Observations of Blanding's Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) Nesting Sites on High Rocky Outcrops Near the Northern Extent of their Range

While conducting research on urban ecology of turtles, I recorded probable nesting by Emydoidea blandingii (Blanding's Turtle) on high rocky outcrops on the Canadian Shield in Greater Sudbury, ON, Canada. While the use of rocky outcrops for nesting by this species has been well-documented, the elevation of nesting sites relative to wetland of origin are under-reported. Here I report on 2 nest sites within an anthropogenically impacted landscape, 44 m (144 ft) and 50 m (164 ft) in elevation above the wetland of origin. I also report on an instance of a depredated nesting female.