Entered 12/26/2005 9:02:35 PM__________________________________________
A pair of nesting Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus) can usually be seen around sunset from Lou's Pond in Cherokee Marsh (on the path that goes straight north from the entry gate), spotted both this evening, and a very large nest at treetop height. More info
Entered 12/26/2005 8:57:37 PM__________________________________________
Visiting birding friends in northern Chicago suburb, got a report of a Parasitic Jaeger along the lakefront, for anyone interested in life birds. More info
Entered 12/22/2005 4:43:48 PM__________________________________________
There have been several e-mail and phone messages about bluebirds, robins, and waxwings lately. All of these birds are hardy and able to withstand winter weather as long as there are berries and fruits (and water) available. Each year is different, but there are at least a few of each of these species here every year. Because they move about to find food, however, they aren't always easy to find. One sure place to find robins in winter is in the Arboretum as there are springs there as well as fruiting shrubs. Once they run out of food, they will simply move on.The main hazard to birds in winter is ice and ice storms which can make their food sources temporarily unavailable. To help robins and bluebirds at such times, you could try providing cut up fruits like apples and raisins. Mealworms, which are high in protein, are also a favorite (these aren't available everywhere - try pet stores or on the internet for a source).Enjoy the birds - and let us know what works for you.
Entered 12/21/2005 6:57:33 PM__________________________________________
We have 5 bluebirds that come to our heated birdbath to drink every day. They survived the snowstorm last week & the frigid temperatures this week. What can we do to help them make it to spring? What can we feed them? We use Madison Mix from Mounds in the bird feeders. We live 7 miles east of Portage. Any help will be appreciated. "gmillard@jvlnet.com"
Entered 12/20/2005 8:52:07 AM__________________________________________
Sunday evening (12/18) had a large flock of blue-phase snow geese fly over my house (SE side of Madison, near Pflaum Rd.) about 5:00 p.m. - the odd honking really caught my attention, since they sound nothing like Canada geese. pf
Entered 12/19/2005 6:27:19 PM__________________________________________
2 carolina wrens west of middleton coming to feed at the bottom of suet feeders on 12/18/05!
Entered 12/15/2005 2:17:58 PM__________________________________________
An addition to my previous message: I recently saw a great review of "The Little Green Bird" by Mc Cabe, theecology of the Willow Flycatcher. A great gift also are the small wooden ornaments of birds of various handmade by Kim Russell.
Entered 12/15/2005 1:56:44 PM__________________________________________
Some new birding books at the Arboretum Bookstore for Christmas gifts. I just read Bill Thompson's "Identify Yourself", the 50 most common birding identification challenges. Also, "Guide to Hawk Watching in North America" by Donald S. Heintzelman, and "Common Birds of North America" Midwest Edition; which has the most beautiful illustrations by James D. Wilson.
Entered 12/14/2005 1:09:29 AM__________________________________________
Plans are moving forward to develop the area between Cherokee Marsh to the north and Cherokee Golf Course and Whitetail Ridge subdivision to the south that is owned by Cherokee Park Incorporated. If you wish to have input on this plan, there will be a neighborhood meeting this Wednesday, December 14, at 7 p.m., at the Warner Park Community Recreation Center.The City of Madison and Cherokee Park Incorporated, working with Schreiber Anderson & Associates and Attorney William White, are preparing a Comprehensive Development Plan for the property. The meeting is being called by Alderperson Paul Van Rooy, District 18, to discuss overall development concepts for this area.If you are interested in Cherokee Marsh, please plan to attend this meeting to discuss this significant proposal for the northside neighborhood. For more information, contact Alderperson Paul Van Rooy at 663-9500 or district18@cityof madison.com
Entered 12/11/2005 9:55:07 AM__________________________________________
A couple of weeks ago a flock of cedar waxwings came to our heated bird bath. Then some robins showed up. At one point there were four robins, a blue jay and a cedar waxwing all drinking together. The cedar waxwing hopped near the robin and looked at him as if to say "what are you"?It was really neat to watch. Isn't it a late late for cedar waxwings to still be around?
Entered 12/10/2005 10:14:47 AM__________________________________________
12/10/05 10:00 a.m.Just saw three male bluebirds enjoying a drink from our heated birdbath...a beautiful, unexpected pleasure!We live on the northeast side of Madison near Mendota Mental Health Institude.
Entered 12/7/2005 2:51:18 PM__________________________________________
I saw swans at University Bay today. They are far out atthe edge of the ice.Saw several that were quite grey (juvenile). My Sibley Guide suggests that they are Trumpeters.I could not hear them. Can someone give some help?Larry Madison WI
Entered 12/5/2005 10:56:01 PM__________________________________________
A very large collection of waterfowl has gathered within easy viewing of the Tenny Locks on Lake Mendota. Their calls can be heard late into the night from several blocks away.
Entered 12/4/2005 3:59:55 PM__________________________________________
Dozens of tundra swans can be seen now at Governor's Island. This is located behind the Mendota Mental Health building off Northport Drive.
Entered 12/2/2005 12:53:32 PM__________________________________________
Invasive Plants Association of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Wetlands Association Coordinate Conferences to Highlight Wetland Invasives in February 2006: IPAW Conference and Annual Meeting Feb. 4, Lussier Family Heritage Center, MadisonWisconsin Wetlands Association’s 11th Annual Wetland Science Forum February 2-3 Monona Terrace, MadisonThe Invasive Plants Association of Wisconsin (IPAW) is pleased to be partnering with Wisconsin Wetlands Association (WWA) on some programmatic connections between our consecutive conferences in 2006. While the WWA conference will highlight the latest academic research on wetland invasives, the IPAW forum will feature practical information for wetland managers who are combating invasive plants.
Entered 11/26/2005 7:26:17 PM__________________________________________
11/26 Our hummingbird, probably a rufous, still survives and is as feisty as ever. We've been providing sugar water kept free of ice in a heated bird bath. She's not fond of the snow but seems quite adaptable. (between Sun Prairie & Marshall)
Entered 11/26/2005 6:00:10 PM__________________________________________
Dozens of Robins feeding in Cherokee Marsh woods today, and two Great Horned Owls hooting and bobbing their mating calls to each other from treetops near Lou's Pond. -pn
Entered 11/20/2005 7:58:18 PM__________________________________________
11/19/05, 3 pm. sharpshinned? hawk on my bird feeder in Maple Bluff. Barb Noeldner
Entered 11/20/2005 7:56:14 PM__________________________________________
11/20/05--saw at least 10 bluebirds at Cherokee marsh. parked at the gait, walked straight north down the trail. first clump of trees past the first burr oak on your right. Barb Noeldner
Entered 11/17/2005 9:49:39 AM__________________________________________
I saw two flocks of tundra swans on Thursday morning about 9:30 AM. One flock headed East, the other headed South. I am on the Southwest side of Madison.Larry
Entered 11/15/2005 5:45:48 PM__________________________________________
Heard a report of a humming bird in someone's backyard in Madison today. Poor guy has probably stayed past the point of no return.
Entered 11/15/2005 4:39:57 PM__________________________________________
Wisconsin is a bit north of the normal range for Carolina Wrens, but this is a species which tends to extend its range when conditions are good. Thus it shows up in small numbers, especially across southern Wisconsin, in some years. Then, when the weather is more adverse, Carolina wrens will contract their range and not be seen for a couple of years. They're a delightful bird - one of the few wrens that comes to feeders, especially peanut feeders, and which could stay throughout the winter into next spring or longer.
Entered 11/13/2005 4:48:18 PM__________________________________________
Over the last 2 weeks I have heard a call I didnt recognize. Yesterday 11/12 I saw a pair of Carolina Wrens. Are they common to this area. I live at Governor Nelson State Park. First time Ive ever heard or seen them. Thanks masmith@spasd.k12.wi.us
Entered 11/13/2005 2:23:10 PM__________________________________________
For those of you driving up to Horicon Marsh, you may still see the Whooping Crane. I saw it Friday morning in the Bud Cook Trail, right side with many Sandhill Cranes. Also saw Northern Shrikes on Ledge Road across from Bud Cook and near the Boardwalk Parking Lot. Many Hawks, Red Shouldered, Northern Harrier, Red Tail, Kestrels in the same areas.
Entered 11/12/2005 9:15:45 PM__________________________________________
11/12/05 - The following message was relayed to us from Wisbirdn:Other areas in northern Dane and Columbia county were very quiet butGoose> Pond was a Major exception. The pond was full of waterfowl with the> following being observed:>> 1 ROSS'S GOOSE> 50 Snow Geese (6 White, the rest were Blues)> 80+ Cackling Geese> 40 Tundra Swans> Lots of ducks including just about every common waterfowl species.>> These numbers of Snow Geese were the largest numbers I have seen inquite a> while. Good Birding!
Entered 11/10/2005 8:58:17 PM__________________________________________
ll/10/05 -- Today there were about 25 Tundra Swans resting peacefully on Goose Pond. More are expected soon.
Entered 10/31/2005 11:08:30 AM__________________________________________
It's possible you had a Northern Goshawk, but it is much more likely that you had a Cooper's Hawk, which looks similar. The goshawk is a northern species that is seen in Wisconsin only every few winters or so and never in large numbers. No one has reported any yet this year that I'm aware of. Cooper's Hawks, on the other hand, have become quite common and are seen regularly in backyards and even flying down State St. and over the Square in downtown Madison. Pay special attention to the head pattern: goshawks have a distinct white eyeline. They are also larger than Cooper's, which are roughly crow-size, but size can be difficult to determine. It is also not a very reliable field mark because female hawks are larger than males. Thus, a female Cooper's hawk nearly overlaps the male Goshawk in size.
Entered 10/29/2005 7:50:57 AM__________________________________________
We live in deerfield and on sat. oct.22 we had what we believe to be a goshawk in our backyard.Having never seen one is this possible?e-mail kcowell3@charter.net 764-5107
Entered 10/26/2005 11:21:15 AM__________________________________________
I, too, have seen the large flocks of blackbirds streaming over the Beltline. It is likely that once they're north of Madison, they disperse widely for the day. One way for someone to track them (other than a costly radio-tagging project) would be to "follow" them for as long as you could one morning. The next morning, you (or a friend or relative!) would get to that "new" spot before the birds go over and again "track" them as far as you could see them (a scope would help). Eventually, you may find where they were going.
Entered 10/26/2005 8:40:37 AM__________________________________________
I just recently moved near the Edna Taylor Conservancy (on the SE side of Madison.) Every morning as I walk to the bus stop, there are multiple flocks consisting of hundreds or even thousands of mixed blackbird species heading NNE, presumably from an evening roost in either the conservancy or the Nine Springs marshes. I also see them returning every evening, from the same direction. Does anyone have any idea where they're going to feed during the day? I assume probably farm fields north of Madison, but has anyone actually seen them?
Entered 10/26/2005 2:46:35 AM__________________________________________
Plant prairie seeds at Saint Benedict Center
Volunteers directed by staff will hand-broadcast seed this fall on Saturday, November 5, from 9-11 a.m. Please dress accordingly for this outdoor work project. You may bring garden gloves if you have them; all other equipment will be supplied. Saint Benedict Center is located at 4200 County Highway M in Middleton; meet outside the Benedict House building at the top of the hill.
Contact Susan Shands for more information at sshands@sbcenter.org or at 608-836-1631, x. 119
Entered 10/24/2005 3:14:35 PM__________________________________________
October 24, 2005 Just a block off of University (6200 block) we have a Northern (Oregon) Junco under our bird feeder this morning. He is a beautiful black caped male. First time we've ever seen one in the midwest. Phone 231-2723
Entered 10/20/2005 3:46:26 PM__________________________________________
Birded Horicon Marsh Saturday morning the 15th in the Bud Cook Trail area. The Whooping Crane was on the right side of the trail not far from the parking lot. This is Whooper #107. Her radio band is not working now. We had an excellent view of the bird standing among several Sandhill Cranes.
Entered 10/15/2005 9:17:08 AM__________________________________________
Birding in Horicon Marsh on Friday October 14th around 3pm on Ledge Rd. west of Point Rd. within the boundaries of the NWR near Strooks Ditch we identified a whooping crane. The bird was about 100yrds away amongst two adult sandhill cranes. This bird was taller than the sandhills, all white body with red face both above and below the eye. We had seen great egrets earlier in the day and this couldn't be anything but a crane. We were able to see the bird easily with a spoting scope at 25x. I imagine this is one of the birds that has been introduced through the efforts of the International Crane Foundation. "billchapin@yahoo.com"
Entered 10/9/2005 6:16:56 PM__________________________________________
I would like to encourage anyone to make the short trip north to see the "Birds in Art" at the Woodson Museum. It is a beautiful show. While you are up there, take in the great fall color this week, which is at its peak. I also found a great place to go birding...the Bitzke Birdwalk which is part of the Ackley Wildlife Refuge. It is just outside of the Dells of the Eau Claire off highway Y then G. It is a 2 mile walk on trails, bridges and boardwalks with various types of habitat. I got a good long look at a Marsh Wren, though this late in the year is not the best for birding. It was an enjoyable walk and I'll be sure to return in the Spring.
