Entered 2/2/2012 10:57:46 PM__________________________________________
Whooping Crane update (from wisbirdnet) - Nine young Whooping Cranes that flew from Wisconsin to Alabama behind ultralight planes last fall will not be led to refuges in Florida but instead will be released on Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge near Decatur, Alabama. [[http://cs.birdwatchingdaily.com/BRDCS/blogs/field_of_view/archive/2012/02/02/9-whooping-cranes-will-be-released-on-alabama-refuge.aspx]]
Entered 2/2/2012 6:01:16 PM__________________________________________
Maybe we could all support the crane hunt if they also allow a hunting season on feral cats. There was a proposal to do that before the conservation congress a few years, but some reason it went nowhere.
Entered 2/2/2012 5:10:23 PM__________________________________________
Contact your legislators as soon as possible and let them know what you think about the proposal to open a hunting season on Sandhill Cranes in Wisconsin. Find your legislators and their contact information here: [[http://legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/waml/waml.aspx]] .On Tuesday, Jan. 31, Representative Joel Kleefisch distributed a bill, LRB 3173/3, for co-sponsorship with a deadline of February 7 for legislators to sign on. The bill would establish a Sandhill Crane hunting season in Wisconsin.
Entered 2/2/2012 8:01:55 AM__________________________________________
from WisBirdNet: A good job on this 2+ minute Snowy Owl story - click the link and then enjoy - Noel Cutright, Ozaukee County [[http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/46228719/#null]]
Entered 2/1/2012 10:53:52 PM__________________________________________
Per wisbirdnet email - local sighting of interest - a Snowy Owl was reportedly seen taking off from the Dane Co airport area on Wednesday, observer was near Hwy 51, flight destination was north toward DeForest. A Snowy was also previously reported near the airport about a week or two ago.
Entered 1/30/2012 8:08:40 AM__________________________________________
Yes, both are possible/likely, Cooper's more so. Redtailed hawk is much commoner
Entered 1/29/2012 9:38:44 PM__________________________________________
Might I have seen either a Cooper's Hawk or a Sharp-shinned near the intersection of Odana and Whitney Way around 8:15 am on Friday 1/27/12?
Entered 1/28/2012 10:28:12 AM__________________________________________
Only 16 Great Horned Owls were counted on the Madison Christmas Bird Count on December 17th, surely but a fraction of what were/are really out there! The actual number is probably closer to 50. The most common owl species in Madison, by far, is Eastern Screech-Owl; one year over 100 were counted. Bigger owls eat smaller ones, hence you don't often see Screech just sitting out in the open. Cooper's Hawks probably also eat a lot of Screech and/or Saw-whet when they find them.
Entered 1/27/2012 8:18:44 PM__________________________________________
Great horned owl, East Main and First st., Madison, 8pm, Friday the 27th
Entered 1/25/2012 7:28:20 PM__________________________________________
hello Audubon members my father recently has passed away and left me with a collection of bird books and magazines i have come to terms with his untimely death and am ready to pass these items on to some one that has a much more appreciation for these books i have items the date back in the 1930s please even over 100 issues of the passenger pigeon from 1950-1970 feel free to email me for more info dukedelgado@yahoo.com
Entered 1/25/2012 9:59:33 AM__________________________________________
Just follow the sounds of "angry" crows, also look in every conifer tree and you will find owls, such as Great Horned. As far as nesting owls, owls do not make their own nests, they use ones that were made (used in a previous nesting-season) by other birds, especailly hawks and herons . Sometimes Great Horned owls nest on a leafnest, such as made by squirrels, or even on a bent-over broken tree trunk. You just have to look around and you will eventully find one. Great horned is the first bird to lay eggs in Wisconsin every year, except for chickens.
Entered 1/25/2012 8:50:24 AM__________________________________________
Could you tell me where you saw the hawks, shrike, and owls? My daughter is trying to see as many birds in Wisconsin as she can, and would especially love to see some owls. Thanks! Kirkrox@sbcglobal.net
Entered 1/24/2012 9:45:34 PM__________________________________________
Hi all, well I went back to that one place this afternoon and saw a lot of raptors, at least 5 Redtails as well as one Roughleg, a Shrike, Great Horned and Barred Owl not to mention some Robins that have probably been around there all winter, I think they like the buckthorn berries. Pretty soon there will be some birds heading north, maybe Cranes and even Killdeer! Looks like we made it through another Winter
Entered 1/24/2012 8:03:04 AM__________________________________________
Yesterday there were a lot of crows and also some Canadian geese flying around in the snow. Are birds harmed by salt that people put on the sidewalk, or by the street salt that is spread by the city trucks? Harmed directly or maybe by any damage that is done to the lakes when the salt washes (eventually) in there?
