Miss iss ippi Headwaters Audubon Society

The Source

Last year was a great one for MHAS. We’ve been busy, and the ball just got rolling.

A delayed summary of last year’s accomplishments is long overdue!

One primary mission of MHAS is environmental education. We have several types

of organized activities for people of all ages. This year our Young Naturalist Pro-

gram had 89 kids out canoeing, camping, hiking, and exploring. Our two school

year events, Snow Snakes and Animal Tracking reached a smaller audience of 22

people who braved a not-so-cold winter day to have fun in the snow. A big thanks to

George-Ann who presented on Orchids, and Bill Patnaude who came and spoke to

us about Beltrami Environmental Services. A total of 31 folks came out to listen

and learn. We also had a couple of great social events at the Neilson Spearhead

Center, last summer and fall with 25 folks enjoying our wonderful nature preserve.

Last year we also began working with our adjacent landowners, including the Hub-

bard County Forestry Department and several small private landowners. Hopefully

this partnership will flourish more conservation and collaboration in the future. We

are also working with the Minnesota DNR on the management plan for LaSalle

Lake State Recreation Area.

The Neilson Spearhead Center also had a facelift. Thanks to funds from the Neilson

Foundation, we were able to construct a proper garage and storage facility for our

caretakers and MHAS volunteers. The caretaker house also had a facelift: new win-

dows and siding make their earthen home look like a little hobbit hole! We also

started a new website, which has already received over 400 visitors since it went

public! Check it out at www.spearheadMHAS.org.

Finally, a new trail is being foraged on the west side of Spearhead Lake! The Con-

servation Corps of Minnesota cleared several miles of those trails for us this spring

and we hope to have the trail finished before next spring.

What’s next:

We are working with area schools to get kids outside learning through hands-on,

project-driven activities. Voyageurs Charter School has enjoyed the solitude and

freedom of coming to the Neilson Spearhead Center starting this spring and will

continue to do so next fall. We hope to expand these types of activities to a variety

of organizations and schools. The education committee is drafting a plan to increase

education resources we can offer the community.

And a special thank you to all who have contributed financially, volunteered time

or supplies, and attended our functions. With your help, we are looking forward to

another exciting and productive year!

Jaime Thibodeaux—President

Proud to Announcement our FY2011 Accomplishments

MHAS Board

President - Jaime Thibodeaux 225-810-5591

Vice President - John Eggers Treasurer - George-Ann Maxson 218-586-3414

Secretary - Trista Little Board Members - Mary Comfort, Christine Herwig, Becky Marty, Annette Drewes Neilson Spearhead Center Caretakers - Lee & Julie Patten 218-444-8672

Inside this issue:

Common Loon 2

Young Naturalist Prog. 3

Thanks to Dan Bera 4

Volume 36, Issue 3 Summer 2012

Want to be added to our email list for events!

Send an email to: headwatersaudubon@gmail.com

Or checkout our events

schedule at

www.spearheadMHAS.org

Suggestions for the

newsletter? Contact

chrismsousa@hotmail.com

List of Services or

Supplies Needed:

Seeking donations or

low-cost services:

Snow plowing, road mow-

ing, brush blade (weed

whip), hand weed whip,

loppers (4), work gloves,

angle grinder, tools

(socket set, screw driver,

wrench set), portable air

compressor, wall shelving,

tool hanger for rakes, etc.,

compasses (15), PFDs

(15), computer, camera

Minnesota’s state bird, the Common Loon

(Gavia immer) or Great Northern Loon is 1 of 5

loon species in the world. The name "loon" re-

fers to the bird's clumsiness on land. Found

throughout northern U.S. and Canada during

the breeding season, these birds are easily ob-

served in much of northern Minnesota. Many

of us have seen these iconic birds and if not

seen them, then surely heard their enchanting

and eerie call on a quiet summer’s night.

Built like a torpedo, these 8-12 pound birds

dive deeply (up to 200 feet) using their feet to

propel them to find their preferred prey - fish.

