Audubon’s Birds of America May 7—October 16, 2016

The Paine presents a selection of extraordinary hand-

colored engravings created by renowned American artist and naturalist John James Audubon for his iconic

publication The Birds of America. Dating from 1827 to 1838, the impressive, large-format masterworks (known as the “Double-Elephant Folio”) are the most celebrated work of American ornithology and are among the most

admired wildlife imagery in the world.

Visit the Paine Art Center and Gardens website, www.thepaine.org, for complete details and additional programs and events in conjunction with the exhibit.

The exhibition is sponsored by Horicon Bank. Educational programs are presented in partnership with

Winnebago Audubon Society and supported by the

Oshkosh Area Community Foundation.

July-August 2016 All programs and activities are open to the public Vol. 38, No. 2

P.O. Box 184, Oshkosh, WI 54903 � Published eight times a year Editor: Janet Wissink, 7035 Mountain Rd., Pickett, WI 54964 � 920-589-2602 � wiss@centurytel.net

Check our website for up-to-date information: www.winaudubon.org

Page 1

Birds and Beer Field Trip #2

Sunday, July 17, 1:00 pm

Glatz Nature Preserve, Brewing History

and Root Beer

Learn about this tiny park on the south side of Oshkosh that is a warbler hotspot in spring and is all that remains of a once thriving brewery. Anita Carpenter will lead this easy nature walk and Lee Reiherzer, co-author of “The Breweries of Oshkosh”, will share the history of the brewery and the caverns buried there. Afterwards we can enjoy a refreshing root beer float or other treat at Ardy & Ed’s. Meet at the entrance to the park at the south end of Doty St. near Ardy & Ed’s. Raptors Up Close

Saturday, July 16, 1:00 pm

Presented by Aves Wildlife Alliance of Neenah, this program for children and families will explore what makes raptors different from your usual backyard birds. View Wisconsin raptors up close and in “the living feather”. This program is held in the Conservatory, located at the back of the Paine property along Congress Ave. This family program is free with paid admission to the Paine (free for Paine members and Winnebago Audubon Society members). No reservation necessary.

Eagles in Wisconsin

Saturday, August 20, 1:00 pm

DNR wildlife technician Steve Easterly will delight families with this program on eagles and ospreys. Come learn about these majestic birds, and how the DNR has brought them back from the brink of endangerment. Steve will show you how to identify an eagle’s nest and their eggs, and what we can do to continue to protect these birds. This program is held in the Conservatory, located at the back of the Paine property along Congress Ave. This family program is free with paid admission to the Paine (free for Paine members and Winnebago Audubon Society members). No reservation necessary.

This brewery once existed at the site of Glatz Nature Preserve..

Winnebago Audubon Society extends a sincere thank you for your support

which allows us to continue to provide positive experiences in nature for our community.

Grant Beckfield Sue Jansen

In Memory of Gertrude Zarter Kathy S. Zillges

I’m a mint green, 2” caterpillar with black bands and orange spots. I prefer to munch on parsley, dill, wild parsnip, fennel, and carrot. If you find me in your garden, please spare my life. What do I become?

(Look closely to find the answer in this newsletter.)

Page 2

Calendar of Events

Visit www.winaudubon.org for updates and details.

Now- Audubon’s Birds of America Exhibit Oct. 16 at the the Paine Art Center and Gardens

July 16 Raptors Up Close, Aves Wildlife Alliance. Program at the Paine. 1:00 pm. See p. 1

July 17 Birds & Beer #2: Glatz Park. See p. 1

July 23 Conservation Carnival, Oshkosh Zoo, 9-3:00

Aug 20 Eagles in Wisconsin, Steve Easterly, DNR. Program at the Paine. 1:00 pm. See p. 1.

Sep 3 Monarch Tagging, 1:00 pm. See p. 2

(Raindate: Sep. 4)

Sep 22 Sullivan’s Woods Tour

Nov 17 Native Plants & Birds: Stopover Initiative

Uihlein Marsh

Revisited!

Even the threat of rain couldn’t dissuade 15 individuals from a birdwatching stroll in Uihlein Marsh on Saturday, June 4th. They were joined by special guest, John James Audubon, portrayed by Brian “Fox” Ellis, who revealed his personal observations of long ago on the many birds we saw. For some, including Mr. Audubon, the day’s highlight occurred on the way to the marsh when four whooping and several sandhill cranes were spotted in a meadow. (He posted a picture of the whoopers on his Facebook page!) Audubon revealed that 200 years ago, he thought sandhill cranes were just young whooping cranes. We now know that isn’t true. Avian song filled the marsh this chilly morning. Warbling vireos, soras, common yellowthroats, least flycatchers plus green frogs created a wonderful chorus. Excellent looks were had of black-crowned night herons, marsh wrens, yellow-headed blackbirds, black terns and eastern kingbirds. In all, 42 species were tallied. It was a great morning to be in the marsh. The presence, together with the wit and humor of Mr. Audubon, was a special treat.

