Falcons hatch at International Bridge

Fast Facts:

- A pair of peregrine falcons has successfully nested on the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, where the birds have been returning for years.

- Four chicks have hatched this year and have been banded by DNR biologists.

- The peregrine falcon is listed as an endangered species in Michigan.

A pair of regular visitors to the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge have made the trip again this year – and they're staying to raise their family.

 

Karl Hansen, bridge engineer for the International Bridge Administration (IBA), reported that pair of peregrine falcons have successfully nested atop the bridge between the U.S. and Canada this spring, hatching four chicks.

 

IBA General Manager Phil Becker said the bridge's steeplejacks closely watch for the falcons to return each year.

 

"As time allows, they monitor the nest without disturbing the birds," Becker said. "Our staff really looks forward to the return of the birds and waits with great anticipation for the occasional reports coming in from our steeplejacks on the growth of the chicks."

 

The reports this year have been excellent.

 

All four young birds – three females and one male – were successfully banded Tuesday by biologists from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. According to DNR wildlife biologist Kristie Sitar, color-coded bands attached to the legs of young birds allow scientists to track the movements, reproductive behavior and population growth of the falcons.

 

In addition to their leg bands, the peregrine chicks received names Tuesday: the females are Jasina, Dwaynette and Q, while the lone male is named Frank.

 

The successful hatching is the culmination of an ongoing commitment by the IBA. Nest boxes for the peregrines have been installed since 2010 on the both the U.S. and Canadian arches but the birds had been visiting the bridge for many years prior to that. The same pair of adults has been returning to the U.S. side nest each year but, so far, none have taken up residence in the nest box at the Canadian arch.

 

Sitar said peregrines have been active at the International Bridge since 1999. Before the nest boxes were installed, the falcons laid their eggs in gravel on the exposed pier top – and there were unfortunate instances of eggs and chicks being blown off. Hansen counted 18 chicks hatched out of the nest boxes since they were installed.

 

"The key point is that the survival rate for the chicks has greatly increased with installation of the nest boxes," Hansen said.

 

MDOT also has boxes with nesting falcon pairs on the Portage Lake Lift Bridge between Houghton and Hancock and on the Mackinac Bridge. Every nesting site is special – Sitar said there are only 46 nest sites in the entire state and 38 of them are on artificial structures. Most of the natural sites are inaccessible for banding birds, so the artificial sites are even more important.

 

"The very large majority of birds breeding in Michigan are using artificial structures," Sitar said. "And the birds tend to return to nest in the same type of structures they were fledged from."

 

The peregrine falcon has been removed from the federal endangered species list, but is listed as an endangered species in Michigan, protected by state and federal law. The hatchlings at the International Bridge are examples of the species' urban comeback. Peregrines have adapted to city habitats, nesting on tall buildings, smokestacks and bridges around the world. Sitar said studies have found birds tend not to nest in the same area where they were hatched, but spread out across the Midwest.

 

High-speed hunters capable of flying at 200 mph, the peregrines help keep populations of nuisance pigeons under control at MDOT bridges.

 

For more information on the International Bridge, please visit www.saultbridge.com or follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/saultbridge.

           

###

Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge:

Bridging Our Past, Connecting Our Future

 

Four peregrine falcon eggs shown at the nest box on the
Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge this spring. (IBA photo)

 

 

The four peregrine falcon chicks – three female and one male – successfully hatched. (IBA photo)

 

 

Wildlife research technician Erin Largent, right, and the rest of a Michigan DNR team put identifying bands

on the four peregrine falcon chicks which successfully hatched at the Sault Ste. Marie International

State-record catches shared

Two state-record fish caught in April

Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently confirmed two new state-record fish for black buffalo and white perch. This marks the second and third state-record fish caught in 2015.

The state record for black buffalo was broken by a fish caught by Sage Colegrove of Muskegon on the Grand River in Ottawa County Sunday, April 12, at 1 a.m. Colegrove was bowfishing. The fish weighed 44.54 pounds and measured 38.50 inches. 

