Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area Management Plan: chapter 2


2 Ecological resources

2.1 Terrestrial and aquatic habitats

Prince Edward County is located within the Mixedwood Plains ecozone and is at the geographic limit of the distribution of many northern and southern species. This location coupled with the spectrum of site conditions and continued vegetative succession, supports a rich diversity of habitat types upon which a wide variety of wildlife species, including species at risk, depend.

The Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area (NWA) consists predominantly of meadows and grasslands with scattered or dense shrub thickets (75%); forested uplands (18%); riparian and inland wetlands (6%); shoreline embayments; and cobble beaches and cliffs (1%) (Figure 6). Surrounded by the large surface area of Lake Ontario, the flat topography of the land mass and the thin layer of soil covering the bedrock allows a diversity of microhabitats to flourish within the NWA (Gauthier 1982).

The preliminary terrestrial vegetation survey (White 2008) found four distinct plant communities: a provincially significant undisturbed White Cedar Treed Carbonate Cliff along the northeastern shore of the NWA (rated in Bakowsky (1996) as S3, or rare in Ontario); Dry-Fresh Shagbark Hickory-Prickly-ash Limestone Woodland Type 1 in the northeastern part of the NWA; it is in fair-to-good condition with little disturbance and is provincially significant (rated by Bakowsky (2008) as S1, or extremely rare in Ontario); Mosaic of Dry-fresh Deciduous Forest and Fresh-moist Lowland Deciduous Forest, which occurs in patches in much of the central area part of the NWA; and Cultural Meadow, which occurs in several areas across the NWA.

The terrestrial habitat within the NWA currently consists of a mixture of vegetation in various successional stages. The majority of the NWA is comprised of large contiguous areas that are dominated by grassland or by pasture grasses (Figure 6). Over the past 30 years, successional growth of shrubs, small trees and thicket has reclaimed former pastures. Common species in these thickets include Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), Red-osier Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) and Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum americanum) (White 2008).

Later successional upland forest predominates the southern portion of the NWA, and also at Point Traverse. In the upland forest areas, Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa), Red Oak (Quercus rubra) and Ironwood (Ostrya virginiana) are the dominant species encountered. The south shore is low and rocky with gravel beaches. In some areas, the beach restricts water flow, thereby creating scattered marshes inland along the shore.Small wooded swamps containing Black Ash (Fraxinus nigra) or dogwoods are generally found surrounding the marshes along the south shore.

The north shore of the NWA is made up of limestone cliffs. A small pond and marshes are also present within the northeastern portion of the NWA.

Several alvar plant species have become established on the thin soils and shallow depressions overlaying flat bedrock, but no well-developed alvar communities currently occur within the NWA.

Over time, unless ongoing active management (or a wildfire) occurs, the successional growth of shrubs and trees within the grassland and regenerating pasture habitats is expected to return the majority of the NWA to forested conditions. Environment and Climate Change Canada is currently assessing the benefits and feasibility of maintaining a large area (up to 50 ha) at Prince Edward Point NWA as grassland habitat for migratory birds and other grassland species.

Figure 6: Prince Edward Point NWA habitat and land cover
Map source: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service - Ontario, 2016
Map of habitat and land cover (see long description below)
Long description for figure 6

Map showing the various habitats and land cover in Prince-Edward-Point National Wildlife Area. The smaller section of the area is mainly composed of open grassland with smaller areas of thickets, upland forest, recovering pastures, swamps and marshes. The larger section is mainly composed of recovering pastures surrounded by thickets and upland forests with smaller areas of open grasslands, swamps and marshes. Within the boundaries of both sections of the Wildlife Area, a few small private properties are showed. The map scale is expressed in kilometers and the projection is Universal Transverse Mercator (Zone 18N).

2.2 Wildlife Species

The physical location of the Long Point Peninsula causes a spectacular number of migratory passerine birds to funnel and concentrate at its northeastern tip. During spring and autumn, Prince Edward Point is a vital stopover point for many species of migrating birds. They use the area to rest and feed in order to build up fat reserves for continued migration, and seek sanctuary during their vulnerable stage of post-breeding molt (Mohr and Maltby 1982). The abundance of food and diversity of habitats are such that large numbers of many different species can be supported and protected. Among the 334 species recorded since 1985 are songbirds, waterfowl, waterbirds, owls and hawks. During an average year, approximately 220 species are recorded as migrants. Of the 114 species known to nest in either the NWA or in the near vicinity, 68 species, including the nationally and provincially threatened Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus) are known to nest regularly within the NWA (Okines 2009).

