MUSKOKA HERITAGE AREAS PROGRAM A Project of the District Municipality of Muskoka and the Muskoka Heritage Foundation 10 Pine Street, Bracebridge, Ontario PIL IN3

RESULTS

OF 1992

FIELD PROGRAM

MUSKOKA HERITAGE AREAS PROGRAM REPORT NO. 3

RESULTS OF THE 1992 FIELD SEASON

Bonnie Bergsma Ron Reid Terry Rasmussen Genevieve Taeger

March 1993

The Heritage Areas Program is sponsored by the District Municipality of Muskoka and the Muskoka Heritage Foundation, with major financial support from the Ministry of Natural Resources and other agencies.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: 1. PROGRAM ORGANIZATION AND FUNDING ... 1 2. METHODOLOGY FOR BIOTIC FIELD PROGRAM ... 5 3. RECOMMENDATIONS .. 15 4. TECHNICAL SUMMARY: RECOMMENDED HERITAGE AREAS .. 17 Clipsham Woods .. 18 Fawn Lake Wetland .. 23 Gray Rapids .. 29 Langmaids Island .. 35 Lower Oxtongue River .. 40 Muldrew Creek .. 46 Riley Lake North .. 51 Scarcliffe Bay .. 57 Shack Creek Wetland .. 62 Spring Creek .. 70 Tasso Creek - Upper Big East River .. 71 Walker Point - Wells Creek .. 83 Westermain Woods .. 89 5. ADDITIONAL SITES OF INTEREST Sites from previous years - 1990 .. 93 Sites from previous years - 1991 .. 97 Other sites of interest from 1992 .103

6. LITERATURE CITED .106 7. APPENDIX 1 : RARE SPECIES STATUS .108

1. PROGRAM ORGANIZATION AND FUNDING: The Muskoka Heritage Areas Program was established to identify the best examples of the District's natural and cultural heritage, using a systematic, 6bjective evaluation process, and to seek mechanisms for the protection of these heritage landscapes. 1992 was the third year of a planned three-year program, with field activities relating to natural heritage features, both biotic and scenic. Evaluation of cultural heritage also began in 1992. This report provides a preliminary analysis of the significance of biotic candidates studied in 1992 by the Heritage Areas field crew. The final evaluation of all candidates will t~ke place early in 1993, after field work has been completed. A review of technical measures such as regional rarity of species, the diversity/area index, and the percentage of introduced species will be carried out in preparation for this final evaluation.

Evaluation of heritage areas is guid~d by a series of selection criteria, approved by District Council in March 1990 after review by various agency staff and interest groups. (Table 1) Program direction is provided by a Technical Steering Committee, with representation from the District Municipality, the Muskoka Heritage Foundation, the Ministry of Natural Resources Bracebridge Area office and Central Region (Huntsville). The 1992 field program had two major components: i) A Muskoka Scenic Evaluation was carried out by staff of the Heritage Areas Program, primarily through an Environmental Youth Corps grant. This project measured public responses to a "Scenic Muskoka" questionnaire, to determine public preferences for various landscape types, and to solicit specific nominations for sceni~ areas. A second part of the project used field surveys to evaluate and document the nominated areas, and to identify additional similar landscapes that would meet the expressed public preferences.

Resu'l ts of th i s study have been sunmar i zed ina separate report. ii) The third year of the biological field program, at a cost of approximately $65,000, was co-sponsored by the District Municipality, the Ministry of Natural

- 1 ­ Resources, and the Muskoka Heritage Foundation. Additional support for this program included: * The provision of an Environmental Youth Corps grant from the Ontario Ministry of Environment to hire one field assistant and one data input person; * A three-year grant provided by Wildlife Habitat Canada to assist with landowner contact and stewardship components of the program. * A supporting grant provided by World Wildlife Fund (Canada) under the Endangered Spaces program;

* A supporting grant from The McLean Foundation, through the Muskoka Heritage Foundation. The 1992 biological field program was carried out by a seasonal field crew based in Bracebridge. Field work included ten candidate areas, plus more limited reconnaissance of another twelve areas. Results of this field work are included in this report. Field staff for 1992 included: Project Coordinator: Ron Reid, Bobolink Enterprises Field Chief: Bonnie Bergsma Field Assistant: Terry Rasmussen Data Input: Genevieve Taeger Field work and specimen identification was also assisted on several occasions by the volunteer input of Bill Crins, Jan McDonnell, Adriane Pollard, Dan Whittam, and several members of the Muskoka Field Natura.lists.

- 2 ­ Table

DISTRICT OF MUSKOKA HERITAGE AREAS SELECTION CRITERIA January 1990 AS/OTIC CRITERIA: Objective: To identify a system of physical landscapes that incorporate the full diversity of bedrock, surficial, and aquatic landform types and features within Muskoka.

1. The area has landform features or elements that are distinctive or unusual in the District, Ontario, or Canada. 2. The area is representative of at least one landform type, process, or phase of development not adequately represented within existing protected areas. 3. The area exhibits unusually high diversity of landform features or types. 4. The area contributes to regional hydrological systems through ground or surface water storage or protection or enhancement of water quality.

BIOTIC CRITERIA: Objective: To identify in a systematic way the best examples of the full range of Muskoka's biological heritage, including both aquatic and terrestrial habitats critical to the survival of healthy populations of native wild species. 1. The area is representative of at least one biotic community type not adequately represented within existing protected areas. 2. The area exhibits high diversity of native flora and fauna, either at the species or community level. 3. The area contains biotic communities of unusually high quality or showing little recent disturbance, or remnants of community types greatly reduced from their earlier distribution.

- 3 ­ 4. The area provides habitat for species of plants or animals that are rare, threatened, endangered, or vulnerable in the District, Ontario, or Canada. 5. The area serves as a breeding, shelter, or feeding site for seasonal concentrations of wildlife or fish.

6. The area is large enough to support species requiring extensive undisturbed habitats, or provides linkages between other significant natural areas.

CULTURAL CRITERIA: Objective: To identify a system of significant cultural landscapes and features within Muskoka, including historic and contemporary elements.

1. The area is representative of an historic or prehistoric theme or process significant to the development of Muskoka. 2. The area contains sites or landscapes associated with well-known events or people, or distinctive ethnic groups. 3. The area contains buildings, artifacts, travel routes, or landscape'patterns of relative antiquity or duration.

4. The area exhibits cultural characteristics unusual or unique to Muskoka, possessing high artistic values, or embodying distinctive examples of a type, period, or method of construction. s. The area contains elements that reflect the distinctive values, attitudes, traditions, and lifeways of the people of Muskoka. 6. The area has high archaeological potential, or known archaeological significance. 7. The area contains sites or landscapes with patterns of form, line, colour, or texture that together present outstanding scenic value.

- 4 ­ 2. METHODOLOGY FOR BIOTIC FIELD PROGRAM: 2.1 Selection of Candidate study Areas: Candidate study areas were selected on the basis of: i) local knowledge of significant or interesting features; ii) previous records of rare species from the National Museum Atlas of Rare Vascular Plants, the Ontario Herpetofaunal Summary, or the Ontario Breeding Bird Atla~; iii) distinctive or unusual landform features which could be combined with potential biotic significance; iv) representation of biotic types not adequately represented within existing protected areas; v) candidates identified during previous studies for potential park status, ANSI designation, or Atlantic coastal plain species. 2.2 Boundary Delineation: Tentative site boundaries were established using air photo analysis and preliminary site visits. Boundaries were refined and confirmed during field study. Limited buffers were added where it was necessary to protect sensitive ecological areas (such as wetlands, habitat for sensitive species, forest interiors) by increasing their margins. On the individual Heritage Area maps, buffers have been noted with broken dash lines. Although final boundary and buffer delineation was made on Ontario Base Maps at a 1:10,000 scale~ all boundaries must be considered as approximate. In defining boundaries, the following guidelines were used: i) boundaries should incorporate the full range of natural heritage features present; ii) boundaries should follow the edge of significant geological features or habitat types; iii) where no habitat boundary is apparant,

- 5 ­ boundaries should follow watershed or sub­ watershed limits, ridges, or other distinctive topographical features recognizable in the field; iv) where appropriate, boundaries should follow cultural delineations such as roads, railways, or hydro lines; v) in some cases, boundaries may be influenced by property boundaries, particularly between Crown and private lands, although this is a secondary consideration; vi) boundaries should generally exclude developed and agricultural areas, although scattered residences or cottages may occasionally be included within large candidates; vii) minor intrusions of other habitats should be incorporated if they have a direct or indirect ecological influence on the area. 2.3 Data Collection: Field Coverage: Candidate areas considered most significant on the basis of existing information received the most intensive field work. Field work was oriented to provide a visit early in the season, a second site visit during the bird breeding season, and a third visit in late summer to provide more complete botanical coverage. Areas known or suspected to include coastal plain flora were visited in late summer when these species are visible. Wherever possible, prior records of rare species were checked to confirm their continued presence. other candidate areas received as much field time as possible, with an emphasis on visiting each area at least once during the bird breeding season. During the field season, new candidate areas were identified by the field staff. These potential candidates, plus other areas from previous years' study, usually received only partial coverage. In some candidates, for example, 1992 visits were necessary to complete bird or herptile data collection. To the greatest degree possible, emphasis was placed on tieing up any loose ends in this final year of field work.

- 6 ­ Inventory methods: Tentative boundaries were drawn onto OBMs. With the assistance of these maps and airphotos, the field crew selected suitable routes for field visits. Of necessity, access was a prime consideration in determining routes; however, the goal was 'to visit all distinctive habitats and features identified from airphoto analysis. UTM coordinates were recorded for the start and finish point of each transect. Orientation by compass was often required within large candidate areas. River habitats were usually visited by canoe, with frequent stops to inventory and map adjacent habitats. Field data was recorded on pre-printed data sheets for vascular plants, birds, amphibians and reptiles, mammals, butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies, and mushrooms. Collection of data on bird life was generally limited to birds observed in suitable habitat during their breeding season. Where breeding was confirmed, by nests, fledged young, or other evidence, that evidence was noted on field sheets. Photographs and/or voucher plant specimens were taken when field identity was questionable. Plant specimens, particularly of rare species, were not taken if the population would be endangered by removal of an individual. Mammal sightings as well as tracks, scats, dens and corpses were used as evidence to confirm the presence of a species within an area. Birds were identified by song and by visual sightings. All other wildlife was recorded on the basis of sight or sound identification. Vegetation mapping: For each area, the vegetation was identified and communities mapped on the basis of qualitative observations undertaken during field transects. The vegetation association mapping was carried out using categories adapted from the Canadian Vegetation Classification System (strong et al, 1990). This mapping is based on a combination of dominant tree, shrub, or forb associations, degree of coverage, and

- 1 ­ terrain type. This information was used to assist in identifying the range of plant community types within the study area and in better defining area boundaries. 2.4 Data Compilation: The data from field checklists was entered on computer recoras using dBase IV, to permit full access to data for each area, and to facilitate regional comparisons. Master lists of vascular plants, birds, and so on are used as the basis for computer entry. These master lists were generated from the files of Bob Bowles, who was a field biologist for the program in 1990 and 1991 seasons, and for vascular plants, from the previous work of Emerson Whiting and Jim Goltz (1983). The data collected during each field visit was recorded on its own computer file. Details such as date, coordinates, observors, and additional remarks are part of the program. A printout of the data was made for proof-reading by the field staff. Coordinates for individual rare species were noted and kept on file. Composite files for each study area were generated near the end of the field season. The original files were not altered during this process. All composites and originals were duplicated on back-up disks. Using the composite files and a master list of rare species, a query was created to produce a list of rare species for each study area. Paper copies of these rare lists, plus complete species lists for each area, are kept in the project files. 2.5 Rare Lists: Working lists of nationally, provincially and regionally rare species, along with regionally uncommon species, were developed near the beginning of the program. These lists were included as Appendix 1 of the Results of the 1990 Field Program report. Based on the results of further field work, and the review and comments of outside experts, some of these rarity status assignments were changed during 1992. These final rarity lists and the rationale for assigning rare status are included as an appendix to this report.

- 8 ­ 2.6 Evaluation of Candidate Areas: Evaluation of candidate areas took place after the geological and biological attributes had been assembled, based on field data, published literature, unpublished reports, and personal communications. Assessment of the significance of individual candidate areas was carried out through the application of the selection criteria listed in Table 1. Candidates are ranked at two levels of significance, Natural Heritage Areas and Natural Heritage Sites. Within Natural Heritage Areas, at least one of the selection criteria is met fully, in most cases with two or more criteria involved. In Natural Heritage Sites, a specific feature of interest is present, on a clearly­ defined site of limited extent. At the end of the Program, the recommended designation of each candidate will be reviewed, to ensure that the selection criteria have been applied consistently and fully. At this stage in the Program, the recommendation of Areas and Sites must be considered preliminary, since further consideration may reveal better candidates of a similar nature, or suggest greater significance for candidates now considered marginal. Application of Criteria: Abiotic Criteria: In association with surficial Quaternary geology mapping undertaken in Muskoka District, the Ontario Geological Survey identified distinctive or unusual, representative or diverse geological features, landscapes and deposits to be considered for inclusion under this program. The candidate sites are identified in the Quaternary Geology Component report by Andy Bajc (1992), who directed the OGS survey_ These candidates fulfilled the requirements for criteria A-1 and A-2. The application of criterion A-3 (diversity of landform features and types) is in part associated with criterion B-2 (diversity of biological communities), whereby a diverse landscape will often support a more diverse biological component. The application of criterion A-4, (contribution to regional hydrological systems), was applied to candidates which clearly act as source areas for one or

- 9 ­ more streams (such as Lewisham Wetlands), or where broad undisturbed floodplains act to protect water quality (e.g. the Big East River valley), or for extensive wetland complexes with a water storage or groundwater recharge function (eg. Spring Creek wetland). Since no detailed hydrological studies were carried out, this criterion was applied conservatively. Biotic Criteria: The assessment of ecological values was made using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. Where possible a quantitative assessment was made that reflected the data and expertise and could be defended on the basis of numeric values. Data that did not fit numeric models was analyzed comparatively. Certain criteria will also retain a regional bias depending on the type of pressures and the primary area of ecological concern for the region. Criterion B-1: Representation One of the goals of the Heritage Areas Program is to have the full range of biotic community types represented within a system of protected areas. The identification of unique or unusual associations of limited distribution was the primary objective of this criterion. In part this criterion is addressed through the MNR Candidate ANSI Life Science studies currently underway (Brunton, 1992). In general, any of the provincially significant candidate ANSI's would meet this criterion. A matrix of 1andform/micro-climate/vegetation community type features for Muskoka was developed which made use of the vegetation corrmunity descriptions for each area. This matrix is adapted from the site type matrix utilized in Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources life science studies which permits delineation of individual vegetation associations within particular sets of biophysical variables (site types). For lowland sites, this matrix will reflect the wetland classes used in the " System for Evaluating Wetlands in Northern Ontario" (1992) plus work on conifer wetlands and peatlands by Sims and Bobbette (1987) and Jeg1um (1991). Application of this matrix may result in the fulfillment of this criteria for certain candidates, and possibly a shift in their recommended status.

- 10 ­ Criterion B-2: Diversity Diversity can be measured by a number of characteristics including a high number of community types or species, size of the area, and number of distinctive landforms. In applying this criterion at the species level, it was recognized that diversity (measured by number of species) was to some degree a function of area. A quantitative analysis was made based on this relationship. For each candidate the total number of native plant species was plotted against the area of the candidate, using the computer program Harvard Graphics. A trend line of this relationship was determined based on all the data and entered on the graph. Only those candidates which are plotted significantly above the trend line qualify under Criterion B-2 as having high diversity. Vegetation community mapping was used to define community diversity, which is usually related to topographic (landform) variability and size. A candidate with a large number of distinct vegetation communities, or with a high degree of interspersion among communities (measured qualitatively), was considered diverse. For example, this criterion was used to recognize the diversity of wetland communities within the Bruce Lake Marshes candidate.

A diverse community structure usually supports a high species diversity. However, field data showed that the converse is not always true - some candidates with relatively limited community diversity (such as Novar Bog) showed strong species diversity within the wetland communities.

Criterion B-3: Quality and Disturbance

A natural area fulfilled this criterion if it was in a pristine condition performing vital ecological functioning, with little or no recent evidence of extensive disturbance, particularly related to human activity. The percentage of introduced species of vascular plants was also noted as a rough measure of disturbance. While most of the candidates have a 10-15% ratio of introduced plants, a few fell well outside this range. Dwight B09, for example, had no recorded non­ native plants; the Port Severn Outlier had 50% introduced plants.

- 11 ­ The quality of biotic features in a candidate was judged on their maturity, abundance, or successional stages present, relative to the District as a whole. For instance, mature hardwood forest on good sites could qualify under this criterion, since these conditions are scarce in Muskoka. A wetland complex with good examples of a wide range of successional stages would also qualify. Criterion B-4: Significant Species Species considered rare, threatened, or endangered on a national, provincial, or regional (i.e. Muskoka District) level have been identifi~d in the rare species working lists described above. Most natural areas in Muskoka will support a few uncommon species, and often one or two regionally rare species. As well, some of the species with a national or provincial designation, such as Red-shouldered Hawk, Eastern Bluebird, and Eastern Massassauga, are fairly common in parts of Muskoka. Therefore, the presence of a single rare species could not be used to automatically qualify a candidate under this criterion. As a general guide, this criterion should be used as a determining factor in judging a candidate's status only when more than a single national or provincial rare species, or at least three regionally rare species, are present. However, exceptions have been made in the case of known disjunct or isolated populations, such as the single occurrence of Broad Beech Fern. In all cases, consideration of ecological distribution and the characteristics of the species in question should playa part in applying this criterion. Criterion B-5: Fish and Wildlife Concentrations For the most part, this criterion was applied to known seasonal concentration areas for wildlife, fish spawning, colonial bird nesting, and migratory bird stopover or staging areas and sometimes breeding habitat. It can also be applied to core deer yards, if there is evidence of regular use over a number of years. The area must be essential for the healthy continuation of a significant species and/or population or concentration of species.

- 12 ­ Criterion B-6: Extensive Size or Linkages To qualify under the size criterion, a candidate must be sufficiently large to support species requiring extensive undisturbed expanses of habitat, such as Lynx or Bobcat. It can also apply to a large area containing natural, native plant communities of similar type, such as wetlands or rock barrens. No specific minimum size was defined, but a candidate in Muskoka would have to be over 500 ha to be considered under this criterion. The linkage provision was used only where there was evidence that valleys or other undisturbed habitats were acting as corridors for the movement of species over considerable distances.

Cultural Criteria: At this stage, cultural criteria have not been included in the evaluation process. As the results of an Archaeological Master Plan for Muskoka become available, it is likely that some of the candidates now recommended may overlap with historic features. If so, the relevant cultural criteria will be added. In some instances where the Heritage Area was identified as having strong aesthetic or scenic value, the criterion (C-7) was noted for that site.

2.7 Landowner Contact: Landowner contact is an integral part of the Heritage Areas Program, with the intent of building positive landowner relations from the beginning of the program. In part, the landowner contact process is intended to lead to improved stewardship of natural areas by private landowners; in part, it serves to involve landowners early in the course leading to municipal designation and protection of Heritage Areas through the planning process. Landowner contact in 1992 was carried out by the staff of the Muskoka Heritage Foundation Stewardship Program, as their contribution towards the Heritage Areas Program. Landowner contact was carried out within those candidate areas where the most extensive field work was expected. Land ownership mapping and addresses of owners were obtained from assessment records. Landowners were contacted initially by mail, then by telephone, to obtain permission to carry out field work on their

- 13 ­ properties. In addition, owners of cottage lots or adjacent properties were contacted with an information letter, briefly explaining the program. Near the end of the field season, landowners were again contacted to distribute site summaries of the results of field work, and to arrange personal meetings where possible. The site summaries also contained relevant habitat sheets and information on wildlife species typically found on the site, along with sheets explaining the criteria for the program and Muskoka geological and glacial history. In general, the landowner contact process worked well. Some difficulty was encountered in making contact with landowners in cases of unlisted telephone numbers, properties recently sold, or invalid addresses. Because many landowners are not permanent Muskoka residents, it often proved difficult to arrange personal visits, particularly late in the season. This was partially overcome through telephone discussions and information through the mails. A total of 172 landowners in 14 candidate areas were contacted in 1992 to request permission for access. Among these, 23 (13%) refused access. In two instances, a single major landowner or a group of landowners refused access to Heritage Areas staff. Unfortunately, this prevented effective field work in these candidates, so they were not pursued further at this point. The low level of access refusals elsewhere did not significantly hamper field work. An additional 61 information lett-ers were sent in 1992. Site summaries were produced and distributed for 13 candidate areas. Virtually all of the visits with landowners were with interested, supportive individuals. In many cases of telephone contact, the attitude of landowners also appeared positive, although distance or other factors prevented a personal meeting. While there was some concern expressed about the implications of Heritage Area designation on future land uses, generally there is a very positive response among landowners to the program. Potential leads for land donations, conservation easements, and Heritage Awards are being followed up by the Muskoka Heritage Foundation.

- 14 ­ 2.8 Report Format: The written accounts of recommended Heritage Areas and Sites contained in this report have two major sections. The first section for each candidate describes its location, the coverage received, and its landform and soils, hydrology, flora and fauna. Vegetation community descriptions are accompanied by a map of community types on 1:10,000 scale Ontario Base Maps, photo-reduced where necessary. The second part of each account is the rationale for fulfillment of the selection criteria, an explanation of how boundaries and buffers were d~termined, and recommendations for protection of the candidates significant features. Recommended boundaries are drawn on the accompanying map in solid lines; buffers are shown in dotted lines.

3. RECOMMENDATIONS: RECOMMENDATION ONE: Based on 1992 field work, the following candidate areas are recommended as Natural Heritage Areas: Clipsham Wood Fawn Lake Wetland Gray Rapids Langmaids Island Muldrew Creek Oxtongue River Mouth Riley Lake North Scarcliffe Bay Shack Creek Wetland South Three Mile Lake South Falls Canyon Spring Creek Tasso Creek (as part of Big East River Area) Walker Point/Wells Creek RECOMMENDATION TWO: Based on 1992 field work, the following is recommended as Natural Heritage Site: Westermain Wood Upper Moon - Musquash River

- 15 ­ RECOMMENDATION THREE: The following candidate areas, which received preliminary field work in 1992, warrant further study if and when possible in future: Kennedy Point Brandy Creek Wetlands RECOMMENDATION FOUR: The recommended Heritage Areas should be included in the development of District of Muskoka policies for Heritage Areas. The Ministry of Natural Resources should integrate the Heritage Areas values from 1992 sites on Crown Land into their resource management plans. RECOMMENDATION FIVE: All candidates which were evaluated during the 1990, 1991, and 1992 field seasons should be reviewed during the integration and final report phase of the Heritage Areas Program, to ensure that the application of criteria and the delineation of boundaries and buffers are consistent. RECOMMENDATION SIX: The Ministry of Natural Resources should augment Brunton's candidate A.N.S. I inventories in Site District's 5-7 and 5-8 with the more detailed M.H.A.P. data. This would be applicable to the following sites from 1992 fiels season: Langmaid's Island, Shack Creek Wetland, Fawn Lake Wetland, Scarcliffe Bay.

- 16 ­ TECHNICAL SUMMARY: RECOMMENDED HERITAGE AREAS AND SITES On the basis of the 1992 field work by Heritage Areas staff, the following candidates are recommended as Heritage Areas and Sites. The information presented in this report represents a summary of their values, and particularly the manner in which each candidate fulfills the selection criteria. More detailed information, including complete species lists and vegetation mapping, is maintained in the files of the District Municipality of Muskoka, Bracebridge.

