222 S. HAMILTON ST.

• MADISON • WISCONSIN 53703 • 255 BIRD • APRIL 2000

MAS Annual Art Fair

will be May 6
Mark your calendars, save your
money, find your suntan oil and come
to the 24th Annual Madison Audubon
Society Art Fair, Saturday, May 6,
2000. This one-day event 9:30 to 4:30
PM will be held at Olbrich Gardens,
3330 Atwood Avenue in Madison.
This event is not only a wonderful day
for art in the garden but also an impor-
tant fundraiser for the Society and a
significant cultural event. Plan to shop
(mother’s day is only a week away).
The art fair hosts about 120 fine juried
artists who work in ceramics, metal,
photography, stone, watercolor, wood
and textiles from which they make
fabulous jewelry, sculpture, paintings
and many other beautiful pieces. Bring
the kids. Every Audubon Art Fair fea-
tures face painting and children’s
activities from 10-2PM. Come hungry.
The fair highlights unique gourmet
sandwiches. Take a chance on our
raffle. The odds are thousands of
times better than the state lotteries
and you could walk away with a new
boat for only a buck. Twenty Fourth Annual
We need more than 100 volunteers
Madison Audubon Society
to run the fair. If you would like to
help park cars, make sandwiches, sell Art Fair
sandwiches, help artists, greet volun- May 6, 2000 ❖ 9:30 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
teers, etc, please call Jeannie Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Druckenmiller at 266-2664. We’re 3330 Atwood Avenue ❖ Madison, WI
looking forward to a great art fair and Free Parking, Free Admision,
great weather - see you there. Good Food, Raffle

Wisconsin’s Glacial Landscapes

Free Public Program
What: John Attig on the impact of
glaciation in Wisconsin.
When: Tuesday, April 18, 2000
7:00 p.m. - Refreshments
7:30 p.m. - Program
Where: Bolz Auditorium, Meriter
Hospital, 124 Brooks St.
Madison
Parking: Meriter Hospital paid
parking ramp across the street, on
the street, or Lot 51 north of
Regent and Mills St.
Summer is almost here. Time for bicycle trips, birding adventures and other outdoor
endeavors. It may be a hot summer, but cold, icy glaciers shaped our world. Come to
the April meeting to learn more about Wisconsin’s glacial history.
Wisconsin has been glaciated many times during the past 2 million years. Each
episode modified the landscape and obliterated most traces of earlier glaciations. The
last glaciation occurred between about 25,000 and 10,000 years ago and is known in
North America as the Wisconsin Glaciation. It is during this period that many of the
Wisconsin’s most chacteristic landscape features were formed.
The advance of the glacier into Wisconsin, and the cold climate that accompanied
it, modified the terrain in many ways. Using slides of Wisconsin landscapes and mod-
ern glaciers Dr. John Attig will examine some of the questions surrounding
Wisconsin’s glacial past. For example: How did the ice margin interact with topogra-
phy to form large ice-marginal lakes? What is the origin of the large sand plains like
those in the Sauk Prairie area? Why are drumlins present only in some parts of the
glaciated area? Why do parts of Wisconsin have so many lakes? Why do we find lake
continued on page
 MADISON AUDUBON SOCIETY
President: Joanne Herfel, 241-8009
Vice-president: Amy McDaniel, 238-0450
Goose Pond Resident Naturalists:
Mark and Sue Martin, 635-4160
Editors: Pat & Deb Ready, 873-1703
pready@ku.com
Graphic design: Pat Ready.
Printed by Roemer Printing.
THE AUDUBON CAWS is published
September through July by:
Madison Audubon Society,
222 S. Hamilton St.,
Madison, WI 53703,
(608) 255-BIRD (2473).
Birding hotline, 255-BIRM.
Madison Audubon Web Page:
http://madisonaudubon.org
E-mail: masoffice@mailbag.com
E-mail services donated by Berbee
Contribution deadline is April 3 for the
May issue, for which items may be sent to
Pat Ready, 1210 Oakwood Ct., Stoughton,
WI 53589. pready@ku.com
The mission of the Madison Audubon
Society is to educate our members and the
public about the natural world and the
threats that natural systems are facing, to
engage in advocacy to preserve and protect
these systems, and to develop and maintain
sanctuaries to save and restore natural habi-
tat.
