Some of the earliest born fawns have begun to move around with their mothers, and vehicle deer collisions are on the increase. June is second to the fall deer mating season – or rut – for vehicle deer collisions. This is because does chase off last year’s fawns before they give birth this year, and the now young emancipated deer are dispersing on their own. Also roadside ditches are often first to green up with grasses that attract deer. Drivers should be extra alert now for deer along roads and remember that if you see a deer crossing a road, watch for another deer or fawn to be following it.
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| The Mississippi River at Merrick State Park. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Warm weather has increased water temperatures and caused some blooms of blue-green algae on Lake Winnebago and Dane County’s Lake Kegonsa. Blue-green algae is not only unsightly and smelly, but sometimes produces toxins. People should avoid swimming, wading, skiing or coming into contact with the water in areas of lakes and ponds where a green to bluish-green scum or mat of algae is present. Also make sure pets do not swim in or drink the water. Pets swimming in water with blue-green algae should be washed off immediately so they don't lick the algae off their fur.
Lake Superior trollers were finding lake trout six plus miles out from the Superior. Excellent salmon and trout fishing continues to be reported on Lake Michigan. Chinook continue to make up most of the bag, but also fair numbers of coho along with rainbow, brown and the occasional lake trout. Fishing was reported good to excellent out of almost all harbors. Walleye fishing remains good along both the east and west shores of Green Bay. Walleye fishing was also good along the east shore of Lake Winnebago.
Inland, bluegills were still being reported as spawning on some waters but have finished up on others and were moving out into deeper water. Bass spawning is now nearing its peak. Musky fishing continues to be good in the north, with some 40-inch plus fish reported.
Turtle nesting appears to be approaching its peak and turtles were being seen crossing roads in large numbers this week. Again, if it can be done safely, please move turtles off roads in the direction that they were headed to help protect turtle populations.
Along with fawns, bear cubs, fox kits, turkey poults, pileated woodpecker chicks and a sandhill crane chicks were seen this week. Hummingbirds are being seen in good numbers. Karner blue butterflies are in their first flight.
Bunchberries, blackberries and wild strawberries are becoming more numerous, and if there are not any more hard frosts this year, it is shaping up to be a good year for blueberries.