- 17 ­

CLIPSHAM WOODS

Topographic Reference: 1:50,000 310/14 1:10,000 10 17 6250 49600 Township: Morrison, Gravenhurst Concession: 5 Lot: 26 4 26 Area: 20 ha Ownership: Private Coverage: A brief reconnaissance visit was made on 17 August, 1990. Full season coverage was completed in 1992 with site visits conducted on May 14, June 16 and July 13. Site Description: a) Landforms and Soils: Clipsham Woods is situated in an area largely underlain by glaciolacustrine fine-grained deposits of silt and clay. According to the most recent quaternary geology map by Bajc and Henry (1991), the site itself is on a bedrock-drift complex containing areas of drift greater than 1 metre thick. b) Hydrology: The site is situated just south of the Kahshe River. It is bordered on the west and southern end by a large, low-lying, wet meadow. There are no streams flowing through the site, only areas of surface runoff and ephemeral pools. The northern end of the site has surface water present creating swamp-like conditions. c) Vegetation Communities: Most of the small woodlot is a rich upland deciduous Sugar Maple-Beech forest with areas of mixed forest supporting Hemlock. Some lower lying areas of deciduous wooded swamp and pure conifer (Hemlock) stands also occur. The following vegetation communities correspond to the vegetation map of Clipsham Woods. 10. Sugar Maple, Beech, Yellow Birch, Ironwood, Basswood and young Black Ash mesic forest with some scattered Hemlock on a very gently sloping south-facing clay hill. Rich fern understory including the Nationally and Provincially Rare Southern Broad Beech Fern, plus Christmas Fern, Maidenhair Fern, Sensitive and Intermediate Wood Ferns. Many other Regionally Rare and

-18­ Uncommon species were found in the understory including Virginia Waterleaf and Plantain-leaved Sedge.

20. A dry, rock ridge dissects the area with Sugar Maple, Beech and Basswood growing on the mesic loamy slopes.

3D. Low-lying wet-mesic area with mature Basswood, Trembling Aspen, White Birch and Black Cherry and sub­ mature Sugar Maple, White Ash and Black Cherry. Understory is dominated by Partridgeberry, with Christmas Fern, Black Ash, Alternate-leaved Dogwood, Cinnamon, Interrupted, Royal and Sensitive Ferns.

40. Mature Red Oak forest with sub-mature Sugar Maple and Beech.

50. Low-lying open canopy deciduous wooded swamp area with Silver Maple, Black Ash, White Birch, Trembling Aspen and Sugar Maple. Understory of Royal, Interrupted and Sensitive Ferns plus tall sedges.

60. Rich, moist bottomland with an unusual association of Silver Maple, Bur Oak and Snowberry opening up at the edge of a wet meadow. 7M. Almost pure Sugar Maple stand with Hemlock. Secondary layer of White Ash and Sugar Maple. Understory of ferns and Wild Sarsaparilla. 8M. Dry-mesic Hemlock, Sugar Maple, White Birch and Beech forest. 9M. Beech, Sugar Maple, Hemlock, very mature Yellow Birch (with old plated bark) and White Birch, rich, mesic forest. The undertory is composed of Yew, Christmas Fern, Maidenhair Fern, Wild Leek, Water Avens and the Uncommon Large-flowered Bellwort. 10C. Dry-mesic Hemlock forest with little understory except Canada Mayflower and some patches of Yew. 11H. Open rock ridge with Mossy stonecrop and grass­ dominated meadows. Disturbed. d) Flora:

This small area contained 116 species of vascular plants, a good diversity. The notable feature of this location is that many of the species which make up the plant list are found in very rich locations more typically in Southern Ontario. The best example is the small disjunct population of Broad or Southern Beech Fern (Phegopteris hexagonoptera) which was discovered in

-19­ 1983 by Goltz, Britton and Whiting (1984). This record was 125 km north of the nearest collection site in the Carolinian Forests of Southern Ontario. Broad Beech Fern is also Nationally and Provincially Rare, as well as Regionally Rare for Muskoka. There were 5 other Regionally Rare plants found, including Virginia Water1eaf which was growing abundantly in a ditch along a private entrance road. Sixteen plants with a Regionally Uncommon status were also identified including Plantain-leaved Sedge plus 3 other sedges, the yellow-green flowered variety of Blue Cohosh, Bur Oak, Snowberry, Large-flowered Bellwort, Virginia Rye and 3 other grasses. e) Fauna: Birds: Twenty-two breeding birds were recorded at Clipsham Woods, all of them common. Flycatchers, sparrows and warblers were well-represented. Many of these birds would use the nearby Kahshe River and the large wet meadow which borders the site for nesting and/or foraging. Mammals: Due to the small size of the area the observed mammal population was limited to Chipmunks and White­ tailed Deer. The Hemlock and Yew forest beside the meadow would be ideal habitat for deer. In a 1989 M.N.R. survey, the area was included as part of a medium sized deer yard. Herpetofauna: The moist rich woods provided habitat for Eastern Redback Salamanders and inland frogs (Wood and Leopard) plus the American Toad. Disturbance and Condition: The area has a number of localized disturbances including an old trail and dumpsite and a large open area with introduced grass species and Mossy stonecrop. This suggests the previous existence of an old homestead. Recent disturbances include a private road to a new home at the southern end of the site. This road is very close to the population of Broad Beech Fern'. Apparently this fern does not tolerate environmental disturbances, especially those affecting soil and moisture requirements (Goltz et. a1., 1984). The owners are aware of the significant features of this site. criteria Fulfilled: B-1, 8-4, 8-5 Criterion B-1: The Clipsham Woods area is representative of a rich forest on clay soils with a unique assemblage of flora not found elsewhere in

-20­ Muskoka. Rich wood sites are under-represented in the Muskoka District. In the site type matrix of representation the area falls into the WARMER-CLAY-MESIC category. This is the only area represented in Muskoka by this site type.

Criterion 8-4: Clipsham Woods provides habitat for the following rare species: vascular Plants: NR PR RR Chenopodium simplex Maple-leaved Goosefoot X Elymus virginicus Virginia Rye X Hydrophyllum virginianum Virginia Water leaf X Laportea canadensis Wood Nettle X Phegopteris hexagonoptera Broad Beech Fern x X X Triosetum aurantiacum Feverwort X In addition 16 species of Regionally Uncommon vascular plants were also identified. Criterion B-5: The area is part of a medium-sized deer yard. Boundaries and Buffers: The boundary follows existing roads (District Road 13 on the eastern edge and Clipsham's Road on the northern edge) and the edge of the forest where it meets the wet meadow on the western and southern edges. No buffer zones are identified. Recommendations: 1) Clipsham Woods should be considered a candidate Natural Heritage Area since it meets three selection criteria. 2) Private stewardship by the landowners should be encouraged to provide protection of the significant features of this area, in particular the population of Broad Beech Fern. 3) No large developments should occur within the area. Any improvements made to the two private roads or District Road 13 should be carefully planned to minimize impacts to the forest edge. 5) Periodic assessment of the population size and dynamics of Broad Beech Fern would be appropriate to monitor changes due to environmental disturbances such as the private access road, or natural causes such as drought. It is possible that the colony has already decreased in size since it was discovered in 1983.

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FAWN LAKE WETLAND Topographic Reference: 1:50,000 31E/3 1:10,000 10 17 6350 50000 Township: Macaulay, Bracebridge Concess ion: 10 Lots: 23-25 1 1 21-25 12 18-23 13 20-25 Area: approx. 425 ha Ownership: Private Coverage: A reconnaissance visit was made to the study area on September 12, 1991. Site visits were made in 1992 on June 8, July 9 and Jul.y 16. Fawn Lake was recommended by Brunton (1991) as a candidate Life Science ANSI of provincial significance. This wetland was evaluated by the M.N.R. in 1992 as part of the new System for Evaluating Wetlands in Northern Ontario. Site Description: a) Landforms and Soils: The Fawn Lake Wetland lies on the border of the Georgian Bay Fringe physiographic region and the Algonquin Highland region of the District of Muskoka (Bajc, 1992). It is a large low-lying area of peat and muck soils surrounded by forests on bedrock-drift complex (Bajc & Henry, 1991). b) Hydrology: The drainage of the wetland is from the Bonnie Lake area to Fawn Lake. East of Bonnie Lake is a small complex of open beaver controlled ponds and poor fens. The drainage is controlled by a beaver dam at one end. The overflow spills 25 metres down through a narrow, steep, rocky gorge into the southeastern end of the Fawn Lake wetland basin. In recent years, beaver activity has altered the drainage of Bonnie Lake. It now drains north into the wetland, where previously it drained south. Another small creek and beaver pond on the southwestern corner drain into the wetland.

-23­ c) Vegetation Communities: The Fawn Lake Wetland is mainly a conifer swamp forest with sections of black spruce peat forest, poor fen, and Speckled Alder thickets. The following descriptions correspond to the vegetation map for this area. 01 Rich deciduous forest with Black Cherry (max. dbh 21.8 cm), Red Maple, Yellow Birch (max. dbh 29.4 cm), White Birch and some White Spruce, Hemlock, and White Cedar. Understory of Wood Ferns, Bluebeard Lily, Hobblebush, Leatherwood, One-sided pyrola, Rose-twisted Stalk and Balsam Fir on gentle slopes with well-drained mesic soils. D2 Early successional Red Maple, Trembling Aspen, White Birch lowland forest. M3 Balsam Fir, Black Ash wet-mesic swamp forest with Mountain Holly as the dominant tall shrub and an understory of American Mountain Ash, Velvetleaf Blueberry and herbs. M4 Upland closed canopy mixed forest dominated by Red and Sugar Maples and Hemlock. Understory of ferns and club mosses. M5 Upland mixed mesic forest dominated by Black Cherry with Hemlock,-Sugar Maple and Red Maple. Understory of young Black Cherry and Red Maple plus club mosses, grasses and Wild Sarsaparilla. M6 Balsam Fir, White and Red Spruce, Yellow Birch, Sugar Maple, Hemlock on cool, moist, well-drained slopes. M7 White Pine, Hemlock, Red Maple, White Birch on warmer south facing slopes. C8 White Pine and White Spruce dominant forest on steep slopes. C9 Thick closed canopy swamp forest of Balsam Fir, Tamarack and Black Spruce with a rich understory of ferns, Bunchberry, Wild Sarsaparilla, Goldthread and Wood Sorrel. S10 Open conifer intermediate fen with mosses on an irregular ground surface and water table at surface. Dead trees of Tamarack with sparse live Tamarack and chest height White and Black Spruce; scattered White Pine. Understory of Labrador Tea and Northern Wild Raisin.

-24­ S11 Semi-open canopy mature White Cedar conifer swamp forest on sphagnum dominated irregular ground surface. Maximum dbh of White Cedar 26.2 cm. Other tree species present are Balsam Fir and Black Spruce with Northern Wild Raisin, Speckled Alder, Canada Yew, Cinnamon Ferns, Three-seeded Sedge, Bunchberry, Starflower and Northern Bugleweed. S12 Conifer-hardwood transitional swamp forest with Balsam Fir, Black Ash, White Cedar, Red Maple, White Birch, Tamarack, Black Spruce and tall shrubs of Speckled Alder and Northern Wild Raisin. Low shrub layer dominated by Labrador Tea and American Mountain Ash. Understory of grasses and sedges. S13 Thicket swamp close to the main stream with breast height Tamarack, Speckled Alder, Sweetgale, Leatherleaf and tussock sedges. S14 Thicket swamp with Speckled Alder, Northern Wild Raisin and Balsam Fir plus breast height Tamarack and Black Spruce on a sphagnum base. Few White Cedar and dead standing conifers present. S15 Wet Speckled Alder and Northern Wild Raisin swale with open channels of water up to 1 metre depth. F16 Poor fen dominated by a thick growth of Tamarack and Black Spruce trees at a height of 1 to 2 metres, with many fallen White Birch and Labrador Tea low shrub layer on sphagnum ground surface. F17 Sphagnum dominated poor fen with Silvery Sedge. Open pools of water containing Northern Bugleweed, Cinnamon and Marsh Ferns, Northern Wild Raisin and dead conifers, with deeper sections (laggs) filled with Calla Lilies. Scattered trees of Tamarack, Black Spruce, Balsam Fir and Hemlock with young Red Maple and White Birch. B18 Closed mature Black Spruce bog with some Balsam Fir and Tamarack. Tall shrub layer of Mountain Holly, low shrub layer dominated by Labrador Tea. Herb-rich understory with Bunchberry, Yellow Clintonia, Canada Mayflower, Three-leaved False Solomon's Seal on a sphagnum surface. 819 Floating bog mat with Leatherleaf and few sub­ mature Black Spruce and Tamarack. G20 Open sedge-rich wet meadow marsh dominated by Silvery Sedge and Woolgrass with dead standing conifers. G21 Wet graminoid and Blackberry shrub-rich meadow.

-25­ AQ22 Open water with Calla Lily and Northern Bugleweed along the shoreline, plus Watershield, Bullhead Lily and dead trees in standing water. AQ23 Largely open water with sedge tussocks and spike rushes plus sedge-rich shoreline. BP24 Beaver pond with open water sections containing dead trees and sections filling in with Bluejoint Grass, Woolgrass, Common Rush, Tall Manna Grass and Sallow Sedge. d) Flora:

A total of 161 species of vascular plants were recorded from the area. The one Regionally Rare plant, Red Spruce, was located in the upland mixed forest area and not the wetland. Three Regionally Uncommon plants were also identified. These were Leatherwood, Tall Manna Grass and Round Leaved Orchis. The Orchid was located in the Black Spruce bog by the M.N.R. wetland evaluators. e) Fauna: Birds: Fifty species of birds were identified during the breeding season with good representation of Flycatchers, Grosbeaks, Hawks, Sparrows, Thrushes and Warblers. The Regionally Uncommon Swainson's Thrush was present in this area. Mammals: Five mammals were identified during site visits and through conversations with the owner of the Bonnie Lake Campground. A photograph of the Longtai1 Weasel confirmed this species presence. Moose and Whitetail Deer are present in the area. While not seen, the Beaver plays an important role in this wetland. Herpetofauna: The Regionally Uncommon Northern Ringneck Snake and Blue-spotted Salamander were two of the nine species of reptiles and amphibians identified. There was a good diversity of frogs and reports of what are most likely Blanding's Turtles in the upper ponds. Other Species: Five Butterflies and Ten Dragonflies were identified in the area, all of them common. Disturbance and Condition: The Fawn Lake wetland area is largely undisturbed especially in the central and western sections. The edges show some signs of human activity relating to logging and recreational walking and snowmobile trails.

-26­ A cut between the 12th and 13th concession line ;s the only disturbance to the central portion.

Criteria Fulfilled: B-1, B-3: Criterion B-1: The area is one of the largest and most mature conifer swamp forests in the District. Since it has been identified as provincially significant by Brunton (1991) it fulfills this criterion. Criterion B-3: The area has very little disturbance to disrupt the natural functioning of the wetland, and the quality of the conifer swamp forest is high in terms of maturity and size. Boundaries and Buffers: The Fawn Lake Wetland is a wetland complex with two areas separated by a short gorge running through mixed forest. The boundary of the area includes the wetland itself and 120 metres of surrounding upland forests as buffer. The mixed and coniferous swamp forests east of the intermittent· stream were identified through airphoto interpretation and should be considered tentative. Recommendations: 1) The Fawn Lake Wetland should be considered a candidate Natural Heritage Area as it meets two selection criteria.

2) Private stewardship should be encouraged to protect the natural features of the area. 3) Mining of peat deposits or other activities that involve draining or filling in the wetland should be prohibited from the area. 4) The buffer area around the wetland should be maintained to avoid erosion and encroachment with special environmental precautions for future logging or road-building operations. 6) Management of the wetland should emphasize protection of the habitat and downstream water quality.

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,.0'0: GRAY RAPIDS

Topographic Reference: 1:50,000 31E/4 1:10,000 10 17 5900 49850 10 17 5950 49850 Township: Gibson, Georgian Bay Concession: 13 Lots: 23 - 26 12 15 - 26 11 17 - 20 Area: approx. 290 ha

Ownership: approx. 90% crown; 10% private Coverage: The area was visited on two occasions during the field season, June 25 and July 29. Access to the area was limited to canoe via the Musquash River from Highway 69. Other information about the area was provided by Jim Goltz (1992).

Site Description: a) Landforms and Soils: The Gray Rapids area lies in the Georgian Bay Fringe physiographic region (Bajc, 1992). The landform and soils consist of a thin, discontinuous veneer of loose, stoney sand over bedrock. Organic deposits occur along the Musquash River and in some marshy bays and back lands of Gray and F1atrock Lakes (Kor & Miller, 1987). b) Hydrology: The Musquash River is navigable by small motor boat or canoe into Gray Lake. At the west end of Gray Lake a series of waterfalls/rapids spill into F1atrock Lake. F1atrock Lake is long with many narrow bays. At the west end another rapids spills into Swallow Bay of Go Home Lake. One other small falls exits Flatrock Lake into Log Bridge Inlet which also connects to Go Home lake. Numerous small beaver controlled lakes drain into Gray and F1atrock Lakes. c) Vegetation Communities: The Gray Rapids area is strongly influenced by the riverine system and by the rocky shorelines of undisturbed lakes. The following vegetation communities were identified during the field trips and correspond to the file map. Areas not accessed were assigned to a more general vegetation category, such as M for Mixed Forest, through airphoto interpretation.

-29­ 01 Red and Silver Maple, Red Oak and White Birch.

02 Silver Maple and Basswood wet lowland forest at the end of a marshy bay.

03 White Birch, Balsam Poplar, Red and Silver Maple and scattered White Pine closed canopy forest on deep, moist soils at the ends of marshy bays. M4 White Pine, Red Oak, Hemlock, Red Maple and Cedar closed canopy forest. M5 Hemlock, Sugar, Red and Silver Maple and Red Oak. M6 Hemlock, Yellow Birch, Red Maple, cool rich forest with some White Pine and White Birch. M7 White Pine, White Birch, Silver Maple lowland forest with understory of Meadowsweet, Silky Dogwood and willows. M8 White Pine - White Oak on rock, open canopy, mainly shoreline with sparse understory of Field Pussytoes, Northern Bush Honeysuckle and Cow Wheat. C9 White Pine on rocks and thin soil with Dwarf Juniper, Staghorn Sumac and Late Low Blueberry understory. C10 White Pine - Red Pine with some Red and White Oak on shallow soils with areas of exposed bedrock. S11 Buttonbush and Water Willow thicket swamp with Pickerelweed along the shoreline. H12 Seasonally flooded reed marsh with Swamp Milkweed, Bluejoint Grass, horsetails, Joe-pye-weed and Boneset, Reed Canary Grass, bulrushes, Water Sedge, Cardinal Flower and Golden Hedge Hessop. H13 Emergent marsh with Blue Flag Iris, Marsh Fern, sedges and spike rushes. Abundant pondweeds and b1adderworts in the shallow open channels and large schools of shiner minnows. AQ14 Shallow marshy bays with submerged and floating aquatics and emergent vegetation along the shoreline. AQ1S Aquatic association from open water channel with Floating He~rts and Bullhead Lilies, to shallower offshore emergent vegetation of Pickerelweed and Swamp Candles and shoreline vegetation composed of Royal Ferns and Buttonbush.

-30­ d) Flora:

There were 149 species of vascular plants identified in the study area. Some of the species noted were identified by Jim Goltz in previous years. The area has an abundance of rare flora including one Nationally Rare grass, two Provincially Rare, six Regionally Rare and fifteen Regionally Uncommon species. The uncommon species were located in the following habitat types: aquatic (Farewell's Water Mil-foil, Flat-leaved Bladderwort, Narrow-leaved Bur-reed); shoreline (False Nettle, Silky Dogwood, Golden Hedge-Hyssop); rock barrens (Snowberry, Northern Panic Grass); prairie (Big Blue Stem, Indian Grass); dry-mesic mixed Hem1ock-Map1e­ Oak forest (Squawroot, Leatherwood, Downy Rattlesnake Plantain, and Pinesap). e) Fauna Birds: Twenty-one breeding bird species were recorded including the Nationally and Provincially Rare Red­ shouldered Hawk reported by Jim Goltz and the Regionally Uncommon Common Tern. The forests along the Musquash River provided suitable habitat for many of the species observed. Mammals: Four common mammals were observed during the field visits. The mud banks along the river were suitable for Muskrat, although none were seen. A preliminary review by Parry Sound M.N.R. reports that Flatrock and Gray Rapids area provide winter habitat for a significant number of deer. This area is part of the Galla Lake deer wintering area. Herpetofauna: The Regionally Uncommon Map Turtle was located in a small bay in Flatrock Lake. The barren rock areas alternating with low-lying marshy depressions are ideal habitat for Five-lined Skink and the Nationally (Threatened COSEWIC) and Provincially Rare Eastern Massassauga Rattlesnake. Three common species of frogs were also noted. Disturbance and Condition: The Gray Rapids area shows little signs of disturbance. There are a few private cabins on Gray Lake and along the Musquash River, and a few semi-permanent campsites on F1atrock Lake. The Gray Rapids are completely natural and unaltered with a high scenic potential. Small boats and canoes only can access Gray Lake, and only canoes can access Flatrock Lake by means of portage. Boaters and fishermen from Go Home Bay frequent the small falls at the east end of the Log Bridge Inlet.

-31­ Criteria Fulfilled: C-7, a-1, a-4, 8-5 Criterion C-7: The Gray Rapids area provides scenic value in a number of locations. The Musquash River boasts a spectacular display of Cardinal Flower in the late summer; Gray Rapids is a highly scenic rapids and waterfalls; Flatrock Lake is a pristine clear lake with a large part of the shoreline surrounded by exposed bedrock outcrops and Red and White Pine forest. Criterion B-1: The bottomland White Pine-Silver Maple­ White Birch and Silver Maple-Basswood swamp forests at the end of marshy bays on Gray and Flatrock Lakes fall into the WARMER/SAND/WET-MESIC to WET category of site type representation. This association has limited representation in other Heritage Areas. Criterion B-4: The Gray Rapids area provides habitat for the following rare species: NR PR RR Wildlife Sistrurus c. catenatus Eastern Massassauga x x Buteo lineatus Red-shouldered Hawk X X Vascular Plants Corallorhiza striata striped Coralroot x Cynoglossum boreale Northern Wild Comfrey X Elatine minima Water Wort X Equisetum palustre Marsh Horsetail X Isoetes tuckermanii Tuckerman's Quillwort X Panicum rigidulum Panic Grass x x Potamogeton praelongus White-stemmed Pondweed X Sisyrinchium angustifolium stout Blue-eyed Grass X Criterion B-5: The area provides winter habitat for a significant deer population, and is part of the Galla Lake deer wintering area. Boundaries and Buffers: Protection of the lake and shoreline features is the primary objective in establishing boundaries for this area. Edges of narrow shoreline vegetation community types and/or heights of land within larger habitats were followed. Wetlands along a portion of the Musquash River and at the end of bays on the lakes were also included within the area. Entire community types were included if they were known to contain significant features.

-32­ Recommendations: 1) The Gray Rapids are should be considered a candidate Natural Heritage Area because it meets three selection criteria. 2) Gray Rapids should be left undeveloped as a natural scenic waterfalls. 3) M.N.R. should be made aware that the area is used for camping and may require periodic monitoring to guard against potential abuse to the natural values of the area. 4) The area should be referred to the M.N.R. for consideration as a potential Life Science ANSI and/or some form of Park status for future reference if park proposals come under review. 5) No motorized boats, road access, or cottage development should be allowed on Flatrock Lake. 6) The M.N.R. should incorporate the significant features of this area into their management guidelines for Crown Lands within Heritage Areas.

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,J' ',­ 1 LANGMAIDS ISLAND

Topographic Reference: 1:50,000 31E/3 1:10,000 10 17 6500 50050 10 17 6450 50050

Township: McLean, Lake of Bays Area: approx. 40 ha Ownership: Private Coverage: Langmaid's Island was chosen for field study based on an evaluation of wildlife habitat by the Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation (Towle, 1988) which identified this relatively undisturbed island as an interesting example of both mainland and island wildlife habitat. It has also been recommended as a regionally significant candidate ANSI by Brunton (1991). Field visits were conducted on August 1 and 10 of the 1991 field season and on May 23 of the 1992 season.

