My Birch Bay & Birch Meadows

May 5, 2014

Cougars Sighted At The Bay

Members of our community have seen a cougar around Birch Bay.

Courag sign — Sign posted on a community bulletin board

While the presence of a cougar is a sign of a healthy eco system and a healthy deer population, it is also very much a concern.

Suggested precautions from Alberta Environment & Sustainable Development include:

Carry bear spray. Be prepared to use it to defend yourself if a cougar approaches within 12 metres (40 feet – equivalent to a bus length).
Keep children close. Never let them play outside unsupervised, near forested areas or at dusk or dawn.
Always walk your dog on a leash.

For more information about Cougars check out the Alberta Environment & Sustainable Development page.

May 5, 2014May 5, 2014

Ice on the Lake for May Long Weekend?

With only two weeks left until the May long weekend, the lake is still covered in ice which begs the question, will the ice be gone for the long weekend? Will boating enthusiasts be able to launch the new season with their first chilly skis, wake boards, or surf sessions? A few years ago there was still ice left, keeping the boats high and dry, but it’s not uncommon for the last of the ice to disappear mere days before the long weekend that marks the start of the summer season. Let’s hope for some warm, sunny days in the next two weeks so the boats can float, and everyone can enjoy a weekend at the lake after a long and taxing winter!