2012 Madison Audubon Society Field Trip Details

2012 Madison Audubon Society Field Trip Details

2012 Field Trip Committee: Levi Wood, Peter Fissel, Nolan Pope, Peter Gorman

Click Here for a quick 2012 Field Trip Calendar to View or Print

Also check out Jefferson/Dodge County Bird Walks (affiliated with MAS)

Mark these dates on your calendar and join us on these outings! Field trips and Activites are free, open to non-members, families, and children, and no sign-up is required unless noted. Enjoy birds, nature, and outdoor education in the company of folks who can help you appreciate more of the world we share. We will try to stick to this schedule, but unforeseen circumstances may cause changes. Voluntary carpooling at take-off locations is encouraged, carpool riders are expected to share expenses with drivers. All trip activities are voluntary and participants assume their own risks and liabilities.

FF - Family Friendly Trips
While most Field Trips and events can be enjoyed by families and kids, be sure to check the writeups in the CAWS and in the Field Trip Details to make sure they are suitable for the age and interest level. To help you decide, we are now highlighting those especially Family Friendly Field Trips and events that families and kids will certainlyl enjoy! Look for trips like Frogs Night Out marked FF - Family Friendly, or check out this summary list of Family Friendly Field Trips

New: Birding Maps!
Here are Madison Audubon links to Google Maps showing the locations of Madison Audubon Sanctuaries, Wisconsin Birding Hotspots, and every Field Trip

Click the Month names below to expand the list to show field trips and activities detail that has been posted so far. Details about meeting times, directions and contacts are published in this page below, and in the current CAWS newsletter, as they become available, usually a month or so in advance. Also check the Home Page Calendar and the Message Board for any last minute updates and additional special field trips.

JANUARY Field Trips

Sat Jan 7 Wisconsin River Raptors Marty Evanson
Come watch eagles soar over the Wisconsin River! Marty Evanson will lead this trip to Sauk Prairie to search for soaring raptors and other wintering birds. Likely finds include Bald Eagle, Rough-legged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, and American Kestrel. Other possibilities include Cooper’s Hawk, Northern Harrier, and Northern Shrike. We will check the river and Prairie du Sac dam for waterfowl and gulls. You may want to bring a snack as the trip will last until noon. If you have a scope, please bring it along. Dress appropriately for the weather. We will meet at 8 a.m. to carpool from the parking lot of Copp’s Supermarket at 6800 Century Ave. in Middleton. Riders are expected to share expenses with drivers. Contact Marty Evanson (608) 271- 6846 with questions.

FEBRUARY Field Trips

Fri-Mon Feb 17-20 Great Backyard Bird Count Everyone can participate!
Bird watchers of all ages will be counting birds from Friday-Monday, Feb. 18-21, to create a real-time snapshot of where birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts, at your home, school, workplace, or wherever it's fun and convenient to do a little birdwatching. Watching a backyard feeder from a warm window with friends or kids is ideal. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as often or as long as you like each day of the event. Even a little bit helps collect valuable scientific data. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds. See the Feb. CAWS link on the MadisonAudubon.org home page, or visit http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/
Sat Feb 25 FF Winter Birds of UW Arboretum Levi Wood
The UW Arboretum is noted for its diversity of birds in winter. Along with winter birds, such as chickadees, cardinals, finches and sparrows, there may be robins, hawks, owls or unexpected birds. Explore the edge of Curtis Prairie and wander through some woods to look and listen for bird activity. Trip leader Levi Wood guides tours of the Arboretum and has participated in the Madison Audubon bird count here for years. Meet at 8 a.m. at the Visitor Center parking lot on the side toward Curtis Prairie. If you drive in from Mills Street, park near the Visitor Center and walk through to the south part of the parking lot. We will be out for two to three hours depending upon the weather and the birds we find. It can still be cold the last weekend in February and might be snowy or icy, so dress warmly and wear appropriate foot gear. Any questions, call Levi at (608) 277-7959.