Entered 1/23/2012 1:13:35 PM__________________________________________
Saturday afternoon there was a SNOWY OWL a little SE of Goose Pond. It was sitting on the ground about 150 yards E. of Good Pond Rd. and 200 yards N. of K. It was pure white, and at that distance we initially dismissed it as just a lump of snow in the field -- until it finally turned its head in our direction. (My apologies for the delay in posting this.) Jon Peacock (jpeacock@wccf.org)
Entered 1/22/2012 4:15:10 PM__________________________________________
Probably TUNDRA SWANS. Snow Geese are smaller than Canada Geese, and usually there are non-white ("Blue") ones mixed in. With a good close look, the black wingtips on a white Snow Goose would rule out any of the swan species.
Entered 1/21/2012 3:34:36 PM__________________________________________
Was out walking on frozen Lake Monona this afternoon and saw three flocks of large white birds (all in V patterns). Not sure if they were Tundra Swans or Snow Geese. Any thoughts? jessicaarmantrout@gmail.com
Entered 1/21/2012 10:29:35 AM__________________________________________
So far today, only 4 kinds of birds seen from the window: crows, gold finch, starlings and house sparrow, the sparrow was acting kind of territorial, perching way at the top of a tree
Entered 1/20/2012 11:56:12 AM__________________________________________
Saw a male cardinal through the window this morning, fly to the top of a couple different trees .Couldn't hear anything but wondered, could he be singing already, either with all the snow and esp. the cold? Also saw what looked like a gold finch but it had no yellow on it so not sure .
Entered 1/19/2012 7:22:24 PM__________________________________________
Any remaining ducks, loons, grebes, swans etc. in Madison are...where?
Entered 1/19/2012 7:20:51 PM__________________________________________
When does "Spring" migration start? Down in Texas/Louisiana, it starts in January! Pretty soon they'll be seeing returning Purple Martins down there. They won't show up here til about April. But just the thought of the end of Winter...Along with of course the fact that around here, Great Horned Owls are already laying eggs, yes even despite the snow and the frigid temps.
Entered 1/19/2012 7:18:12 PM__________________________________________
It's so frustrating trying to tell a Cooper's Hawk from a Sharp-shinned! It's probably actually easier when they fly, as they have somewhat different ways of flapping. But a perched one, whoa!Even with a Sibley guide AND a copy of Kenn Kaufman's Advanced Birding, it is still sometimes a coin-toss. One problem is that a female Sharpshin is about the same size as a male Cooper's, with female raptors generally being larger than males of the same species. If anyone has photos of both species, especially of immatures, and especially perched birds, it would be great to see them. It's easier in summer because in Madison there are no Sharpshins then.
Entered 1/19/2012 1:09:27 PM__________________________________________
We have a Northern Saw Whet Owl wintering in our pine tree in southwest Madison.
Entered 1/17/2012 4:49:45 PM__________________________________________
The only Redpolls I've seen so far this winter were in with a big flock of goldfinches, they were both eating the seeds of evening primrose and something like lambsquarters. So now I'm paying closer attention to such weeds
Entered 1/17/2012 1:11:11 PM__________________________________________
Redpolls in my backyard, I live between Cottage Grove and Marshall.
Entered 1/16/2012 7:15:47 PM__________________________________________
SPARROWS lately: of course Juncos and American Tree Sparrows, but also White-throated, Song and Swamp. Has anyone found any other spp. of sparrows this month within the Madison CBC area?
Entered 1/15/2012 12:10:51 PM__________________________________________
Greetings,As a recent retiree and active birder, I am considering relocation to Madison and would appreciate information regarding the most desirable, yet affordable neighborhoods for apartment rentals within the city limits (not suburbs). Thank you in advance. Ron LandskronerOakland, California
Entered 1/13/2012 1:28:48 PM__________________________________________
All this snow = lots of birds must be showing up in peoples yards, in Deerfield and elsewhere
Entered 1/9/2012 4:02:19 PM__________________________________________
The FAA has apparently granted the wavier so the migration can continue.
