The Mystery of the Jesmer Marsh.
The Mystery of the Jesmer Marsh.
Link to Jesmer family history page
Link to Nelson and Jenny Jesmer’s page
Link to Jesmer Mysteries Explained
The following is what I know about the Jesmer Marsh. It is a piece of land that was owned by Nelson A. Jesmer, who farmed the area between 1905 and the 1930’s. His son, Carl farmed the land after him. It was Carl Jesmer who donated the land to Duck’s Unlimited to be part of the bird sanctuary. How wonderful it was that Carl donated the land for public use and not drain it to make extra farmland. Future generations of humans and ducks are blessed because of his decision.
The following are some excerpts from the internet concerning the Jesmer Marsh and adjacent marshes.
Wadena is the location for the InterpretativeCenter with information about the Jesmer & Milligan Marsh Projects. This is the one of two access points to the Quill Lakes International Shorebird Reserve and is the perfect place to begin exploring! Walking trails with boardwalks and lookout towers let you explore freshwater marshlands, wildflower meadows, saline shorelines, and a waterfowl feeding station.
During migration peak times there are literally thousands of birds on a normal day! Although, even if your trip doesn’t work out for those times, the marsh is still teeming with birds for which the Quill Lakes Marshes is their final migration point.
http://townofwadena.com/visitors/ecotourism/
Situated on the edge of the QuillLakes and FishingLake, Wadena has become a mecca for waterfowl hunters and for bird watchers from around the world. The Wadena Wildlife Wetlands, a short 5 minute drive from Wadena, provides a feeding and resting place for more than 1,000,000 birds annually. Big QuillLake is the largest salt water lake in Canada. The lakes are designated a global international site, an endangered species shorebird reserve, and an important birding area.
http://townofwadena.com/visitors/attractions/wadena-wetlands/
Continuing along from Coot’s Cove, the boardwalk winds through the marsh, bringing you to the Jesmer Marsh overlook. The marsh along the trail is thick with cattails and whitetop grasses. Many marsh birds nest here. Watch for Canada Geese, Canvasback ducks, Mallard ducks, Blue winged teal, muskrat, and mink. Feeding shorebirds frequents open water areas. Wallin’s walkway will take you over the “spillway” which carries spring run off to Jesmer Marsh when water levels are high.
http://townofwadena.com/visitors/ecotourism/wetland-trails/
The best place to access the QuillLakes and view birds is at the Wadena Wildlife Wetlands. Part of the Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve, the site is Saskatchewan’s first accredited Watchable Wildlife Viewing Area.
Located only a few minutes from Wadena on the shore of Little Quill Lake, the Wetlands have 5 unique trails, boardwalks, a canoe launch, two observation towers and numerous observation platforms to maximize your viewing opportunities. Interpretive trails include the “Plover’s Path” which travels along the shore of Little Quill Lake beside the Jesmer Marsh, “Blackbird Alley” which travels along a series of board walks through the Milligan Creek Marsh, and “Wildflower Way” which follows the shoreline where native prairie plants blossom. Interpretive signage along the trails highlights wildlife and viewing opportunities.
Picnic and washroom facilities, a shelter, and informational signage are all located next to the main observation tower at the entrance.
Birds commonly seen include white pelicans, black crowned night herons, American avocet, eared grebes, a variety of waterfowl, yellow headed blackbirds, and marbled godwits. You might even see the endangered piping plover. Each spring and fall hundreds of thousands of shorebirds, ducks, and snow geese stop at the QuillLakes. From mid August through September a waterfowl feeding station is operated at the Wetlands allowing visitors the unique experience of seeing flocks of tens of thousands of ducks.
The Wetlands is open free of charge, and operates spring until fall.
http://www.quill-lakes-bird-area.com/viewing_areas.htm
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