* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 02 January 2008
* WIMA0801.02
Number: 608-255-2476
Reports: 608-255-2476
Compiler: Madison Audubon
Coverage: south-central Wisconsin
Transcriber: Chuck Heikkinen (deliachuck@gmail.com)
BIRDS MENTIONED-
Red-necked Grebe
WESTERN GREBE
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Glaucous Gull
Iceland Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Lake Geneva
Lake Monona
Wisconsin River near Sauk City
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for
Wednesday, January 2nd.
During the past week, both a RED-NECKED GREBE and a WESTERN GREBE have
been observed by several birders on Lake Geneva.
On December 27th, birders found over 100 COMMON MERGANSERS and about 5
RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS on the north shore of Lake Monona.
Unusual gulls have been seen on the Wisconsin River near Sauk City.
These have included GLAUCOUS, ICELAND, GLAUCOUS WINGED, and LESSER
BLACK-BACKED GULLS. Look for them among the usual HERRING GULLS.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 05 December 2007
* WIMA0712.05
Number: 608-255-2476
Reports: 608-255-2476
Compiler: Madison Audubon
Coverage: south-central Wisconsin
Transcriber: Chuck Heikkinen (deliachuck@gmail.com)
BIRDS MENTIONED-
COMMON REDPOLL
Northern Shrike
Snow Bunting
Lapland Longspur
Horned Lark
American Pipit
GLAUCOUS GULL
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL
THAYER'S GULL
TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Fox Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Tundra Swan
TRUMPETER SWAN
LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Deforest
Belleville
Arena Boat Landing area, Iowa County
Pheasant Branch Road, N of Cty K
Fisher Road, N of Middleton
Wisconsin River at Hwy Y, Dane County
Devil's Lake State Park
Madison feeders
W side of Lake Mendota & Univ Bay
Sauk County rural areas
Green Lake
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for
Wednesday, December 5th.
This is shaping up to be a good winter for northern species due to the
shortage in food supply up north.
On December 5th, a caller from Deforest reported COMMON REDPOLLS at a
feeder.
A NORTHERN SHRIKE was spotted near Belleville.
In the Arena Boat Landing area of Iowa County and western Dane County,
reporters have found good-sized flocks of SNOW BUNTINGS, LAPLAND
LONGSPURS, and HORNED LARKS.
In the rural area off Pheasant Branch Road north of Hwy K and along
Fisher Road, both north of Middleton, an observer found large flocks
of SNOW BUNTINGS and LAPLAND LONGSPURS, a single AMERICAN PIPIT, and
small numbers of HORNED LARKS.
The Wisconsin River is reported "loaded with gulls." On the river,
off Hwy Y in Dane County, a reporter found 1 GLAUCOUS, 1 adult LESSER
BLACK-BACKED, and 1 THAYER'S GULL.
In a shelter area off the Bluff Trail a birder found a lone TOWNSEND'S
SOLITAIRE.
Feeder watchers in Madison are reporting a multitude of RED-BREASTED
NUTHATCHES, some WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, and an occasional FOX
SPARROW.
TUNDRA and TRUMPETER SWANS have both been present on the west side of
Lake Mendota in Madison, and many TUNDRA SWANS were reported in
University Bay.
An observer traveling in rural Sauk County found many SNOW BUNTINGS
along River and Roesser Roads.
In Sherwood Park in Green Lake, finally, GLAUCOUS and THAYER'S GULL
have been reported on the ice.
**************************
The next Madison Audubon field trip is the annual sunrise field trip
on January 1, 2008, at Faville Grove Sanctuary in Jefferson County.
The group will meet at Buddy's Place, the old farmstead at N7710 Hwy
89 at 6:55 a.m. Wear warm clothes and adequate foot coverage for
hiking in snow. From I-94 take the Lake Mills/Waterloo exit and go
north on Highway 89 about 2.5 miles. The driveway is on the right
immediately past North Shore Road, which intersects from the left.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 01 November 2007
* WIMA0711.01
-BIRDS MENTIONED-
HARRIS'S SPARROW
Shrike (sp)
Common Loon
American Pipit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
-LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Eagle Heights Gardens
Hwy 138, south of Stoughton
Picnic Point
Highway 73, 2 miles south of Highway 12
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for
Thursday, November 1st.
Eagle Heights Gardens, the upper part in particular, has been
productive of sparrow species recently, with up to 10 species,
including HARRIS'S SPARROW and a SHRIKE species.
On Highway 138 south of Stoughton, geese and loons have been seen.
COMMON LOONS are also being seen off Picnic Point and off the Lakeshore
path of UW-Madison.
East of Madison and west of Cambridge, go south on Highway 78 about 2
miles. Two flooded fields on the east side have been filled with
migrating ducks and AMERICAN PIPITS, plus a few lingering shorebirds.
Also, watch your feeders for RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES. They have been
reported at several feeders in the area.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 24 October 2007
* WIMA0710.24
-BIRDS MENTIONED-
HARRIS'S SPARROW
ROSS'S GOOSE
Cackling Goose
Canada Goose
Snow Goose
ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD
Common Loon
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
Northern Parula
Kinglet (sp)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Pine Siskin
Horned Grebe
American Black Duck
Purple Finch
RED KNOT (probable)
Long-billed Dowitcher
Dunlin
Lesser Yellowlegs
Greater Yellowlegs
American Pipit
Wilson's Snipe
Pectoral Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
American Tree Sparrows.
-LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Eagle Heights Gardens
Virgin Lake, Stoughton
Stoughton
Lake Monona
Olin Park
Lake Waubesa
McFarland
Highway 73 ponds, south of Hwy 12
This is the Madison Audubon Society birding hotline report for the week
ending October 24, 2007.
On Saturday, Oct 20, two HARRIS'S SPARROWS were sighted at the eastern
edge of Eagle Heights Gardens.