JOIN MADISON
AUDUBON
Student/Senior: $15
Introductory membership: $20
Basic: $35
Foreign: Add $10 in US funds.
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ADDRESS
CITY
STATE ZIP
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find of interest. To have your name omitted from
this list, please check here.
Please enclose your check payable t o
National Audubon Society and mail to Madison
Audubon Society, 222 S . Hamilton St. #1,
Madison, WI 53703. Memberships are shared
with National Audubon and all members receive
Audubon magazine.
Z02
7xCH
Glaciers . . .
continued from page 1
deposits on top of many of the high-
est hills in north-central Wisconsin?
What does permafrost have to do
with the shape of our modern land-
scape? What is the connection
between the great meltwater rivers of
the last ice age and Wisconsin agri-
culture?
Dr. Attig earned a Ph.D. in geology
from the Department of Geology and
Geophysics at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison. He is a Professor
at UW-Extension and has worked at
the Wisconsin Geological and
Natural History Survey since 1981.
His research is in glacial geology
with an interest in the geologic
processes that form glacial land-
scapes. In addition to his work in
Wisconsin, he has studied modern
glaciers in many parts of the world.
This program is co-sponsored by
the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Department of Wildlife Ecology.
You are invited to join Madison
Audubon board members and friends
at the pre-program dinner with our
speaker at Paisan’s Restaurant begin-
ning at 5:15 p.m. Please call the
office at 608/255-BIRD (255-2473) if
you have questions.
Native Plant Sale
at UW Arboretum
Friends of the Arboretum will be
holding their annual Native Plant Sale
on Saturday, May 13 from 9 a.m. to 2
p.m. Enhance your yard and garden
with plants that attract birds and but-
terflies without the need for fertilizers
and herbicides. Over 100 species will
be available that will suit any yard,
sun, partial shade or deep shade, dry
or moist. Put in a native plant garden
and reduce your lawn-mowing needs
— helps the environment twice!!
For more information call the
Arboretum at 263-7760.
CAWS Newsletter Subscriptions Available
I am not a member of National Audubon, but am interested in receiving
The Audubon CAWS newsletter to stay informed of chapter activities. I’ve
enclosed $10.00 payable to Madison Audubon Society to cover printing and
mailing for one annual year.
Mail to: Madison Audubon Soc., 222 S. Hamilton St. Suite #1, Madison,
WI 53703
Field trips for Spring
Spontaneity
It is recommended for all field trips
listed that participants dess appropri-
ately for the weather, bring a snack
or lunch if desired, wear proper
footwear and bring binoculars, scope
and field guide if you have them.
Sundays in April (2, 9, 16, & 23):
Scope Days at Goose Pond
Scope viewing days at Goose Pond
will be held during the peak of the
spring migration season. Spotting
scopes will be set up along the drive
for visitor use on Sunday afternoons
from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Members will
be on hand to help visitors locate and
identify waterfowl. If the weather is
inclement, the scopes will not be set
up. If you have questions or would
like to volunteer as a host, call
Dorothy Haines at 221-1948 or the
MAS office, 255-BIRD.
PLEASE NOTE! Due to the dry condi-
tions, Scope Days may be canceled.
Plan on birding the surrounding area
if Goose Pond is dry.
Wednesday, April 12: Frogs Night
Out
Joint trip with The Nature
Conservancy. Bring a sense of adven-
ture on this trip as you “look” at the
world from a different perspective -
through sounds. Besides listening for
a variety of frog calls, participants will
learn about frog lifestyles and wet-
lands ecology. Bring a flashlight and
wear footgear that can get muddy and
wet (in cold water); bring rain gear if
appropriate. The trip will be canceled
if temperature is below 45 degrees
Fahrenheit or in case of very strong
winds. Call trip leader Bob Hay only
if you have questions; (608/267-0849;
work) or (608/829-3123; home).