Site Description: a) Landforms and Soils: Langmaids Island is situated in the Algonquin Highlands physiographic region, with a geology composed mainly of bedrock-drift complex. Three high peaks at 342, 362 and 363 metre elevation are of exposed bedrock with very thin drift cover. The steepest topography on the island shows an elevation of 50 metres from the water. The deep soils support a forested landscape. b) Hydrology: The island is situated just off the mainland north of Baysvi11e on Lake of Bays. There is no major hydological function on the island. The moderate to steep slopes are well-drained. The shoreline is composed of rocky forested areas, sandy beaches and a small marshland. c) Vegetation: Langmaids Island supports a diversity of habitats including coniferous fringe forest, early successional deciduous forests, late successional mixed forests, rocky shorelines, sandy beach, marshland and steep rocky ridge exposed cliff faces. The following vegetation communities correspond to the vegetation map of Langmaids Island.

-35­ 10 Early successional White Birch dominant (90%) upland deciduous forest with a mix of Trembling Aspen and Sugar Maple plus White Pine, White Cedar and Hemlock. Semi-open canopy with an understory of B1uebeard Lily, Canada Mayflower, wood ferns and Red Maple, on dry-mesic soils. 2M Mature late successional Sugar Maple, Yellow Birch, Hemlock and scattered White Cedar closed canopy upland mixed forest on deep, mesic soils. Dense understory of Striped Maple, Intermediate Wood Fern, Wild Sarsaparilla, Canada Yew. Rocky outcrops present. 3M White Birch and Hemlock mixed upland forest with Red Maple, Cedar and scattered White Pine in a closed canopy. Rich understory with trilliums, Trout Lily, Carolina Spring Beauty, White Grass and Rose Twisted Stalk. 4M Semi-open canopy upland mixed forest on areas of exposed bedrock and shallow till, with Red Oak, Red Maple, Ironwood, White Pine and White Birch plus Pin and Choke Cherries. Understory of White Ash and Sugar Maple with asters, Spreading Dogbane and Wild Sarsaparilla on dry soils. 5M White Cedar, White Birch and Yellow Birch lowland mixed forest with understory of saplings and wood ferns. 6M White Cedar and White Birch near the water edge. 7C Coniferous fringe forest of Hemlock (70%), White Cedar (5%) and White Birch (25%)_ Sparse understory on dry-mesic soils. 8C Coniferous forest of White Pine, Hemlock and White Spruce in a closed canopy. Outcrops of rock present and an understory with deciduous and coniferous saplings. 9C White Pine on exposed rocky terrain. 10S Shallow, rocky, marshy area bordered in tall shrubs such as Winterberry, willows, juneberries, Speckled Alder, and low shrubs such as Leatherleaf, Sweetga1e and Meadowsweet. Marsh Blue Violet and Round-leaved Sundew on sandy shoreline. 11H Exposed rocky cliffs with pockets of soil supporting herbaceous and shrub species such as Staghorn Sumac, Dwarf Juniper, Pale Corydalis, Early Saxifrage, Wild Columbine, Bearberry, Poverty Grass" and Crinkled Hair Grass, and three Regionally Uncommon plants: Plantain-leaved Pussytoes, Snowberry and Intermediate Pinweed.

-36­ d) Flora:

A total of 134 species of vascular plants were identified on Langmaids Island. Most of the plants were typical for the area and the forest habitats. The most unique area was the exposed, dry rocky cliffs which supported three Regionally Uncommon plant species. e) Fauna: Birds: Twenty-eight species of potentially breeding birds were recorded in late May of 1992. The forested interior was ideal for warblers, woodpeckers, chickadees and nuthatches. The marshy shoreline supported the Belted Kingfisher and sparrows. A 'spotted Sandpiper was observed on the sandy beach area, and a Common Loon in the open water. The small Seagull Island off the northeastern tip of Langmaids Island was a loafing spot for Herring Gulls, and supported a nesting Canada Goose which is considered Regionally Uncommon. Mammals: Three mammal species were recorded by observation of scat near dens and sightings. Towle (1988) observed Fisher scat on the island and surmized that this animal used the island to forage and possibly den. The proximity of the island to the mainland would allow wildlife to migrate back and forth. The coniferous fringe of Hemlock and Cedar with Yew in the understory is ideal habitat for deer. The eastern section of the island is a deer wintering area (1989 M.N.R. deer mapping). Herpetofauna: Four species form this category were recorded with the Regionally Uncommon Northern Ringneck Snake located in the area of White pine on exposed cliff. other Species: One butterfly and 4 dragonfly species were observed, plus 14 species of mushroom which were growing mainly in the coniferous fringe forest. The rocky shoreline at the bottom of the vegetation community 11H is a potential Lake Trout spawning shoal. Disturbance and Condition: There have been no recent disturbances to the forests on the island, however in the past the eastern section of the island may have burned. There was evidence of old burned stumps in the understory of the early successional forest dominated by White Birch with Trembling Aspen and White Cedar. These species often colonize burned over areas and dry soils. Development of the island is restricted to a cluster of buildings on the small peninsula separating the western and eastern

-37­ island sections and a limited network of paths. These buildings are no longer in use and the landowner wishes to maintain the island in a natural state. The sandy beaches are frequented by boaters who stop to picnic and swim. While some disturbance to the adjoining forests is occurring, the beaches remain relatively clean.

Criteria Fulfilled: 8-1, B-3, 8-5 Criterion B-1: The White Birch-Northern White Cedar mixed successional forests on.sandy, mesic soils are a vegetation community type with limited representation in the District. Axe Lake shares representation with this site type. Criterion B-3: The island contains biotic communities showing little recent disturbance. In particular, it supports long stretches of undeveloped shoreline and natural beaches in an area otherwise heavily developed for cottages. The successional sequence following a natural disturbance (70-80 years ago) by fire on the eastern section of the island is of interest to compare with the late successional (120-140 year) forests on the western section of the island. Criterion B-5: Langmaid's Island supports a deer wintering area as well as a potential Lake Trout shoal. Boundaries and Buffers: The boundary of the island follows the shoreline around the entire island plus the small island off the western tip and Seagull Island midway between Jo1i Point on the mainland and the northeastern end of the island. No buffer areas are identified. Recommendations: 1) Langmaid's Island should be considered a candidate Natural Heritage Area since it meets three selection criteria. 2) Stewardship should be continued with the landowner to help him carry out his goal of protection of the island habitat. 3) The landowner should be made aware of the heavy use of the beach areas on the island. Trespassing, lack of washroom and garbage facilities and the susceptibility of the island to fires are the items of greatest concern. Posting of conservation signs may be all that is necessary to ensure the beaches and forested interior remain clean and unharmed.

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LOWER OXTONGUE RIVER

Topographic Reference: 1:50,000 31E/6 & 31E/7 1:10,000 1017 6550 50150 1017 6550 50200

Township: Franklin, Lake of Bays Concession: 7 Lots: 9 - 10 8 9 - 13 9 11 - 12 Area: approx. 200 ha Ownership: Private Coverage: The lower Oxtongue River was visited twice during the summer of 1990; once in early May 31 for bird inventory only, again on August 29 for an inventory of plants, mammals amphibians and reptiles. In 1991, plant inventory was taken on June 7 and July 4, while the birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles were recorded on July 4 only. A completion of the inventory was scheduled for 1992, however access to the areas not visited in the previous seasons was denied. The lower Oxtongue was part of the Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation study on wildlife habitat conducted by Kenneth Towle in 1989. a) Landforms and Soils: The Oxtongue River was a spillway for glacial meltwaters, which left behind sand and gravel deposits on a deltaic plain. In this regard it shares representation with the Big East River. At the easterly end of the site, the river drops over Marsh's Falls, and then slowly meanders along a relatively flat, fine outwash sand plain underlain by glaciolacustrine clays and silt and older alluvium (Chapman & Putnam, 1984 and Bajc, 1990). Relief is provided by meanders, meander scars and small oxbow lakes, features characteristic of the ongoing delta formation. The Oxtongue is a more mature and a lower energy depositional environment than the high energy Big East (Noble, 1983). The internal structure of the deposit is visible at a few locations of cut banks near Marsh's Falls and in the delta section as peripheral upland terraces. They reveal a horizontal gradation from the upper light brown fine sands to a basal layer of silty fine sand and clay. The vulnerability of these exposures is high. A fan shaped deposit occurs at the mouth of the river and'a small spit has built up at its southern tip (Spek,1978).

-40­ b) Hydrology: The headwaters of the oxtongue begin at Tea Lake in the Algonquin Highlands and the river flows for 48 km southwest to the northern arm of Lake of Bays near Dwight (Long, 1989). The area also contains ponds and marshes in partial or complete oxbow lakes, a large abandoned riverbed and a small bog pond. c) Vegetation Communities: The Oxtongue River is surrounded by mixed forests to the waters edge. All are successional, likely of post-fire origin. A variety of wetlands occur along the river and in old meander scars. These show the successional process of gradual infilling of meanders. Simpson (1978) reported on an area of the site not visited by the Heritage Area biologists. According to her report, an American Elm and Yellow Birch stand is present on the poorly drained deltaic sands at the mouth of the oxtongue. This is a very uncommon association and thus it would have high representational . significance. A small bog pond is also present near the mouth of the oxtongue with a floating Leatherleaf and Sphagnum mat. The following vegetation communities were identified in the study area: 01 Trembling Aspen early successional closed canopy forest on deep upland soils ranging from mesic to dry­ mesic with White Birch and Red Maple canopy associates, and a herb and shrub rich understory. 02 American Elm - Yellow Birch lowland swamp forest as identified by Heather Simpson. M3 White Pine northern successional mixed forest with secondary canopy of White Birch, Red Maple, Balsam Fir and White Spruce. The understory is shrub and herb rich with Speckled Alder and Holly near the water and Balsam Fir and Red Maple inland. M4 White Pine northern mixed forest with subdominants White Spruce, White Birch and Red Pine.

M5 White Spruce, Sugar Maple, White Birch with scattered Red Pine. The canopy is generally closed with some open sections. M6 White Birch northern ·conifer forest with Balsam Fir, Trembling Aspen and Red and Sugar Maples. C7 White Pine boreal forest on well-drained dry to dry-mesic soils with Balsam Fir as a canopy associate.

-41­ S8 Speckled Alder thicket swamp. G9 Meander scars in the process of filling with aquatic and emergent marsh vegetation. B10 Bog Pond with a Leatherleaf floating shrub mat and Buckbean along the edges. d) Flora: There were 181 species of vascular plants recorded within the study area. Many of the significant species were found in the wetlands along the river edge including the Provincially Rare Marsh st. John's Wort (Triadenum virginicum) and the Regionally Uncommon Bartram June Berry (AmeJanchier bartramiana), Vernal Water starwort (Callitriche palustris) and Long-spurred Violet (Viola rostrata). e) Fauna: Birds: Sixty-eight species of birds were identified in the study area. The diversity was high for this riverine environment. There were many warblers including the Regionally Rare Cape May Warbler. The Double-crested Cormorant was seen outside the delta on Lake of Bays. The area also supported one other Regionally Uncommon bird, the Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Mammals: Five common species of mammals were identified in the lower Oxtongue area including White-tailed Deer, Black Bear, Raccoon, Beaver and Red Squirrel. There was no small mammal trapping carried out in this area. Towle (1989) also reported Muskrat and otters in the river. Herpetofauna: Only one reptile, the Midland Painted Turtle, was identified along the river, plus two frog species. In the wet woods and vegetated meander scars there were five species of frog and toad. All of these amphibians and reptiles were common. Other Species: The entire river system supports many fish, minnows and chubs including Smallmouth Bass, Creek Chub, Bluntnose Minnow, Longnose Dace, Common Shiner, Common Sucker, Brook Trout and Yellow perch (M.N.R. Bracebridge Area Office).

-42­ Disturbance and Condition: The river and associated vegetation communities are largely undisturbed. The greatest disturbance factor associated with the oxtongue is from human activities. In particular the area around Marsh's Falls is regularly used for picnics, swimming and hiking. There are a few cottages already by the falls and towards the delta, with proposals for additional development. Signs of environmental degradation caused by motorboats are evident along the river, especially at the cutbank exposures which reveal the internal structure of the glacial deposits.

Criteria Fulfilled: B-1·, B-4, C-7~ Criterion B-1: The White Birch-Northern Conifer Forest falls in the site type matrix of COOLER/SAND/DRY-MESIC. It is a community type with a distribution mainly in the Algonquin Highland physiographic region, and shares representation with the Big East River area.

8-4: The area provides habitat for the following rare species: NR PR RR Wildlife: Dendroica tigrina Cape May Warbler x Vascular Plants: Agrimonia striata Woodland Agrimony x Triadenum virginicum Marsh st. John's Wort x Criterion C-7: The Oxtongue has high aesthetic value for wildlife viewing and sightseeing along a scenic, forested waterway with a waterfalls at one end. Boundaries and Buffers: The boundaries of the area include the river and associated floodplain from Marsh's Falls to Lake of Bays and 120 metres of forests adjacent to the floodplain as buffer. The undeveloped shoreline on Lake of Bays, adjacent to the river mouth is also included in the boundary.

-43­ Recommendations: 1. If continuation of landowner/stewardship contact in the area results in permission to access the area south of the delta, the American Elm-Yellow Birch stand should be confirmed. 2. The Lower Oxtongue River should be considered a candidate Natural Heritage Area because it meets three criteria. 3. strict enforcement of slow speed limits should be provided along the Lower Oxtongue River in order to protect the cutbacks and wetland habitats along the shore from disturbance caused by motor boats and their wakes. 5. Shoreline development should be discouraged along the river floodplain. Any development on adjacent upland terraces should be carefully assessed with attention paid to ecological and archeological values.

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Topographic Reference: 1:50,000 310/14 1:10,000 10 17 6200 49700

Township: Wood, Muskoka Lakes Con: 16 Lot: H 17 G, H, I 18 G, H, I Muskoka, Muskoka Lakes 1 34, 35 2 34, 35 Area: approx. 170 ha. Ownership: Private Coverage: Initial identification of Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora at Muldrew Lake was made by William B. Draper in August, 1991. The area was visited by the Heritage Area field staff in late August of 1991 and on July 28, 1992. Many of the bird, herp and mammal records were provided by Andrew White, who was a field assistant during the 1991 season. Site Description: a) Landforms and Soils The Muldrew Creek area lies in the Georgian Bay Fringe physiographic region of the District of Muskoka (Bajc, 1992). Muldrew Creek flows through a low-lying area of glaciolacustrine fine-grained deposits of silt and clay. This is a sizable deposit in an area largely dominated by a rock barrens landscape. Small, narrow pockets of wetlands underlain by organic deposits occur along the shoreline of South Muldrew Lake (Bajc & Paterson, 1992). b) Hydrology: The flow of water is from South Muldrew Lake along Muldrew Creek to the outlet at the north end of Morrison Lake. A small control dam at the Muldrew Lake exit regulates the flow of water. The creek is navigable by canoe, however there are numerous beaver dams and a small waterfall to portage. Fluctuating water levels on Muldrew Lake provide one of the physical requirements for Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora. c) Vegetation Communities: The Muldrew Lake area has habitat suitable for Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora plus marsh and swamp wetland associations. The creek and surrounding forest supports an assemblage of plants with southern affinities. The following vegetation communities correspond to the

-46­ vegetation map on file. 01 Red Maple lowland forest with closed canopy. other tree species present are White Birch, Trembling Aspen, Green Ash, Red Oak, Black Cherry. 02 Red Oak, White Oak (max. dbh = 25.6 em), Sugar Maple, Large-tooth Aspen, White Pine and White Birch on thin sandy soils and gentle slopes. M3 Rock barrens humid lakeshore community with White Pine, White and Red Oak and Red Maple. M4 Red and White Pine, White and Green Ash on shallow soils with exposed bedrock ridge. C5 Cool Balsam Fir, White Pine with Junipers and Sumac. S6 Red and/or Silver Maple, Black Ash, White Cedar wooded swamp forest. S7 Bur Oak, Buttonbush along creek shore with Cardinal Flower. S8 Thicket swamp with Buttonbush, Winterberry, Silky Dogwood and Water Willow. B10 Leatherleaf shrub bog with Pitcher Plants, sundews and Rose Pogonia orchid. G11 Low shrub marsh. G12 Chain Fern bog and sedge meadow marsh. G13 Beaver meadow marsh with Bluejoint Grass and Wool grass. AQ14 Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora. AQ15 Floating and submerged aquatics in the creek plus emergent aquatics along the shoreline. H16 Old field dominated by CORmon Tansy. d) Flora: There were 186 species of vascular plants recorded from the Muldrew Creek area in two short field visits. This is a high diversity for the small area of the site. There were six Nationally, Provincially and Regionally Rare plant species, and seventeen Regionally Uncommon. Many of these significant species have a distribution­ restricted to the Severn Corridor - Muskoka Lakes ­

-41­ Georgian Bay area. The Buttonbush - Sifky Dogwood ­ Water Willow shrub association is often found in clay soils which have a limited distribution in the District. Many of the significant species are also associated with Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora. e) Fauna: Birds: Thirty-eight bird species were recorded, all of them common. Common Terns are known to nest in the South Muldrew Lake area, close to the site boundaries. Mammals: The Beaver is the most conspicuous mammal in' the area, with numerous dams and lodges along the creek and in the shrub marshes along the lakeshore. Three other mammal species were recorded from this area. Herpetofauna: Nine species of reptiles and amphibians were identified, the most significant was the Eastern Massassauga Rattlesnake (threatened COSEWIC) reported by Andrew White. other Species: The creek contained an abundance of Pearl Dace minnows. Disturbance and Condition: The area lies between two heavily populated lakes, Morrison and Muldrew, and thus is not free from disturbances associated with lakeshore development and recreational uses. There is an old farmstead along the creek with resulting cleared land and introduced species in old fields. There is only one other home along the creek. The creek is used frequently by canoeists who make the trip from Muldrew to Morrison Lake. An established portage route minimizes damage to the surrounding forests. South Muldrew Lake is the least developed part of Muldrew Lake, largely due to the presence of swamp land in this section. Criteria Fulf;lled: B-1, 8-4 Criterion B-1: The Muldrew Creek area is representative of South Muskoka vegetation communities associated with clay soils. While it shares some representation with Scarc1iffe Bay, Maclean Bay and Walker Point areas, the associations in each are sufficiently different and the sizes of these areas small enough that representation from each location is justified. The area also contains good representation of Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora, as well as vegetation associations with southern influences.

-48­ Criterion 8-4: The Muldrew Creek area provides habitat for the following rare species: NR PR RR Wi ldl ife: 5istrurus c. catenatus Eastern Massassauga X X Vascular Plants: Desmodium nudiflorum Tick Trefoi 1 X Elatine minima Water , Wort X Panicum acum/spretum Eaton s Grass X Rhexia virginica Virginia Meadow Beauty X X Triadenum virginicum Marsh st. John's Wort X Xyris difformis Slender Yellow-eyed Grass X Boundaries and Buffers: The southern boundary of the site follows District Road 13. Other boundaries are located at the edge of the wetland areas along the shoreline of South Muldrew Lake, and follow the creek with forested slopes included as buffer. Reconmendations: 1. Muldrew Creek is recommended as a candidate Natural Heritage Area because it meets two selection criteria. 2. None of the wetland associated with this area should be filled to allow construction of homes, cottages or access roads. 3. Muldrew Creek should be protected from developments which lead to erosion of the banks and sedimentation of the stream. 4. Alteration of the lake shoreline for docks, beach creation, or boathouses should not be allowed without an assessment of the habitat potential or presence of Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora. 5. The Muskoka Heritage Foundation should be requested to contact landowners within this area, and encourage private stewardship to protect its natural features.

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RILEY LAKE NORTH

Topographic Reference: 1:50,000 310/14 1:10,000 10 17 6450 49650 10 17 6400 49650 Township: Ryde, Gravenhurst

Concession: 3 Lots: 18-20­ 4 17-21 5 16-21 6 16-21

Area: 205 ha

Ownership: largely crown; approx. 30 ha private Coverage: Field work was conducted on three days in 1991, June 04, June 26, and July 13. Field work was continued in 1992 with site visits made on June 10, July 30 and August 26.

Site Description a) Landforms and Soils Riley Lake North is situated in the Georgian Bay Fringe physiographic region of the District of Muskoka (Bajc, 1992). It consists of barren precambrian rock ridges, dominated by White Pine and Red Oak on thin soil; alternating with closely spaced, narrow, water-filled depressions. It is a classic example of the south Muskoka rock barrens geology and habitat. Swamp and organic deposits and floating bog mats are contained in the topographic depressions within the gneissic bedrock terrain (Bajc & Paterson, 1992). Green's Creek flows along the eastern edge of the site in a steep-sided rock valley. The creek bed contains modern alluvial deposits of sand and silt. b) Hydrology A series of long ponds and wetlands, controlled in part by beaver dams, slowly drain southward into Riley Lake. Green's Creek collects water from Green's Marsh at the northern end of the site, plus various small ponds and creeks which exit through breaks in the valley walls. It ends in a marshy wetland at the eastern end of Riley Lake. c) Vegetation Communities The Riley Lake site is dominated by White Pine and Red Oak on thin soils. Lower lying areas contain early successional deciduous forests or narrow ponds filled

-51­ with floating bog mats and abundant aquatic plants. The following vegetation communities correspond to the vegetation map of Riley Lake North site. RB1 Open dry rock barrens with Northern Bush Honeysuckle, Common st. John's Wort, White Pine and scattered aspen. RB2 Open dry scrub barrens with dense understory of Dwarf Juniper, Northern Bush Honeysuckle, Bracken Fern, Spreading Dogbane, Sheep Sorrel, Sweet Fern, Blackberry, Pale Corydalis and grasses, with taller Juneberries and scattered White Pine, Red and White Oak and White Birch. RB3 Semi-open canopy dry-mesic rock barrens with Red Oak, White Birch, Red Maple, Trembling and Large-tooth Aspen, White Pine, Juneberries, and Black Cherry in moist pockets. Understory of Dwarf Juniper, Bracken Fern, Staghorn Sumac, Sweet Fern and'grasses. RB4 Semi-open canopy dry rock barrens with White and Red Pine, Red and White Oak, Trembling Aspen, White Birch, Juneberries and an understory of Wild Sarsaparilla, Bracken Fern and Dwarf Juniper.

05 Red Maple, poplar, White Birch and Beaked Hazelnut lowland successional forest between rock ridges, often with an intermittent stream or pools of standing water.

06 Black Ash wooded swamp with graminoid-sedge understory. M7 Closed canopy successional aspen-birch forest with Red Maple, White Pine, Basswood. Moist rich soils with an herb-rich understory and Bracken and Wood Ferns. C8 White Pine dominant on well-drained slopes over thin soils. 59 Tall Willow shrub thicket swamp. 510 Tall shrub thicket swamp dominated by Speckled Alder and Elderberry. F11 Treed poor fen area with submature Tamarack on a consolidated sphagnum mat with Leatherleaf, Swamp Candles, Cinnamon Fern and Sedges. Open pools of standing tea-coloured water with dead conifers, Calla Lilies and Pickerelweed. B12 Virginia Chain Fern bog and Mountain Holly. B13 Floating bog mats with Leather1eaf dominant, sometimes submature Black Spruce, Cinnamon Ferns and

-52­ Cattails. G14 Low shrub-rich marsh with Leatherleaf and sedge tussocks. G15 Sedge-grass marshy area and forb meadow on muddy (silty) soils along Green's Creek, with taller shrubs along the edge at the base of the rock ridges. G16 Sedge-rich meadow marsh. G11 Large marshy area with Leatherleaf, sedge and Cinnamon Fern on floating bog mats, and emergent marsh vegetation in open pools of water, dominated by Bullhead Lilies, Pickerelweed and dead standing trees. P18 Small, mainly open water ponds, sometimes containing dead standing trees, plus aquatic vegetation consisting of Fragrant Waterlily, Bullhead Lilies, Blue Flag Iris, Calla Lilies, Bur-reeds and the shoreline dominated by sedges, grasses and Swamp Candles. P19 Recently flooded pond with white Birch, some still alive and Bur-reeds along the shore. d) Flora: A total of 247 vascular plants were found in the Riley Lake North study area. Most of the plants are commonly found on rock barrens and in peat filled depressions. Two regionally rare plants, Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum), and Smooth Rock Cress (Arabis laevigata) were found on the barrens. In addition there were nine Regionally Uncommon species of vascular plants identified in the area. e) Fauna: Birds: Fifty-three bird species were recorded on the site during nesting season including the Nationally Rare Eastern Bluebird and three Regionally Uncommon species, the Black-billed Cuckoo, Pied-billed Grebe and Rufous­ sided Towhee. On one field excursion, a group of three male Lesser Scaup were observed on a small pond. Mammals: Ten mammal species were identified including the Beaver which has an influence on the drainage of the site. Although no small mammal trapping was undertaken, a Short-tailed Shrew was discovered darting in the tall grass along Green's Creek. Many mammal tracks were observed along the muddy creek bed of Green's Creek. Of particular significance were the tracks of a large cat, identified as a Lynx and further confirmed by the presence of scat.

