* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 07 May 2008
* WIMA0805.07
Number: 608-255-2476
Reports: 608-255-2476
Compiler: Madison Audubon
Coverage: south-central Wisconsin
Transcriber: Chuck Heikkinen (deliachuck@gmail.com)
BIRDS MENTIONED-
HARRIS'S SPARROW
Prothonotary Warbler
SUMMER TANAGER
LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Picnic Point, near the gardens
Pheasant Branch Conservancy stream corridor, Middleton
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for
Wednesday, May 7th.
Warblers have been coming in good numbers this past week to Lake Farms
County Park, Pheasant Branch Conservancy in Middleton, the
UW-Arboretum, and to Picnic Point.
An observer found a HARRIS'S SPARROW at Picnic Point today, near the
gardens. There was also a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER in the wood swamp
along the lake shore.
A female SUMMER TANAGER was present at Pheasant Branch Conservancy in
Middleton west of Park Street, near the first bridge.
*********************************
Upcoming field trips include –
1) Tuesday, May 13 & Thursday, May 15: Warbler Walk at Pheasant Branch
- Join us for one of MAS's early morning warbler walks. We'll look for
migrating warblers as well as vireos, thrushes, tanagers and whatever
else flies by. Meet at 6:00 am and park at the dead-end that leads up
to Parisi Park near where Park Lawn St. meets Park St. in Middleton.
Call Aaron at 608.294.9618 if you have questions.
2) Thursday, May 15: Evening at Token Creek -- Though bordered by Hwy.
51 and I-90, Token Creek County Park's varied habitat holds species
such as Baltimore Oriole, Indigo Bunting, Brown Thrasher, Eastern
Bluebird, Warbling Vireo, and several species of flycatchers. A
variety of migrant warblers are also possible. Trip leader Ed Saur has
lived in northeast Dane County and visited the park frequently for
more than 20 years. He atlased the park for the Wisconsin Breeding
Bird Atlas Project for three years.
The trip begins at 6:30 pm. Token Creek Co. Park is in the northeast
quadrant of the I-90/94 and Hwy. 51 interchange. It's about a 1/2 mile
north on Hwy 51 from I-90/94 or 1/2 mile south on Hwy. 51 from Hwy. 19
and just east of the Pine Cone Restaurant truck stop. Brown signs mark
the entrance. Wear shoes that will keep your feet dry, as some trails
may be wet. Meet at the parking lot at the first building on the
right. Call Ed at 608.846.4482 if you have questions.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 30 April 2008
* WIMA0804.30
Number: 608-255-2476
Reports: 608-255-2476
Compiler: Madison Audubon
Coverage: south-central Wisconsin
Transcriber: Chuck Heikkinen (deliachuck@gmail.com)
BIRDS MENTIONED-
Cerulean Warbler
Veery
Swainson's Thrush
Red-necked Grebe
LECONTE'S SPARROW
American Bittern
White-crowned Sparrow
Northern Harrier
Marsh Wren
Sedge Wren
WILLET
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT
WHOOPING CRANE
FRANKLIN'S GULL
American Pipit
LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Pheasant Branch Conservancy stream corridor, Middleton
Schoeneberg's Marsh, Columbia County
9 Springs Natural Area
Lake Farm Park
Stoughton area
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for
Wednesday, April 30th.
Warblers are coming into our area, including CERULEAN WARBLERS
reported at Pheasant Branch. Observers have also seen VEERY and
SWAINSON'S THRUSH there.
Three RED-NECKED GREBES were present at Schoeneberg's Marsh in
Columbia County, near Goose Pond.
At 9 Springs Natural Area during the past week, birders found a
LECONTE'S SPARROW, AMERICAN BITTERN, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, NORTHERN
HARRIER, MARSH and SEDGE WRENS, and WILLETS, the last on April 25th.
On Monday, April 28th, observers spotted a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT at
Lake Farm Park. WHOOPING CRANES were seen near Stoughton.
Also in the area, but unfortunately at unknown locations were found 2
FRANKLIN'S GULLS and AMERICAN PIPITS.