Catch, Tag, Release

Migrating Monarchs

Saturday, Sept. 3 1:00 pm

(Rain Date: Sun., Sept. 4)

Location: WILD Center

2285 W. Butte des Morts Beach Rd., Neenah

Take I-41 north to Exit 136 (W. Prospect Ave., Menasha). Turn right onto Prospect, then right again onto Northern Rd. Stay on

Northern Rd., then just over the RR tracks turn right on W. Butte des Beach Rd. The WILD Center is the first place on the left.

Families, friends, young and old alike, can participate in the autumn migration of monarch butterflies on Saturday, September 3 from 1:00-3:00 pm (Rain date: Sunday, September 4). There will be a short orientation and a demonstration of the tagging process. Then participants will spread out over the property to net monarchs. We will then assist you in attaching a numbered tag to the wing, record data, and release them as part of a nationwide research project by the University of Kansas called MonarchWatch (www.monarchwatch.org). We will also tag at Glatfelter Prairie just down the road. These amazing fliers will migrate 1800 miles to spend the winter in the mountains of central America. This event is suitable for children four years and up. We strongly recommend that children wear long pants, shoes and socks. We have a limited number of butterfly nets available for use, so please bring your own if you have one. Fee: Free to Winnebago Audubon members. Non-

member fee is $3.00/adult and $1/child 17 and under. Pre-

registration is not required. Non-members may join at the event for only $20 for a one-year family membership.

Friends of Sullivan’s Woods

This spring approximately 650 4th graders from the Oshkosh Area School District visited Sullivan’s Woods. They explored the various habitats and learned about its’ wildlife. The teachers appreciate the Friends that assist by guiding the students on the trails and discussing points of interest along the way. A big thank you to the following people who donated their time and experience: Carolyn Blassingame, Rebecca Eyer, Aileen King, Linda Loker, Lisa Minew, Dave Moon, Jaci Mueller, Jerry Schaefer, Karen Scheuermann, Barb Urbrock, and Val Williams. In the fall these 4th graders will be returning as 5th graders. They will learn how Sullivan’s Woods has changed over the summer and enjoy nature in the fall. New volunteers are always welcome and needed. Teaching experience is not required as you can learn by shadowing a veteran guide. For more information call Zaiga Freivalds at 233-5914.

From the From the From the From the Quiz Quiz Quiz Quiz Master:Master:Master:Master: I’m a mint green, 2” caterpillar with black bands and orange spots. I prefer to munch on parsley, dill, wild parsnip, fennel, and carrot. If you find me in your garden, please spare my life. What do I become?

(Look closely to find the answer in this newsletter.)

Shoreland Restoration Work Days

July 9: 8:00am-11:00am

Both sites: Remove weeds and woody growth, clean up litter, trim tall plants.

July 23: 8:00am-11:00am

Both sites: Remove weeds and woody growth, clean up litter, trim tall plants.

August 6: 8:00am-11:00am

Both sites: Remove weeds and woody growth, clean up litter, trim tall plants.

August 20: 8:00am-11:00am

Both sites: Remove weeds and woody growth, clean up litter, trim tall plants.

September 17: 8:00am-11:00am

Both sites: Remove weeds and woody growth, clean up litter.

October 15: 8:00am-11:00am Both sites: Remove weeds and woody growth, clean up litter, trim tall plants, save seeds.

November 12: 8:00am-11:00am

For more info contact Michelle Bogden-Muetzel at michelle.bogden@gmail.com

and visit: http://menomineeparkshoreland.blogspot.co

Above: This Whooping Crane was hanging out with a small group of Sandhill Cranes in a soybean field for a few days in the Pickett area. What a treat to see this on my way to work in the morning.

Photo by Maureen Muldoon, who was also fortunate enough to locate it.