-53­ Herpetofauna: Fourteen reptiles and amphibians were found within the site including two Regionally Uncommon species, the Eastern Newt and Northern Ribbon Snake. Five-lined Skinks and Tetraploid Gray Treefrogs were common on the bare rock barrens habitat, while the linear ponds contained numerous frog species and abundant reptiles. Northern Water Snake and Northern Ribbon Snake plus three species of turtles, the Common Snapping Turtle, the Midland Painted Turtle and Blanding's Turtle, were observed basking in the sun on a particularly brilliant day. The Eastern Hognose Snake which is considered Provincially Rare was identified by Bob Bowles in 1988 within the site boundaries. other Species: Nine butterflies were identified including the Provincially Rare Columbine Dusky Wing and the Provincially and Regionally Rare Olympia Marblewing. This latter colony of butterflies has been documented by Bob Bowles since 1990, and is the only known Muskoka location. Its habitat requirements are open barren areas with lots of Rock Cress (Arabis divaricarpa). Seven common species of Dragonfly and Damselfly were also found.

Disturbance and Condition: The Riley Lake North site is largely undisturbed Crown Land with minor impact from snowmobile routes. The site is accessed by a single lane dirt road around the bottom of the site, which services the cottages around Riley Lake. Criteria Fulfilled: C-1, B-3, B-4 Criterion C-7: The view from the northern edge of the site contains a commanding landscape vista with an interesting mix of texture and form. From the highest point of elevation (283 m), the terrain drops sharply by some 30 metres to a wetland, and then rises again by the same. No evidence of human intrusion impairs the expansive natural quality of this scene. Criterion B-3: Riley Lake North area is an excellent example of gneissic bedrock ridges separated by narrow, linear wetlands. Since it is in an relatively accessible area on Crown Land, there is good potential for educational purposes. Green's Marsh wetland demonstrates a quality example of wetland succession from open marsh to low shrub-rich marsh to Thicket (tall shrub) swamp to Red Maple lowland forest.

-54­ Criterion B-4: Riley Lake North area provides habitat for the following significant species. NR PR RR Wi ldl ife: Sialia sialis Eastern Bluebird x Erynn i s 1uc i 1ius Columbine Dusky Wing x Euchloe olympia Olympia Marblewing X X Lynx canadensis Lynx X Vascular Plants: Arabis laevigata Smooth Rock Cress X Panicum virgatum Switch Grass X

Boundaries and Buffers: The Riley Lake North site lies north of the access road to Riley Lake. It is bordered on the eastern edge by Green's Creek valley. The western edge follows the edge of the rock barrens. The northern edge is defined by a natural cliff edge. Green's Marsh, which lies at the bottom of the steep forested valley, is included as buffer due to its contribution to the scenic view, its educational potential and the quality of the Green's Creek hydrological function.

Reconmendations:

1) Riley Lake North should be considered a candidate Natural Heritage Area since it meets three selection criteria. 2) While the area itself is not large enough to include the entire range of the Lynx, it is possible that the same species may roam across the south Muskoka rock barrens as far as the Kahshe Barrens Area where a large cat was also recorded. The Kahshe Barrens - Riley Lake North areas may serve as one range for a species like the Lynx, hence a linkage between the two areas should be maintained. 3) Fragmentation of the area by road construction, utility corridors, or further cottage development should be discouraged.

4) The Ministry of Natural Resources should incorporate the significant features of this area into their management guidelines for Crown Lands within Heritage Areas.

-55­ •

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L? SCARCLIFFE BAY

Topographic Reference: 1:50,000 31E/3 1:10,000 10 17 6150 49900 10 17 6150 49950

Township: Monck Concession: 13 Lots: 30-31

Area: approx. 15 ha Ownership: Private Coverage: The Scarc1iffe Bay site was recommended as a candidate ANSI of regional significance by Brunton (1991) because of its southern aquatic plant associations. A reconnaissance visit was made on September 11, 1991. The area was 'inventoried further ;n 1992 on June 3, July 2 and July 14.

Site Description: a) Landforms and Soils: The Scarc1iffe Bay area ;s situated in the northeast corner of Lake Muskoka where some of the best examples of silty and clayey glaciolacustrine plains in the District of Muskoka are found. These surface deposits of fine-grained sediments are confined to low-lying areas surrounding present-day lakes in the Georgian Bay Fringe physiographic region (Bajc, 1992). b) Hydrology: Water flows from Brandy Lake along the creek to the outlet at Scarcliffe Bay on Lake Muskoka. The creek tends to be flooded in the spring with the flow reduced to almost nothing by midsummer. A beaver dam is present about half-way along the length of the creek. This dam appears to be artificially maintained in order to keep the water levels of the wider creek portion higher. The creek is navigable by canoe from Brandy Lake to the beaver dam. c) Vegetation Communities: A distinctive riparian community is situated along the shores of the creek between Brandy Lake and Scarcliffe Bay, enclosed by sloping hillsides with mixed forests. The following descriptions of vegetation communities correspond to the vegetation map for Scarcliffe Bay.

-57­ 10 Mature, late successional Silver Maple, Black Ash, American Elm wooded swamp on fine silty soils. 2M White Pine-Red Oak forest mixed with White Birch, Ironwood, some Hemlock,;n an open canopy on a rocky upland with well-drained soils. Understory of young Sugar Maple, Juneberry, Bracken Fern, Maple-leaf Viburnum and Highbush Cranberry.

3M Mature Black Ash mesic lowland forest with Hemlock, Yellow Birch, White Pine, White 'Birch and Silver Maple.

4M White Pine and Black Ash mesic lowland forest with Basswood, mature and young White Oak, Red Oak, White Birch and Red Maple. Understory dominated by grasses and sedges. The Regionally Uncommon Hairy Honeysuckle and Northern Panic Grass were located here. 5S Thicket swamp (Carr) with >25% tall shrubs of Speckled Alder, Buttonbush, Regionally Uncommon Silky Dogwood, and Elderberry plus low shrub cover of Sweetgale, Meadowsweet, and Water Willow; seasonall'y flooded. 6S Water Willow (also called Swamp Loosestrife) dominant along the shore of the creek between the high and low water levels, with emergent aquatics; brilliant red foliage in the fall provides a spectacular display. 7G Shallow marsh area with pooled water, where Pickerelweed, Royal Fern, and the Regionally Uncommon Vernal Water Starwort, Slender Sedge and False Nettle grow along muddy shores. Swamp Milkweed, Joe Pyeweed, Fringed and Inflated Sedges, Buttonbush, Water Willow and Bluejoint Grass in more consolidated but wet areas behind. 8G Meadow marsh of Bluejoint Grass and sedges. 9H Disturbed, dry field with many non-native species and abundant Poison Ivy. d) Flora:

A total of 135 species of vascular plants were identified in this small wetland. Some of these species are more commonly found in areas to the south, such as Poison Ivy, Silky Dogwood, Buttonbush, Silver Maple, False Nettle and White Oak. There were no Rare plant species identified, however 6 species are considered Regionally Uncommon.

-58­ e) Fauna: Birds: Twenty-six bird species were recorded during the breeding season. All of these birds are typical of wetland and mixed forest areas. A Common Merganser with a brood was observed in Scarcliffe Bay. Mammals: The wetland area is home for at least six species of common Muskoka mammals including a Muskrat which lives along the muddy banks of the creek. Herpetofauna: Three species of frog and the Eastern Redback Salamander were identified within the study area. The spring population of large Bullfrogs was notable. other Species: The bay area where Brandy Lake meets the creek provides good habitat for Northern Pike. Smelt are locally significant in the wetland. Other fish and minnows present in the littoral zone are White Fish, Creek Chub and Shiners (M.N.R. Bracebridge Area files). Disturbance and Condition: The location of the site adjacent to the Highway 118 corridor and heavily cottaged Scarcliffe Bay makes it susceptible to disturbance. The creek itself is buffered by a Red Pine plantation on the west end and an upland mixed forest on the south side. This forest lies within the catchment basin for the wetland. The cottage access road is located on the other side of the drainage slope. There is little buffer area on the north side between the creek and the highway. Runoff from the highway would flow immediately into the creek. Spring runoff with salt and sand would have the greatest impact on the creek system. The quality of the creek is good, indicated by the presence of Bullfrogs and numerous fish species. Introduced species were most abundant on the northern shore of the area.

-59­ Criteria Fulfilled: A-2, B-1, C-7 Criterion A-2: Scarcliffe Bay is a good example of silty and clayey glaciolacustrine plains. The presence of this soil type may have some influence on the more southern-type vegetation found on this site. Criterion B-1: The area contains plant community types which are unusual for the District and are at a northern limit. These are the Silver Maple-American Elm-Black Ash lowland swamp forest and the water WillOW-Silky Dogwood-Buttonbush Carr on clay. Criterion C-7: The area was nominated as a scenic site due to the extensive Water Willow community along the creek which turns a brilliant red in the autumn.

Boundaries and Buffers:

The boundary of the area follows Highway 118 on the northern edge and the cottage access road on the western and southern edges. The mixed upland forest on the southern edge provides a buffer for the wetland. Recommendations: 1) Scarcliffe Bay should be considered a candidate Natural Heritage Area since it meets three selection criteria. 2) The buffer areas should be protected from vegetation removal or other development which leads to nutrient enrichment of the wetland or erosion of the upland slopes. 3) Private land stewardship should be encouraged to protect the natural values of the wetland and adjacent slopes. 4) The M.N.R. Lands and Waters staff should be informed of the dam on Brandy Creek if they are not already aware. Any water level management should consider the ecological requirements of the population of Water Willow in order to ensure its continued presence in the wetland. 5) Ministry of Transportation should be made aware of the significance of this area and encouraged to minimize environmental impacts of repairs, snow and ice control.

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SHACK CREEK WETLAND Topographic Reference: 1:50,000 31E/3 1:10,000 1017 6450 49900 1017 6450 49950 Townships: McLean and Oakley, Bracebridge Concession: 14 (Oakley) Lots: 20 - 24 1 (McLean) 20 - 25 2 21 - 26 Area: approx. 550 ha Ownership: approximately 65% crown; 35% private Coverage: The Shack Creek Wetland was recommended by Brunton (1991) as a candidate ANSI of regional significance. A reconnaissance field trip was made in September of 1991. A complete biological inventory was taken in 1992 on May 28, June 15, July 7, July 23, and September 2. Site Description: a) Landforms and Sojls This large wetland area is situated in a broad, shallow depression composed of organic peat and muck soils at the border of the Georgian Bay Fringe - Algonquin Highland Physiographic Region (Bajc, 1992). Islands of glaciofluvial ice-contact stratified drift deposits composed of sand and till are present in the central area of the depression as kame hummocks and terraces (Bajc and Henry, 1991). The area surrounding the wetland is a relatively flat surfaced glaciofluvial outwash feature at elevation above 300 m. The deposits are gravel and sand. A gravel pit operation to the west of the site attests to the presence of such deposits. Bajc (1992) identified the Kawpakwakog Creek Valley as one of the most notable of these glaciofluvial outwash deposits. The northern portion to the surrounding upland is largely drift cover over bedrock outcrops supporting closed canopy forests. b) Hydrology : The wetland area is largely palustrine defined by the intermittent stream flowing from north to south through the wetland. The sources for this intermittent stream are two large ponds in the upland area to the north and runoff from the hills surrounding the wetland. The stream is beaver controlled with several small ponds and flooded areas present. There is an artificial dam at

-62­ the exit of the largest upland pond draining into the wetland. Where this stream empties into the Kawpakwakog River, the wetland area becomes riverine by definition. The meandering Kawpakwakog River is navigable by canoe and flows toward the South Branch of the Muskoka River. c) Vegetation Communities : The site is considered one of the largest mixed and coniferous swamp complexes of its kind in the Muskoka area (Brunton, 1991). A total of 33 vegetation communities were defined within the boundaries of the area. These will be described below and relate to the vegetation map. Of these communities, eleven were upland forests, five swamp forests, six fens, two bogs, three thicket swamps or carrs, and four marsh communities. There was also one dry meadow and one fen pond identified. The dominant vegetation community types were the mixed and conifer swamp forests fens.

10 Red Maple, Black Cherry, White Birch, Black Ash, Trembling Aspen lowland forest.

20 Sugar Maple (max.dbh = 37.1 cm), Red Maple, Yellow Birch, Basswood and Large-tooth Aspen lowland forest. 3M Mature White Pine, Red Oak (max. dbh = 32.6 cm), Sugar Maple, Ironwood, White Ash, Black Cherry, and White Birch upland mixed forest. Shrub layer of young oak, maple and birch and ground cover of Wild Sarsaparilla, wood ferns and Solomon's Seal. 4M White Pine, Sugar Maple, Trembling Aspen upland forest. 5M White Pine, White Birch, poplar on raised islands. 6M Red and Sugar Maples, poplar, Ironwood, White Pine, mature Tamarack (max. dbh = 19.8 cm), Balsam Fir, in a mesic woods. Abundant Leatherwood in the understory plus Carrion Flower and Da1ibarda, Regionally Uncommon species.

7M White Pine, Hemlock, White Birch upland forest.

8M White Spruce, White Birch, Black Spruce, Balsam Fir, Velvet1eaf Blueberry, Bracken Ferns, on the drier we11­ drained ground (of a kame terrace). 9M Black Spruce, Tamarack, Balsam Fir, Red Maple, Trembling Aspen, and even very young beech trees in a cool mesic forest (on a kame terrace); shrub layer of Black Spruce, Northern Wild Raisin and Velvetleaf Blueberry; ground cover of Bunchberry and Oa1ibarda.

-63­ 10M White Spruce, Balsam Fir, White Pine and poplar upland forest. 11C Balsam Fir, Tamarack, White Pine (max. dbh = 39.2 cm), White Spruce (max. dbh = 30.0 cm) mature moist. upland conifer forest on slopes fringing the pond and elsewhere with a shrub layer of Wild Raisin, American Mountain-Ash, Holly, Black Cherry, Velvetleaf Blueberry, Maple-leaf Viburnum, Bunchberry, Fly-Honeysuckle, Wild Sarsaparilla, Bracken Fern. 12MS Balsam Fir, Hemlock, Black Spruce, Tamarack, White Cedar, Red Maple, Black Cherry, White Birch, Black Ash, Trembling Aspen conifer-hardwood transitional swamp forest with shrub layer of Balsam Fir, Northern and Crested Wood Ferns, Cinnamon Fern, Fragile Fern, Bunchberry, Dalibarda, Wood Sorrel, Snowberry, Wintergreen and Three-seeded Sedge. 13MS Black Spruce, White Cedar, Black Ash swamp forest with Mountain Holly and Speckled Alder shrub layer and ground cover of Northern Wild Raisin, Velvetleaf Blueberry, Three-leaved Solomon's Seal, Snowberry Wintergreen, Three-Seeded Sedge, Rattlesnake Manna Grass on moss covered irregular ground surface. 14CS Low-lying moist White Cedar swamp forest with Interrupted and Wood Ferns, Wood Sorrel, Bunchberry, on a sphagnum base with irregular ground surface. 15CS Closed Tamarack treed swamp with White Cedar, Interrupted and Cinnamon Ferns. 16CS Rich Tamarack swamp with mainly Alder, Winterberry and Willow spp. ~plus a low shrub layer of Meadowsweet, Northern Wild Raisin and Bristly Dewberry; ground cover of Swamp Candles and Bog Aster, Common Rush and Tawny and Hare's Tail Cotton Grasses. Open channels of water with cattails and robust sedges. 17F Low shrub poor treed fen with Black Spruce and Tamarack < 6 m tall, plus Leatherleaf, Labrador Tea, Three-Seeded Sedge, Bog Sedge, on mossy, irregular ground surface. 1SF Low shrub poor treed fen with Tamarack and Black Spruce present as trees and tall shrubs. Dominant low shrubs are Leatherleaf and Labrador Tea plus Chokeberry and Bog Cranberry. Ground cover of Three­ leaved Solomon's Seal, Bog Aster, Tawny Cotton Grass, Bog Sedge, on sphagnum.

-64­ 1SF Poor graminoid treed fen with breast height Tamarack and Black Spruce, plus a low shrub layer of Labrador Tea, Velvetleaf Blueberry, some Alder, Leatherleaf, Bog Laurel, Bog Rosemary and the dominant cover of Three-leaved Solomon's Seal, Hare's Tail Cotton Grass, Bog Sedge, Few-Seeded Sedge and Few-Flowered Sedge and Cranberry on a sphagnum hummock and hollow mat. 20F Graminoid intermediate treed fen with Tamarack and Black Spruce < 6 m tall. Low shrubs of willows and Leatherleaf. Ground cover of Bog Aster, Northern Bugleweed, Three-leaved Solomon's Seal, Tawny Cotton Grass, Bog Sedge, and Bluejoint Grass on sphagnum. 21F Small rich fen with Alder, scattered Tamarack, Bog Aster, Bog Goldenrod, and Narrow-leaved Goldenrod. 22F Open herb-rich fen with Bluejoint and Wool grass plus Bog Goldenrod and Bog Aster. Low shrubs present are Meadowsweet and Leatherleaf and tall shrubs are Tamarack and Alder. 23B Black Spruce treed bog on sphagnum with Leatherleaf and other ericaceous shrubs. 24B Low shrub sphagnum bog with > 25% cover of Bog Rosemary and Leatherleaf, mixed with Bog Sedge. 25S Alder thicket swamp lagg zone with Meadowsweet, Tamarack, Black Spruce, Northern Bugleweed, sedges on moss. 26S Thicket swamp of Speckled Alder and Red-osier Dogwood with> 25% shrubs over 150 cm tall. Scattered mix of Tamarack and White Cedar. 27S Alder swale with some Tamarack and little understory. Open channels of water indicate the presence of i ntermi ttent stream,.

28G Shrub-rich marsh with> 25% cover of Sweet Gale, Meadowsweet and Leatherleaf. Graminoids present were Three-way Sedge, Bluejoint, Wool grass, Manna Grass plus st. John's Wort. The water was present at surface and above to 25 cm. 29G Old beaver pond filling in with Woolgrass, Common Rush, Three-Way Sedge, Fowl Manna Grass, Rattlesnake Manna Grass, Hare's Tail Cotton Grass, Canada Rush. Open water areas present plus area with robust emergents such as bur-reeds. Ground cover of st. John's Wort, Bur­ Marigold and other Hypericum species. Dead conifer trees present.

-65­ 30G Open marsh with shallow standing water of Lake Bank Sedge and Rattlesnake Manna Grass. Scattered Tamarack. 31G Wet meadow marsh of standing water with scattered tall shrub Tamarack and Alder and low shrub willow; ground cover of Swamp Candles and Bog Aster; narrow- leaved emergents of Tawny and Delicate Cotton Grass, Rattlesnake Manna Grass, Bluejoint Grass plus robust emergent cattails. 32AQ Fen pond with Calla, Sweet Gale, Leatherleaf, Pitcher Plants and Buckbean along the open edge with a Winterberry and Black Chokeberry tall shrub zone and sub-mature Black Spruce and Tamarack forest. 33H Dry open meadow of Bracken Fern, Blueberry and Hawkweed, scattered White Pine and poplar. d) Flora : A total of 170 vascular plant species were recorded in this large area. This is not a high diversity, but is consistent with the type of vegetation communities present. There were ten significant plant species, one (Long Sedge - Carex foJliculata) which is both Provincially Rare and Regionally Uncommon. Two species were Regionally Rare and seven Regionally Uncommon. e) Fauna: Birds: Forty-eight bird species were recorded during the bird breeding season. The most common breeding birds were Yellowthroats and Song Sparrows. A single male Black-backed Woodpecker was observed in suitable breeding habitat. This Regionally Rare bird is at a southern limit. Two Regionally Uncommon birds were also identified, one of these the White-winged Crossbill is also at a southern limit. Mammals: Four species of mammals were recorded. Abundant deer tracks and moose trails were encountered throughout the low-lying swamp, bog, and fen comunities. Herpetofauna: Seven common species of amphibians and reptiles were identified within the area. Other species: Few butterflies and many dragonflies were located. In particular, a small shrub-rich marsh located at the west end of the large upland pond which drains into the wetland contained large populations of numerous species of dragonflies. In total, four species of butterflies and seven species of dragonflies (mainly Spread-wings and Skimmers) were identified.

-66­ Disturbance and Condition : The area as a whole is undisturbed. Evidence of hunting activities (trail into the open fen and a hunting platform), minor logging probably for private use and an artificially constructed dam on the upper pond were the only signs of disturbance. The wetland as a whole contains a great diversity of vegetation classes in various successional stages. Criteria Fulfilled: A-2, B-1, B-2, B-3, 8-4, 8-6 Criterion A-2: Kawpakwakog Creek valley is a good example of a glaciofluvial outwash feature at elevations above 300 metres. The central portion of the lowland basin consists of kame hummocks and terraces composed of stratified sand and till deposits. criterion B-1: The Shack Creek Wetland represents an extensive area of swamp forests, poor fen and bog communities. The rich Sugar and Red Maple, Black Cherry, Hemlock and Yellow Birch mixed forests at the edge of the wetland areas are good representatives of the forest area east and north of Bracebridge. Criterion B-2: The area exhibits a high diversity of vegetation community types particularly wetland types. Criterion B-3: The area exhibits a high quality wetland complex with many successional stages present. Some very mature tree species were present and maximum diameter breast heights were: White Pine dbh 39.2 cm; White Spruce dbh 30.0 cm; Tamarack dbh 19.8 cm; Red Oak dbh 32.6 cm; and Sugar Maple dbh 35.2 cm. The White Spruce, Tamarack and Sugar Maple were the largest trees found in the 1992 season sites. Criterion B-4: Shack Creek Wetland provides habitat for the following rare species NR PR RR Wi ldl ife Picoides arcticus Black-backed Woodpecker x Vascular Plants : Carex foJlicuJata Long Sedge x CastiJJeja coccinea Indian Paintbrush x Equisetum palustre Marsh Horse-tail X In addition nine Regionally Uncommon species of fauna and flora were located on site. Criterion B-6: The Shack Creek wetland is one of the largest wetland areas within the District of Muskoka.

-67­ Boundaries and Buffers : The boundary of the predominantly wetland area includes the wetland plus 120 metres of surrounding upland as buffer. Most of the significant species and vegetation community types occurred within the wetland and in the transitional conifer swamp forests. However, where significant non-wetland communities were identified they were included in the area boundary. This was particularly true along the western edge of the area. At the southern end of the area the boundary was established where the system changed from palustrine to riverine. Recommendations 1) Shack Creek Wetland should be considered a candidate Natural Heritage Area, since it meets five selection criteria. 2) No excavation, drainage, municipal or private road construction or removal of vegetation should occur in the wetland areas inside the buffer zone. 3) The buffer areas should be protected from large-scale vegetation removal or other developments which may lead to nutrient enrichment of the adjacent wetlands or erosion of the upland slopes into the wetland area. 4) Private land stewardship should be encouraged by the Muskoka Heritage Foundation to protect the natural values of the wetland. 5) M.N.R. Lands and Water staff should be informed of the presence of the dam on the upland pond if they were not already aware. 6) The wetland shou·ld be referred to the MNR wetland evaluation program as it would likely meet provincial significance.

