Lake Pictures

Ann Marie sent some pictures from her time kayaking around the lake. Thanks for sending them to me.

Birch Lake Bear

Just heard yesterday about a really big bear hanging out on W. Birch Lake Rd. It has done some damage over there. 

We have some on E. Birch Lake Rd too but haven't gotten any damage reports.

Remember to bring in your bird feeders and hummingbird food and don't keep your garbage outside. The first year we moved up we had it stored in the pole building but left the door open. Not a good move . . .

Loons and White Deer

Here are a few pictures from John and Anne when they were out on the lake on Sunday. The loons are really keeping a good eye on their baby.

They also got a picture of the white deer walking down the shoreline. Thanks for sending the pictures.

New CBCW Landing Sign

As part of the grant for our Birch Lake Study, we have acquired a new sign at the Birch Lake boat landing. It will promote awareness of the need to keep our lake clean and invasive free. On the back of the sign there is a box that holds forms and pamphlets to help our Clean Boat Clean Water volunteers inform visitors to our lake. Thanks go to Tom Kocim and Jay Woolf for installing the sign.

Moms & Babies

This is always a fun time of year. Fall is beautiful with the changing leaf color but it's hard to beat the moms and babies of spring.

Loon Nest

Got an email from Bobbi last night -- There's a loon nesting on the island. Please be careful when you're near the island. 

We've got other loon platforms on the lake. Haven't heard if there are nest there or not but steer clear of those platforms too. Thanks to Hal and John for getting those platforms in place again.

Wisconsin Clean Boats Clean Waters

Bobbie shared this video from the Wisconsin DNR on the procedure for cleaning boats. She contacted Jim Dick in the Office of Communication/WDNR and received permission for us to post it on the Birch Lake Blog.

Here is the text that accompanies the video clip:

This video "walks through the step-by-step process of taking the aquatic invasive species prevention steps. Before you leave the boat landing, it is important to remember to take these steps: INSPECT boats, trailers, and equipment."

Ice "almost" out

The ice went out so quickly today. There's still a little left along out shoreline but it looks like most of the lake is open.

Happy Snowman

Bobbie shared this cute picture she took of Jay and Helyn's snowman --