Meet at the Mazomanie Wildlife
Area at 6:45 p.m. Directions: From
Highway 14 in Mazomanie, drive
north on County Highway Y for about
4 miles. Just before the highway
bends to the east (right), turn left on
Law’s Drive. Travel on the access
road about 0.25 miles and turn left
onto a gravel road. Follow this about
1.5 miles until it dead-ends at a park-
ing lot. The trip leader will be there to
meet you.
Fri., Apr. 14: Evening at Mud Lake
Wildlife Area
At sunset we’ll watch and listen to
hundreds of geese, ducks, cranes and
other birds as they noisily fly into this
Columbia County birding hot spot to
roost for the night. We may also wit-
ness the courtship flight of woodcocks
and snipes as well as watch other
spring migrants. All these wonders
and more will be explained by Mark
and Sue Martin, our Goose Pond resi-
dent naturalists. Meet at the natural-
ists’ residence at Goose Pond at 6:30
p.m. This trip will last over two hours
until after dark.
If you have questions or the weath-
Directions to Goose Pond: From
the east — Take Hwy. 51 north
into Columbia County, turn left
(west) on County Hwy. K; after
two miles turn right on (north) on
Goose Pond Road, then turn left
on Prairie Road, which is the dri-
veway into the Sanctuary. From
the west — Take County Hwy. Q
north to Waunakee, then continue
straight north to County Hwy. V;
turn right (east) on V; after four
miles go north (left) on County
Hwy. I for about four miles and
er is questionable, call Mark at 635-
4160.
Sat., April 15: Wildflowers at
Walking Iron
Come on this trip to Walking Iron
County Park to search prairies, wood-
lands and wetlands for wildflowers,
such as pasque flowers, dutchman’s
breeches and marsh marigolds. We
will keep an eye out for migrants,
such as bluebirds, hermit thrushes
and swamp sparrows.
Meet trip leader Todd Miller at 8:00
a.m. at the Kohl’s Food Store parking
lot in Middleton at the intersection of
Allen Blvd. and Century Ave. Those
who wish can meet the group at 8:30
at the Walking Iron Co. Park by going
west on Hwy 14 to Mazomanie, then
north on Co. Hwy. Y, then west on
Hudson St. and north on Beckman to
the parking lot on the right.
Be prepared for about 2 hours of
enjoying wildflowers and birds. If you
have questions, call Todd at 242-
8998.
Sunday April 16: Geology of Devil’s
Lake/Baraboo Hills
Ice Age Trail expert Gary Werner
will lead this rugged off trail hike
through the south bluff of the Devil’s
Lake gorge. Starting on Burma
Road, Gary will lead the hike over
several glacier features, through
woods and fields, coming out on
Highway 113. Along the way he will
explain the geologic structure of the
Baraboo Hills and tell us how
Devil’s Lake was formed. He claims
we will not get wet crossing rock
rivers and hiking along a terminal
moraine. As an added attraction we
may be joined by retired Devil’s Lake
naturalist Ken Lange!
Meet to carpool at 8:00 a.m. in the
Kohl’s food store parking lot in
Middleton at the intersection of Allen
Blvd. and Century Avenue. We’ll
drive up Hwy 12 through Sauk City to
Devil’s Lake State Park. Or meet
about 9:00 a.m. at Devil’s Lake, call
Gary for the exact meeting place on
Burma Road. There will be a car shut-
tle before the hike which will last to
mid afternoon. If you have questions
call Gary at (608) 249-7870.
Friday, April 21: Evening at Cherokee
Marsh
Enjoy a few evening hours of bird-
ing in Cherokee Marsh. We should
find cranes, observe the courtship
flight of woodcock and snipe and see
several spring migrants.
Cherokee Marsh, Madison’s largest
natural area, is located on the north-
east side of Madison. Meet at 6:30
PM at the Cherokee Marsh parking lot
at the north end of Sherman Ave.
Waterproof footwear recommended.
If you have questions call Levi Wood
at 277-7959.
