Bird Feeders

A friendly reminder from Bev Lorimer to keep your bird feeders clean...

Photo by Bev Lorimer 

The feeders that have a removable platform should be cleaned with a weak bleach solution every 5-8days. Other feeders need to be wiped clean. Seed at the base of feeders needs to be cleaned up regularly. Try sweeping or scooping it with a shovel.

Those of you who have lived here awhile know that we experienced a dreadful loss of grosbeaks 2-3 years ago. The probable cause was “salmonelosis”. The birds carry salmonella and it is easily spread through their fesces. Cleaning feeders and cutting back on the amount of seed as the weather warms up are two things we can do to help prevent the spread. Check any wildbird feeding website if you want more information.

To date I have seen 1 affected female grosbeak. She is still flying but is all puffed up and quite lethargic. A neighbour has seen a male grosbeak with similar symptoms. When they are sicker you can walk right up to them. They will sit in the same spot for days before they finally die. They puff up so big. Very sad to watch.

Also remember to thoroughly wash your hands after dealing with the feeders---- humans get salmonella too!

Thank you for taking care. 

This morning the Lac Le Jeune Blog received a report from Yvonne concerning two found dogs. She says ..." neighbours found two dogs while out snowmobiling near Rossmore Lake. I now have both of them."

One dog is red and white with a tail and the second is black with grey ticking. If you are missing these dogs or have any information about them, please call Yvonne at 250-372-1961.

LLJCA 2013 Mandate and Goals

The Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association Executive met earlier in January to review our mandate statement and to set goals for 2013.

Mandate

The mandate of the Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association is one of stewardship. It is well expressed in our constitution where it states:

The purpose of the Association is to help ensure the protection and conservation of our delicate physical environment: the air, water, forest, and wildlife that surround us.

Goals

To that end, our goals for 2013 include the following:

1. Continuing to monitor the water quality of the Big Lake. (Please contact any executive member if you would be willing to assist in this project. Many hands make lighter work) 
2. Expand the more sophisticated monitoring to the Little Lake if Marg Sidney from the Ministry of the Environment is able to secure funding. The more sophisticated monitoring involves taking water samples from different lake depths that are sent for analysis for chemical content. 
3. Fuel Management Project: John Krawchuk spearheaded an initiative to look at removing the beetle killed pine along the Gus Johnson Trail (and perhaps other areas). These pose a hazard to hikers and skiers. John has been in touch with Forestry and Parks about this. A couple of days ago we were contacted by Jason Tomlin (Emergency Services Supervisor at the TNRD) who indicated that provincial funding my be available to assist in this project. 
4. Fencing to limit access of cattle to the lake. There are two cattle ranches that use this area for summer grazing. We have checked with the BCLSS (B. C. Lake Stewardship Society) regarding what has been done in other areas regarding this issue. We will need to discuss our concerns with the two ranches and with their approval (and probably other government agency approval) identify where fencing should go to better protect the quality of the water. BCLSS has provided us with a list of groups that provided funding for projects such as this. (They also indicated that this initiative has been successfully done in other lake areas because ranchers want clean water too.) 
5. Creating a water flow from the Little Lake to Meadow Creek. Brian Chan suggested that the reason for the significant fish kill in the Little Lake last winter was likely caused by a lack of flow in the lake. Earlier in the year we had discussed this concern with Marg Sidney and she told us that putting a culvert under the beaver dam has worked in other areas. (BCLSS indicated that Green Lake had successfully dealt with a similar problem and have sent us contact information)

photo by Frank Morton

Posted by David Wyse, President, LLJCA

RinkWatch

RinkWatch is a study conducted by geographers at Wilfred Laurier University. Through public participation, they are gathering data on the use of outdoor skating rinks over time as a measure of changes in our climate.

In any given year we have many ice rinks at Lac Le Jeune. Some are on the lake, and others are in back yards. At Logan Lake we have enjoyed many seasons of outdoor oval speed skating practices and competitions organized by River City Racers Speed Skating club, as well as the annual Pond Hockey Tournament (next weekend!).

I think we have all noticed some changes, especially in the length of our skating season. For example, the Logan Lake LOop speed skating event has been cancelled two years in a row because of iffy conditions in preparing the rink in December.

Are you willing to become a RinkWatcher and help with this research?

1. Go to the RinkWatch website: http://www.rinkwatch.org/
2. Create an account
3. Add the rink to the map

Then it's just a matter of recording information in a calendar about whether or not you could skate each day. You can also upload photos. It doesn't have to be YOUR rink. Feel free to add your neighbour's rink to the map.

