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 --

From 60 to snow in a week and a half . . .

The first snowfall of 2016 came last night. Seems like it's too soon after the nice weather we've had this fall.

Birch Lake Apple Robbers

For most of the summer we've been trying to figure out what was going after the apple trees. Every morning we'd pick up the apples -- some partially eaten, some just on the ground. We tried bird netting, aluminum pans hanging from the branches, short strings of bells and nothing seemed to stop the nightly invasion.

Joe got his camera set up in the right place a few nights ago. Looks like we have a few raccoons in the neighborhood.

Birch Lake History Book

The history book is back from the printer and it's great! John, Carolyn and Polly did a terrific job. It's filled with pictures, maps and stories from around the lake. The copies are selling for $29.95. You can contact Carolyn or Polly at the email addresses listed on the newsletter or you can send an email to birchlakehistory (at) gmail.com and someone will contact you.

Birch Lake History Book

The history book should be in tomorrow - Sept 2. You can contact Carolyn or Polly to get a copy. Their contact information is in the last newsletter or you can get it from the directory.

Can't wait to see it!

Invasive Terrestrial Plants of Wisconsin

The Invasive Plants Association of Wisconsin defines an invasive plant as "one that invades native plant communities and impacts those native communities by displacing or replacing native vegetation." They are "plants out of place" in forests, prairies, and along roadsides. They lack the natural controls found in their native locations and soon spread and take over native plants with the assistance of wind, deep underground runners, or animals carrying their seeds as they move through habitats.

The various terrestrial invasive species have made their way to the roads that follow the shoreline of Birch Lake. West Birch Lake Road has been affected more so than East Birch Lake Road. Property Owners can help prevent the spread of these invasive terrestrial plants by removing them from their property especially along the road-side edge.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources offers a free on-line PDF version of their Field Guide to Terrestrial Invasive Plants of Wisconsin at http://goo.gl/0fRiiP. 

Bobbie put together some information about the invasives found along East and West Birch Lake Rd.

You can see the information by clicking on the "Pages" to the right.

She's Back!!

The snapper is back. She was up by our mailbox a couple of days ago -- digging holes and laying eggs.

The Loons Are Back

Just in case you had any question -- the loons have been back for at least a week. I walked out on the dock the other day and one of them popped up --

Ice Out 2016

Here's a picture I took last night when we got home from a fish fry. There's still a little ice on the other side of the lake but this shoreline is pretty well cleared out.

This morning I woke up with the dog staring at me wondering how I could sleep through all the "noise". I'd left the window open and the ducks and geese on the lake were so loud. I think I even heard a loon. Here's a picture of just a few that were directly in front of our house.

National Invasive Species Awareness Week

Catherine Higley, Vilas County Invasive Species Coordinator, sent the following email --


"It's Invasive Species Awareness Week!

Linking economics and ecology is becoming ever more important in the world of conservation - check out this article on Invasive Species and economics from The Wildlife Society: 

Economics of Invasive Species Management"


The Wildlife Society has some other interesting articles if you go to their home page.

Iron County Native Plant Sale

I received an email about the Iron County Native Plant sale.You don't have to be an Iron
County resident and you can pick up your plants in either Hurley or Mercer. Proceeds go to
children's education programs.

Iron County Plant Sale -- Here's a link to their main webpage. When you get there you can
go to the their Plant Sale Brochure to get more details.

Fall 2016 Newsletter

If you've signed up to get your newsletter delivered via email, be sure to check your inbox It was sent out a couple days ago.

Those who get the newsletter delivered via mail should have it soon.

A white deer is back --

I didn't get a picture but there's at least one white deer back. She was in the front yard a couple evenings ago. 

Birch Lake History

Carolyn and Polly need your input on the history book. They're just about done getting all the information together. A small questionnaire was on the sign in table at the picnic. I've scanned it and added it below. If you could take a look and email your responses to Carolyn by the middle of October, it will help them get the book ready for distribution.

Carolyn's email is caincj (at) chorus.net.

Eurasian Water Milfoil

Aquatic Invasive Species:  Eurasian Water Milfoil

By, Jason Tutkowski

Water Intern

North Lakeland Discovery Center

While paddling or boating on any lake I always keep on the lookout for Eurasian water milfoil.  It is an aquatic invasive plant that has the potential to explode in growth if it were ever to invade the lakes in the Town of Winchester.  It is a submersed aquatic plant that rapidly grows in the spring and continuously throughout the summer.  Eurasian water milfoil has many defining features.  Like all milfoils it has four feather-like leaves that encircle the central stem.  The stems themselves may also show a red-pinkish color.  On each feather there are 12 or more pairs of leaflets (thin/compact leaves).  Northern water milfoil, its native lookalike, has the same feather arrangement, but has only 10 pairs of leaflets or less.  So, why exactly does it have the potential to become such a big problem in Winchester?  This plant spreads via fragmentation and is dispersed by the water current and boat traffic.  Any boat that runs through a clump of Eurasian water milfoil has the potential to tear pieces off.  Each of those pieces can grow into a new plant, so in lakes that have a boat landing and high boat traffic the possibility of spreading it increases.  The plants can also grow in thick clumps that prevent sunlight from reaching native plants as well as disrupting recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming.  If you suspect that you have potentially found Eurasian water milfoil please contact the North Lakeland Discovery Center at ais@discoverycenter.net or by phone at 715-543-2085.  Feel free to also bring a sample to the Discovery Center in a plastic baggie filled with water.  Note where you found it on a map and describe the area you found it.  Early detection is key to preventing the spread of this invasive plant. 



