YFBTA LOON INITIATIVES COMMITTEE REPORT
Rob Wilson
1. PUBLIC AWARENESS SIGN FOR MADGE LAKE
YFBTA approved monies to fund a sign to be placed at Madge Lake. Duck Mountain Provincial Park has given permission. The committee will meet during the winter months to discuss wording and exact location. The committee will work with Duck Mountain Provincial Park to arrange for installation.
2. FLYERS
A handout was produced in 2007 (see www.yfbta.com under loon initiatives). This was distributed by park staff to park visitors during the long week end in July
3. VIDEO
Videographer Raymond Lacusta has been engaged to produce a “loon” video documenting nesting activity and interaction with lake users. To date, Raymond has collected some raw footage and has given three presentations. He will be editing his footage through the winter and will continue to film in 2008. This project is jointly funded by YFBTA and Duck Mountain Provincial Park.
4. CANADIAN LAKES LOON SURVEY (CLLS)
YFBTA funded the cost of participation in this citizen-scientist project ($35.00). Loons observed on Madge Lake were counted and recorded throughout the summer of 2007. This year 11 young were counted in August. We believe that 7 or 8 juveniles survived to attempt migration. The count in 2005 was 7 juveniles. The count in 2006 was 9 juveniles. Rob Wilson will submit a report to Bird Studies Canada and forward copies to the Park Superintendent at Duck Mountain and to our other partner Nature Saskatchewan.
5. INFORMATION PROVIDED TO MADGE LAKE CABIN OWNERS ASSOCIATION
Through the assistance of Park Superintendent, Larry Schiefner, YFBTA has provided information about the above initiatives to the cabin owners group. YFBTA has informed the cabin owners that they would be welcome partners.
5. GRANT FROM FISH AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT SASKATCHEWAN
The Loon Initiatives Committee has agreed that the priority for the grant money is the production of a brochure for use within Madge Lake Park in 2008. Rob Wilson is working on content of the brochure. He will arrange for initial formatting and will also obtain cost estimates for printing.