On Sunday, two ROSS'S GEESE were seen in Stoughton at Virgin Lake.
Also CACKLING and LESSER CANADA GEESE were spotted there. A blue-phase
SNOW GOOSE was seen on the south edge of Stoughton on hwy 138 south.
The ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD was also reported again in Stoughton on Sunday.
On Sunday, Oct 21, Lake Monona held COMMON LOONS, BUFFLEHEADS, and
RUDDY
DUCKS, and Olin Park had a NORTHERN PARULA, KINGLETS, a YELLOW-BELLIED
SAPSUCKER, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS
On Lake Waubesa, a flyover PINE SISKIN, a HORNED GREBE, and AMERICAN
BLACK DUCKS were reported.
PURPLE FINCHES were seen in McFarland at feeders.
On Tuesday, October 23rd, a birder reported a probable RED KNOT at the
ponds along Hwy 73, south of highway 12, west of Cambridge. Later
reports could not re-locate the bird.
The ponds also had LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, DUNLINS, both YELLOWLEGS,
PIPITS, WILSON'S SNIPE, PECTORAL and LEAST SANDPIPERS.
Also on Tuesday, another birder at Eagle Heights Gardens reported
numerous sparrows: HARRIS'S, WHITE-CROWNED, WHITE-THROATED, FIELD, SONG,
FOX, and AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 19 October 2007
* WIMA0710.19
-BIRDS MENTIONED-
ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD
White-crowned Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Hermit Thrush
American Pipits
-LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Stoughton
Odana Ponds, Madison
Hwy 73 ponds
This is the hotline report for the Madison Audubon Society for Friday,
October 19th, 2007.
The big new of this week is the ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD that was first
reported last Monday and has been appearing regularly at a feeder in
Stoughton. If you would like to see the bird, please call Steve or Penny
at 608-873-3323 for directions.
An observer at Odana Ponds today found a good number of sparrows,
including 1 LINCOLN'S SPARROW, 4 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS. And about 50
SONG SPARROWS. Two HERMIT THRUSH were also spotted.
Note also the AMERICAN PIPITS, which have been at the Highway 73 ponds
about 1 mile south of Highway 12 east of Madison.
*************************
The next Madison Audubon Society field trip is:
Saturday, Oct 20 -- Lodi Marsh Wildlife Area. Emphasis will be on
geological features of the area, but there will be ample opportunity to
bird. Meet to carpool at 8 a.m., in the parking lot of the former
Copps grocery store in Middleton at the intersection of Allen Blvd. and
Century Ave. You can also meet the trip at 9 a.m. at the Ice Age Trail
parking lot in Lodi Marsh. Bring binoculars, hiking shoes, water, rain
gear and dress appropriately for the weather. The trip includes about five
miles of walking, including steep hills. The trip will last three to
four hours and, if you wish, you can bring lunch for an optional picnic
at the end of the trip. If you have questions, call Gary at (608)
249-7870.
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 05 October 2007
* WIMA0710.05
-LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Beloit
9 Springs Natural Area
-SPECIES MENTIONED-
GREEN-BREASTED MANGO (no more viewing)
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Eastern Phoebe
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for
Friday, October 5th.
Landowners in Beloit where the GREEN-BREASTED MANGO has been observed
have requested that no more viewers come. They are to be thanked for
their generous hospitality in allowing those who were able to see the
bird.
9 Springs Natural Area is again being visited by NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED
SPARROWS.
Warbler migration has been coming to a close, but some warblers are
still moving through our area. Currently numerous migrants are
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS, EASTERN PHOEBES, and a variety of Sparrows. Ducks have
also started to move south.
****************************************
For the most recent update of the state-wide
hotline, please call (262) 784-4302.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 05 September 2007
* WIMA0709.05
-LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Middleton
Picnic Point, particularly near the Bio-Core Prairie
UW Arboretum, Madison
No bird reports were called in this week although migration is well
under way and warblers have been showing up in moderate numbers in a
variety of places. These include the Pheasant Branch Conservancy
stream corridor in Middleton, particularly between Park Lawn and
Century Ave; Picnic Point, particularly near the Bio-Core Prairie, and
the UW Arboretum. Just about any location is good if one finds a wave
of warblers moving through.
****************************************
The next Madison Audubon Field Trips are:
1) Saturday, September 8th – Lake Farms County Park – Fall
Birding. Meet at 8 at the first parking area in the park.
2) Saturday, September 8th – Bird Banding at Bio-Core Prairie,
beginning at 8 a.m. You don't have to be there at 8. Parking may be
easiest if you park in the Frautschi Point parking lot and then walk
along the shore to the Bio-Core Prairie.
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 27 July 2007
* WIMA0707.27
-BIRDS MENTIONED-
Lesser Yellowlegs
Least Sandpiper
-LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
9 Springs Natural Area
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for Friday, July 27th.
Shorebird activity continues to be slow but apparent. Both LESSER YELLOWLEGS and LEAST SANDPIPER have been reported at 9 Springs Natural Area.
This is also the time to look for young birds and strays, and when strong north winds arrive, look for the first of returning warblers.
***************************************
The WSO state birding hotline is reporting Great Gray Owl, Black-necked Stilt, Little Blue Heron, and Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. Please call the hotline for details – (262) 784-4032.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 19 July 2007
* WIMA0707.19
-BIRDS MENTIONED-
BLACK-NECKED STILT
LITTLE BLUE HERON
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Green Heron
Belted Kingfisher
-LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Horicon Marsh, Highway 49
Vilas Park
Nakoma Duck Pond
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for Thursday, July 19th.
Small numbers of shorebirds are starting to appear on their journey south. Hwy 49 at Horicon Marsh has been best to date. Nine Springs in Madison has had few shorebirds as of yet.
