The
Frank Lake IBA
The Frank Lake area is located about 20 km
southeast of the village of Nampa in Northwestern
Alberta. It is a small, isolated lake surrounded
by mixed forests, bogs, and muskeg of Black
Spruce and poplar; on the south side the lake
is fed by a large wetland that extends from
Kimiwan Lake and to the north the lake feeds
a creek that flows into Bearhead Creek then
eventually to the Peace River. The lake supports
over 120 species of birds with Tundra Swans
showing the highest recorded numbers of migratory
waterfowl during their fall migration (unless
otherwise noted, throughout, specific data
about Frank Lake is based on the author’s
observation and knowledge).
The
number of Tundra Swans has increased over
the years with the 1999 count numbering 1500
to 2000 birds, and in 2000 the count was 1450.
This represents 1% to 2% of the western population
of Tundra Swans. In addition, there is a breeding
pair of Trumpeter Swans that has produced
cygnets for the past 5 years with broods ranging
from a high of 6 cygnets in 1996, to 3 in
1997, 4 in 1998 and 4 in 2000.
Protection
for Tundra Swans
Although the Tundra Swan population is stable,
it is important to protect the wetlands that
provide a staging area for their fall migration.
The Tundra Swans congregate in large numbers
during the fall migration at Frank Lake and
continually feed during the day and most of
the night. The swans will spend 2 to 3 weeks
feeding in the lake to prepare for their long
migration to their wintering grounds in Montana
and Idaho. The swans feed on the lush and
plentiful vegetation by tipping under the
water to reach the weeds and vegetation.
The
large concentration is spectacular, however
this leaves the swans quite vulnerable to
poaching and exploitation. In addition, the
increasing pressure on the wetlands —
by clearing, draining of wetlands, intensive
livestock operations that threaten water quality,
and human disturbance —- could jeopardize
the habitat the Tundra Swans need to prepare
for the long migration. This is precisely
why it is important to preserve the Frank
Lake area — so the Swans and other waterfowl
can safely feed and get the required energy
needed to migrate to their wintering areas.
Current
Conservation Strategies
At present there are no guidelines that address
the protection of the Frank Lake area other
than the designation as a Trumpeter Swan nesting
area, which only protects a zone 100 meters
from the shoreline, and allows no disturbance
during the nesting season, from May to September.
In addition to this some capital was secured
to do some mechanical clearing along the south
and west side of the lake (from Buck for Wildlife
funding administered from the Alberta Conservation
Association for improving ungulate feeding
areas; in total of 660 acres). These areas
have a Buck for Wildlife protective notation
placed on them to limit access from agricultural
and industrial activities.
There
are no other guidelines or policies that protect
the wetlands or forest that surrounds Frank
Lake; this leaves the area open to exploitation
from human activities—oil and gas exploration
such as access roads, leases, pipelines; logging;
cattle ranching; guiding and outfitting exploitation.
There
is no committee or commitment from the local
Municipalities or Government to provide a
conservation plan to protect the Frank Lake
IBA. There has only been one individual who
has diligently kept a watchful eye on the
area and has written letters and placed numerous
phone calls to industries to ensure the area
near the lake is not developed. This dangerous
trend cannot continue as there is more of
a demand for gas exploration.
Also
there are others interested in developing
the area for their own needs, such as ranching,
logging, and hunting. At present the local
Public Lands Manager, the Regional Biologist,
and the Forest Officer from Peace River have
been contacted about this area and have provided
some input, however they are faced with other
work commitments and cannot provide the time
needed to produce a conservation plan. Alberta
Environment has completed aerial surveys in
1995 and 2000 under the direction of the Canadian
Wildlife Service Trumpeter Swan Survey; however
there has been no other bird census or evolving
monitoring plan of bird species or usage,
other than an annual count by a local naturalist.
Conservation
Goals and Objectives
The goals and objectives for the Frank Lake
IBA are as follows:
Awareness