MARCH Field Trips

Sat Mar 10 Early Spring Migrants Steve Thiessen & Max Witynski
Steve Thiessen and Max Witynski will lead this early morning field trip to Mud Lake in McFarland. Mud Lake is usually the first body of water to thaw in our area, so it attracts good concentrations of spring migrating waterfowl.
We will meet at 7 a.m. at the south end of Lewis Lane in McFarland. Bring a scope if you have one. For more information call Steve at (608) 873-3323.
Sat Mar 24 FF Beginning Birding Allen Holzhueter
Each spring, MAS sponsors many birding field trips, and though the leaders attempt to help new birders, it is not always possible to answer all of their questions. Picnic Point will be the site for beginners to get their questions answered. This area, at the west end of the UW campus, offers varied habitats and a good opportunity to observe a variety of waterfowl and small birds.
We will meet next to the bus shelter in the parking lot by the 1918 Marsh (across from the entrance to Picnic Point) at 7:30 a.m. Questions? Call Allen Holzhueter at (608) 238-0546. Also offered April 7 & 21
Sun Mar 25 Spring Birding at Rose Lake Nolan Kollath & Brad Webb
Rose Lake State Natural Area is a hidden gem acquired by Jefferson County with assistance from Madison Audubon. For a description of Rose Lake and what we expect to see on this trip, click on Sanctuaries on the MAS web site. We hope to see many ducks, geese (including Greater White-fronted), cranes and shorebirds. In addition to the lake, we will tour woodlot and prairie habitats.
Rose Lake is adjacent to Dorothy Carnes County Park, which is just west of Fort Atkinson off US Hwy. 12. The only entrance is well marked. Meet in the parking lot at 9 a.m. and stay as long as you like. If you have questions, contact Nolan Kollath at (920) 648-3842 or nkollath@charter.net Co-led by Brad Webb (Brad@Theropod.org)
Sat Mar 31 Spring Birds of Columbia Co Tony Kalenic & Carol Anderson
Tony Kalenic and Carol Anderson will lead this car birding trip through northern Dane and southern Columbia counties to look for early spring migrants and late winter birds. We hope to see migrating swans, geese and other water birds.
Meet to carpool at 8 a.m. in the parking lot of the Copp’s supermarket at 6800 Century Ave. in Middleton. You can also join the group at 9:30 a.m. at Goose Pond. Bring your binoculars, a scope if you have one, and a snack, as the trip may last to early afternoon. Call Tony and Carol at (608) 249-8836 for questions.

