Lots of water in the Creeks
Summer and sun! Where are you? The rain just keeps on coming – and the grass keeps on growing. There is lots of water in both Loon Creek and Hihium Creek, and I can hear the water running as I go to sleep at night. Often Loon Creek is quite silent and low by this time in the summer. The upside is that the forest fire hazard rating stands at moderate and we can all go out and enjoy the forests and even have a nice little campfire in the evening.
Great place for holidays
Last week two of the younger members of my family holidayed with me. They were boys at 5 and 6 years who were exploring the area for the first time on their own. When they were told they could go into the garden by themselves and pick strawberries they shouted “awesome”! I came to think of the summers here for me as a child. Loon Creek was the focus of our day when it was hot. We spent hours paddling in it, floating on inner tubes and trying to catch minnows. When our toes and legs were numb from the cold we got out and warmed up and then back in again. Sometimes we spent hours carrying rocks to divert the stream to somewhere else on the land – much to my parents disapproval. It’s good to see that these behaviours continue on in the present younger generation.
Busy month of July
The usual July events at Loon Lake were held with the Saturday Flea Market bringing out many curious shoppers and buyers. The Sunday pancake breakfast was not as well attended as other years, perhaps because the long weekend began on Friday and by Sunday people were packing up to return to town. Bonaparte Plateau Area TNRD representative Sally Watson attended to present to the hall the plaque marking the completion of the new well project. She was also selling raffle tickets to “wild weekends” and at least one lucky Loon Lake couple won a stay at a very interesting sounding resort – have fun guys! Hopefully we will see everyone out next year on the Canada Day weekend.
Intensive Work Party
On July 15 we had an intensive work bee at the grounds around the hall – cleaning up and preparing for the horseshoe tournament on July 31. Many thanks to those who came out to work. As you pass the hall you may have noticed we have a new sign up as well. The letters are bigger and much, much easier to read. Many thanks to Ray Pullen, George Malmsten, Frank Borri and Les Fraser for making it happen.
Card making sessions
On July 18 we had another session on making cards with dried flowers with Jane Reeves at the hall. The turnout was good and many lovely and creative cards and bookmarks were made. A big thank you to Jane for her generous donation of time and materials. This is a great way to take a new look at the flowers and other plant parts growing locally – even plants we call weeds can be used. For those who would like to expand their card making skills, Eva and Sharon who run the Creative Crafts Shop, will be hosting a session on Aug. 29 at the hall at 7 pm demonstrating how to make those stunning embroidery and bead cards they make and sell at their shop. Everyone is welcome to participate – contact Barbara for a list of materials to bring if you are interested in the evening demonstration.
Loon Lake and Loons
There is an increasing concern about the disappearance of loons from Loon Lake. There is a programme set up to monitor the loons over the summer and our monitor is Judy Krieger. She writes:
“I am the Birds Canada Loon Surveillance Project person for our Loon Lake. My task is to count and report the number of nesting loons and the number of chicks on Loon Lake from June through September. These numbers are entered into Canadian and international databases to track loons and the health of lake ecosystems. Loons are top predators and a keystone species.
I am crazy busy in town this summer and request your help if you see nesting loons.
Could you note the date seen, the number of loons (if you consistently see one there is probably a pair) and any chicks if you see them, they look like fuzzy grey footballs. Note approximately where you saw them, for those of you who travel up and down the lake.
If you encounter any dead loons it would be helpful if you could put them in a plastic bag and give them to Barb Hendricks who will store them in her freezer until I can get them to the folks who are doing necropsies. It’s useful to know how the birds die.
Take care with discarded lines
Please encourage all fishers to be careful about discarded lines and lures, they ensnare the birds and kill them. I saw a sad case last summer, a struggling loon entangled in monofil. I couldn’t catch it and am sure it died. Also encourage fishermen and women to use steel weights, not lead, as the birds (lots of birds including especially the dabbling ducks, geese and swans) can accidentally ingest the lead and die of lead poisoning. Thanks for your help. Judy Krieger 360-733-0086 in the States 250-459-7980 at Loon Lake.” You can also contact Barbara at 250 459 2406 with a message for Judy.