The record was verified by Rich O’Neal, a DNR fisheries biologist in Muskegon. 

The previous state-record black buffalo was caught by Joshua Teunis on Bear Lake (Muskegon County) June 15, 2014. That fish weighed 41.25 pounds and measured 38.25 inches. 

The state record for white perch was broken by a fish caught by Cindy Lou Cordo of North Muskegon on Bear Lake in Muskegon County Saturday, April 18, at 4:30 p.m. Cordo was baitcasting with a spinner. The fish weighed 2.0 pounds and measured 13.57 inches. 

The record again was verified by Rich O’Neal. 
The previous state-record white perch was caught by Aaron Slagh on Muskegon Lake (Muskegon County) Jan. 21, 2014. That fish weighed 1.93 pounds and measured 13.25 inches.

State records are recognized by weight only. To qualify for a state record, fish must exceed the current listed state record weight and identification must be verified by a DNR fisheries biologist.

For more information on fishing in Michigan – including a roster of state-record catches, visit michigan.gov/fishing.

Tips to protect your spuce and fir trees

Widespread spruce budworm defoliation expected in Upper Peninsula, northern Lower PeninsulaWhite spruce and balsam fir targeted; now is the time to protect landscape trees from damage

Over the past few years, white spruce and balsam fir have been defoliated by the spruce budworm, one of the most destructive native insects in the northern spruce and fir forests of the eastern United States and Canada.

“This year, budworm defoliation is widespread and expected to be heavy for the second or third years in many areas,” said Bob Heyd, forest health specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in Marquette. 

Periodic outbreaks of these insects are a part of the natural cycle of events associated with the maturing of balsam fir and white spruce. 


Spruce budworms overwinter as tiny caterpillars which disperse by dropping from treetops on webs. As new tree growth expands in the spring, the caterpillars grow and feed on new shoots. Budworms produce one generation each year. 

Repeated budworm defoliation can cause top-kill and tree mortality in older and stressed trees. Balsam fir older than 60 and spruce over 70 years old provide prime infestation opportunities. 

Younger trees infested with spruce budworms lose much of their new growth, but generally survive. 

Balsam fir is most severely damaged by budworms. White and black spruces are also budworm hosts with some feeding occurring on tamarack, pine and hemlock trees. Spruce trees in stands with balsam fir are more likely to suffer budworm damage than spruce in pure stands — although all older, mature to over-mature stands are at higher risk of budworm infestation. 

Heyd said this is the time of year to combat spruce budworms. 

“Check your trees for signs of budworm activity,” he added. “Most of the damage is done between now and late June when the budworms pupate and are done feeding for the year.”

To protect landscape trees, Heyd recommends treating trees now before caterpillars grow larger. 

The DNR recommends keeping the following in mind prior to treating trees:

• Biological sprays with “Bt” or garden-variety insecticides are effective.
• Follow label directions when selecting and applying a spray.
• Be sure to reach the top of the trees where defoliation is heaviest.
• Treatment with biological sprays may need to be repeated if heavy rains occur within a few days.
• Watering trees during dry periods helps trees recover from the stress of early season budworm defoliation.

Since 1909, there have been waves of spruce budworm outbreaks throughout the eastern United States and Canada. These outbreaks last for 10-15 years and have resulted in the loss of millions of cords of spruce and fir. 

“If the budworm outbreak continues to expand into Michigan’s spruce and fir resource, we can expect significant losses over the next decade,” Heyd said. 

For more information on forest health issues, visit: www.michigan.gov/foresthealth.

DNR offers tips for residents when encountering snakes

This time of year, as snakes are out and about in the great outdoors, the Department of Natural Resources gets many questions about Michigan's snakes. Michigan is home to 18 different species of snakes, 17 of which are harmless to humans.

There are two that are very similar and often cause a stir when people encounter them. Eastern hognose snakes, when threatened, puff up with air, flatten their necks and bodies, and hiss loudly. (This has led to local names like "puff adder" or "hissing viper.") If this act is unsuccessful in deterring predators, the snakes will writhe about, excrete a foul-smelling musk and then turn over with mouth agape and lie still, as though dead. Despite this intimidating behavior, hog-nosed snakes are harmless to humans.

