The University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s Environmental Reserve is one of the most biodiverse habitats in the Region of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ, with over 235 bird species, 755 insect species and 410 plant species recorded. As part of ongoing conservation and restoration efforts, the University has installed a variety of artificial habitats to support native wildlife and help address habitat loss affecting several local species, including 30 tree swallow nest boxes, 10 bat boxes, 2 wood duck nest boxes, and a multi-compartment Purple Martin hotel.
Purple Martins (Progne subis), North America’s largest swallow, are aerial insectivores-birds that have declined by nearly 90% in southern Ontario over the past 50 years. In eastern North America, they now rely almost exclusively on human-made structures for nesting. The newly installed Purple Martin hotel at Columbia Lake provides space for these birds to nest and raise young.Ìý
Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), another aerial insectivore, have experienced a 45% population decline in Canada over the last 50 years. These cavity-nesting birds typically depend on old tree hollows for nesting but readily use nest boxes when natural options are scarce. This year, five tree swallow nests were observed, and seventeen nestlings were banded by Professfor Liam McGuire's lab.Ìý
Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) are cavity-nesting waterfowl that rely on mature trees with natural cavities formed by woodpeckers or tree decay, which have become increasingly unavailable. The two wood duck nest boxes installed near Columbia Lake mimic these natural hollows, offering safe locations for egg laying and duckling rearing.
Bats also benefit from these habitat improvements. Bats serve a crucial role in ecosystems by controlling insect populations. However, seven of Ontario’s eight bat species are endangered, largely due to habitat loss. To support À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s bat population, 10 bat boxes have been added to the reserve, designed to replicate natural tree cavities and provide safe roosting areas. A big brown bat has been spotted using one of the bat boxes to roost.
These additions strengthen the Environmental Reserve’s role as a hotspot for protecting wildlife and reflect the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s commitment to sustainable land care. These ongoing conservation efforts contribute to protecting existing populations and maintaining the ecological balance of one of the region’s most diverse natural areas for future generations.
This project was a collaboration between the Department of Biology and the Sustainability Office. University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Community Environmental Fund administered by the Regional Municipality of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ for this project.