The biggest findings recently are both at Horicon Marsh off Highway 49. A BLACK-NECKED-STILT has been present for several weeks, and has been reported both south and north of the highway in varying locations. It was even found off the Auto Tour south of Highway 49. A possible LITTLE BLUE HERON was also seen but has not been reported recently.
On the 18th a birder at Vilas Park found a female YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD among RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS at the picnic shelter just west of the zoo and north of Lake Wingra .
At the Nakoma Duck Pond part of the UW Arboretum, just south of the intersection of Monroe St , Odana Rd , and Nakoma Rd , an observer spotted a GREEN HERON and a BELTED KINGFISHER
There have also been promising reports from Spring Green Preserve and Arena Boat Landing, and they indicate that both locations are worth watching.
Good birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 6 July 2007
* WIMA0707.06
-BIRDS MENTIONED-
BLACK-NECKED STILT
CAROLINA WREN
Wilson's Phalarope
Least Bittern
Black Tern
-LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Horicon Marsh, Hwy 49
Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Middleton
Zeloski Marsh, Jefferson County
Lower Mud Lake, McFarland
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for Friday, July 6th.
There are only a few reports this week. The BLACK-NECKED STILT is still being seen off Highway 49 at Horicon Marsh. Look on the north side of the highway from near the pump house.
CAROLINA WRENS continue to sing at Pheasant Branch in Middleton, particularly in the stretch between Century Avenue and Park Street .
Three birders at the Zeloski Marsh segment of the Lake Mills State Wildlife Area on Sunday, July 1st, found a WILSON'S PHALAROPE feeding among other shorebirds off the large pond off the bike trail.
A 4th of July observer, finally, reported finding 2 LEAST BITTERNS and 3 BLACK TERNS at Lower Mud Lake in McFarland.
***************************************
The next Madison Audubon field trip is Saturday, July 7th – Madison 's annual butterfly count. The trip/count will last about 3 hours, and the North American Butterfly Association requires a $3 fee from each participant. Meet at the parking lot of the Grady Tract of the UW Arboretum at 9 a.m. To get to the parking lot, heading west of the Beltline, take the Seminole Highway exit from the Beltline and go south over the bridge that goes over the Beltline. Turn left into the Grady Tract parking lot, which is immediately after the frontage road and Seminole Highway intersection.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 27 June 2007
* WIMA0706.27
-BIRDS MENTIONED-
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Black-billed Cuckoo
Acadian Flycatcher
Winter Wren
Cerulean Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush
Lark Sparrow
Red-shouldered Hawk
Prothonotary Warbler
Henslow's Sparrow
Orchard Oriole
Northern Bobwhite
-LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Baxter's Hollow
Devil's Lake State Park
Mazomanie
Picnic Point
Grand River Marsh, Green Lake County
Spring Green Conservancy
Horicon Marsh
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for Wednesday, June 27th.
A birder at Baxter's Hollow in Sauk County recently found both YELLOW-BILLED and BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS, ACADIAN FLYCATCHERS, a WINTER WREN, CERULEAN WARBLER, LOUISIANA WATERTHURSH and BLACKBURNIAN, BLACK-THROATED GREEN, and HOOD WARBLERS.
BLACKBURNIAN and CERULEAN WARBLERS plus ACADIAN FLYCATCHERS were also on Burma Road at Devil's Lake State Park .
An observer at Mazomanie Wildlife Area, in the oak barrens, spotted LARK SPARROWS and NORTHERN BOBWHITE.
A PROTHONOTARY WARBLER was reported at Picnic Point along the lake path (sorry, no more definite location).
A large number of HENSLOW'S SPARROWS and an ORCHARD ORIOLE were seen at the Grand River Marsh in Green Lake County .
An ORCHARD ORIOLE and a NORTHERN BOBWHITE were also found at the Spring Green Conservancy.
Shorebirds are starting to come back to judge by the action at Horicon Marsh. It would be advisable to keep an eye on 9 Springs for the return migration.
************************
The next Audubon field trip event is the annual Madison butterfly count on Saturday, July 7th. Stay tuned for details.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* June 15, 2007
* WIMA0706.15
-BIRDS MENTIONED-
Northern Bobwhite
LAUGHING GULL
GLOSSY IBIS
Red-shouldered Hawk
Bell's Vireo
Willow Flycatcher
Yellow Warbler
Wild Turkey
-LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Biocore Prairie, Picnic Point
Mazomanie Bottoms, Dane County
9 Springs Natural Area
Horicon Marsh, Highway 49
Arena Boat Landing, Iowa County
Marbleseed Prairie, Green County
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for Friday, June 15th.
A NORTHERN BOBWHITE was reported calling at the Biocore Prairie near the Eagle Heights Gardens several days ago early in the morning. Another individual was heard in the Mazomanie Bottoms near dawn recently.
At 9 Springs Natural Area, a LAUGHING GULL has been present for over a week. It has usually been found in the 3rd pond, and it's usually by itself.
Visitors to Horicon Marsh on Highway 49 have seen as many as 8 or 9 GLOSSY IBIS on the north side of the road, usually from around the historical marker. The birds are often in the cattails and have been seen unpredictably.
A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK is again being seen at the Arena Boat Landing, on the Wisconsin River just north of Arena in Iowa County .
Marbleseed Prairie in NW Green County has a BELL 'S VIREO. The Upland Sandpipers seen there last year have not been reported this year. To reach Marbleseed Prairie, Take Highway 39 west out of New Glarus and turn right on York Valley Road. You'll find the sign for Marbleseed Prairie about a mile up the road on the right. Other birds seen there include WILLOW FLYCATCHER, YELLOW WARBLER, and WILD TURKEY.
