* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 28 August 2010
* WIMA100828
Number: 608-255-2476
Reports: 608-255-2476
Compiler: Madison Audubon
Coverage: south-central Wisconsin
Transcriber: Chuck Heikkinen (deliachuck@gmail.com)
BIRDS MENTIONED-
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville Warbler
American Redstart
Common Yellowthroat
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Philadelphia Vireo
Mourning Warbler
Canada Warbler
Golden-winged Warbler
Clay-colored Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Canada Warbler
Northern Parula
Black-and-white Warbler
Carolina Wren
Baltimore Oriole
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Picnic Point & Biocore Prairie
Eagle Heights Community Gardens, Madison
Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Middleton
This is the birding hotline report for the Madison Audubon Society for
Saturday, Aug 28, 2010.
Numerous warblers and other fall migrants are being reported around Madison.
August 24th - The base of Picnic Point and the Biocore Prairie,
Madison
- A birder reported numerous TENNESSEE WARBLERS a few
NASHVILLE WARBLERS , and a single each of AMERICAN REDSTART and COMMON
YELLOWTHROAT. Again, there was an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER there as
well.
August 26th - Eagle Heights Community Gardens and the Biocore Prairie
area of Picnic Point
– Birds were reported along the edges of the
woods along the prairie and the gardens. Highlights: A PHILADELPHIA
VIREO, 13 Warblers including MOURNING, CANADA, and GOLDEN-WINGED, and
many first-of-season Warblers. . Another highlight was a CLAY-COLORED
SPARROW feeding with CHIPPING SPARROWS along the dirt access roads.
8/27 – Pheasant Branch Conservancy in Middleton
- Birders enjoyed
stunning views of a female BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. It was
foraging near the concrete "V" along the trail going east from Park
Street. There were also a CANADA WARBLER that still had a full black
necklace – and a number of NORTHERN PARULAS. BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS
and AMERICAN REDSTARTS were singing. The morning began quiet but
really picked up around 8:30 AM as the sun warmed the woods.
8/28 - UW picnic point area
- Birders heard and saw a CAROLINA WREN
in the morning in the big clearing along the Lake Mendota bluffs due
east of Frautschi point. Several BALTIMORE ORIOLES and ROSE-BREASTED
GROSBEAKS were also seen in the area along with eight species of
warblers.
*************************************************
There are several MADISON AUDUBON FIELD TRIPS in the coming week:
Sunday August 29 - Fall Birding at Lakeshore Nature Preserve.
Participants will search for fall migrants, including confusing fall
warblers, flycatchers and sparrows. The trip is Co-sponsored by the
Friends of Lakeshore Nature Preserve, and it will last about 2 hours.
Meet at 8 a.m. at the Class of 1918 Marsh parking lot on University
Bay Dr., across from Picnic Point. Please call Marty Evanson, trip
leader, at (608) 271-6846 if you have a question about the trip.
Tuesday August 31 – Warbler Walk at Turville Point
- This is one of
several early morning walks to be held at Turville Point. We will look
for migrating warblers, tanagers, vireos, thrushes, etc. Meet at 7
a.m. at the south parking lot at Olin-Turville Park, off John Nolen
Dr. across from the Alliant Center. Leaders are Stacy Taeuber and
Peter Fissel. Call Peter at (608) 226-0260 if you have a question
about the trip.
Thursday September 2 – another Warbler Walk at Turville Point
- Meet
at 7 a.m. at the south parking lot at Olin-Turville Park, off John
Nolen Dr. across from the Alliant Center. Leaders are Marty Evanson
and Peter Fissel. Call Peter at (608) 226-0260 if you have a question
about the trip.
