CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Redbud Audubon Society recently gifted the city of Clearlake with an illustrated sign meant to remind the public of the importance of protecting wildlife on Clear Lake.
The “For Their Sake, Share the Lake” sign was installed last week at Redbud Park on Onorato Hall, the restroom facility in the area of Thompson Harbor boat launch.
The sign describes the mating and nesting habits of the Western and Clark's grebes and the potential dangers posed by boaters.
“During the summer breeding season, these birds build colonies of floating nests that can be threatened by speedboats, jet skis and water skiers,” Redbud Audubon President Marilyn Waits said. “The new sign faces the boat launch to alert boaters to keep a distance from the nesting grebes and their chicks.”
Waits said the signs will help residents and tourists understand the importance of “sharing the lake” and being mindful of its wildlife.
She said researchers from UC Davis identified a need for public education regarding the potential for endangering the grebe without intention.
Four additional signs, to be placed at locations around the lake, will assist in raising public awareness, Waits said. Locations include Clear Lake State Park and Lakeside Park in Kelseyville; Library Park in Lakeport; and Lucerne Harbor Park in Lucerne.
The grebe nesting season coincides with the boating season, which increases the risks for grebe survival.
Waits said grebes build floating nests that can be flooded or broken apart by boat wakes. Wakes also can cause the eggs to roll out of the nest.
In addition, she said, grebes carry their young on their backs, which make them vulnerable to boat strikes.
The signs cites a comeback in grebe populations following bans of market hunting, egg collecting and toxic pesticides.
According to the Redbud Audubon Society, grebes in California are suffering heavy losses because of oil spills, exposure to which causes them to lose the ability to regulate body temperature.
The signs state the public's help is essential in making Clear Lake a safe place for recovery of the grebe population.
“You can enjoy boating while taking care that grebes survive to re-populate this wildlife area,” the signs say.
The signs describe the grebe as a “dynamic diver” that can appear and disappear quickly. They also tells of the grebes' mating rituals.
In the “rushing ceremony” two or more grebes will rise up together, rhythmically bobbing their heads and skimming rapidly across the service of the water.
Next comes the “weed ceremony,” which is accented by shrill calls, diving and the co-presentation of freshly picked plants. Following this courtship, colonial nest building commences.
Aquatic plants in Clear Lake create ideal conditions for floating nest construction. The signs remind lake users that the damage or loss of habitat has the potential of reducing the survival chances of the grebe.
Waits said the signs carry a 10-year warranty.
In addition to the public education sign, Redbud Audubon Society donated a fishing line recycle bin, which also is in place at Redbud Park.
“Tangled fishing line kills many birds and other wildlife,” Waits said. “Volunteers from Audubon and Sea Scouts collect the discarded line from the bins on a regular basis and the discarded monofilament line is mailed to a recycling manufacturer in the Midwest to be made into new products.”
Waits said donations of the signs and fishing line recycling bins, which total 18, were made possible through the organization’s six-year Grebe Conservation Grant from the Luckenbach Trustee Council.
She said Redbud Audubon is one of three chapters in Northern California participating in the grant program, which also provides funding for the organization’s partnership with the Lake County Department of Water Resources for placement of speed buoys around grebe colonies as well as for research monitoring by Pacific Union College.
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