******************************
Going farther afield to Sheboygan , there have been some interesting species there off and on during the past few weeks. For up-to-date information, please call the statewide birding hotline at (414) 352-3857. A Common Eider has been seen there, as well as Black-legged Kittiwake, Lesser Black-backed Gull , Iceland Gull, and Thayer's Gull. If you want to try for the birds, hope they are still present, and start at North Point in Sheboygan and then work your way south toward the harbor complex.
******************************
The next Madison Audubon field trip is Sunday, June 24th – 17 year Cicadas and Butterflies. Please see the Madison Audubon website for meeting details – www.madisonaudubon.org.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 03 June 2007
* WIMA0706.03
-BIRDS MENTIONED-
WESTERN GREBE
LAUGHING GULL
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Pileated Woodpecker
Cerulean Warbler
Acadian Flycatcher
Louisiana Waterthrush
Common Loon
Winter Wren
Wilson's Warbler
-LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Lake Wingra
9 Springs Natural Area
Devil's Lake State Park
Baxter's Hollow
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for Sunday, June 3rd.
Highlights this week include the WESTERN GREBE found on Lake Wingra early last week and the LAUGHING GULL seen at 9 Springs as recently as this morning.
An adult WESTERN GREBE was observed Friday, May 25th by a small number of birders from the Vilas Park shore of Lake Wingra. There have been no recent reports.
An adult LAUGHING GULL, however, has been over the past few days at 9 Springs Natural Area. This morning it was seen by itself with some shorebirds in the 3rd pond. Please note that there may be no other gulls in the area except for this one.
Highlights of the Madison Audubon trip to Devil's Lake State Park and Baxter's Hollow yesterday, June 2nd, include great looks at YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO and PILEATED WOODPECKER. The group despite the (sometimes very) wet conditions also found CERULEAN WARBLER (heard only), ACADIAN FLYCATCHER, LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH, COMMON LOON, WINTER WREN, and a late WILSON'S WARBLER ( Steinke Basin ).
***************************************
The next Madison Audubon field trip is Saturday, June 9th – Birding at the Badger Army Ammunition Plant. Meet to carpool at 8 a.m. at the parking lot on the west side of Anchor Bank in Middleton at the intersection of Century Avenue and Allen Boulevard . Bring binoculars, a scope if you have one, good hiking shoes, water, and a snack. The group will enter Badger at 8:45 and will bird the area for about 3 hours. If you have any questions, please call Alison at 608-356-9462, ext 157 during work hours.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 24 May 2007
* WIMA0705.24
-BIRDS MENTIONED-
Dunlin
Semipalmated Plover
American Golden Plover
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Lesser Yellowlegs
Greater Yellowlegs
Red-necked Phalarope
Wilson's Phalarope
Short-billed Dowitcher
WHITE-FACED IBIS
Hooded Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush
Yellow-breasted Chat
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Bell's Vireo
Western Meadowlark
Henslow's Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Orchard Oriole
Lark Sparrow
-LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
9 Springs Natural Area Natural Area
Goose Pond area
Schoeneberg Marsh
County V Ponds, Dane County
Cook Arboretum, Janesville
Baxter's Hollow, Sauk County
Brooklyn Wildlife Area, Dane & Green County
Lake Farm County Park
Marbleseed Prairie, Green County
Spring Green Preserve
Lost City area of UW Arboretum, Madison
Madison School Forest
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for Wednesday, May 24th. The spring warbler migration appears to be slowing down, but there should still be good shorebird movement for the next week or so. Places to watch include 9 Springs, flooded fields near Goose Pond and Schoeneberg Marsh, and the Schumacher Road ponds near Waunakee.
9 Springs Natural Area has been good this past week for shorebirds. Species seen there include: DUNLIN, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, LESSER and GREATER YELLOWLEGS, RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, WILSON 'S PHALAROPE, and SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER.
A WHITE-FACED IBIS was spotted on the County V ponds in northern Dane County , just west of Patton Road . It unfortunately has not been seen since, but it's worth checking ponds and fields in the area.
Also look for GLOSSY IBIS in the area. A group of them has been seen for several days now north of Highway 49 between the pump house and the historical marker at Horicon Marsh.
HOODED and CERULEAN WARBLERS and LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH have been seen at the Cook Arboretum in Janesville and at Baxter's Hollow.
A YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, and BELL 'S VIREO have been reported in the Brooklyn Wildlife Area east of the parking lot on County DD.
A CHAT and a WESTERN MEADOWLARK were reported just south of the DD location near the next parking area.
Both GRASSHOPPER and HENSLOW'S SPARROWS were present at Marbleseed Prairie in Green County , along with BELL 'S VIREO and ORCHARD ORIOLE.
GRASSHOPPER and LARK SPARROW have been spotted at the Spring Green Preserve.
A HOODED WARBLER is again present in the Lost City area of the UW Arboretum, and another is possibly at the Madison School Forest , just south of Verona .
**************************
Upcoming Madison Audubon field trips include:
Saturday, May 26 – Bird Banding at the Biocore Prairie Bird Observatory – One can come for the entire time of 8 a.m. to noon or just drop in. Park at Frautschi Point and walk south through the woods, keeping Lake Mendota on your left, until you reach Biocore Prairie. Once at the prairie, follow the trail to your right, then left. You will see the station at the top of the prairie. If you have questions, please contact Mara at mamcdona@wisc.edu or call her at 608-274-2534 before 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 26 – Janesville 's Cook Arboretum. The group will meet at 7:30 a.m. at the parking lot at the end of the drive. The entrance is off County A just outside the city limits. If you have questions, please contact Tom at tklubert@uwc.edu or 608-758-6533.
