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

Winter's Here

What a difference a couple of weeks makes up here! Needless to say, people weren't too cheerful yesterday.

 Here's a picture from October 7 and below is a picture from this morning -- the 22nd.

Vilas County Lakes and Rivers

Thought I should highlight the link to the Vilas County Lakes and Rivers site. There's an important hearing this Wednesday on SB302 regarding high capacity well legislation. After going to the site, you'll see a link to their information page on the legislation. Links are included to let your legislator know your feeling about the bill. The bill can be read at http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2013/proposals/sb302

September Meeting - Winchester Town Lakes Committee

This month's meeting of the Winchester Town Lakes Committee will be held on September 26 at 9AM at the Winchester Town Hall. There will be further discussion regarding lake plans and grants with additional information available. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Birch Lake Picnic

Just a quick reminder to RSVP for the picnic if you haven't already responded. Those who signed up for newsletters by email should have a picnic reminder in their "in" box. Those who asked for print copies of the newsletter should have received a postcard last week. If you phone your response, just leave a message on the answering machine if we're not at home.

If you need to check the times, etc., there is a picnic post on this page below the "Vilas & Winchester Lakes" post.

Vilas & Winchester Lake Groups

Today at the Board meeting we had a lengthy discussion about lake surveys and invasives. Two of the groups,  the Vilas County Lakes and Rivers Association and the Winchester Town Lakes Committee, have a lot of information online. You can find the Vilas County site at http://www.vclra.us/ and the Town Lakes Committee site can be found by clicking their header on the Town of Winchester website at
http://www.winchesterwi.com/

It was pointed out that Birch Lake has been very fortunate as far as invasives. A few years ago rusty crayfish were identified in the lake but it actually seems as if the numbers are going down. Looks like the bass are doing their job.

If you notice anything that you think may be an invasive species or that you need help with identification, you can take the sample to the Discovery Center for identification.

2013 Birch Lake Picnic

Birch Lake Association Picnic

Sunday, September 1st, 2013

12-3 pm  Winchester Town Park

(eating around 12:30)

Please call or email by Monday, August 19th,

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

will be in your group.  Guests are welcome.

RSVP: 

Email:  dittz.geo(at)gmail.com

or by phone

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

dish to pass, table service and whatever you like to drink.

We hope you can make it.

Fourth of July Weekend Up North

Just a quick note to those who may not be aware of the Winchester celebrations over the weekend of the 4th. The Chamber of Commerce for Winchester closed down this year and various town volunteer groups have taken over the annual events.

On Saturday evening, July 6, there is the Winchester Town Boat Parade held at the North/South Turtle Lake divide from 6 to 8 pm. There will be food, beverages and music.

On Sunday, July 7, the Winchester Town Picnic in the Park will be held from 12-5pm. There's food, music, raffles and games.

Every year the Friends of the Library sponsor a Cake Walk for those at the Picnic. It's basically a game of musical chairs with a donated baked good as a prize for each round. Below is a picture of a group of people enjoying the game. You'll see two Birch Lakers there this year so stop by and say "Hi".

2013 Birch Lake Directory

Just a quick reminder . . . We'll be doing a new Birch Lake directory this summer. If you'd like to be included in the directory, please remember to renew your membership if you haven't already done so.

Annual Meeting

Just a quick reminder -- The Birch Lake Annual Meeting is this Saturday, May 25, at the Winchester Town Hall. We'll have coffee and sign in starting at 9:30 am. Hope to see you there.

Melting Ice!

What a difference warm days and nights make. There is a large area of the lake that has open water. Should only be only a couple of days before it's gone completely.

May 16, 1997

That's the latest "ice out" date since Jan has been keeping track. The west side of the lake is really dark today but it still looks like it's ice.

Spring pictures???

Here are a couple of pictures of the ice that's still on the lake. Hopefully the next week of warmer weather will start clearing it out.

Birch Lake Association Annual Meeting

Birch Lake Association 2013 Annual Meeting

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Winchester Town Hall

Coffee and Treats at 9:30

Program and Meeting at 10:00

Speaker: Carolyn Scholl, Vilas County Conservationist,
presentation on shoreline preservation.

"How YOU can be a lake steward."