Entered 10/6/2005 11:31:42 AM__________________________________________
00:00 am 10/06/05RON SEELY rseely@madison.com With the fall bird migration at its height, one of many dangers faced by nighttime migrants was harshly illustrated recently when as many as 400 disoriented songbirds were killed as they crashed into the guy wires holding up a Madison television tower.The incident, on the night of Sept. 13-14, may lead to the creation of a group to study the dangers posed to migrating flocks by communication towers, said bird specialists with the Department of Natural Resources."It's an issue that has been with us for decades," said Sumner Matteson, an avian ecologist with the DNR. "But we really haven't done anything about it."DNR bird experts and many amateur birders have been talking about the kill last month at the WMTV (Ch. 15) tower adjacent to the West Madison Little League fields just off Schroeder Road. A similar kill happened on the night of Sept. 7-8, said Steven Ugoretz, an environmental specialist with the DNR who works on tower-related issues.Ugoretz was alerted to the Sept 13-14 kill early in the morning and arrived at the site by about 7 a.m.Records kept by searchers who collected dead and dying birds showed that 172 birds representing 23 species were found around the base of the tower. Ugoretz said scavengers, including crows and cats, had already taken another 200 or more. That's why he estimated the number of birds killed at around 400. Searchers didn't search the heavily timbered area north of the tower."There were birds all over the place," Ugoretz said. Ugoretz and Matteson said such kills are not unusual during spring and fall migrations and are an increasing concern because of multiple threats to the world's songbirds - from feral cat predation to destruction of their overwintering rainforest habitats. Most of the birds killed by communication towers are neotropical migrants, birds that winter in the tropics and migrate at night.Most of the dead birds collected Sept. 14 were warblers, including five golden-winged warblers, which are on a special watch list kept by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service because their numbers are declining. Other birds included red- eyed vireos, American redstarts, ovenbirds, common yellowthroats and a rose-breasted grosbeak.Officials with WMTV were not available Tuesday for comment. Ugoretz said the WMTV tower is of special concern because of its 1,100-foot height. Nighttime neotropical migrants usually fly at altitudes of 1,000 to 2,000 feet. Other towers in the Madison area, he added, don't seem to cause as many kills, although collection of such data is spotty when it exists.Matteson and Ugoretz said they hope to convene a task force, made up of bird experts and representatives from the communications industry, to study the issue and find ways to modify the towers so that birds avoid them. Possible solutions, Matteson said, include using phosphorescent lights to illuminate guy wires and changing the blinking frequency of red warning lights, which are required by the Federal Aviation Administration on towers taller than 200 feet.The problem is difficult to address both because of the lack of record-keeping on such kills and because the migration of birds - what triggers it and how the birds find their way - remains shrouded in mystery. There are nights in the spring and the fall when the skies are filled with tens of thousands of migrating birds, but there is much scientists don't know about their behavior.John Idzikowski, a Milwaukee ornithologist who uses radar to study bird migrations, has radar images that capture immense clouds of birds migrating at night. "It looks like a storm on the radar," he said.Though there is considerable uncertainty about exactly what happens, scientists believe migrating birds lose sight of navigational stars in the glare of cities and zero in on the bright lights on some tall towers. Often tower kills happen on nights when bad weather forces migrating flocks closer to the ground. Circling the lights on the towers in large flocks, the birds are felled by the guy wires, invisible to them in the dark.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that as many as 5 million birds are killed in the country each year in such collisions."People say that 'Well, it's just a hundred birds or so,' " Idzikowski said. "But the problem is that it's a hundred birds here and a hundred birds there. And already there are so many factors working against these birds."
Entered 9/29/2005 10:43:00 AM__________________________________________
The public is invited to attend a talk at the UW Arboretum Visitor Center on Operation Migration tonight Thursday September 29 at 6pm. Joan Garland, Education Outreach Coordinator at the International Crane Foundation will discuss the reintroduction project of the Whooping Crane.
Entered 9/28/2005 2:54:16 PM__________________________________________
The woodpecker described below on 9/26 sounds like a bird that is partially albino or leucistic (with pale or diluted coloration). If the bird acts like a woodpecker and otherwise matches the field marks of one of the species, it is likely that species. Since the bird is staying in the area, maybe a digital photo (even of poor quality) could be taken and sent to the Madison Audubon office at masoffice@mailbag.com for identification. Albino or partially albino birds are not especialy rare, but are rarely seen. It would be great if anyone who has photos of such birds would send them in for use in a photo gallery.
Entered 9/27/2005 8:17:41 PM__________________________________________
Looking for an Audubon Weekend? Conservationists from Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa will gather together September 30 to October 2 for the Upper Midwest Regional Audubon Conference, "Uniting for Conservation: Moving Forward," at Chestnut Mountain Resort near Galena, Illinois. Sponsored by the Audubon Council of Illinois, the weekend conference will give participants an opportunity to learn about important environmental issues, gain skills to strengthen grass roots organizations, and find ways to network on regional and national issues.Three keynote speakers will be featured at the conference. Bill Handel of the Illinois Natural History Survey will speak on "Illinois Plant Vegetation: Past, Present and Future." Buddy Huffaker, Executive Director of the Aldo Leopold Foundation, will present "Looking for Leadership: Rising to Today's Conservation Challenges." Jim Herkert of the The Nature Conservancy will talk about "Status and Trends of Grassland Birds in the Upper Midwest." In addition to the keynote addresses, 29 concurrent sessions and informal roundtable discussions will be offered on a variety of topics such as Alaska: From the Arctic to the Tongass, Mississippi River Lock and Dam Expansion Proposals, National Energy Policy, Neotropical Projects in Latin America, Fundraising, Audubon Chapter Sanctuaries, Connecting Kids with Nature, Prairie Restoration and Management, Publicity, and many more. Participants will have 9 different Saturday morning field trips to choose from. Focusing on birds, plants or geology, trip destinations will be to the nearby Mississippi River and its adjacent wetlands and blufflands. The conference fee is $75 and includes a Friday night reception, Saturday lunch and dinner, Sunday lunch, break refreshments and all sessions and materials. Registration deadline is September 15, 2005. For a brochure or for more information, contact Jeni Pearce at (815) 858-2026 or e-mail her at opiepearce@hotmail.com. See you there!
Entered 9/27/2005 8:16:36 PM__________________________________________
The woodpecker in Juneau County referenced below might be a Red Bellied Woodpecker...
Entered 9/27/2005 8:15:30 PM__________________________________________
Visitors to the Madison Area - stop by the Madison Audubon office at 222 South Hamilton for some brochures of birding locations in the area, and a warm welcome! Field trips should include local Madison area sanctuaries, and you'll probably want to visit the Wisconsin River valley around sauk City and Spring Green, and the Devils Lake ridge which has a number of natural areas. You might want to pick up a DeLorme detailed map book of Wisconsin back roads at a gas station.
Entered 9/26/2005 8:40:27 PM__________________________________________
We are couple of "bad bird watchers" from the east who will be in Madison for the long week end of Oct 9th. Any suggestions for an day trip/over night escape to a nearby sanctuary or nature area? We would love to explore some of the countryside and look out for birds - even if it is a little late in the year. Thank you for any suggestions.rosaliehermos@comcast.net
Entered 9/26/2005 8:07:21 PM__________________________________________
9/26/05 I need someone's help in identifying an unusual bird which is a regular visitor to myproperty in Juneau County. This bird is about 9 inches long and appears to be a woodpecker butwith an all white head and breast. There is a small faint reddish spot on the back of the head.The beak is very light colored, white to light ivory. The wings are light tawny colored withbarely visible barring. The bird is very active and always around. Any ideas? "james.will1@comcast.net"
Entered 9/26/2005 7:52:53 PM__________________________________________
People should leave their hummingbird feeders up until they don't see any more hummingbirds (say, for a few days in a row). Most hummingbirds migrate through WI from early to mid September. Keeping feeders up will not keep the birds here too late (they are on their own schedule), but may help any that lagging behind due to illness, injury, or other mishaps.Karen
Entered 9/26/2005 8:39:05 AM__________________________________________
Out near Mazomanie. What a great sight to behold! Last weekend, September 18th about 10:30 am we watched as first one then two then three then four and more hawks gathered and circled over our heads. They kept coming until there wer about 70-80 gathered. First we identified them as having a thin white border to their tail feathers. The next broad band was black and then a white broad band. The wings also had a black lining from the tip to the body. We think we identified these as Broad-winged hawks; they travel mostly solitary except to migrate. As I said looked like there were about 70-80 of them moving from northeast to west. Unbelievable! Anyone else see this?Another question. When should we take down the hummingbird feeders? By keeping them up will it encourage the four summer residents to stay. Or should we consider those migrating from the north and keep food out for them?mhonora@centurytel.net.Thanks
Entered 9/20/2005 2:49:40 AM__________________________________________
Starting in September, we invite and encourage you and your friends to support Madison Audubon's habitat restoration activities by volunteering to collect seeds at Faville Grove Sanctuary and/or Goose Pond Sanctuary. No previous experience is required. Many hands are necessary throughout the late summer and fall seasons to secure the variety and ample quantitiesof seed necessary to ensure successful plantings. This is a wonderful opportunity to bask in the tranquility of a prairie and help the environment. Seed is ripening fast this year and many species are ready. We are especially looking for youth groups (Boy Scouts) or Service Organizations.55 acres will be restored this fall at Goose Pond. Saturdays, 10 September through 29 October; 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, and 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Meet at the residence at the end of Prairie Lane.If you plan to stay all day either bring your lunch or you can eat (Dutch treat) at the nearby Homestead Bar. Contact Mark or Sue Martin at goosep@chorus.net or 608-635-4160 for moreinformation. Gloves, sissors, and nippers are provided. Dress in long pants, long sleeved shirts and wear sturdy shoes.See you soon!
Entered 9/20/2005 1:52:44 AM__________________________________________
Update re Public Meeting location Tues Sept 20 - see website for a map and newsletter for more info - NEW LOCATION: Room 108, Plant Sciences, 1575 Linden Drive, Across from Babcock Hall, MadisonPARKING: Lot 40 on Observatory Drive, north of Babcock Hall and west of Plant Sciences WHERE: parking is free after 4:30 pm. See you there!
Entered 9/14/2005 1:21:27 PM__________________________________________
Wednesday, 9/14, at the section of Pheasant Branch Conservancy west of Century Ave., west to Hwy 12, a number of birders saw many, many migrating warblers. Experienced observers saw Golden-winged, Tennessee, Parula, Blackburnian, Black-and-White, Palm, Wilson's, and Redstarts. We also saw hawks and woodpeckers. These were active from about 8 a.m. to at least 10:30 a.m., when we had to leave.
Entered 9/12/2005 2:37:35 PM__________________________________________
Six Great White Herons sighted off of Flaum Rd. in front of Dept. of Administration Building.
Entered 9/9/2005 12:50:49 PM__________________________________________
I've received a question from a "parrot" owner, Matt, who needs to find a bird expert to help cure his bird of an unknown disease. Here is the background that I've received from Matt.The bird is a blue and gold macaw, one year old and lives in Portage Wisconsin. After the bird became sick Matt took it to a Sauk vet and to the Madison small animal hostpial. At the hospital, the bird was in intensive care for four days. Matt thought she had lead poisoning from chewing on a door. The bird had lead treatment at the hospital but she is still sick. Someone had mentioned that the bird might have something called "PDB" but nothing is known for sure. The hospital sent the bird home because it wasn't getting better. Matt has paperwork with blood tests.Matt is very determined to find someone that has knowledge and can help but he doesn't know where to go. If anyone out there knows a good source of information to help cure this bird (on the internet, or a bird expert) Matt would be very thankful. Please send any advice to me at masdave@mailbag.com and I will forward it on to Matt. Thanks.
Entered 9/8/2005 12:19:28 PM__________________________________________
Free Raptor Education Event - 7pm Tuesday, September 13, Madison Central Library, 201 West Mifflin Street, Madison, WI 53703
Dianne Moller, a raptor rehabilitator licensed through US Fish and Wildlife and WI DNR, will bring 4 live birds to the library - including a Peregrine Falcon and a Golden Eagle. Come these majestic creatures up-close and hear about Dianne's work rehabilitating and releasing injured birds of prey. No registration required, this event is free.
Entered 9/7/2005 1:12:05 AM__________________________________________
(From the Wisconsin Birding Network)You are invited to attend a Birding Program at Madison Public Central Library. Jon Stravers, Research Coordinator for Audubon's Upper Mississippi River Campaign presents:
The Mystique of Birds: The Importance of Rituals Within Bird Behavior and the Mystery of Migration.
7-8:30 p.m., Monday, September 19
Madison Central Library, 201 W. Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703
Come learn about birds that nest and migrate along the Upper Mississippi River including Red-Shouldered Hawks, migrating Tundra Swans and other species uncommon in the Upper Midwest. Jon has operated a raptor banding station along the Mississippi River in Iowa as part of his role as Research Coordinator with the Audubon Society, and will present a slideshow on his work. Refreshments will be provided by Madison Public Library Foundation.
Entered 9/4/2005 7:05:16 AM__________________________________________
A small group of us, about 21, enjoyed the MAS birding walk at Picnic Point Saturday morning, Sept 3rd with Roma Lenehan of the Friends of the Campus Natural Areas. Roma is an excellent birder and guide. We saw about 17 species of warblers, plus many other birds. The weather cooperated to make it a great day for birding. Thanks Roma!!!!
Entered 9/1/2005 10:36:02 AM__________________________________________A new book by Bill Thompson III and the staff of Bird Watchers Digest is out: "Wisconsin Bird Watching, A Year-Round Guide". As a volunteer at the Arboretum, I also noticed a pocket guide "Birds at your Feeder, A Guide to Winter Birds of the Great Plains" and"Whoop Dreams" by Jane Duden about the historic migration of whooping cranes. "Hope Takes Wing" A Journey to Save a Species is a new video from Operation Migration.