APRIL Field Trips

Sat Apri 7 Beginning Birding Allen Holzhueter
Each spring, MAS sponsors many birding field trips, and though the leaders attempt to help new birders, it is not always possible to answer all of their questions. Picnic Point will be the site for beginners to get their questions answered. This area, at the west end of the UW campus, offers varied habitats and a good opportunity to observe a variety of waterfowl and small birds.
We will meet next to the bus shelter in the parking lot by the 1918 Marsh (across from the entrance to Picnic Point) at 7:30 a.m. Questions? Call Allen Holzhueter at (608) 238-0546. Also offered March 24 & April 21
Thu Apri 12 FF Frogs Night Out
(rain date: Apri 19) Bob Hay
Bring a sense of adventure on this trip, cosponsored by Wisconsin Wetlands Association, as you look at the world from a different perspective—through sounds. Besides listening for a variety of frog calls, participants will learn about frog lifestyles and wetlands ecology.
Meet at the Mazomanie Wildlife Area at 6:45 p.m. From Hwy. 14 in Mazomanie, drive north on County Hwy. Y for about four miles. Just before the highway bends to the east (right), turn left on Law’s Dr. Travel on the access road about a quarter mile and turn left onto the first gravel road. Follow this about one and a half miles until it deadends at a parking lot. Bring a flashlight and dress for wet conditions. The trip will be canceled if the daytime high temperature is below 45°F or in the event of very strong winds or heavy rain. The rain date is April 19. Call trip leader Bob Hay only if you have questions. (608) 829-3123.
Fri Apri 13 Evening at Schoeneberg’s Marsh and Erstad Prairie Mark & Sue Martin
Come join us for an evening birding tour at Erstad Prairie - Schoeneberg Marsh Waterfowl Production Area. Much of the Abandoned Harvey Rd. has been removed, however part of the road was left in place for birders to walk down to the curve. The water is still high & should provide ideal habitat for wetland birds. If you have not visited the area lately you are in for a change. The Fish & Wildlife Service has established a hiking trail off Priem Road. We will hike the abandoned road to the curve and also hike the trail off Priem Road.
Meet at our parking lot on Harvey Road at 6:30 p.m. Directions: From the intersection of Highways 22, 51, and 60 in North Leeds about 2 miles northeast of Goose Pond, go east on Highway 60 for one mile then turn left (north) on Harvey Road for .75 miles to the parking lot. To reach the parking lot for the Priem Road trail go left (north) on Harvey Road for .5 miles and turn left (west) on Priem Road for about .25 miles. If you have questions, contact Mark or Sue Foote-Martin at goosep@chorus.net or (608) 635-4160.
Sat Apri 14 Ice Age Trail (Once Around the Sink and Down the Drain) Gary Werner
We’ll look for returning waterfowl and grassland birds at Shoveler’s Sink, stroll through the gorge cut by glacial meltwater at the Cross Plains Ice Age National Scientific Reserve, and search for pasque flowers on the bluffs above. This 3-mile walk traces the contrasting landscape of glaciated and unglaciated (Driftless Area) terrain along the route of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Wear sturdy boots; bring binoculars, water, and food; and dress for the weather. Meet at 9 a.m. at the intersection of Cleveland Rd. and Old Sauk Pass. This is about three-fourths of a mile south of U.S. Hwy. 14 in the Town of Cross Plains. Contact trip leader Gary Werner of the Dane County Chapter, Ice Age Park & Trail Foundation, at (608) 249- 7870 with questions.
Sat or Sun Apri 14 or 15 Jefferson-Dodge Bird Walk Jefferson-Dodge Team
This winter may feel more like spring, but when real spring does arrive, we will be starting our fifth season of Jefferson and Dodge County Birdwalks, which are affiliated with Madison Audubon. As before, the walks are “low-key” and will be led by experienced birders, including Nolan Kollath, lifelong birder and former instructor at Madison Area Technical College, Watertown; Karen Etter Hale, Executive Secretary, Madison Audubon Society; Brad Webb, Vice President of the Horicon Marsh Bird Club; and Royan Webb, long-time member of the Horicon Marsh Bird Club and experienced walk leader.
As in the past, walks will be held on the third weekend of the month, April through September. Our motto is “go where the birds are” so we choose the site and exact day of the walk close to the scheduled date. These are posted on our website, http://www. theropod.org/walks.html. Or join our mailing list at the website, and you’ll be notified of all upcoming walks as soon as they are planned. We will not give out any information you provide. We only use the list to keep people informed about the walks. We have had a lot of fun with good birds, good company, and pleasant walks each year. We’d be happy to have you join us for more of the same! All experience levels are welcome.
Sun Apri 15 Spring Migrants - Birding at Lake Farm Park Pat Ready
Spring has sprung! This field trip focuses on birding the Lake Farm County Park area and nearby open water. Lake Waubesa and Upper Mud Lake should have a variety of ducks. On the trails we may find Yellow-rumped Warblers, phoebes, thrushes and a variety of sparrows. Bring a scope for viewing the lake.
