Swan Lake Nature Reserve
Swan Lake Committe Report
Activities from Sept. 2007 - Oct. 2008Planning - Committee met with GVS and DUC and the layout and functions within the reserve have been agreed. We are awaiting the revised drawing and formal approval by the GVSC and NORD.
The issue regarding access from the Old Kamloops Road appears to have been resolved, and will use the existing road at Stawn’s Honey.
Planting and Maintenance Program – In March most of the remaining plants and shrubs were transplanted from John Baumbrough’s farm to the reserve. In July an inventory of healthy plants showed we had 624, including 162 willows, 42 cottonwoods and 95 ponderosa pines. Watering of the new plants continued throughout the summer using the expanded hose irrigation system.
Weeding – A work party in the spring continued the attack on the burdock around BX creek. Workparties also tackled the heavy grass and weed growth by hand in the planting zones, before mechanised equipment had to be brought in.
Bird blind - committee obtained a grant of $1,800 from BC Nature (FBCN). In March DUC contracted a backhoe to install the donated support pilings, and in September/October the blind has been constructed on the spit to the north east of the BX creek mouth. Finishing work will continue this fall and in the spring. Pruning of the willow saplings to protect view lines will be done in the spring, and the access trail will be revised to make the approach less conspicuous to birds using the BX delta.
Trails - Tolko Industries donated $20,000 in Nov. 2006 to DUC for a start on the trail system, but we are awaiting formal approval of the trail layouts and action on the part of GVS to initiate the work program. The committee did not make any improvements to the informal trails along BX creek this year to discourage squatters. As a result of the bird blind construction, there is now a cleared trail on the north side of BX creek from just east of the footbridge to the blind site. This route will be changed somewhat next year to reduce bird disturbance.
Floats - The 2 DUC sign floats at the south end of the lake required some maintenance this year, and also 2 “loafer” logs were anchored off the BX delta, close to the location of the bird blind.
Creek clean up – In late August a work party cleared out all the windfalls and other debris from BX creek, and greatly improved the water flow. We are being careful to maintain the natural characteristics of the creek, however a further embedded tree branch will have to be removed before the spring run-off.
This spring the banks of BX creek were built up with sandbags to contain run-off, however the flooding was so extreme that the bank protection was inundated. More work will be needed if future run-offs are to be kept within the banks.
Haying – At this stage of the reserve development, it is considered important to continue haying as part of the interim management plan. The same fields were again cut this year and, in order to harvest the crops in prime condition, the swathing took place a few weeks earlier this year due to the rapid growth in the spring. There was no reported evidence that this had a detrimental effect on breeding, however it is a concern and the farmer has agreed to cut as late as possible every year.
General stewardship –
• In March Venture Training (Ed Columbus) supplied and installed some bird boxes.
• In April three DUC “Nesting Area” signs were erected along the BX creek/highway overpass perimeter to advise the public that use the farm roads and creek trails.
• A small number of campers down by BX creek were moved along during the summer.
• Our first school field trip from Silver Star Elementary was entertained in April with Science teacher Jim Anderson (Stawn’s Honey) in attendance. The class planted several pine trees and captured (and released) a pocket gopher, as well as completing reports on the ecosystems.
• In May the NONC annual field day was held on the reserve.
• In the spring GVS extended the surface irrigation pipes and hose connections to all the planting zones.
• In July GVS contracted for mowing of the extremely long grass and weeds that were obstructing the watering and tree maintenance.
• An inventory of surviving trees and plants was conducted in July.
Work Parties – the committee would like to give a big “thank you” to everyone who helped out on the various work parties. Club members (in no particular order) Peter Blokker, Adam Moss, Wendy Hooke, Chris Marchant, Allison Warner, Jim Bodkin, Gail Loughridge, Erin Nelson, Lucille Slonski, Tom Speechly, Andy & Marilyn Buhler, Ev & Barbara Miyasaki, Bob & Joyce Hebbert, Fred & Ina Wisse, Iris Armfelt, Pam Jenkins, Jack and Lynn Smith, Malcolm Martin, Buffy Baumbrough, Susie Sims, Michael and Ann Berry, Glen Jonat, Pat Haigh, Norbert Maertens, Wally Steinke.
Our apologies if any name has been missed out.
Special thanks to
• Dennis Seymour for the loan of tools and equipment for the blind construction, for his positive approach, and ability to scale great heights during the many days of labour,
• Mike Carlson at the Kalamalka Forestry Research Station for his continuing support with plants and expertise,
• ABNC for volunteers to make up the wire cages to protect our trees,
• Chris Marchant for the use of his truck again to deliver the blind materials,
• Jim Bodkin for the use of his boat to fix the sign floats,
• Garry Birkitt for the use of his trailer for hauling construction materials
• and to John Baumbrough for tending our seedlings at his farm.
Swan Lake Committee - Lyall Webster (Chair), Kay Bartholomew, Ray Arlt.