Birds in the Air, Everywhere

Have you seen a wild bird up close and personal? Do you know what a bird rehabilitator does? Do you have questions about birds that you would like to ask an expert about? Well, if you are a student of Merrill Elementary, Franklin Elementary or Grace Lutheran, you are in luck. Beka Weiss, bird rehabilitator, with Aves Wildlife Alliance www.aveswildlife.org came to your school and answered those questions and so many more. 500 plus students were treated to programs led by Beka Weiss featuring her live birds. Visitors included a Barred Owl, a Screech Owl, and a Red-tailed Hawk; all birds native to Wisconsin; all birds that were injured and for various reasons were not able to be returned to the wild. That’s what a bird

rehabilitator does. She takes in injured, incapacitated birds, heals them and when possible, returns them to the wild. Those that cannot live in the wild become ambassadors in the community to teach others about wild birds. Beka has various state and federal permits that allow here to have and work with birds. Her sanctuary is located in rural Neenah. She’s the person to call if you have an injured bird. Students sat quietly but excitedly as each bird was brought out. They learned about habitat, nests, eggs, behavior, diet, mating and parenting skills of birds. They met the birds that live in their backyards, fly through their parks and work to keep nature in balance. Thanks to a grant from the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation and the donations from the members of Winnebago Audubon Society, these programs were brought to the school children, increasing their knowledge and appreciation of the outdoors and the animals in it. - Carla Hansen

Editor’s Note: A big thank you to Carla for applying for the grant and coordinating these programs in the schools.

Page 3

Above: Winnebago Audubon sponsored seven programs in the Oshkosh Area School District with storyteller and naturalist, Brian “Fox” Ellis. His use of stories to educate is a unique gift and engages the students to interact.

Above: John James Audubon, portrayed by Brian “Fox” Ellis, visited the Paine Art Center and Arboretum and gave gallery talks and a family program.

Quiz Answer: Quiz Answer: Quiz Answer: Quiz Answer: Black swallowtail butterfly, Papilio polyxenes Nicaragua Birding

Opportunity

Bill Volkert worked as the naturalist and wildlife educator for Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources at Horicon Marsh for 27 years. He has traveled widely in search of the world's birds and the wild places they inhabit. His travels have taken him throughout Central and South America, across the Canadian Arctic, to Africa, India, Southeast Asia, Borneo, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and Mongolia. Bill and his wife, Connie, make their home in the northern Kettle Moraine area of east-central Wisconsin. Here they work together to restore and manage a series of native plant communities on their land, including an oak-

hickory forest, a planted prairie community and native plant nursery, and manage various types of wetlands. On this land, they have now identified more than 600 species of plants and animals, including 202 species of birds. Bill shares his experiences and understanding of the natural world through lectures, presentations, and field trips. Here is an opportunity to go on a 10-day birding expedition lead by Bill who is also the author of “Where to Watch Birds in Nicaragua”.

Birding Nicaragua

February 12-21, 2017

(Special 5-day extension February 22-26)

$2,250 from Managua

(+$450 single occupancy) Extended trip for $1050

(+$200 single occupancy) Trip is limited to 10 people.

For more information contact naturalist@billvolkert.com

or call 920-904-1925. Itinerary available at www.billvolkert.com.

Each May, teams of birders go outdoors to enjoy the beauty of Spring and count the different species of birds that they see. These counts are totaled and used for a fund raiser for Winnebago Audubon. The funds raised support the educational programs sponsored by Winnebago Audubon such as “Birds in the Air, Everywhere” that brings live birds into local schools. (See article on page 3 in this newsletter). This year four teams went out: the Bird Brains (Carla Hansen, Brenda Reese, Curt Reese and Ann Kaufman); Bird with the Best (Betty Harriman, Anita Carpenter and David Gay); the Big Sit at Oshkosh Bird Fest and the Scarlet Beauties (Janet Wissink, Mary Rebman and Evelyn & Carmen Meuret). The teams saw a record number of birds for the Winnebago Audubon Birdathon. 116 different species as listed below. And they had a wonderful day outside with fellow birders. The team Birding with the Best garnered top honors for the most species seen. Great job. Generous donors encouraged this year’s teams, pledging $ 817.00 toward our $1,000.00 goal. The Bird Brains take the prize for most donations raised. Way to go. Donations were received from Lynnel Arndt, Zaiga Freivalds, Mike Brandel, Daniel and Laura Fiser, Bob and Liz Hansen, Richard Hansen, Carla Hansen, Mike Hansen, Erica Schlaug, Ann Kaufman, Brenda & Curt Reese, Dave & Chris Misterek, Pat Nichols, Mary Rebman, Marilyn Shubat, Craig Whitney, Janet Wissink, Anita Carpenter, Evelyn Meuret, Jim Robeson, Kim Flegler, John Pagel and matching donation from Kimberly Clark. Thanks to all of you for contributing to our success. You can still help us reach our goal of $ 1,000.00 by sending your contribution to Winnebago Audubon Society, P.O. Box 184, Oshkosh, WI 54903 and indicating that it is for the Birdathon. Birders saw the following birds:

Birding Those Beautiful Days of May

Canada Goose

Blue-winged Teal Green-winged Teal Mallard

Northern Shoveler Ring-necked Duck

Ruddy Duck

Wood Duck

Ring-necked Pheasant Wild Turkey

Pied-billed Grebe

American White Pelican

Double-crested Cormorant American Bittern

Black-crowed Night Heron

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret Green Heron

Turkey Vulture

American Kestrel Bald Eagle

Cooper’s Hawk

Northern Harrier Osprey

Red-tailed Hawk

Sora Rail American Coot Sandhill Crane Killdeer Semiplamated Plover Greater Yellowlegs

Least Sandpiper Lesser Yellowlegs

Pectoral Sandpiper Short-billed Dowitcher Solitary Sandpiper Spotted Sandpiper Bonaparte’s Gull Ring-billed Gull

Common Tern

Forster’s Tern

Mourning Dove

Rock Pigeon

Barred Owl Great Horned Owl Chimney Swift Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Red-bellied Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Woodpecker Eastern Kingbird

Eastern Phoebe

Eastern Wood Peewee

Great Crested Flycatcher Least Flycatcher Red-eyed Vireo

Warbling Vireo

Blue Jay

American Crow

Barn Swallow

Cliff Swallow

Purple Martin

Tree Swallow

]Black-capped Chickadee

White-breasted Nuthatch

Marsh Wren

House Wren

Sedge Wren

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher American Robin

Eastern Bluebird

Hermit Thrush

Swainson’s Thrush

Veery

Wood Thrush

Gray Catbird

Brown Thrasher European Starling

Cedar Waxwing

American Redstart Black-and-white Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Common Yellowthroat Northern Waterthrush

Palm Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Yellow Warbler Chipping Sparrow

Clay-colored Sparrow

Lincoln’s Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Indigo Bunting

Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Bobolink

Brown-headed Cowbird

Common Grackle

Eastern Meadowlark

Baltimore Oriole

Red-winged Blackbird

Yellow-headed Blackbird

American Goldfinch

House Finch

Pine Siskin

Purple Finch

House Sparrow

American Pipit Scaup sp.

Page 4

Badger Tracks Badger Tracks Badger Tracks Badger Tracks by Anita Carpenter

In May, new shoots of this perennial prairie plant resemble young asparagus spears except they are bluish green and inedible. They quickly elongate into upright stems with a few smooth ascending branches. The alternate leaves are each palmately-divided (resembling the palm of your hand) into 3 leaflets subtended by 2 smaller, much reduced leaflets called stipules. Each oval leaflet is 2 to 3 cm long. By June, one tall, elegant spike-like cluster (raceme) adorned with numerous pea-

like white flowers tops each branch. The number of flowers on one spike can be impressive. I’ve counted upwards of 80 flowers per raceme. From a distance, the overall plant’s appearance is

of a small, bushy shrub topped with white flower spires. Growing an impressive 3 to 6 feet tall, wild white indigo, Baptisia alba, towers over the spring prairie. A closer look at the flowers provides an interesting botanical study. Blossoms at the bottom of the spike open first followed by those above them. Individual flowers last 3 to 4 days. Newly opened flowers are “male” while older blossoms are “female”. During the first 2 days (male stage), a flower produces pollen. By the end of the second day, the anthers (male) dehisce or split open exposing mature pollen. On the third day, the female stigma becomes receptive as nectar production peaks during the third and fourth day. Because of their size and strength, bumble bees are indigo’s primary pollinators. At first, they visit blossoms to collect pollen to feed to their young and, in doing so, may become dusted with pollen. If a bumble bee moves onto a flower with a receptive stigma, it unknowingly pollinates the blossom and is rewarded with a nectar meal. Unlike asters, for example, with exposed and easily accessed flowers, indigo’s pea-like flowers are closed, thus concealing reproductive structures. Bumble bees are proficient at opening the blossom and slipping between the petals to get inside. I tried opening a flower. It quickly becomes apparent that my fingers are not very efficient as I fumbled with the blossoms. Eventually the entire flower fell apart in my hands. A successfully pollinated flower produces an average of 35 tiny seeds enclosed with a green, cylindrical seed pod that turns purple as seeds ripen. I gently shake mature purple pods hoping to hear the rattle of hardened seeds inside. Not all seed pods rattle. I carefully open these pods