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Topographic Reference: 1:50,000 31E/3 1:10,000 10 17 6450 49850 Township: Oakley Concession: 9 Lots: 26-32 10 26-32 Draper 8 31-32 Area: approx. 425 ha Ownership: Private Coverage: The study area was visited five times during the season, from late May to early September (May 26, June 23, July 21, August 10, September 1). Access was by canoe and on foot. Site Description: a) Landforms and Soils: The Spring Creek Wetland area is at the edge of the Georgian Bay Fringe physiographic region (Bajc, 1992) on a rather flat plain with local relief less than 10 to 30 metres. It is a large area of swamp and organic deposits surrounded by bedrock drift and till with numerous small circular to oval-shaped tree covered outcrops (Bajc & Henry, 1991). These latter two landform types are most common in the Algonquin Highland physiographic region. b) Hydrology: Spring Creek is a classic palustrine wetland positioned above a riverine wetland. Drainage from Wood Lake is controlled by an M.N.R. maintained floodgate.dam which results in intermittent inflow of water into a large, circular floodplain with a deep (>2 metre), permanent, clear water stream running through. A small secondary stream drains from two marshy areas south of the floodplain. A large beaver dam is present at the west end of this floodplain. At this end the stream water has become tea-coloured after flowing through the organic base. From the beaver dam, the water flows through a narrow, bedrock exposed valley into a slightly lower « 5 metre drop) stream flowing between mixed and deciduous forests. It then opens up into a broad, fan­ shaped delta where it meets the South Branch Muskoka River, which acts as a riverine wetland.

-70­ c) Vegetation Communities: The Spring Creek wetland area has a variety of marsh, swamp and fen communities surrounded by mixed, coniferous and deciduous lowland and upland forests as described below and illustrated on the vegetation map.

10 Sugar Maple-Yellow Birch closed canopy upland forest on gentle slopes. 20 Silver Maple, Red Maple, American Elm wooded swamp with a semi-open canopy and an understory of young Balsam Fir, narrow-leaved emergent grasses and sedges and tall shrubs such as American Mountain Ash (6m tall specimen). 3M White Pine, White Birch, Red Maple and Hemlock closed canopy upland forest with some Balsam Fir in the understory, plus Juneberries, Regionally Uncommon Leatherwood, and American Mountain Ash, Velvetleaf Blueberry and Twinflower. Few Beech, Black Cherry and White Spruce. 4M Mature to sub-mature Sugar Maple (max. dbh=34.9 cm), Large-tooth Aspen, Hemlock, Balsam Fir, White and Yellow Birch, Black Cherry (max. dbh=14.8 cm) and Red Maple mixed forest. Rich understory with Maidenhair Fern, Wild Leek, Blue Cohosh, Hay-scented Fern, Baneberry, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Long-awned Woodgrass and the Regionally Uncommon Dalibarda. SM Red Maple, Balsam Fir, White Spruce, Yellow Birch mixed forest with some Basswood, White Pine, Trembling Aspen and Black Cherry. Rich moist soils with an understory of Trout Lily, Regionally Uncommon Dwarf Ginseng, Wild leek and the Regionally Uncommon Turtlehead and Toothwort along the shore of the creek. 6M White Spruce, Red Maple in an open canopy lowland forest with Speckled Alder, Northern Wild Raisin, raspberries, Bluejoint Grass and Woolgrass. 7M White Cedar, Balsam Fir, Black Ash, Red Maple, Black Spruce conifer-hardwood transitional swamp forest with Speckled Alder and Holly tall shrub secondary layer and understory of American Mountain Ash, Poison Ivy, club mosses, Cinnamon and Sensitive Ferns, Northern Bugleweed on irregular sphagnum covered ground. 8C White Pine and Hemlock on shallow drift and exposed bedrock with little understory. 9C Black Spruce and Tamarack conifer swamp forest with Speckled Alder in the secondary understory.

-71­ 10C Tamarack, Black Spruce, Balsam Fir, White Cedar, White Pine and Red Maple boreal forest with Wood Ferns, Velvetleaf Blueberry, Goldthread and clubmosses in the understory. 11C White Cedar (max. dbh=20.0 cm) swamp forest with some White Pine on slightly higher ground in the eastern portion. 12F Low shrub rich fen of Leatherleaf, Bog Rosemary with some Mountain Holly, Black Chokeberry, Tamarack, White Birch and White Pine on a sphagnum mat. Ground cover of Hare's Tail Cotton Grass, Bog Aster and Bog Goldenrod. 13F Low shrub acid fen of Sweetgale, Bog Rosemary, Black Chokeberry, Bog Laurel, Labrador Tea, Hare's Tail Cotton Grass with scattered Black Spruce, White Birch, White Pine and few young Tamarack on a consolidated sphagnum mat.

14S Willow, Buttonbush, Black Chokeberry tall shrub thicket swamp with low shrubs of Meadowsweet, Sweetgale and Leatherleaf and a ground cover of Narrow-leaved Goldenrod, Bog Goldenrod and grasses and sedges. Abundant floating and submerged aquatics in the stream. 155 Speckled Alder swale with Bluejoint Grass.

16S Thicket swamp (Carr) of Speckled Alder, Winterberry, Red-osier Dogwood, Sweetgale and Meadow Rue; Royal and Sensitive Ferns and spike rushes lining the creek.

17S Rigid and Slender Willow and Alder thicket swamp with Sweetgale and Meadowsweet, Flat-topped Aster, Bog Goldenrod and scattered White Birch. 18G Sweetgale, Meadowsweet, Willow shrub rich wet meadow marsh with graminoid understory. 19G Shrub-rich marsh with <50% cover by Alder and Sweetgale with a dominant cover of Bluejoint Grass, Wool-grass and Rattlesnake Manna Grass. 20G Steeplebush, Elderberry,Sweetgale shrub-rich marsh. 21G Meadowsweet and sedge meadow marsh with Wool-grass, burreeds and dead hardwood. 22G Open graminoid wet meadow marsh with some low shrubs of Meadowsweet and Steeplebush, Peach leaf and Slender Willow, and Sweetgale near the stream edge.

-72­ Dominant sedges were Lake Bank Sedge, Fringed Sedge, Tussock Sedge and Inflated Sedge. 23H Rattlesnake Manna Grass, Fringed Sedge, Cardinal Flower, Boneset, Swamp Candles and st. John's Wort on rocky ground with floating and submerged aquatics. 24H Rocky shallow water with >25% wetland species along the edges, such as sedges, Swamp Candles and Cardinal Flower. 25AQ-1 Floating and submerged aquatics such as Floating Hearts and other Lilies, Pondweeds, Bladderworts and Water Mil-foil. Tussocks of sedges. 26AQ-2 Water Starwort, Water Purslane, Needle-shaped Spike Rush and other narrow-leaved emergent grasses, sedges and rushes along the shoreline of the creek, plus herbaceous aquatic plants such as Swamp Candles, st. John's Wort, Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock, Marsh Cinquefoil. Floating and submerged aquatics in the stream. 27AQ-3 Abundant aquatic vegetation in a deep ( >2m) clear stream, such as Pickerelweed, Large Blue Flag Iris, Wild Calla, Fragrant and Bullhead Waterlilies, Broad-leaved Arrowhead, Burreeds, Cattails, Swaying Rush, Swamp Horsetail and Water Smartweed. d) Flora: A total of 221 species were recorded from the Spring Creek Wetland area. Of these, one (Marsh st. John's Wort - Triadenum virginicum) is considered Provincially Rare, two are Regionally Rare and 10 species are Regionally uncommon. e) Fauna: Birds: Thirty-seven species of birds were recorded during the bird breeding season. Red-winged Blackbirds were most abundant with observations made of nests containing eggs, fledged young and adults carrying food. The Regionally Uncommon Black-billed Cuckoo was heard calling from a thicket swamp in mid-June. The marshy area at the outlet to the Muskoka River was popular with ducks, however species identification was not confirmed. Mammals: Five mammal species were recorded over the season. The most significant observation was of a pair of River otters whose den was located along the banks of the creek at the edge of the forested area. They travel along the entire creek to Wood Lake where they have been observed by local residents in the winter. A Moose was

-73­ heard calling and Deer were seen crossing the river. A young fawn was startled from its hiding place in a deep grass meadow. While not observed, a sixth mammal species for the area is the Beaver, evidenced by the numerous beaver dams. Herpetofauna: There were twelve species of reptiles and amphibians observed, the most notable being the Yellow-spotted Salamander located in a rich Sugar Maple­ Hemlock-Black Cherry mixed forest, and an extremely large Snapping Turtle basking along the stream bank. There were numerous frog species. Fish: The upper creek at the outlet of Wood Lake was deep with clear water. Fish were abundant in this section. A sample taken revealed at least .three species - Common Shiner, Pearl Dace and Rock Bass. The abundance of fish may account in part for the presence of otters. Disturbance and Condition: The Spring Creek Wetland is a large, undisturbed, high quality wetland. The area is used by hunters, and fishermen collect bait minnows from the stream. A skidoo trail crosses the creek and goes across the north and eastern sides of the site. Minor logging is carried out in the surrounding forests~ Criteria Fulfilled: A-4, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-6 Criterion A-4: The area is a hydrological system which contributes to water storage and protection of water quality in the large wetland basin at the outlet of Wood Lake. Criterion B-2: The area exhibits a high diversity of community types and successional stages with representation of aquatic, marsh, swamp and fen wetland communities, plus coniferous, mixed and deciduous lowland and upland forests. Criterion B-3: The area contains biotic communities of unusually high quality showing little recent disturbance. Some of the lowland mixed forests are extremely rich with mature specimens of Sugar Maple, Black Cherry and White Cedar. The area also supports a large section of rich fen.

-74­ Criterion 8-4: The area provides habitat for the following rare species: NR PR RR Vascular Plants: Carex leptalea Bristle-stalked Sedge x Potamogeton filiformis Filiform Pondweed X Triadenum virginicum Marsh St.John's Wort X

There were also 10 species of vascular plants and one breeding bird which are considered Regionally Uncommon. Criterion 8-6: The area is large enough to provide habitat for River otters with an undisturbed linkage between Wood Lake and South Branch Muskoka River.

Boundaries and Buffers: The boundary around the relatively flat topography of the area includes the wetland with 120 metre of buffer into the adjacent forests. One particular forest community, in the northeast corner of the area, contained some unusual species as well as representation of rich woods. The boundary established within this forest followed established snowmobile trails and roads.

Recommendations: 1) Spring Creek Wetland should be considered a candidate Natural Heritage Area since it meets five selection criteria. 2) Large-scale development of roads, lots, vegetation removal or alteration of drainage should not be allowed in order to protect the pristine quality of the area and allow natural succession to occur. 3) The wetland should be referred to the M.N.R. wetland evaluation program as it would likely meet provincial significance. 4) Private stewardship should be encouraged to protect the natural values of the wetland.

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TASSO CREEK - UPPER BIG EAST RIVER

Topographic Reference: 1:50,000 31E/6 1:10,000 10 17 6550 50400 10 17 6600 50400 Township: Finlayson, Lake of Bays Concession: 13 Lots: 1 - 21 14 20 - 22 Area: approx. 200 ha Ownership: Crown Coverage: The area was visited twice during the 1992 field season, on June 17 and August 12. The access road to Finlayson Dam is extremely rough and rainy weather prevented more site visits.

Site Description a) Landform and Soils: The upper Big East River, which includes the Tasso Creek area, lies within the Algonquin Highland physiographic region of the District of Muskoka (Bajc, 1992). The area around Finlayson Pond is at the highest elevation in the District with a high topographic relief ranging from 350 to 475 metres above sea level. It is largely bedrock controlled upland with areas of extensive drift cover on steep valley slopes and rocky terrain. b) Hydrology: The upper riverine section of the Big East is a steep, rocky headwater area. Water pours off the hills of the Algonquin Highlands into a number of cold creeks (McCraney, Mink, Beanpod, Cripple and Tasso) that run through narrow valleys into Finlayson Pond. The concrete dam located at the western end of the pond was constructed in 1953 for low flow augmentation. This dam created a large, deep reservoir which contains numerous fish spawning areas and provides excellen~ wildlife breeding habitat. The section of river from Finlayson Pond to McBrien Pond descends 21 metres through a thickly forested valley with numerous waterfalls, rapids and tributary streams. c) Vegetation Communities: The high elevation and cooler microclimate support forests with a more northern or boreal ecology. The river corridor allows species to move from the Algonquin

-77­ Highlands down the Big East River valley. The following community descriptions correspond to the vegetation map for this area. Some mapping information was provided by the report on the Big East River by Brownell (1978).

01 Lowland deciduous forest of Red Maple, White Birch, Black Cherry (max. dbh 19.1 cm) and young Balsam Fir.

02 Black Ash lowland swamp forest along a tea-coloured creek. M3 Sugar Maple hardwood with White Birch, White Pine and White Spruce on steep slopes. M4 Very mature (ca. 140-170 years old) Yellow Birch, Hemlock and Sugar Maple forest with maximum dbh measurements of 39.2 cm for Hemlock and 54.1 cm for Yellow Birch. Understory of Trillium, Sugar Maple, False Solomon's Seal, ferns and Wood Sorrel.

M5 Treed back shore dominated by Black Ash and Yellow Birch with Highbush Cranberry and Red-osier Dogwood forming a thick tall shrub layer. ' M6 Upland Red Maple, White Birch, White Pine and White Cedar early successional forest. C7 Balsam Fir, White Cedar and very mature Yellow Birch on cool, steep, wet slopes. C8 Rich woods on a gentle slope with White Pine (max. dbh 31.8 cm), Balsam Fir, White Cedar, White Spruce (max. dbh 28.8 cm), Yellow Birch and Hemlock. C9 White Cedar (max. dbh 30.1 cm), Hemlock, White Pine, White Birch and some Balsam Fir boreal forest. Understory of Goldthread, Twinflower, Wood Sorrel, Bunchberry, Yellow Clintonia, Beech and Oak Ferns, Hobblebush, Mountain Maple, club mosses on steep slopes. The forest floor is full of "holes" where old stumps lay on the ground and have filled with in with decayed vegetation. C10 White Spruce, Balsam Fir and White Birch along a low-lying section of the river edge. C11 White Cedar and Royal Ferns along the gravel and wet, steep shore of the rapids and river. S12 Wet seasonally flooded shore with tall and low shrubs composed of Northern Wild Raisin, Speckled Alder, Meadowsweet, Sweetgale, Leather1eaf, Hobblebush, plus Meadow-rue and ferns.

-78­ G13 Swampy marsh with active beaver ponding and dam construction, dominated by Spotted Joe-pye-weed, with Swamp Candles, Woolgrass, Flat-top Aster, blackberries, Meadowsweet and dead standing trees. G14 Sandy, rocky shoreline with little vegetation except sedges and Beak Rush. The entrance to Tasso Creek has the same species plus spike rushes in a muddy substrate. G15 Shrub-rich marsh with Sweetgale and Meadowsweet but dominant cover composed of graminoids. d) Flora: There were 134 vascular plant species recorded in the Tasso Creek area. One plant, the Meadow Sundrops (Oenothera pilosella), is Nationally, Provincially and regionally Rare. Four other Regionally Rare species were also identified including two types of currants, a grass and a gentian. The Swamp Black Currant (Ribes lacustre) and Narrow-leaved Gentian (Gentiana linearis) are at a southern limit for their distribution which is confined in Muskoka to the Big East corridor. e) Fauna: Birds: Twelve species of birds were identified in June with habitat most suitable to Warblers and Sparrows. A nest with eggs on the mud flat at the entrance to Tasso Creek was later confirmed to be Spotted Sandpiper. Mammals: Moose, White-tail Deer, Raccoon and Red Squirrel were the only mammals recorded for the inventory. The remoteness of the area and the presence of a large pond beside thick forests makes the area prime wildlife habitat which undoubtedly supports many more species. Herpetofauna: Five species of frog and toad were identified along the river and in the forests. The cold water river with gravelly, rocky shoreline is ideal habitat for the Regionally Rare Pickerel Frog. This species was caught and confirmed at two locations along the shorelines of both the pond and the river.

Disturbance and Condition: The Big East River valley was long used for logging operations. Most areas along the north shore of the Big East River were selection harvested between 1972-74, while the adjacent area to the east was selection harvested in the early 1980·s. The south shore area, including the area along Tasso Creek, was harvested

-79­ during the early 1980's (Ken Cain, M.N.R., personal communication, 1993). The established shoreline harvest setbacks maintain a largely mature conifer vegetated corridor along Tasso Creek and the Big East River. Despite the harvesting, the forest still supports scattered stands of very mature Yellow Birch, Hemlock, White Cedar and Sugar Maple. Of all trees measured from the 1992 sites, the largest specimens of Yellow Birch, Hemlock and White Cedar were found from the trees measured in this area. The only other signs of human activity are from the few cabins and hunt camps in the Finlayson Pond area.

Criteria Fulfilled: A-1, 8-1, 8-3, 8-4, 8-6, C-7 Criterion A-1: The Big East River is a good example of a glacial spillway valley, a distinctive landscape element at the District level. criterion B-1: The upper Big East River represents landform, microclimate and vegetation community types with a distinctive northern influence, including some of the best White Spruce and mixed forest stands in the District. Criterion B-3: The maturity of the Yellow Birch­ Hemlock-Sugar Maple forest and White Cedar-Hemlock boreal forest are significant since mature forests are not well-represented in the District of Muskoka. Of all trees measured from forested sites in the 1992 season, the largest specimens of Yellow Birch, Hemlock and White Cedar were from the Tasso Creek area. It is unusual to find old stands which have not had the Yellow Birch removed for veneer. Criterion B-4: The Tasso Creek area provides habitat for the following rare species: NR PR RR Wi ldl ife Rana palustris Pickerel Frog x Vascular Plants Gentiana linearis Narrow-leaved Gentian x Oenothera pilosella Meadow Sundrops xx X Panicum ovale American Panic Grass X Ribes lacustre Swamp Black Currant X Ribes triste Swamp Red Currant X Criterion B-6: The Big East River acts as a biogeographic corridor allowing species movement from the Algonquin Highlands down the river valley as evidenced by the occurrence of northern species such as Swamp Black Currant and Narrow-leaved Gentian.

-80­ Criterion C-7: The view from the Finlayson Dam is spectacular in both directions: upstream, the view opens onto Finlayson Pond which is flanked by steep forested slopes with numerous valleys cutting through them; downstream, the view takes in the river and rapids in a deep gorge-like coniferous valley.

Boundaries and Buffers: The boundaries for the Big East River follow the heights of land. Within this boundary, a 90 metre protected swath along the river was identified. This swath was extended when necessary to include vegetation communities with significant biological values. Reconmendations: 1) The Tasso Creek area should be considered a candidate Natural Heritage Area since it meets six selection criteria. 2) The Tasso Creek area should be incorporated with the rest of the Big East River as one large continuous riverine corridor in a single Heritage Area. 3) The values of the mature, hardwood trees and Pickerel Frog habitat identified by MHAP should be incorporated into the M.N.R. Timber Management Planning values maps for the Tasso Creek area. The "old growth" values should be protected and maintained through the use of specific Area of Concern (AOC) prescriptions to be implemented by MNR tree marking in consultation with MHAP staff. The Pickerel Frog and Fisheries habitat values should be addressed through implementation of the Provincial Guidelines for the Protection of Fisheries Habitat. 4) Municipal policies should recognize the value of the Big East as a continuous natural corridor and should protect its continuity from inappropriate development.

-81­ •

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ADJOINING SHE I•. •\ I 0 116~~O ~u SCa•• 1:1'000 NOTEI o o 500 1001 . see North "ergn Oatum 1927. ~ Metre. I ~ ~ 1M..,.. o Unl"er..1Tranher.. Mercator (6°) protection. IO,76~~O')(; ~ Zon.'7. Cent,al U.adaan 81 0 W lD 10M 1010 2000 )1M ...... Grid IntNVlt1 1000 mfltf"" WELLS CREEK - WALKER POINT

Topographic Reference: 1:50,000 31E/3 1:10,000 10 17 6150 49850 Township: Wood, Muskoka Lakes Concess ion: 1 Lots: 13-17 2 13-16

Area: approx. 150 ha Ownership: Private

Coverage: Site visits were made on May 21, June 26, July 13 and 20 and August 6 and 21, 1992. Site Description: a) Landforms and Soils: The area lies in the Georgian Bay Fringe physiographic region. Wells Creek follows a small area of glaciolacustrine deltaic deposits consisting of horizontally stratified sand and fine gravel (Kor & Miller, 1987) with localized areas of clay and silt. These deposits occupy an area of bedrock depression in a predominantly low-relief terrain. Wells Creek begins from a low-lying wetland area underlain by organic deposits. The forested upland slopes surrounding the creek valley contain shallow to deep till over bedrock. b) Hydrology: Two shallow, marshy ponds drain into the gravelly bottomed Wells Creek which winds through a rich wooded lowland forest to a narrow bay opening up into Lake Muskoka. c) Vegetation Communities: The Wells Creek area supports mature, late successional, deciduous and mixed rich woods plus a narrow, undisturbed bay with abundant submerged and floating aquatic vegetation. The following community descriptions correspond to the vegetation map of Walker Point - Wells Creek.

01 Mature Red Oak (max. dbh=38.0 cm), White Ash (max dbh=23.6 cm), White Birch, Basswood, Hemlock. Rich understory of ferns, Blue Cohosh, White Baneberry, wood sedges and grasses, including the Regionally Uncommon Plantain-leaved Sedge.

02 Sugar Maple, Large-toothed Aspen, Basswood with

-83­ young maple understory, Regionally Rare Clearweed and New York Ferns along a sk,doo trail at the disturbed, damp entrance.

03 Black Ash, Basswood., Red Maple, Silver Maple, American Elm damp lowland fore~t with semi-open canopy and grass and fern understory. Some sub-mature Hemlock present. Regionally Uncommon Long-beaked Sedge. Along the shallow creek were wetland species such as Marsh Skullcap, Common Blue-eyed Grass, Blue Flag Iris and Marsh st. John's Wort. M4 Hemlock, Beech, Sugar Maple upland mixed forest on deep, rich soils, with understory of Bottlebrush Grass, Hemp Nettle, Sweet Cicely and the Regionally Uncommon White Wild Licorice and Black Grass. M5 Mature Hemlock, Sugar Maple, Ironwood, White Ash and Red Oak upland forest. M6 Very mature late successional Beech (max. dbh=31.4 cm), Sugar Maple (max. dbh=35.2 cm), Hemlock, Red Maple (max. dbh=23.7 cm) White Birch, with Striped Maple and Ironwood tall shrub understory, and rich ground cover of Round-lobed Hepatica, Trout Lily, Canada Violet, Indian Cucumber Root and the Regionally Uncommon Dwarf Ginseng. M7 Hemlock, Yellow Birch, Beech cool, closed canopy forest on mesic soils with a sparse understory. M8 Lowland forest of Silver Maple, White Cedar and the Regionally Uncommon Bur Oak, Leatherwood and Snowberry on clay soils. C9 Mature Hemlock forest with rich but sparse understory of Beaked Hazelnut, Christmas and Hay-scented Ferns, club mosses, Partridgeberry, Spotted Coralroot and Checkered Rattlesnake Plantain. S10 Thicket swamp with Mountain Holly, Northern Wild Raisin, Cinnamon Ferns and scattered White Birch. Water edge with Forget-me-not, Duckweed, New York Fern and Marsh Fern. G11 Water Willow, Buttonbush, Leatherleaf, Sweet Gale, and Steeplebush low shrub marsh with dominant graminoid layer, wet and seasonally flooded. G12 Wet meadow marsh with Bluejoint Grass, Wool Grass and dead hardwood. AQ13 Pickerelweed, Cattails, Bullhead Lily, Three-way Sedge, Regionally Uncommon Floating Bur-reed, Cardinal Flower, Water Lobelia, Slender Naiad with Leatherleaf

-84­ along the shoreline.

