Site 2 of 14

This is the official entrance to the Delta Nature Reserve. Situated in the northeast corner of the Bog, the Delta Nature Reserve represents less than 5% of the total area of the Bog and is the only area that is protected.

The Delta Nature Reserve is vegetated by a mixture of coniferous and bog plants. The extremely high plant biodiversity make the area habitable by many animal species.

Davies Creek draws the northeast boundary of the Bog. It runs next to an escarpment. To the east of the escarpment is the Delta Uplands. The vegetation along the creek displays a typical disturbed pattern. Introduced species such as Red alder, Salmonberry, Policeman's helmet are very common. Policeman's helmet, considered an invasive species, poses a significant threat to the bog vegetation in the area.

The creek's channel is shallow, narrow, and water in it flows slowly. However, it drains a surprisingly large area of northern Burns Bog. Like all other natural creeks that drain out of the Bog, Davies Creek is small. This is because of the fact that most water in an undisturbed bog is retained by the surface vegetation and the peat. In contrast, artificial ditches are much wider and straighter.

This is a tractor stuck in the mud. It got stuck there a long time ago. The tractor was stolen from the construction site of what is now Scottsdale Mall on Scott Road. The person who stole the tractor decided to have a test drive around the Delta Nature Reserve. Not surprisingly, the tractor was too heavy to be supported by bog soil, and sunk into a sinkhole. The operator probably escaped unharmed.

Years after the incident, another tractor was sent to the site in an attempt to pull the half-sunken vehicle. Unfortunately, the suction was too great. Not only was the attempt unsuccessful, the rescue tractor got stuck too. It had to be pulled out of the mud by a helicopter.

The tractor sinks a bit more each year. Soon it will be submerged completely. The fuel in the vehicle has been leaking very slowly, and there is evidence of fuel leak even today. On a wet day, you might smell traces of gas. Sometimes, you can see bubbles and liquid fuel emerging onto the surface.