Celebrating International Migratory Bird Day

Saturday, May 4

MENOMINEE PARK, 6am-2pm

Two Big Sits, 6am-12pm

Bird Walk, 8am & 11:30am

Children’s Activities, 10am-2pm

Live Birds of Prey, 10am-2pm

with presentations at 10:30am & 12:30pm

Educational Exhibits, 8am-2pm

Concessions, 8am-2pm

DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH GALLERY WALK, 6pm-9pm

Bird Fest HQ at Oshkosh Masonic Center

Student Bird Art Exhibit

Live Birds of Prey, Falconer, Educational Exhibits,

Metal Bird Sculpture by Steve Yankowski

Photography Exhibit, Oshkosh Photography Club

Plus participating downtown businesses will be hosting

bird-themed art, photography, a falconer, and more.

Visit the Oshkosh Public Library for the photography

exhibit, “The Beauty of Birds”

May 2013 All programs and activities are open to the public Vol. 34, No. 15

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

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Calendar of Events

May 4 Oshkosh Bird Fest (p. 1)

May 11 Frog Night Hike with Randy Korb (p. 1)

May 23 White River Marsh #2 with Tom Underwood (p. 2)

May 30 Costa Rican Bird Connection, Joe Henry, DNR (p.2)

June 9 Paddle Rush Lake (p. 2)

July 18 Wisconsin Bats with DNR “bat team”, 7:30 pm, Town of Oshkosh Town Hall. SAVE THE DATE!

Late Aug./Early Sept.: Monarch Tagging

From the Quiz Master: For your first nature quiz, I should be an easy answer. I am the earliest returning shorebird in spring, making my appearance in March along with robins and red-winged blackbirds. I’m stocky, 10 inches long with a brown back and white underparts. When I spread my tail, you’ll see a rufous rump. My two black breast bands are distinctive and visible from a distance. I’m an easy bird to identify as I frequently call my name. Whoooo am I?

(The answer can be found in this newsletter, if you look closely.)

"Cal l ing Al l Frogs ! " A Night Hike

Saturday, May 11

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Rain or Moonshine

Indoor Presentation: Pickett Community Center 6687 State Road 44, Pickett

Followed by a Night Hike to a local wetland with naturalist Randy Korb

Indoor orientation to Wisconsin Frogs begins at 7:30 pm. Participants will get to know the calls of our 12 species. Children may hold and feed frogs, toads and salamanders during the orientation. Once we're familiar with frogs we'll venture out at dusk to hear them. The eastern gray tree frog is in peak breeding in late May and we hope to hear a lusty chorus. Other local callers at this time are American toads, spring peepers, chorus and green frogs.

Bring flashlights and old tennis shoes or boots. The fields could be wet and muddy.

Open to the public. No pre-registration.

Audubon members: Free

Non-members: $5/adult

$3/child under 17

Non-members may join at the door -$20 family

Birdathon 2013—Sponsor a team, join a team, create a team!

Spring! And a birder’s thoughts turn to . . . counting birds. Here at Winnebago Audubon not only do we count birds, we earn money by doing so, money that is used to fund our programs throughout the year. And you can help! Join a team and go out in May to see how many different species you can find. Make a pledge per bird (a nickel, a dime, a quarter, a dollar) or pledge a flat amount to encourage the birders to do their best. Will you help? Fill out the form below and send to Winnebago Audubon, P.O. Box 184, Oshkosh WI 54903. Name____________________________________________________________________________________________ Address__________________________________________________________________________________________ Email address _____________________________________________Phone number____________________________

� Contact me, I’d like to be a team member.

I want to contribute $__________ per bird or $______________ flat amount.

Last year the team saw 121 different species. All contributors will receive a list of the birds seen.

� My check made payable to Winnebago Audubon is enclosed OR � Bill me when you send me the list of birds.

For more info contact Carla Hansen at 233-1129 or carlajhansen@sbcglobal.net with Birdathon in the subject line.

