White Deer at Feeder

I haven't published a white deer picture in quite awhile and thought you'd enjoy seeing this one. She must be the second oldest.

Veterans Day Snowfall

Here are a few pictures I took this morning. We have 18" on the ground and there's still a little more coming down.

Fall Newsletter

Seems like the time really flew. It was a beautiful fall for leaves. Every day there was more and more color.

The fall newsletter was emailed yesterday (Wednesday) and the mailed copies will go out tomorrow.

July Birch Lake Newsletter

The July newsletter was emailed out last week. If you've chosen to receive your copy via email check your inbox. The Birch Lake picnic is coming up on Labor Day weekend. Be sure to make your reservations, by August 18.

Birch Lake Association Picnic 2014

Sunday, August 31st, 2014

12-3 pm  Winchester Town Park

(eating around 12:30)

Please call or email by Monday, August 18th,

if you are planning to attend and how many adults and children

will be in your group.  Guests are welcome.

RSVP by August 18: 

Email:  dittz.geo(at)gmail.com

or by phone

Meat (hamburgers and hot dogs) and table service will be provided.  Bring a

dish to pass and whatever you like to drink.

We hope you can make it.

Rich George Benefit Concert

A Winchester resident, Richard George, was recently diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme, a type of malignant brain tumor.  He has undergone brain surgery and 6 weeks of chemo and radiation. His home town, Neenah, is organizing a benefit in his honor to help with expenses.  The benefit will be host to a silent auction, with donations provided by local businesses, friends, family, and coworkers. Food will be available for purchase and a concert showcasing the musical talents of Meraki Groove and special guests will be the culminating event.  If you would like to support the family financially, tax deductible donations can be accepted online through New Hope Lutheran Church or checks can be written out to the church with the memo made out to Rich George Benefit. Send to New Hope Lutheran Church, 1850 American Drive, Neenah, WI 54956. Support through prayer is encouraged and appreciated from his wife Susan, and their daughters Amanda and Angela.

Enough with these cute pictures!!

E. Birch Lake snapper

Figured after all the cute pictures it was time for a really ugly dude (probably dudette). Thanks for giving me a call, Judy.

The Loon Project Site

This must be the day for loons -- Channel 12 had an interview from a man from The Loon Project. Looks like the site has some really interesting information about loons.

The Loon Project

Here's a link to the site and I've added to the link list to the right.

Black Fly Outbreak

Here's a link to a WPR report about how the black flies are causing loons to leave their nests. If you see our loons on a nest, it's even more important this year to give them a "wide berth" since it's estimated that 70% of the loons have abandoned their nests and eggs.

WPR -- Loons Abandon Their Eggs

CBCW Workshops

Here's an email from Ted Ritter about some upcoming workshops in Vilas County.

*********

Please consider adding your name to the list of 102 people who have attended Clean Boats Clean Waters workshops in Vilas County so far this spring.  There are eight more sessions offered, and more can be scheduled as the summer progresses.

Response by attendees has been positive.  The new inspection form and the revised protocol which emphasizes educational conversations with boaters and less data collection has been well received.

Please remember that anyone performing CBCW services supported by WDNR grant funding, whether those individuals are paid or volunteer, must be properly trained before interacting with boaters.

*   Each workshop averages 60 – 90 minutes in duration

      * There is no cost to attend

      * Advance registration is not required

UPCOMING VILAS COUNTY 2014 CBCW WORKSHOPS
Date	Time	Location	Event Sponsor
6/3	9:00 AM	Lac du Flambeau Town Hall	Lac du Flambeau Town Lakes Committee
6/4	5:00 PM	St. Germain Community Center	St. Germain Lions Club
6/6	9:00 AM	Town of Hiles Fire Station B	Butternut/Kentuck Lakes Association
6/7	9:00 AM	St. Germain Community Center	St. Germain Town Lakes Committee
6/21	1:00 PM	Arbor Vitae Fire Station	Little Arbor Vitae Lake District
6/25	9:30 AM	Plum Lake Town Hall (Sayner)	Plum Lake Town Lakes Committee
6/25	1:00 PM	Land O’ Lakes Town Hall	Big Portage Lake Association
7/8	9:00 AM	St. Germain Community Center	St. Germain Town Lakes Committee

European Frog-Bit Invasive

Please see the below message regarding frog-bit,  a non-native water lily look-a-like, spreading through parts of Michigan.   Unlike invasive weeds such as Eurasian watermilfoil already established in Wisconsin, this one falls into the “prohibited” category of the invasive species law because of its non-existence (or near non-existence) in the state.   Please report any suspicious sightings.