AQ14 Floating and submerged aquatics including Floating Hearts, Lilies, Hornwort, Waterweed, bladderworts, duckweeds and pondweeds. AQ1S Open flooded beaver pond with standing dead hardwood and conifers, which contain a heronry of 15 nests, 3 confirmed active. AQ16 Large, shallow pond with sections of open water and filling in along the edges and interior with Bluejoint Grass and Wool Grass~ Marsh st. John's Wort, Blue Flag .Iris, Swamp Candles, cattails, bur-reeds, Three-way Sedge, Water Shield, Small Bedstraw. d) Flora: There were 191 species of vascular plants recorded from the area. One"of these species is Regionally Rare (PiJea pumiJa - Clearweed) and has not been found elsewhere in Muskoka. There were also 10 Regionally Uncommon plants. Some of the flora has southern affinities and/or is often found on clay soils, such as Bur Oak, Silver Maple, Water Willow, Buttonbush. The majority of the flora is associated with rich woods and late successional Sugar Maple-Beech-Hemlock forest type. Three of the largest tree specimens measured in the 1992 season were from this site. These were Red Oak, Beech and Red Maple. e) Fauna:

Bi~ds: Thirty-one species of birds were recorded during the breeding season, all of them common. However, M.N.R. records of the Nationally and Provincially Rare Red-shouldered Hawk showed this bird to be breeding within the area since 1979. The nesting of this species is monitored and confirmed annually by the M.N.R. A heronryof 15 nests was also located on the small beaver pond. Three adults were observed on active nests. The herons feed in the narrow bay on Lake Muskoka which was teeming with polywogs. Mammals: Five common Muskoka mammals were recorded from this site. Herpetofauna: Ten species of reptiles and amphibians were identified in the area. Two were Regionally Uncommon; the Northern Ribbon Snake and the Map Turtle. The narrow bay was abundant with frogs. Many Midland Painted Turtles, plus one large Map Turtle, were observed sunning on logs in the water. The Map Turtle is more commonly found in the Georgian Bay vicinity.

-85­ Disturbance and Condition: Skidoo trails run through the central portion of Walker's Point, with two trails running in different directions from within the area boundary. The narrow bay is largely undisturbed with no cottages present. A cottage access road runs very close to the western side of the bay and immediately beside the mature forest. The other side of the road has been logged and is heavily disturbed. The lowland on the eastern edge of the bay was once farmland. There is a high percentage of introduced species' in this' part of the site and along the roadsides. In an area that is otherwise heavily populated with cottages along the shoreline, the bay and associated creek system through rich forests provide important, high quality wetland and wildlife habitats. Criteria Fulfilled: B-1, B-4, B-3

Criterion B-1: The area represents a good example of a mature rich woods on clay and sand soils, a community type which is scarce in Muskoka. Criterion B-3: The area contains a small remnant of old growth forest along a narrow, undeveloped bay of Lake Muskoka, rich in aquatic vegetation and wildlife. The former community type is uncommon in the District of Muskoka and the latter wetland, while common in the District, is uncommon on the highly developed Lake Muskoka shoreline. The area also supports a heronry, and mature, upland mixed forest adjacent to wetland habitat which is necessary for successful nesting of Red-shouldered Hawks. Criterion B-4: The Walker Point area provides habitat for the following rare species: NR PR RR Wi 1d1 ife: Buteo 1ineatus Red-shouldered Hawk' x x Vascular Plants: Pi lea pumi 1a C1earweed x Boundaries and Buffers: The boundaries of the area are defined by the catchment basin for Wells Creek, plus 300 metres of upland forest around the Red-shouldered Hawk nesting site. The heronry, which is part of a separate watershed was included with a 200 metre buffer area. The cottage access road formed a boundary along the northwestern edge. A buffer of 120 metres around the wetland boundary was included to protect the wetland margins.

-86­ Recommendations: 1) Walkers Point-Wells Creek should be considered a candidate Natural Heritage Area since it meets three selection criteria. 2) While the boundary only includes a small portion of the inland forest on Walker Point, the entire forest area is excellent wildlife habitat for White-tail Deer and Red-shouldered Hawk and should be left largely undeveloped. Protection of only the small forested area within the boundaries would not ensure the survival of. the Red-shouldered Hawk which requires large undisturbed areas of mature forest habitat. Further field work in the Walker Point area should be considered to identify significant features as opportunities arise. 3) There should be no development allowed in the narrow bay of Lake Muskoka, since cottage or recreational development would inevitably remove aquatic vegetation. 4) The management plan for the Board of Education property, which includes the old growth forest area, should be reviewed in light of the Heritage Area designation and potentially altered as it is directed towards providing deer habitat with many trees marked for cutting. 5) Landowner contact should be carried out and private stewardship encouraged to protect the significant features of the area. 6) The Muskoka Board of Education should be encouraged to use their property within the site as a educational tool as it is a good example of late successional mixed forest with representation of mature specimens of a variety of tree species.

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I WESTERMAIN WOODS Topographic Reference: 1:50,000 31E/3 1:10,000 10 17 6500 50100 Township: Brunel, Lake of Bays Concession: 3 Lots: 30, 31, 32 4 30, 31, 32 Area: approx. 190 ha. Ownership: Private Coverage: The area was recommended by the Muskoka Stewardship Program during the 1992 field season, as a potential rich woods. Since the early 1980's, the woods have been legally protected by the present landowners association, from any form of development or large-scale alteration of the natural features. For a long time before this it had been maintained in a natural -state by a single landowner. Two field visits were made on August 7 and 18, 1992. Site Description: a) Landforms, Soils and Hydrology: This site lies within the Algonquin Highlands physiographic region of Muskoka (Bajc, 1992). It is situated close to the shore of Lake of Bays just south of Dreamhaven Lake. The landforms are composed of till and bedrock outcrops. The till may have a low matrix carbonate content (Bajc & Henry, 1991). The landscape rises from District Road 9 by 60 to 70 metres onto a gently undulating upland with numerous small seepage streams. Depressions in the upland tend to be seasonally flooded. b) Vegetation Communities: The Westermain Woods site contains a number of rich wood vegetation associations and mature forest as described below: Dl Early successional White Birch, Beech, White Ash, Red and Sugar Maple and Black Cherry forest on moist seepage slopes and deep soils, with abundant Lady Ferns, Rattlesnake Plantain and Spotted Jewelweed in the understory and along the stream.

02 Mature Large-tooth Aspen forest with a sparse understory -(max. dbh = 28.3 cm). 03 Basswood (max. dbh = 33.1 cm) , White Ash, Red Oak, Beech and Sugar Maple forest with Wild Leek, Christmas

-89­ Fern and Ostrich Fern in the rich understory. D4 Mature Yellow Birch (max. dbh = 50.8 cm) and Sugar Maple (max. dbh = 33.6 cm) forest with Hobblebush, mature Striped Maple and a rich fern understory on deep, mesic soils.

D5 Black Ash (max. dbh = 21.6 cm) swamp forest area in a small depression with Spotted Jewelweed, Foamflower and Wood Ferns. M6 Yellow Birch, Hemlock, Sugar Maple and Beech sub­ mature mixed forest with young Balsam Fir and Interrupted Fern in the understory. M7 Cooler Hemlock, Beech, Large-tooth Aspen forest in a lower-lying area with the central portion semi-open and seasonally flooded, containing an understory of Yellow Cl intonia, Redberry Wintergreen, Hobb1ebu'sh, Goldthread, Dwarf Raspberry, Wood Sorrel and Intermediate Wood Fern. M8 Very mature Beech (max. dbh = 23.1), Sugar Maple, Hemlock (max. dbh = 39.3 cm), Basswood (max. dbh = 20.8 cm) and White Pine (max. dbh = 42 cm) forest on rich soils. The forest floor was sparsely vegetated with small herbs due to the very closed canopy cover that allowed dappled sunlight only. Some tree seedlings were present, but the majority of the understory trees were mature. M9 Mature Black Cherry (max. dbh = 14.6 cm), Hemlock (max. dbh = 39 cm), Yellow Birch (max. dbh = 41.4 cm) and Sugar Maple (max. dbh = 32.6 cm) in a fairly flat mesic area. c) Flora: In the two field visits a total of 121 plant species were recorded. Two of these, Rough Sedge and Downy Rattlesnake Plantain, were Regionally Uncommon. Many species associated with rich woods were present, including Christmas and Ostrich Ferns, Baneberry, Wild Leek, Hepatica and Indian Cucumber Root. d) Fauna: There were seven common mammal species and five common amphibians recorded from the area., Birds were not inventoried since it was past the breeding season.

-90­ Disturbance and Condition: The area is bordered on the northern and southern edges by logging roads which appear to access the forested area behind the site (to the west). A cross country ski path winds through the site with little visible impact. The rest of the site appeared healthy and in good condition with very mature sections of forest unaltered. Criteria Fulfilled: B-3 Criterion B-3: The area contains at least two types of very mature upland, forest in good condition and of a significant size. The maximum diameter breast height measurements for tree specimens on this site yielded the largest measurements for White Pine, Basswood and Large­ 'tooth Aspen recorded from 1992 sites. There was a tie with Tasso Creek for the largest specimen of Hemlock, and measurements taken from Yellow Birch and Sugar Maple, while not the largest, were nonetheless significant. Boundaries and Buffers: District Road 9 is a logical boundary for the eastern edge of the site. The southern and northern ends contain logging roads which are located along the lot lines. Consideration should be made for future inclusion of Dreamhaven Lake which was recommended by Towle (1989) in his evaluation of wildlife habitat in the Lake of Bays area. Apparently this lake is zoned as a natural resource area by the Town of Huntsville, and is thus protected from development. The western boundary of the area follows topographic heights of land and lor vegetation community borders. Recommendations: 1. The Westermain Woods area is recommended as a candidate Natural Heritage Site since it meets one selection criterion. 2. The area should have further field work to review the proposed boundaries, to inventory Dreamhaven Lake for possible inclusion into the site, and to document breeding birds, herpetofauna, and spring and early summer flora. 3. The Muskoka Heritage Foundation should be encouraged to continue their stewardship activities with the Westermain Woods Association to support the ongoing ecologically based forest management.

-91­ I.' ~ • 'Y'~ ; " "\" . ., ~ ' ..... -''''~' VI~TA '. -... 't. 't" ~.- \ e\ ~O •... ~'~.~.~\ ))! \, \) Lake U Dreoml1oven .,~q ----0 of' Bays

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• , • ... -- " .. ..s- ••• ~-~ 4.. J' ~\,.."'t""~ _ .. 'J ""\ .. ,_ .. ? -} .. 'W ADDITIONAL SITES OF INTEREST 1) Sites from previous years - 1990 CONCESSION LAKE (Recommended Site in 1990) This site required a visit during the bird breeding season since the observations from 1990 visits were made in August, and thus were not valid for breeding records. It was visited on July 15, 1992. A total of twenty-nine bird species were observed, none were rare. An additional 24 vascular plant species were recorded making a total of 204 with seven significant species. Two additional mammals were observed, making the total species nine, none rare. In 1988 and 1989 deer yard surveys conducted by the M.N.R., Concession Lake area was found to contain four tiny deer yards. An additional five herpetofauna records were made to the previous list of seven species. Of interest was the abundance of Blandings Turtles in the lakes and small ponds and the Regionally Uncommon Brown Snake found under a rock on an exposed ridge. Seven butterflies were noted, one of these, the Roadside Skipper, is Regionally Uncommon. The following rare species were recorded from this area during all site visits: NR PR RR Wildlife Hemidactylium scutatum Four-toed Salamander x * Heterodon platyrhinos Eastern Hognose Snake x * Sistrurus c. catenatus Eastern Massassauga x X Vascular Plants Panicum acum/spretum Eaton's Grass X Platanthera blephariglottis White-fringed Orchis X Rhexia virginica Virginia Meadow Beauty X X Tridenum virginicum Marsh st. John's Wort X Xyris difformis Slender Yellow-eyed Grass X * Reported from landowners This site meets the biotic criterion for rare species (B-4). It may meet the criterion for wildlife concentrations (B-5) because of the presence of deer yards, however their size may be too small to qualify. It will be compared with other sites for the representation and quality criteria (B-1 and B-3) in the final analysis and integration before its final recommended status is determined.

-93­ SOUTH THREE MILE LAKE (Recommended Site in 1990) This site required a summer visit which was made on July 27, 1992. The total number of vascular plant species recorded was 253, with 19 significant species. Of these, thirteen are Regionally Uncommon. Eleven birds and four mammals were observed. A heronry with ten nests was reported in 1991 by the Muskoka Field Naturalists. The M.N.R. deer yard surveys to 1989 report a small deer yard on the northeast side of the lake. Of the eight herpetofauna species noted, one is Regionally Rare, while two, the Eastern Newt and Northern Ringneck Snake, are Regionally Uncommon. The lake has two confirmed and one potential Muskellunge spawning areas near the north end (M.N.R.). Locations of Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora were noted and checked against the 1990 map of their locations. There were more locations of this flora on the lake than was noted in previous years. Virginia Meadow Beauty was particularly abundant. Unfortunately, this site which is largely on Crown Land, suffers badly from abuse. It appears to be a popular place for fishing, camping and partying. The M.N.R. Bracebridge Area office was informed of this by letter. The area provides habitat for the following rare species: NR PR RR Wildlife Sternotherus odoratus Stinkpot X Vascular Plants Aster ericoides Heath Aster X Cyperus diandrus Two Stamen Umbrella Sedge X Elatine minima Water Wort X Galium boreale Northern Bedstraw X Rhexia virginica Virginia Meadow Beauty X X Xyris difformis Slender Yellow-eyed Grass X The South Three Mile Lake site meets the criteria for rare species (B-4), and for fish and wildlife concentrations (B-5). It previously met the criterion for representation (B-1) due to the large Red Pine forest on the east side of the lake (a community type not well represented within existing protected areas in Muskoka). However, Red Pine forest stands have been found in other candidate Heritage Areas in subsequent years, so this criterion will be reviewed in the final analysis. Since this site meets a minimum of two selection criteria, it is recommended as a candidate Natural Heritage Area.

-94­ SOUTH FALLS CANYON (Recommended Site in 1990) This site required a spring biological inventory and clarification of the vegetation mapping. A site visit was made on June 30, .1992 and new composite species lists were made. A total of 298 vascular plant species were recorded from the study area, eighteen were significant. One species, Dwarf Scouring Rush (Equ;setum scirpoides), was a new species for the Muskoka master list. There is a relatively high percentage of introduced species (13%), due to the proximity to Bracebridge urban centre and the South Falls Generating Station. There were forty bird, seven mammal and five herpetofauna species recorded, none rare. Pickerel are known to spawn below the falls (M.N.R. fish spawning maps) and an active Turkey Vulture nest is located in the talus slope below the falls. The site ;s geologically interesting; the river follows ancestral meltwater discharge routes verified by the presence of older alluvial sand and silt deposits along the river valley. The steep-sided eastern valley wall is composed of glaciolacustrine fine-grained deposits of clay and silt, while the western slopes are underlain by coarse-grained deposits consisting of fine sand and silt (Bajc & Henry, 1991). These deposits account in part for the richness of the flora and wildlife habitat. The canyon and headwater pond provides habitat for the following rare species: NR PR RR Vascular Plants Carex folliculata Long Sedge x Carex novae-angliae New England Sedge X Elatine minima Water Wort X Equisetum scirpoides Dwarf Scouring Rush x Rubus canadensis Thornless Blackberry X Triadenum virginicum Marsh st. John's Wort X Xyris difformis Slender Yellow-eyed Grass X The South Falls Canyon meets the criteria for rare species (8-4) and fish and wildlife concentrations (8-5). The sheltered canyon-like valley is an unusual habitat in Muskoka, providing a green corridor into Bracebridge. For this reason it may meet the criterion for corridor linkage (B-6). While 9~olo9ically interesting, the Big East River is a better representation of the same landform type and feature for the District. This site is recommended as a candidate Natural Heritage Area since it meets a minimum of two criteria.

-95­ UPPER MOON RIVER (No recommendation in 1990) Although the Moon River near Bala is heavily developed with cottage properties, there are a few small stretches of shoreline which contain significant species, particularly Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora. One of these sites is Gaunt Bay which is near the Bala Bog Heritage Area. The data from this site was previously and erroneously incorporated into the Bala Bog species lists. This has now been separated. A total of 159 vascular plant species were recorded from the Gaunt Bay area, twenty of which are significant. The Gaunt Bay area provides habitat for the fol.lowing rare species: NR PR RR Vascular Plants Bulbostylis capillaris Hair Rush X x Carex folliculata Long Sedge X Elatine minima Water Wort X Eleochar;s tenuis Elliptic Spike Rush x Linum striatum Ridged Yellow Flax X X X Pan;cum acum/spretum Eaton's Grass X Panicum flexile Wiry Witch Grass X Pan;cum rigidulum Panic Grass X X Rhexia virginica Virginia Meadow Beauty X X Tridenum virginicum Marsh st. John's Wort X Xyris difformis Slender Yellow-eyed Grass X Twelve additional species are Regionally Uncommon including three of the above, Long Sedge, Eaton's Grass and Panic Grass. Three other sites closer to Bala Falls contain many of the above rare species plus PJatanthera fJava (Pale Green Orchis) which is Regionally Rare and two additional Regionally Uncommon species (Jim Goltz, correspondence 06/01/92). The Upper Moon River area meets the criterion for rare species (8-4), thus four small areas of shoreline are recommended as candidate Natural Heritage Sites.

-96­ 2) Sites from previous years - 1991 BEAUMONT BAY (Recommended Area in 1991) This area required an early spring visit to identify spring ephemerals in rich wood sites and to carry out vegetation mapping and species inventory in a wetland area not covered in 1991. The site was visited on May 22 and June 2, 1992. An additional eight plant species were identified in the field visits for a total of 304. Most of these additional species were significant. In the rich wood areas the Regionally Rare Bloodroot and Blue Grass, which is also a calciphile, were located as well as the Uncommon Leatherwood and Dwarf Ginseng. The Regionally Rare Mare's-tail and Uncommon Marsh Marigold were located in the shallow cold water channel at the entrance to the wetland area which drains into Skeleton Lake. This is the only known Muskoka location for Mare's-tail. The wetland area contained the following vegetation communities: 1) Floating, submerged and emergent aquatics in a shallow cold water channel with Mare's-tail and Marsh Marigold. 2) Shrub-rich marsh with Sweetgale and sedge tussocks and in the deeper water channel, Bullhead Lilies, Blue Flag Iris, Calla lily, and Cattails. 3) Low shrub marsh with Meadowsweet and Leatherleaf and sedge tussocks. Dead standing conifers and young White Pine. 4) Conifer-hardwood transitional swamp forest with White Birch, Black Spruce, Black Ash, Red Maple and dead standing trees. Elderberry tall shrub layer and graminoid layer of Bluejoint Grass and Wool grass with Cattails in open pools of water. 5) Conifer swamp forest with White Cedar, Balsam Fir and Black Spruce and an understory of Marsh Ferns. 6) Cattail reedswamp with Bluejoint Grass, Sedges, Bulrushes and dead conifers in deep standing water. The wetland area contains numerous beaver dams, however they are regularly dismantled and the channel kept open as the area is subject to flooding onto Highway 141.

-97­ An additional four bird species were identified for a total of forty-seven. Swainson's Thrush is Regionally Uncommon. Ten herpetofauna species were noted in the area, with the 1992 visits adding Eastern Newt, Blue-spotted ' Salamander and Northern Water Snake to the composite list. The former two species are considered Regionally Uncommon. The Beaumont Bay area provides habitat for the fo1lowing rare species: NR PR RR Wildlife Buteo lineatus, Red-shouldered Hawk X X Vascular Plants Carex interior Inland Sedge X Chenopodium simplex 'Maple-leaved Goosefoot X Gnaphalium sylvaticum Wood Cudweed X Hippuris vulgaris Mare's-tail X Poa languida Blue Grass X Sanguinaria canadensis Bloodroot X The Beaumont Bay area meets the criterion for rare species (B-4) and quality for the presence of rich, mature forest and the presence of calciphiles (B-3). In his final report, Bajc (1992) did not recommend the area for any abiotic criteria, even though it was recommended by him for study due to the presence of Ordivician limestone pebbles, which may influence the flora. These limestone fragments are at least locally significant, however this may not be enough to satisfy criterion A-1. If not, the boundaries of this area will have to be reassessed. Since this area meets at least two criteria it ;s recommended as a candidate Natural Heritage Area.

-98­ DWIGHT BOG (Recommended Area in 1991)

This area required an additional day to document breeding birds and complete vegetation mapping. The site was visited on June 12, 1992. In addition a wetland evaluation was done in 1992 by the Bracebridge Area .0 f f ice . An additional thirty-three species of vascular plants were recorded from this field visit for a total of ninety-three. Three species are Regionally Uncommon, and one Regionally Rare. The diversity of birds is low, with only seventeen species in total of which five were new records. The Regionally Uncommon Golden-crowned Kinglet was observed and a confirmed sighting of a male Spruce Grouse was also made. Four more records of both mammal and herpetofauna species were made for a total list of six each, none rare. Numerous trails were observed on the thick sphagnum forest floor, indicating the presence of small mammals. Dwight 80g provides habitat for the following rare species: NR PR RR Wildlife Hesperia leonardus Leonardus Skipper x Dendragapus canadensis Spruce Grouse x Vascular Plants Corallorhiza trifida Early Coralroot x The Dwight Bog area meets the criterion for rare species (8-4). In particular, the presence of Spruce Grouse is significant since it is approaching its southern limit for distribution. The area also meets the criterion for representation (B-1) and quality (B-3) because the mature, closed canopy pure Black Spruce peat forest is uncommon this far south and largely undisturbed. Since this area meets three criteria it is recommended as a candidate Natural Heritage Area.

In the final report, the name of this area will be changed to better reflect the dominant vegetation form of this area which is conifer peat forest rather than bog.

-99­ LEWISHAM WETLANDS (Recommended Area in 1991) This area required vegetation mapping and species inventory in a central section near to Beatty's Lake. A field visit was made on August 20, with access gained on private land over a recently constructed boardwalk and trai 1. The following vegetation communities were noted: 1) The boardwalk crossed a large area of deep emergent marsh with sedge tussocks and aquatic plants. 2) The central area was dominated by a cool, mixed forest of Balsam Fir, White Cedar, White Pine, Hemlock, Red Maple, poplar and White Birch with an understory of the Regionally Uncommon Dalibarda, plus Indian Pipe, Bunchberry, Yellow Clintonia, Partridgeberry and Staghorn Club-moss. 3) On the north side of the interior upland was an extensive low graminoid marsh with sedges and cotton grass. 4) On the south side of the interior upland was a tall shrub-rich marsh with dead trees~ 5) The area also supported a richer deciduous forest with Red and Sugar Maples, White and Yellow Birch, Hemlock and Striped Maple. 6) Flanking the marshes was a Red Maple - Yellow Birch swamp forest with Cinnamon Ferns and Hobblebush understory. 7) Near Beatty's Lake was a mature Trembling Aspen ­ White Birch open barrens with Bracken Ferns in the dry understory. Maximum dbh measurements on the Trembling Aspen were 32.1 cm. 8) A mature Red Pine stand (max. dbh = 30.1 cm) flanked the eastern side of Beatty's Lake, with a poplar barrens on the western side. 9) Beatty's Lake was mainly open water with a large floating Tamarack, Black Spruce, White Pine bog mat in the middle, and Sweetgale, Water Willow low shrub marsh around the shoreline.

