There’s a small but mighty group in Acton dedicated to helping those intriguing half-shelled creatures live their best lives in local ponds and lakes.
Headed up by unofficial ‘turtle guy’ Peter Duncanson, the Halton Hills Turtle Guardians are gearing up for a busy few weeks as female turtles prepare to lay their eggs.
“The biggest threat from predation is within the first couple of weeks after the eggs are laid, when the scent is strong,” explained the lifelong turtle enthusiast. “Every species of turtle in Ontario is a species at risk, and some in our area are endangered.”
With this in mind, it has become common practice to place what’s known as a turtle nest protector over the eggs, which keeps them safe from other critters in the area.
Female turtles will typically lay their eggs around the second week of June, said Duncanson, with the Guardians group watching over them during this process before placing a box over the area.
The Acton man, who recalls trying to save turtles being impacted by development during his youth in north Toronto, has become known around town for his work and is often contacted by people when they spot a turtle on their property.
He and the Guardians are always happy to lend a helping hand to save a turtle from a dangerous situation. And while it may raise concern for some to see a turtle in their yard, Duncanson said more often than not, the reptiles are totally fine to be left to their own devices.
“Through education, we’re trying to tell people that if you see one, unless it’s in peril, leave it alone - it knows where it’s going,” he said, referring to turtle’s strong homing instincts. “For example, if you take a snapper from Fairy Lake away, it’s going to try to make it back to the lake.”
There are a couple varieties of the clever creatures that live in Acton’s Fairy Lake, with snapping turtles and painted turtles being the predominant species.
There are also what’s known as red-eared sliders, or the pet store turtles that Duncanson said people will release into the lake. From his observations, they don’t appear to be surviving well though.
The fascinating animals actually spend the winter in Fairy Lake under the water. Turtles don’t hibernate in the traditional sense and instead brumate, which is a period of dormancy where they take in oxygen through their tail, explained Duncanson.
There are also several turtles residing near the water treatment plant in Acton, he noted.
Duncanson said he’s working to connect with people who live in Georgetown to serve as turtle guardians for the nests that are found there.
Local residents who see a female turtle nesting can contact the Halton Hills Turtle Guardians through their Facebook group, or by calling 311.