The eastern massasauga rattlesnake, the only venomous snake species found in Michigan, is quite rare and protected as a species of special concern due to declining populations from habitat loss. As the name implies, the massasauga rattlesnake does have a segmented rattle on its tail. It should not be confused with the other harmless species of snake in Michigan that do not have segmented rattles but also will buzz their tails if approached or handled.

Eastern massasauga rattlesnakes are shy creatures that avoid humans whenever possible. Also known as "swamp rattlers," they spend the vast majority of their time in year-round wetlands hunting their primary prey, mice. When encountered, if the snake doesn't feel threatened, it will let people pass without revealing its location. If humans do get too close, a rattlesnake will generally warn of its presence by rattling its tail while people are still several feet away. If given room, the snake will slither away into nearby brush. 

Rattlesnake bites, while extremely rare in Michigan (fewer than one per year), can and do occur. Anyone who is bitten should seek medical attention immediately. To learn more about the massasauga and for more snake safety tips, visit http://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/emr/index.cfm. 

Those who encounter a snake of any kind should leave it alone and should not try to handle or harass the snake – this is primarily how snake bites happen. A snake can only strike roughly one-third of its body length, so it is physically impossible for people to get bitten if they do not get within 24 inches of the snake's head. Michigan snakes do not attack, chase or lunge at people or seek out human contact. Simply put, if left alone, Michigan snakes will leave people alone.

To learn more about Michigan's snakes, visit www.michigan.gov/wildlife, click on the "Wildlife Species" button and select "Amphibians and Reptiles."

Also, be sure to check out the DNR’s 60-Second Snakes video series for identification tips and information about Michigan’s snake species.

The DNR asks Michigan residents to consider reporting any reptile or amphibian sightings to the Michigan Herp Atlas research project to help monitor amphibian and reptile populations in Michigan and protect these valuable resources for future generations. Visit www.miherpatlas.org for more information.

How about a special Father's Day road trip?

Iron Industry Museum hosts Father’s Day car show
The Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee invites families to cruise down memory lane at “Iron, Steel and the Automobile” Sunday, June 21, from noon to 4 p.m. This Father’s Day antique car show offers fun and entertainment for all ages, with live music, more than 50 vintage vehicles, food concessions, ice cream and a free showing of the documentary "Henry Ford" in the museum’s auditorium.

The event celebrates the vital connection between the region’s iron-mining industry and the steel used by Michigan’s auto industry. This link between iron and the automobile, spanning more than 100 years, is central to 20th-century history.

The auto show offers the unique opportunity to see rare and classic cars and learn more about them from their owners. The featured vehicles were manufactured between 1900 and 1969. All are in original condition or have been restored to their original appearance. Event attendees can expect to see numerous Model As, Model Ts, touring cars and pickup trucks. Among these will be Mike Schneider’s 1961 Chevrolet Corvair Truck Camper (one of only 300 built); a 1957 Ford convertible with a retractable metal roof, owned by Joe and Elaine Drobny; and Louis Ironside’s 1966 Chevrolet Suburban, from the final production year for two-door Suburbans.  

New to this year’s auto exhibit will be a 1929 Ford “woody” station wagon, recently acquired by Gary and Laverne White of Gwinn, Michigan, and with a body manufactured in Kingsford, Michigan. Chris Beard, also from Gwinn, will show a 1969 Cadillac Hearse. The oldest registered vehicle will be the rare 1900 American Metropolitan horse-drawn, steam-powered fire pump from the Michigamme Historical Society.

The Bluffs Orchestra, from Chassell, Michigan, will provide jazz and swing-era music from the 1940s and 1950s. Food concessions will be provided by Teaching Family Homes. Event-goers can grab a sweet treat for dessert from the ice cream truck on the grounds.

The 26th annual “Iron, Steel, and the Automobile” show offers free museum admission; there is a $3 per-car parking donation to offset the cost of the event. The event is sponsored by the Michigan Iron Industry Museum Advisory Board.