Thursday September 2 - Evening Tour of Owen Park
- Enjoy an evening of
fall color in one of Madison’s restored prairies. Asters, goldenrods,
and other fall prairie flowers will be blooming among the tall prairie
grasses. The Monarch butterfly migration may be peaking about this
time. We will be alert for possible fall migrating birds, and there is
always the possibility of seeing or hearing one of the three species
of owl that live here. We will check out three new holding ponds. This
evening walk will last about 2 hrs. Meet at 6 p.m. in the Owen Park
parking lot on the south side of 6021 Old Sauk Rd. Call leader
Sylvia Marek at (608) 238-8344, evenings, only if you have a questions
about the trip.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 2 June 2010
* WIMA1006.02
Number: 608-255-2476
Reports: 608-255-2476
Compiler: Madison Audubon
Coverage: south-central Wisconsin
Transcriber: Chuck Heikkinen (deliachuck@gmail.com)
BIRDS MENTIONED-
Hooded Warbler
Canada Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush
Winter Wren
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Black-billed Cuckoo
Acadian Flycatcher
Pileated Woodpecker
Barred Owl
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT
WHITE-EYED VIREO
Bell’s Vireo
RED-NECKED GREBE
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Least Bittern
Common Moorhen
Sora
Virginia Rail
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD
Lark Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Baxter’s Hollow, Sauk County
Brooklyn Wildlife Area, Dane County
Albany Wildlife Area, Green County
Governor Dodge State Park, Iowa County
Area Boat Landing, Iowa County
Mazomanie Wildlife Area, Dane County
Schoeneberg Marsh, Columbia County
Spring Green Conservancy, Sauk County
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for
Wednesday, June 2nd.
Following are areas where bird activity has been recently reported:
- Baxter’s Hollow – This area has been good for HOODED and CANADA
WARBLERS, LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH, WINTER WREN, both CUCKOOS, ACADIAN
FLYCATCHER, PILEATED WOODPECKER and BARRED OWL.
- Brooklyn Wildlife Area – If you’re coming from County D, enter the
first parking lot on County DD, and walk (east) about 200 yards on the
path that goes straight in. The YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT has been heard
and seen in this location.
- Albany Wildlife Area – Go to the end of Conservation Road off a bend
in Green County EE and go west on the bike trail about 100 yards to
the bridge. The WHITE-EYED VIREO is back and tends to stay in this
area.
- Stephen’s Falls parking area, Governor Dodge State Park – BELL’S
VIREO has been rather regular in this area, especially in the hedgerow
across the road from the entrance to the falls.
- Arena Boat Landing – another BELL’S VIREO has been calling here.
From the curve before the bridge, take the path through the wood, and
then about another 100 yards.
- Mazomanie Wildlife Area – From Mazomanie take County Y and turn left
on the gravel road before Laws Road. There’s a parking lot about 100
yards down the road, and yet another BELL’S VIREO has been calling in
bushes across from the parking lot.
- Schoneberg Marsh – Recent reports have two RED-NECKED GREBES,
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS, a LEAST BITTERN, COMMON MOORHEN and RAILS
there.
- Spring Green Conservancy – Recent sightings have included NORTHERN
MOCKINGBIRD, LARK SPARROW and GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.
*************************************************************
The next Madison Audubon field trip is:
Owen Park Wildlife Ponds - Leader Russ Hefty will show us the three
new storm water and wildlife ponds, and discuss what wildlife is there
currently and what we might hope to attract in the future, such as
Wood Ducks. Gourds have been put out to attract Purple Martins. Meet
at 6:30 p.m. in the Owen Park parking lot on the south side of 6021
Old Sauk Rd. The trip will last until 8 p.m. or so. Contact Russ,
(608) 233-8513 or rhefty@ci.madison.wi.us, only if you have a question
about the trip.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 23 May 2010
* WIMA1005.23
Number: 608-255-2476
Reports: 608-255-2476
Compiler: Madison Audubon
Coverage: south-central Wisconsin
Transcriber: Chuck Heikkinen (deliachuck@gmail.com)
BIRDS MENTIONED-
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Blackpoll
American Redstart
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Northern Parula
Northern Waterthrush
Blackburnian Warbler
Common Yellow-throat
Hooded Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Brown Thrasher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
White-throated Sparrow
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
FRANKLIN’S GULL
Black-billed Cuckoo
Olive-sided Flycatcher
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT
WHITE-EYED VIREO
Ruddy Turnstone
Sanderling
Dowitcher (sp)
Dunlin
American Black Duck
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Canada Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Alder Flycatcher
Vesper Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow
Connecticut Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
UW-Madison Arboretum
UW soccer fields
Cherokee Marsh
Brooklyn Wildlife Area, Dane County
Albany Wildlife Area, Dane County
Schumacher Road ponds, Dane County
Pope Farm Park, Middleton
Indian Lake County Park, Dane County
This is the hotline report for the Madison Audubon Society for Sunday,
May 23, 2010.
Migrants are being reported all around Madison and Dane County. Many
sites are reporting warblers such as TENNESSEE, NASHVILLE, YELLOW,
YELLOW-RUMPED, BLACKPOLL, REDSTART, CHESTNUT-SIDED, NORTHERN PARULA,
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, BLACKBURNIAN, COMMON YELLOW-THROAT, HOODED and
WILSON'S. Also seen frequently are SCARLET TANAGER, ROSE-BREASTED
GROSBEAKS, BROWN THRASHERS, GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER, LEAST
FLYCATCHER, and WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS.
