Winter Buoys in Place

Here's a note from Bobbi about the buoys by the island . . .

" I wanted to let you know that Tom switched out the fair weather Island Buoys with the Winter Ice Spar Buoys yesterday. These ice spar buoys, located at the dedicated GPS locations for the buoys on file with the WDNR, will act as place holders during the winter. They extend about a foot above the surface of the lake. This will make returning the fair weather buoys to their exact location much easier in the spring. Thought residents should be aware they will be out on the lake in the winter. "

Birch Lake Photos

Here are some beautiful pictures
Ann Marie sent to me that she'd
taken by the lake.

Beaver Trapping

"The Birch Lake Association Board would like to inform the Membership that new beaver trapping efforts are now taking place in the Tambier Creek area leading to Tamarack Lake. The Trapper has requested that lake residents refrain from navigating the Creek area until he has completed his work there to ensure your safety. Updates will be provided as quickly as possible. Please share this news with your Lake neighbors."

This notice came from the association secretary on June 23. When it is completed I'll post an update.

Big Bear

Be careful when you're going outside. Looks like the bears are waking up. Here's a picture of one going through our front yard last evening.

Birch Lake Annual Meeting & Picnic Cancelled

"The Birch Lake Association Board hopes this note finds our Members, their families, and friends healthy and safe during this extraordinary time as we face the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic as individuals, families, and as a Nation.

Your BLA Board held a conference call Board Meeting on Saturday, April 25, 2020 to determine the best and most responsible course of action regarding our upcoming Annual Meeting scheduled for May 23rd and the Annual Picnic scheduled for September 5th. The Board unanimously decided to cancel this year's Annual Meeting and Annual Picnic out of an abundance of caution for everyone's safety."

Safer At Home Order

Just a quick reminder that the State of Wisconsin has a Safer At Home Order in effect.

If you right-click on the link below, you'll be given the option to open it in a new tab. That's the one I find most easy to use. If you just click on the link, it will open but it closes the main page.You can also copy this address and look at it later.

https://evers.wi.gov/Documents/COVID19/EMO12-SaferAtHome.pdf

Currently all the libraries, bars, restaurants, schools and non-essential businesses are closed.

Both Vilas and Oneida counties have asked that people who are seasonal residents and those who are out of town currently stay out of the area until the virus spread slows. Our limited hospitals and medical staff just can't handle an increase. If you do return, you need to self-isolate for 14 days.

https://health.vilascountywi.gov/

Here's a link to the Vilas County Covid-19 page. It has additional information about the virus and ways to protect yourself, your family and your neighbors.

With our aging population and limited health care facilities up north, it's important to remember to follow the safer at home guidelines.

More Wolf Kills

Since I posted the last entry about the deer kill, there have been three more deer killed. One was on our driveway last week. One was on the lake. One was last night on a neighbor's driveway.

A West Birch lake resident saw six wolves on the lake. Later they saw a coyote going across the lake with a deer leg in its mouth.

Please be alert and stay safe. Also keep your pets on leash for their safety.

Wolf Kill

Just a quick note to keep your eyes open. We had an apparent wolf kill in our front yard this morning.