NWA 3/7/14

A Northwoods Almanac for March 7 – 20, 2014

Red-throated Loon in Minocqua!

The most exciting, albeit brief bird sighting so far this winter occurred on 2/18 when Sally Murwin spotted a loon-like bird on a patch of water kept open by a neighbor’s aerator along the south shore of Lake Minocqua. The bird was actively diving and fishing, and appeared quite healthy, but it was smaller than the common loons that frequent our area during the breeding season.

Still not quite sure what the birds was, Sally called the Northwoods Wildlife Center to come out and rescue it, which they were unable to even try to do, given the bird’s very active behavior. However, they were able to identify it – a winter plumage red-throated loon, which I understand is the first red-throated loon ever recorded in Oneida County.

This sighting is a particularly unusual, because red-throated loons breed mainly on remote ponds, primarily in coastal tundra habitat in the Arctic. They begin migrating in late August and early September, the easternmost birds appearing along the Atlantic Coast in late September, and then peaking in big numbers in November – for instance, 8,262 individuals were observed on 11/14/96 near Cape May, NJ. Their migration routes often take them first to Lake Ontario where they stage by the thousands, while some migrate even further inland in the fall along Lake Ontario, turning south to western Pennsylvania, and then crossing eastward across Pennsylvania to the East Coast.

Many red-throated loons winter on the Pacific Coast from southern Alaska to Baja California, while the eastern birds winter on the Atlantic Coast from Newfoundland to Florida. However, small numbers also winter on the lower Great Lakes, and very rarely on other large interior lakes or rivers.

I emailed Ryan Brady, a WDNR research scientist and the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative coordinator, about the red-throated loon’s presence, and he cited the probable reason for its visit: “Extensive ice cover across the Great Lakes has pushed waterfowl overwintering there to move inland in search of open water. Some are finding it, others aren't. Reports of stranded waterfowl (mostly divers) are being found in above average numbers across the region and inland reports of ‘sea ducks’ like White-winged Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, and other birds usually out on the big open water are up as well.”

Thus, this bird was likely wintering on Lake Superior and was forced southward as the lake froze.

Two days later, Sally emailed, saying, “Yesterday, the eagles got our little friend. I saw about 10 eagles out in the middle of the lake - most of them took off, and one stayed and was eating. After that, and all day, I checked to see if I would see my friend in the open water. I checked again this morning - nothing.”

But . . . there is hope. The literature on red-throated loons says this: “Other loons need to run up to 100 meters or more before taking flight from water; red-throated loons need less distance and can even launch from land.”

So, it’s possible the eagles were lunching on some other prey, and the loon is somewhere south of here – let’s hope so!

Sightings – Barred Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, Short-tailed Weasel

Rolf Ethun had a barred owl perch right outside his patio door overlooking his bird feeder. Rolf noted, “Though I have seen many barred owls, never have I seen one this close up - what a beautiful bird. Unfortunately for the owl there wasn't a bird or critter in sight the whole time it was there. I watched it for about 45 minutes before it gave up and flew away.”

Will Conway in Lac du Flambeau sent me a sequence of photos of a male pileated woodpecker trying to figure out how to get on his suet holder.

Willy Bauerle in Lac du Flambeau on White Sand Lake sent a photo of short-tailed weasel who visits his feeder every morning at 8 a.m.

Snow Water Equivalent

Rod Sharka thought readers might be interested in the "Snow Water Equivalent," which provides an estimate of how much water is "on the ground" that can potentially run-off into rivers and lakes. Rod has become acquainted with this measurement recently since taking over Peter Dring's precipitation reporting duties for NOAA in mid-January.

The Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) value is a measurement of the amount of water in the total snow on the ground (equivalent to inches of rainfall). Rod noted, “Considering how fluffy and airy the snow seems to be on a cold day when shoveling, I believe the assumption is that it doesn't contain much moisture. However, since taking 4" snow core samples weekly, melting them down, and measuring the liquid water in a calibrated rain gauge, I was quite surprised at the results. I took a core sample yesterday (2/21) from an undisturbed area. The snow depth was 30". The water equivalent measured is equal to 5.69" of rain. Good news for recharging the local watersheds this spring.”

On 2/23, Rod took a couple more core samples: “My corrected measurement for what is now a 29" total snow depth (due to settling) is 5.83" water equivalent.”

If anyone is interested in learning more about voluntary precipitation monitoring and reporting, check out http://www.cocorahs.org/, the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network, an agency that gathers precipitation and weather event data for the National Weather Service.

