Late July Birding

I spent most of Sunday enjoying the sights and sounds of Pope Farm Park in the Town of Middleton; the weather and lighting was perfect for digiscoping. The panoramic sunflower field is at peak and was announced in a local newspaper, attracting a multitude of park visitors to witness and capture its exquisite beauty. I took a few snapshots with my point-and-shoot camera, but quickly moved on to my primary quarry.



A relatively young prairie restoration effort, Pope Farm Park is attracting more and more grassland birds year by year. I was pleased to find a couple of Bobolinks. Last year Clay-colored Sparrows were somewhat sparse, but now their buzz buzz buzz song can be heard from every corner of the prairie. To the untrained ear, many would likely pass them off for an insect, like a grasshopper or cricket.



The park is also host to more showy songbirds like Eastern Bluebirds and Indigo Buntings. When I took these particular photos, I couldn't help think about a friend from Massachusetts who has never seen an Indigo Bunting. This bird shows hints of feather wear but still retains its gorgeous radiance. There were several juveniles lurking in the dense grasses by the oaks, so I was sure they had a busy and productive breeding season.





Another enjoyable discovery was the numerous Sedge Wrens that have recently taken up residence this summer at the park. Approximately twenty yards from one another, these two wrens exchanged songs practically the entire day. Towering above the prairie, the Sedge Wren below seemed to favor this particular perch, making a lovely portrait of a singing bird.



Pope Farm Park – July 25th, 2010:

Great Blue Heron

Turkey Vulture

Mourning Dove

Chimney Swift

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Eastern Phoebe

Eastern Kingbird

Blue Jay

American Crow

Tree Swallow

Barn Swallow

Black-capped Chickadee

Red-breasted Nuthatch

House Wren

Sedge Wren

Eastern Bluebird

American Robin

Gray Catbird

Brown Thrasher

Cedar Waxwing

Common Yellowthroat

Chipping Sparrow

Clay-colored Sparrow

Field Sparrow

Vesper Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

Indigo Bunting

Bobolink

Red-winged Blackbird

Eastern Meadowlark

Common Grackle

House Finch

American Goldfinch

All images © 2010 Mike McDowell

15 years of staunch environmentalism in Middleton's Pheasant Branch Conservancy

"When angry residents organized against the Middleton City Council in 1995 over a plan to put sewer lines through a nature preserve, many people — including some of the angry residents — thought the group would dribble away once the issue blew over. Instead, the group, Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy, is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year after establishing itself as an often tough-minded environmental voice in the community."

Link: Full Article at Wisconsin State Journal

PBC image © 2010 Mike McDowell

Healing Day

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroats are as numerous as I've ever observed at Pheasant Branch Conservancy; their witchity witchity witchity songs dominate the grassland. With worn plumage, the adult males don't look quite as exquisite as they did in spring, but this one wasn't as bedraggled as most I encountered during my stroll.


Rattlesnake Master

I think it would be interesting to experience the seasonal progression and transformation of a prairie from the perspective of a bird. When songbirds return in April and May, the grasses and plants are barely a foot tall; there are few places to hide and perch. But by the time juveniles fledge, it's a veritable micro-jungle; their habitat increases in size by depth. Birds take advantage of summer's growth by perching atop tall wildflowers (especially Compass Plant) when checking for danger or to hold territories.


Red-winged Blackbird


Bergamot

Carried by a gentle breeze, the fragrance of wildflowers is intoxicating. The fields are covered with Black-eyed Susan and Bergamot. Milkweed is doing exceptionally well this summer, which is good for the Monarchs. I like to inspect the plants carefully to see what might be hiding under a leaf. This time my efforts rendered this colorful Ailanthus Webworm Moth.


Ailanthus Webworm Moth

Taking a short break atop the drumlin, I draw in the panoramic scene overlooking the prairie and marsh. At least for one part of this nutty world, everything I can sense with my eyes and ears is as it should be. But then a lone Killdeer call reminds me of fall migration, what it may mean for birds that winter along the gulf and will be arriving soon. What we've done is heartbreaking and unforgivable, but I try to do my best to suppress despair and enjoy the good day that will help progress toward healing.


Song Sparrow

Location: Pheasant Branch
Observation date: 7/10/10
Number of species: 49

Mallard

Ring-necked Pheasant

Great Blue Heron

Red-tailed Hawk

Sandhill Crane

Killdeer

Mourning Dove

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Willow Flycatcher

Eastern Phoebe

Great Crested Flycatcher

Red-eyed Vireo

Blue Jay

American Crow

Tree Swallow

Barn Swallow

Cliff Swallow

Black-capped Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

House Wren

Sedge Wren

American Robin

Gray Catbird

European Starling

Cedar Waxwing

Yellow Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Chipping Sparrow

Clay-colored Sparrow

Field Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

Indigo Bunting

Dickcissel

Red-winged Blackbird

Eastern Meadowlark

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

Baltimore Oriole

House Finch

American Goldfinch

© 2010 Mike McDowell

Light Pollution: A Growing Problem for Wildlife

Migratory birds are veering off course. Newborn sea turtles are crawling inland rather than moving towards the sea. Nocturnal insects are flocking to the cities. Why all the confusion in the animal kingdom? Artificial lights. Researchers convened to discuss the increasing impacts of light pollution earlier this week at the 24th annual International Congress for Conservation Biology in Edmonton, Alberta.

Link: Full Article from Discovery News

Drinking & Bathing Owls

This is awesome!