The following reports note additional sightings:
In the UW Arboretum on the 18th, a Madison Audubon warbler walk
reported a YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. A HOODED WARBLER was heard from the
Lost City trail as in past years. Also on the 18th on the UW Madison
campus, a FRANKLIN'S GULL was seen on the soccer fields to the south
of University Bay drive. From Cherokee Marsh, a BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO
was reported at the School Road entrance. An OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER
had been seen there a couple days earlier.
On the 19th at the Brooklyn Wildlife Area, a YELLOW BREASTED CHAT was
seen straight back from the parking area on DD, just south of D.
The WHITE-EYED VIREO is also back on the bike trail that goes through
Albany Wildlife Area. This is at the first bridge west of
Conservation road, which runs off of EE at the curve.
At Schumacher Road in Dane County on the 22nd there were 2 RUDDY
TURNSTONES, a SANDERLING, 2 DOWITCHERS and many DUNLIN. There was also
an AMERICAN BLACK DUCK. At Patton and Hwy V two YELLOW-HEADED
BLACKBIRDS were seen. At Pheasant Branch Conservancy the same day
birders reported CANADA WARBLERS, WILSON'S WARBLERS, and MAGNOLIA
WARBLERS. Also present was a first-of-year ALDER FLYCATCHER. Later,
at Pope Farm Park in the Town of Middleton, birds spotted included:
VESPER SPARROWS, FIELD SPARROWS, and CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS.
At Indian Lake County Park (in Dane County) on 5/23, a CONNECTICUT
WARBLER was seen along the trail going west from the parking lot.
There were several other birds, including BOTH CUCKOOS and a CERULEAN
WARBLER.
************************************************
MAS FIELD TRIPS THIS WEEK:
THURSDAY MAY 27 -- Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Middleton, on the Dane
County parcel – with Mike McDowell.
To reach the Dane County parcel,
drive one and a half miles north on Pheasant Branch Rd from Century
Ave. Go to the third conservancy parking lot on the right after you
pass the Conservancy Condominiums. Meet at 6:00 p.m.
SATURDAY MAY 29 -- Janesville's Cook Arboretum with Tom Klubertanz.
The trails are well-groomed, but the terrain is rugged. Meet at 7:30
a.m. at the parking lot at the end of the drive. From Madison take
Hwy. 14 south through Evansville. Before Janesville, take CTH H south
(right) 1 mi. to CTH A. Take CTH A east (left) about 3 mi. The
arboretum is on the left, at Austin Rd., 1 mi. before Janesville.
Travel time is approx. 40 min. from the Madison Beltline. From I-90
and through Janesville: Take I-90 to Hwy. 26 (Milton Ave.) interchange
Take Hwy. 26 into Janesville to Hwy. 14. Take Hwy 14 west (right) 5
mi. to Hwy. 51. Take Hwy. 51 south (left) 4 mi. to Memorial Dr. Take
Memorial Dr. west (right) to the edge of town. Memorial Dr. becomes
CTH A. The arboretum is on the right, just outside the city limits.
For more information please contact Tom Klubertanz, tklubert@uwc.edu
or (608) 758- 6553.
SUNDAY MAY 30 -- Birding at Baxter's Hollow with Aaron Stutz.
We will
search for breeding species like Worm-eating, Mourning, Cerulean and
Hooded Warblers, Louisiana Waterthrush, both cuckoos, and any migrants
passing through. The trip will depart from the Copp’s parking lot
(6800 Century Ave.) in Middleton at 6:30 a.m. and may last for four
hours. For more information, the contact is Aaron Stutz (608) 294-9618
SAT/SUN/MON MAY 29-31 -- Lake Lucerne Memorial Day Weekend – Birding
with Paul Noeldner.
This multi-day overnight field trip has been
enjoyed by Madison area Audubon members, families, friends, and kids
for over 30 years -- includes Buena Vista and Germania Marsh.