to frequently discover small, 2-3 mm black, snout beetles or weevils inside. How do the beetles get inside the pods? A female snout beetle, Trichapion rostrum, drills a small hole in the base of a developing pod in June. After laying her eggs on the pod, she pushes each egg through the drilled hole into the pod with her snout. Larvae hatch and eat the seeds. Weevils pupate in July and either chew their way out of the pod or overwinter inside waiting until the pod opens naturally in spring. How are pods and seeds dispersed? One day in late autumn, I witnessed a wild white indigo (WWI) plant tumbling along the ground. I thought this curious. Did someone cut the plant? Did strong winds break it loose? Later I realized this is how WWI distributes its seeds. As the plant dries up, an abscission layer at the base of the stem weakens. A strong wind breaks the stem and indigo becomes a tumbleweed carrying its pods and seeds with it. The act of tumbling breaks off the seed pods thus distributing them in places other than at the base of the parent plant. In a few years, with a little bit of luck, new WWI plants will grace the prairie. In addition to being a beautiful plant, WWI is an important soil builder. It is in the legume (pea and bean) plant family, Fabaceae. On its long, penetrating roots are nodules containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria called Rhizobium baptisia (bacteria are specific to each plant species). These bacteria convert inert nitrogen into useable components thus enhancing the soil’s fertility for itself and nearby plants. Wild white indigo will be visible on the landscape throughout summer so it’s not too late to discover and study just one of the interesting plants that comprise the prairie community.

White Indigo

Page 5

The flower.

The leaflet.

Snout beetle

on seed pod.

All photos by

Anita Carpenter.

NON-PROFIT ORG

US POSTAGE

PAID

OSHKOSH WI PERMIT NO 90

Winnebago Audubon Society Mission Statement: Advance the mission of the National Audubon Society to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity through grassroots efforts of community outreach and advocacy.

AUDUBON SOCIETY

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

� Chapter Only Membership: Your $20.00 stays in our chapter and you receive the Winnebago Audubon chapter newsletter and all chapter benefits. Make $20.00 check payable to Winnebago Audubon.

OR

� National Audubon Membership: Your $20.00 includes chapter membership and all chapter benefits, PLUS Audubon magazine and all national benefits. Make $20.00 check payable to National Audubon Society.

� I do not wish to receive solicitations from National Audubon Society.

Name: ____________________________________

Address: __________________________________

City/State/Zip: ______________________________

Chapter Code: C6ZZ12OZ

Mail this form with payment to: Pat Nichols, Membership, PO Box 184, Oshkosh, WI 54903

OFFICERS President (Acting): Janet Wissink 920-589-2602 / wiss@centurytel.net

Vice President: OPEN

Secretary: Zaiga Freivalds 920-233-5914 / zaigam@charter.net

Treasurer: Mike Brandel mikebrandel@rocketmail.com

DIRECTORS Anita Carpenter, 920-233-6677 Daniel Fiser 920-573-9135 / dsfiser@hotmail.com Evelyn Meuret 920-573-7828 / evelynmeuret57@att.net Dave Moon 920-235-4429 / djmoon@northnet.net Pat Nichols 920-426-0261 / patnichols@earthlink.net

Important Note: TEMPORARILY AWAY? Please notify us if you will be temporarily away. The post office will not forward your newsletter. If your newsletter is returned to us, we remove you from our mailing list. Please contact Pat Nichols at patnichols@earthlink.net or 920-426-0261 with any questions.

RENEWALS: Your mailing label includes your membership expiration date above your name. If you are a “Chapter Only” member the word CHAPTER will appear after the expiration date. Please renew your chapter membership by filling out the application form below. Thank you for helping us save on the cost of renewal reminders. If you are a member of National Audubon, NATL will appear after the expiration date. You will receive renewal notices from National or you may renew by using the form below. If you are receiving a complimentary newsletter, COMP will appear with an expiration date. Please consider joining our chapter by using the application below.

GO GREEN by opting to receive your newsletter via e-mail. Contact Pat Nichols at patnichols@earthlink.net

Page 6

Welcome to Winnebago AudubonWelcome to Winnebago AudubonWelcome to Winnebago AudubonWelcome to Winnebago Audubon

A special thank you to all those who are renewing

again this year as well. You are invited to participate in

activities of your local Winnebago Audubon chapter. It's a great way to meet like-minded people and to enjoy

what nature has to offer.

If you are a new member of National or the Chapter and haven’t seen your name here in the last couple of issues,

please contact

Pat Nichols, Membership Chair (email me at: patnichols@earthlink.net)

Joyce Cheney

Sandra Hammes

George Haszel David Jones

Louise Mustain

Louise Schang

Cindy Schumacher Karla Seaver

Shirley Tretow

Laura Zornosa

Word of the Day: Dehisce

A botanical term meaning to split open at maturity to release seeds from within a fruit or pod or pollen from an anther.