It's March!

ALERT: March Migrants! An observer in Middleton spotted a pair of Sandhill Cranes at Pheasant Branch Conservancy yesterday. Thankfully, we're finally going to get some warmer weather, albeit with a mix of precipitation. This favorable change in temperature should entice the remaining cranes to return to the marsh, perhaps by the end of this week.

I birded the conservancy on Sunday, which was when these photographs were taken. It was a few degrees below zero most of the morning and the windchill made it feel as cold as -30 at times. After being outside for several hours, my toes succumbed to the cold and I ended up getting a minor case of frostnip. Ugh! I am so ready for spring.



This male Great Horned Owl was basking in the sun while guarding the entrance to the pair's nest cavity. This is the fourth consecutive year these owls are using this particular nest site. When I walked back through the area an hour later, the male and female were calling to one another. He was close by and I could see her ear tuft tips sticking out from inside the cavity. My outing yielded 27 bird species. By the end of this month there will be twice that number at the conservancy.



When I arrived home, I noticed our neighborhood Cedar Waxwings feeding on the fruit trees across the street from my apartment. Fortunately for the waxwings, this source of food was ample enough to provide them with sustenance and energy throughout winter.

Pheasant Branch, Dane, US-WI
Mar 2, 2014 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
27 species

Canada Goose
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Horned Lark
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
American Tree Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

All images © 2014 Mike McDowell

Late February Birding

"Walking is far more than mere therapy for a neurotic mind, of course; it's a way to enter the equation, to rejoice in life—my life, the larger life around me. It's a way to lose myself in what I see and hear and feel."

~ Cathy Johnson, Nature Walks


Pheasant Branch Conservancy

The early morning light began to illuminate a woods full of winter birds getting on with matters concerning spring. Here, near the end of February, more and more birds are busy making preparations. The drumming of woodpeckers and birdsong steadily increases with each visit to the conservancy. The accumulation of spring cues is a delightful time of the waning winter season.


Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinals are spreading out and choosing higher perches to broadcast their songs. Tufted Titmice and Black-capped Chickadees are singing with greater verve, too. As I stood and listened, I imagined a nearby Great Horned Owl hearing everything I that was. Well, that, and likely much more. But I wondered if the neural wiring of their minds and memory allows them to realize they've heard these songs before. Perhaps they recognize songs as seasonal cues. The late winter songs of birds render perfectly natural reminiscence of past springs for me. Perhaps owls sense or feel something from the songs, too.


Great Horned Owl


Red-bellied Woodpecker

This male Red-bellied Woodpecker was busy excavating. Little bits of wood were sent flying into the air as it alternated between hammering and calling. Perhaps a nearby female will be attracted to his kwirr calls, drumming, and posturing. He looked awfully proud of his creation.





The trail was rather icy and slippery in spots. In addition to making the going a little hazardous, recent thaws and freezes have opened up a few spots along the creek near small falls, rendering fantastic looking ice formations. I've photographed these frozen sculptures in the past. The forces of nature that build them follow the same rules, so they have a similar appearance, but are never exactly the same. I love the way sunlight filters through these bubbly structures.













Pheasant Branch, Dane, US-WI
Feb 22, 2014 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
30 species

Canada Goose
Mallard
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Barred Owl
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
American Kestrel
Blue Jay
American Crow
Horned Lark
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
American Robin
European Starling
American Tree Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

All images © 2014 Mike McDowell

Blog Birthday!

The original version of this blog was a simple text log of my bird observations in an .HTML table. That was back in 2005. I switched to blogger shortly thereafter, but don't recall exactly when. The content and style evolved in various ways over the years, but birding and nature photography at Pheasant Branch Conservancy continues to be my primary focus. I will continue writing, photographing, and sharing my birding and digiscoping stories for the foreseeable future. Spring is just around the corner, so posts ought to increase as I start spending more time outdoors.

There you are!

I returned to the conservancy on Sunday to try and locate a Barred Owl. I hadn't seen the one I've been photographing this winter at its regular roosting site since last month, so I checked a few other places I thought it might be. While hiking the trail system, I found many of the same bird species I observed on Saturday, including a Sharp-shinned Hawk, which is a bird I don't see very often at Pheasant Branch. Cooper's Hawks are far more common there.

Walking the conservancy trail is physical and meditative exercise. Sometimes my mind drifts and wanders, other times I organize my thoughts and plans for the day. I really needed a filing cabinet. It's amazing that even in the digital age how many documents and important papers one accumulates.  I have stacks stuffed in shoeboxes, dresser drawers, and various filing folders. I was thinking it sure would be nice if they were all in one ...

"Who cooks for you, who cooks for you all!"