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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, especially for children. Mary Troudt

White River Marsh, Part 2

Thursday, May 23

Join us on a second visit to White River Marsh Wildlife Area this spring to see what’s changed in four weeks and what new birds have arrived. On this occasion we’ll explore during the morning hours. Meet us on the east side of J.C. Penney’s parking lot for a 6:00 AM departure from Oshkosh. Alternatively you may meet us at the first DNR parking lot on the west side of County Road D about ¼ mile south of County Road F. This intersection is about 2-3/4 miles west of the Berlin Wal-Mart. GPS coordinates for the parking lot are N43.96757° W089.03154°. Our arrival at the parking lot will be between 6:45 and 7:00 AM. We will informally explore the area until about noon. Dress for the weather of the day. Waterproof footwear will likely be unnecessary but could be useful to have along. Consider bringing water, snacks, binoculars, field guides, etc. Be prepared for the possibility of mosquitoes and ticks. Questions? Contact:Tom Underwood at 920-426-0349.

The Costa Rican Bird Connection

Thursday, May 30 6:30 pm

Coughlin Center, 625 E. County Rd. Y, Oshkosh

Joe Henry, Endangered Resources Ecologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, will present highlights of the partnership between the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative and Osa Conservation to protect wintering habitat for 54 species of “our” local Wisconsin neotropical migrants on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica. This partnership was indirectly addressed in the documentary “Our Birds” that aired on WPT within the last year or two. The presentation is a great way to learn about the importance of this international conservation work both for North American and Costa Rican wildlife. The talk will also highlight the wealth of biodiversity on the Osa Peninsula. For example, the Osa is home to one of only four tropical fjords on the planet, the most significant wetland ecosystem and mangrove forests of Central America, the largest remaining tract of lowland rainforest in Pacific Mesoamerica, 2-3% of Earth’s flora found nowhere else in the world, 323 endemic species of plants and vertebrates, the largest population of scarlet macaws in Central America, more than 4,000 vascular plants, more than 10,000 insects, more than 700 tree species, 463 species of birds, 140 mammals including 25 species of dolphins and whales (the only place on the globe where northern and southern populations of humpback whales meet), and four species of sea turtles. In conclusion, folks are invited to get involved either by purchasing shade grown coffee, supporting or forming a team for the 2013 Great Wisconsin Birdathon, or by signing up for a Conservation Birding Trip to the Osa Peninsula.

Paddle Rush Lake Sunday, June 9

7:30 am launch: Plan to be on the lake for 2 to 3 hours.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! Limit 12 boats. You must provide your own canoe/kayak.

Pre-register: wiss@centurytel.net or 920-589-2602

Explore Rush Lake with Tom Ziebell and Anita Carpenter. Learn about the restoration of this important remnant prairie pothole lake from the vantage point of a canoe or kayak. Enjoy a morning on the water, in the reeds and cattails, observing birds and wildlife. We might see black terns, wrens, yellow-headed blackbirds, redhead ducks, bitterns, pied-billed grebes, herons and egrets. What to bring: Canoe or kayak, life jackets, binoculars, camera, sunscreen, insect repellent, drinking water, snack. Where to meet: Rush Lake East Boat Landing on County Road M between State Road 44 and State Road 91.

Spring migration is in full swing. It’s obvious. It’s secretive. It’s vocal. It’s silent. It’s big flocks. It’s solitary birds. It’s dramatic. It’s subtle. It’s diurnal. It’s nocturnal. It’s predictable. It’s unpredictable. It’s the return of local residents, the passage of avian transients, the departure of our winter visitors. It begins in February. It winds down in May. Spring time is an exciting time to be a birdwatcher. Every day brings thrilling new surprises. It’s early April. While gazing upon my yard, I notice movement under the lilac. I ask myself, just what are those two stocky birds which are vigorously scratching aside the snow-compacted leaves? Mentally, I list other clues: big sparrow, rusty tail and wings, streaked breast and large central breast spot. The answer comes quickly. Fox sparrows. WOW! An unexpected and first time visitor to my yard. Fox sparrows are avian transients. They spend winter in the warm, sunny southern United States. As daylight increases, temperatures rise and snow retreats, they’re eager to return to northern Canada to nest, passing through Wisconsin from late March into April. Migrating at night, they settle down during the day. Today was my lucky day for they chose my yard. The largest of the sparrows that we are likely to see, fox sparrows, Passerella iliaca, measure 7 inches. They are nattily dressed in grays and rusty reds which helps them blend in as they pursue their ground-level lifestyle. They are so well camouflaged that they may remain undetected unless they move. Each bird sports a rufous crown, cheeks, tail and wings. Alternating streaks of rufous and gray decorate the back. The rump, neck and parts of the face are gray. Its white breast is heavily streaked with rufous triangles (not spots) and is punctuated by a nickel-sized rufous central breast spot. Both sexes look alike. In