Entered 8/3/2005 11:56:50 PM__________________________________________8/3/2005 I visited Cherokee this morning, the fields were alive with an abundance of species. Right from the start a Sandhill Crane flew over my head, and I knew it would a wonderful day. Blue Jays, male and female Cardinals, tree sparrows, house sparrows, a hairy woodpecker, a female downy woodpecker, an eastern kingbird, a gray catbird, an entire field of goldfinch, a baltimore oriole, male and female house finchs, and male and female robins. The only part that was less than perfect on this beautiful day... I went there hoping to photograph the ruby-throated hummingbird that I had seen before by the marsh. But with all the excitement of the different species with all their vibrant colours, and wonderful singing, I would not have traded this day for anything.I have many photographs from this day, it is one that I shall not soon forget.William Smith Madison Wisconsin luvneaner@yahoo.com
Entered 7/18/2005 8:20:56 AM__________________________________________Yesterday, Sunday, there were 4 Great Egrets at Goose Pond, across the road where there is still water. A beautiful sight and close enough for a photo.
Entered 7/13/2005 5:09:48 PM__________________________________________Regarding the question on the Phoebe nest from H Kraemer; Phoebes nestbuilding patterns include rebuilding their original nest each time they have a new brood. It would take too much energy to build a completely new nest. Therefore it is best to leave the nest alone.
Entered 7/13/2005 4:58:04 PM__________________________________________I visited Goose Pond this afternoon. Very little water in the pond, but a good amount in the pond across the road. A lone ruddy duck sitting there among the swallows and arrowhead plants. The prairie is alive with summer wildflowers; purple coneflower, black eyed susan, lead plant, white wild indigo, daisy fleabane, compass plant and corepsis. I was looking for sparrows, but no luck here. I certainly enjoyed walking the trails.
Entered 7/13/2005 2:28:12 PM__________________________________________7/13/05Two Sandhill cranes were seen at the far shore of Graber Pond. A magnificent sight indeed!
Entered 7/13/2005 8:19:10 AM__________________________________________I want to know what, if anything, I should do to help my Phoebes. They built a nest in the corner of my home last year and this year built an upper deck on the same nest. It doesn't look like they will have room to build another story. Should I let them handle this or take down the nest?Honora Kraemer, mhonora@centurytel.net
Entered 7/10/2005 4:12:09 PM__________________________________________I am trying to identify a bird seen in Waupaca at the Hartland Creek State Park. It was all Red and about the size of a cardinal, but it had distinctive black markings on each side on it's wings. The best way to visualize would be a red-winged black bird reversed?ThanksJohn weis_js@charter.net
Entered 7/10/2005 4:10:53 PM__________________________________________I am trying to identify a bird seen in Waupaca at the Hartland Creek State Park. It was all Red and about the size of a cardinal, but it had distinctive black markings on each side on it's wings. The best way to visualize would be a red-winged black bird reversed?ThanksJohn
Entered 7/8/2005 4:34:45 PM__________________________________________I have noticed that there are not as many American Goldfinches this year. I have check with several people and they have found the same. Is there a reason for this. Last year I had as many as 12 set or more and this year I have only seen two birds. What is wrong?
Entered 6/26/2005 9:43:40 PM__________________________________________Here's a link to more information about the intelligence of Chicadee warning calls that was reported on the news this past week:http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20050623/sc_space/birdswarningchirpsrevealsurprisingsmarts
Entered 6/23/2005 3:33:44 PM__________________________________________Tom Bethell spotted a pair of Hooded Warblers in the Arboretum on Monday, 20June, 2005. He returned several times during the week and was able to get a picture of themale carrying food to a purported nest. The pair is located about 200 yardsdown the main trail on the Grady track. There is a roped off area with a brownsign on the right; the nest is located a little beyond this area on the right.There is also a Cooper's Hawk in the area. Richard Clark spotted what couldbe a hawk's nest in a pine nearby the Hooded Warblers.
Entered 6/22/2005 9:31:54 PM__________________________________________For sparrows beyond the backyard varieties, check out Cherokee Marsh trails, also along the city bike paths. Brown thrashers love sheltered wooded areas and spend time on the ground under low brush, including backyards with a good mix of habitat that are not disturbed by cats.
Entered 6/18/2005 9:03:26 AM__________________________________________I have had a pair of brown thrashers in my yard for the past two weeks. They are bathing and eating seeds. A first for me. Do they usually visit backyards?
Entered 6/18/2005 8:54:30 AM__________________________________________Can anyone tell me a good place to see various species of sparrows in the Dane County area? I love sparrows and would like to see more and learn more about them. Thanks
Entered 6/8/2005 2:50:05 PM__________________________________________If anyone is interested in seeing European Goldfinches, I saw a couple today at Dike Road in Horicon Marsh just before where the road splits in half. A beautiful sight.
Entered 5/27/2005 12:34:38 AM__________________________________________Notice: There will be a TV presentation 11pm Sunday evening May 29 on the first-ever "Birding On Private Land" event that was held at the Shackelford's near Lake Koshkonong Sunday May 22, 2005. This event was sponsored jointly by Madison Audubon and WI Woodland Owners Association.
Click here to read the article by Tim Eisele in the Cap Times
Entered 5/23/2005 12:03:26 PM__________________________________________I am looking for a short video clip of a golden winged warbler for use in our children's environmental show "Into the Outdoors". I anyone can point me in the right direction, I would appreciate it.Bob Millerbobm@discovermediaworks.com414-277-9488
Entered 5/19/2005 3:28:28 PM__________________________________________I was hiking today at the UW Arboretum and stopped in their bookstore in the visitor center. They have many good bird books, guides and essay type books, but I was surprised to find many great USED books on birds. The big Audubon Encyclopedia of Birds and also "Birds of Japan", and small books such as "Something About Swans".
Entered 5/17/2005 6:08:54 PM__________________________________________Does anyone know why the common grackles will bring the half eaten bird eggs and place them in my bird bath and leave them there? They don't seem to come back for them at all...it's a mess.Heddy
Entered 5/17/2005 10:53:31 AM__________________________________________The Woodland School and the Aldo Leopold Foundation are proud to announce a class taught by expert birder Mike Mossman:SATURDAY, JUNE 4For The Birds: Bird Identification and Habitat ManagementBirds can be fun and interesting to observe and their presence or absence may reveal much about the health of an ecosystem. In this course, we will discuss how agriculture, forestry, restoration, protection, conservation practices, artificial feeding and other practices can be used to manage for breeding, wintering, and migrating birds. We will visit several field sites, learning grassland, wetland and forest birds and their habitat needs. We’ll explore how to identify management opportunities and limitations of a specific tract of land, and how this can guide landowners to select species or communities of birds for which to manage.Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Instructor: Mike Mossman, Wisconsin Department of Natural ResourcesLocation: Spring Green Cost: $40 (Includes lunch)Register today, space is limited! Registration information at "http://www.thewoodlandschool.org/registration.htm" For more information contact Jeannine Richards or Jennifer Kobylecky at 608.355.0279.
Entered 5/16/2005 6:23:42 PM__________________________________________On 5-16-05 my wife and I were out arranging blue bird houses and found an orial with a badly injured wing. We were able to place it in a box and privide it with food but have no idea who to contact to turn the bird over to for first aid. Can any one help us? lemoss@core.com
Entered 5/15/2005 5:03:13 PM__________________________________________Oops the birder now says those aztec thrushes were really Eastern King birds.
Entered 5/15/2005 4:52:53 PM__________________________________________Saw a pair of Aztec Thrushes on east side of Madison on 5/14 and 5/15.
Entered 5/10/2005 10:54:56 PM__________________________________________The Wisconsin Birding List on the Web prints sightings from birders and the location of the birds. While the Summer Tanager was reported seen at Pheasant Branch today by several people; I would like to elaborate on this sighting and tell you what a glorious sight it really was. The female was posing for all of us at eye level in beautiful colors of orange and yellow. She moved about the branches slowly and sat still for many minutes so we could enjoy this unique bird. Any problems I had on my mind disappeared for awhile and lifted my spirits again.
Entered 5/9/2005 2:10:38 PM__________________________________________Was birding at Lake Yellowstone on Saturday. There is an immature eagle's nest in a large conifer on the western side of the area known as the Wildlife Loop -- it's the area closest to the Park Office.
Entered 5/9/2005 1:49:07 PM__________________________________________They're here....Baltimore Oriole at my feeder on Mother's Day....nice gift!!! I'm north of Madison.Heddy
Entered 5/9/2005 10:40:48 AM__________________________________________No orioles in my backyard yet either. I birded Baxter Hollow Sunday morning, the best birding was from 8am until 9:30 am. Got close looks at the Blue Winged Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Townsend's Solitaire, Green Heron, E. Phoebe, Common Yellowthroat, Broad Winged Hawk, Nashville Warbler, and Tufted Titmouse.
Entered 5/9/2005 10:34:04 AM__________________________________________Here are some beautiful bird photos and music in an inspirational message I'm sure you will enjoy. www.cryofthespirit.com/birdsing.html
Entered 5/8/2005 1:51:56 PM__________________________________________I'm just north of Madison and haven't had any Balitmore Orioles yet (very disappointed as they came to my feeder last year)....hopefully soon...and I was just enjoying watching a male rose breasted grosbeak!!! Heddy
Entered 5/7/2005 1:22:42 PM__________________________________________Hi all, I am wondering if anyone has seen any orioles yet? Is it too early? I have my oranges and grape jelly out...KimOh...I'm in Madison WI
Entered 5/7/2005 1:21:58 PM__________________________________________Hi all, I am wondering if anyone has seen any orioles yet? Is it too early? I have my oranges and grape jelly out...Kim
Entered 5/7/2005 8:31:38 AM__________________________________________Butterflies we are currently seeing include Red Admirals, Eastern Tiger Swallowtails, Spring Azure,Eastern Comma, Cabbage White (of course), Mourning Cloak and Juvenal's Duskywing. K&D Legler.
Entered 5/6/2005 4:44:11 PM__________________________________________Not sure if the previous message is a hoax, or just someone with very bad information. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a very common songbird in the upper Midwest - I routinely have them at my yard feeders, and nearly any patch of woods of any size will usually have a breeding pair. Peter - Madison
Entered 5/2/2005 12:01:14 PM__________________________________________my name is william le master 198elm street london ohio 43140 'i looked out my patio window on may 1 05 about 730 am and saw a pretty bird that i had never saw before in my 61 year of life. when the bird left i went to my conputer brought up birds.com; the first bird that came upwas the bird that i saw the name of the bird was A ROSEBREASTED GROSBEAK MALE the color of the bird was'black on top;white on the bottom;with white wing patches;and rosered on the breast.they said it's breed in areas around the great lakes into BRITISH COLUMBIA;AND NOVA SCOTIA alsoas far south as the mountains of northern georgia. they said the bird has not been seen sence theyear of 1998.were it stopped of for a drink of water IF THIS INTEREST YOU OR HELP YOU ANY,EMAIL ME AT lemaster@localnet.com PHONE NO. 1-740-845-1314 THANK FOR YOUR TIME YOURS TRULY WILLIAM LE MASTER.
Entered 4/30/2005 7:51:31 AM__________________________________________Bluebirds! I have always wanted to have bluebirds in my yard, near Oshkosh. This year my husband and I built 3 bluebird boxes and placed them at the back of our yard that overlooks an open field with woods beyond. We put the houses up last Sunday 4/24/05 and by Thursday we had birds. This was amazing to me.
Entered 4/29/2005 1:02:33 PM__________________________________________As you all probably know the ivory-billed woodpecker was believed to be extinct, last seen in 1944. Read the article below for more info. They say it's like finding Elvis! http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=585&e=1&u=/nm/20050428/sc_nm/environment_woodpecker_dc
Entered 4/28/2005 11:40:15 AM__________________________________________They're cedar waxwings.
Entered 4/28/2005 11:11:38 AM__________________________________________Today (April 28, 2005)I had a flock of birds in my flowering crabtree that appeared to be feeding on the flower petals. They have a small tuft on the head with a "Toro style" black mask over the eyes. The color is a brownish grey with very smooth feathers. Can you help me identify? Can't find in my books. Thanks
Entered 4/26/2005 12:40:21 PM__________________________________________In Janesville today, 26 April 2005, I observed a common crow with white primary and secondary feathers on his wings. He was entirely black otherwise and appeared in every other way like the other black crows he was palling around with. It'd be interesting to hear from anyone who has seen similar color variations in crows. jpcatlin@aol.com
Entered 4/25/2005 1:07:52 AM__________________________________________Wed May 4 6:30pm - Cherokee Marsh Restoration Tour, with Wisconsin Wetlands, Saint Benedict Center and Token Creek Watershed Association. Join trip leader Russ Hefty, Conservation Resource Supervisor for the City of Madison, to learn about restoration techniques and approaches used as well as results of the Cherokee Marsh Restoration Project. Click here to register!
Entered 4/22/2005 8:31:18 AM__________________________________________what day will a canada goose babies come out
Entered 4/22/2005 12:22:07 AM__________________________________________Spring Community Workday - Saturday, May 7, 2005 at Saint Benedict Center 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
The Sisters of Saint Benedict seek volunteers of all ages and physical abilities to help them with spring environmental restoration projects. Help us remove non-native species, haul and split firewood and seed or plant prairie areas and savanna edges. Special early morning bird-watching tour led by Mike McDowell of Eagle Optics. Limited to 15 people. Complimentary lunch provided for all. Call 836-1631, ext. 119 or register online at www.sbcenter.org. All are welcome!
Entered 4/21/2005 10:40:45 PM__________________________________________Wondering what to do for Earth Day? I came across this nice list of 20 things WE can do: http://www.undoit.org/undoit_20steps.cfm
Entered 4/16/2005 11:22:47 AM__________________________________________On April 15, 2005 at 2:50pm my husband and I were on our sailboat on Lake Mendota (floating, not sailing due to lack of wind) and were surprized to see a Ruddy Duck along the shore. He was beautiful with his sky blue colored bill ...later in the evening we returned and saw him with a female. Very cool. Heddy G.
