Spring Ephemerals and Birds, April 21, Dane County, WI

With this weekend being a rather dismal chilly rainy day here in southern Wisconsin, I finally found a little time to chip away at my backlog of images. I've hardly made a dent when I consider I have two weeks of Columbia pictures, a week of south Texas photos and a new onslaught of Wisconsin spring migration photos to yet deal with. I figure I just need to jump in where my interest sparks.
That brings me to the recent past, April 21, 2016. This was my first sincere Wisconsin birding effort to see some spring migrants following my return from the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

I began my day late morning with some birding at Pheasant Branch Conservancy in Dane County where I saw my several first of the year birds for Wisconsin including Pine, Palm and Orange-crowned Warblers, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and Chipping and Field Sparrows. Though earlier morning birders had no difficulty finding several Pine Warblers, I had to scrounge for mine, finally locating this bird feeding on seed in a feeder on the conservancy boundary.

I was just as engrossed with the spring ephemerals as I was the birds...

Bloodroot

Virginia Bluebells

Prairie Trillium

Following lunch, I headed west for my second spring visit to Walking Iron County Park in western Dane County, Wisconsin. I was checking once again to see if the Red-shouldered Hawks returned to nest again this year. To my disappointment I found no evidence of this species in the area other than a Blue Jay doing a spot on imitation of a Red-shouldered Hawk call. Booo.

However this park has such a remarkable diversity of habitats and interesting flora that I can always find something to captivate my attention.

The Dutchman's Breeches were in full bloom blanketing the hill side. Upon my descent into the creek valley I stopped to admire the scene and capture some images.

During the stillness of observation I was taken aback when I heard a Ruffed-Grouse drumming across the creek. I listened through 11 renditions spaced apart by several minutes each. Though I frequently see Ruffed Grouse in northern Wisconsin and the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan this was my first observation in Dane County. Experiencing the drumming is eerily quite cool the way one feels the thumping wingbeats in your chest.

The woods adjacent to the stream held other interesting spring ephemerals and fungi...

Rue Anemone

I didn't capture many bird images on this visit even though I certainly encountered new species for the year including Vesper Sparrow, Eastern Towhee and Brown Thrasher. Most amusing was this Yellow-bellied Sapsucker that captured my attention by its drumming on one of the metal trail marker signs. When it noticed my approach it flew to another section of park resuming its amplified drumming on another metal sign.

In the sand prairie, the Pasque Flowers were at or approaching peak. As they senesce they will turn more brilliant purple with red centers.

Prairie smoke was still in bud. This location abounds with this species. At the time of this writing it likely now in full bloom.

Lyre-leaved Rock Cress was also flowering in small numbers. This is the host plant of Olympia Marble butterflies though I've not encountered this species at this location.

In the Gorges

Saturday night the radar and winds looked decent for bird migration. However, the weather forecast was "meh" with light rain and moderately windy conditions forecast for the morning .

Given the potential for rain and temps forecast in the 30s for the early Sunday morning, I set my alarm accordingly for a late start time (conducive to my preference for sleeping in). But bird I was going to since it would be my only opportunity to do so before my extended visit to Texas. Plus I find birding on dismal days pleasantly solitary with most people tending to stay indoors under threat of rain and chill. My calculation proved delightfully true.

I was hopeful a Louisiana Waterthrush might show up somewhere in Wisconsin (like where I would be going). However upon waking on Sunday, the radar looked pretty discouraging for much of anything new arriving. Field observations proved the morning's radar to be correct.

My birding yielded the usual forest birds that were recently reported. I birded Pheasant Branch Conservancy (Dane Co) in the late morning and Baxter's Hollow State Natural Area (Sauk Co) in the afternoon. Given I hadn't done a whole of lot of woodland birding recently, despite no new arrivals, a few species were first of the years (FOY) for me.

My second calculation of the day was to go where I would be sheltered from the wind. Birding in the wind ranks lower than birding in subzero temps in my opinion. The gorges carved out by the creeks at Pheasant Branch and Baxter's Hollow provide a much desired ambient shelter on most windy days. I found both places to be rather serene with only the occasional breeze. In addition to be calm for birding, both locations were also targeted for their Louisiana Waterthrush potential (would be FOY).

Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pheasant Branch Conservancy

It was in the low 40s when I arrived at the creek corridor of Pheasant Branch. The theme for birding here was "grounded." Lack of insects in the canopy had the kinglets and Yellow-rumped Warblers (FOY) joining the typical ground dwelling Winter Wren in a mad search for insects among the leaf litter and moss. Even the Eastern Phoebes were found low, poaching insects from the warmer asphalt path.

Eastern Phoebe, Pheasant Branch Conservancy

Sitting quietly at the creek's edge I had my first of the year stunning looks at Winter Wren and Yellow-rumped Warbler. The Winter Wren quietly snuck in foraging among the rocks, roots and lichens.

Winter Wren working the rocks, moss and roots

Eventually, he began quietly singing. His song was so slight, had I not been so close, I imagine it would not have been audible above the din of the creek rapids. For a time I was unsure if the bird I was observing was the one singing since I could not see his bill opening, but indeed he was.

Delicately trilling Winter Wren

Despite having Golden-Crowned Kinglets at my feet nearly everywhere I walked, I struggled to get a satisfactory photo, challenged by the low light and their typical continuous movement.

Golden-crowned Kinglet looking back at me

Though much fewer in number, Ruby-crowned Kinglets (FOY) also joined the party of birds among the rocks adjacent to the creek.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Other notable FOYs included fairly numerous Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and a single Hermit Thrush which never provided any great photo ops.

After lunch, I headed to Baxter's Hollow State Natural Area in the Baraboo Hills. The birds species there were similar to the morning with the addition of Barred Owls and Pileated Woodpeckers calling. Shortly after arriving, I quickly discovered Baxter's Hollow is apparently a dog park on Sundays despite pets generally not being allowed on any Nature Conservancy property with the exception of a few locations (see "What you cannot do" here). (I feel a rant coming on...) Why is it the majority of dog owners fail to read the signs at the natural areas they visit? Signs that read "No pets allowed" or "Dogs must be on a leash." Enter dog owner one asking me where the trail head is.  Me, I'm thinking, "Why are you asking me about the trail when your dog can't be on Nature Conservancy property?" I say nothing because I fear the all-too-often hostile and indignant response I get from dog owners when you politely point out the rules. Next up dog owners two (a couple). They pull up, get out with their dog and start walking the public road through the property with their dog on leash. No rules broken...yet (I'm assuming the public road is permissible to dogs). Meanwhile dog owner three comes down from the bluff area through the woods with his black lab on leash. Kudos for the leash, but the guy was blatantly on conservancy property near the rock outcroppings, possibly coming down from on top (it sure looked that way!) where NO ONE should be walking. Subsequently the dog owning couple takes their dog of its leash! Now I'm unnerved and can no longer hold my tongue. "I hope your dog is going to stay on the road because dogs are not allowed on Nature Conservancy properties." I get the annoyed, not overly hostile tone with the man's response, "I didn't know that." AS A DOG OWNER IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW AND ABIDE BY THE RULES AT ANY PUBLIC PLACE YOU TAKE YOUR DOG!!! "Let it go", I tell myself after arming myself with photos of each of the three vehicles and their license plates. So I'm going to let it go, but not only are these pets and owners disturbing sensitive habitat, THEY LEAVE CRAP ALL OVER. Yes brown disgustingly smelly crap. Hiking in areas where people bring dogs comes with the need to have land mine dodging skills, and when one fails at such skills, it really stinks! (nyuk, nyuk...moving along...)

Back to why I went to Baxter's Hollow, Louisiana Waterthrush breed here. During early summer an excursion along the Otter Creek can easily yield 3-5 individuals, perhaps more, singing on various territories. With several species arriving early in Wisconsin this year, I was unrealistically hopeful this species had already arrived on territory. April 10 is not even consider record early. But it would seem Wisconsin isn't really having an early spring. We had a brief hint of warm weather early on. But overall this spring has been a mixed bag of odd weather waffling between below average and above average temps in a rather acute fashion.

Hepatica, Baxter's Hollow

At Baxter's Hollow, most of the early spring ephemeral flowers were still emerging. I found limited pockets of flowering or near flowering hepatica, but the landscape was still trending brown with corpse plants of last year. The greens and reds coloring the landscape were mostly provided by the persisting lichens, moss, quartzite rocks and conifers.