Ah ha! The call came from about 200 yards away. Now perhaps the owl didn't mean to give away its position, but it didn't take me long find it. There's a particular height they like to perch and on a clear day it's always the sunny side of a tree. I know this owl pretty well. I've even gone to the conservancy at night to watch it hunt. Also, early in the morning to watch it bathe in the creek. It knows nothing of my habits or intentions, only that I'm something it must keep an eye on. It's in no way tame. I think it just puts up with me because I keep quiet, maintain a respectable distance, make no sudden moves, avoid making eye contact, and only stay as long as it takes to get a couple of pictures.





All images © 2014 Mike McDowell

Feather Fall

The early morning's clear skies seemed to promise a day of good light, but a quick check of the weather forecast showed it would only last a couple of hours. By the time I got to Pheasant Branch Conservancy, the clouds had already moved in. This has been winter's pattern; either clear and bitterly cold, or less cold with falling snow.

As I made my way down the overlook path, I couldn't help but notice there was very little in the way of songbird activity. A couple of crows flew overhead and a Red-tailed Hawk patrolled the skies over the marsh. When I arrived at the small springs, I found a couple of Mourning Doves perched above the water. The crunching snow was so loud that I stopped to listen for bird calls. I heard a couple of White-throated Sparrows, but nothing moved – not even the cardinals. Where were the juncos and tree sparrows?



I eventually located one of the White-throated Sparrows, but it appeared frozen in fear. From this and the relative quiet, I surmised that the songbirds probably had their eye on a nearby predator. Then without warning, the cardinals and chickadees sounded off a series of sharp alarm calls as a small accipiter zoomed in. It snatched a chickadee on the wing and carried it off to the dense tangle.

It was a Sharp-shinned Hawk. The hungry raptor had already killed the chickadee – the songbird's window to the universe was now closed forever. Next began the feather plucking and flesh shredding I've witnessed other accipiters do. I tried to get a clear angle on the grizzly scene, but there were too many obstructing branches in the way. Perhaps that was better.



I can't help the mixed emotions I feel when observing the death of a songbird at the talons of a raptor. I love all birds, and as much as I adore chickadees, I was glad the hawk was able to capture something to eat so it, too, can survive. But why couldn't it have been one of the dozens of nearby House Sparrows? Well, it probably has. This time, though, it was a chickadee. Chickadees have great warning strategies that even other birds have adapted to recognize. When you're a small songbird, there are a lot of things to pay close attention to. Most of the birds seemed to be aware of the sharpie before it flew in for the kill. Lose focus in Nature for even a fraction of a second, and it's over.







Pheasant Branch, Dane, US-WI
Feb 15, 2014 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
29 species

Canada Goose
Mallard
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Northern Shrike
Blue Jay
American Crow
Horned Lark
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
American Robin
European Starling
American Tree Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

All images © 2014 Mike McDowell

Winter's Grip!

Winter's grip on southern Wisconsin remains strong, yet there are phenological hints and cues serving as signs that spring isn't too far off. They may be subtle, but they don't go unnoticed by the naturalist. At Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Northern Cardinals are singing and beginning to establish and defend territories.


Cedar berries

Since the winter solstice, the length of day has increased about an hour and ten minutes. That's real progress isn't it? Still, even when the sun has reached solar noon, the shadows remain very long. We're definitely earning spring this winter season. It's been a long time since I've experienced a winter as harsh as this one. I've seen more snow, but not such constant bitter cold. I've gotten so used to below-zero temperatures that 10 degrees Fahrenheit doesn't feel all that bad!


The creek corridor


Northern Cardinal

Many songbirds frequent the little springs near the Conservancy Condos, but this morning a Cooper's Hawk was perched nearby. Four White-throated Sparrows were perched in the tangle just above the water keeping a sharp lookout. An American Robin was there, too, preening its feathers after having taken a bath in the comparatively warm water. The hawk flushed when some other people walked by, giving the songbirds a little respite.


White-throated Sparrow


American Robin

I came upon a Tufted Titmouse that was perched perfectly still while absorbing warmth from the sun. Looking at it through my spotting scope, I could see it breathing. I anticipated it would likely stretch its wings before taking flight. And so it did!


Tufted Titmouse

Pheasant Branch, Dane, US-WI
Feb 9, 2014 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
25 species

Canada Goose
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
American Kestrel
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
American Robin
European Starling
American Tree Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

All images © 2014 Mike McDowell

Wisconsin Snowy Owl captured by Falconer

Did you know that it's perfectly legal for a falconer to remove a first-year Snowy Owl from the wild and train it for hunting? I didn't. But it happened in Wisconsin on January 30th near Freedom. The story broke on a wildlife rehabber's Facebook page, but was eventually deleted. The topic was posted in Wisconsin Birding on Facebook, but removed by the moderators because of mean-spirited comments. Even the falconer who took the Freedom snowy removed the post (which included a photograph of the owl) from his personal Facebook page.