Numerous songbird species are regular spring and fall migrants such as Ruby-crowned Kinglets (Regulus calendula) (300-350 per year), Blue Jays (Cyanocita cristata) (400 per year), Magnolia Warblers (Dendroica magnolia) (300 per year) and Yellow-rumped Warblers (Dendroica coronata) (500+ per year) (Okines, personal communication, 2011). Over 1000 individual birds can be seen in a single day during the peak migration period.

In autumn, thousands of migrating hawks and owls take advantage of the meadows and shrub areas to hunt for rodents (Okines 2009). The NWA is considered one of the best locations in the province to see Northern Saw-whet Owls (Aegolius acadicus) during the fall migration, as they migrate south from the boreal forest to winter down in West Virginia. The Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory has been banding Northern Saw-whet Owls in the NWA since 2000. On average, 700 to 750 Northern Saw-whet Owls migrate through the NWA in late September to late October. The highest numbers of owls banded in a season was 1518 in 2007 and 1022 in 2010 (Okines, personal communication, 2011).

Common fall migrants banded in the NWA in the last decade include Golden-crowned Kinglets (Regulus satrapa) (average 850+ per year), Ruby-crowned Kinglets (average 650+ per year), American Goldfinches (Carduelis tristis) (average 600+ per year) and Yellow-rumped Warblers (average 250+ per year) (Okines, personal communication, 2011).

Migratory waterfowl species using the deep waters and shoals represent more than 1% of the world’s populations of White-winged Scoter, Greater Scaup and Long-tailed Duck. Nearshore waters and wetlands also provide habitat for a range of warm and cold water fish species such as Smallmouth (Micropterus dolomieu) and Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides), Yellow Perch (Perca flarescens), and Walleye (Stizotedion vitreum).

Prince Edward Point NWA is also an important stopover on the migration route for Monarch. Immense aggregations can be found clinging to cedar trees at the southeastern tip of the peninsula each fall as they wait for favorable winds to cross Lake Ontario. Large numbers of feeding odonates (damselflies and dragonflies) are also encountered during the fall in the fields and woodland edges at the tip of the peninsula (Kingston Field Naturalists 1976).

Little Brown Bats (Myotis lucifigus), Silver-haired Bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans) and Red Bats (Lasiurus borealis) have been caught in mist nets and heard using ultra-high frequency bat detectors (Shorrock 1977; Okines 2009).

While a diversity of small mammal species is encountered in the NWA, trapping efforts have documented relatively low populations. This is likely in part the result of high predation by migrating raptors and resident Eastern Gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) (Shorrock 1977; Sinden and Hodges 1981).

A recent inventory of reptiles and amphibians found 16 species of snakes, turtles and frogs, and one species of salamander in the NWA (Hamill 2008). Prince Edward Point NWA is believed to have one of the largest concentrations of Eastern Gartersnakes in southeastern Ontario, with a single site of 0.5 ha having an estimated population of 77 individuals (Burrows 1981).

Little is currently known about the suitability of pond and marsh habitats for fish and other aquatic species, including species at risk.

2.3 Species at risk

Thirty-one species at risk, listed under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA), have been reported at Prince Edward Point NWA including: 24 birds, 4 reptiles, 1 amphibian, 1 plant and 1 insect (Table 3).

In addition to the federal list of legally protected species, a certain number of species, which were assessed and designated by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), have been observed in the NWA (Table 3; COSEWIC, 2013): Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna), and Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) designated as threatened; and Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis), Eastern Wood-pewee (Contopus virens) and Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) designated as special concern. The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) are provincial species at risk classified as special concern under the Ontario Endangered Species Act, 2007 and have been reported at this site (Table 3; Government of Ontario 2012). Appendix 1 provides links to more information on federal and provincial species at risk legislation in Ontario.

It is anticipated that critical habitat under SARA may be identified within the NWA for a number of other at risk species.

Most of the species at risk known to occur within the NWA are observed during migration. At this time, most species are likely to use a broader range of habitats than while breeding, and thus are relatively tolerant of variable habitat conditions. Seven species at risk are known to breed within the NWA, with much greater needs for specific habitat conditions.