*********************************
Don't forget the annual Madison Audubon Big Birding Day happening on
Saturday, May 10th. For information and forms please contact Madison
Audubon (madisonaudubon.org) or call Chuck and Delia at 274-4043.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 17 April 2008
* WIMA0804.17
Number: 608-255-2476
Reports: 608-255-2476
Compiler: Madison Audubon
Coverage: south-central Wisconsin
Transcriber: Chuck Heikkinen (deliachuck@gmail.com)
BIRDS MENTIONED-
Common Loon
Wood Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Eastern Phoebe
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Brown Creeper
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Rusty Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
American Robin
Northern Flicker
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Winter Wren
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Bonaparte's Gull
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
American White Pelican
Blue-headed Vireo
Greater White-fronted Goose
Snow Goose
Broad-winged Hawk
Brown Thrasher
Peregrine Falcon
LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Madison Lakes
Lake Farm County Park
Pheasant Branch Conservancy
UW Arboretum
County DM & Harvey Road, Columbia County
Bascom Hill, UW-Madison campus
This is the hotline report for the Madison Audubon Society for
Thursday, April 17, 2008.
Large numbers of COMMON LOONS have been seen on all the Madison lakes
during the past week. WOOD DUCKS and BLUE-WINGED TEALS have also
returned
PIED-BILLED and HORNED GREBES also have been reported as well as many
TREE SWALLOWS. And there have been some BARN and NORTHERN
ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS seen as well.
Lake Farm Park, Pheasant Branch and the UW Arboretum have had several
reports of EASTERN PHOEBES, GOLDEN-CROWNED and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS,
HERMIT THRUSH, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS, BROWN CREEPERS,
WHITE-BREASTED and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, RUSTY BLACKBIRDS,
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS, COMMON GRACKLES, AMERICAN ROBINS, NORTHERN
FLICKERS, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS and WINTER WRENS.
Numerous sparrows have also been reported, including CHIPPING, FIELD,
VESPER, SAVANNAH, WHITE-THROATED and SONG SPARROWS . DARK-EYED
JUNCOS also remain numerous.
BONEPARTE'S GULLS have been seen at various locations, and a few
GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS -- generally in field ponds.
On April 11 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were reported at Lake Farm Park.
And at Pheasant Branch Conservancy, a BLUE-HEADED VIREO was seen in
Middleton.
On April 13 in Columbia County, on Hwy DM and also on Harvey Road,
birders reported large numbers of WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, as well as a
SNOW GOOSE.
Also on April 13 there was a BROAD-WINGED HAWK was reported over the
Arboretum in Madison.
A BROWN THRASHER was reported at Lake Farm Park on April 14.
A PEREGRINE FALCON was seen on the UW-Madison campus on Bascom Hill on
April 15.
********************************************
The next Madison Audubon field trips are:
Saturday, April 19: Abraham's Woods -- Abraham's Woods, a State
Natural Area and one of the UW Arboretum's outlying areas, is one of
the finest remnants of sugar maple forest left in southern Wisconsin.
We will search for spring wildflowers and early migrant birds as we
stroll through the forest of sugar maple, basswood, yellowbud hickory,
hackberry, and other typical southern mesic forest trees. Time
permitting, we will stop at nearby Oliver Prairie, a limestone "goat"
prairie, in search of pasque flower fruits, bird-foot violets, prairie
smoke, and other lime-prairie plants. Carpool at 8:00 am from Cub
Foods parking lot, near the intersection of the Beltline and Verona
Rd. Or meet the group at Abe's Woods, just southwest of Albany in
Green County. Contact Janeen for directions. We will return to Madison
between noon and 1:00 pm. The trip will be canceled only in the case
of dangerous weather. Contact Janine for questions at 608-266-7714 or
via email at janeen.laatsch@wisconsin.gov.
