Máistir Nádúraí: First Warblers...

8.10.2007

First Warblers...

Tennessee Warbler

The first mixed-flocks of migrant songbirds from the north are finding their way into southern Wisconsin. I checked NexRad late last night and there was detectable migration over much the central part of the country. A few days ago at Pheasant Branch we found a Tennessee Warbler and this morning a Blackburnian Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler and Olive-sided Flycatcher. White-breasted Nuthatches, Black-capped Chickadees, Carolina Wrens and a Great Horned Owl were among resident birds. No telling for sure whether birds like American Robin, Baltimore Oriole and Rose-breasted Grosbeak were nesters at the conservancy or migrants from up north. By the end of next week, there will be a lot more!

Pheasant Branch Stream Corridor 08/10/07:

Ring-billed Gull

Mourning Dove

Great Horned Owl

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Eastern Phoebe

Great Crested Flycatcher

Red-eyed Vireo

Blue Jay

American Crow

Tree Swallow

Black-capped Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

Carolina Wren

House Wren

American Robin

Gray Catbird

European Starling

Cedar Waxwing

Blackburnian Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

Chipping Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Indigo Bunting

Red-winged Blackbird

Baltimore Oriole

House Finch

American Goldfinch

Bio:

Mike McDowell has been exploring and documenting southern Wisconsin’s flora and fauna since 1987, leading field trips since 2002, and sharing his observations on his long-running nature blog since 2005. While most at home at Pheasant Branch Conservancy, his wanderings often take him to regional gems such as Pope Farm Conservancy, Spring Green Preserve, the Wisconsin River, and the Baraboo Hills. His photography has been featured in newspapers, magazines, and books, as well as on a Wisconsin Endangered Resources license plate, a Capital Brewery beer label, and even in National Geographic. In 2012, he received the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology’s Bronze Passenger Pigeon Award in recognition of his contributions to ornithology and community engagement. A skilled digiscoper, he was a multi-time finalist in Swarovski’s Digiscoper of the Year competition. Mike’s interests range widely—from insect macro-photography, especially tiger beetles, treehoppers, and robber flies, to fossil collecting, botany, natural history, amateur astronomy, and long-range rifle marksmanship. A former gigging musician, he has rekindled his passion for Fender Stratocasters, with a prized 1957 Vintage Custom Shop “Mary Kaye” White Blonde among his favorites. After 15 years in IT, he has spent the past 25 years working in the sport optics industry, where his expertise continues to shape how others connect with the Natural World.

Disclaimer:

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the author's employer, organization, committee, or any other group or individual with whom the author may be associated. Furthermore, any assumptions, conclusions, or inferences drawn from the content herein are the sole responsibility of the reader. The author disclaims any and all liability for misunderstandings, misinterpretations, hurt feelings, eye-rolling, second-hand embarrassment, or spontaneous combustion resulting from exposure to the contents of this blog. For the avoidance of doubt, this blog is written for entertainment, education, and/or catharsis and should not be mistaken for professional advice, legal counsel, or the inner workings of a well-adjusted mind.