What a save!

Stick action

Logan Lake - Owen's Oval

References:
http://www.rinkwatch.org/


Damyanov, N. N., Matthews, H. D., & Mysak, L. A. (2012). Observed decreases in the Canadian outdoor skating season due to recent winter warming. Environmental Research Letters, 7(014028). doi:doi:10.1088/1748-9326/7/1/014028

The Lac Le Jeune community is saddened by the death of Noel Michell. Noel ran the Jocko Creek Ranch, which has been in the Michell family since 1903. The ranch was founded by his grandfather J.R., who also served as mayor of Kamloops. Noel resided on the Jocko Ranch home on the south side of the little lake with his wife, Katy.

The obituary copied below appears on the In Memoriam website, where you may leave your condolences.

_______________________________

NOEL MICHELL

Passed on: January 6th, 2013

On Sunday, January 6th, 2013, Noel Michell of Kamloops, B.C. passed away peacefully surrounded with the love of family. He was 80 years old.

Noel is survived by his beloved wife Katy of 49 years, son Ralph Michell, granddaughters Hannah, Gillian, daughter Susan (Jason) McGillivray and grandchildren Meghan, Matthew, Amanda, cousins Red (Sara) Williams, Gary (Jen) Reynolds, Mary (Jack) Dawes, Marcia (Larry) Sedola, Linda (John) Rhodes and close friend and neighbor George Little. Noel was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and a friend to many.

Noel was born to parents Bert (Gladys) Michell on Christmas Day at Mrs. Phillips Nursing Home, Kamloops. He lived his entire life on Jocko Creek Ranch south of Kamloops. He dedicated his life to ranching, family and friends. He was a great stockman with years spent herding large flocks of sheep in the Hooshum Mountain ranges south of Merritt and later raising Hereford and Angus cattle at the home ranch. Noel always rode a good horse and enjoyed riding and working with his animals. He was a steward of the land, with a great love of nature and respect for animals. He was a hard working man with a kind, generous heart.

Dad treasured his time with friends and family, and truly enjoyed his grandchildren. He took great pride in the accomplishments of his grandchildren in school, sports, arts and 4-H.

Many thanks for the help and support his neighbors and fellow ranchers extended to him throughout his life, and to Dr. Proctor, the nurses at the Kamloops Cancer Clinic, and the staff of Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Hospice for the care they provided him.

"Loved with a love beyond all telling,
Missed with a grief beyond all tears,
To the world he was just one
To us he was the entire world."

A Memorial Service will be held at the Calvary Community Church, 1205 Rogers Way, Kamloops on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.

Memorial donations can be forwarded to the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Hospice.

"May he ride with the wind
always at his back"

Arrangements entrusted to
Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services
250-554-2324

News Release: Use of Snowmobiles and ATVs

I have attached a news release relating to the use of Snowmobiles and ATV's in our Communities. My hope is that this will be a good reminder to all users to be respectful, safe and compliant with the Motor Vehicle Act.

Cpl. Kathleen (Kat) THAIN NCO
i/c Logan Lake RCMP

Click for larger view

Dear pathetic adults

Did you enjoy your day of snowmobiling and tobogganing at the Lac Le Jeune ski hill? You forgot to be a good role model for your kids.

Dog for Adoption From TRU Animal Health Technology

Cedric is a high energy 1 yr old Border Collie cross. He is good with most dogs, loves to play with other dogs and is respectful of cats. He needs a home that can provide him with lots of daily exercise and a consistent routine as he is still a young dog. Cedric is an extremely intelligent dog that will make a wonderful companion for the right family. He would be a great cross country ski buddy!

www.tru.ca/science/programs/aht/adoptions 

Posted by Sonia Walczak

Ask a Dog Trainer

I'm passing along information about a free event for the public to get your dog training questions answered. Professional trainers will be on site to answer questions and help you with your dog (or cat!)

Donations for the Kamloops Humane Society are gladly accepted at this event.

Where:  Bosley's Pet Food, 1801 Princeton Kamloops Hwy, Kamloops

When: 25 January 2013 18:00 - 20:30

Five Star staff are positive trainers (no harsh methods or equipment) and come highly recommended!

Gus Johnson gets a new fence

A new fence now crosses the Gus Johnson Trail close to "Little Bay". It extends from the lakeshore to the fence line along the properties above. This fence will help to keep the cattle from accessing the area around the pump houses, and also from wandering the streets. I'm not sure which rancher to thank, but you sure built a great fence!