Entered 4/13/2005 11:54:58 PM__________________________________________You are invited to Goose Pond work days on Saturday April 16 from 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Saturday April 23 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. You are also invited to the Northern Prairie dedication on April 23th from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. We will go out for lunch on both Saturdays. On April 16 we will mow firebreaks, pick up litter from the roadsides, remove fence and fence posts, clean up the northern prairie building and possibly collect milk vetch seed. On April 23 we will do final cleanup for the dedication, install some survey monuments and conduct a possible prescribed burn. We will also burn from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. as part of the dedication. Hope you can make it. Goose Pond has a lot of water this year.
Entered 4/13/2005 12:01:26 PM__________________________________________I believe I saw a flock of 14 Whoopers flying over East Madison at abut 3:30 pm on Sun., April 10th. Anyone else?
Entered 4/11/2005 3:50:28 PM__________________________________________If anyone is in the market for a beautiful bird photo; there are some nice framed and matted ones hanging in the "Java Bay" building on Yellowstone Drive. Great Gray Owl, Boreal Owl, Snowy Egret and more.
Entered 4/9/2005 4:35:53 PM__________________________________________For the 2nd year in a row...the Great American White Pelican was spotted on Lake Mendota April 9, 2005!!! A glorious sight!!!
Entered 4/9/2005 9:01:41 AM__________________________________________Flocks of buffleheads were seen on Lake Mendota 09APR05 near the shorelines of Governor's Island and 3foot bay.
Entered 3/30/2005 8:34:39 AM__________________________________________The Great Blue Herons are back on the nests in the treetops at Schmidt Woods (also known as the Waunakee School Forest) There is also a Great Horned Owl sitting on a heron nest as well. She has been there for a few weeks.
Entered 3/27/2005 7:54:32 AM__________________________________________3/26/05. Just returned from Kearney, Nebraska where I witnessed the Sandhill Crane spectacle. I was in a blind at the Rowe Sanctuary (Audobon) in the morning when they lifted off and the evening when they returned to the river to roost. Ten hours out and ten hours back but well worth the trip. Seeing 150,000 (??? who can count?) cranes all in one place - wow! John.
Entered 3/21/2005 4:48:54 PM__________________________________________Hi I live in Westphalia Iowa. In late February 2005 on the way to church we spotted two huge birds in a tree just outside our town on hwy 32. We assumed they were red-tailed hawks. But as we got closer discovered that they were eagles. One was a bald eagle the other a golden eagle. We were amazed to see these magnificent creatures so close to our town. A few days later I seen a golden eagle alone about a block, from our first sighting. I have seen a total of 4 bald eagles in 4 years around the same vicinity. Is this rare? Has anyone saw these types of birds in this area before? graceout@fmctc.com
Entered 3/21/2005 4:48:43 PM__________________________________________Hi I live in Westphalia Iowa. In late February 2005 on the way to church we spotted two huge birds in a tree just outside our town on hwy 32. We assumed they were red-tailed hawks. But as we got closer discovered that they were eagles. One was a bald eagle the other a golden eagle. We were amazed to see these magnificent creatures so close to our town. A few days later I seen a golden eagle alone about a block, from our first sighting. I have seen a total of 4 bald eagles in 4 years around the same vicinity. Is this rare? Has anyone saw these types of birds in this area before? graceout@fmctc.com
Entered 3/21/2005 7:46:46 AM__________________________________________Last night (3/20) the Great Gray was along County I just north of the junction with County DM. It was there for over an hour (5:30-6:30pm), perching on several of the road signs and a utility pole. It's definitely worth the short drive - 20 min. from Madison - to see it.
Entered 3/20/2005 8:21:15 PM__________________________________________3/20/2005 Abilene, TXAbout 15 migrating Cedar Waxwings eating my Nandina berries this evening. I have missed their migration the last few years so it was a wonderful surprise to see them.
Entered 3/19/2005 7:00:15 PM__________________________________________FREE PUBLIC MEETINGExplore a New World of Learning!Help create a “GREEN” charter school with environment and sustainability as the integrating context for learning. Be a new voice for change and choice in public education. Attend the FREE public meeting for parents, educators, young people, community leaders & YOU. § Sunday afternoon, April 10, 2005 § Beginning at 1:30 pm § MADISON Concourse Hotel (second floor) 1 West Dayton St., Madison (a block from the Capitol) Schedule:noon -- Check-in desk opens1:30 to 3 pm -- Your choice of six concurrent sessions:§ Wisconsin’s Quality Charter Schools: Round-table discussions with educators, parents and students from 10 innovative charter schools § Charter-Starters: Create a Small Charter High School § Teaching in a Charter School and Pre-Service Training § “Green” Charter Schools for Sustainable Futures§ Charter School Autonomy and Accountability § Learn about Virtual/Online Charter Schools from Parents, Students and Educators 3-4 pm -- Celebrate Wisconsin’s Charter Schools Special Guests, Entertainment and Awards4-5:30 pm -- Refreshments and Sneak Preview of Exhibits Sponsored by the Wisconsin Charter Schools Association Information: 608-238-7491 / sennb@charter.net / www.wicharterschools.orgSee 2005 Wisconsin Charter Schools Conference at: http://www.wicharterschools.org/conf.2005.program.cfm SENN BROWN, SecretaryWisconsin Charter Schools AssociationP.O. Box 628243Middleton, WI 53562 Tel: 608-238-7491 Fax: 608-663-5262 Email: sennb@charter.net Web: http://www.wicharterschools.org
Entered 3/17/2005 9:30:44 PM__________________________________________For people wondering about the propsal to shoot feral cats, the article: http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2005/03/05/news/01cats.txt I think is well written and I used it to educate myself.
Entered 3/15/2005 5:56:45 PM__________________________________________Great Gray Owl still along Meek Rd just W of Morrisonville Rd and W of the long metal buildingrunning parallel to Morrisonville Rd., Tuesday, 15 March - bird present when I arrived 3:58 p.m.and still present when I left 45 minutes later, only moving to different locations 5 times duringthat length of time. Meek Rd is on Dane/Columbia County line, S of Arlington. RJD
Entered 3/15/2005 10:36:34 AM__________________________________________Mon. 03/14/2005 2:30pm: Northern Shrike seen in Gov. Nelson State Park in shrubs/trees south of where Northshore Bay Drive crosses Spring Creek. (i.e. So. of Spring Creek, NNE of Park office building. Jim
Entered 3/13/2005 12:57:38 PM__________________________________________I explored the areas around Mud Lake/Lewis Road in McFarland this morning. Saw Northern Shovelers, Common Mergansers - Male and Female, Bufflehead, Mute Swans, Bald Eagle, Coots and Gadwalls. Also today Sunday the Great Gray Owl is in the same place on Meeks Road on a fence post in the pasture.
Entered 3/10/2005 8:50:58 AM__________________________________________The Great Gray was still present along Meek Rd. yesterday (3/9) evening. There were multiplevehicles pulled over along the side of the road just past the first farm E of Morrisonville Rd.,and the owl was sitting on a fence post along the roadside ditch, no more than 25 feet away. It seemed untroubled by all the attention, but please do stay in your cars as much as possible to avoid disturbing it. It takes valuable energy for it to fly and hunt when it's cold. Peter
Entered 3/8/2005 9:22:11 PM__________________________________________More Great Gray News!About 5pm today (6/8) I went back up to Meek Road (4 mi south of Goose Pond) by the UW Sheep Farm just east of Co I. On Sunday we saw the owl at that same spot but it was so far away you couldn't see it without a spotting scope. Today I parked at exactly the same spot just east of the farms, and there it was sitting on a fencepost along the road about 40 feet away, head rotating like a periscope about every 30 seconds to point that great feather dish of an 'ear' that makes up it's face. After a while it flew down toward me and caught and ate a mouse in the road ditch, which took less than 5 minutes. Unfortunately my little camera doesn't do it justice, even when held up to one lense of a binoc. It was great! Some other Audubon folks came by over time and parked in the same area, it didn't seem to mind a bit. When I finally drove quietly away, it took off after me (after I was past it) and flew right behind the car, huge wings flapping slowly, for about 100 feet then landed on another post. Seems quite happy and healthy. - Paul
Entered 3/8/2005 1:42:54 PM__________________________________________Great Gray Owl south of Goose Pond seen Mon. Mar. 7, 2005 from 4:15pm-4:35pm CST 1/3 mi. So. of intersection of Meek Rd. and Ramsey Rd. It was on a fence post about 60 yd. out in field to E. of Ramsey Rd. when we arrived. After about 10 min. it flew NW towards our car and landed on fence post along W. side of road (i.e. along second growth woods to west of road.) It worked its way north along the fence line over the next 10 min. before disappearing to the west, flying up and over the trees. Closest view while landed approx. 20 ft. (To reach area from South, travel N. on CTY I to Meek Rd. (Dane/Columbia Co. line), turn right (E.) onto Meek Rd., go 1 mi. to Ramsey Rd., then So. approx. 1/3 mi.)JimMadison
Entered 3/6/2005 2:26:49 PM__________________________________________ANYONE SEEN THE SNOWY OWL IN DANE COUNTY? I went looking on Pheasant Branch Road and Meffert Road today on a tip, and had no luck. Wondering if anyone else has seen one recently.-Robin RastaniMadison
Entered 3/4/2005 9:09:19 PM__________________________________________Hi I was just wondering if there are still open internship positions this summer. Sorry, I was a little late finding the job posting, but I am very interested in the position.thanksAlan RogneySenior UW-Madison
Entered 3/2/2005 12:47:27 AM__________________________________________Re the ethanol question below - here's a bit of information, check on the web for more references. While appealing on the surface, further research indicates ethanol requires burning so much fuel to make, it's not really a net environmental benefit. It has not worked well in other countries that tried it, without subsidies that mostly tend to benefit a few. Even a small change in the price of corn for example can make it uneconomic even to them (as well as not being very sound environmentally). So environmentally it's not that appealing. The subsidies themselves can be attractive to those who benefit, but probably not to taxpayers who foot the bill.
Entered 3/1/2005 10:12:04 AM__________________________________________Maybe someone could help me with this... I see the Madison Audubon Society, Inc is againstAssembly Bill 15, which is calling for the mandated use of ethonal blended gasoline in thelowest octane grade at all Wisconsin gasoline outlets. Why is the MAS, Inc against this?? Thanx.
Entered 2/25/2005 1:15:54 PM__________________________________________I'm not an avid bird watcher, but I noticed what appeared to be a whitish bird (owl?) in a tree in my backyard. I've been hearing a lot about owls lately from a colleague at work and thought this might interest some of you. It usually appears in the late afternoon/early evening. Please feel free to walk around the side of my house and observe from my backyard. (bring "food" if you want!) 5408 Maher Ave., Madison
Entered 2/23/2005 8:25:40 PM__________________________________________Breaking news! Someone just called to say he'd seen a Great Gray northof Madison on the SW corner of the Hwy 51 and County V intersection.If you are heading north on Hwy 51, this would be the SECOND Hwy V turn,the one that goes east, one mile south of the Columbia County line.When he first saw it, it was on the Hwy 51 sign. It then caught a vole or mouse.
Entered 2/21/2005 7:38:40 PM__________________________________________Action Alert - Wisconsin is close to getting rules passed that could minimize the environmental damage from the so-called "Job Creation" Act (Act 118) that passed early last year. There are two ways you can help.
- If you can attend the joint hearing before the Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Transportation and the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources on Wed, Feb 23 at 10 a.m. at 412 East, State Capitol to speak or register, please do! If not, there are two ways to contact members of the 2 committees. One is to respond to the WI Wetlands Association alert below which contains a sample letter and list of e-mails for all committee members (please note that the one for Sen. Stepp should read Sen.Stepp@legis.state.wi.us). Please respond by midnight Tues, Feb 22.
- The second way (which we recommend) is to log onto the Wisconsin InterNetwork website http://win.e-actionmax.com/alertlist.asp and go to "Act Now To Protect Wisconsin's Lakes and Streams." You can send and/or edit the sample letter, which will be sent to all committee members at once. You must sign up for the Action Network to do so. Thanks much for taking action!
Entered 2/21/2005 11:30:55 AM__________________________________________Citizen Science is a great opportunity to help our beleaguered government and education researchers gather more data and information about the environment. See the Audubon Citizen Science menu for more fun and useful projects YOU can do like Backyard Bird Count. Here is another link http://www.pointreyes.net/citizensci/ to many other opportunities for Citizen Scientists. This is really taking off, and it is very important. Professionals benefit from the large volumes of data and variety of observations that can be collected by Citizen Scientists. Help gather data and support YOUR environment via the web!
Entered 2/20/2005 9:05:41 PM__________________________________________For anyone who is interested, here's the URL for the Great Backyard Bird Count this weekend. I think you can still report for Monday sightings (it's very easy), and you can check out results.http://www.audubon.org/gbbc/index.shtml
Entered 2/20/2005 9:04:43 PM__________________________________________Backyard observation - robins are back (or maybe some never left!). Also lots of activity by a neighborhood Sharptail Hawk is threatening to ruin my Backyard Bird Count!
Entered 2/20/2005 7:14:17 PM__________________________________________I found a red-shouldered hawk yesterday, Saturday, February 19 around 12:30 p.m. off Highway CV, North of the airport. C. CarbonMadison
Entered 2/19/2005 8:08:20 PM__________________________________________Greetings.A new monthly feature in the widely read Outdoor Notebook titled Conservation Corner is set to kick off next month. In addition to a regular feature article, a Calender of Events will be listed, and I'm interested in promoting as many of the region's club and organizational activities as we can that are related to Conservation. If your group would like to get the word out regarding their events, please feel free to contact me by the 15th. of each month for inclusion in the publication.As an online companion to this column, HeartlandOutdoorsman.com will feature links to these events in the Conservation Corner Online section of the website.That's alot of exposure....to potential volunteers that many of us are always looking for to complete our projects.If you would like your events listed in this endeavor, you may send me your agendas, or register and post them on the web page for immediate visibility, and I will transfer them into print as well.Feel free to forward to any other interested parties.Thanks for all you do in helping to preserve the natural resources of America's Heartland.Your Partner in Conservation,Mike Cliffordwww.heartlandoutdoorsman.com
Entered 2/7/2005 6:05:10 PM__________________________________________Has anyone been to Superior in the past few days? Are the Great Gray Owls still to be seen?
