WHAT'S NEW ON THE FLOWAGE?

County Board Representative Change

Vern Wiggenhauser, who represented Vilas County on our Lake District Board, recently passed away. He was an amazing gentleman with great insight, and an asset to our District. His experience with Plum Lake water issues was very helpful. Our condolences go out to his family.

Mary Rassmussen has been appointed to take Vern’s place. Mary has recently been elected to the Vilas County Board. She brings a background with the National Forest Service and natural resources in general, in addition to a love for the lakes and streams of Northern Wisconsin.

Blue Green Algae Prevalent on Baker Lake Again

Loon Floaters and Intruders in July & August

In July and August, loons that didn’t acquire territory or lost their nest or chicks will start to congregate.  These groups will visit nearby territories.  Often, I’ve heard these visits referred to as a “coffee clutch” or (my favorite) a “Friday night fish fry”.  

In fact, these visits have a greater purpose.  The groups are canvassing for information about the territorial pairs.  Have they successfully raised chicks?  If they have, that territory becomes more “valuable” and those territorial pairs will more likely have to defend their homes and chicks.  

In this video, a group of loons on Beaver Dam lake in Cumberland, WI display aggressive behavior and vocalizations.  There are a lot of tremolos (alarm calls), and some yodels (male territorial vocalization).

These groups will try to disrupt the pair bond, sometimes by killing chicks.  This is why you may observe chicks moving to a different area of the lake and hiding in emergent vegetation, sometimes accompanied by a parent.  

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TRUMPETER SWANS WITH CYGNETS
DRAGON MOUTH ORCHID
BAKER LAKE LOON TWINS
PRINCE CHARMING
SWAMP CANDLE ORCHID
LITTLE TAMARACK FLOWAGE LOON CHICK

Last week of May brings newborn fawns and loon eggs on the nests

May 20, 2020: Danger Buoys are in Place again!

Tim Senechalle and his kids canoed over to the dam last week, to place the Danger Buoys in time for the Memorial Day Weekend. The outer buoy is the place to stop, and the inner buoy is where the underwater tube sucks the water through the culvert at a dangerous rate. It is a good idea to stay far off shore of both buoys, and keep the kids and dogs away from the area as well.

Thank you Tim and family!

 

Everybody loves a bird feeder in the Spring of the year