Sunday, May 27 – Birding at Baxter's Hollow. The trip will leave from the Copp's parking lot (6310 Century Ave) in Middleton at 6:30 a.m. The trip may last for 4 hours so you may want to bring a bag lunch. As always dress appropriately for the weather. If you have any questions, please contact Aaron at agstutz@sbcglobal.net or call him at 608-294-9618.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 10 May 2007
* WIMA0705.10
-BIRDS MENTIONED-
Canada Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Golden-winged Warbler
Northern Parula
Cape May Warbler
Least Flycatcher
CAROLINA WREN
Wood Thrush
Scarlet Tanager
Broad-winged Hawk
Hooded Warbler
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Solitary Sandpiper
Wilson's Phalarope
Peregrine Falcon
WILLET
MARBLED GODWIT
-LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Middleton
Lost-City Trail on SE side of the Arboretum
Picnic Pointv
9 Springs Natural Area
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for Thursday, May 10th. The following sites are highly recommended at this time of year, and it seems that the very peak of warbler migration may occur at the beginning of next week.
Pheasant Branch Conservancy -- This morning's Madison Audubon warbler walk at Pheasant Branch Conservancy in Middleton yielded 13 warbler species and more. Most cooperative was a CANADA WARBLER. Others seen included WILSON'S, GOLDEN-WINGED, NORTHERN PARULA, and CAPE MAY WARBLERS plus LEAST FLYCATCHERS, CAROLINA WRENS, WOOD THRUSH, SCARLET TANAGERS, and a BROAD-WINGED HAWK involved in a dispute with 2 AMERICAN CROWS.
Lost City Trail, UW Arboretum -- This is reached off Carver Street as one approaches the arboretum from Fish Hatchery Road . Turn left on the last street before entering the woods, and then park in the small parking lot where the road bends left and heads back to Fish Hatchery. A male HOODED WARBLER is singing quite obviously off the trail not far into the Arboretum.
Lower half of Picnic Point -- A good route to take is the trail into picnic point and then turning at the small beach on west shore to double back through the swampy area on the west shore. From there, follow the trail to the Biocore Prairie. Last Saturday's warbler walk there, had over 12 warbler species.
9 Springs Natural Area -- This has been a hot shorebird site recently, with good numbers of the standard shoebirds, e.g., both YELLOWLEGS species and SOLITARY SANDPIPERS. Some more unusual birds have come and gone including WILSON'S PHALAROPE, PEREGRINE FALCON, plus last week's WILLETS, and MARBLED GODWITS. It's the time of year when anything can show up.
***************************************
Upcoming Madison Audubon field trips are as follows:
Saturday, May 12th BIG BIRDING DAY. Participants in teams of 2 to 6 choose one of 7 counties and bird from as early at 4 a.m. until 6 p.m. Entry fee is $20 per participant, and $30 if you'd like to attend the banquet following at Imperial Gardens-West at 7:00 p.m. All skill-levels, all ages are welcome! All proceeds go to Madison Audubon. If you'd like to participate or would like further information, look up the event on the Madison Audubon web-site, www.madisonaudubon.org, or contact Delia and/or Chuck at 608-274-4043 or 608-206-0324. They can also be contacted by email at deliachuck@gmail.com.
Tuesday, May 15th Warbler Walk in the UW Arboretum. Enter from the Mills Street entrance to the UW Arboretum and meet by 6:00 a.m. at the Wingra/Gallistel Woods parking lot off McCaffrey Drive .
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 4 May 2007
* WIMA0705.04
-BIRDS MENTIONED-
WILLET
MARBLED GODWIT
American Golden Plover
Black Tern
Northern Waterthrush
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow Warbler
Lesser Yellowlegs
Greater Yellowlegs
Dunlin
Wilson's Snipe
Spotted Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper
American Woodcock
Bank Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Tree Swallow
Sandhill Crane
Eastern Towhee
White-throated Sparrow
Eastern Phoebe
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Orchard Oriole
Great Blue Heron
Common Loon
-LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
9 Springs Natural Area
Olbrich Gardens area
Tenney Park
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for Friday, May 4th.
WILLETS were reported at 9 Springs Natural Area on Wednesday, May 2nd. On Thursday, May 3rd, WILLETS and MARBLED GODWITS were spotted there. Friday morning, an observer spotted AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS there. On Friday evening May 4th, on the Madison Audubon field trip there, none of these birds was present. Highlights of the May 5th field trip at 9 Springs include: BLACK TERN, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH , COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, YELLOW WARBLER, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, DUNLIN, WILSON'S SNIPE, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER, SOLITARY SANDPIPER, AMERICAN WOODCOCK, BANK SWALLOW, CLIFF SWALLOW, BARN SWALLOW, and TREE SWALLOW. Keep an eye on 9 Springs this is the time of year when anything can show up.
Also on Friday, May 4th a birder reported finding an EASTERN TOWHEE, WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, EASTERN PHOEBE, a MALLARD mating with a
NORTHERN PINTAIL, and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS off Starkweather Creek
near Olbrich Gardens .
On the 29th, the same birder was at Olbrich Gardens and had a male ORCHARD ORIOLE singing. At Tenney Park , she saw 2 GREAT BLUE HERONS and a COMMON LOON.
***************************************
Upcoming Madison Audubon field trips are as follows:
Saturday, May 5th Birding at Picnic Point. Meet at 7:30 at the circular 1918 March parking lot across University Bay Drive from Picnic Point, north of the UW Hospital. The trip will last for up to 3 hours and possibly longer.
Sunday, May 5th Warbler Walk at Turville Point. Meet at 6 a.m. at Olin-Turville Park in the parking lot closer to the stop light on Olin Avenue (near the woods). Call 608-267-4918 if you have questions.
Tuesday, May 8th Warbler Walk at UW Arboretum. Meet at 6 a.m. at the Wingra/Gallistel Woods parking lot along McCaffrey Drive . Enter the Arboretum from the east off Mills St. If you have questions, please call John at 608-445-7375.
