Jebbs Creek Rehab

I began this post in April 16th, 2025. It has sat in my files until a rainy day. Correction, until I ran out of actual critter photos on a snowy day. I've been struggling with meds and sleep, as many of you do. I finally had a sleep until 7:30, having wakened at 4 a.m. This is progress.  That said, we are in the middle of a massive snowstorm. Bus cancellations for schools, the wind is blowing snow everywhere. 

There aren't many critters out. Just the deer and birds madly scrambling at feeders. This post is a nice memory of summers when I was able to canoodle!

Jebbs Creek Wetland Embayment Project 

We live near this creek. Back when I was able to canoe along the creek, I found such joy on this water: A canoe ride marathon: 9 km! 

The project was a collaborative effort, with key partners including the Friends of the Tay River (FOTR), the Otty Lake Association (OLA), and the Ministry of Natural Resources.

A multi-year project, Rideau Vally Conservation Association (RVCA) staff have published a report (PDF). They are happy to say the have increased biodiversity, and report a successful pike population over the six years they've been working on this. 

Jebbs Creek runs into the Tay River

How wonderful that there are people to support nature, and all the flora and fauna that depend upon it for food, habitat, and safety. 

Jebbs Creek Wetland Embayment Project

I went for a walk in the Perth Wildlife Reserve: A walk on the wild side, Monday afternoon, Oct. 1st. I've saved these photos, as the RVCA had a special project in a section of the park.

Jebb's Creek Wetland Embayment Project which the OLA is embarking on with its partner, the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA).

This project has numerous objectives, including the creation of new habitat for fish species, e.g. northern pike, as well as protecting water quality and enhancing recreational and educational opportunities.

On the left, a planned butterfly habitat. On the right, off the creek, little bays where fish will lay eggs, 'EMBAYMENT'.

Oct. 1st, 2018: the Preparation was done

I visited, and spotted the prep work. They'd excavated, moved the lovely, rich peat and built the butterfly garden from it. They excavated little bays with a backhoe, opening up the shoreline.
For more on this project see the PDF of the presentation from the Otty Lake AGM.

October 3rd, 2018

A call went out. I could not do this, a bad back, as well as a medical appointment that day. 

We are looking for 8 to 10 volunteers on October 3rd, from 9:30 am to 1 pm to take part in activities such as planting shrubs, putting down seed mix and installing erosion control blankets. Rubber boots are recommended.  A second opportunity will take place on October 29th from 9:30 am to noon. Activities will include installing live stakes, namely willow and dogwood cuttings. Rubber boots are again recommended. 

Barb Hicks added 7 photos to the album: October 3, 2018 in Otty Lake Association.

Saturday, Oct. 7th

The kids were here for Happy Thanksgiving, we all went for a walk. Josee took these photos. She's in Gr. 6. I knew they'd be interested. Caitlin's M.Sc. is in hydrogeology.


This will be the butterfly habitat.

Oct. 29th

On Oct 3rd and 29th some OLA volunteers provided assistance to our friends from RVCA in completing the Jebbs Creek Embayment Project. We hope to have created habitat for various types of fish, as well as attracting butterflies, bees, birds ... Be sure to visit the RVCA Perth Wildlife Reserve in the spring and see what is growing.

‎Christine Kilburn‎ to Otty Lake Association

xxx

August 29th Canoe Ride

It was a lovely trip. My right shoulder was sore that night (a titch of arthritis) , my torso muscles were sore the next night, and my sitting muscles the third night, but I recovered!

Otty Lake is a very shallow lake, 60' at its deepest. Where I launch there is much muck in the bay, and I was pretty much poling my way to open water. The water lilies are prolific.
In the second photo, cottagers have put buoys in to show the rocks. They were just under the surface, in a very shallow spot, well into the bay. I wonder how many have scraped on them?!


I headed down to Jebbs Creek curious, with our drought, to see if it was navigable. It was.


There were few critters. A crow, poking its head in the shallows, didn't want its photo taken. Then the heron, on the far side of the creek hid in the trees.


Happily, she followed me and landed on a branch just up the creek, posing long enough for me to focus the camera. I'm having  hard time with this. I'm just not fast enough, and my graduate lenses are a challenge for near and far.


This Sunfish sailboat made me think of my father, who loved his sailboat!


This was my map track. I was hoping to see the watersnake, but had to rely on these photos from last year, 2015.

I did spot a smaller watersnake.It popped up eight beside my canoe. I grabbed the videocamera!

Watersnake 1 from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.