Fall Migrant Songbirds - October 7th @ 7:15 a.m.
The main focus of this field trip will be sparrow species, including Fox, White-throated, White-crowned, Lincoln's and many others. We will also be looking for late warblers, flycatchers, thrushes and other fall migrants.
Meet at the Dane County unit of Pheasant Branch Conservancy, which is about a mile-and-a-half north of Century Avenue in Middleton on Pheasant Branch Road. This is the third parking lot for the conservancy on the right as you drive north out of Middleton. The field trip will begin at 7:15 a.m. Bring warm clothes for cool early morning fall weather.
Several sparrow species can be viewed at this spot on any given outing throughout the month of October. A few years ago, on a particularly great day, I had 14 sparrow species including a Harris's Sparrow foraging in the lush habitat. A natural springs is surrounded by dense tangle of dogwood and willow, providing great cover with plenty of food and water for the birds. Many of the sparrow photographs in my gallery were taken there and is one of my favorite sites for digiscoping.
Fox Sparrow image © 2006 Mike McDowell