I found a single, pathetic looking, frost bitten skunk cabbage bloom. Most of the skunk cabbage still looked like this...(minus the death I failed to notice until processing photos).

Emerging Skunk Cabbage, photobombed by death

Bloodroot...soon.

Trout lily...not even close,

Trout Lily

The sighting of the day came near the top of the road where I discovered a bat flying around. I have since come to learn this bat is the federal and state endangered Northern Long-eared Bat. It landed on a nearby tree affording me some photos and close observation. I proceeded to walk down the tree and attempted to nestle behind some bark before deciding to fly off. I subsequently learned roosting behind bark is typical for this species.

Northern Long-eared Bat!

It's become almost regular for me to find bats during the daytime in April. It never grows old with each encounter feeling newly amazing! I'm curious, do some bats hibernate in the caves of the Baraboo Hills? Did this bat hibernate nearby or was he/she returning for the summer? Was it roosting up in the bluffs only to be disturbed by a man and his dog? Or was it simply out in the afternoon sun hunting for insects?

A couple hours into my visit I reached the trail head. I noticed raucous calls that I first thought might be crows calling from up the valley. Wrong. I quickly realized the sounds were coming from the pond, so I approached to investigate. I surmised I was hearing a chorus of frogs, possibly Wood Frogs? They went silent upon my approach. I eyed a few in the water, but was uncertain on the ID. Further investigation of frog calls confirmed I had indeed heard Wood Frogs. There had to have been a large number calling to produce the decibel level I noted.

Wood Frog

Following a narrow footpath further into the woods, I found a few more frogs. scrambling and hopping among the rocks and dead grass. These were no Wood Frogs, but instead Spring Peepers.

Spring Peeper

I explored a little more off the beaten path and discovered an active beaver pond I was not aware existed on this property.

(photo to be uploaded later from my phone)

I could conclude this by saying, "All that was missing was..." when I ponder the lack of butterflies and a certain waterthrush. Truthfully though, nothing was missing. It was exactly as nature would have it (minus the dogs). The periodic sunshine had warmed the atmosphere to the high 50s, and I felt engaged with natural world.

The bat was simply amazing.

I closed out my visit down by the lower creek of Baxter's Hollow, lying at the bank's edge, soaking in the remains of the day and tranquility of the creek passing through the quartzite boulders.

I could not have asked for more.

Firsts and notables

This past week was the first I've been out birding with any sort of effort since returning from Colombia. The week was highlighted by many firsts.

Pasque Flower, Walking Iron County Park

Monday I birded with my pal, Lindsey. We were treated to the first pioneering Pasque flowers at Walking Iron County Park as well as Eastern Bluebirds.

Eastern Bluebird, Walking Iron County Park

No sign of the Red-shouldered Hawks that nested in the area last year. Hands down this was my best nest find of 2015.

Red-shouldered Hawk nest, digiscoped. 28May2015 Dane Co, WI

Though not firsts for the year, Fox Sparrows have been common on most of my wooded walks. There has been an influx of this species migrating through the state this past week.

Fox Sparrow, S. Kettle Moraine SF, Jefferson Co, WI

I missed Eastern Phoebe on Sunday at Pheasant Branch, but found them later in the week. They have been quick getting down to the business of breeding at multiple spots along the creek corridor.

Eastern Phoebe, Pheasant Branch, Dane Co, WI 22March2016

This weekend I visited Olin-Turville Park while my car was being repaired. Several Common Loon on Lake Monona were firsts of the year for me. In addition I found my first Tree Swallows.

Common Loon, Lake Monona, 26March2016

While driving the beltline I spotted my first Great Egret at Esser Pond in Middleton. While this sighting may be a tad early, by no means are Great Egrets rare in Wisconsin. Even so, an egret at nearby Stricker's Pond drew a few chasers. I suppose for some, the chase is driven by excitement with the early spring were having.While others find it of great importance to maintain number one in Dane County on the eBird roster. Perhaps this bird is the same individual from Stricker's Pond? Perhaps I will rediscover my enthusiasm for Wisconsin birding once the warblers start coming through...

Great Egret, Esser Pond, 26March2016

Common and often overlooked, one can't help but notice the American Robins congregating in fields, lawns and woods in recent weeks.

