The Canadian Field-Naturalist

Using iNaturalist to assess road mortality in Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) in Canada

2025-09-16T22:09:05+00:00

Many species of freshwater turtles are negatively affected by road mortality. Although the mostly aquatic behaviour of
Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) may reduce road mortality, the magnitude and spatial extent of this threat are poorly understood. We assessed road mortality in this species using iNaturalist Canada data. We found 244 observations of Northern Map Turtles on roads in Canada, spanning most of the Canadian range of the species. Not surprisingly, more turtles found on roads were dead (n = 160) rather than alive (n = 84). Over 60% of observations occurred in June, which corresponds with the nesting season. Road mortality appears to be widespread and to affect adult female Northern Map Turtles more than males or juveniles.

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) breeding phenology and tree nesting in Wapusk National Park, Manitoba

2025-09-23T10:05:39+00:00

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is a wide-ranging apex predator, yet the breeding ecology of eastern populations in North
America remains poorly documented, particularly near the northern and western extent of their breeding range. Here, we present evidence of Golden Eagle reproduction in Wapusk National Park, northern Manitoba, documenting three in-use nests containing nestlings. All nests were located in large White Spruce (Picea glauca) trees in riparian forest, highlighting
trees as an important nesting structure in this low-relief, cliff-free landscape. Estimated laying and hatch dates suggest that breeding phenology aligns with northern populations in Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Yukon, and northern Quebec. These observations provide new insight into breeding timing and nest-site use by Golden Eagles in a subarctic environment, where reproduction likely occurs within a narrow seasonal window. Despite a small sample size, our study establishes a baseline for future monitoring in Wapusk National Park and contributes to a broader understanding of Golden Eagle breeding ecology in northern Canada.

Breeding of Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) on Axel Heiberg Island, Nunavut, Canada

2026-03-08T05:21:56+00:00

Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) is a migratory shorebird; subspecies psammodromus reaches the western limit of its breeding range in Nunavut, Canada, where the population is thought to be relatively small and restricted to the easternmost islands of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The subspecies was observed on Axel Heiberg Island, Nunavut in July 2022 and again in 2023, when breeding was confirmed, which is a western extension of the recorded breeding range in Canada. The nesting habitat is consistent with that used by this subspecies elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. These observations and confirmed breeding at Expedition Fiord, on the west coast of Axel Heiberg Island, provide new insight into the breeding range of a shorebird whose presence in Canada is poorly understood.

Wild Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) can live at least half a century in Ontario

2026-03-23T22:37:38+00:00

Turtles exhibit remarkable longevity but estimating the age of wild turtles is challenging. We report observations of Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) in Opinicon Lake, Ontario, that demonstrate lifespans exceeding 50 years. Since 2003, the Opinicon Lake population has been continuously monitored through a capture–mark–recapture study. However, earlier marking efforts in the 1970s provided an opportunity to assess the minimum longevity of several individuals. One female, marked in 1978 at an estimated age of 10 years, was recaptured multiple times between 2004 and 2025 revealing an estimated age of 57 years. Seventeen additional turtles displaying marks consistent with tagging from the 1970s were also recaptured between 2006 and 2025, suggesting minimum ages ranging from 31 to 55 years. The considerable longevity of these turtles in Ontario has important implications for their conservation.