These piscivorous birds can feed in both fresh

and salt water when they breed on inland wa-

ters and winter on the coasts of the U.S. Loons have pro-

jections on the roof of their mouth and tongue that allow

them to capture and hang on to slippery fish. Loons may

also eat other aquatic species such as mollusks, frogs,

leeches and crayfish.

In breeding plumage, these birds are black with a neck-

lace of white and black feathers, a white breast, and a

checkerboard of white and black feathers on their back.

Their red eye may help them see under water. Males and

females are similar in appearance, but males are larger.

Loons come to Minnesota to

breed. They typically begin

breeding when ~3 years old.

Both adults make the nest,

which is often close to the

water’s edge. These birds are

very clumsy on shore, be-

cause their feet are far back

on their body, an adaptation

for swimming underwater. One to four tan eggs with

brown speckles are laid by the female and incubated by

both adults for ~28 days. When hatched the young are

black to chocolate brown. Parents carry young on their

backs to protect them from predators, keep

them warm, and allow them to rest. Juvenile

loons can dive when they are 2-3 days old but

cannot fly until they are ~2 months old during

which time parents feed them and show them

how to catch fish.

In fall, it is not unusual to see loons in groups

of 20-50 birds or more on some of the larger

lakes in the area. They are staging before fall

migration either south or to the coast. By win-

ter, loons lose their white necklace and check-

ered back for a drab gray appearance.

Minnesota currently has a healthy loon popula-

tion numbering ~12,000 birds. Threats to loons

include human disturbance and pollutants such as lead

and mercury. Loons are highly sensitive to human dis-

turbance. Boating and wave action are challenges for

loons, particularly May through July when they are nest-

ing and raising young. Additionally, development that is

occurring on formerly secluded lakes may lead to dis-

turbance and declines in water quality. Loons are visual

predators. Because they rely on sight to hunt, clear wa-

ter is critical. While feeding in aquatic habitats, they

often ingest lead sinkers or shot or can be entangled in

fishing lines or commercial fishing nets. Poisoning by

mercury in aquatic ecosystems and by lead from fishing

sinkers can be significant causes of death. Loons are also

threatened by industrial pollutants, such as mercury and

other heavy metals that accumulate in their bodies and

slowly poison them. Oil spills are deadly to loons, which

are unable to fly, dive or swim when their plumage be-

comes saturated with oil.

While boating around Minnesota’s lakes, give loons

space to fish and raise their young!

Bird in Focus: Common Loon By Christine Herwig

Common Loon on nest (Photo: Wikipedia)

PAGE 2 THE SOU RC E VOL UME 36 , I SSUE 3

Want to know more?

The Loon Preservation Committee: http://www.loon.org/ MN DNR: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/birds/commonloon.html Wildlife Conservation Society: http://www.wcs.org/saving-wildlife/birds/common-loon.aspx

Common Loon with young (Photo: Wikipedia)

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PAGE 3

Young Naturalist Program—A Few Spots Left!

THE SOU RC E VOL UME 36 , I SSUE 3

We still have a few spots left in the last 3 sessions of the YNP. Please join us! For youth entering

grades 2 -12. Students hike the extensive trail network, canoe the spring-fed waters of Spearhead

Lake, identify plants and animals in woods and wetlands, and learn ecology by playing games, lis-

tening to stories, and crafting art. The Neilson Spearhead Center, located ~9 miles from Bemidji

and just west of Lake Plantagenet, is a perfect setting for young people to experience Minnesota's

Northwoods. Enrollment limited to 15 students (12 for Ecology Week) per session.

Programs: Young Naturalist Program - An introduction to the natural history of Spearhead. Expect lots of

hands on, engaging outdoor experiences, rain or shine. Ecology Week - An advanced version of YNP, including

overnight camping on Thursday night. Dan’s Crew/WoodsLore - High school students work on Spearhead im-

provements and trail clearing in the morning and explore the backwoods and strengthen basic outdoor skills in

the afternoon. Sign up for 1 to 5 days. Family Week - Grades 2-12, par-

ents/guardians welcome to attend. Adults $65, no charge for Audubon members.