Entered 2/3/2005 2:53:32 PM__________________________________________The Snowy Owl was not seen by most people last night because it was perched 2 miles further south on Pheasant Branch Road, south of HWY K. So, it's still around!
Entered 1/31/2005 9:29:56 PM__________________________________________There is a Snowy Owl frequenting Pheasant Branch Road north of HWY K between Fisher Road and Meffert Road. This bird has been seen Saturday (01/29) and Today (01/31). Pheasant Branch Road is accessed via Century Avenue in Middleton.
Entered 1/21/2005 7:35:34 PM__________________________________________I don't suppose the person who wrote on Nov. 11th about the Cooper's hawk on Bascom Hill is likely to be still looking for a reply -- but -- Cooper's hawks have been known to be nesting in Muir Woods (just the other side of Observatory Drive) for several years. It would not be unusual to see one in the area. Isn't it a thrill, though! You're lucky to have seen, and noticed, and especially to have followed up.
Entered 1/20/2005 12:19:37 PM__________________________________________Observed a flock of 22 American robins Thursday 20 January 9:30 am at Stewart County Park, Dane County. The park is located on the northeast edge of the Village of Mt Horeb. The robins were in shrubs and spruce trees along the first portion of the hiking/ski trail, along the lake. The robins were not in this locale on the morning of Wednesday 19 January!
Entered 1/19/2005 10:00:31 AM__________________________________________We were in Superior from Jan 5 to the 15th and the Great Gray Owls were as abundant as House Finches in my Madison backyard. They could be seen on Wisconsin Point, Billings Drive, the town of Oliver and along busy E. 2nd St. (Hwy 2). After 3pm was the best time to see them, and it was quite entertaining to watch them swoop out of a tree, grab a vole and swallow it whole before it got back on the branch. Also saw one boreal owl and a gyrfalcon at the landfill on WI PT. I understand that most of the GGO have moved out of the area for now and possibly moving north. I feel very fortunate to have been in the area at the time of the influx, and according to Duluth television reports, a once in a lifetime event.
Entered 1/11/2005 10:07:04 PM__________________________________________Bluejay numbes - We will be looking at numbers of bluejays and crows on the local Christmas Bird Counts and see how numbers relate to past years. Information will be in the March CAWS.
Entered 1/10/2005 2:47:38 PM__________________________________________I'm very concerned about the lack of blue jays in my neighborhood (Arbor Hills). Normally we have several of them competing with the squirrels for peanuts, but I haven't seen or heard any for weeks. Has West Nile killed them all, or could there be some other reason why they aren't around? What did the Christmas bird count indicate? We miss them!
Entered 1/1/2005 11:20:06 PM__________________________________________Hi, this isn't a bird sighting, but maybe someone in Madison Audubon can help me out. I volunteer in the library at the Dane County Jail. We are an all-volunteer organization and all of our books come in from donations. This week an inmate is asking for "a field guide to North American birds". Does anyone have one they could donate to a good cause? Kathy 233-2425
Entered 1/1/2005 3:36:16 PM__________________________________________To Debs: Try a platform type feeder, either on the ground on on a pole to attract larger birds and non-perching small birds. Also, some suet in a suet feed will attract woodpeckers and nuthatches. Safflower can be used as a seed ignored by squirrels. Good luck.
Entered 12/30/2004 4:51:20 PM__________________________________________Help! I put out a bird feeder in our backyard. We live in town & all I seem to be attracting are sparrows, doves & other common birds. Cardinals are common in our backyard but they are rarely at our feeder. I think the "common" birds are scaring off the other birds. Is there a certain birdseed or birdfeeder I should be using? My birdfeeder has 3 tubes that have sunflowers seeds, thistle (which is rarely eaten) & a combo that goes verrrry fast. I have a bird house that has hole large enough for finches & sparrows. I have only seen one of the many areas used in the bird house. I also have a copper birdbath in my garden (along with a decent variety of plants). I am open to ideas & suggestions. Thanks Debs
Entered 12/27/2004 10:17:44 PM__________________________________________For anyone heading up to the Superior area birding this winter, check out Billings Park. There are trails around the bay and off the parking lot is good birding too. Wisconsin Point of course and also Canal Park and Pattison Park. There is some interesting information on Laura Erickson's "For the Birds" website out of Duluth, MN.
Entered 12/16/2004 1:50:14 PM__________________________________________I noticed the DVD "Birds, Birds, Birds" from John Fieth at the UW Arboretum bookstore; if anyone would like to know where they can get a copy. $24.95
Entered 12/15/2004 9:25:21 AM__________________________________________***************************************************Birds, Birds, Birds! John Feith's DVD Release Party Wednesday, Dec 15 at 8 p.m. Madison's Dining and Diversions (restaurant & bar), 119 King St. (next to the Majestic Theater, 1 block East of the Capitol)Come celebrate and do some indoor birdwatching at a bar -- bird videos, birdsongs, bird-watchers, curious non-bird-watchers... The official start time is 8 p.m., but you can drop by beforehand and have dinner at the restaurant. Or stop by at any time later on and have a beer, buy a CD or DVD at a discount and mingle with the birders. John's CD "Bird Song Ear Training Guide" generated over $10,000 in profits for land conservation groups like The Nature Conservancy, Madison Audubon Society, Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, and the Natural Heritage Land Trust in Dane County. Profits from the DVD will also help support bird habitat preservation. Other Madison residents who helped with this project include Mike McDowell, a well-known bird photographer; and Angela Richardson, an artist and narrator. Other Wisconsin photographers include Jack Bartholmai, Dennis Malueg, and Tom Schultz. Aaron Stutz, Chuck Heikkinen and Delia Unson, Madison Audubon field trip leaders, also provided photographs. From Minnesota, audio was contributed by Rich Peet.For more information, contact John at feith@charter.net 608/258-8359, http://www.caculo.com/dvd.htm
Entered 12/11/2004 12:59:05 PM__________________________________________12/11/04 at 12:30pm spotted a Varied Thrush under our feeders near Edgerton, WI
Entered 12/4/2004 1:01:02 PM__________________________________________From a Daydream to Reality: The Quad 30 Campaign Noel Cutright, past president of the WI Society for Ornithology, will give a talk Thursday, December 9 from 7:30-9:00 p.m. at the Bolz Auditorum, 124 S. Brooks St., Madison, across from Meriter Hospital.
Noel recently celebrated more than 30 years of collecting Breeding Bird Survey data with an unprecedented venture. He traveled the Midwest to conduct 1 survey each day of June, 2004 – 30 routes in 30 days - with the goal of raising $30,000 for bird conservation. Join Madison Audubon Society and Wisconsin Wetlands Association for Noel’s presentation of photos and observations from his campaign. This event is free and open to the public.
For a sneak preview, see Noel's Quad30 website
Entered 11/24/2004 8:49:31 AM__________________________________________The large flock of tundra swans and hundreds of canada geese make a beautiful sight at about 4 o'clock in the evening with the setting sun giving a golden look to these birds. The sky fills with dozens in silhouette against the sky. If you would like to see the Greater White Fronted Goose, they are still in the pond off main street in Dane, WI.
Entered 11/17/2004 8:30:26 PM__________________________________________Re message below about owls....Yes, owls are quite common in residential areas, although they can often be difficult to spot. If you are hearing a fairly loud who-who-ho-hoooooo, it could be a Great Horned Owl. Sometimes they can be spotted in the top of a tree silhouetted against the sky - even after dusk - if you walk underneath the trees near where you hear the sound. A pair may sit side-by-side, bobbing their heads as they who-who to each other. This is nearing the season they are preparing to mate and nest. Hawks and owls start nesting in winter and may be on eggs during the snows of January. Other common neighborhood owls include pigeon-size Screech Owls who may use a nestbox if one is provided, and larger Barred Owls.
Entered 11/17/2004 5:33:46 PM__________________________________________My son and I heard an owl calling at dusk a few afternoons ago. This was in a residential neighborhood between Raymond and Schroeder Roads. The call seemed to be coming from a stand of tall pines. Are owls common in residential areas?
Entered 11/11/2004 10:37:23 AM__________________________________________As I was walking, head down, near the front of the Law School on Bascom Hill this morning at about 6:40, I looked up to see a large bird flash by 6 inches in front of my face. Because it was so low I thought at first it was a duck, but following it with my eyes I saw that it was a hawk carrying prey--a rabbit? It disappeared over the midhill rise, but it didn't emerge on the other side. I sneaked over the rise, expecting to see it on the ground mantling its prey, but it wasn't there. I figured it had flown low to the ground, invisible, and I'd find it further along. Keeping my eyes peeled, I found it perched on the top of a wall of the vestibule on the west side of the Education building. I knew that if I approached any closer it would fly away, so I turned around and went down the hill to the front entrance of the building. I went inside and found a window looking out on the vestibule. There was the bird, a Cooper's Hawk if I'm not mistaken, on the flat roof of the vestibule, tearing at the neck feathers of a pigeon. I watched her (?) for a few minutes; then she flew off with her prize.
Entered 11/10/2004 3:25:42 PM__________________________________________Regarding the recent article in the Wisconsin State Journal regarding the declining numbers of bird species, I noticed an excellent book sold at the UW Arboretum bookstore. Living on the Wind Across the Hemisphere with Migratory Birds by Scott Weidensaul is a book on nature writing that is easy to read, informative and contains fascinating information on bird migration.
Entered 11/3/2004 9:26:44 PM__________________________________________Sorry this was posted too late for the event, but some of you may be interested in the book...Lecture by the author of "Crimes Against Nature," Robert F. Kennedy, Jr Wednesday November 3 7:30 p.m. Wisconsin Union Theater, Memorial Union FREE, but tickets required. Get them at the Memorial Union box office or at Hillel, 611 Langdon. Recently lauded by Successful Meetings magazine as a man whose message supercedes his golden name, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. delivers with earnestness and obvious passion. Mr. Kennedy's new book, Crimes Against Nature, chronicles how money buys power. Don't miss out on this powerful lecture! Co-Sponsored by Jewish Cultural Collective Major Events Committee and Chadbourne Residential College. Event Phone: 262-2201
Entered 11/1/2004 5:31:24 PM__________________________________________Prairie planting event, Saturday, November 6, 9-11 a.m.Saint Benedict Center, 4200 County Highway M, Middleton
Volunteers of all ages are needed to plant prairie seeds. Lend a hand and help preserve the natural beauty of Saint Benedict Center. Then stroll the grounds and talk with Nancy Schlimgen, our naturalist. Call: 836-1631, ext. 159; nschlimgen@sbcenter.org or visit www.sbcenter.org.
Entered 11/1/2004 8:50:54 AM__________________________________________I was birding in the UW Arboretum yesterday and observed a flock of Golden Crowned Kinglets in Leopold Pines. This is a southern wisconsin resident in winter, but fun to watch and beautiful coloring...easy to get a photo since they were just a few feet from me and were not very skittish.
Entered 10/27/2004 5:42:54 AM__________________________________________Announcing 3rd Annual Rivers & Bluffs Fall Birding Festival, Nov. 12-14th. Two half-day field trips to WI, MN and IA, and boat trips on Mississippi R. to view thousands of Tundra Swans and hundreds of thousands of other waterfowl. Great speakers, vendors, live music, door prizes, silent & live auction to support bird conservation projects. Inexpensive! Adults $10; students ages 7-17 $2; 6 and under free. (Boat trip extra) Detailed agenda at < www.lansingiowa.com > or contact < Ric.Zarwell@mchsi.com > Headquartered across Miss. R. at Lansing, IA. Just 2 hours from Madison. Last year 227 participants from 12 states and both coasts. Come join the fun!
Entered 10/26/2004 9:03:35 AM__________________________________________I have been a member of Audubon Socety for over 20 years and have seen habitat disappear that is important for nesting birds. I found a very interesting website that every serious birdershould take a look at soon. 15 million serious birders CAN make a difference this election day.Please go to: www.birdersunitedtodefeatbush.com/index.htmWe CAN make a difference-the birds are depending on us! Thank you for caring!
Entered 10/19/2004 10:22:19 AM__________________________________________The cedar waxwings are back. It is a spectacular sight!
Entered 10/18/2004 1:09:45 PM__________________________________________Sept 18, 2004 - I work at the corner of Gilman and Wisconsin Ave, in Madison, right by the lake. There are literally hundreds if not a thousand cedar waxwings flocking the entire property. Not only are they getting fruit from some of the trees on the property, but they are also coming right up to the windows and hovering inches from us. They appear to be getting insects off the side of the building. A spectacular sight to brighten the workday.
Entered 9/28/2004 8:21:39 PM__________________________________________I live on a farm one mile south of the village of Belgium in Northern Ozaukee County.On Sunday, September 26, I spotted what I at first thought was a large Red Tailed Hawk. As it flew closer and lower I noticed the white head and tail feathers of a bald eagle.I had seen it once before about a month before.It was just slowly circling the farm on which I live. I was thrilled because for one thing I had never seen a bald eagle in the wild and for another reason I didn't think they were this far south.I can be contacted at Debaucheam@wmconnect.com
Entered 9/3/2004 9:21:39 PM__________________________________________Fall Community Workday - Saturday, September 25, 2004 at Saint Benedict Center 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.The Sisters of Saint Benedict seek volunteers of all ages to help them with fall environmental restoration projects. Help us collect prairie seed, remove non-native invasive species around prairie and wetland areas, and pick apples. There are morning and afternoon sessions. Come for all or part of the day. We provide the lunch. You provide the helping hands!Want details? Call Nancy Schlimgen, Saint Benedict Center naturalist, at 836-1631, ext. 159 or send an email to: nschlimgen@sbcenter.org.