Entered 1/9/2012 2:54:42 PM__________________________________________
The FAA has interrupted the whooping crane migration due to a technical issue of pilot licensing. I think people who are concerned may wish to contact the White House, Senator Kohl, Rep. Baldwin, or Senator Johnson to ask that the FAA grant a waiver so the migration to FL can be resumed ASAP. The cranes need to leave from FL in late Feb/early March, so time is of the essence. See NY Times story at: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/us/faa-grounds-plane-leading-whooping-cranes-to-florida.html
Entered 1/9/2012 1:01:28 PM__________________________________________
I live in Deerfield and would like to know where all the birds went? I sometimes can hear them, but I don't see any and I live off London Rd, which is rural. Thanks.Judith McNeil at jmjaymac@gmail.com
Entered 1/7/2012 1:29:14 PM__________________________________________
Earlier this morning saw (I think) bald eagles on the ice off of Warner Bay. Returned later and they were gone, but this juvenile flew flew over:[[https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-68hPZ2CZKC4/Twics5uZZLI/AAAAAAAABBY/sAIJbXd7R4Q/s640/IMG_5351.JPG]]
Entered 1/6/2012 1:04:07 PM__________________________________________
Yellow variant of the House Finch seen today near Eken Park. According to Sibley guide more normally seen in the Southwest.
Entered 1/6/2012 9:33:34 AM__________________________________________
There are three bald eagles standing on the ice next to a small open patch of the Yahara River just where it empties into Lake Mendota, just past Mazanette Marina. We've never seen this before -very exciting!
Entered 1/5/2012 6:48:27 PM__________________________________________
In a couple weeks Lake Mendota might be frozen over, as used to happen every year in December. Maybe the Christmas Bird Count should be done again around that time?
Entered 1/3/2012 3:34:53 PM__________________________________________
I have spoken to Darren Marsh of Dane County Parks (north parcel of Pheasant Branch Conservancy) and Mark Wegner of City of Middleton Public lands (city parcel of Pheasant Branch Conservancy). There is no existing or proposed snowmobile trail for the conservancy. According to both sources, the proposed trail in question will be a continuation from Cross Plains to Quaker Steak & Lube. ~ Mike McDowell
Entered 1/3/2012 3:12:18 PM__________________________________________
Public Hearing Invite: Tomorrow Jan 4, 2012 there is a planning meeting at 7pm at Middleton City Hall. On the agenda is the Snow Mobile trail recently created in Pheasant Branch. The trail is euither on or adjacent to the recreation path from Evergreen to Steak and Lube The oposted speed limit is 25 mph. The meeting is an opportunity for public discussion.
Entered 1/3/2012 3:06:57 PM__________________________________________
Thanks for posting CBC counts, Aaron!
Entered 1/2/2012 9:07:15 AM__________________________________________
The "97" does not include the 14 feeder watchers.Aaron
Entered 1/1/2012 7:24:26 PM__________________________________________
Does the 97 counters include "feeder watchers"?On a different note, has anyone seen any birds SINCE the Madison count that were not found on the count itself (Dec. 17th)?
Entered 1/1/2012 7:04:27 PM__________________________________________
The Madison CBC data set is now complete (I received the final data set yesterday). The count finished with 93 species (96 during count week--Snowy Owl, Glaucous Gull and E. Towhee). 97 counters (99 last year) organized into 52 parties reported 42,465 individuals. This is the highest total since 2006--43,003. Over 40% of the individual birds observed on this year's count were Coots or Canada Geese. The 11 most abundant species made up almost 73% of all individuals observed! Counters spent 247.9 hours in the field (20+ more than last year), walked 122.8 miles and drove 693.7 miles. National Audubon's data entry portal is a mess, so I cannot ascertain which species were present in record high numbers. 12,751 Canada Goose4,670 American Coot2,557 House Sparrow1,925 Mallard1,838 European Starling1,484 Ring-billed Gull1,289 Black-capped Chickadee1,159 American Crow1,130 American Goldfinch1,067 House Finch1,015 Dark-eyed Junco959 Mourning Dove919 Rock Pigeon844 Herring Gull747 American Tree Sparrow747 Northern Cardinal745 Tundra Swan726 Common Goldeneye650 Northern Shoveler510 Common Merganser503 Canvasback415 Bufflehead391 American Robin339 Lesser Scaup333 Gadwall307 White-breasted Nuthatch289 Downy Woodpecker282 Wild Turkey262 Blue Jay181 Red-bellied Woodpecker161 Pine Siskin156 Red-tailed Hawk121 Cedar Waxwing91 Hairy Woodpecker87 Brown Creeper77 Sandhill Crane73 Hooded Merganser65 Cackling Goose64 Red-winged Blackbird50 Ruddy Duck46 Tufted Titmouse36 Song Sparrow34 Ring-necked Duck28 Cooper's Hawk25 Northern Flicker24 Redhead23 Eastern Screech Owl20 White-throated Sparrow19 Bald Eagle16 Great Horned Owl16 Swamp Sparrow16 Red-breasted Merganser15 Red-breasted Nuthatch13 Golden-crowned Kinglet13 Eastern Bluebird12 Common Loon11 Belted Kingfisher11 Horned Lark10 Horned Grebe9 American Kestrel8 Sharp-shinned Hawk8 Green-winged Teal7 Barred Owl7 Northern Shrike7 Northern Pintail6 White-crowned Sparrow4 Carolina Wren3 Rough-legged Hawk3 Mute Swan3 Northern Harrier3 Hermit Thrush3 Snow Goose2 American Wigeon2 Ring-necked Pheasant2 Purple Finch2 Long-tailed Duck2 Winter Wren2 Yellow-rumped Warbler1 American Black Duck1 Common Grackle1 Common Redpoll1 Great Blue Heron1 Long-eared Owl1 Northern Saw-whet Owl1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker1 Fox Sparrow1 Red Crossbill1 Red-necked Grebe1 Greater White-fronted Goose1 Merlin1 Iceland Gull1 Townsend's Solitaire1 Gray CatbirdAaron StutzLake Mills, WIJefferson County
