"There are consequences to ignoring consequences that are a consequence of my blatant unwillingness to learn from my consequences."
― Craig D. Lounsbrough
How can it be mid-April already?
Saturday brought just enough warmth to coax tiger beetles out of their burrows at the Sauk City Canoe Launch. On the way, Sue and I made a quick stop at the end of street near agricultural fields to check for Vesper Sparrows, a mere stone's throw from the Wisconsin River.
Three males were counter-singing along the fence line. There was once more ideal habitat here, but development for commerce is steadily encroaching. This population's days are likely numbered. It's a sobering reminder that habitat loss remains the greatest threat to wild creatures we share the planet with.
In Wisconsin, the Vesper Sparrow is listed as a Special Concern species, a reflection of the shrinking habitat they depend on. I'm fortunate to still know of other places they nest, but the steady loss of habitat means fewer birds in the future. We often speak of inherent rights and protections for ourselves, yet rarely consider offering the same to wildlife we push aside. They have a voice. They're singing, “This place belongs to me!” But we don't truly hear them—not necessarily out of malice, but ignorance. We've built a world so loud, their voices are easy to miss.
And then to the beach for tiger beetles ...
Birding began earlier that morning along the Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor, so by the time we arrived, the tiger beetles were already out and actively hunting—a pain in the ass to photograph. I still enjoy the challenge, but crouching, lunging, and belly-crawling sometimes makes me feel like I'm getting too old for the ninja routine.
They're all Bronzed, Cicindela repanda—the most common tiger beetle species in my part of the state, but they're still pretty awesome. There's something about rare species that just gets the heart racing, while common ones seem to get overlooked. It's partly the scarcity effect—we naturally place more value on things that are harder to find. Rare species feel more exciting because they're unique, and encountering them gives us a sense of achievement or exclusivity.
On the flip side, common species can lose some of that thrill due to familiarity, or what psychologists call habituation. For those of us who spend time really observing Nature, common critters still hold plenty of value—whether it's their behavior, role in the ecosystem, or just the joy of seeing them. Sure, the rare ones might grab our attention more, but that doesn't mean the love for the everyday creatures isn't just as deep.
And then off to Baxter's Hollow for LOWA!
There was just one—heard but not seen. Still counts, so [✔] Louisiana Waterthrush. Back in 2008, I had one of the earliest spring arrivals on record: April 3rd at Pheasant Branch. A friend who lived near Blue Mounds State Park once reported them in late March. Those birds really don’t waste any time getting spring started!
Along Otter Creek, the Hepatica was further along, but found just a single open Bloodroot.
And that's a wrap—another 30,000-step weekend of exploring in the books! I likely added a dozen or so new birds to the year list, but I'm still trailing Dane County’s most Reliable Birders by a solid double-digit margin.
I think this is everything observed over the weekend ...
Branta canadensis
Aix sponsa
Spatula discors
Spatula clypeata
Mareca strepera
Mareca americana
Anas platyrhynchos
Anas crecca
Aythya valisineria
Aythya americana
Aythya affinis
Bucephala albeola
Lophodytes cucullatus
Mergus serrator
Oxyura jamaicensis
Meleagris gallopavo
Zenaida macroura
Fulica americana
Charadrius vociferus
Tringa melanoleuca
Chroicocephalus philadelphia
Larus delawarensis
Larus argentatus
Podilymbus podiceps
Gavia immer
Ardea herodias
Cathartes aura
Pandion haliaetus
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Buteo jamaicensis
Megaceryle alcyon
Melanerpes carolinus
Dryobates pubescens
Dryobates villosus
Dryocopus pileatus
Colaptes auratus
Falco sparverius
Sayornis phoebe
Cyanocitta cristata
Corvus brachyrhynchos
Poecile atricapillus
Baeolophus bicolor
Tachycineta bicolor
Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Hirundo rustica
Regulus calendula
Regulus satrapa
Sitta carolinensis
Certhia americana
Troglodytes hiemalis
Thryothorus ludovicianus
Sturnus vulgaris
Catharus guttatus
Turdus migratorius
Bombycilla cedrorum
Passer domesticus
Haemorhous mexicanus
Spinus tristis
Spizella pusilla
Passerella iliaca
Junco hyemalis
Zonotrichia albicollis
Pooecetes gramineus
Melospiza melodia
Melospiza georgiana
Sturnella magna
Agelaius phoeniceus
Molothrus ater
Quiscalus quiscula
Parkesia spp.
Setophaga coronata
Cardinalis cardinalis
All images © 2025 Mike McDowell