Recent Items – 2000
Sept. 25, 2000
DAWSON CREEK — This one’s for the birds!
The Habitat Conservation Trust Fund and Ducks Unlimited Canada have teamed up to buy a key waterfowl and migratory bird habitat on the south end of Swan Lake.
The 164-hectare South Swan Lake property is an old flood plain that is submerged during the spring and after heavy summer storms, making it prime waterfowl habitat.
The purchase was hailed by Environment, Lands and Parks Minister Joan Sawicki last week.
“In order to maintain British Columbia’s naturally diverse and healthy wildlife populations, we must conserve habitat,” Sawicki said. “This worthwhile purchase provides a legacy of environmental heritage.”
Swan Lake was named after the hundreds of trumpeter and tundra swans that sop over at the lake during spring and fall migration. The lake is a staging site for more than 5,000 birds a day and is the largest “loose” nesting colony of Nelson’s sharp-tailed sparrow in the province. Birds that frequent Swan Lake include western grebe, surf scoter, oldsquaw, California gull and American bittern, just to name a few.
“Ducks Unlimited is pleased to lead in securing and restoring this vital wildlife habitat,” said Ian Barnett, director of regional operations for Ducks Unlimited Canada’s Pacific region. “The proximity of Swan Lake to other highly productive wetland landscapes in the Peace River area gives added value to this purchase. The property is also easy to reach, so a large number of people will be able to enjoy the tremendous variety of species.
The landscape surrounding South Swan Lake comprises old-growth cottonwoods, shrubs and open grasslands. Swan Lake’s shallow, warm waters also make it a popular local angling spot for walleye, northern pike, yellow perch and burbot.
Ducks Unlimited Canada contributed $312,000 to the purchase price. The Habitat Conservation Trust Fund put forth the remaining $70,000.