Visit to Edmond Marsh

Trip field in Edmond Marsh 

Friday, May 5

Last Friday, I got to take a picture of a red-winged blackbird. I had the chance to observe this little bird from the middle spot. It was standing on the top of a cattail, within the marsh. 

I learned that the red-winged blackbird plays an important ecological role as a predator. Indeed, this bird is a consumer, and eats invertebrates, insects, worms etc. They probably might play a role of defense by killing and eating some of these last organisms, which would we toxic for the marsh environment. 

During this trip to Edmond Marsh, I learnt many things, especially during the lecture our teacher gave us before we started to observe the marsh. For instance, I learnt that a marsh is a favorable environment for migratory birds during their breeding season. Besides, I didn’t know then that a marsh is a ideal place to observe many different bird species. A marsh is a transitional environment between rivers (fresh water), and the ocean (salt water). 

Like during our visit to the aquarium, learning more about our close environment makes me realize the importance of their role in our ecosystem. It is always heart-breaking to observe the toxic human impacts on these environments. Protecting them is essential, as they’re a key chain in the whole circling life linking our different landscapes. 

One question came up to my mind during the visit. How can the level of water, which seemed to me extremely low, allow some fishes to live within a marsh?