Sunday, April 20: Ice Age Trail (Once Around the Sink and Down the
Drain) -- We'll look for returning waterfowl and grassland birds at
Shoveler's Sink, stroll through the gorge cut by glacial meltwater at
the Cross Plains Ice Age National Scientific Reserve, and search for
pasque flowers on the bluffs above. This 3-mile walk traces the
contrasting landscape of glaciated and unglaciated (Driftless Area)
terrain along the route of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Wear
sturdy boots. Bring binoculars, water, and food and dress for the
weather. Meet at 9:00 am at the intersection of Cleveland Rd. and Old
Sauk Pass. This is about 3/4 of a mile south of US Hwy. 14 in the Town
of Cross Plains. If you have questions, please contact Gary at
608-249-7870.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 02 April 2008
* WIMA0804.02
Number: 608-255-2476
Reports: 608-255-2476
Compiler: Madison Audubon
Coverage: south-central Wisconsin
Transcriber: Chuck Heikkinen (deliachuck@gmail.com)
BIRDS MENTIONED-
Tree Swallow
Eastern Phoebe
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Osprey
Snow Goose
Cackling Goose
Greater White-fronted Goose
Tundra Swan
Lapland Longspur
American Woodcock
Short-eared Owl
Common Loon
LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Stoughton
Schumacher Road, Dane County
Harvey Road, Columbia County
Intersection of Hammond & Cty F, NW of Edgerton
Swan Pond
Lake Barney
Schoeneberg Marsh/Goose Pond Area
Badfish Creek Wildlife Area
Lake Waubesa, Lake Farm Park
Lake Monona, Elks Club
This is the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for
Wednesday, April 2nd.
TREE SWALLOWS have been reported as moving into our area in good
numbers during the past week, in addition to EASTERN PHOEBES, and
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS.
OSPREYS have also returned, and can be found in the Stoughton area.
Waterfowl have been the most numerous migrants, with SNOW, CACKLING,
and GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE be seen at locations such as the
Schumacher Road ponds NE of Waunakee, flooded fields off Harvey Road,
E of N Leeds, and at Swan Pond and Lake Barney, both South of Madison,
and in flooded fields northwest of Edgerton near the intersection of
Hammond Road and County F. TUNDRA SWANS have been reported in the
area as well.
Columbia County reports LAPLAND LONGSPURS in the Schoeneberg
Marsh/Goose Pond area.
At Badfish Creek Wildlife Area, an observer found AMERICAN WOODCOCKS
and a SHORT-EARED OWL. AMERICAN WOODCOCKS have also been heard and
spotted on the bike path south of Madison, behind the McKay Center in
the UW Arboretum in Madison, and off the furthest parking lot at Lake
Farm County Park.
Common Loons, finally, have arrived, and reporters have seen them on
Lake Waubesa near Lake Farm County Park and on Lake Monona near the
Elks Club.
**********************************
The next Madison Audubon Society field trips are:
Saturday, April 5th – Spring birds of Columbia County. Meet to
carpool at 8 a.m. in the east end (near Century Ave) of the parking
lot of the former Copp's supermarket at the intersection of Allen Blvd
and Century Ave in Middleton. Or, you can join the group at Goose
Pond at 9:30 a.m. Bring binoculars, a cope if you have one, and a
snack as the trip may last to early afternoon.
Sunday, April 6th – Wildlife Adventure Day at Goose Pond in Columbia
County. Among other things the activities include viewing migratory
waterfowl on Goose Pond from Prairie Lane. For more information,
please check the Madison Audubon web site – madisonaudubon.org.
Tuesday, April 10th – Frog's Night Out. In addition to listening to
a
variety of frogs, participants will learn more about frog lifestyles
and wetland ecology. Meet at the Mazomanie Wildlife Area at 6:45 p.m.
From Hwy 14 in Mazomanie, drive north on County Hwy Y for about 4
miles. Just before the highway bends to the east (right), turn left
on Law's Drive. Travel on the access road about a quarter mile and
turn left onto the first gravel road. Follow this about one and a
half miles until it dead-ends at a parking lot. Bring a flashlight
and dress for wet conditions. The trip will be canceled if the
daytime high temperature is below 45 deg F or in the event of strong
winds or heavy rain. Call the trip leader, Bob Hay, only if you have
questions at work (608-267-0849) or home (608-829-3123).