Sessions with spaces:

Session 7 July 30-Aug 3 Grades 6-8 Ecology Week (Overnight) $145

Session 8 Aug 6-10 Grades 2-12 Family Week $130

Session 9 Aug 13-17 Grades 8-12 Dan’s Crew/WoodsLore $20/day; $80/week

Sessions run

Monday through Friday

9:00 am to 3:30 pm

We encourage

carpooling!

Questions? Contact George-

Ann Maxson 218-586-3414

gamaxson@paulbunyan.net 10% discount for Audubon members

Highlights from the First Session of YNP—Katie Houg and Mary Comfort

On Monday, we checked for turtle eggs and filled holes in the access road. We looked for edi-

ble plants and played camouflage and capture the flag. We all ate cattails, skipped rocks, and

looked at flowers and bugs. We swept the lab, while drinking hot cocoa. Tuesday we gathered

the tools needed and paddled to the south access to work on the trail. With 1 hr left, we prac-

ticed backcountry medicine and splinted each other's legs! We ended the day swimming and

playing in the water. Wednesday was another fast and fun day. We worked on the new trail

around the lake and worked on a sail for a “catamaran” (2 canoes joined, with a sail). We also

hung a deer camera, set a crayfish trap, and played a card game inside when it started to rain.

It poured Thursday morning so we made a fire, cooked wild herb tea from herbs picked earli-

er , and played games around the fire. When the rain

cleared, we worked on our catamaran. Kids took turns

sawing, nailing boards, and measuring; they learned

basic carpentry skills. Friday! We played new games

including “fox and goose”. We finished the sail! The

maiden voyage proved wildly successful. We learned

about the fickleness of wind patterns, parts of a sail,

and some basic sailing techniques. Kids worked together

and learned basic carpentry and safety skills. Because it

was so hot, everyone jumped in. We cleaned up our tools

and organized camp before taking one more voyage on

the “Spearheadamaran”. Gorgeous day.—Katie & Mary

Spearhead Clean-up—Help Still Needed

On July 2, like many other parts of the region, Neilson Spearhead Center suffered storm damage rendering our trails

nearly unusable. Many trees have been cleared off the access road, and electricity has been restored. We still need

your help! Many branches and trees still block trails throughout Spearhead. If you have time to help clear trails,

please contact Jaime Thibideaux or George-Ann Maxson. We can pay a nominal fee for your time and effort.

Katie above; Mary to

the right

AUDUBON SOCIETY – MISSISSIPPI HEADWATERS CHAPTER PO BO X 19 3 BEM IDJI , MN 56619

Fostering environmental education and resource protection in Northern Minnesota

We’re on the Web!

www.spearheadMHAS.org

Non-profit organization

US Postage paid

Bemidji, MN 56601

Permit #28 Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society's

mission is to conserve and restore natural

ecosystems, focusing on birds, other

wildlife and their habitats.

A sad good-bye to Dan Bera, but a exuberant hello to Katie Houg!

The always exciting, nature-loving, Dan Bera is leaving us this

summer for a great opportunity with the Minnesota Department of

Natural Resources. We’ll definitely miss Dan’s edible plant finding,

scat-dissecting, and animal tracking enthusiasm among many other

skills! Thank you Dan for your inspiration to well over a decade’s

worth of Young Naturalists.

Please welcome Katie Houg as the new naturalist for the YNP!

Katie assisted Dan for several summers and has a passion for the

Neilson Spearhead Center and outdoor education. Katie has led her

first week of “Dan’s Crew” with rave reviews! We’re also pleased

that Mary Comfort and Michelle Jipson have returned for a second

summer as assistant naturalists.

Thanks to Dan Bera!