Fish and waterfowl flock to new habitat in Ontario

“The advantage of working with Ducks Unlimited Canada is that we have decades of experience, and with respect to approvals, we stay abreast of regulatory and policy changes related to wetlands. We know who to call and how to present a project—and we have a long history of successful habitat restoration,” says Williams.  

Williams and his team expertly enhanced the wetland by creating a series of interconnected pools and channels to make the marsh more fish friendly. Then the exciting part of the project began: monitoring for success. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) required that MTO carry out three years of fish monitoring and be able to confirm that the site was providing habitat for a minimum of five fish species over the three-year period. To ensure objectivity and expert advice, Williams partnered with Quinte Conservation to complete the monitoring.  

Quinte Conservation’s aquatic science coordinator Mary Gunning oversaw the monitoring.  

Results exceed expectations 

“In the first year of monitoring, we were thrilled to have identified 13 native species of fish using the habitat, which surpasses the DFO requirement of five native fish,” says Gunning. “One of the species, a grass pickerel, is listed as a species of Special Concern.” 

In the second year, 11 species recorded and two of those (rock bass and tadpole madtom) were new species not seen in the previous year which was equally exciting for the team. Pumpkinseed, brown bullhead, bluegill and yellow perch were noted in relative abundance with an uptick in golden shiner in the second year. Largemouth bass and northern pike were present as well.  DUC staff also recorded Blanding’s turtles using the new channels for basking and noted wild rice starting to grow which will provide food for a wide variety of marsh-dwelling birds. 

As part of the monitoring, Quinte staff also noted vegetation communities, 69 per cent of which were native species, but they also noted invasive species and in doing so, have the opportunity to manage them in the early stages. While they were out in the new channels, a family of four paddled by in their canoe, clearly enjoying the newly accessible area.    

Better than before 

The concept of overall benefit is critically important to restoring a healthy balance between nature and human activity. When an activity will result in damage to our ecosystems—important natural areas that support biodiversity and climate resilience—we must ensure that we compensate for those impacts in a way that leaves our landscape healthier than before. A well-planned habitat restoration effort can provide increased overall benefit for wildlife and the landscape in the long term.  

“This is what overall benefit is all about,” says Williams. “More, and healthier habitat—even better than before. It’s good for wildlife but also provides more opportunities for people to get out and enjoy nature: win-win!”