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 13 March 2008
* WIMA0803.13
Number: 608-255-2476
Reports: 608-255-2476
Compiler: Madison Audubon
Coverage: south-central Wisconsin
Transcriber: Chuck Heikkinen (deliachuck@gmail.com)
BIRDS MENTIONED-
Snow Goose
ROSS'S GOOSE
Tundra Swan
Sandhill Crane
Horned Lark
American Robin
Killdeer
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Eastern Bluebird
Common Grackle
Cackling Goose
Rusty Blackbird
WHOOPING CRANE
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Pine Siskin
American Tree Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Lake Barney, Dane County
Lower Mud Lake, McFarland
Stoughton
Picnic Point, Madison
This is the hotline report for the Madison Audubon Society for
Thursday, March 13, 2008. During the week, at Lake Barney, near
Oregon, WI there were reports of both SNOW and ROSS'S GEESE.
Lower Mud Lake in McFarland continues to open up, and more waterfowl
are appearing, including TUNDRA SWANS.
SANDHILL CRANES continue to be sighted around the county. HORNED
LARKS are still present. ROBINS, KILLDEER and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS
have been sighted in numerous locations.
On Saturday, March 8, an observer reported an EASTERN MEADOWLARK and
EASTERN BLUEBIRD southeast of Madison.
On Wednesday, March 12th, at lower mud lake in McFarland a COMMON
GRACKLE, CACKLING GEESE, and RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were reported.
A WHOOPING CRANE was also seen flying over Stoughton.
On Thursday, March 13th at Picnic Point in Madison were found SONG,
FOX and SWAMP SPARROWS. Other species reported at Picnic Point
include: COMMON GRACKLE(S) KILLDEER, PINE SISKIN (flock flyover)
AMERICAN TREE SPARROW (two foraging along lakeshore path) and
DARK-EYED JUNCO.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 01 February 2008
* WIMA0802.01
Number: 608-255-2476
Reports: 608-255-2476
Compiler: Madison Audubon
Coverage: south-central Wisconsin
Transcriber: Chuck Heikkinen (deliachuck@gmail.com)
BIRDS MENTIONED-
Fox Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Cooper's Hawk
American Tree Sparrow
LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Owen Park area
This the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for
Friday, February 1st.
This past Saturday, Jan 26th, a caller near Owen Park reported several
species at her feeders. These included a FOX SPARROW, a
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, 3 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, a COOPER'S HAWK,
and AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS.
Good Birding!
* Wisconsin
* Madison
* 24 January 2008
* WIMA0801.24
Number: 608-255-2476
Reports: 608-255-2476
Compiler: Madison Audubon
Coverage: south-central Wisconsin
Transcriber: Chuck Heikkinen (deliachuck@gmail.com)
BIRDS MENTIONED-
GOLDEN EAGLE
Horned Lark
Lapland Longspur
Pine Siskin
Common Redpoll
Hooded Merganser
Ring-necked Duck
Northern Pintail
Bald Eagle
Common Merganser
Common Goldeneye
EASTERN TOWHEE
LOCATIONS MENTIONED-
Intersection of Mellum Rd and County H, SW of Arena
Yahara River open water
Madison area, various locations
Prairie du Sac and dam
This the birding hotline report of the Madison Audubon Society for
Thursday, January 24th.
An immature female GOLDEN EAGLE was spotted southwest of Arena on the
19th. It was near the intersection of Mellum & County H.
HORNED LARKS and a few LAPLAND LONGSPURS have returned. PINE SISKINS
are being seen at some feeders, and COMMON REDPOLLS, while present,
are even more scarce than they were earlier in the year.
On the Yahara River, in open spots, several species have been found.
They include: HOODED MERGANSER, RING-NECKED DUCK, and NORTHERN
PINTAIL.
BALD EAGLES, COMMON MERGANSERS, and COMMON GOLDENEYES are easy to find
on the Wisconsin River in the Prairie du Sac area. The area near the
dam is particularly good.
An EASTERN TOWHEE was spotted at an east-side Madison feeder recently.
We have no updated reports of its presence.
Good Birding!
* 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!