American Robin, Olin Park, Madison, WI 26March2016

My first Wisconsin butterfly of the year, an Eastern Comma, was the highlight of my weekend. While this species is not as stunning as some of the beauties I saw in Colombia, it was a brief thrill nonetheless. More delicate than the birds, this sighting felt like a prominent sign of the changing season and seemed to provide some promise of new life to be discovered in the months ahead...Or perhaps it is merely a fleeting life destined to perish in the face of the cruel weather forecast a week from now. The parallels of lives are uncanny...

Eastern Comma, Olin Park, Madison, WI 26March2016

Corridor of Serenity

Last week Sunday, in the quietness of the late afternoon, I visited this familiar creek corridor in Dane county.

The bird activity was slow which afforded me the time to view this place via a different lens.

In the stillness of the sunny afternoon, the repeating patterns of light, shadow and reflections were illuminated.

These moments of solitude feel both precious and stolen considering the flurry of human activity that often fills this corridor.

It is only a matter of a month or so when this seemingly serene scene will be teaming with spring migrants and warbler-ravaged birders among the numerous runners, bikers and walkers.

Visions of the impending crowds render such moments as this even more surreal and poignant.

Madison Christmas Bird Count Week

Talk about flat-lining this blog. Here's to some resuscitation... Even though I've been out using my old lug-of-a-camera, the Canon DSLR with its heavy ass lens and also playing with my new camera, the much more portable Nikon 1 V3, I can't seem to find the interest to sit at the computer to process images these days.

However since the pouring rain has thwarted my plans to gull at the dump today, I find myself with time to pull together some recent images from the Madison Christmas Bird Count.

Count week for the Madison Christmas Bird Count ended yesterday. The week was good to me. I added three species to my Dane County list for the year, Common Redpoll, Northern Saw-whet Owl and Northern Mockingbird.

I caught up with a flock of Common Redpolls feeding on catkins in Stoughton on Friday. This group had been previously reported by Steve Theissen.

On count day, the Golden-crowned Kinglets were rather confiding or perhaps just too busy foraging after our sub-freezing temps overnight to care about my close presence.

One of the young birders who joined us for the count also found a Ruby-crowned Kinglet which is a decent bird for any Wisconsin CBC. No photos were had.

I was amazed how close I was able to approach these Cedar Waxwings who were also busily gulping down calories to combat the cold weather.

Funny how an American Robin sighting can fire-up the team. Everyone was unusually eager to get on this bird, a phenom reserved only for count day.

Multiple Northern Saw-whet Owls were found roosting on count day. I was fortunate to observe this one with some appreciated intel from my birding friends. This is only my second daylight sighting of this species and my first in Wisconsin. While it wasn't the most satisfying look, an owl is an owl and I was pleased to see it.

A Northern Mockingbird was likely the most notable bird seen during the Madison CBC. It has continued to remain in the Eagle Heights Community Gardens since being reported by Daniel Schneider on count day. I easily refound this bird yesterday.

A few White-crowned Sparrows were also enjoying the gardens along with the many American Tree Sparrows.


I scoured the garden area for a Merlin reported earlier in the day, but alas was not successful in finding it. Merlin would be a year bird for Dane County for me. With a little time still remaining in 2015 I hope to add a few more species to both my Dane and Jefferson County lists. I could have done better this year. But does it really matter and to whom? My interest has definitely waxed and waned as to the importance of achieving some high total on any county list. Chasing a number can feel so empty and it causes birders to behave in unappealing ways. Keeping it simple (a LOADED statement in my mind) definitely has its merits...and seeking accolades has never been my thing.

Ruby Rules the Roost

Tonight I visited Koshkonong State Wildlife for an evening walk with the birds. The setting sun lit the trees for some splendid views of Myrtle Warblers and Ruby-crowned Kinglets along with smattering of other songbirds.

This Ruby-crowned Kinglet was joyfully going about his foraging oblivious to my presence or calls for attention (pishing).

He kept his ruby crown well hidden.

Then suddenly became attentive. "Hark who goes there?!"

"An imposter!"

And in a proverbial Ruby-crowned Kinglet style of opening up a can of whip-ass, he flared this crown and belted into song.

"Take that!"

While the Myrtle Warblers looked on, "what the hell is all the racket down there?