For more information about registering a vehicle for the auto show or other events, call 906-475-7857 or visit www.michigan.gov/ironindustrymuseum.
The Michigan Iron Industry Museum is one of 11 nationally accredited museums administered by the Michigan Historical Center, an agency within the Department of Natural Resources.  The museum entrance is located on U.S. 41 E, a mile west of Junction M-35, in Negaunee Township.

Check out this week's U.P. fishing report

Keweenaw Bay: The bite is once again up and down.  Those trolling are working hard for a mix of Chinook, coho, lake trout and splake.  They are trolling 15 to 40 feet down in 30 to 60 feet from the head of the bay north to Old Mission and both the east and west sides of the bay.  Trolling speeds were between 1.9 and 2.5 mph with spoons and body baits in a variety of colors.  Those jigging for lake trout did well out from Jentofts Dock, the Whirl-I-Gig and Pequaming in 220 to 260 feet.  In Traverse Bay, those jigging for lake trout did well with jigs and cut bait in 180 to 140 feet.

Lake Gogebic: The majority of anglers are targeting walleye. While there were a handful of boats that were still catching a good number the last week has been slow for many others.  Those using crank baits caught fewer fish however they also caught more keepers.  Smallmouth bass fishing was good with most anglers casting lures into the rocky shoreline.  Yellow perch anglers targeting Bergland Bay have also caught some pumpkinseed.  

Menominee River: A few muskie were caught near Boom Island. Walleye anglers caught fish in the evening when trolling however a strong current made fishing more difficult.  Shore anglers are catching a few walleye, catfish, and freshwater drum when using live bait in the slow water.  Bass anglers had good success.  

Little Bay De Noc: For walleye, those fishing Garth Point reported good catches of undersize fish with the occasional keeper when trolling or drifting crawlers in 18 to 20 feet.  The mouth of the Escanaba River reported several good catches drifting crawler harnesses in 14 to 23 feet and Breezy Point 18 to 24 feet.  Smallmouth bass fishing was fair to good in the Ford River.  Try casting plastics, spinners or crank baits along the banks and at the mouth.  Perch fishing was spotty.  A few were caught on minnows around the green buoy near the Ford River in 22 feet or the “Narrows” and off Gladstone Beach when using crawlers and wigglers in 14 to 33 feet.  

Big Bay De Noc: Walleye catches were reported at the head of the bay when trolling or drifting crawler harnesses in 16 to 18 feet.  Smallmouth bass fishing was spotty with most targeting the waters near Ogontz, Puffy Bay, South River Bay, Porcupine Point and near the Fish Dam Rivers.  Try casting crank baits, plastics or spinners in three to 10 feet.   

Marquette: Surface water temperatures were between 40 and 44 degrees. More anglers are targeting lake trout but catch rates were slow.  They fished Granite Loma, the Sand Hole, and along the outside of the Lower Harbor towards Sand River and Shot Point.  Most caught no fish but a few lucky anglers did manage to take a limit of five at various depths anywhere from less than 100 to over 200 feet.  The fish are eating sticklebacks and smelt.  Anglers are using spoons but some had better luck with spoons and flies tipped with cut bait.  A couple Chinook were also caught in less than 60 feet.  Fishing near the mouth of the Carp River was slow with only a few hits on spawn or crawlers.  Water levels in the river have dropped but there was still a strong current.

Au Train Lake: Anglers targeting walleye had fair success.  Most were small but a few legal-size fish were caught.  Pike were caught but most only averaged 20 inches.  Anglers were using worms and leeches or trolling crank baits.  Weeds have started to come up in areas and a small mayfly hatch was observed.  Water temperatures were in the upper 50’s.  

Munising:  Catch rates were low for those trolling for Chinook and coho.  Boats were targeting 60 to 200 feet of water near Sand Point and Trout Bay.  Fresh spawn was used by those fishing off the dock of the Anna River but few fish were caught.  Water temperatures were in the mid to high 40’s.  

