I received an e-mail from Sigrun Gadwa neighbor and environmentalist who forwarded this survey on the Ten Mile River done by Tony Ianello.

I really hope that if this property is developed the wildlife there will not be forgotten. When I was a student at Kansas State University of Agriculture and Applied Science, their motto was and still is “Rule by Obeying Natures Laws.” That says it all. This is an extraordinary piece of property and if it is to be developed must be developed with nature in mind. My husband and I have always tried to do this with our properties here in Connecticut and in other states. We have tried to leave it as natural as possible, and not always to the liking of people living near us.

Tony Ianello, Field Investigations
1029 Moss Farms Road, Cheshire, CT 06040
Turtle Survey Ten Mile River/ I- 691 Cheshire

• On Wednesday, May 30^th, 2007, searched Ten Mile River corridor and river itself within property boundaries, north of I-691, in the northwestern quadrangle of the Cheshire Interchange Zone .
• Weather: very warm; at 9:00 a.m. temperatures were already in the 70s. Winds were westerly and dew points very low, close to red flag warning conditions. There had been no significant rain for about 2 weeks. This was likely why box turtles were not seen, as they are dehydration sensitive. The habitat is otherwise good for them.
• In the river, found snapping turtle; there were also minnow sized fish (dace or fry) and many Elliptio mussels. Mammal tracks were seen in wet sand: deer, raccoon, and otter. Belted kingfisher was seen, red shouldered hawk was heard.
• Found 2 painted turtles, one in mucky vernal pool.
• A wood turtle was found on a bank and displayed peculiar behavior; wood turtles generally dart into the water when disturbed, and swim very fast. This one stayed on the bank, which was very weed and vine snarled under a closed canopy, for several minutes while the three of us were no more than 12 feet away. A GPS of this position was taken.
• On Thursday, May 31^st, 2007, searched potential nesting habitat within property boundaries, saw no nesting during 8:30-10:30am search. We did however see another wood turtle basking on a leaned tree, which jumped quickly into the river.
• Side note on nesting conditions during that week: late Thursday afternoon a brutal thunderstorm rolled through, soaking in a good half inch of rain. On Friday morning I got a call for a nesting turtle in the south part of town; I’m guessing Friday, June 1, 2007 was an important day for nesting based on weather and full moon. Full moon was Thursday night at 9:04 pm.

Recommendations:

• Check site for evidence of nesting and predated nests in early June.
• Conduct further searches during the fall season which is the best time to get good wood turtle counts. They congregate in October at hibernaculum sites and are easier to spot. Search for box turtles in early summer or early fall. They are best found up in the autumn olive areas mixed with the small meadows (instead of thick continuous autumn olive) right after a rain shower or the morning after a rain event.
• Development design should leave buffers to the river of at least 300 feet to protect the high wildlife habitat function of the river corridor.
• Maintain water quality through best possible storm water management system. system, also monitoring water quality quality regularly, especially after storms.
• A fence can be used that will keep species from entering parking lot. Turtles are sometimes found under cars when parking lots are on turtle habitats.(This is the case at James’ Baird State Park in NY state where Blandings Turtles are found under cars in the parking lot. There is a sign for people to check under they’re cars.) I think a fence would do fine for that.