This trip will be from 9 -11 a.m. Meet at the No. 1 shelter parking lot. Take South Town Rd. south from the Beltline to Moorland Rd. and turn left. Continue to Libby Rd. and turn left again. The shelter lot is a few blocks up on your left. Call Pat Ready at (608) 873-1703 for more info.
Fri Apri 20 Evening at Cherokee Marsh Tony Kalenic & Levi Wood
We‘ll see cranes, observe the courtship flight of woodcock and snipe, and see several spring migrants.
Meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Cherokee Marsh parking lot at the north end of Sherman Ave., on Madison’s north side. Waterproof footwear is recommended. Trip leaders are Levi Wood and Tony Kalenic. For questions, call Levi at (608) 277-7959.
Sat Apri 21 FF Beginning Birding Allen Holzhueter
Each spring, MAS sponsors many birding field trips, and though the leaders attempt to help new birders, it is not always possible to answer all of their questions. Picnic Point will be the site for beginners to get their questions answered. This area, at the west end of the UW campus, offers varied habitats and a good opportunity to observe a variety of waterfowl and small birds.
We will meet next to the bus shelter in the parking lot by the 1918 Marsh (across from the entrance to Picnic Point) at 7:30 a.m. Questions? Call Allen Holzhueter at (608) 238-0546. Also offered March 24 & April 7
Sat Apri 21 Baraboo Hills Spring Wildflowers and Birds Mike Mossman
Come enjoy the forest wildflowers and early spring birds at Baxter’s Hollow. We’ll walk through a wet woods in the Burga’s Slough area, where Louisiana Waterthrushes feed and sing along the springs and rocky stream, and spring ephemerals are rampant. We’ll see trilliums, trout lilies, and the gorgeous,diminutive golden saxifrage (Chrysoplenium.)Your guide will be Mike Mossman, local DNR ecologist.
Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the north end of Stone’s Pocket Rd. ((the far north end of the gravel section of road, past the TNC gate.) From Sauk City, drive 9 miles north on Hwy 12 (from Baraboo, go 8 miles south on Hwy 12,) then left (west) on King’s Corner Rd. for 1.7 mi, then north on Stone’s Pocket Rd. for 2 miles and park at the dead-end. There is not much room to park, so please carpool (there is now a new TNC parking area at the entrance to the hollow.) We’ll finish by noon. The route is wet, the path poor, and the stream must be crossed a few times, so wear appropriate footwear (rubber boots are recommended. If questions, call Mike Mossman at 608-544-5501 (michael.mossman@wi.gov) if you have any questions.
Wed Apri 25 Turville Point Spring Ephemerals Russ Hefty
Turville Point has one of Madison's best displays of spring ephemeral wildflowers. It also is the largest remaining area of natural shoreline on Lake Monona which benefits a wide variety of wildlife. Learn about current oak woodland restoration efforts in the park.
Meet at the parking lot closest to the stop lights at Olin Ave, and John Nolen Drive at 6:30p.m. Russ Hefty (608) 267-4918
Thu Apri 26 Warbler Walk at Pheasant Branch Mike McDowell
Join us for the first of MAS’s early morning warbler walks. We will be looking for migrating warblers as well as vireos, thrushes, tanagers and whatever else flies by.
Meet at 6 a.m. and park at the dead-end that leads up to Parisi Park near where Park Lawn St. meets Park St., Middleton. Mike McDowell (800) 289-1132 or (birder@tds.net) and Aaron Stutz
Sat Apri 28 Birding at Wyalusing State Park Quentin Yoerger & Charles Naeseth
Quentin Yoerger and Charles Naeseth will lead this trip to Wyalusing State Park, which overlooks the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. The Mississippi is a major migration route for numerous birds and the rugged bluffs make this breathtaking scenery a beautiful spot for a spring adventure. Observe hawks, warblers (including Yellow-throated), lots of other birds and a few spring wildflow- ers.
Bring a lunch as this trip will last until mid-afternoon. Carpool at 5 a.m. from the Home Depot parking lot on Verona Rd. (just south of the Beltline). If you have questions, contact Quentin at (608) 882-6078 or harrierqman@gmail.com
Sun Apri 29 Wisconsin River Bottoms Chris West
The trip will visit several locations west of Mazomanie along the Wisconsin River bot- toms including Arena Boat Landing, Spring Green Preserve, Bakken’s Pond and Blue River Sand Barrens. Depending on the amount of rain we get this spring, we may also stop along CTH G and CTH JJ in Spring Green for shorebirds. Probable passerines include many warblers, Lark Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, meadowlarks, some water birds including Pied-billed Grebe, Sora, Black Tern, and probably some shorebirds such as Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers, various plovers, etc.
The trip will meet at 6:30 a.m. in the parking lot at Mazomanie Bottoms (located about 3 miles north of Mazomanie on CTH Y & Laws Dr.) The trip should last until early afternoon. It may be helpful to bring FRS radios along if you have them. If you have questions, contact trip leader Chris West at little_blue_birdie@ msn.com (608) 475-9016