Entered 12/30/2011 3:34:04 PM__________________________________________
I believe it's good for birders to at least think about their birding habits when it comes to driving hundreds of miles to chase a rare bird or two. I do find it somewhat sad to think of the thousands of dollars that are spent on gasoline by Wisconsin birders each year that could have benefited bird rehab centers and various conservation causes. Places like REGI and MN Raptor Center desperately need money to keep operating. Most of our gas dollars go directly to petroleum companies, many of which are among the top 20 most unethical corporations in the world. The reality is that nearly all of us need to drive a car and can't enjoy the lifestyle certain Madison birders do. Still, in the spirit of citizen science, I think the best way to enhance our understanding of migratory bird behavior is for birders to pick a local area, bird it extensively throughout the year, and record your sightings in eBird. And you know what? I'm not too shy to put my name on it!Mike McDowell
Entered 12/28/2011 6:19:50 PM__________________________________________
Great birding day at picnic pt. Wed.Dec 28. Two adult Bald Eagles, 1 Great Horned Owl, 9 Mute Swans, About 100 geese and70 or 80 coots. 1 robin,cardinals and gulls and mallards.
Entered 12/28/2011 10:16:55 AM__________________________________________
Bald Eagle along lake shore path on December 26th, between the rowing house and the Union.
Entered 12/28/2011 9:17:10 AM__________________________________________
"Game over for the climate" is how chief climate scientist James Hansen refers to the KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE, which would vastly speed-up global warming by exploiting Canadian tar sands. Have you written the White House about this yet:http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/keystone_timeline/?r_by=32736-338397-cniuT%3Dx&rc=paste2
Entered 12/27/2011 12:29:02 PM__________________________________________
Personally I find the concept disturbing that bird watchers are supposed to stay tethered to their home but big wheel trucks with trailers full of atv's or snowmobiles or boats and go without complaint off to the corners of the state to then, unload those atvs or snow machines or boats and roar around all day long. Why not go complain at them? Why not go to the airport and disparage all the people coming and going via airplanes to and from far off places? Some of them might have an angle to see a bird when they get there! It's just plain silly to impose a higher standard on people reporting bird sightings over everyone else. So it would be ok if we go to Horicon to trap muskrats but it is so bad if we go there to look around, as one of the places we visit now and then? We will go to locations in the state we care to go and if you don't like it that is your choice. What you can get out of all this whining is people not reporting any bird sightings on this list. Happy now?
Entered 12/27/2011 5:40:13 AM__________________________________________
There are otters in several places in Madison - you don't have to drive 100 miles roundtrip to see one. Same goes for Bald Eagles and Snowy Owls.
Entered 12/26/2011 7:32:53 PM__________________________________________
Horicon: oops left out the light phase rough legged hawk. Seemed like there were quite a few rough legs flying over the marsh in the vicinity of Dike Road. Got a very good look at one which was quite beautiful and did a lot of hovering.
Entered 12/26/2011 6:52:20 PM__________________________________________
Went to Horicon Marsh today. Did see a snowy owl at a great distance like 1/2 mile North of Dike road on top of a muskrat house. Apparently it was closer until a trapper came by and flushed it. We walked from the end of the car accessible area to the other side and back. On the way back, saw 3 otters about 1 block west of the electric fish barrier. The otters were under a tree fallen into a side pool. We saw them swim under the water and all come back with fish about 10 seconds later. Guess it's not that hard to catch a fish there. Eventually they saw us and seemed unhappy about us so we moved on. I'm not happy knowing that there were muskrat traps all over the place, including very close to where the otters were. [[ http://www.fws.gov/midwest/horicon/docs/Refuge%20General%20Trapping%20Conditions.pdf ]] I also hope the otters keep clear of the electric fish barrier!