Welcome back summer!!!!

Ted Ritter

Vilas County Invasive Species Coordinator

http://www.vilasconservation.org

Exotic Aquatic European frog-bit Spreading Throughout Michigan

Invasive Free Floating Flowering Plant Forms Dense Monotypic Meadows

Michigan lakefront property owners would be well advised to keep a watchful eye out this spring and summer for yet another potentially harmful exotic aquatic invasive plant – European frog-bit (scientific name: Hydrocharis morsus-ranae).

Detected last summer near the Detroit River as well as in Saginaw Bay, Alpena and Munuscong Bay in Chippewa County,  the highly invasive free floating plant is native to Europe, Asia and Africa, and was intentionally imported to Canada from Europe in 1932 for commercial use as an ornamental plant. European frog-bit has since spread to several rivers, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and many other inland waters within the Great Lakes region.

Capable of rapid growth rates, European frog-bit often forms dense floating mats that may force out other beneficial native floating plants (like water lilies) and effectively prevent sunlight from reaching native submerged aquatic plants. Dense monotypic mats of European frog-bit may also impede navigation and interfere with recreational uses such fishing and swimming.

The invasive free floating plant may be easily identified by the presence of a single white flower of up to three quarters of an inch in width with three rounded petals and a yellow center. The leaves of European frog-bit are one to two inches wide and are round to heart-shaped. The leaf bottom is purple-red with a spongy coating along the middle vein of the leaf that allows it to float on the water.

Annual Meeting

Just a quick reminder that the Annual Meeting is this Saturday. Sign in is at 9:30 am and the meeting will start at 10. Hope to see you there!

Dock Sections?

Just got a call from a W. Birch Lake resident who's missing some dock sections. Three Tommy Dock sections floated away. They are cedar decking with a treated frame. If they've floated up on your shore, you can email me at dittz.geo (at) gmail.com or mention it at the meeting.

Live from the Lakes: A Wisconsin Lakes Blog

I've added another link to the list on the right. I'd kept an article from the December 6, 2013 Lakeland Times. The article explained a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Great Lakes Restoration Initiative fund that had provided $200,000 to fight the invasive Phragmites australis also known as common reed grass.

Live form the Lakes

Here is the link to the grant article. Be sure to click "continue reading" for the entire article.

Ice is gone and Whitey's back

The lake in front of us is practically clear of ice today. 

The loons have been back for a few days. Talked with Judy H. today. The loon platform is in and, when Hal and John were moving it into place, the loon pair was following them. 

Here's a picture of a white deer that I believe is the oldest one because she is so tame. She walked across the woods at the front of the house a couple days ago and showed up out back today. 

Scarlet Tanager

This guy was sitting by the bird feeder today. I didn't know what kind of bird he was when I saw the flash of red. I just started taking pictures. Isn't he pretty?

Turtle Crossing

When Driving, Remember To Make Way For Turtles -- Here's a link to the WPR  article about helping out the turtle population. A couple years ago I was lucky enough to get go out front when a turtle was crossing our rock wall. She was struggling to get across the rocks and really took off (well, as fast as a turtle can) after she was lifted to the other side.

Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine Turtle Article -- This article has additional information about turtles and turtle ID. Another section supplies a link to turtle dogs. Sounds like these dogs are trained to hunt and rescue turtles.

Ice Out??

I've had a couple of emails asking about the ice. I took the "iced up" pictures on May 4. The other pictures were taken this afternoon. Won't be long now 'til it's all gone.

West Birch White Deer

Kathy passed along these pictures taken on West Birch Lake Rd. We were trying to think if white deer had been spotted on the west side or if they'd only been seen on the east. Thanks to the Fecks for taking the pictures.

Birch Lake Association Annual Meeting

Birch Lake Association 2014 Annual Meeting

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Winchester Town Hall

Coffee and Treats at 9:30

Program and Meeting at 10:00

Speaker: Ted Ritter,
Vilas County Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator

Ice Party Pics

Here are some pictures from this year's ice party that Rich and Sue emailed for posting.

2014 Ice Party