Thursday, May 10th Warbler Walk at Pheasant Branch. Meet at 6 a.m. at the dead-end road near the Parisi Park entrance. This is where Park Lawn St meets Park St in Middleton. If you have questions, please call Mike at 608-850-4122.
Saturday, May 12th BIG BIRDING DAY. Participants in teams of 2 to 6 choose one of 7 counties and bird from as early at 4 a.m. until 6 p.m. Entry fee is $20 per participant, and $30 if you'd like to attend the banquet following at Imperial Gardens-West at 7:00 p.m. All skill-levels, all ages are welcome! All proceeds go to Madison Audubon. If you'd like to participate or would like further information, look up the event on the Madison Audubon web-site, www.madisonaudubon.org, or contact Delia and/or Chuck at 608-274-4043 or 608-206-0324. They can also be contacted by email at deliachuck@gmail.com.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 18 April 2007
* WIMA0704.18
-BIRDS MENTIONED-
Louisiana Waterthrush
SMITH'S LONGSPUR
Herring Gull-Glaucous Gull Cross
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Short-eared Owl
Henslow's Sparrow
Winter Wren
CAROLINA WREN
Yellow-rumped Warblers
Purple Finch
Bonaparte's Gull
Sandhill Crane
-LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Baxter's Hollow
Schumacher & Cuba Valley Rd intersection area, near Waunakee
Class of 1918 Marsh
Bio-Core Prairie, Picnic Point
Prairie (unnamed) in western Dane County
Pheasant Branch Conservancy, both Middleton & County sections
9 Springs Natural Area
Lower Mud Lake
Lake Barney
Island Lake
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for Wednesday, April 18th.
On Monday, the 16th, a LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was reported in Baxter's Hollow in Sauk County .
Earlier, an observer called in a female SMITH'S LONGSPUR seen near Waunakee near the corner of Schumacher Road and Cuba Valley Road . There have been no follow-up reports.
From University Bay , we have a report of a HERRING GULL X GLAUCOUS GULL cross.
Birders at the Biocore Prairie flushed a SHORT-EARED OWL.
Both a HENSLOW'S SPARROW and a SHORT-EARED OWL were found in an unnamed western Dane County Prairie, possibly Thompson Prairie (aka Thousand's Rock), where both species have been seen in past years.
Pheasant Branch Conservancy off Park Lawn has recently produced WINTER and CAROLINA WRENS, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, and PURPLE FINCHES. The County Branch of Pheasant Branch has been good for sparrows.
Although most of the migrating waterfowl have left the area, there remains a good number at 9 Springs, Lower Mud Lake , and Lake Barney . About a hundred BONAPARTE'S GULLS were spotted at Lake Barney .
Seventy-six SANDHILL CRANES were at Island Lake .
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 14 April 2007
* WIMA0704.14
-BIRDS MENTIONED-
Hermit Thrush
Brown Creeper
Yellow-rumped Warbler
-LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
9 Springs Natural Area, Madison
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for Saturday, April 14th. Despite the cold weather migrants continue to come into the area. Species becoming abundant include HERMIT THRUSH, BROWN CREEPER, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER.
The water level at 9 Springs is high, and there are various waterfowl present.
**************************
The remaining Madison Audubon field trip this weekend is Scope Days at Goose Pond Sanctuary in Columbia County . This will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., and scopes will be set up to enable visitors to watch the waterfowl. To reach Goose Pond from Madison , take Highway 51 north to Columbia County K. Turn west (left) and proceed until the road turns sharply left. At that point, turn right instead, go over the hill, and the sanctuary observation area will be along the driveway on your left.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 29 March 2007
* WIMA0703.29
-BIRDS MENTIONED-
WHOOPING CRANE
American Woodcock
Eastern Bluebird
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Northern Shoveler
Bufflehead
Green-winged Teal
American Coot
Ring-necked Duck
Canada Goose
Red-winged Blackbird
Northern Shrike
Snow Goose
Killdeer
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
CAROLINA WREN
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Cedar Waxwing
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Common Grackle
Common Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Common Merganser
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Brewer's Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Tree Swallow
Wilson's Snipe
Horned Grebe
Wood Duck
Sandhill Crane
Eastern Screech Owl
Swamp Sparrow
House Wren
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Eastern Meadowlark
Pine Warbler
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE
Osprey
-LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Pheasant Branch Conservancy
UW Arboretum
Owen Park
9 Springs Natural Area
Goose Pond
Schoeneberg Marsh
Madison Lakes
Lake Farm Park
Picnic Point
Mazomanie State Wildlife Area
Lalor Road, south of Lake Waubesa Wetlands
Stoughton
This is the hotline report for the Madison Audubon Society for Thursday, March 29, 2007.
On Friday, March 23 a pair of WHOOPING CRANES were seen overhead north of Middleton, flying toward Governor Dodge State Park . AMERICAN WOODCOCK were reported at the northern unit of Pheasant Branch Conservancy. EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were at Arboretum, and a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH near Owen Park.
At 9 Springs, numerous waterfowl were reported: NORTHERN SHOVELERS,
BUFFLEHEADS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, AMERICAN COOT, RING-NECKED DUCKS , CANADA GEESE and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS.
At Goose Pond, in addition to the above species, there were 28 SNOW GEESE.
On Saturday, March 24th a NORTHERN SHRIKE and EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were
at Schoeneberg Marsh
At the Pheasant Branch stream corridor unit, birds were reported numerous days, with 30+ species often sighted. Some of the more significant were KILLDEER, DOWNY and HAIRY WOODPECKERS, NORTHERN FLICKER, EASTERN PHOEBE, TUFTED TITMOUSE, WHITE-BREASTED and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, BROWN CREEPER, CAROLINA WREN, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, CEDAR WAXWING, FOX and SONG SPARROWS, and COMMON GRACKLE. Many of these were reported at various sites around Madison , such as Lake Farm Park , Owen Park, and the Arboretum.