NOTE: This will be Jason's last post before he heads off to grad school. Thanks, Jason, for your contributions to the Birch Lake blog this summer. If you're up north again next summer, we'd welcome more.

Town of Winchester AIS List

Here's an aquatic invasive species list for the lakes in Winchester that Glen sent to me. I found a link to the Vander Zanden Lab with description and pictures of the Chinese Mystery Snail.

Loon Update - August 17, 2015

The loons were a little too far from the dock to get a really good picture but you can see that both the babies are still with Mom and Dad.

Ann Marie sent me a picture of the loons that she took on August 10. She's close enough to really get a good picture. Thanks, Ann Marie.

"Baby" Picture

Here are the Birch Lake baby loons. Aren't they cute? Thanks, Ann Marie, for sending the picture.

*Update* The loons made it down to our area of the lake last night (August 5). Here's a quick picture from the dock.

AIS Information -- Curly Leaf Pondweed

Here's a post and pictures from Jason about Curly Leaf Pondweed.

Curly Leaf Pondweed

Curly Leaf Pondweed Turions

Aquatic Invasive Species:  Curly Leaf Pondweed

By Jason Tutkowski, Water Intern

North Lakeland Discovery Center

The North Lakeland Discovery Center and dedicated volunteers are traversing waters in the Town of Winchester in search of aquatic invasive species (AIS).  Curly leaf pondweed is one of the most immediate AIS threats – we do not want this plant taking root in the lakes in Winchester.  Curly leaf pondweed has many defining features.  Its leaves look like thin lasagna noodles which are crisp to the touch and have serrated margins.  Those spiky edges are a key feature which differentiates it from clasping leaf pondweed, its native lookalike.  So, why exactly is it a problem?  It is one of the first aquatic plants to grow in the spring and spreads rapidly through turions (reproductive structures) so it out-competes native plants.  It can also grow horizontally along the surface of the water which blocks light for other aquatic species and makes boating and fishing more difficult.  Then when it dies in mid-summer the decomposing plants can sap dissolved oxygen from the water and also can increase phosphorus in the water causing algal blooms.  Even though it is currently past its peak growth, curly leaf is still present in the water.  Look for it growing in soft substrate and in shallow water about ten feet deep or less.  The main way you can prevent it from spreading into lakes in the town of Winchester is to inspect, wash, and dry your boats, trailers, and recreational equipment before moving between lakes and streams to make sure you are not transporting any “hitchhikers.”  If you suspect you have potentially found this plant or any other invasive species, please contact the North Lakeland Discovery Center at ais@discoverycenter.net with the location where you found it and a photo or sample, if possible.

Wisconsin Wetlands Association website

I found another really good Wisconsin website after receiving an email about the 2016 Wetland Science Conference being held in Green Bay.

Wisconsin Wetlands Association -- I'll add this address to the link list so it won't get lost in the blog. There's so much good information on the site.

The conference link is at the top of the webpage along with a link to some fall wetland field trips.

WWA 2016 Conference

Fall Wetland Trips

Another interesting section covers the Wisconsin county wetland fact sheets - County Fact Sheets. This page gives you the option of looking at various counties throughout the state that have been studied. Those of you who live in other areas of the state may be able to find information about your home county in addition to information about wetlands in Vilas County.

Loon Chicks

Got  a call last week from Hal and Judy -- We have two loon chicks on Birch Lake. The first chick left the nest around last Friday and the second chick probably around Monday. I haven't heard if the nest by the island has any nesting activity.

Common Loon--Life, History Cornell Lab of Ornithology -- Here's some more information about loons. The Cornell Lab has a lot of interesting information.

Toward the bottom of the page there is a link to "The Spirit of the North" -- an article about loons with some good pictures.

Another thing while you're at the Cornell Lab, you might want to check out their Merlin Bird ID App. It's a free Bird ID app that's really fun to use when you need help identifying birds. Here's a link to the app -- http://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/

Birch Lake Blog Contributor -- Jason Tutkowski

Jason sent me an email yesterday volunteering as a contributor to the Birch Lake blog. I'm really looking forward to reading his entries.

Here's a short bio that he put together as an introduction.

********************* 

Hello everybody!  My name is Jason Tutkowski and I am extremely proud to say that this summer I am a water resources/aquatic invasive species intern at the North Lakeland Discovery Center.  I recently graduated with my bachelor degree in Environmental Science from Carroll University in Waukesha, WI, and will be attending graduate school this upcoming fall at UW-Milwaukee.  My past volunteer experiences have mainly dealt with terrestrial invasive species such as teasel, sweet clover, and buckthorn, so I am very pleased to have this entire summer to learn about aquatic invasive species (AIS).  My main focus is on the lakes in the Town of Winchester including Birch Lake, of which I have intensely surveyed twice already this summer.  I will be working independently as well as with the Winchester Town Lakes Committee and volunteers to locate, document, and provide educational outreach for prominent invasive species such as curly leaf pondweed, Eurasian water milfoil, and purple loosestrife.  If you see a guy with a dark green Discovery Center shirt on your lake, give me a wave!  This has been and will continue to be a great experience in the Northwoods.  I also want to thank Dorla for allowing me to contribute to her wonderful blog.    

Shoreline Zoning

Channel 12 News -- Vilas & Oneida Counties Opposition

Here's a link to the news story about the shoreline zoning changes. Both Vilas and Oneida counties are opposing the change in shoreline zoning and the Town of Winchester Lakes Committee is putting together a letter that also opposes the change.

If I see any other news articles, I'll publish them here.