10) The area north of Beatty's Lake was a series of beaver controlled wetlands alternating between low shrub and sedge meadows, to extensive alder swales. An additional forty-nine species of vascular plants were

-100­ recorded from the area, making a total of 203. Three species were Regionally Rare and six Uncommon. Birds were not recorded because it was past breeding season. Near Beatty's Lake were recent signs of Black Bear, and a Little Brown Bat was found under a rock. Lewisham Wetlands provides habitat for the following rare species: NR PR RR Vascular Plants Rubus odoratus Purple Flowering Raspberry x Senecio pauperculus Balsam Ragwort X Solidago gigantea Late Goldenrod X An additional six species of vascular plants, five birds and two butterflies are considered Regionally Uncommon. The Lewisham Wetlands satisfies the criterion for rare species (B-4), quality of the biotic features (B-3), and contribution to hydrological systems (A-4). The mature Red Pine forest on the edge of Beatty's Lake may qualify for representation (B-1) in the final analysis. Since this area meets a minimum of three criteria it is recommended as a candidate Natural Heritage Area. RILEY LAKE SOUTH (Recommended for further study - 1991) Field work was conducted on four days in 1991, June 14, July 5, July 30, and August 13. Some of the site was not covered due to difficulty of access. No further field work was done in 1992. Site Description: The landscape of Riley Lake South is typical of the southern Muskoka rock barrens which consists of bare rock ridges separated by narrow, linear wetlands. This site is dominated by the wetland portion which is increasing from beaver activity. The low-lying, saturated areas and beaver dammed reservoirs collect rain water which drains slowly, southward into Riley Creek, eventually joining the Black River. Vegetation communities encountered in the Riley Lake South site ranged from open to semi-open rock barrens with White and Red Pine and Red and White Oak, to lower-lying moist forests of Red Maple, White Birch, Trembling Aspen and Black Cherry, and wet marshy depressions, sometimes with open water containing floating bog mats and aquatic vegetation and/or dead standing trees.

-101­ Flora: A total of 178 vascular plants were identified at Riley Lake South. Eight of these were significant, with three Provincially Rare, three Regionally Rare and four Regionally Uncommon (some species had more than one designation). All of the rare species have been found in other rock barren areas. Fifteen species of mushrooms were found on the site. Fauna: Birds: Forty-three bird species were recorded during nesting season including two Regionally Uncommon species, the Northern" Goshawk and Rufous-sided Towhee. An active Turkey Vulture nest was also identified. Mammals: Eight common mammals were found on the site including Moose, Black Bear and Whitetail Deer. No sma 11 mamma 1 trapp i ng .was carr i ed out. Herpetofauna: Twelve species of reptiles and amphibians were found in the wetlands and dry ridges of the site including the Five-lined Skink and the Regionally Uncommon Eastern Newt. others species: Eleven butterfly species were identified including the Provincially Rare Leonardus Skipper. This species has been documented from numerous areas in Muskoka. Five dragonfly and damselfly species were recorded. Criteria Fulfilled: 8-4

Criterion 8-4: Riley Lake South provides habitat for the following rare species: NR PR RR Wi ldl ife Hesperia leonardus Leonardus Skipper x Vascular Plants Arabis laevigata Smooth Rock Cress x Carex folliculata Long Sedge x Galium boreale Northern Bedstraw X Polygonum arifolium Halberd-Leaved Tearthumb x X Po1ygonum careyi Carey's Knotweed X While this site meets the criteria for rare species, all are well represented in other rock barren areas, a landscape type well-represented in other nearby Heritage Areas. No other cr iter i a appear to be met. It is therefore recommended that this site be dropped from the list of candidate Heritage Areas or Sites.

-102­ 3) Other Sites of Interest from 1992 Field Season

3.1 Sites where access was denied BRANDY CREEK WETLAND The Brandy Creek Wetland was recommended by Brunton (1992) for Regional ANSI status due to the presence of a large area of mixed and coniferous swamp forest underlain by substantial peat. A reconnaissance field visit was made in the fall of 1991 with plans for a full inventory to be carried out in 1992. During the landowner contact stage, a number of landowners denied the Heritage Area staff access onto their properties. Unfortunately, this prevented work" in more than half of the study area, so the site was dropped from the field program. This site shares representation with Fawn Lake and Axe Lake. This site is recommended for classification by the M.N.R. Wetland Evaluation Program. KENNEDY POINT This site is located on the western side of Lake Muskoka. It is an undeveloped piece of land that is almost entirely surrounded by water. It contains a Red and Silver Maple wooded swamp, a mesic Sugar Maple­ Beech-White Ash forest, a northern mixed hardwoods community, a barren gneissic rockland with Red and White Oak, a precipitous slope to the lake and a small bog- like area. The Point provides habitat for wildlife such as White-tailed Deer, Black Bear and large birds such as Hawks and Owls (Sinclair, et.al., 1990). The area is presently under development pressure. The Muskoka Heritage Areas field staff were denied permission to inventory most of the site. However, the landowner hired a private consultant to make an environmental assessment of the qualities of the Point. The consultant contacted the Heritage Area Botanist to clarify the status of significant species which he found on the site, and which had been previously documented by Sinclair et. al.,(1990). The area contains four Regionally Rare species and a minimum of seventeen Regionally Uncommon species, which satisfies the criterion for rare species (B-4). Many of these significant species which are at a northern limit for their distribution are located on the dry rocky ridge at the southern tip. The Heritage Area field staff did inventory the area adjacent to the Kennedy Point. While there were signs of disturbance due to cottage development, the forests contained some very mature specimens of Sugar Maple (max. dbh 28.3 cm), Beech (max. dbh 27.1 cm) and White

-103­ Ash (max. dbh 40.3 em). The White Ash was the largest specimen from the 1992 season. The cool, rich woods supported many rare and uncommon species. The Sinclair report also indicated the presence of large Beech and Hemlock trees in an undisturbed setting on the point. These features satisfy the criterion for quality (B-3). The report also recommended the area for the scenic quality of the steep slopes and cliffs (criterion C-7). The Kennedy Point area meets the requirements for Natural Heritage Area status since it satisfies a minimum of three criteria. Hopefully the private consultants report" will also recommend that certain areas be left undeveloped, and that areas to be developed will be done without compromising the natural environment. 3.2 Sites recommended for field work based on 1991 reconnaissance BIGWIND PROVINCIAL PARK (recommended ANSI) Due to limited resources and field staff, the Bigw;nd Park area was not inventoried in 1992. It is a recommended candidate ANSI area and warrants further ecological study by the Ministry of Natural Resources according to their program needs. MCKAY CREEK WETLAND The McKay Creek wetland, located near Purbrook, was an area of potential interest identified by the Muskoka Heritage Area field staff during a reconnaissance trip in September of 1991. It was visited in late May of 1992. The access to this area was impeded by a thick Speckled Alder swamp along a shallow and narrow,' twisting stream. No significant species or unusual vegetation associations were identified during the field visit so the area was dropped. The Spring Creek wetland,· located on the other side of Purbrook, replaced this site. .

STONELEIGH A large property located between Stoneleigh Road and North Healey Lake was looked at in September 1991 and late May 1992 for mature forest. A small area of mature Sugar Maple, Hemlock and Yellow Birch was identified in the area, however it was too small to be considered representational. Much of the surrounding forests were early successional Red Maple mixed. The Regionally Uncommon Eastern Newt was identified on the property.

-104­ McCRAE LAKE NORTH Limited resources and field staff and the difficulty of access to this area prohibited a biological assessment to be made. The recommendation made by Geomatics, to extend the McCrae Lake boundary to the Gibson River candidate in order to incorporate a larger area of representative Georgian Bay landscape, will have to be considered in the final analysis. THREE MILE LAKE SWAMP (recommended ANSI) This area, located at the entrance to Three Mile Lake, was not inventoried in 1992, based upon a reconnaissance visit made in September of 1991. While it has been recommended as a candidate regional ANSI by Brunton (1992), the criteria for inclusion as an ANSI were not sufficient to recommend this site as a Heritage Area. Interestingly, Bajc (1992) has recommended an area adjacent to this site as a Heritage Area based on abiotic criteria. The area on the north side of Three Mile Lake represents the best example of silty and clayey glaciolacustrine plains in the District of Muskoka. In fact, Brunton's ANSI recommendation is based upon the occurrence of the clay-based vegetation which also occurs in the area defined by Bajc. It is recommended that future inventory work be conducted in the two areas identified by Brunton and Bajc for assessment of biological features,in particular clay-based vegetation of unusual associations, and a boundary made that will incorporate the abiotic with the biotic features and reconcile the differences between the two.

-105­

LITERATURE CITED Bajc, A.F., 1992. Muskoka Heritage Areas Program Quaternary Geology Component. Ontario Geological Survey, Sudbury, Ont. Bajc, A.F., 1990. Quaternary Geology of the Huntsville - Bracebridge Area. Ontario Geological Survey. Mimeo, 17 pp. Bajc, A.F. and Paterson, J.T., 1992. Quaternary geology of the Gravenhurst area, Southern Ontario. Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Map 195, scale 1:50,000. Bajc, A.F. and Henry, A.P., 1991. Quaternary Geology of the Huntsville-Bracebridge area, Southern Ontario. Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Map 161, scale 1:50,000. Brownell, Vivian R., 1978. A Reconnaissance Life Science Inventory of the Big East River Proposal. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Division of Parks, Algonquin Region. Brunton, Daniel F., 1991. Life Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest in Site District 5-8 (Draft). Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Huntsville. Chapman, L.J. and D.F. Putnam, 1984. The Physiography of Southern Ontario. 3rd Edition. Ontario Geological Survey, Toronto.

Goltz, J.P., Britton, O.M. and E.M. Whiting, 1984. Phegopteris hexagonoptera (Southern or Broad Beech Fern) Discovered in the District of Muskoka. The Plant Press, Vol.2, No.2, pp.39-40. Jeglum, J.K., 1991. Definition of trophic classes in wooded peatlands by means of vegetation types and plant indicators. Ann. Bot. Fennici 28:175-192. Helsinki. ISSN 0003-3847. Kor, P.S.G. and Miller, Michael J., 1987. Quaternary Geology of the Lake Joseph-Sans Souci Area, District of Parry Sound and District Municipality of Muskoka. Ontario Geological Survey, Map P.3103, Geological Series Preliminary Map, scale 1:50,000. Long, Gary, 1989. This River the Muskoka. Boston Mills Press, Erin, Ontario. Noble, T.W., 1983. East River. Ontario Nature Reserves Program. Life Science Inventory Checksheet.

-106­ Sims, R.A. and R.S.W. Bobbette, 1987. Vegetational Classification of Conifer Wetlands in the Huronia ­ Muskoka Area, southern Ontario. Draft. Canadian Forestry Service, Sault ste. Marie, Ontario.

Sinclair, Allen, J., Tafts, Patrick and Sylvia M. Purdon, 1990. A Biological Inventory and Evaluation of Kennedy Point. Natural Environment Services Group, Gravenhurst, Ontario. Simpson, H., 1978. A Brief Life Science Summary of Marsh Falls. O.M.N.R., Algonquin Region. Spek, C.M., 1978. A Brief Earth Science Summary of Marsh Falls. O.M.N.R., Algonquin Region. Towle, Kenneth, 1988. An Evaluation of Wildlife Habitat in the Vicinity of Lake of Bays. Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation.

Whiting, R.E., and J. Goltz, 1983. Vascular Plants of Muskoka. Mimeo. 17 pp.

-107­ APPENDIX 1: RARE SPECIES STATUS An update of rare species status was completed for vascular plants, birds, herpetofauna and mammals, with particular emphasis on determining status at the Regional level. The following lists were derived from research into published sources on species status, combined with known distributions of some species in Muskoka, published biological inventories conducted in the District of Muskoka (a list of these references is included), consultation with experts knowledgeable in Muskoka Flora and Fauna, and the 1990, 1991 and 1992 inventories by the Muskoka Heritage Area Program field component. The updated lists are more precise than the working lists used in 1990; however, since there was not the time to do an exhaustive search, there will be records that were not included. Any reports not on the list of those used would be welcome; the information would be added to the species distribution maps on file and a new update made. The following codes are used: NR - Nationally Rare; resulting either from a COSEWIC designation, or a "rare in Canada" notation in the Rare Vascular Plants in Canada book by Argus & Pryer, 1990. PR - Provincially Rare; as designated through the Ministry of Natural Resources species lists updated and published in the System for Evaluating Wetlands Guide, 1992, the Atlas of Rare Vascular Plants of Ontario, by Argus, Pryer, White, & Keddy, 1982-87, or by the Conservation Data Centre project as having a status of 53 or higher. RR - Regionally Rare; that is, rare within the District Municipality of Muskoka, generally based on fewer than 5 (for the flora) or 6 (for birds and herpetofaua) stations known within the District. RU - Regionally Uncommon; generally based on 6 or 7 to under 20 stations within the District. Only native species were included on the rarity lists; introduced species were screened out based on the list of non-native taxa determined by The Checklist of the Flora of Ontario (Morton & Venn, 1990). All plant species taxonomic names follow those in Morton & Venn.

-108­

FLORA: 1. A map of the District of Muskoka was reduced to binder slze, and a copy made for each plant species with a rare status, plus other species with questionable. status. A key map of the District of Muskoka was made with all of the Heritage Areas plus Parks and Nature Reserves located. All Heritage Area data, data from other published biological inventories or reports from people knowlegeable with Muskoka flora were recorded on the maps with locations as precise as the information was available. By mapping the rare species in this manner, their distributions within the District, as well as number of stations was available. 2. With distributions as well as stations available, it was felt that two guidelines should be used to determine the Rare and Uncommon status. Two guidelines were used in order to eliminate the possibility of excluding some species from the rare list which occur in many stations, but in a very small area of the District, such as is the case with many species found only in the Severn Corridor. The two guidelines used were: 10 x 10 km squares (similar to Atlas Squares) and number of stations. 3. While Muskoka District has 55 squares of 10 x 10 km size, we have representation in the form of plant collections in only 40 squares. The cut-off numbers for rarity status are based on expected percentages of rare species in any given flora. These percentages are roughly: 10% of the flora will be rare and 30% will be uncommon. 4. Based on the expected percentages for rare species, the following cut-off numbers were established: for the squares, 1-4 would be Regionally Rare (RR), while 5-12 would be Regionally Uncommon (RU). For the number of stations (at a" minimum distance of 1 km apart), it was recommended by Bill Crins to use 1-5 for RR, and 6-15 for RU. 5. With two guidelines being used, there would be cases where exceptions occurred. These were resolved in the following manner:

If # stations was RU and # squares was 4 then status = RR If # stations was 5 and # squares was 5 then status = RU If # stations was >20 and # squares was RU then OMIT If # stations was 16-20 & # squares was RU then status=RU If # stations was RU and # squares was >12 then OMIT

-109­

BIRDS: Bird rare status was calculated using the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario by Cadman, Eagles & Helleiner, 1987. The list of breeding birds was first amended to include only those birds with possible, probable or confirmed nesting evidence as documented in the Atlas, or new records confirmed by qualified people at the M.N.R. The total number of atlas squares in Muskoka ·;s 55. Therefore, using a guideline of 10% rare and 30% uncommon, the cutoff numbers would be 1-6 for RR and 7-17 for RU. The data collected by MHAP was counted if the sighting constituted a new square not documented in the Atlas.

HERPETOFAUNA: Herpetofauna rare status was determined ;n a similar manner as the birds. Atlas records for the period of 1984-87 were available at the Huntsville M.N.R. office with 55 squares in the District. MHAP data included 52 Areas surveyed. The cut-off numbers were 1-6 for RR and 7-17 for RU. Both Atlas and MHAP records were used, but were not added together in order to eliminate the possibility of double counting a record. The highest number was used to determine the status.

MAMMALS: Mammal rare status was the most difficult to determine due to lack of surveys and trapping inventories for the smaller species. There was insufficient data available to accurately distinguish between Rare and Uncommon. Therefore, one category of RU was made. Consultations were made with Mike Buss and Bill Crins from Huntsville M.N.R., and information used from MHAP records and Bob Bowles' records to determine which species would be considered RU in the.District. The revised rare lists follow, as well as the rare lists for other fauna, which had only minor updates or none at all. A list of references used for rare species mapping is also included.

-110­

REFERENCES USED IN THE MAPPING OF RARE FLORA IN MUSKOKA Muskoka Heritage Areas Program, 1990, 1991 and 1992 database records including consultants reports from the Severn River Corridor (Gartner Lee, 1991) and the Georgian Bay Township (Geomatics International, 1991). Botanists: B.M. Bergsma, B. Bowles, J. Kamstra, M.J. Sharp, L. Sober, D.A. Sutherland, B. Tegler other Biological Inventories. Historical Records and Personal Communications Brownell, V.R., 1977. A Reconnaissance Life Science Inventory of Arrowhead Provincial Park. O.M.N.R. Brownell, Vivian R., 1978. A Reconnaissance Life Science Inventory of the Big East River Proposal. O.M.N.R. Brunton, D.F., 1980. Life Science Inventory of the Hardy Lake Park Proposal and a Brief Reconnaissance of Adjacent Crown Lands. O.M.N.R. Brunton, Daniel F., 1991. Life Science Areas of Natural and Scientific interest in Site Districts 5-8 and 5-7. Draft Reports. O.M.N.R. Crins, W., 1991 and 1992. Personal Communication. O.M.N.R., Huntsville. Cruise, J.G. and P.M. Catling, 1974. Distribution of Sundews (Drosera spp.) in Ontario. Ont. Field Biologist 28(2):47-52. Deckert, Ron., 1992. Personal Communication. Muskoka Stewardship Program. Goltz, Jim, 26 January 1992. Correspondence to Ron Reid. Goltz, Jim, 6 January, 1992. Correspondence to Bill Crins. Goltz, J.P., Britton, D.M., Whiting, R.E., 1984. Phegopteris hexagonoptera (Southern or Broad Beech Fern) Discovered in the District of Muskoka. The Plant Press, Vol. 2, No.2. Hanna, Rysa, 1979. The Vegetation of Gibson River Provincial Nature Reserve. O.M.N.R., Central Region. Hanna, R., 1979. Vegetation of McDonald Bay Park Reserve - McRae Lake Wilderness Area. O.M.N.R.

-111­ Harris, Christopher G., 1976. A Preliminary Biological Report for Gibson River Nature Reserve Provincial Park. O.M.N.R.

Keddy, Cathy J. and Mirek J. Sharp, 1989. Atlantic Coastal Plain Conservation in Ontario. Natural Heritage League and World Wildlife Fund.

Macdonald, Ian D., 1979. Checklist of Vascular Plants: Six Mile Lake Provincial Park. O.M.N.R.

Macdonald, Ian D., 1983. Taenidia integerrima New to Algoma District. Ont. Field Biologist 37(1).

Macdonald, Ian D., 1985. A Resource M~nagement Study of Rare Vascular Plants in the Georgian Bay Islands National Park Eastern Sector. Parks Canada, Ontario Region, -Cornwall, Ont.

Macdonald, Ian D., 1986. Life Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest in Site District 5-7, in Huron;a District. O.M.N.R. National Museum of Natural Sciences, Botany Division, ottawa, 1989. Printout of rare species collection data for Muskoka District.

Noble, T., 1983. Table of Representation of Rare Plant Species (based on Simpson's list of rare species). Noble, Terry, 1984. J. Albert Bauer Reconnaissance Life Science Inventory. Ontario Heritage Foundation. Pollard, Adriane, 1992. Personal Communication from Wetland Inventory, O.M.N.R., Bracebridge.

Reznicek, A.A. and R. Emerson Whiting, 1976. Bartonia (Gentianaceae) in ontario. The Canadian Field Naturalist, Vol. 90, pp. 67-69.

Sharp, Mirek J., 1983. A Reconnaissance Biological Inventory of Six Mi.le Lake Provincial Park. O.M.N.R.

Simpson, Heather, 1977. A Life Science Summary of the McDonald Bay - McRae Lake Park reserve. O.M.N.R.

Simpson, H., 1980. A Preliminary life Science Inventory of O'Donnell Point Candidate Nature Reserve. O.M.N.R. Sinclair, Al, 1992. Personal Communication about Moon River at Moon Falls to Curtain Chute.

-112­ Sinclair, Allen, Patrick Tafts and Sylvia Purdon, 1990. A Biological Inventory and Evaluation of Kennedy Point. Natural Environmental Services Group, Gravenhurst, ontario. Singh, Bal Vir, 1973. Brief Ecological Study of Bigwind Park, Oakley, Ontario. O.M.N.R. Varga, S., 1988. A Biological Inventory and Evaluation of the Big Chute Rocklands ANSI, O.M.N.R. Whiting, R.E., 1974. Vascular Plants of Morrison Township, Muskoka, Ontario. Whiting, R.Emerson and Richard S.W. Bobbette, 1974. The Orchid Listera australis Rediscovered in Ontario. The Canadian Field naturalist, Vol. 88(3):345-347.

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Rare Vascular Plant List for Muskoka (430 Species) 15/10/92

GENUS SPECIES COMMON NAME NR PR RR RU Acalypha v;'rg;nica Three-seeded Mercury x Agalinis paupercula Small-flowered Gerardia x Agastache foeniculum Blue Giant Hyssop x Agrimonia striata Woodland Agrimony X All i um canadense Wi 1d Gar 1i c X Alopecurus aequalis Foxta i 1 X Ambrosia trifida Great Ragweed X Amelanchier bartramiana Bartram June Berry x Amelanchier saguinea var Roundleaf June Berry X grandiflora Amphicarpaea bracteata Hog-peanut x Andropogon gerardi i Big Blue Stem X Anemone cylindrica Long-headed Thimblehead X Anemone quinquefolia Wood Anemone X Anemone virginiana Thimbleweed X Antennaria parlinii ssp fallax Plantain-leaved Pussytoe x Antennaria parlinii ssp parlini Plantain-leaved Pussytoe x Apios americana Ground Nut x Aplectrum hyemale Puttyroot X x X Arabis drunmondii Drummond's Rockcress X Arabis laevigata Smooth Rock Cress X Arethusa bulbosa Arethusa X Armoracia lacustris Lake Cress X Artemisia ludoviciana western Mugwort X Asplenium platyneuron Ebony Spleenwort X Asplenium trichomanes Maidenhair Spleenwort X Asplenium trichomanes-ramosum Green Spleenwort X Aster borealis Rush Aster X Aster ericoides Heath Aster X Aster laevis Smooth Aster X Aster urophyllus Arrow-leaved Aster X Astragalus canadensis Milk Vetch X Athyrium thelypterioides Silvery Spleenwort X Bartonia paniculata Screwstem X X X Bartonia virginica Bartonia X X X Beckmannia syzigachne Slough Grass X Bidens coronata Tickseed Sunflower X X X Bidens discoidea Small Beggar-Ticks X X X Bidens vulgata Tall Beggar Ticks X Boehmeria cylindrica False Nettle X Botrychium dissectum Cut-leaved Grape Fern X Botrychium lanceolatum ssp Triangle Grape Fern XX angustisegmentum Botrychium obliquum Oblique Grape Fern X Botrychium oneidense X Botrychium rugulosum Ternate Grape Fern X X X Botrychium simplex Dwarf Grape Fern X Botrychium virginianum Rattlesnake Grape Fern X Bromus kalmii Kalm's Chess Brome X Bromus latiglumis Broad-Plumed Brome X Bulbostylis capillaris Hair Rush X X Cak i 1e edentula Sea Rocket X Calamintha arkansana Low Calamint X Callitriche heterophylla Larger Water starwort X Callitriche palustris Vernal Water Starwort X Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold X Calystegia spithamaea Upright Bindweed X Cardamine concatenata Cut-leaved Toothwort X Rare Vascular Plant List for Muskoka (430 Species) 15/10/92