Grand Marais: Many are still fishing off the end of the pier but most are trolling about five miles out for lake trout. Catch rates are good on lake trout with anglers bringing in fish ranging 18 to 30 inches every trip.  Whitefish average 14 inches with a few 20 inches or more.     

South Manistique Lake: Walleye were caught by those trolling the drop-off between De Shelter Road and the island.  Catch rates for bluegill and pumpkinseed have increased as the water warms up.  Those using wax worms and red wigglers did well near the Wolf Road public access site.  

Newberry: Walleye lakes and rivers in the area are producing some fish.  Many are using crank baits and live bait in waters such as the Tahquamenon River, Nawakwa, Pike, Culhane, and Bodi Lakes.  For largemouth bass, try Twin, Kaks and East Lake.  Twin and East Lakes are located off of M-28 west of Newberry and Kaks Lake is located off M-117 just west of Newberry. The Dollarville Flooding is a great place for muskie this time of year.  Try artificial lures or trolling with suckers.

Munuscong Bay: Anglers caught good numbers of small walleye near the mouth of the river.  

DeTour: Cold water temperatures have slowed the salmon and trout fishing along the DeTour Reef but anglers were still getting a mix of Chinook, Atlantic salmon and lake trout. They are trolling lead core with orange and chrome colored spoons 12 to 18 feet down in 45 to 60 feet between the green can and the lighthouse.   

Drummond Island: The walleye bite slowed because of the cold clear water in Scott Bay.  Fish were caught by those trolling around Peck Island with bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses with orange or copper blades in nine to 12 feet.  Trolling speed was 1.2 mph.  Smallmouth bass are still good at the south end of James Island using green or brown tube jigs in two to three feet.

Cedarville and Hessel: The water is still cold.  Northern pike are biting, but harvest has been very slow.  Perch in the Moscoe Channel were hitting on minnows and worms in five to six feet.  Smallmouth bass are starting to move onto the beds.

St. Ignace: Had a handful of anglers but fishing was slow. 

Update from the DNR regarding archery anterless season

UPDATE: The Michigan DNR would like to update a phone number that was given yesterday in a news release regarding just-approved antlerless deer hunting restrictions in the U.P. Hunters who choose to return already-purchased deer hunting licenses and have questions about the process for returning those licenses are directed to call 517-284-6057.

Fish free Saturday and Sunday

Weekly Fishing Tip: Fish for FREE this weekend
Don’t forget that all Michigan residents and non-residents can fish without a license this Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14! Please note all other fishing regulations still apply.

Saturday and Sunday make up the Summer Free Fishing Weekend – an annual effort to promote Michigan’s numerous fishing opportunities. While many individuals and families will head out to fish for free on their own there are numerous organized events scheduled throughout the state to celebrate the weekend as well.

Various locations throughout Michigan will host scheduled events, including in more than 30 counties. Visit the Summer Free Fishing Weekend event chart online to see what’s going on in your area.

For more information about the 2015 Summer Free Fishing Weekend please visit michigan.gov/freefishing.

NRC says no to does during archery season

NRC approves 2015 U.P. antlerless restrictions
 
Michigan Natural Resources Commission today decided to eliminate the harvest of antlerless deer during the archery season for hunters using deer or deer combo licenses in the Upper Peninsula.

The restriction, which does not affect the firearm deer season, will be in effect for the 2015-2016 season. The NRC made the decision at its monthly meeting in Monroe, Michigan, in an effort to aid the Upper Peninsula’s struggling deer population, which has declined to a level comparable to the early 1980s following three successive winters with severe conditions.

There have been roughly 5,000 to 6,300 antlerless deer harvested in the U.P. by archers over each of the past four years.

Although deer regulations currently are on a three-year cycle, elements such as weather and disease can cause regulations to be reviewed mid-cycle and adjusted when appropriate. 

“The NRC asked the DNR Wildlife Division to present options to address the decline in deer in the U.P. and associated concerns by hunters,” said DNR deer management specialist Chad Stewart. “In May we brought forward six possible options, and the NRC chose to concentrate on two of those options.”