So, what about the law?

From Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Chapter NR 18 FALCONRY:

NR 18.01 (10) "Raptor" means a live, migratory bird of the Orders Accipitriformes, Falconiformes, or Strigiformes, including the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos).

NR 18.02 (1) The raptors covered by this chapter include those raptors species whose range extends into any part of Mexico, the United States, or Canada.

NR 18.12 (7) Except as otherwise authorized, a permittee may not take from the wild or possess any raptor taken from the wild if the raptor is over one year old when taken. This subsection does not apply to the American kestrel or great horned owl (Bubo virginianus).

You can read all of the regulations here.

To be sure, this is an emotional and controversial subject for birders, but not so much for falconers. I recently interviewed Bryant Tarr, a falconer from Lyndon Station who is also the Curator of Birds at the International Crane Foundation. Tarr admitted that owls don't make particularly good birds for falconry, but it is still legal. And you cannot deny their personal passion for their activity. "It is the way I personally choose to interact with and enjoy nature. It is life affirming and very fulfilling for me" Tarr said.

I'll bet the overwhelming majority of birders in Wisconsin are unaware that just last summer the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources adopted the latest falconry regulations that shifted from joint Federal and State regulations to just State. Leading up to this, for several years there were ample opportunities for public input. Where were the birders?

With eBird, listservs, and bird reporting groups on social media, it's relatively easy for a falconer to find the location of a Snowy Owl or other raptor. It certainly puts into question how much information birders ought to divulge before posting a report. One thing I do is submit my owl sighting to eBird several weeks after the actual observation, but I only do this for northern irruptive species. Recently, the Wisconsin Birding Facebook page restricted access to posts for members only (for other reasons), nevertheless there are a few falconers there.

Falconry and birding shouldn't necessarily be seen as mutually exclusive pastimes. Even Tim Gallagher, editor-in-chief of the Cornell of Laboratory of Ornithology's Living Bird magazine, is an avid falconer. You'll find falconers who are birders and birders who are not falconers on the same side of bird conservation issues.  But the problem isn't falconers, birders, listservs, or Facebook groups; the problem – if there is one – is with the law that makes it legal to remove an owl from the wild. To that end, there is a petition at change.org that may be of interest to readers of this blog.

I have to admit I was rather shocked to learn that owls are fair game to falconers, but after discussing the issue with a couple of falconers, I'm not ready to say the law needs to be changed. Tarr said, "Very few owls are currently flown nationwide. None that I know of in Wisconsin." He added, "Taking a bird for falconry is certainly for self-interest and is not essential for the survival of that individual, although statistically speaking it benefits more than half of them that would likely perish their first winter anyway."

Related link: Falconry - Bloodsport or Alternative form of birding?

Sony RX100 II for digiscoping

Time goes by so quickly. It's hard to believe the Nikon 1 V1 is already three year old camera technology. Now that I've gotten used to a mirrorless interchangeable-lens system, I don't think I'll ever go back to using a point-and-shoot camera. But when a quality point-and-shoot camera that works well for digiscoping comes to my attention, I like to let others know about it. I've not personally used the Sony RX100 II for digiscoping, but renowned digiscopers Paul Hackett and Kevin Bolton are and have been posting impressive results online. As point-and-shoot cameras go, the RX100 II is reasonably priced, but Kevin has emphasized that it works best for digiscoping with the $450.00 Sony FDA-EVM1K Electronic Viewfinder.

Want to find out which digital cameras digiscopers are using and talking about online? Join the Facebook Digiscoping Group or the Digiscoping Tech Group on Yahoo.

All is right in the woods

Pheasant Branch Conservancy - the prairie parcel 

It was the type of day that made it feel like spring is right around the corner, but I know we'll get a lot of wintery weather through February and March. Though we reached temperatures in the mid-thirties today, we're looking at below-zero lows once again this coming week. I'm glad I seized the opportunity to take a long walk through the entire conservancy.

I scanned around the prairie with my binoculars. There was an American Kestrel at the north end and a Red-tailed Hawk soaring over the drumlin. I hiked the trails looking for the Northern Shrike, but I struck out. I'm sure it's still around somewhere. There were a few American Tree Sparrows and a Ring-necked Pheasant in the tall grass, but little else of notice.


The Overlook

From the prairie, I made my way to the overlook, which is my favorite locations at the conservancy to bird during the winter. Things were somewhat quiet until I got closer to the small springs where I heard an American Robin chirping and lots of chickadees singing. Northern Cardinals and American Tree Sparrows were also vocal at times, occasionally delivering full renditions of their songs.