GENUS SPECIES COMMON NAME NR PR RR RU Cardamine diphylla Toothwort x Cardamine pratensis Cuckoo Flower x Cardamine x maxima (diphylla x Large Toothwort X concatenat) Carex aenea Fernald's Hay Sedge X Carex albursina White Bear Sedge X Carex arcta Northern Clustered Sedge X Carex argyrantha Silver Flowered Sedge X Carex aurea Golden Fruited Sedge X Carex backii Sedge X Carex blanda Woodland Sedge X Carex brevior Shorter Sedge X Carex buxbaumi i Brown Sedge X Carex capillaris Hair-like Sedge X Carex cephaloidea Thin-leaved Sedge X Carex cephalophora Head Like Sedge X Carex chordorrhiza Sedge X Carex comosa Bristly Sedge X Carex conoidea Field Sedge X X Carex crawei Crawe's Sedge X Carex cryptolepis Small Yellow Sedge X Carex deflexa Northern Sedge X Carex diandra Sedge X Carex eburnea Bristle Leaved Sedge X Carex flava Yellow Sedge X Carex folliculata Long Sedge X X Carex garberi Garber's Sedge X Carex granularis Sedge X Carex haydenii Hayden's Sedge X X Carex houghtoniana Houghton's Sedge X Carex hystericina Porcupine Sedge X Carex interior Inland Sedge X Carex lanuginosa Wooly Sedge X Carex leptalea Bristle-stalked Sedge X Carex 1imosa Mud Sedge X Carex livida X Carex lupulina Hop Sedge X Carex merritt-fernaldii Merritt's Fernalds Sledg X Carex michauxiana Sedge X Carex muhlenbergii Muhlenberg's Sedge X Carex novae-angliae New England Sedge X X Carex ormostachya Necklace-like Sedge X Carex pallescens Pale Sedge X Carex pauciflora Few~Flowered Sedge X Carex pensylvanica Pensylvanica Sedge X Carex plantaginea Plantain-Leaved Sedge X Carex rugosperma Sedge X Carex scabrata Rough Sedge X Carex sparganioides Sparganium Sedge X Carex sprengelii Long-beaked Sedge x Carex tenera Slender Sedge X Carex tuckermanii Tuckerman's Sedge X Carex woodii Wood's Sedge X Carpinus caroliniana Blue Beech/Hornbeam X Carya cordiformis Bitternut Hickory X Castilleja coccinea Indian Paintbrush X Caulophyllum thalictroides var Blue Cohosh x thalictroides Rare Vascular Plant List for Muskoka (430 Species) 15/10/92

GENUS SPECIES COMMON NAME NR PR RR RU Ceanothus herbaceus Narrow-leaved New Jersey x Cerastium nutans Nodding Chickweed X Ceratophyllum echinatum Hornwort X Chelone glabra Turtlehead X Chenopodium capitatum Strawberry-blite X Chenopodium simplex Maple-leaved Goosefoot X Chimaphila maculata Spotted' Wintergreen x x X Cicuta maculata Water Hemlock X Cirsium muticum Swamp Thistle X Clematis occidentalis Purple Clematis X Coeloglossum viride Long-bracted Orchis X Collinsia parviflora Blue-eyed Mary X X Conopholis americana Squawroot X Corallorhiza striata Striped Coralroot X Corallorhiza trifida Early Coralroot X Coreopsis lanceolata Lance-leaved Coreopsis x X X Cornus amomum ssp obliqua Silky Dogwood X Crataegus flabellata Bosc's Chokeberry X Cuscuta gronovii Dodder X Cynoglossum boreale Northern Wild Comfrev X Cyperus bipartitus Stream Umbrella Sedge X Cyperus diandrus Two Stamen Umbrella Sedg X Cyperus esculentus Yellow Nut Grass X Cyperus squarrosus Umbrella Sedge X Cyperus strigosus Lean Umbrella Sedge X Cypripedium calceolus Yellow Ladyslipper X Cystopteris bulbifera Bulbet Bladder Fern X Dalibarda repens Dalibarda X Desmodium canadense Showy Tick Trefoil X Desmodium glutinosum Pointed Leaved Tick Tre. X Desmodium nudiflorum Tick Trefoil X Desmodium paniculatum Panicled Tick Trefoil X Dicentra - canadens i s Squirrel Corn X Dirca palustris Leatherwood X Draba glabella Rock Whitlow-grass X Drosera 1i near is Linear-leaved Sundew X Dryopteris clintoniana Clinton's Wood Fern X Dryopteris fragrans Fragrant Cliff Fern X Dryopteris goldiana Goldie's Wood Fern X Dryopteris xboottii (intermedia Bootts Wood Fern X x cristata) Dryopteris xuliginosa (carthusi Braun's Wood Fern X x cristata) Elatine minima Water Wort X Eleocharis intermedia Intermediate Spike Rush X Eleocharis pauciflora Few Flowered Sedge X Eleocharis tenuis Elliptic Spike Rush X Elymus canadensis Canadian Rye X Elymus riparius River-Bank Rye X Elymus villosus Velvet Rye X Elymus virginicus Virginia Rye X E1ymus wiegandii Wiegand Wild-rye X Epilobium palustre Marsh Willow-Herb X Epilobium strictum Downy Will owherb X Equisetum palustre Marsh Horse Tail X Equisetum scirpoides Dwarf Scouring Rush X Equisetum variegatum Variegated Horse Tail X Equisetum xnelsonii (laevigatum X Rare Vascular Plant List for Muskoka (430 Species) 15/10/92

GENUS SPECIES COMMON NAME NR PR RR RU x variega) Eragrostis frankii Sandbar Love Grass X Eriophorum gracile Slender Cotton Grass X Eriophorum tenellum Delicate Cotton Grass X Eupatorium rugosum White Snakeroot X Festuca occidentalis Western Fescue X Festuca saximontana Fescue X Festuca subverticillata Nodding Fescue X Fimbristylis autumnal is Slender Fimbristylis X Floerkea proserpinacoides False Mermaid X Galearis spectabilis Showy Orchis X Galium boreale Northern Bedstraw X Galium circaezans White Wild Licorice X Galium lanceolatum Yellow Wild Licorice X Gentiana andrewsi; Sloced Gentian X Gentiana linearis Narrow-leaved Gentian X Gentianopsis virgata Smaller Fringed Gentian X Geranium carolinianum Carolina Cranesbill X Geum macrophyllum Large-leaved Avens X Glyceria grand fs Ta 11 Manna Grass X Gnaphalium obtusifolium Sweet Everlasting X Gnaphalium sylvaticum Wood Cudweed X Gnaphalium viscosum Macoun's Cudweed X Goodyera oblongifolia Green Leaved Rattlesnake X Goodyera pubescens Downy Rattlesnake Planta X Goodyera repens var ophioides Dwarf Rattlesnake Planta X Gratiola aurea Golden Hedge-Hyssop X Gratiola neglecta X Helenium autumnale Sneezeweed X Helianthus divaricatus Woodland Sunflower X Helianthus giganteus Ta 11 Sunflower X Heracleum lanatum Cow Parsnip X Hierochloe odorata Sweet Grass X Hippuris vulgaris Mare' s-tai 1 X Hydrophyllum virginianum Virginia Water leaf X Hypericum punctatum Spotted st. John's Wort X Isoetes engelmannii Engleman's Quillwort X X Isoetes lacustris Lake Quillwort X Isoetes tuckermanii Tuckerman's Quillwort X Isoetes xeatonii Eaton's Quillwort X X X Isoetes xharveyi(tuckermannii X xlacustris) Juglans cinerea Butternut X Juncus acuminatus Rush X X Juncus balticus Baltic Rush X Juncus greenei Rush X X Juncus militaris Bayonet Rush X Juncus secundus Rush X X X Juniperus virginiana Red Cedar X Kalmia angustifolia Sheep Laurel X Lactuca biennis Ta 11 Blue Lettuce X Laportea canadensis Wood Nettle X Lathyrus japonicus Beach Pe.a X Lathyrus palustris Marsh Vetching X Lechea intermedia Intermediate Pinweed X Lemna trisulca Star Duckweed X Leucophysalis grandiflora Large White Ground Cherr X Lilium philadelphicum Wood Li 1y X Rare Vascular Plant List for Muskoka (430 Species) 15/10/92

GENUS SPECIES COMMON NAME NR PR RR RU

Lindernia dubia False Pimpernel X Linum medium Yellow Flax X X X Linum striatum Ridged Yellow Flax X X X Liparis loeselii Bog Twayblade X Listera australis Southern Twayblade X X X Listera convallarioides Broadlipped Twayblade X Listera cordata Heart-leaved Twayblade X Littorella americana Shore-weed X Lobelia ka lmi i Brook Lobelia X Lobelia siphilitica Great Lobelia X Lobelia spicata Pale-spiked Lobelia X Lonicera hirsuta Hairy Honeysuckle X Luzula multiflora Wood Rush X Lycopodium clavatum var Running Clubmoss X monostachyon Lycopodium complanatum Flatbranch Club Moss X Lycopodium selago Fir or Mountain Club-mos X Lysimachia ciliata Fringed Loosestrife X Lysimachia quadriflora Prairie Loosestrife X Lysimachia thyrsiflora Tufted Loosestrife X Malaxis monophyllos ssp White Adder's Mouth X brachypoda Megalodonta beckii Beck's Bur Marigold X Me 1i ca smithii Smith's Melic Grass X Mimulus moschatus Musk-f"lower X Moneses uniflora One-flowered Wintergreen X Monotropa hypopithys Pinesap X Myriophyllum farwellii Farewell's Water Mil-foi X Myriophyllum heterophyllum Various-leaved Water Mil X Myriophyllum tenellum Slender Water Mil-foil X Myriophyllum verticillatum Green Water Mil-foil X Najas graci 11 ima Naiad X X X Najas guadalupensis Naiad X Oenothera pilosella Meadow Sundrops X X X Ophioglossum pusillum Adder's Tongue Fern X Oryzopsis pungens Slender Grass X Oryzopsis racemosa Black Grass X Osmorhiza longistylis Aniseroot X Panax quinquefolius Ginseng X X X Panax trifol ius Dwarf Ginseng X Panicum acuminatum/lindheimer Lindheimer's Grass X i Pan;cum acuminatum/spretum Eaton's Grass X x Panicum boreale Northern Panic Grass X Panicum flexile Wiry Witch Grass X Panicum latifolium Broad-Leaved Grass X Panicum ovale American Panic Grass X Panicum philadelphicum Woodland Witch Grass X Panicum rigidulum Panic Grass X X X Panicum tuckermanii Grass X Panicum virgatum Switch Grass X Parnassia glauca Grass of Parnassus X Parthenocissus qu i nquefo·l i a Virginia Creeper X Pedicularis canadensis Wood Betony X Peltandra virginica Arrow Arum X X X Penstemon hirsutus Hairy Beard Tongue X Petasites frigidus Sweet Coltsfoot X Phegopteris hexagonoptera Broad Beech Fern X X X Rare Vascular Plant List for Muskoka (430 Species) 15/10/92

GENUS SPECIES COMMON NAME NR PR RR RU

Phlox subulata Moss-Pink X X Phryma leptostachya Lopseed X Physocarpus opul ifo1 ius Ninebark X Physostegia virginiana False Dragonhead X Phyto1acca americana Poke-weed X Picea rubens Red Spruce X Pi 1ea pumi 1a C1earweed X Platanthera b1epharig1ottis White Fringed Orchis X P1atanthera f1ava Pale Green Orchis' X Platanthera hookeri Hooker's Orchis X P1atanthera lacera Ragged Fringed Orchis X P1atanthera orbicu1ata var Larger Leaved Orchis X X macrophy11a P1atanthera orbicu1ata var Round Leaved Orchis X orbicu1ata P1atanthera psycodes Sma 11 er Purple Fringed X P1atanthera xandrewsii Andrew's Hybrid Orchis X Poa alsodes Blue Grass X Poa 1anguida Blue Grass X Podophyllum peltatum May Apple X Po1anisia dodecandra ClalTlllY Weed X Po1yga1a po1ygama Racemed Mi1kwort X Po1yga1a sanguinea Purple Mi1kwort X Polygala senega Seneca Snakeroot X Polygonum ar i fo 1i um Halberd-Leaved Tearthumb X X Polygonum careyi Carey's Knotweed X Polygonum pensy1vanicum' Pennsylvania Smartweed X Polygonum ramosissimum Bushy Knotweed X Po1ygonum scandens Climbing False Buckwheat X Potamogeton alpinus Northern Pond Weed X Potamogeton bicupu1atus Two-cupped Pond Weed X X X Potamogeton confervoides Pond Weed X X Potamogeton filiformis Filiform Pond Weed X Potamogeton freisii X Potamogeton il1inoensis I 11 i no i s Pond Weed X Potamogeton nodosus X Potamogeton oakesianus Oak's Pond Weed X Potamogeton perfoliatus Pondweed X Potamogeton praelongus White-stemmed Pond Weed X Potamogeton strictifo1ius Straight-leaved Pond Wee X Potamogeton vaseyi Vasey's Pond Weed X Potamogeton zosteriformis Flat-Stemmed Pond Weed X Potenti11a arguta Ta 11 Cinquefoi 1 X Potenti1la canadensis Dwarf Cinquefoil X Potenti11a tridentata Thre~-toothed Cinquefoil X Primu1a mistassinica Bird's Eye Primrose X Prunus pumi 1a Sand Cherry X Pterospora andromedea Pinedrops X X Pycnanthemum virginianum Virginia Mountain Mint X pyro1a americana Round-leaved pyro1a X pyro1a asarifo1ia Liver-leaf Wintergreen X Quercus macrocarpa Bur Oak X Ranuncu1us fascicu1aris Early Buttercup X Ranuncu1us f1abel1aris Yellow Water Buttercup X Ranuncu1us longirostris White Water Buttercup X Rhexia virginica Virginia Meadow Beauty X X Rhus aromatica Fragrant Sumac X Rhus vernix Poison Sumac X Rare Vascular Plant List for Muskoka (430 Species) 15/10/92

GENUS SPECIES COMMON NAME NR PR RR RU Rhynchospora capillacea Hair Like Beak Rush x Rhynchospora capitellata Small Headed Beak Rush X Rhynchospora fusca Sooty Beak Rush X Ribas americanum Wild Black Current X Ribes lacustre Swamp Black Current X Ribas triste Swamp Red Current X Rosa carol ina Pasture Rose X Rubus canadensis Thornless Blackberry X Rubus odoratus Purple Flowering Rasp. X Rubus setosus Bristly Blackberry X Rudbeckia laciniata Green-headed Coneflower X Rumex orbiculatus Water Dock X Rumex verticil latus Swamp Dock X Sagittaria cuneata Wedged Shaped Arrowhead X Sagittaria graminea var cristata Grass-Leaved Arrowhead x X X Sagittaria rigida Sessile-Fruit Arrowhead X Sa 1i x cordata Heartleaf Willow X Sa 1i x serissima Autumn Willow X Sanguinaria canadensis Bloodroot X Sanicula marilandica Black Snakeroot X Sanicula odorata Clustered Snakeroot X Sanicula trifoliata Long-fruited Snakeroot X Saururus cernuus Lizard's Tail X Scheuchzeria palustris Arrow-grass X Schizachyrium scoparium Little Blue Stem X Scirpus c 1i nton i i Clinton's Bulrush X X Scirpus fluviatilis River Bulrush X Scirpus heterochaetus Slender Bulrush x X X Scirpus hudsonianus Bulrush X Scirpus sm i th i i Smith's Bulrush x x X Scirpus torreyi Torrey's Bulrush X Scleria verticil lata x X X Scrophularia lanceolata Figwort X Scutellaria parvula Smaller Skullcap x Selaginella apoda Meadow Spike Moss X Selaginella selaginoides Low Spike Moss X Senecio eremophilus Ragwort X Senecio pauperculus Balsam Ragwort X Shepherdia canadensis Canada Buffaloberry X Silphium perfo 1; atum Cup-Plant x X X Sisyrinchium angustifolium stout Blue-eyed Grass X Sisyrinchium mucronatum Slender Blue-eyed Grass X Smi 1ax herbacea Carrion Flower x Smi 1ax hispida Bristly Greenbrier X Solidago caesia Blue-stemmed Goldenrod X Solidago flexicaulis Zig-Zag Goldenrod X Solidago gigantea Late Goldenrod X So 1i dago ptarmicoides Upland Whi~e Aster X Sorbus decora Northern Mountain Ash X Sorghastrum nutans Indian Grass x Sparganium angustifolium Narrow-leaved Bur-reed X Sparganium natans Bur-reed X Spartina pectinata Cord Grass X Sphenopholis intermedia Slender Wedge Grass X Spiranthes lucida Wide Leaved Ladies' Tres X Sporobolus asper Rough Dropseed x X X Sporobolus heterolepis Northern Dropseed X X Sporobolus neglectus Overlooked Dropseed X Rare Vascular Plant List for Muskoka (430 Species) 15/10/92

GENUS SPECIES COMMON NAME NR PR RR RU Stellaria borealis ssp borealis Calyx-flowered Chickweed x Stellaria longifolia Long-leaved Chickweed X Streptopus amplexifolius Clasping-leaved Rose Twi x Subularia aquatica ssp Water Awlwort X americana Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry X Symplocarpus foetidus Skunk Cabbage X Taenidia integerrima Yellow Pimpernel X Teucrium canadense Germander X Thalictrum dasycarpum Purple Meadow Rue X Torreyochloa pallida Pale Mana Grass x x X Tradescantia ohiensis Ohio Spiderwort X X Triadenum virginicum Marsh st. John's Wort X Triglochin maritimum Spike Arrow-Grass X Triglochin palustre Marsh Arrow-Grass X Trillium cernuum Nodding Trillium X Triodanis perfoliata Venus' Looking Glass X Triosteum aurantiacum Feverwort X Trisetum spicatum Narrow False Oats x X Ulmus rubra Slippery Elm X Utricularia geminiscapa Hidden-fruited Bladderwo X X Utricularia gibba Humped Bladderwort X Utricularia intermedia Flat-leaved Bladderwort X Utricularia minor Small Bladderwort X Utricularia resupinata Reclined Bladderwort X Uvularia grandiflora Large-Flowered Bellwort X Vaccinium corymbosum Highbush Blueberry X Veronica peregrina ssp Purslane Speedwell X xalapensis Viola adunca Hooked-Spur Violet X Viola nephrophylla Northern Bog Violet X Viola rostrata Long-spurred Violet X Viola sagittata Northern Downy Violet X Viola selkirkii Great Spurred Violet X Viola xsublanceolata Primrose-leaved Violet X Vitis riparia Riverbank Grape X Waldsteinia fragar;oides Barren Strawberry X Wolffia arrhiza Columbia Wolffia X Xyris difformis Slender Yellow-eyed Gras X

NR = NATIONALLY RARE PR = PROVINCIALLY RARE RR = REGIONALLY RARE RU = REGIONALLY UNCOMMON Rare Breeding Birds of Muskoka (68 Rare Species) 15/10/92 GENUS SPECIES FIRST NAME LAST NAME NR PR RR RU

Ixobrychus ex i 1i s Least Bittern X X X Euphagus caro 1i nus Rusty Blackbird X Sia1ia sia1is Eastern Bluebird X Cardina1is cardina1is Northern Cardinal X Parus hudsonicus Boreal Chickadee X Fu1ica americana American Coot X X Phalacrocorax auritus Double-crested Cormorant X Loxia curvirostra Red Crossbill X Loxia 1eucoptera White-winged Crossbill X Coccyzus erythroptha1mus Black-billed Cuckoo X Coccyzus americanus Yel1ow-bi 11ed Cuckoo X Aythya co11aris Ring-necked Duck X Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon X Carpodacus mexicanus House Finch X Empidonax tra i 11 i i Willow Flycatcher X Empidonax f1aviventris Yellow-bellied Flycatcher X Anas strepera Gadwa 11 X Pol iopti 1a caeru1ea Blue-gray Gnatcatcher X Bucepha1a c1angu1a Common Goldeneye X Branta canadensis Canada Goose X Accipiter genti1is Northern Goshawk X Podi1ymbus podiceps Pied-billed Grebe X Dendragapus canadensis Spruce Grouse X Accipiter cooperii Cooper's Hawk X X X Buteo 1ineatus Red-shouldered Hawk X X Accipiter striatus Sharp-shinned Hawk X Butorides virescens Green-backed Heron X Perisoreus canadensis Gray Jay X Regulus satrapa Golden-crowned Kinglet X Regulus calendula Ruby-crowned Kinglet X Eremophi1a a1pestris Horned Lark X Mergus serrator Red-breasted Merganser X Falco co1umbarius Mer 1in X Mimus po1yglottos Northern Mockingbird X Ga11inu1a ch1oropus Common Moorhen X Nycticorax nycticorax Black-crowned Night-Heron X X Bubo virginianus Great Horned Owl X Asio otus Long-eared Owl X X Aego1ius acadicus Northern Saw-whe Owl X Paru1a americana No,rthern Paru1a X Anas acuta Northern Pintail X Bartramia 10ngicauda Up land Sandpiper X Anas c1ypeata Northern Shoveler X Lanius 1udovicianus Loggerhead Shrike X X X Cardue1is pinus Pine Siskin X Porzana caro 1ina Sora X Spize11a pa11ida Clay-colored Sparrow X Ammodramus savannarum Grasshopper Sparrow X Anas discors Blue-winged Teal X Anas crecca Green-winged Teal X Ch1idonias niger Black Tern X X Sterna caspia Caspian Tern X X X Sterna hirundo Common Tern X Catharus ustu1atus Swainson's Thrush X Pipi 10 erythrophtha1- Rufous-sided Towhee X Vireo phi1ade1phicus Philadelphia Vireo X Rare Breeding Birds of Muskoka (68 Rare Species) 15/10/92 GENUS SPECIES FIRST NAME LAST NAME NR PR RR RU

Vireo flavifrons Yellow-throated Vireo X Dendroica castanea Bay-breasted Warbler X Vermivora pinus Blue-winged Warbler X Vermivora chrysoptera x pi Brewster's Warbler X Dendroica tigrina Cape May Warbler X Dendroica cerulea Cerulean Warbler X X Dendroica discolor Prairie Warbler X X X Anas americana American Wigeon X Picoides arcticus Black-backed Woodpecker X Melanerpes erythrocephalus Red-headed Woodpecker X Ci s.tothorus palustris Marsh Wren X Cistothorus platensis Sedge Wren X

NR = NATIONALLY RARE PR = PROVINCIALLY RARE RR = REGIONALLY RARE RU = REGIONALLY UNCOMMON

I. <_ i··..·· Rare Herpetofauna List for Muskoka (19 Species) 15/10/92 COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME NR PR RR RU Mudpuppy Necturus maculosus X Eastern Newt Notophthalmus v. viridesce X Blue-spotted Salamander Ambystoma laterale X Two-lined Salamander Eurycea bislineata X Four-toed Salamander Hemidactylium scutatum X Midland Chorus Frog Pseudacris t. triseriata X Pickerel Frog Rana palustris X Stinkpot Sternotherus odoratus X Map Turtle Graptemys geographica X Wood Turtle Clemmys insculpta X X Spotted Turtle Clemmys quttata X X X Northern Ribbon Snake Thamnophis sauritus septen X Redbelly Snake Storeria occipitomaculata X Brown Snake Storeria dekayi X Northern Ringneck Snake Diadophis punctatus edward X Eastern Hognose Snake Heterodon platyrhinos X Eastern Fox Snake Elaphe vulpina gloydi X X Eastern Milk Snake Lampropeltis t. triangulum X Eastern Massasauga Sistrurus c. catenatus X X

Rare Butterfly List of Muskoka (20 Species) 15/10/92 GENUS SPECIES FIRST NAME LAST NAME PR RR RU

Oeneis chryxus strigulosa CHRYXUS ARCTIC X Polygonia faunus GREEN COMMA X Epidemia dorcas DORCAS COPPER X X Wallengren;a egeremet NORTHERN BROKEN DASH X Erynnis luci 1 ius COLUMBINE DUSKY WING X Erynnis icelus DREAMY DUSKY WING X Incisalia henrici HENRY'S ELFIN X X Satyrium calanus falacer BANDED HAIRSTREAK X Fen;seca tarquinius HARVESTER X Euchloe olympia OLYMPIA MARBLEWING X X Poanes viator BROAD WINGED SKIPPER X X Polites origenes CROSS LINE SKIPPER X X Euphyes dion DION SKIPPER X X Hesperia leonardus LEONARDUS SKIPPER X Amblyscirtes hegon PEPPER AND SALT SKIPPER X Amblyscirtes vialis ROADSIDE SKIPPER X Euphyes bimacula TWO SPOTTED SKIPPER X X Co 1 ; as interior PINK-EDGED SULPHUR X Papilio polyxenes aster ius EASTERN BLACK SWALLOWTAIL X Aglais milberti MILBERT'S TORTOISE SHELL X

PR = PROVINCIALLY RARE RR = REGIONALLY RARE RU = REGIONALLY UNCOMMON

Rare Dragonfly and Damsel List of Muskoka (2 Species) 15/10/92

GENUS SPECIES COMMON NAME PR RR Agrion aequabile Black-banded Band Wins x Libellula luctuosa Widow Skirrmer X

PR = PROVINCIALLY RARE RR = REGIONALLY RARE