Visitations to the Ice Caves Near Cornucopia in Bayfield County

As of February 26th, nearly 78,000 people have visited the ice caves, a number far greater than any previous year. In 2009, the last year with accessible ice caves, the visitation for January and February was 8,400. I wonder about the economic impact this has had on that area!

If you wish to visit, go during the week. The weekends have been extremely busy - cars have been parked along Hwy. 13 for more than 1.5 miles in either direction.

It’s impossible to predict how long will the ice caves be accessible. Make sure to call the Apostle Islands Ice Line at 715-779-3397 ext. 3 for the latest information.

Proposals to Hunt Albino Deer and Tundra Swans Statewide

The Wisconsin Conservation Congress Annual Spring County Conservation Meeting is set for April 14.  Several controversial proposals have been added to the 2014 WCC spring ballot including Question 35, which reads: “Would you favor legalizing the harvest of white and albino deer statewide?”

The rationale stated is as follows: “Albino, white and piebald deer have a recessive genetic mutation that causes a total absence (in the case of albinos) or lack of (in white and piebald deer) body pigment . . .

“In the wild, white fur and markings place these animals at a selective disadvantage because they lack the typical protective coloration and are more visible, making them more susceptible to predators. These animals often have other recessive traits and physical maladies such as poor eyesight in albinos, because of their pink eyes. These recessive genetic conditions are quite rare (estimated at less than one percent under natural conditions) and the phenomenon is often localized in a specific area. From a strictly biological perspective, there is no reason to protect white deer . . .”

            In response to this proposal, Marshia and Mike Crowley in Boulder Junction wrote to me: “We have had the privilege of observing a line of albino deer for the past 20 years and can tell anyone that they live long and healthy lives, and the does we have observed have had healthy fawns at 8 and 9 years of age (mostly brown fawns). The argument for keeping them out of the genetic pool just doesn't fly, and especially here in the Northwoods; their "winter" camouflage protects them for a considerable time period. They are special to so many people in this area, and I would think anywhere else they appear in the state. Boulder Junction even has economic benefit from them, as many people come to the area to try to get a glimpse of these ‘ghost’ deer.”

            It’s important to note that the statement, “From a strictly biological perspective, there is no reason to protect white deer,” is true. It’s equally true, however, that there is no reason to hunt white deer either. The fact that albinism is a recessive trait means little, because the term “recessive” doesn’t mean the trait needs to be removed from the gene pool. Most humans have many recessive traits occurring within them, the vast majority of which have no impact.

What I’ve learned about genetics over the years is that it’s really very complex. While we would like genetics to be black and white, it actually is all shades of gray. In the case of albino animals, they possess all the normal characteristics of their species, but their cells can’t produce melanin. Without melanin, an animal, or parts of that animal, typically appear white or pink. Thus, an animal can be a pure albino or a partial albino. As I understand it, the most critical factor in producing melanin is the presence of a special enzyme called tyrosinase – the “TYR” gene. If the TYR gene fails completely, an all-white, light-eyed albino animal will be born. However, the TYR gene can be altered in dozens of ways, producing other albino variations, such as albinos with light eyes but with some color on their fur.

The TYR gene isn’t the only player in the melanin game either; other hormones and proteins also impact melanin production, and their presence is determined by additional special genes. In house mice, for instance, a total of 130 genes are known to affect coat color, so for a layman to determine visually whether an animal is albino or not can be very difficult.

The largest problem with any assumption of albinism negatively affecting deer is that no behavioral studies exist on albino deer. One myth is that they are ostracized within a herd and thus have difficulty finding a mate. But within a herd structure, at least as is witnessed by many observers in our area, there’s no evidence that white deer are particularly ostracized in any manner. In fact, the number of pictures of mixed herds of deer mingling without incident suggests they get along fine.

For me, the final proof of their fitness is simply this: They have survived, and thrived, over time. If they were significantly unfit, they would have been culled out a long time ago.

            So, the argument for hunting them appears to comes down to this: do rarity and beauty enhance the value, and therefore justify the protection, of white/albino deer, or not? For me, rarity and beauty, not to mention the economic benefit to the area, are the trump cards, and thus I would vote no to the hunt.

Celestial Events

Ron Winter corrected a statement I made in my last column regarding Sirius being the closest star at 8 1/2 light years: “The bright star Alpha Centauri is 4 1/2 light years distant. Actually, it is part of a triple star system, Alpha Centauri A and B, along with Proxima Centauri at 4 1/4 light years. But this certainly doesn't diminish Sirius in any way, it is pretty spectacular.”