest containing wetland pools and many varieties of trees.
Hopefully this post will be continued..............................
Ian Magee, a Conservation Officer is heading up the initiative and wants to expand into Fort Erie. The Fort Erie Conservation Club (FECC) and the Thorold Legion Conservation Club (TLCC) are the only organizations I still know of who release pheasants in the Niagara Peninsula.
Anne Yagi the area wildlife biologist representing the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) agreed that it would be nice to replace the "put and take" pheasant population with a self sustaining strain. The problems with establishing this target is the lack of habitat. That combined with the stocking of a weaker strain and uncontrolled development will kill any hope of introducing the "Saskatchewan" strain of pheasant.
Well Pheasants Forever is working to improve the habitat which utilizes native plants in wetland and grassy areas to build habitat that not only benefits pheasants but will promote an entire echo system. Endangered species as well as insects, butterflies and birds will all benefit from these plantings.
The FECC hosted Ian Magee last month (Dec) at their general meeting to talk more about Pheasants Forever. After the meeting we determined that our $1500 pheasant, turkey and wildlife budget would be better spent on habitat then the birds. The birds we were stocking are farm raised and have lousy survival skills. If disease is to come to the field it's more than likely to come from farm stock than the wild.
The plan. If Ian Magee can get approval to do a planting on either private or CA land, the FECC will donate their budget to PFN to buy seed. PFN will match this amount and partner with the FECC and what ever group than can fund or help plant habitat. Things are moving quite quickly here in Fort Erie with some possible locations chosen and funding available.
Here are the FECC's choices so far. Note that approval of the NPCA or other involved groups needs to be cemented first but hopefully this everybody wins situation will make it an easy sell.
The Stevensville Conservation Area has 3 favoured locations. One big 2 small. The first and biggest is the "back 40" which hosts both some open space, water and young evergreens bordered by hardwoods. Here are some pictures and a video. First the "Back 40" the largest area.
The "back 40" favoured location of the FECC.
Now the Hill area. This is on top looking down onto the pond.
Here's from the other side of the pond looking up the hill. There is some erosion here due to lack of plant life.
Here is the "bridge" location.
and now off across town to Shagbark Trail which is cared for by the bird loving community called the Bert Miller Nature Club. This is perhaps the largest location.
A view of the field which ends at an old growth forest containing wetland pools and many varieties of trees.
Hopefully this post will be continued..............................