The NRC’s decision makes deer and deer combo licenses used in the archery season “buck-only” licenses. The other option considered by the NRC was to maintain the current regulations. 

“Deer hunting is an important tradition in Michigan’s U.P. and a big economic driver for the entire state,” said Natural Resources Commission Chair John Matonich. “This decision by the NRC will ensure that tradition continues while also providing prudent protections for the U.P. deer population.” 

The winter of 2014-2015 brought significant snowfall before the start of the firearm season, which persisted to depths of 20-30 inches across much of the region.  

Additionally, temperatures of -10 to -20 degrees arrived in February, further stressing animals that had limited mobility because of the deep snow. 

These latest wintry conditions followed the winters of 2012-2013 and 2013-2014, which were extremely hard on the U.P. deer population.

The DNR Wildlife Division polled neighboring states on their recent and future deer seasons, and found those states also are reducing antlerless quotas or opportunities to take antlerless deer during specific seasons. 

“We will be working to communicate this information to all who hunt in the Upper Peninsula,” Stewart said. “We’ll need to make sure hunters everywhere are aware of the change because once they cross the Mackinac Bridge the rules for their 2015 deer licenses will change.” 

Antlerless harvest still will be permitted through the allotment of private-land antlerless licenses in deer management units where it was decided that antlerless harvest should be maintained. This includes DMUs 055, 122 and 155. 

Deer and deer combo licenses can be returned for a refund and new licenses could be purchased prior to the start of the deer seasons. After Sept. 20, the licenses are considered “used” and cannot be returned. 

To learn more about the process for returning licenses, contact DNR licensing staff at 517-284-6047 or MDNR-E-License@michigan.gov.

For more information on hunting seasons and regulations, visit: www.michigan.gov/hunting.

Get ready for summer fun

Inside Michigan's Great Outdoors

---

June 2015

---

Try ORVing or Fishing with no license required June 13-14

Reminder: On June 13-14, Michigan DNR invites family and friends to go ORVing or fishing with no license required for Free Fishing Weekend and Free ORV Weekend. If you've never gone fishing or ORVing, now is your chance to try it out without investing in a license, so take advantage and have fun out there!

---

What do a winery and a t-shirt company have in common? Supporting Michigan's natural resources!

Chateau Grand Traverse and The Mitten State are both partnering with Michigan DNR to donate to preserving parks, trails and waterways. Chateau Grand Traverse will donate 50 percent of profits from its new "Great Outdoors" wine series.

Likewise, The Mitten State will donate 5 percent of sales from its "Lakes & Campfires" t-shirt collection to Michigan's parks, trails and waterways. Support Michigan's great outdoors and two great Michigan businesses at the same time!

---

New Recreation Search website: find state parks, campgrounds, trails and events!

It's now easier than ever to find state parks, trails, campgrounds and events near you with the Michigan DNR's new Recreation Search tool. Search by facility, amenity, city, county, zip code and more, and view results either on a map or in a list. Use the filters to narrow down your search and find the perfect recreation opportunities for you.

---

Michigan makes national lists for best fishing, boating and trails

Several places in Michigan were recently voted among the top 100 places to boat and fish in the United States, according to Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. Locations include Cedar River State Harbor, Fort Custer Recreation Area, Sleepy Hollow State Park and Dodge #4 State Park.

The word is out that Michigan's woods and waters are top notch -- get outdoors and see what the buzz is all about!

---

Speaking of boating and fishing, it's National Fishing and Boating Week!

Celebrate by getting your boat back out on the water, studying up on what fishing seasons are open and checking out upcoming fishing events. Click these links to get ready and enjoy the water!

Check this out

60-Second Snakes: Eastern Hognose Snake

---

Whether you're a hunter, a wildlife enthusiast or just someone who enjoys an occasional walk in the woods, this 60-second video will help you properly identify an eastern hognose snake, should you ever come across this species in your travels. If you are fortunate to see one of these essential Michigan residents, take some time to enjoy it, but please leave it in the wild. Look for more videos in our series throughout the summer and into the fall.