Madison area lakes were reported as having COMMON LOONS, PIED-BILLED GREBES, some DUCKS (GADWALLS, WIGEONS, COMMON and HOODED MERGANSERS, and RUDDY DUCKS).
On Tuesday, March 27th, large flocks of blackbirds were reported at Lake Farm Park : COMMON GRACKLES, BREWER'S and RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, and BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS. Also WILSON 'S SNIPE and TREE SWALLOWS. A HORNED GREBE was on Lake Waubesa .
Also on Tuesday at Picnic Point were found numerous species included COMMON MERGANSERS, COMMON LOONS, NORTHERN SHOVELERS, BUFFLEHEADS, GADWALLS, WOOD DUCKS, SANDHILL CRANES, an EASTERN SCREECH OWL, and SWAMP SPARROW. And on the west side of MADISON , a HOUSE WREN was spotted. On Thursday, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS and EASTERN MEADOWLARKS were observed at Picnic Point.
On Wednesday, at the Mazomanie Lower Wisconsin River State Wildlife Area a birder heard and then saw a PINE WARBLER.
On Lalor Road , near the Lake Waubesa Wetlands, a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE was seen on Wednesday.
The pair of OSPREY were again seen in Stoughton .
*************************
Upcoming Madison Audubon Field Trip:
Saturday, March 31 Spring Migrants.
This field trip will focus on birding the Lake Farms County Park area and nearby open water. Nine Springs and Lake Waubesa are possibilities for early shorebirds and ducks. On the trails we may find Yellow-rumped Warblers, Phoebes, Thrushes and a variety of Sparrows. Maybe even an Osprey! Bring a scope for viewing the lake.
This trip will be from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Meet at the Lussier Heritage Center parking lot. Take the Beltline Hwy to South Towne Dr. and head south. Turn left on Moorland Rd. The Heritage Center is about a half mile up on the left. For more information call Patrick Ready, (608) 873-1703.
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 23 March 2007
* WIMA0703.23
-BIRDS MENTIONED-
Tree Swallow
Fox Sparrow
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Meadowlark
American Woodcock
Red-necked Grebe
Short-eared Owl
Snow Goose
Osprey
CAROLINA WREN
Red-breasted Merganser
-LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Lake Farm County Park ( Dane County )
County portion of Pheasant Branch Conservancy
Goose Pond Conservancy
Lower Mud Lake , McFarland
Intersection of Q & K north of Middleton
Stoughton
Stream corridor of Middleton portion of Pheasant Branch Conservancy
Elks Club, Lake Monona
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for Friday, March 23rd. Spring migration is really under way. TREE SWALLOWS, FOX SPARROWS, EASTERN PHOEBES, and EASTERN MEADOWLARKS have been reported throughout our area.
AMERICAN WOODCOCKS have been spotted at Lake Farms County Park in the back field, and near the parking lot at the Dane County portion of Pheasant Branch Conservancy.
Goose Pond has reported lots of ducks, swans, and geese present, along with 2-3 SHORT-EARED OWLS seen at dusk.
Lower Mud Lake is hosting a great variety of ducks at present, and SNOW GEESE have appeared near the intersection of Highways Q & K north of Middleton.
One of the Stoughton OSPREYS is back.
Observers have reported CAROLINA WRENS along the stream corridor in the Middleton portion of Pheasant Branch Conservancy, east of Park Lawn.
Reports have also noted RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS near the Elks Club on Lake Monona .
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 8 March 2007
* WIMA0703.08
-BIRDS MENTIONED-
BARN OWL
Tundra Swan
Turkey Vulture
Rough-legged Hawk
Sandhill Crane
Redwing Blackbird
Red-shouldered Hawk
American Robin
-LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Picnic Point, 1918 Marsh, Biocore Prairie area
Lower Mud Lake
Vilas Park
Arena Boat Landing
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for Thursday, March 8th.
The BARN OWL that has been observed for about the past week in the Picnic Point area was last sighted on March 6th. It has been seen at the entrance to Picnic Point, over the Class of 1918 Marsh, and over the Biocore Prairie and Eagle Heights Gardens area.
TUNDRA SWANS have been reported at Lower Mud Lake .
There are lots of migrants starting to return. A TURKEY VULTURE was spotted today in the area, and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was reported at Vilas Park .
Other species returning to the area include: SANDHILL CRANE, KILLDEER, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, and large flocks of AMERICAN ROBINS. A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was also reported at the Arena Boat Landing.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 23 February 2007
* WIMA0702.23
-BIRD MENTIONED-
GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE
-LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Dodge County , Cty Hwy TW in woods at fire number N7375
Dodge County , south of DNR service center entry on Hwy 28
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for Friday, February 23rd.
The only report we have this week is the GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE that has been in the area just north of the town of Horicon for about the last 4 weeks. Two locations have been mentioned and both should be checked. The bird was last reported on the 22nd off Hwy 28 in trees on the hillside south of the DNR service facility entrance. The second location has been somewhat more reliable in the past 2 weeks the woodlot just north of the farm at fire number N7375 on Cty Hwy TW. Be aware that many people have gone to look for the bird over the past few weeks, and many have not been able to find it even though it has definitely been in the area.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 8 February 2007
* WIMA0702.08
-BIRDS MENTIONED-
Bald Eagle
Snow Bunting
Lapland Longspur
Horned Lark
CAROLINA WREN
Short-eared Owl
Rough-legged Hawk
-LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Prairie du Sac dam, Sauk County
Pheasant Branch Conservancy
Warm-water outlet on Lake Monona at Elks Club, Madison
Airport Road, Middleton
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for Thursday, February 8th.
About 30 BALD EAGLES were spotted along the Wisconsin River near the Prairie du Sac dam.