Entered 8/29/2004 3:30:56 PM__________________________________________8/29/04 Pheasant Branch Conservancy (north of Century) sightings: Warblers! Black-throated green, American Redstart, Golden-winged, and a Blue-gray gnatcatcher. Migration has begun.
Entered 8/25/2004 6:28:40 PM__________________________________________Government at War Against the Environment.FORT LAUDERDALE, August, 2004: “Soon even the birds will be dead. Washington’s rapacious environmental policies have turned from sea to shining sea into from sludge to poisonous foam. Our purple mountains majesties have been stripped by acid rain and deforested. Our amber waves of grain are fed arsenic and carcinogens…This is not the America God blessed and shed His grace on. So stopping these madmen is both our sacred and our patriotic duty.” So writes an activist to an editor in Robert Edward Fahey’s deeply unsettling new novel, Der Furor, which is set in a toxic America in the year 2040.“God will finally turn back to us then. When we’ve gone too far and it’s too late for even Him to pull us out. He’ll cry when He sees what we’ve done to His planet. He’ll look across vast emptied stretches of what had once been a Glorious Creation and wonder if it had all been worth it.” Der Furor draws us into an America plagued by racism, gritty acid air, and water you wouldn’t dare touch, let alone drink. Uneducated millions are homeless and desperate. We watch our poor being herded into sweatshops and into wars fought over lies. In a world inflamed with anti-Americanism, zealots on all sides wreak their vengeance. We hear some cry out for compassion, but then watch them being silenced as un-American, assassinated, or molested in secret prisons. And we know that the time to change things is Now.Der Furor is a passionate tale of a future when the nation’s wealth is hidden in offshore accounts while the masses struggle against disease, poverty, and hunger to survive. Stolen elections and doctored laws have twisted the people’s democracy into a violent corporate dynasty and trampled civil rights as the food, air, water, even the soul of a once-great nation are poisoned. Richly drawn characters come alive as alternative media are shut down, and environmental activists hunted. A new Patriot Act lets the government send troops against its own cities wherever acts unfriendly to D. C. and its business interests may be contemplated.Der Furor is an absorbing, thought-provoking, and impassioned plea for sanity, truth, and fairness as leaders turn against citizens and the most broken and desperate of citizens rise up to become heroes.Der Furor is an exciting new novel that calls out to our compassion, challenging us to stand up. – Now. - Before it’s too late.Der Furor Robert Edward FaheyToll Free Orders Line: 1-866-229-9244 Or visit us at: http://www.llumina.com/store/derfuror.htmOr e-mail us at orders@llumina.com Llumina Press Contact Person: Deborah GreenspanAddress: P.O. Box 772246; Coral Springs, FL 33077-2246Telephone: (866) 229-9244 Fax: (954) 726-0903Email: deborah@llumina.com URL: http://www.llumina.com
Entered 8/20/2004 3:54:23 PM__________________________________________I drove up to the A&W Ponds near Fox Lake this morning to check out the shorebirds I had heard about on the Wis Bird Net. Observed ruddy ducks, yellowlegs, gulls, egrets, killdeer and one Black Neck Stilt. Drove on over to Hwy 49 Horicon and saw many egrets, also soras, black rail, yellow rail pelicans, scaup, wood duck, Black Crowned night heron, American Bittern, Moorhens and Pied Billed Grebes. All were close up views.
Entered 8/19/2004 4:36:57 PM__________________________________________I am selling/donating books from my father's collection of birding/ecology/ornithology books, journals and magazines. If there are birders in town interested in looking through the collection I will be showing the books this weekend. If you are interested, please email me at wacoop@chorus.net and we can work out a convenient time. The books are located on Regent street in Madison. Thank you. Wendy Cooper
Entered 8/13/2004 10:37:17 PM__________________________________________Quite a beautiful day at 9 Springs E Way in Madison. Many Sandhill Cranes, Cedar Waxwings, Canada Geese, Barn Swallows, Mallards, Song Sparrows, Pectoral and Semi Palmated Sandpipers, Great Blue Heron, plus 2 groundhogs, a deer and many beautiful wildflowers in bloom. Help me in identifying a shorebird that looked like a cross between a starling and a dove...black med length beak.
Entered 8/5/2004 5:01:04 PM__________________________________________Deanna Woods is a spammer!
Entered 7/8/2004 1:14:04 AM__________________________________________Hi everyoneI just created a new website featuring birdhouses and birdfeeders. Please check it out and tell me what you think. The web site is http://www.wildlifefriends.com/page/page/1204670.htm . Please email me with any comments or suggestions thewoodsnevada@sbcglobal.netThank YouDeanna Woods
Entered 7/3/2004 3:25:29 PM__________________________________________I saw a mature bald eagle over Patrick Marsh just outside of Sun Prairie.A timely sighting for the 4th of July.
Entered 7/3/2004 11:27:20 AM__________________________________________The North American Prairie Conference is being held in Madison August8-12th. The Conference includes invited talks; papers; posters; exibitors;field trips, including a prairie restoration workshop; picnic; and banquet.The conference will be a good learning experience for everyone fromprofessionals, to volunteers. Early bird registration is due July 16th.Register early so you can attend the field trip of your choice and securelodging. Check out this link for more information www.napc2004.org Please pass this message on to others interested in preservation,restoration and management of our prairie ecosystem.
Entered 7/3/2004 9:50:45 AM__________________________________________Our prairies are looking great. We found 15 wood lily plants in flower last weekend.Help is needed to remove sweet clover tonight, June 29th (6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m) and also Saturday morning July 3, (9:30 to noon). We will also be collecting spiderwort Saturday afternoon from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.The population of sweet clover is above normal and the population of parsnip is very low this year. There is a bumper crop of spiderwort.Hope you can join us. Please pass this on to others. Thanks!Mark and Sue Foote-Martin, Goose Pond SanctuaryW7468 Prairie Lane, Arlington, WI 53911 608-635-4160
Entered 6/23/2004 11:02:53 AM__________________________________________ Biking along the John Nolen Drive causeway this morning I saw three loons, not far offshore. If I'd seen them in early spring, I wouldn't be surprised, but in late June it's startling to see them in Lake Monona. Has anybody else seen loons around here lately?
Entered 6/15/2004 1:04:36 PM__________________________________________ The only big birds that I have seen with black underwing patches are the white pelicans that normally hang out at Horicon
Entered 6/15/2004 11:24:51 AM__________________________________________ Sighted a group of 15 large white birds with black wing tips. Birds were in a V-formation, then appeared to circle on a thermal to a higher elevation - moving in a SE to NW direction. This occurred over the Lake Wingra area on 6/15 at 11:15am. Birds appeared to be migrating. What were they - Trumpeters? Whoopers? wistexla@tds.net
Entered 6/12/2004 9:42:15 AM__________________________________________ Has anyone been out birding this week, or are we all too busy slapping mosquitoes? Grab your waders and report back. There must be something out there to let us all know about!
Entered 6/2/2004 11:41:27 AM__________________________________________ Admittedly, not a "wild" bird... but John Kovalic discovered a PEACOCK roosting in a tree in his yard near Goodland Park Road. He's got pictures on his website to prove it. It fed on the crumbs around the base of his bird feeder, too. He's desperately seeking it's owner... http://www.livejournal.com/users/muskrat_john/ - Dory Owen, doryo@aol.com
Entered 6/1/2004 9:13:31 AM__________________________________________ Has anyone seen a hairy woodpecker in Wis. with plumage like the one in the photo below? According to Sibley, this is the Pacific Race of the species (and is therefore a long way from home!) It was seen in eastern Wis. on 5/30/04. http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nancoix/detail?.dir=/Mail+Attachments&.dnm=a7f3.jpg
Entered 6/1/2004 9:10:35 AM__________________________________________ Has anyone seen a hairy woodpecker in Wis. with plumage like the one in the photo below? According to Sibley, this is the Pacific Race of the species (and is therefore a long way from home!) It was seen in eastern Wis. on 5/30/04. http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nancoix/detail?.dir=/Mail+Attachments&.dnm=a7f3.jpg
Entered 5/28/2004 9:46:41 AM__________________________________________ Better Lawns and Gutters Tour - join in the Yahara Lakes Week by learning more about how to maintain an ecologically friendly lawn, create a rain garden, and more! http://www.co.dane.wi.us/commissions/lakes/yaharalakesweek/index.shtml
Entered 5/24/2004 11:52:20 AM__________________________________________ May 24, 2004 This morning a Swainson’s thrush appeared in a yard on Westfield Rd. and Oak Creek Trail. A short time later a neighbor called about an injured bird that she had found. Turned out to be another Swainson’s thrush. The neighbor put it in a box in her garage. After looking at the bird, the eyes were clear and nothing seemed broken. The bird appeared to be in a state of exhaustion (possibly from migrating through the storms). In a little while, the bird started to follow our movements with his eyes. Then he started to move his head and finally, hopped on the edge of the box and flew across the driveway into the shelter of some shrubs. A short time later, he flew off and appeared to be fully recovered.
Entered 5/22/2004 8:54:02 AM__________________________________________ OWL: it is a Barred Owl. You're right, there are no Spotted Owls in the Midwest.
Entered 5/21/2004 3:55:49 PM__________________________________________ A friend of mine saw this owl in Broadhead the other night. We cannot identify it. It looks like a spotted owl, but are they found outside the Pacific Northwest? http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lfson/detail?.dir=/acd1&.dnm=ee60.jpg
Entered 5/20/2004 6:02:43 PM__________________________________________ Sunday, May 16, 2004 at Pheasant Branch Creek (Middleton Section) We saw 2 male Indigo Buntings, 1 1 Red-headed Woodpecker, 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 1 Eastern Phoebe and 1 Scarlet Tanager - a greast couple of hours JPNick
Entered 5/18/2004 10:45:46 PM__________________________________________ A review of Roundup shows large increases in usage recently, and a wide variety of biological effects (PDF)
Entered 5/17/2004 12:11:51 PM__________________________________________ BABY CARDINALS, three or four of them, fledged from the nest in our front yard yesterday, although they seemed to be totally flightless. Hopefully they won't be eaten or mauled by the roaming neighborhood CATS, which should be kept inside by their owners. For more, see the "Cats Indoors!" campaign, at www.abcbirds.org, a great initiative of the American Bird Conservancy.
Entered 5/14/2004 10:22:15 AM__________________________________________ Regarding the black neck stilt you observed at MMSD, even though these birds are rare in So Wisc, Horicon Marsh has had good luck in attracting these birds to nest in the Refuge. I'm sure you were correct in your identification.
Entered 5/13/2004 9:19:33 PM__________________________________________ Today (May 13) we were at the MMSD and we think we saw a pair of black necked stilts. Are we crazy? Both had red legs, were black and white and one was (the male?)about a third taller than the other. Sibley says they are rare in this area. Is there some other bird species this pair could be? We had a decent look at them and then of course they flew to a pond further away.
Entered 5/13/2004 9:19:13 PM__________________________________________ Today (May 13) we were at the MMSD and we think we saw a pair of black necked stilts. Are we crazy? Both had red legs, were black and white and one was (the male?)about a third taller than the other. Sibley says they are rare in this area. Is there some other bird species this pair could be? We had a decent look at them and then of course they flew to a pond further away.
Entered 5/11/2004 1:38:39 PM__________________________________________ Re Mystery bird at Arboretum, soounds alot like a Palm warbler, however they are smaller than most spoarrows...
Entered 5/11/2004 8:19:37 AM__________________________________________ re Mystery bird question below....it's probably a warbler, of which many beautiful variations are migrating through the area at this time of year. Check under warblers in a birding guide to see if one of them matches what you saw.
Entered 5/11/2004 8:16:11 AM__________________________________________ re Question below about Canada Geese abandoning their nest... There could be several reasons a bird abandons its nest, although the closer it gets to hatching, the more tenacious the bird usually becomes. Are there eggs still present when the geese abandon the nest? Have you noticed any predators in the area? There are many predators (raccoons, foxes, coyotes, crows, skunks etc) that love eggs, although if the goose is present, they can be a formidable foe. Also, with a bird as large as a goose, it is unlikely that weather might be a factor as it is with songbirds, like Purple Martins or Eastern Bluebirds. In this case, while you may be concerned about your individual nesting pair of Canada Geese, losing a goose nest is not necessarily a bad thing, as the population of giant Canada Geese is skyrocketing in southern Wisconsin (as it is almost everywhere). These geese are creating some major problems, especially in urban areas like parks, beaches, golf courses, and private lawns along water courses; and property managers are looking for ways to control the population.
Entered 5/10/2004 8:08:20 AM__________________________________________ Regarding your mystery bird, I have seen green tailed towhees in the Arboretum near the pond on Monroe Street. They were there last year, and must have returned.
Entered 5/7/2004 5:35:05 PM__________________________________________ Saw a "mystery" bird in the arb yesterday. Acted like a towhee, but smallish (larger than sparrows) and greenish tinged, rufous crown, yellow wash on sides. Could it be a green-tailed towhee? Was on ground in tall grasses near pond 3, scratching and tail wagging.
