Wildlife survey
By by Lowell Tesky

A little known and inconspicuous wildlife survey occurs on the Flowage each summer. It is conducted by the DNR, usually with the help of a few volunteers, primarily to monitor the loon and waterfowl population and production. It is conducted between July 4 and July 20, a time when duck broods are still together and loon chicks are big enough to be easily observed. For survey purposes, the Flowage is divided into eight smaller areas, which are surveyed simultaneously by eight small boats slowly following their individual assigned shoreline routes. An operator and one or two observers in each boat record species and numbers of wildlife observed along with time and location.

When the results of all eight routes are combined, a complete survey of the Flowage is obtained with little duplication except for a few species that fly around a lot. The survey begins shortly after sunup and concludes about 11:00 a.m. followed by a picnic lunch on an island where the results can be discussed and any unusual observations shared.

The survey has been conducted 1991-1994 and 1997-1998. In 1998, 11 pair of common loon produced 17 young - a good year but down from 1997, the best year, when 15 pair produced 27 young. Results for other species show mallards far and away the most common species of duck followed by hooded mergansers and wood ducks and still only one or two broods of Canadian goose - it will be interesting to see this population grow as it is doing on surrounding lakes and ponds. Other commonly observed bird species are eagles, great blue herons, ring-billed gulls, crows, swallows, and belted kingfishers.

The Flowage contains miles of undeveloped shoreline and islands that ensure good habitat for many species of wildlife and provide many sights and sounds that make the survey enjoyable and interesting.