Participants stay 2 or 3 nights in reasonable rate group cabins at a
retreat center on a spring fed lake near Wautoma. Meals are provided
Saturday evening thru Monday noon, and each morning, day, and evening
features a birding walk or a carpool to a nearby natural area for
those who want to participate. The camp also features lots of other
informal outdoor activities individually or led by participants
including tree and flower walks. See the web site or contact Paul
Noeldner at paul_noeldner@hotmail.com or 608-698-0104 to sign up asap
to guarantee a spot in one of the cabins. Folks can also come for the
day for a small camp fee.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 14 March 2010
* WIMA1003.14
Number: 608-255-2476
Reports: 608-255-2476
Compiler: Madison Audubon
Coverage: south-central Wisconsin
Transcriber: Chuck Heikkinen (deliachuck@gmail.com)
BIRDS MENTIONED-
Common Grackle
Sandhill Crane
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Eastern Bluebird
Pine Siskin
Common Redpoll
Common Merganser
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Canada Goose
Greater White-fronted Goose
Snow Goose
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE
ICELAND GULL
THAYER’S GULL
GLAUCOUS GULL
American Woodcock
Brown-headed Cowbird
Rusty Blackbird
LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Lower Mud Lake, McFarland
Schoeneberg Marsh, Columbia County
Hwy 138 and Sam Miles Road area south of Stoughton
Washington and Stuebenville Roads near Stoughton
Whalen Grade
Okee Bay
Madison’s sewage plant
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for
Sunday, March 14th.
Migrants reported as returning include COMMON GRACKLE, SANDHILL CRANE,
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, EASTERN MEADOWLARK and EASTERN BLUEBIRD.
PINE SISKINS and COMMON REDPOLLS have been visiting feeders in Cottage Grove.
Lower Mud Lake in McFarland has been productive for waterfowl, and
currently may be the best spot in our area for waterfowl. All 3
MERGANSERS – COMMON, HOODED and RED-BREASTED – have been reported.
Among the Canada Geese have also been GREAT WHITE-FRONTED GEESE.
Also good for GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE have been Schoeneberg Marsh
in Columbia County. In addition one or two SNOW GEESE have been
reported. South of Stoughton near Hwy 138 and Sam Miles Road has also
been good. You may have to drive a bit on Sam Miles to see the
depression favored by the geese, since it cannot be seen from the
intersection. Sites on Washington and Stuebenville Roads have also
been reported as good locations.
A male BARROW’S GOLDENEYE was reported off Whalen Grade. At Okee Bay,
observers have found a variety of gulls, including ICELAND, THAYER'S,
and GLAUCOUS GULLS.
AMERICAN WOODCOCK have been reported at a number of locations, one
being the parking lot near the bridge at Madison’s sewage plant.
Look closely at groups of blackbirds. There have been a lot of
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS reported, as have been a few RUSTY BLACKBIRDS.
*************************************************************
The next Madison Audubon field trip is:
Sunday March 28 Spring Birding at Rose Lake - led by Nolan Kollath.
Rose Lake State Natural Area is a hidden gem acquired by Jefferson
County with assistance from Madison Audubon. For a description of Rose
Lake and what we expect to see on this trip, click on Sanctuaries on
the MAS web site. We hope to see many ducks, geese (including Greater
White-fronted), cranes and shorebirds. In addition to the lake, we
will tour woodlot and prairie habitats. Rose Lake is adjacent to
Dorothy Carnes County Park, which is just west of Fort Atkinson off US
Hwy. 12. The only entrance is well marked. Meet in the parking lot at
9 a.m. and stay as long as you like. If you have questions, contact
Nolan Kollath at (920) 648-3842 or nkollath@charter.net
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 13 March 2010
* WIMA1003.13
Number: 608-255-2476
Reports: 608-255-2476
Compiler: Madison Audubon
Coverage: south-central Wisconsin
Transcriber: Chuck Heikkinen (deliachuck@gmail.com)
BIRDS MENTIONED-
Sandhill Crane
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Common Grackle
Eastern Bluebird
Pine Siskin
Common Redpoll
LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Madison area
McFarland
Cottage Grove
Fall River, Columbia County
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for
Saturday, March 13th. If you just want to make a report, please hit
#, and then leave your name and number along with the report.
Migrants are arriving! There have been numerous mentions of COMMON
GRACKLES, SANDHILL CRANES, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, EASTERN MEADOWLARKS,
and EASTERN BLUEBIRDS in the last week or so. Other migrants expected
at this time of year, as well as some unusual species, are also being
reported. PINE SISKINS and COMMON REDPOLLS have been watched at a
feeder in Cottage Grove along with many other over-wintering birds.