MAY Field Trips

Tue May 1 Warbler Walk at the Arboretum Levi Wood & Max Witynski
This is one of a handful of annual early morning warbler walks to be held in the UW Arboretum, looking for migrating warblers as well as vireos, thrushes, tanagers, and whatever else flies by. Meet at 6:00 a.m. in the Arboretum at the Wingra/Galistel Woods parking lot along Arboretum Dr. Enter the Arboretum from the east off Mills St. If you enter from the west (Seminole Hwy.) you will have to walk from the McKay Center parking area. Levi Wood (608) 277-7959 and Max Witynski.
Wed May 2 Warbler Walk at Turville Point Peter Fissel & Quentin Yoerger
Meet at 6:00 a.m. at the south parking lot at Olin-Turville Park, off John Nolen drive across from the Alliant Center. Quentin Yoerger (608) 882-6078 or Peter Fissel (608) 226-0260.
Thu May 3 Warbler Walk at Pheasant Branch Mike McDowell
Join us for one of MAS’s early morning warbler walks. We’ll look for migrating warblers as well as vireos, thrushes, tanagers, and whatever else flies by. Meet at 6:00 a.m. and park at the dead-end that leads up to Parisi Park near where Park Lawn St. meets Park St. in Middleton. Mike McDowell (800) 289-1132 or birder@tds.net
Fri May 4 FF Evening Birding at Nine Springs Peter Fissel & Dan Doeppers
This 2 .5 hour birding trip will visit one of the more interesting and often overlooked birding spots in the Madison area to search for shorebirds, herons, cranes, terns, swallows, and waterfowl. This area typically has good mud flats, marsh and pond habitat. Meet at 6:30 p.m. at the E-Way parking lot along the Capital City Bike Trail on Moorland Road. Bring a scope if you have one. This trip may last until 9:00 p.m. or later. Dan Doeppers (608) 255-3013), Peter Fissel (608) 226-0260 or pfissel@library.wisc.edu
Sun May 6 Lakeshore Nature Preserve Bird Hike Peter Fissel & Dan Doeppers
We anticipate a pleasant spring morning of birding at one of Madison’s birding hot spots. With lots of shoreline, open water and a variety of woods, wetlands, and open areas, Picnic Point is known for its diversity of birds. We can anticipate finding waterfowl, gulls, terns, blackbirds, wrens, woodpeckers, thrushes, orioles, vireos, early warblers, and a host of sparrows. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the 1918 Marsh parking lot across University Bay Dr. from Picnic Point, north of the UW hospital. The trip will last 2-3 hours with an opportunity to extend longer. Cosponsor: Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve. Dan Doeppers (608) 255-3013 and Peter Fissel (608) 226-0260 or pfissel@ library.wisc.edu
Tue May 8 Warbler Walk at the Arboretum Jim Berkelman
This is one of a handful of annual early morning warbler walks to be held in the UW Arboretum, looking for migrating warblers as well as vireos, thrushes, tanagers, and whatever else flies by. Meet at 6:00 a.m. in the Arboretum at the Wingra/Galistel Woods parking lot along Arboretum Dr. Enter the Arboretum from the east off Mills St. If you enter from the west (Seminole Hwy.) you will have to walk from the McKay Center parking area. Jim Berkelman jberkelman@wisc.edu
Wed May 9 Warbler Walk at Cherokee Marsh Dan Graham & Peter Fissel
Meet at 6:00 a.m. at the north end of Sherman Ave. Dan Graham and Peter Fissel (608) 226- 0260
Tue May 15 Warbler Walk at Pheasant Branch Mike McDowell
Meet at 6:00 a.m. and park at the dead-end that leads up to Parisi Park near where Park Lawn St. meets Park St. in Middleton. Mike McDowell (800) 289-1132 or birder@tds.net
Wed May 16 FF Wildflowers at Sandburg Woods Russ Hefty
Explore this park with its rich diversity of oak woodland wild flowers. Meet along Sunbrook Rd. near the playground East of Sandburg School. Directions: From E. Washington Ave., turn off onto Portage Rd, then take a right on Donna Dr., Left onto Gerald Dr, then Right onto Sunbrook Rd to the playground near the bike path. Russ Hefty (608) 267-4918.
Thu May 17 Warbler Walk at Pheasant Branch Mike McDowell
Meet at 6:00 a.m. and park at the dead-end that leads up to Parisi Park near where Park Lawn St. meets Park St. in Middleton. Mike McDowell (800) 289-1132 or birder@tds.net
Fri May 18 FF Evening at Token Creek Ed Saur
Though bordered by Hwy. 51 and I-90, Token Creek County Park’s varied habitats hold species such as Baltimore Oriole, Indigo Bunting,Brown Thrasher, Eastern Bluebird, Warbling Vireo, and several species of flycatchers. A variety of migrant warblers are also possible. Trip leader Ed Saur has lived in northeastern Dane County and visited the park frequently for more than 20 years. Meet at 6:30 p.m. Token Creek Co. Park is in the northeast quadrant of the I-90/94 and Hwy. 51 interchange. It’s about a half-mile north on Hwy. 51 from I-90/94 or one-half mile south on Hwy. 51 from Hwy. 19 and just east of the Pine Cone Restaurant truck stop. Brown signs mark the entrance. Wear shoes that will keep your feet dry as some trails may be wet. Meet at the parking lot at the first building on the right. Ed Saur (608) 846-4482 or ejsaur@aol.com
Sat May 19 FF Bird Banding Biocore Prairie Bird Observatory Mara McDonald
This easy spring field trip near Picnic Point runs from 8 a.m. until noon. Come early or later in the morning, stay the full time or just a few minutes. See how birds are netted, banded, measured and released, and discuss how important information is gathered for management and conservation purposes. You can expect to see resident songbirds and a variety of other migrating birds in the hand. You can accompany bird banders to the nets and observe how they remove birds, band them, and measure the birds at the mobile station. Bring insect repellent. Meet at 8 a.m. (up until noon). To get to the banding station, take Lake Mendota Dr. and park at Frautschi Point. Walk south through the woods, keeping Lake Mendota on your left, onto the Biocore Prairie. Make sure you stay on the trail closest to the lake. At the prairie, follow the trail to your right, then left. The banding station (a/k/a picnic table) is at the top of the prairie. (Or park at the Picnic Point entrance, take the first left trail, and follow the signs.) Visitors not able to walk are asked to contact the trip leader ahead of time for permission to drive you to the site. Contact Mara McDonald, mamcdona@wisc.edu or (608) 274- 2534 before 8:30 p.m., please. Rain date will be following weekend, or first weekend it’s dry.
Sat May 19 Janesville’s Cook Arboretum Tom Klubertanz
