Some More info on #4

E-mail from Dick Tuttle:


Hello Everyone, Frank Germann located the “very good” remains of Alum Creek No. Four. It is beached directly below the cliff at the pull over across from No. three. Apparently, it floated and was driven by the wind after being sheared off by ice at the lowest point of its joint. Thanks to Frank and Jim’s photos and my own inspection, the main support post looks like it can be used again. It is made of two sixteen-foot two by sixes and the middle post is 14 feet long. Arms from the anchor post are still connected as are three bolts that once held the joint together.

The present plan, which can change once Dick Phillips and I boat to the site, is to salvage the main pole and the platform, and anchor it near its original site for safe keeping. We will fit it to a new anchor post is the mud is manageable. So, far the weather reports sound favorable with a thaw so a current in the channel will carry away the debris. The platform is wedged in place, holding everything in place for now. The lake has six more inches to go before it is back to winter level. Give a few days with temps in the 50s and 60s and it is rock and roll time.

FYI - Dick observed two adult eagles when he stopped to survey the area today. First they were perched in a tree, then they ate a fish on the ice. Keep your eyes open for eagles near the Alum Creek Osprey platforms, especially if you see them carrying sticks.

I reinstalled 25 nest boxes at the Panhandle Road Grid today. Tomorrow AM, I plan to reinstall the Leonardsburg Road Grid and add several boxes to the swamp north of the Alum Creek Platforms. Maybe I can attract some swamp bluebirds along with some Prothonotaries. The seasons are almost here.

Dick Tuttle