Entered 12/26/2011 6:46:31 PM__________________________________________
Dec 26: Fpund one snowy owl on Dike Rd in Horicon Marsh. Has been there consistently. Need a scope or binoculars. Look for the muskrat dams...need a turn-out about 3/4 way down Dike Rd. Look for the cars.
Entered 12/26/2011 4:53:29 PM__________________________________________
Today there was a Merlin, White-throat sparrow, Myrtle Warbler, some Robins in Madison. Just a few kinds of dabbling ducks - mallards, shovelers, gadwalls - but lots of each of them. Were any rails found on the Christmas Count this year?
Entered 12/26/2011 4:50:13 PM__________________________________________
Lake Monona is virtually ice-free and there are still lots of geese, ducks and gulls on it. I think it's about eleven miles around it, which makes for a good bike-ride. Maybe it won't even freeze over at all this winter?
Entered 12/26/2011 4:36:00 PM__________________________________________
In town till Friday. Where and at what time of day might I sight a snowy owl?K. BretzApopka, FL
Entered 12/22/2011 6:48:54 PM__________________________________________
Saw a Red-shouldered Hawk near Warner Park today. It was heading south.
Entered 12/21/2011 6:04:12 PM__________________________________________
Saw a Carolina Wren today )it is Wedensday, along with at least one (probly more) Winter Wrens and two golden=crowned Kinglets, but no rare ducks
Entered 12/21/2011 2:28:11 PM__________________________________________
South side of Lake Monona is all I know. I'd start scoping from Olin-Turville and then work my way east.Aaron
Entered 12/21/2011 11:08:19 AM__________________________________________
Are there any details (or photgraphs?) on the reported Long-tailed Ducks?
Entered 12/20/2011 1:00:21 PM__________________________________________
CBC Preliminary Totals--2 areas have not yet reported. 93 Count day species95 Count week species95 Is record high for Madison CBCCW Snowy Owl--provided I get some details regarding the observation from the anonymous post on this message board. CW Glaucous Gull1 American Black Duck1 Rough-legged Hawk1 Common Grackle1 Common Redpoll1 Great Blue Heron1 Long-eared Owl1 Northern Saw-whet Owl1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker1 Fox Sparrow1 Red Crossbill1 Red-necked Grebe1 Greater White-fronted Goose1 Merlin1 Iceland Gull1 Townsend's Solitaire1 Gray Catbird2 American Wigeon2 Ring-necked Pheasant2 Purple Finch2 Long-tailed Duck2 Northern Harrier2 Winter Wren2 Hermit Thrush2 Yellow-rumped Warbler3 Mute Swan3 Carolina Wren3 Snow Goose5 Barred Owl6 Northern Shrike6 Red-breasted Nuthatch6 White-crowned Sparrow7 Belted Kingfisher7 Northern Pintail7 Green-winged Teal8 Sharp-shinned Hawk8 Common Loon9 American Kestrel10 Horned Grebe11 Horned Lark11 Golden-crowned Kinglet11 Red-breasted Merganser12 Swamp Sparrow13 Eastern Screech Owl13 Bald Eagle13 Eastern Bluebird16 Great Horned Owl20 White-throated Sparrow21 Northern Flicker22 Redhead26 Cooper's Hawk28 Song Sparrow34 Ring-necked Duck42 Ruddy Duck46 Tufted Titmouse56 Brown Creeper57 Cackling Goose63 Red-winged Blackbird73 Hooded Merganser77 Hairy Woodpecker77 Sandhill Crane119 Cedar Waxwing142 Red-tailed Hawk155 Pine Siskin164 Red-bellied Woodpecker209 Blue Jay260 Downy Woodpecker263 White-breasted Nuthatch264 American Robin278 Wild Turkey331 Gadwall338 Lesser Scaup369 Bufflehead448 American Tree Sparrow486 Common Merganser503 Canvasback639 Tundra Swan641 Northern Shoveler643 Northern Cardinal704 Common Goldeneye837 Herring Gull870 Dark-eyed Junco897 Rock Pigeon914 House Finch927 American Goldfinch936 Mourning Dove1,060 American Crow1,130 Black-capped Chickadee1,420 Ring-billed Gull1,590 Mallard1,738 European Starling2,296 House Sparrow3,097 American Coot11,472 Canada Goose37,002 Total Birds Area TotalAaron Stutzagstutz@sbcglobal.net