Cook Arboretum, one of the premier birding spots in Rock County, offers a variety of habitats, including bottomland forest, riparian forest, scrub, field, and conifers. Several forestinterior species are found there. Warbler diversity is excellent with over 20 species expected in late May. The trails are well-groomed, but the terrain is rugged. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the parking lot at the end of the drive. From Madison take Hwy. 14 south through Evansville. Before Janesville, take CTH H south (right) 1 mi. to CTH A. Take CTH A east (left) about 3 mi. The arboretum is on the left, at Austin Rd., 1 mi. before Janesville. Travel time is approx. 40 min. from the Madison Beltline. From I-90 and through Janesville: Take I-90 to Hwy. 26 (Milton Ave.) interchange Take Hwy. 26 into Janesville to Hwy. 14. Take Hwy 14 west (right) 5 mi. to Hwy. 51. Take Hwy. 51 south (left) 4 mi. to Memorial Dr. Take Memorial Dr. west (right) to the edge of town. Memorial Dr. becomes CTH A. The arboretum is on the right, just outside the city limits. Tom Klubertanz, tom.h.klubertanz@uwc.edu or (608) 758-6565 ext .722
Sat May 19 Butterflies of Bauer-Brockway Barrens (Jackson Co.) Mike Reese
The best place in the state to look for early butterflies in May is Jackson County. Mike Reese will lead us in finding and observing many scarce and unusual species. We expect to find various Elfins, including the very rare Frosted Elfin. We should find Olympia Marble, Gorgone Checkerspot, Cobweb Skipper, Dreamy and Sleepy Duskywings, etc. Bring binoculars if you have them, close-focusing ones work best. (A few extra pairs of binoculars are available.) Also, bring a bag lunch and water. A hat, long pants and long sleeves are recommended. This is a joint trip with the Southern Wis. Butterfly Association. Meet in Jackson Co. at 10:30 a.m. at the corner of West Bauer Road and Brockway Road. We will butterfly until 3:00 p.m. From the intersection of I-94 and Hwy 54 in Black River Falls, go east on Hwy 54 approximately five miles to Brockway Road. Turn right on Brockway and drive 2.5 miles south to West Bauer Road. (This area is about 2 1/4 hours northwest of Madison via I-94.) Participants must PREREGISTER for this trip by either calling Mike at (920) 787-2341, or include your phone number in an email to mikereese@wisconsinbutterflies. org (so we can contact you in case of cancellation due to weather).
Sat May 19 Big Birding Day Join or Support a Team!
See the Big Birding Day web page to sign up and pledge
Sun May 20 FF Briggsville Sandhill Crane Tour Anne Lacey
“Sandhill Cranes in your backyard: who they are, what they do, and who they do it with” A May visit to the long term study area of the International Crane Foundation is an inside look at a fascinating species that defines spring to many Wisconsinites. Over 20+ years of studying these birds, ICF has discovered that it is often more soap opera than science! We’ll experience family group dynamics, Crane group-think in germinating cornfields, banded cranes we’ve known since the egg… and so much more. Learn about the work that ICF has conducted in the farming community of Briggsville WI, work that has informed on subjects as controversial as hunting and crop damage and as techno-savvy as cranes that text. In addition, experience all the species that call Wisconsin’s rich agricultural fields and wetlands home. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at Neenah Creek Elementary School, at the corner of CTH X and Hwy 23 in Briggsville WI. (From the Hwy 51/ I-90/94 exit it is 40 mi). Follow I-39 north to the Hwy 16 exit in Portage (N to WI Dells). Take the immediate right onto Hwy 127. Follow for 6.5 miles until CTH AA. Follow AA north until you end on Hwy 23 – turn right and you will see the elementary school on your right. Those wanting to carpool from Madison should meet at the American Family Park & Ride at 6:00 a.m. Take American Pkwy off Hwy 151 northeast of the interstate to East Park Blvd. and turn right. Contact trip leader Anne Lacy at ICF with any questions (608) 356-9462 ext. 146
Thu May 24 Evening at Pheasant Branch Mike McDowell
Enjoy an evening warbler walk at Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Middleton, on the Dane County parcel. Migrating spring warblers, vireos and thrushes will be the focus of our search, but we’ll probably find other interesting birds. Meet at 6:00 p.m. To reach the Dane County parcel, drive one and a half miles north on Pheasant Branch Rd. from Century Ave. Go to the third conservancy parking lot on the right after you pass the Conservancy Condominiums. Mike McDowell (800) 289- 1132
Sat May 26 Birding Horicon Marsh Levi Wood & Peter Fissel
Join us as we explore the largest freshwater marsh in the U.S. We will look for a variety of birds in various spots around the marsh, including wetlands, open water, woodlands, and possibly mudflats to attract shorebirds, depending on conditions. We should return to Madison by early afternoon. Meet to carpool at 7:00 a.m. at the American Family Park & Ride lot (take American Pkwy off Hwy 151 northeast of the Interstate and turn right on East Park Blvd.) Peter Fissel (608) 226-0260 or pfissel@library.wisc.edu) and Levi Wood (608) 277-7959
Sat-Sun-Mon May 26-28 FF Madison Audubon Birding Camp at Lake Lucerne (please register to attend) Paul Noeldner
See the Audubon Camp Info and Registration web page Birding experts and novices both enjoy Madison Audubon's biggest birding weekend outing! Come to beautiful Camp Lake Lucerne for Memorial Day Weekend for lots of fun, birding, and just relaxing in a beautiful natural setting by a spring fed lake, and listen to the Whip-Poor-Wills sing you to sleep. We do bird walks every morning and after every meal, including carpools to nearby hotspots such as Germania Marsh and Buena Vista. Open to members and non-members, individuals and families, the cost for 2 nights and 6 meals is a reasonable $152, and there are reduced rates for kids. Accommodations are simple but comfortable group cabins and private bedrooms. Meals are served in a dining hall overlooking the lake. Come Friday for $52 and get in an extra day of birding or bring your kayak and paddle the Mecan and White flowage. Meals prior to Saturday evening are on your own. For more info, pictures, and registration forms see http://MadisonAudubon.org/Audubon/LakeLucerne. Space is limited. Contact Madison Audubon volunteer camp registration coordinator Paul Noeldner at paul_noeldner@hotmail.com or (608) 698-0104 if you have any questions.
Sun May 27 Birding at Baxter’s Hollow Aaron Stutz
Baxter’s Hollow is one of the most scenic areas in the Baraboo Hills. We will search for breeding species like Worm-eating , Mourning, Cerulean and Hooded Warblers, Louisiana Waterthrush, both cuckoos, and any migrants passing through. Meet at 6:30 a.m. to carpool from the Copp’s parking lot (6800 Century Ave.) in Middleton. The trip may last for four hours. Aaron Stutz (920) 648-3761 or agstutz@sbcglobal.net.