Entered 5/7/2004 9:33:34 AM__________________________________________ Does everyone know about M.A.S.'s BIRD HOTLINE? That's right, the old-fashioned, telephone kind. Please call 255-2476 and leave your sightings (try pressing the # key to skip the recording). The Hotline is updated weekly. If you also leave your name and phone-number, someone can get back to you to get details or answer any questions. That's 255-2476.
Entered 5/5/2004 8:32:14 PM__________________________________________ If you care about human health and the environment, please consider attending “Making the Connection: Human Health and Environmental Exposures” which will take place Friday, June 4, from 8:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. at Grainger Hall on the UW-Madison campus. It is being sponsored by the UW-Madison Medical School, Madison Physicians for Social Responsibility, Sierra Club Great Lakes Program, and the WI Conservation Power Project, of which Madison Audubon is an member. The fee for nonprofessionals is $50.00 for the day. Information on the purpose of the conference can be found in the event announcement below, and the complete agenda and registration information is on the web at www.cme.wisc.edu/conference.html
Entered 5/5/2004 8:08:17 AM__________________________________________ Family Bird Tour! Saturday, May 15th 9:00 AM-12:00 Noon The US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association will be hosting a birding tour for families starting at the Leopold office on Cascade Mountain road on May 15th. Birding experts from the Madison Audubon, and Kumlien Bird Club, and will be leading tours. This is a good opportunity to learn your birds from experienced birders. We will be leaving the office at 9am and returning at noon. Bring water, extra bird guides, binoculars, eyes, and ears. Extra binoculars are available. US Fish and Wildlife Service, Leopold WMD Wisconsin Waterfowl Association Madison Audubon Kumlien Bird Club
Entered 4/29/2004 9:32:46 PM__________________________________________ We saw an Osprey at 8 PM at Stricker's Pond last night (4/28/04). This is the first I observed here. We are hoping that it will take up residence.
Entered 4/27/2004 2:30:23 PM__________________________________________ Birds are coming into Strickers Pond. Solitary sandpiper, Bairds Sandpiper, Wood Ducks, Yellow Rumped Warblers, Tree and Barn Swallows, Blue Winged Teal and Song Sparrows.
Entered 4/27/2004 2:28:57 PM__________________________________________ Good birding today Tuesday, at Schmidt Woods (on Patton Rd between De Forest and Waunakee) a Pine Warbler, Pileated WP, Downy WP, Flicker, Red Bellied WP, Sandhill Cranes, Blue Jays and Brown Headed Cowbirds. This spot has nice trails and many benches, wooded, grassy, brush piles and pine trees.
Entered 4/25/2004 4:59:54 PM__________________________________________ For the last 2 years, my nesting pair of wild geese has abandoned their nest after about 3 weeks. Any ideas why? skidorf@aol
Entered 4/22/2004 8:20:46 PM__________________________________________ Thursday night about 5 Snipe, 4 Sandhill Cranes, Blue Winged Teal, Lesser Yellowlegs, Shovelers at the Hwy V Ponds between Dane and De Forest.
Entered 4/21/2004 7:41:13 PM__________________________________________ Saw a chukar on the ground under one of my feeders just before 7:00pm.
Entered 4/19/2004 8:32:19 PM__________________________________________ I am doing a report for the golden-winged warbler and if you know anything about how it gets a mate or anything about that pleaze tell me. Sweetaholic_grrl@yahoo.com XoXo---ThAnX
Entered 4/19/2004 10:10:39 AM__________________________________________ But be careful, sometimes Common Mergansers are mistaken for loons.
Entered 4/16/2004 5:20:45 PM__________________________________________ Stopped counting at 50 loons on Monona Bay a few weeks back... DNR web site says flocks? of loons up to 1,500 have been counted in Canada before...
Entered 4/12/2004 4:37:33 PM__________________________________________ Loon with chick: Lake Monona is the lake by John Nolen Drive. If you saw a loon, whatever was on its back was NOT a chick at this time of year. Loon chicks won't be seen until June and that would be in the northern half or so of WI; loons do not nest in Dane County. Feel free to leave email address with posts here, if you would like a personal response...
Entered 4/12/2004 12:16:40 PM__________________________________________ Friday, 04/09, I saw a loon with chick on its back on Lake Mendota, some distance off short of John Nolen Drive. (I thought the loons wanted a quieter place to rear their young!)
Entered 4/12/2004 8:52:32 AM__________________________________________ Yellow-throated (yes, confirmed as Yellow-throated) Warbler seen at Eagle Heights gardens, around the blue tarp and straw bales plus around the 2 clumps of trees in the middle and N end of the gardens.
Entered 4/9/2004 5:50:54 PM__________________________________________ Saw a whooping crane at Horicon Marsh. Just north of Highway 49 outside of Waupon Friday the 9th.
Entered 4/7/2004 2:12:14 PM__________________________________________ Stop by WisconsinBirding.net and post your bird sightings!
Entered 4/6/2004 1:20:26 PM__________________________________________ The thirteen-lined ground squirrel is also called a "squinney" in Iowa. I think you see more of them west of the Mississippi. -- Iowa girl
Entered 4/5/2004 8:07:03 PM__________________________________________ That warbler sounds like a Golden-crowned Kinglet to me. Check your guide book and see.
Entered 4/5/2004 7:54:23 PM__________________________________________ Westfield Rd & Walnut Grove Park.An unusual type rodent observed checked out Google.com.It was a Thirteen lined ground squirrel.It's a first for me.
Entered 4/5/2004 11:28:08 AM__________________________________________ I need help identifying a bird. I saw this warbler at Token Creek and Pheasant Branch this past weekend April 3-4. I was lower in the brush, also mid tree. Bright yellow cap with black eyebrow and 2 white wingbars. Yellow under the tail feathers. I can't find a good match in any of my bird guides. Any suggestions?
Entered 4/1/2004 8:33:48 PM__________________________________________ Madison Audubon is a member of the Alaska Coalition, which helped organize the Tues, Apr 6 program, Arctic Quest, described below, about a 700 mile journey by foot and raft through the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
A second program on Alaska will take place at our regular monthly meeting Tues, Apr 20, when record-breaking arctic explorer, Pam Flowers, will share slides and stories from her solo 2,500-mile dog mushing expedition across the arctic from Barrow, Alaska to Repulse Bay, Canada: the longest solo dog sled journey by a woman in recorded history. More information can be found on our website at http://madisonaudubon.org/audubon/html/meetings/april04.htm
Please join us for one or both of these exciting programs!
Entered 3/29/2004 8:14:20 AM__________________________________________ Water in Goose Pond this week is attracting Red Heads, Red Breasted Mergansers, Buffleheads, Shovelers, Coots, and of course the Rare Canada Goose. Also, Hwy V ponds and Arlington ponds are good viewing of ducks.
Entered 3/23/2004 9:27:13 PM__________________________________________ Sisters of Saint Benedict need volunteers! Learn about prairie and wetland restoration, creating an oak savanna and identifying prairie flowers as you help the sisters with seasonal environmental projects at Saint Benedict Center, 4200 Cty M in Middleton. Volunteer Mornings are scheduled for Saturday, April 3, June 5 and August 14, from 9-11 a.m. Volunteer Evenings are Tuesday, May 4 and July 13. These are great sharing and learning activities for families. No experience is necessary. To help, contact Elisabeth at 836-1631 or send an email to eplatt@sbcenter.org.
Entered 3/22/2004 8:36:27 PM__________________________________________ In my yard in West Madison on Oak Creek Trail on 3/21/04 we saw on the trunk of a tree a brown creeper also a house finch orange variant as described in Sibleys,very unusual and beautiful a first for me..
Entered 3/17/2004 11:07:38 AM__________________________________________ March 17, 2004- We are looking for any information from the Healthy Lawn Team or anyone who has information on Chemical-free lawn maintenace. We are located in the Prairie du Sac Industrial Park and would gladly give credit to any group and/or individual providing information. Thank you! Please contact us at thart@prairiedigital.com.
Entered 3/16/2004 12:42:16 PM__________________________________________ March 16, 2004 Carolina wren singing next to Southwest Commuter Bike Path, near delineator on south side of path marked "3.3 MI," just a short distance southwest of the ramp up to Virginia Terrace. Bluebird singing on Glenway Golfcourse near bike path as well. Amy Staffen astaffen@tds.net
Entered 3/11/2004 10:44:01 AM__________________________________________ I have become very interested in the Canadian geese that I see outside my place of work. I find it very interesting to watch their body language and wish I only knew what it meant. Can anyone provide more detail on what a HONK means, a wiggling head, and what may this all have to do with mating rituals? How do they mate, as I never see them mating. (in the water,,etc.) They lay eggs, correct? Please respond to cherlovesaruba@hotmail.com Thanks!
Entered 2/27/2004 9:49:03 AM__________________________________________ Yesterday, February 26th, heard (then saw) my first on-this-block ROBIN of the year, in Madison. Tho I've seen them throughout the winter in the Arboretum, this is the first one in this neighborhood and SINGING!
Entered 2/26/2004 10:18:41 AM__________________________________________ > Dear Wisonsin Audubon Chapter Members: > You are warmly invited to Birding America VI, a conference by and for bird > lovers. It is going to be held on Saturday, March 13, 2004, 8 AM-3 PM at > beautiful North Park University on Chicago's north side. The University is > located at 3224 W. Foster and there is plenty of nearby parking. Conference > costs are $35 for members of National Audubon and $45 for non-members. > This year the keynote address will be author, Karen Furnweger, who will speak > on the topic of bringing back the Whooping Cranes. After the keynote there > will be three tracks to choose from: Chicago Birding Areas, Skill Building > Workshops or Vacation Trips. > On the Chicago area track are: DuPage County (Jeff Chapman), North Shore/IL > Beach St. Park, Chatauqua IL. (Keith McMullen), and the Blue Ridge Parkway > (Marcus Simpson.) > On the Skill Building Track are: Sparrow ID. (Walter Marcisz), Creating a > Backyard Habitat (Janice Aull), Making A Birdsong CD (John Feith) and Tools for > Birding (Jerry Garden/Ben Lisdas.) > And on the Vacation Trip Track are: Dry Trotugas (Lee Snyder), Belize > (Sheri Williamson) South Texas (Sean Smith), Venezuela (Joel Greenberg). > Our ending Keynote address will be a presentation on the Alaskan Pribilof > Islands by Sean Smith. > To register online or to get more information please visit the Chicago > Audubon Web Site (www.chicagoaudubon.org). You may also call Traci in the Chicago > Audubon Office at (773) 539-6793.
Entered 2/22/2004 5:37:29 PM__________________________________________ Sharp Shinned Hawk alighted on top of my feeder pole today - Westfield Road and Oak Creek Drive, west side of Madison
Entered 2/18/2004 10:01:48 PM__________________________________________ Sharp Shinned Hawk photos from my home in Verona: Sharp Shinned Hawk I also saw a Pileated Woodpecker on the south side of Verona yesterday!!
Entered 2/18/2004 11:01:06 AM__________________________________________ I have a Parrakeet. She can say pretty bird. Can your birds talk?
Entered 2/17/2004 10:56:35 AM__________________________________________ I have common redpolls visiting my feeders and birch trees for the first time at my home here in De Forest. Their winter colors are clear and delightful to see, yellow beak, red cap, black chin and prominent white wing bar.
Entered 2/15/2004 8:21:13 PM__________________________________________ Spotted a pair of Bluebirds flitting in a large dead cottonwood next to the canoe landing in Cherokee Marsh, confirmed with a zoom digital picture.
Entered 2/10/2004 5:51:38 PM__________________________________________ There has been a Fox Sparrow in the UW Arboretum for the past week. It's near the spring just east of the Nokoma/Monroe split. -matt k mk@geology.wisc.edu
Entered 2/9/2004 9:21:27 AM__________________________________________ Yesterday (Feb. 8, 2004) in Waupaca I saw a Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius) at my mother-in-law's feeders. I note one post on this list from four years ago of a Varied Thrush in Madison. I've never seen one on Wisconsin. Just how uncommon a sighting is this? If you have thoughts, let me know. Nigel Rothfels (mailto:rothfels@uwm.edu)
Entered 1/27/2004 9:31:02 PM__________________________________________ The 5th Annual "Lodi Reads Leopold" event will take place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, March 5-7, 2004 in Lodi, WI. The centerpiece of the weekend is a public reading of A Sand County Almanac. There will also be a number of other activities to enjoy, including visiting the Leopold Shack, building a Leopold bench, hiking on the Ice Age Trail, and more. For more information visit www.sceniclodivalley.org or call 608-592-5666.
Entered 1/26/2004 11:47:38 AM__________________________________________ On Saturday, Feb 14th, Milwaukee Audubon Society with Wild Ones presents the 24th Annual Natural Landscaping Conference: Healthy Habitats, One Step at a Time Click here for details!
Entered 1/25/2004 3:23:37 PM__________________________________________ Thursday 1/22/04 On the West Side of Madison off Westfield Rd. There were 4 cedar wax wings at the heated birdbath in our patio area. They were in beautiful winter plummage - a great treat on a cold winter day!
Entered 1/24/2004 7:10:13 AM__________________________________________ A Coopers Hawk visited my backyard 'picnic table' bird feeder yesterday. I happened to be outside, stayed quite still, and watched it from less than 20 feet for about 10 minutes until it flew into a nearby pine. What a great view of a magnificent bird! Coopers have been visiting the feeders in the neighborhood for a number of years.
Entered 1/19/2004 3:23:06 PM__________________________________________ While xc skiiing at Turville Point (by John Nolan Drive), I spotted a Bald Eagle sitting in a tall tree. Eventually it flew down and made low passes back and forth over the ice - perhaps looking for discarded bait or fish from ice fishing?
