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Terrell's Island Nesting Island Project Mother Nature finally cooperated with us this year and we were able to get one of two nesting islands built, and substantially add to an existing one. We currently have five existing islands, constructed ten years ago, and have plans to build two more. We were able to increase the size of Island 1, and construct one of the new ones, Island 7, this winter. In order to get the necessary materials (sand, rock & clay) to the islands the ice had to be thick enough to hold the construction equipment, and with our Wisconsin winters being mild as of late this turned out to be quite a challenge! Below are some pictures of the project in progress. We will keep you updated as we add vegetation, fencing, netting, and complete more islands in the future. |
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An aerial view of the islands before the new construction began.
Dump trucks could only haul half loads (10 tons) for Island 7. They had to go very slow to avoid creating an "ice wave" that could crack the ice. As it was, the 19 inches of ice was deflecting by 6 or more inches in front of the trucks, creating a rolling "wave" in front of them.
Unfortunately the ice just wasn't cooperating and Radtke Contractors had to haul rock in loader/backhoes instead of dump trucks for Island 1. This made the work take much longer but was safer in the long run...
...but not fool proof! Lake Butte des Morts tried to claim one of the backhoes!
However, it wasn't long before it was back on solid ice once again...
...and back to building.
Island 7 is smaller and was completed first on March 4th 2008. We are hoping to attract the endangered common tern to nest on this island.
Island 1, the Cole Loberg Memorial Island, was completed March 7th 2008. We would like this island to be primarily waterfowl nesting habitat.
Thank you to Radtke Contractors for their flexibility in getting the job done, and to the DNR's Art Techlow for overseeing the project.
There is still plenty of work to be done to make the islands appealing to waterfowl and common terns. The foundation is built but it is up to us to plant the necessary vegetation, lay the fencing/netting, and check in on it periodically. If you would like to be involved in the project please contact us and we will do our best to put you to work! :) |
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