JUNE Field Trips

Sat Jun 2 FF Warner Park Birds Trish O’Kane

Sat Jun 2 Birds of Devil’s Lake and Baxter’s Hollow Chuck Heikkinen & Delia Unson
Join us for a morning of scouring the southern half of Devil’s Lake State Park to look for nesting bird species including Veery, Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Vireo, Acadian Flycatcher, Scarlet Tanager, Bluewinged Warbler, plus possible Cerulean and Worm-eating Warblers. In all, we’ll probably find 50-60 species. We will extend the trip to include Baxter’s Hollow if time permits. The leaders, Chuck Heikkinen and Delia Unson, are intimately acquainted with this area, covering it for the Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas. (They found 117 possible nesting species.) Please note that a (day) Wisconsin state park sticker is required to park at Devil’s Lake. Wear sturdy walking shoes, and bring water and insect repellent. Since we will be there until about noon or even later, you might want to bring a sack lunch. Meet at 6:00 a.m. at the Middleton Park and Ride to carpool. From Hwy 12 at Middleton take Exit 249 (Parmenter St.) to the Park and Ride, OR meet us at 6:45 a.m. in the parking area for the boat landing on the southwest shore of Devil’s Lake. Contact Chuck or Delia at (608) 274-4043 or quetzal65@gmail.com with any questions.
Wed Jun 6 Edna Taylor Conservation Park Russ Hefty
Explore this beautiful park on the southeast side of Madison. A glacial drumlin rising above a broad ribbon of marsh forms the backbone of this Madison park. In 2012 staff will be implementing a large scale oak savanna restoration in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Meet at 6:30 p.m. at 802 Femrite Dr. (take Edna Taylor Pkwy off E. Broadway, or take Femrite Dr. off Monona Dr.) Russ Hefty (608) 267-4918.
Sat Jun 9 Grassland Birds at Middleton Airport Mike McDowell & Curt Caslavka
We should see lots of grassland species here. Likely sightings include Bobolinks, Eastern Meadowlarks, Savannah Sparrows, Sedge Wrens, and Dickcissels. Other possible species are Eastern Kingbirds, Grasshopper Sparrows, and Willow Flycatchers. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Middleton Airport parking lot on Airport Rd., about ¼ mile west of the Beltline intersection in Middleton. There are no trails, so bring waterproof footwear if it has rained recently. The trip will last until 11:00 a.m. Trip leaders are Mike McDowell and Curt Caslavka (608) 836-1865.
Sun Jun 10 Table Bluff Ice Age Trail Steve Richter
The Madison Audubon Society will join the Ice Age Trail Alliance (IATI) for a hike through the beautiful Table Bluff prairie and woodlands. A site of very active, on-going restoration, Table Bluff is one of the premier hikes in Dane County. Steve Richter from The Nature Conservancy will lead you in identifying many early summer birds and plants. Meet at 9 a.m. at the IATA parking lot. Take Hwy 14 about 0.5 mile west of Cross Plains to CTH KP and turn right (north). Go north on KP about 2 miles and turn left on Table Bluff Road. Go 0.3 mile to the IATA parking lot. The trip will last until noon. Advance signup is not required but it would help to let Steve know you are coming so he can let you know about any weather-related changes. Contact Steve at (608) 577-3076 or srichter@tnc.org.
Sat Jun 16 FF Butterflies of Pleasant Valley Ann Thering