Entered 1/19/2004 10:25:11 AM__________________________________________ Please call Governor Doyle TODAY at 608/266-1212 to tell him to VETO the so-called "Job Creation" bill. Wisconsin’s waters flow through our childhoods, our memories, our neighborhoods, our lives. Wisconsin's lakes and rivers belong to all of us – they exist for all of us to use and enjoy. But the governor and state legislature are about to give our precious waters to developers and others who will fill in OUR streams, dredge OUR rivers, and build on OUR lakeshore lands. The over-development and potential pollution of Wisconsin’s waters must be regulated because these activities will harm our resources, affecting the jobs that our important natural resources, birding, tourism, and more bring to our state. The so-called "Job Creation" bill should really be called the Water Pollution Creation bill because it will cause pollution of our waters; destroy fish and wildlife habitat; and degrade the lakes, rivers, and waters that make Wisconsin such a special place to live. 150 years of our heritage will be in serious jeopardy if this so-called "Jobs" bill, which will not create jobs, is passed.
Entered 1/9/2004 3:53:19 AM__________________________________________ Seafood selection guides continue to be updated as more is learned about which fish are ok to eat and which are environmentally in trouble. Here's a link to a current handy guide: Seafood MiniGuide
Entered 1/7/2004 1:58:40 PM__________________________________________ Over the weekend I saw a blue banded Tundra swan with Canadian geese in open water off the beltline in the Bridge rd area. Does anyone know where the blue band might be from? diver55@charter.net
Entered 1/2/2004 10:27:00 AM__________________________________________ I was bicycling yesterday, January 1 2004, on the north side of Madison, and saw an AMERICAN BITTERN on the edge of a water-filled (ice-free) ditch. Looked at it through binoculars.
Entered 1/2/2004 9:43:08 AM__________________________________________ Hi, I'm new to Audubon...But, I am involved in a group opposed to wind towers, and their effect on nesting pairs of Ospreys and Blue Heron we have in our community. Can anybody help me out? Does anybody know of any resources I could turn to? Thanks in advance. Mike Winkler Toniwinkler@yahoo.com ===== http://www.geocities.com/toniwinkler/Stop_taxfarms.html
Entered 12/30/2003 2:23:31 PM__________________________________________ I saw my first ever Northern Shrike outside my home in Cross Plains on Dec. 22. I am a recent transplant from the south where I saw Loggerhead shrikes on occasion, so it was interesting to see a Northern. The shrike was busy catching and killing a mouse outside my back door so I had plenty of time to observe it.
Entered 12/21/2003 1:26:53 AM__________________________________________ Earliest example of bird art found in Germany... BBC Link
Entered 11/24/2003 11:30:55 AM__________________________________________ I have a finch feeder in my back yard here in Madison. It is just a bag with Nyger seed in it. I have two completely yellow birds, larger than the regular gold finches that visit every day. They are larger than the gold finches, they have a finch beak, and the tail feathers are almost white. One is a very light yellow, and one is a deeper yellow. There are no black markings on either of them. There are no leg bands on them either, which could indicate they were someones pets. Does anyone have an idea what they may be? TCLIKEMAN@aol.com
Entered 11/24/2003 12:36:04 AM__________________________________________ Hello, I am looking for a lady named Barbra , She did or does Bird rescue for years in your areaand is parital to Red-tailed Hawks. She also did educational functions at local schools and owned a Health food store in Horicon. Can you put me in touch with this lady. E-maile me at Juniejacobs@aol.com She is a long lost step siter and I would love to find her. Thank You so much for any and all help. Lynda Spencer Jacobs http://www.Juniejacobs@aol.com I have enjoyed you comments and reading different messages from bird lovers everywhere!
Entered 11/19/2003 12:37:49 PM__________________________________________ A new book for birders is out now and available at the Arboretum Bookstore. I stopped in there last week and picked up a paperback copy of "Birds of Minnesota and Wisconsin" by Janssen, Tessen and Kennedy. A page devoted to each bird, with good drawings of male/female on each page with much information and map for each. A chart of all species is shown in the front of the book for comparisons when identifying birds. An excellent book to carry with you.
Entered 11/12/2003 10:19:41 PM__________________________________________ Just a note for anyone interested in Canadian geese wildlife art - you can view at the following link provided - Thank You. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3637064535&category=552
Entered 11/10/2003 1:32:45 PM__________________________________________ Check out Wisconsin Birding Online
Entered 11/10/2003 1:32:17 PM__________________________________________ Check out http://WisconsinBirding.net
Entered 10/26/2003 2:11:59 PM__________________________________________ I guess I should have given contact information in the previous message relative to the Great Horned Owl. Richard E. (Dick) Weber rewcsdb@mhtc.net TEL: (608) 348-3716 or (608) 348-4101
Entered 10/26/2003 2:09:23 PM__________________________________________ I'm grasping at straws a bit but hope you can give me some direction on what, if anything, I should do relative to the following. When we got up this morning, a Great Horned Owl was huddled on our deck, feathers fluffed out, apparently sleeping. I opened the door, made a bit of noise and it opened it's eyes. As I approached, it flew a short distance of the deck down to a lower level patio where it sat for a while. A bit later a flock of 16 turkeys approached the patio. When I checked to be sure they weren't bothering the owl I found the owl had hopped up a foot or so to a basement window sill where it was continuing to "sleep." The turkeys seemed fascinated with the owl, making soft clucking noises and circling around it about three feet away. They ultimately left. Sometime later the owl left the window sill and moved a few feet away under a furnace vent (I imagine because of the warm coming from the vent.) Is there anyone that should be alerted to the owl or should I just ignore it (to fly away at dusk? or to die, if injured or sick)? Thanks for any direction you can provide. I live in Platteville in southwest Wisconsin.
Entered 10/17/2003 10:19:44 AM__________________________________________ Hi, saw a bird I think may have been a juvenile Cooper's Hawk eating another bird in downtown Madison (Broom St and Mifflin St area) yeseterday at 6:30 pm. Seemed odd to see such a bird downtown? Maybe they're around in the city more than I know- has anyone noticed them in urban settings? subphylumvertebrata@yahoo.com
Entered 10/13/2003 9:53:56 PM__________________________________________ Earth Day Co-founder Doug La Follette will speak on a U.S. Sustainable Population Policy: The Political and Ethical Dilemmas Tuesday, October 21, 2003 7:00 p.m. - Refreshments 7:30 p.m. - Program Bolz Auditorium, Meriter Hospital 124 Brooks St. Madison
Entered 10/11/2003 3:33:18 AM__________________________________________ The state Natural Resources Board, at its September meeting, authorized the DNR to hold public hearings on the proposal to remove the gray wolf from the state threatened species list. There may be groups at these hearings pushing for a furbearer status for wolves. Getting wolves listed as a "furbearer" species would be a preliminary step toward establishing a future hunting season on wolves (after they are federally de-listed). 5 public hearings will be held around the state, all beginning at 6 p.m., on the following dates: Wednesday, November 5 * Spooner - Auditorium, Spooner AG Research Center, W 6646 Hwy. 70 * Stevens Point - UW Stevens Point Schmeekle Reserve, 2419 North Point Drive * Madison - Room 027, State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2) 101 S Webster St. Thursday, November 6 * Rhinelander - James Williams Jr. High School, 915 Acacia Lane * Black River Falls - Black River Falls Middle School, LGI Room, 1202 Pierce St. The DNR is also accepting written comments on the proposed rule through November 21, 2003. Send them to: Wolf Biologist, P.O.Box 22, Park Fall, WI 54552. A copy of the proposed rule may be obtained from Randy Jurewicz, Bureau of Endangered Resources, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707. The plan should be posted on DNR's website wolf page soon, but wasn't as of the date of this e-mail. Please try checking or searching http://webtest.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/er/mammals/wolf/ For more information, contact Adrian Wydeven, DNR Mammalian Ecologist, at 715/762-4684 ext. 107. You can also contact Julie Arth at juliearth@juno.com. Julie is our Madison Audubon representative on the DNR's Wolf Stakeholder Committee.
Entered 10/6/2003 8:21:11 AM__________________________________________ On Saturday, September 27th, my husband and I saw 2, possibly 3, osprey on Rock Lake near Lake Mills.
Entered 10/5/2003 11:28:49 AM__________________________________________ Hello, I am an Alaskan birder that will be in the Green Bay and Madison areas for a few days mid-October. Is this a worthwhile time of year to look for Grey Partridge? and if so, is there a fairly reliable spot or time to find them? Is there a decent chance to see Lesser Black-backed and Iceland Gulls in the Green Bay area, or further down the coast? Do I absolutely need to bring a scope for the gulls? Are there any other good seasonal birding spots that would be interesting now? I'd love any information, you can email me at: jmh_tk@yahoo.com Thanks! Joanna Hubbard
Entered 9/14/2003 4:24:40 PM__________________________________________ Madison Audubon Meeting - Public Invited What: Douglas Caves on Birding with a Camera in Costa Rica When: Tuesday, September 16, 2003 7:00 p.m. - Refreshments 7:30 p.m. - Program Where: Bolz Auditorium, Meriter Hospital 124 Brooks St. Madison See the September Newsletter for more details...
Entered 9/9/2003 9:54:56 PM__________________________________________ Help preserve the beauty of creation for present and future generations. Attend Community Workday fall 2003 at Saint Benedict Center on Saturday, September 27. Join the Sisters of Saint Benedict, staff, volunteers and neighbors as they remove non-native species, collect prairie seed, harvest apples and perform light work. Registration begins at 8 a.m. followed by Morning Prayer (optional), a work session and complimentary lunch sponsored by Alliant Energy. Afternoon work session from 12:30-1:30 p.m. concludes the day. Volunteers of all ages are needed and welcome. Contact Elisabeth at 836-1631, ext. 118; eplatt@sbcenter.org; or visit www.sbcenter.org to register.
Entered 9/3/2003 8:02:08 PM__________________________________________ Dear Auduboners, Please attend one of the upcoming meetings on the "North Beltline" if possible. They will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m Monday, Sept. 8; Thursday, Sept. 11; Tuesday, Sept. 16; and Wednesday, Sept. 17. This is your chance to provide input! The North Mendota Parkway Advisory Committee is holding 4 public outreach meetings. There will be presentations made at each meeting and an opportunity for public input. This is an opportunity to advocate that: 1) comprehensive land use planning and land use controls be put in place before any road is built, and 2) a North E-way be established to protect the natural resources in that area that are threatened by development north of Lake Mendota. Additional details can be found in the September issue of the Audubon Caws, which will be mailed this Friday, Sept. 5. Also see the Advisory Committee web page on Dane County's website at http://www.co.dane.wi.us/execcommittees/northmendota/index.htm
Entered 8/30/2003 8:47:15 AM__________________________________________ I DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE HEREOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Entered 8/24/2003 12:53:52 AM__________________________________________ At about 7:30 pm last Friday, I was driving home from work and saw a group of large birds circling about 20 feet above a point on the ground. I stopped my car to get a closer look, and realized they were Common Nighthawks. There were at least 15 of them, maybe more, just circling and circling low to the ground alongside the road in broad daylight. Does anyone know what they might have been up to? dave_lf@highstream.net
Entered 8/11/2003 5:22:01 PM__________________________________________ Hello, I'm a Michigan Audubon member. I just read a great book by a Wisconsin author named Ruth Fouts Pochmann. Anyone in the Madison/Wisconsin Audubon familiar with this wonderful author and wildlife enthusiast? Does anyone know of the state of her farm "Triple Ridge Farm" near Richford? I pray it still exists. Please contact me with any information. Thanks. My name is Ruth Sawyer. E-mail is saw1957@acd.net
Entered 8/9/2003 2:40:09 PM__________________________________________ The new Audio CD " Bird Song Ear Training Guide" by John Feith is available at the UW Arboretum Bookstore at $14.95.
Entered 8/7/2003 2:37:40 PM__________________________________________ We have a new bird feeder in our back yard. Unfortunately the birds keep trying to fly into our patio door, so far only one has died.
Entered 7/25/2003 10:19:07 AM__________________________________________ The Trempealeau NWR and Perrot State Park in SW Wisc are great spots for birding this time of year. Just returned from a visit there and spotted Black Billed Cuckoo, Red headed Woodpeckers, Meadowlarks, Great Crested Flycatchers, among otheres on the Wildlife Drive. Also a nice observation deck near the visitor center. Trails at Perrot Park yielded Red Eyed Vireos, swamp sparrows, indigo buntings and others. A beautiful, quiet place to bird and hike.
Entered 6/20/2003 5:11:20 PM__________________________________________ On June 16 a Magnificent Hummingbird was seen at our feeder by myself and my husband. He was about 5" tall and looked black from a distance. I did get a closer look at him from 4 ft away then I could see the greens and blue/green throat. We are located in West Central Wisconsin. If you wish to ask questions, please contact me at mthur@cuttingedge.net. My only regret is that I didn't have the camera batteries charged.
Entered 6/16/2003 2:55:46 AM__________________________________________ For anyone who may have missed the articles in the paper, long-time Audubon member Pat Ready helped report a nesting pair of Ospreys just off Fish Hatchery Road on the south side of Madison. This pair, along with the pair Pat reported nesting north of Stoughton the last few years, are reportedly the first Ospreys to nest south of the Wisconsin River in Wisconsin, in about 100 years.
Entered 6/15/2003 8:48:21 AM__________________________________________ Some residents of McFarland, WI want to turn a prime bird-watching area near Lower Mud Lake into a dog park. Please inform your members in McFarland to help save Marsh Woods Park as a conservation area and bird-watching area. Sandhill Cranes nest here. All sorts of song-birds and other birds are also found. The Village meeting to discuss this is on June 25, 2003 at 7 pm at the Village Hall. Help us protect our bird-watching area! Thanks.
Entered 6/8/2003 11:21:42 AM___________