Near the Conservancy Condos

The Barred Owl was comfortably perched as at its usual roost site. I really do have ample images of this particular bird, so I quickly took only two photographs and moved on. If you look closely, you can see a couple of its talons at the bottom of the picture. Should you happen to come across this owl, it's best if you look for a few seconds and move on. If you stay too long, it will fly off to a different tree. I wonder what this owl is doing at this moment. It's nighttime right now. I like to imagine the feathered hunter gliding through the trees in pursuit of its prey under a starlit sky.


Barred Owl

The springs near the condos is a small oasis. Its proximity to the bird feeders means the area is vibrantly alive with songbirds coming and going. It's the only location in the entire conservancy where I can reliably find White-throated Sparrows throughout the winter months. This particular sparrow seemed content with its perch, occasionally delivering a contact call with the other white-throats. I saw one of the Fox Sparrows, but it wasn't nearly as cooperative.


White-throated Sparrow





Near the entrance to the eastern leg of the creek corridor, I heard a serious commotion between Blue Jays, Black-capped Chickadees, and White-breasted Nuthatches. There may have been other birds involved in this mobbing, but their voices were drowning out everything else. I immediately knew that I was in the company of an owl. It didn't take me long to find the source of their distress.


Great Horned Owl (mobbing chickadee in foreground)

After enduring several minutes of agitated songbirds, the owl's peace was slowly restored. The Blue Jays were the first to flee the scene. Then one by one, or in pairs, the chickadees and nuthatches moved on and resumed foraging. All was right in the woods.



Pheasant Branch, Dane, US-WI
Jan 19, 2014 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
29 species

Canada Goose
Ring-necked Pheasant
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Barred Owl
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
American Kestrel
Blue Jay
American Crow
Horned Lark
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
American Robin
European Starling
American Tree Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

All images © 2013 Mike McDowell

Still just January ...

Fox Sparrow

The Fox Sparrows and White-throated Sparrows at Pheasant Branch Conservancy endured the dreadful and infamous Polar Vortex! I'm not at all surprised, really. They're pretty hardy birds and have successfully over-wintered at the conservancy before. They're far more likely to perish at the talons of the Cooper's Hawk that routinely patrols the area. But so far, so good. Only a few more months before they'll make their return journey north to the boreal forests of Canada.

At the prairie parcel I ran into Chuck Henrikson. We checked the north side of the prairie and dogwood to the south for the Northern Shrike, but didn't find it. It was reported by another birder on the previous day along with a Merlin. We also checked the big springs, but the only birds there were a single Red-belied Woodpecker and a few American Crows. A couple of flyover Ring-billed Gulls were the only new species I added to my list.

There were fewer birds compared to a week ago, but this could be attributed to me missing the morning peak feeding period by roughly an hour. The trails were icy and slippery. I could have used some Yaktrax. By the time I actually get around to buying some, the trails will probably have thawed. It was an uneventful outing, but it's still good to get outside, breathe the fresh air and get some exercise. I feel the winter doldrums setting in, but by the end of next month the Sandhill Cranes will be back.

Pheasant Branch, Dane, US-WI
Jan 12, 2014 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
24 species

Mallard
Cooper's Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
American Tree Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Fox Sparrow © 2014 Mike McDowell

Yikes!

Monochromatic Morning

Happy New Year!

After breakfast this morning, I headed out to Pheasant Branch Conservancy for my first 2014 birding excursion. Apart from abundant Northern Cardinals, there was very little color in the woods. Whenever I find the conservancy in this state, I'm more inclined to switch my camera to B&W mode. I think it better represents the wintery mood I feel when I'm there.



This female Great Horned Owl was roosting at her usual spot along the creek corridor. The male was busy with American Crows a couple hundred yards to the east.  The ornery mobbing calls are annoying even to me and I can only imagine what it's like for an owl. If a Great Horned Owl really wanted to, it could easily take out a crow. In fact, a couple of times over the years I discovered a pile of crow feathers beneath Great Horned nest and roost sites. Did the owl do it? Whooo knows!



There are a few spots like this along the creek corridor where there are windows to the water throughout winter. Interesting ice formations often grow where water splashes on rocks. I've actually observed songbirds access the water by hovering or making a diving flight to get a quick drink.



Birds weren't the only active wildlife enduring the cold temperatures for sustanence. Several Eastern Gray Squirrels were busy digging through snow in search for nuts to eat. Temperatures were in the single digits when I started out, but rose to a balmy 12 degrees Fahrenheit by the time I left. I'm perpetually impressed with all the strategies critters employ to stay warm in the bitter cold weather.

Pheasant Branch, Dane, US-WI
Jan 1, 2014 9:15 AM - 12:00 PM
30 species

Canada Goose
Cooper's Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Barred Owl
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
American Robin
European Starling
American Tree Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

All images © 2014 Mike McDowell