On the snowy roadsides throughout the area in less populated locations one can find SNOW BUNTINGS, LAPLAND LONGSPURS, and HORNED LARKS with some patience.
A CAROLINA WREN has been reported recently in the Pheasant Branch Conservancy in Middleton, east of Park Lawn. There is at least 1 bird, and possible 2, and they have been reported for several weeks.
Various over-wintering waterfowl can be found in the MG&E warm-water outlet on Lake Monona , near the Elks Club.
Probably the most active spot in the area has been the area just west of the Middleton airport on Airport Road . There's a roadway into the area that during the summer is playing fields and a parking lot. Birders have been finding a SHORT-EARED OWL and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK there, but the birds do not appear to be regular visitors.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 19 January 2007
* WIMA0701.19
-BIRDS MENTIONED-
SNOWY OWL
Short-eared Owl
Horned Lark
Lapland Longspur
Snow Bunting
Red-shouldered Hawk
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Purple Finch
Eastern Bluebird
American Goldfinch
Bald Eagle
Common Merganser
American Robin
CAROLINA WREN
Red-headed Woodpecker
-LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
University Square area at University Avenue and Lake St , Madison
AT&T Building on West Washington, Madison
Horicon Marsh along Hwy 49
Donald Park area near Mt Vernon, Dane County
Primrose Center Rd, south of Mt Vernon
County JG between County A and Ness Rd
Pheasant Branch Rd, north of Middleton
Arena Boat Landing, Iowa County
Marshall Parkway , Madison
Blue Mounds State Park
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for Friday, January 19th.
The SNOWY OWL seen in Madison at UW, on guy wires high up on one of the cranes in the old University Square location at Lake and University, has been reported as recently as Wednesday, but not with as much regularity as previously. The SNOWY has also been seen on the AT&T building on West Washington Ave in Madison . A SNOWY OWL has also been seen with great regularity off Highway 49 in the Horicon Marsh Wildlife Refuge near the pump house or across the road from the pump house. The Horicon Owl seems easiest to find before 9 a.m. and after 3 p.m.
SHORT-EARED OWLS have been reported in 3 locations in SE Dane County. The largest group, about 9 birds, has been spotted on private land near Donald Park near Mt Vernon. Another, smaller group is reported to be along Primrose Center Rd about 3 miles south of Mt Vernon. Another small group, finally, has been off County JG between County A and Ness Road . In all locations, the birds seem easiest to find after 3 p.m.
A birder reported large mixed flocks (up to 1000 birds) of HORNED LARKS, LAPLAND LONGSPURS, and SNOW BUNTINGS off Pheasant Branch Road . The locations noted include in the fields near the farm off Balzer Road and Pheasant Branch Road, Woodland Drive east of Kingsley Road, and in fields near the intersection of Meffert and Pheasant Branch Road.
The Madison Audubon field trip to the Wisconsin River this past weekend found a good number of birds. Notable were the calling RED-SHOULDERED HAWK at the Arena Boat Landing, a PILEATED WOODPECKER, a NORTHERN FLICKER, EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 50 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES, about 10 BALD EAGLES, and COMMON MERGANSERS on the river.
The leader of the trip later, while walking his dog near the UW Arboretum, found 200 AMERICAN ROBINS and 2 CAROLINA WRENS. The wrens were in the vicinity of 2602 Marshall Parkway .
A report, finally, from Blue Mounds State Park , noted a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER and a calling NORTHERN FLICKER.
******************
The next Madison Audubon field trip is on Saturday, February 3rd, Winter birds of the Arboretum. Stay tuned for details.
Good birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 09 January 2007
* WIMA0701.09
-BIRDS MENTIONED-
Short-eared Owl
SNOWY OWL
Red-shouldered Hawk
Northern Shrike
Tundra Swan
Scoter (sp)
Turkey Vulture
TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE
Barred Owl
-LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
University Square area at University Avenue and Lake St , Madison
Horicon Marsh
Cherokee Marsh
Arena Boat Landing
9 Springs Natural Area
Lake Mendota at Burrows Park
Monona
Devils Lake State Park
Lodi
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for Tuesday, January 9th. This also includes the hotline information that was updated on December 29th.
One to two SNOWY OWLS were seen in Madison at UW, on derrick guy wires in the old University Square location at Lake and University. They have not been reported during the past week. SNOWY OWLS have been seen as recently as the 8th off Highway 49 in the Horicon Marsh Wildlife Refuge.
SHORT-EARED OWLS have been reported in 2 locations. A birder spotted one in Cherokee Marsh on the 23rd. It has not been reported since. More reliably, up to 6 have been seen at the Arena Boat Landing in Iowa County . This is also a good area to check for the local RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS.
A NORTHERN SHRIKE was reported at 9 Springs Natural Area before the 29th of December. Then off Burrows Park on Lake Mendota observers found 400 TUNDRA SWANS. Two SCOTERS (species) were also reported in Lake Mendota in the Burrows Park area before the 29th.
On the 4th a caller reported a TURKEY VULTURE flying over Monona.
A small birding expedition to Devils Lake State Park on the 6th found 1 TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE in cedars on the south bluff about halfway between the Balanced Rock and Devil's Doorway Trails. They also found a late GREAT BLUE HERON at Honey Creek.
A BARRED OWL, finally, was heard calling in Lodi/Harmony Grove in Columbia County on the 7th.
******************
The next Madison Audubon field trip is on Saturday, January 13th, Wisconsin River Raptors. This trip will focus on raptors found near Sauk Prairie and the Prairie du Sac dam. The trip will last until noon. Dress appropriately for the weather. The group will meet to carpool at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Copp's at 6800 Century Avenue in Middleton. Please sharing expenses with the drivers. If you have questions, please call Aaron at 608-2949618.
Good Birding.
