03/01/2010 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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1)1sl- 4611,4 w,s Heron Actions and Needs on Peltier Lake March 1, 2010, Wayne LeBlanc 11 I I'v Summary • Flashing trees with aluminum bands against predators needs to continue. • Proactive action by hunting and/or trapping raccoons and opossum probably helps. • Signage around the island could be more specific about avoiding the wildlife refuge. • Continued vigilance is needed to prevent any future human disturbance. • What I'd really like to see is a return of the Black - Crowned Night Herons. Further Detail, Flashing Trees and Hunting I believe the problem with the Black - Crowned Night Herons and Great Blue Herons on Peltier Lake involved 2 phases: human disturbance causing greatly reduced numbers and subsequent predation. It seems the best thing we can do for the herons right now is to keep predation to a minimum while heading off any possible future human disturbance. Flashing on the trees seems to be the best defense against the most threatening predators: raccoons (and possibly opossum). Here is a picture taken Mar 1, 2010 of Marty Asleson and Tim Payne installing flashing on a tree to thwart predators. In 2005, trapping occurred on the island and along private property directly to the east of the island. In 2006, trapping was on the island only. Andy Von Duyke said despite the large number of trap nights invested, harvest was relatively small. Trapping and hunting poses problems of exposure to non - targeted species, pets and humans, but if done right, could help the herons. Further Detail, Signs WILDLIFE REFUGE LANDING ON ISLANDS PROHIBITED P. Bs 4 -8 Signs around the island currently say, "DO NOT DISTURB BIRD NESTING AREA, POSTED BY: ANOKA COUNTY PARKS." However, on Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis (see picture), signs around the island there say, "WILDLIFE REFUGE, LANDING ON ISLANDS PROHIBITED, F.B. 4 -8." I suggest the stronger language of "prohibited" or some other such words to keep people from walking on the island in summer. The herons are there from about March 17 through September. Just saying "do not disturb" can mean different things to different people. I think it needs to have stronger language such with such words as prohibited or keep out. Page 1