Table 3: Species at Risk in Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area
Species Common and scientific names of species Species at Risk Act (SARA) a (Canadian status) Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) b (Canadian status) Endangered Species Act (ESA) c (Ontario status)
Invertebrates Monarch
Danaus plexippus
Special concern Special concern Special concern
Amphibians Western Chorus Frog
(Great Lakes population)
Pseudacris triseriata
Threatened Threatened Not classified
Reptiles <sensitive species> Threatened Threatened Threatened
Reptiles Northern Map Turtle
Graptemys geographica
Special concern Special concern Special concern
Reptiles Eastern Milksnake
Lampropeltis triangulum
Special concern Special concern Special concern
Reptiles Snapping Turtle
Chelydra serpentina
Special concern Special concern Special concern
Birds Acadian Flycatcher
Empidonax virescens
Endangered Endangered Endangered
Birds Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
No Status Not at risk Special concern
Birds Barn Owl (Eastern population)
Tyto alba
Endangered Endangered Endangered
Birds Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
No Status Threatened Threatened
Birds Black Tern
Chlidonias niger
No Status Not at risk Special concern
Birds Bobolink
Dolichonyx oryzivorus
No Status Threatened Threatened
Birds Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Tryngites subruficollis
No Status Special concern Not classified
Birds Canada Warbler
Cardellina canadensis
Threatened Threatened Special concern
Birds Cerulean Warbler
Setophaga cerulea
Special concern Endangered Threatened
Birds Chimney Swift
Chaetura pelagica
Threatened Threatened Threatened
Birds Common Nighthawk
Chordeiles minor
Threatened Threatened Special concern
Birds Eastern Meadowlark
Sturnella magna
No Status Threatened Threatened
Birds Eastern Whip-poor-will
Antrostomus vociferus
Threatened Threatened Threatened
Birds Eastern Wood-pewee
Contopus virens
No Status Special concern Special concern
Birds Golden-winged Warbler
Vermivora chrysoptera
Threatened Threatened Special concern
Birds Henslow’s Sparrow
Ammodramus henslowii
Endangered Endangered Endangered
Birds Hooded Warbler
Septophaga citrina
Threatened Not at risk Not classified
Birds Horned Grebe (Western population)
Podiceps auritus
No status Special concern Special concern
Birds King Rail
Rallus elegans
Endangered Endangered Endangered
Birds Least Bittern
Ixobrychus exilis
Threatened Threatened Threatened
Birds Loggerhead Shrike migrans subspecies
Lanius ludovicianus migrans
Endangered Non-active Endangered
Birds Louisiana Waterthrush
Parkesia motacilla
Special concern Threatened Special concern
Birds Olive-sided Flycatcher
Contopus cooperi
Threatened Threatened Special concern
Birds Peregrine Falcon anatum subspecies
Falco peregrinus anatum
No status Non-active Special concern
Birds Piping Plover circumcinctus subspecies
Charadrius melodus circumcinctus
Endangered Endangered Endangered
Birds Prothonotary Warbler
Protonotaria citrea
Endangered Endangered Endangered
Birds Red-headed Woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
Threatened Threatened Special concern
Birds Red Knot rufa subspecies
Calidris canutus rufa
Endangered Endangered Endangered
Birds Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
Special concern Not at risk Not classified
Birds Rusty Blackbird
Euphagus carolinus
Special concern Special concern Not classified
Birds Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeus
Special concern Special concern Special concern
Birds Wood Thrush
Hylocichla mustelina
No status Threatened Special concern
Birds Yellow Rail
Coturnicops noveboracensis
Special concern Special concern Special concern
Birds Yellow-breasted Chat Virens subspecies
Icteria virens virens
Special concern Endangered Endangered
Mammals Little Brown Myotis
Myotis lucifugus
Endangered Endangered Endangered

a SARA (Species at Risk Act): extinct, extirpated, endangered, threatened, special concern, not at risk (assessed and deemed not at risk of extinction) or no status (not rated)

b COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada): extinct, extirpated, endangered, threatened, special concern, not at risk (assessed not at risk of extinction) or data deficient (available information is insufficient to resolve eligibility for assessment or permit an assessment of the wildlife species’ risk of extinction))

c ESA (Endangered Species Act, 2007): Provincial ranking using provincial codes

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