New Westminster Environmental Almanac (2917 ... - Douglas College

irds use the marshes of the Fraser either as permanent habitat or as a
stop over point along the Pacific Flyway. The Marsh Wren and American
Coot build their nests amongst cattails, while the Great Blue Heron and
birds of prey such as Bald Eagle and Marsh Hawk hunt for fish and
amphibians in the shallow water of marshes. The Snow Goose, famous
for its flocks of tens of thousands of birds, is an annual visitor to the
Fraser River delta, relying on the marshes to provide food throughout the
winter. Many juvenile fish, including salmon, use the sheltered water
among the reeds and cattails as a rearing area; other fish will spend all
their lives in or near a marsh. Adult salmon, returning from the ocean,
congregate here before moving up the Fraser to spawn. Also, mammals
such as raccoons, muskrats, shrews, weasels, and opossums may all be
found in marshes.
Bogs are the second type of wetland found in the Lower Mainland.
Burns Bog is the largest remaining bog in the lower mainland and is the
largest undeveloped urban landmass in North America. Bogs used to be
found throughout the Lower Mainland, one still exists in Richmond, in
the Richmond Nature Park. This bog used to cover a much larger area of
Lulu Island and extended into the Queensborough area.
Marsh along Annacis Island
7
Status of Original Ecosystems
GVRD