Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Impacts of Farm Runoff on Our Lakes

This talk is over in Fond du lac, but it also relates to Lake Puckaway and every other Wisconsin Lake.

How might the runoff from local farms be affecting our lakes and what can farmers do to help protect the Winnebago system?

Eric Cooley, a University of Wisconsin-Extension expert on rural runoff, will address these questions at the next program of the Winnebago Lakes Council Speakers Series. It will be held Wednesday, June 29, at 7:30 p.m. at the Fond du Lac Yacht Club, 705 Mohawk Ave.

Cooley is the research coordinator of Discovery Farms, a UW- Extension program that explores the environmental and economic effects of agricultural practices of participating farms and helps improve communication about these issues.

DIRECTIONS:  Exit 99 of Highway 41 (Route 23 / Johnson Street), east on Highway 23, left onto North Park Avenue, right onto Winnebago Drive, left onto Mohawk Avenue.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

State Endangered Forster's Terns Preparing to Nest

Forster's Terns
This spring's cold weather and high water have delayed the nest of Forster's terns on Lake Puckaway.  The endangered birds typically nest on mats of floating vegetation.  They have patently waiting for the water to go down and the nesting sites become stable.  A June 8, 2011 survey conducted by Daryl Christensen and myself found 80 terns over their traditional nesting site.  Just last week dozens of tern could be seen loafing on the rocks of the dredge bank, but now that their nesting habitat is ready there is no more time for loafing. 

Welcome to the Lake Puckaway Blog

The Lake Puckaway Blog is sponsored by the Lake Puckaway Protection and Rehabilitation District and features news from around the lake, district programs, activities and projects.