2021 Douglas Lake Volunteer Boat Assist Team If you are having a medical emergency or other life-threatening emergency, call 911.

2021 Douglas Lake Boat Assist Team Members

Name	Location	Phone Number
Ed Grant	North	989-506-8651
Dave Thompson	North	810-334-9381
Tim Davis	West	231-342-5407
Steve Sweany	West	231-626-1043
Mike Mattin	West	419-779-6778
Frank Spezia	Northwest	231-537-2405
Paul Nows	Northwest	231-537-4419
Rich Gedert	Northwest	231-537-3269
Ron Kelemen	Southwest	231-373-2614
Bill Hartwig	Southwest	517-282-0307
Ray Greubel	South	231-539-8681

          The loons have returned and their calls and communications have been heard by many around the Lake.  Four nesting platforms all fitted with cameras have been placed in Maple Bay, Marl Bay, Manitou Bay and North Fishtail Bay. Many thanks to Rich Gedert (and his colleague Mike Ehrick who helps with camera selection and modifies the cameras for use on the platforms) and the Loon Committee for preparing the nesting platforms and getting them in place at the end of April. Photos are regularly posted on the DLIA Loon-nesting program web site – use the link below to follow each nesting site.
          Keeping with tradition, the Maple Bay couple seem to have arrived first and got right to business. By May 3^rd, there were two eggs at Maple Bay site. There is some loon activity on other platforms, but no eggs as yet.
          Loons are private and quiet-loving waterfowl. Please avoid approaching the nesting platforms and the loons as they move about the lake, especially when the proud new parents are introducing their new chicks to the Lake.  Enjoy their conversations and take pictures – from a distance.       

DL Loon Nesting
 

          Did you miss frogs and turtles in the winter? Open your windows now and you’ll know the frogs have left their winter habitat and are announcing their mating interests. Michigan has 12 frog species, two kinds of toads, 12 salamander species, and 10 kinds of turtles.  All of these species can be found in northern Michigan None of them enjoy winter very much.
          American bullfrogs, leopard frogs, and a few others go dormant underwater. The rest burrow beneath the frost line or find shelter from the snow beneath logs or other debris. Most of the salamanders burrow underground in the winter, but a few, like the intrepid mudpuppy, stay active underwater. Our turtles can handle winter months at low oxygen levels buried under sediment in the bottom of lakes and streams, though box turtles hibernate on land. Now is the time to put on your boots and see what you can find in the woods and near the shoreline, possibility even crossing the road. Watch out for those turtles on the road!
          Snap a picture of what you find and send it to pictures@douglaslake.org.
          DNR invites the public to report turtle observations through the link below.  Your observations provide valuable data on distribution, relative abundance, and trends for Michigan’s amphibian species. Use the link below for turtle reports.

Michigan.gov/Eyes in the Field
 

[Ed. Note: thanks to Water Council Spring Newsletter2021 for species information and for sharing photos from their files.]

          The annual stealth search for morels is beginning. Serious mushroom lovers sneak off to their favorite proven locations. Later this summer, hiking the North Country Trail in the summer offers an opportunity to harvest sun-warmed and perfectly ripe blackberries found along the trail. 
          On state-managed lands, the “fruits” of plants may be harvested, including nuts, berries, tree fruits and mushrooms. However, to protect plant species that often take years to grow and reproduce, you may not harvest whole plants. Food gathered on state lands are for personal use only. Properly identify anything you take from the wild and eat at your own risk!
          Get in touch with seasonal foraging and bring the flavors of “up north” home with the help of a new foraging section on DNR’s website. Check out the foraging page link below for more information and resources.

 

          A great attraction to spending time “up north” is sharing the land and water with all manners of wildlife, from voles to bears and hummingbirds to Canada geese, in all sizes and shapes. Some of these can become less-than charming and turn into nuisances, pests, and nasties, then it’s time to find reliable resources for managing these irritating and potentially dangerous creatures.
          The Department of Natural Resources has assembled a number of helpful resources on subjects from bears or beavers to Canada geese or turkeys.
          Not surprisingly, any wildlife will be more threatening during mating season and when a mother is with her youngsters. DNR notes that legal hunting seasons offers another way to manage nuisance wildlife.  Placing food trash in a secured trash can is a best practice to prevent attracting bears, raccoons, opossums, etc. (and it avoids a truly unpleasant clean-up after the critters finish their garbage bag buffet.)  Gentle hazing can keep turkeys from becoming overly territorial. DNR can remove beaver dams where they are causing flooding or preventing recreational access.

          Check out the DNR links below for more information:
Turkey tips: Turkey SMART Brochure (michigan.gov)
Nuisance Wildlife