MNR COLLAR-TRACKED COYOTE VISITING PARK

Radio transmitter can be seen under chin

As previously reported, there have been a number of coyote sighting in the park over winter.  
Rena Sherring recently sent us photographs of one of these sightings.  Other people have reported seeing three different coyotes, one with a collar, one with a limp and another.

  

Brent Patterson, a research scientist from Trent University working on Wildlife Research and Monitoring for the Ministry of Natural Resources, offers an explanation for the identity of two of the coyotes ……

“The collared coyote is the one we refer to as “Miss04”. She was collared in November 2012 and her GPS collar stopped sending locations in early Feb of this year so it’s nice to receive reports of her whereabouts.  Her collar was actually supposed to drop last November but the release mechanism failed so we are hoping to recapture her to replace the collar with a fresh one.  We typically have observed her with her mate since August 2012 and although he has been limping the entire time, he seems to be in good shape and does not appear to have trouble getting enough to eat or keeping up with his mate.  Ironically, this pair actually has the largest home range of any of the territorial coyotes we are tracking In Mississauga.”
  

Brent sent us some maps that show the tracking of their movements (Miss04). The range is surprisingly extensive for urban coyotes.  He is very interested in receiving reports of any additional collared coyotes observed.  If you see a collared coyote, please contact Friends of Sam Smith Park so that we can pass the information on to Brent.
 

PARK CLEAN-UP DAY - SUNDAY, APRIL 27TH

COMMUNITY GARDEN UPDATE

A community meeting was held last Monday to discuss the progress of the community garden project.  About thirty people braved the bitter cold.  The group included some residents from Thirteenth Street.  The work group provided the audience with information about all four sites in Sam Smith Park that are being considered and provided opportunity for people to comment and/or voice their concerns about each site. The four sites are …

1. North east corner of park (north end of heritage orchard site between Rabba and the gatehouse)
2. Further south in the orchard, close to the “small bowl”
3. South of the Jane Tweed Centre, east of the red osier dogwoods
4. In the meadow south of the dog park

Overwhelmingly, the attendees thought that the north/east location at Sam Smith, the work group’s selected location, was the best site. In fact, the group felt so strongly they unanimously voted in favour of this site and requested that the results be communicated to the Councillor.

A name was chosen for the garden ….

Lakeshore Heritage Community Garden
.... a name that reflects the fact that the old hospital was quite self-sufficient in producing their own food on that site.

SAM SMITH SNOWY OWL PIC

Beautiful photograph of a recent park visitor ....
(Thank you Michael Earle)

SNOWY OWL