Sat or Sun Jun 16 or 17 Jefferson-Dodge Bird Walk Jefferson-Dodge Team

Tue Jun 19 Pheasant Branch Birding Mike McDowell

Thu Jun 21 Evening at Black Earth Prairie Kathie & Tom Brock

Sat Jun 23 Madison School Forest--Forest Ecology Scott Taylor

Sat Jun 30 FF Butterflies of Cherokee Marsh Karl & Dorothy Legler

JULY Field Trips

Sun Jul 1 Madison Butterfly Count Karl & Dorothy Legler
Sat Jul 7 Butterflies of Sandhill Wildlife Area Ron Arnold
Wed Jul 11 FF Prairie Ridge Park Russ Hefty
Sun Jul 15 Birds, Butterflies, and Dragonflies of Lakeshore Nature Preserve Edgar Spalding
Sat or Sun Jul 21 or 22 Jefferson-Dodge Bird Walk Jefferson-Dodge Team
Sat Jul 21 Flowers and Butterflies of Schurch-Thomson Prairie Rich Henderson
Sun Jul 29 Prairies at their Peak Kathie & Tom Brock

AUGUST Field Trips

Sat Aug 4 FF Goose Pond Prairie Restoration Mark & Sue Martin
Sat Aug 4 Cherokee Marsh, Upper Yahara River Tour Russ Hefty
Sat Aug 11 Butterflies of the Avoca/Blue River Area Mike Reese
Sat Aug 18 Shorebirds of Southern Wisconsin Peter Fissel
Sat or Sun Aug 18 or 19 Jefferson-Dodge Bird Walk Jefferson-Dodge Team
Sat Aug 25 Fall Warbler Walk at Pheasant Branch Mike McDowell
Sat Aug 25 Butterflies and Blossoms at Pheasant Branch Dreux Watermolen
Sun Aug 26 Fall Birding at Lakeshore Nature Preserve Marty Evanson & Roma Lenehan
Thu Aug 30 FF Evening Tour of Owen Park Sylvia Marek

SEPTEMBER Field Trips

Sat Sep 1 Birding Madison School Forest Peter Fissel, Peter Gorman, & Nolan Pope
Mon Sep 3 Pleasant Valley Conservancy Tour Kathie & Tom Brock
Fri Sep 7 FF Swift Night Out Sandy Fuller
Wed Sep 12 FF Owen Park Prairies Russ Hefty
Thu Sep 13 Warbler Walk at Pheasant Branch Mike McDowell
Sat Sep 15 FF Bird Banding Biocore Prairie Bird Observatory Mara McDonald
Sun Sep 16 Birding Zeloski Marsh Nolan Kollath & Brad Webb
Tue Sep 18 Warbler Walk at Pheasant Branch Mike McDowell

OCTOBER Field Trips

Sat Oct 6 Migrant Songbirds of Pheasant Branch Conservancy Mike McDowell
Sat Oct 6 FF Saw-whet Owl Banding Research Station - super for families! Paul Noeldner
Wed Oct 10 Cherokee Marsh, North Unit Russ Hefty
Sat Oct 13 Fall Birding at Lakeshore Nature Preserve Eric Wood & Roma Lenehan
Sun Oct 21 FF Goose Pond Scope Day Dorothy Haines & Lester Doyle
Sat Oct 27 Migrant Songbirds of Pheasant Branch Conservancy Mike McDowell

NOVEMBER Field Trips

Sun Nov 4 Lake Michigan Birding Aaron Stutz
Sat Nov 17 Mississippi River Birding Chris West

DECEMBER Field Trips

Sat Dec 1 Madison Lakes Al Shea
Sat Dec 15 Madison Christmas Bird Count Aaron Stutz