Badger Tracks Badger Tracks Badger Tracks Badger Tracks by Anita Carpenter

flight, the bird gives the impression of a big, round-headed bird with a plump body. The shortish, square red tail is also obvious. Fox sparrows are ground feeders, scratching vigorously, kicking backward with both feet while searching for seeds and hidden insects. As I watched

them scratch, they seemed to put a great deal of effort and force into each scratch, often sending leaves flying several inches behind them. Each bird was so focused on one spot that it might create a small depression in the earth with repeated scratchings. When fox sparrows finally reach their nesting grounds, these secretive birds place their nest on the ground in a dense thicket. They construct a bulky cup nest of twigs, grasses and mosses. Three to five pale blue or green eggs heavily spotted with brown are laid and incubated for about 12-14 days. One brood is raised yearly. Fox sparrow taxonomy is a bit confusing. Four distinctive sub-species have been identified. The other three are found in extreme western U.S. They are dressed in more grays and browns. Our sub-species, which is found east of a line extending from eastern Montana down through central Texas and east to Atlantic Ocean, is the reddest of the four sub-species. Where sub-species overlap, they do interbreed so identification to sub-species level can be challenging. Fortunately, we do not have to deal with this challenge but birds do fly so anything is possible. The fox sparrows graced my yard for one day. I enjoyed getting close up views because I don’t always see fox sparrows every year. If one of these birds had been a male, I wish it would have sung his melodious, flute-like song which is a truly beautiful song for a sparrow. Perhaps tomorrow. Or the next day. I can hope and dream. Birdwatching is unpredictable. Spring migration is still on. Keep watching and listening. What will be tomorrow’s surprise?

The Surprise of Migration

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During the spring and summer seasons our bird friends are busy building nests. Sometimes our porches, light fixtures and outdoor decorations can be as appealing to birds as the neighboring trees. If you don’t mind using your back door for a couple of weeks you can enjoy watching them build their nest, lay eggs and raise their young. If you would rather they not take up residence under your roof, there are ways to discourage the birds. Please avoid Bird Repellent Gels, Pastes or Sticky Strips. These products are marketed as non-toxic and safe, but the reality is these products are NOT safe and do cause often deadly harm to the unsuspecting birds. The sticky material coats the bird’s feet and any feathers it

comes in contact with. Small birds often struggle to the point of exhaustion to free themselves while larger birds may lose their ability to fly as a result of the glue on their feathers. Despite what the label says, these products harm birds and are not safe! Bird Safe Alternatives: Wedge a tennis ball or two in between the house and your outdoor light fixtures. Use ½ x ½ inch hardware cloth to close off any openings along soffits, eaves or under open porches of your house. Use an angled piece of cardboard over ledges. These items can be safely removed when the pair takes up residence elsewhere and does not cause any damage to your home or to the birds.—Aves Wildlife Alliance (www.aveswildlife.org)

For the Birds . . . Or Maybe Not!

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.

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� 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: C1ZZ12GT Mail this form with payment to: Pat Nichols, Membership, PO Box 184, Oshkosh, WI 54903

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

Vice President: OPEN Secretary: Evelyn Meuret 920-573-7828 / evelynmeuret57@att.net

Treasurer: Carla Hansen 920-233-1129 / carlajhansen@sbcglobal.net DIRECTORS Anita Carpenter, 920-233-6677 Zaiga Freivalds 920-233-5914 / zaigam@charter.net Dave Hanke 920-688-2907 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

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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)

Jennifer Baerwald Marian Doehling

Earl Donald Virginia Hannes

William Schmidt Jean Snowhook

Mary Troudt F. Verkuilen

Wild Haunts / 2012 & Beyond By Michael Huebschen

My wanderings in the last year have taken me to some exciting encounters in wild Wisconsin. . . . I returned to the Juneau County Great Gray owl site on 29 March 2013 and watched it make two successful captures of meadow voles. At one point it perched on my camera tripod as I was standing next to it...To read more: www.winaudubon.org/birds/index.html

Quiz Answer: Killdeer