Unusual sightings that have been called in but not confirmed are:
EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH in Madison; COMMON NIGHTHAWK and WILLOW PTARMIGAN
in McFarland in mid-February, and GRAY KINGBIRD in Fall River in late
February. Please, when you call in birds, give your name and how to
contact you as clearly and slowly as possible. This will help us
verify your sightings and possibly add valuable data to the state
records. Many, many thanks to all who have already been doing this.
*************************************************************
The next Madison Audubon field trips are:
Saturday March 20 Beginning Birding at Lakeshore Nature Preserve – led
by Al Holzhueter.
Each spring, MAS sponsors many birding field trips, and though the
leaders attempt to help new birders, it is not always possible to
answer all of their questions. Picnic Point will be the site for
beginners to get their questions answered. This area, at the west end
of the UW campus, offers varied habitats and a good opportunity to
observe a variety of waterfowl and small birds. We will meet next to
the bus shelter in the parking lot by the 1918 Marsh (across from the
entrance to Picnic Point) at 7:30 a.m. Questions? Call Allen
Holzhueter at (608) 238-0546. Also offered April 10 and April 24.
Sunday March 28 Spring Birding at Rose Lake - led by Nolan Kollath.
Rose Lake State Natural Area is a hidden gem acquired by Jefferson
County with assistance from Madison Audubon. For a description of Rose
Lake and what we expect to see on this trip, click on Sanctuaries on
the MAS web site. We hope to see many ducks, geese (including Greater
White-fronted), cranes and shorebirds. In addition to the lake, we
will tour woodlot and prairie habitats. Rose Lake is adjacent to
Dorothy Carnes County Park, which is just west of Fort Atkinson off US
Hwy. 12. The only entrance is well marked. Meet in the parking lot at
9 a.m. and stay as long as you like. If you have questions, contact
Nolan Kollath at (920) 648-3842 or nkollath@charter.net
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 31 January 2010
* WIMA1001.31
Number: 608-255-2476
Reports: 608-255-2476
Compiler: Madison Audubon
Coverage: south-central Wisconsin
Transcriber: Chuck Heikkinen (deliachuck@gmail.com)
BIRDS MENTIONED-
WHOOPING CRANE
PEREGRINE FALCON
Bald Eagle
Hooded Merganser
Great Blue Heron
Eastern Bluebird
Wild Turkey
Great Horned Owl
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Shoveler
Ruddy Duck
Great White-fronted Goose
LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Germantown
Pleasant Prairie Power Plant, Kenosha County
Lake Columbia, south of Portage
Bridge Rd and W Broadway bridge, Madison
Spring Green area
UW Arboretum
McFarland
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for Sunday, January 31st.
Even though it’s just the end of January, some waterfowl species appear readying to migrate north.
Two WHOOPING CRANES were reported in late afternoon last Sunday, January 24th, in Germanton.
On the 26th a pair of apparently nesting PEREGRINE FALCONS were seen at the WE-Energies Power Plant in Pleasant Prairie, just south of the city of Kenosha.
Observers on a hike around Lake Columbia, south of Portage, spotted 10 BALD EAGLES in addition to wintering waterfowl.
Birders were quite active despite the cold weather yesterday, January 30th. A birder reported HOODED MERGANSERS off the bridge by the intersection of W Broadway and Bridge Road in Madison.
Off Highway 14, west of Madison, observers found both a BALD EAGLE and a GREAT BLUE HERON on Saturday, the 30th. Also on the 30th, east of Spring Green on Hwy 60, birders observed two adult BALD EAGLES in a nest, an EASTERN BLUEBIRD and many WILD TURKEYS.
Another walked in the UW-Madison Arboretum and in the Lost City Forest found a GREAT HORNED OWL and a PILEATED WOODPECKER. Then at McFarland he spotted NORTHERN SHOVELERS, RUDDY DUCKS and a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE with cross-breed offspring.
*********************************************
The next Madison Audubon field trip is not until March 6th, but in the meantime you are invited to take part in the 13th annual Great Backyard Bird Count on one or more days from Friday, Feb. 12, through Monday, Feb. 15, 2010.
Participants in the free event will join tens of thousands of volunteers of all levels of birding experience to count birds in their own backyards, local parks or wildlife refuges. Each checklist submitted by “citizen scientists” helps create the continent’s largest instantaneous snapshot of bird populations ever recorded, which will help researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society learn more about how the birds are doing and how to protect them. Anyone can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, from novice bird watchers to experts. Participants count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the event and report their sightings online at http:www.birdcount.org.
Good Birding!