Saturday, April 22: Tour Faville
Grove Sanctuary
Tour the Faville Grove Sanctuary
with residents David Musolf and
Roger Packard. This tour will include
hiking through a variety of plant com-
munities while searching for their
respective avifauna. The area
includes quality wetlands, several
restored prairies, a sedge meadow,
savanna, a perched tamarack bog, a
fen and some woodlands. This fledg-
ling sanctuary is being developed by
MAS and landowners/resident stew-
ards David and Roger. They will lead
you through this highly varied topo-
graphical and ecological complex.
Bird sightings should include sandhill
cranes, a variety of migratory water-
fowl, snipes, hawks, bluebirds, mead-
owlarks and other spring migrants.
The tour will include from 2 to 3
hours of leisurely hiking and the
opportunity to explore more on your
own.
continued on page 4
Field trips . . .
continued from page 3
Meet at 7 a.m. to carpool from the
parking lot for the east side Cub
Foods. From Hwy. 30 go north on
Hwy. 51 (Stoughton Rd.) to the first
right turn on Nakoosa Trail. Turn right
again into Cub Foods parking lot.
Riders are expected to share expenses
with car drivers. You may also meet
the group at the Faville Grove
Sanctuary at 8 a.m. by heading east
on I-94 to the Lake Mills exit, then go
3 miles north on Hwy. 89 to N7710
to Hwy. 89 on the right side. Meet
near the old farmstead.
If you have questions, call David at
265-4562.
Sat., April 29: Abraham’s Woods
Wildflowers & Birds
Before European settlement in the
mid-1800s, three large islands of
sugar maple forest floated in the
prairie-savanna landscape of southern
Wisconsin. Abraham’s Woods, a State
Natural Area and one of the UW
Arboretum’s outlying areas, is one of
the finest remnants of sugar maple
forest left in southern Wisconsin. On
this field trip we will be looking for
spring wildflowers - they may be at
their peak, and strolling through the
forest of sugar maple, basswood, yel-
lowbud hickory, hackberry, and other
typical southern mesic forest trees.
Possible birds include vesper spar-
rows, bobolinks and meadowlarks,
red-headed woodpeckers, kinglets,
early warblers, and possible scarlet
tanagers and towhees.
Time permitting, we will stop at
nearby Oliver Prairie, a limestone
“goat” prairie, in search of pasque
flowers fruits, bird-foot violets, prairie
smoke, Richardson’s sedge and the
leaves and flower buds of other lime-
prairie plants.
We will carpool at 8:00 a.m. from
the Super America gas station parking
lot, at the intersection of Verona and
Raymond Roads. If you would like to
pass on carpooling and meet the
group at Abe’s Woods, located just
southwest of Albany in Green Co.,
contact the trip leader for directions.
The trip leader, Andrew Hipp, is a
naturalist at the Arboretum and cur-
rently studying botany at the
University of Wisconsin - Madison.
Please call 241-5045 or e-mail
alhipp@students.wisc.edu with any
questions. We will cancel only in the
case of dangerous weather.
Sun., April 30: Birding Wyalusing
Al Shea, one of Wisconsin’s most
experienced birders, will lead this trip
to Wyalusing State Park, which over-
looks the confluence of the Wisconsin
and Mississippi Rivers.
The Mississippi is a major migration
route for numerous birds and the
rugged bluffs make this breathtaking
scenery a beautiful spot for a spring
adventure. We’ll observe hawks, war-
blers, lots of other birds and maybe a
few spring wildflowers. Bring a lunch,
as this trip will last until mid-after-
noon.
We will carpool at 5:00 a.m. from
the Super America gas station parking
lot, at the intersection of Verona and
Raymond Roads. If you have ques-
tions, call Al Shea at 825-6232.
Tues., May 2: Owen Park Evening
Nature Walk
Come enjoy a leisurely stroll
through Owen Park with trip leader
Jon Sutton. Owen Park is a Madison
conservation park on the south side of
Old Sauk Road. Jon is an environmen-
tal educator with a broad background
in natural history. Having been a bird-
er all his life, he will do his best to
identify as many spring migrants as
show up. We may see thrushes,
woodpeckers, sparrows, swallows, a
few early warblers and maybe an owl.
We’ll keep an eye out for wildflowers
in the woods and the restored prairies.
If an early butterfly shows, Jon will
share his knowledge about these col-
orful creatures as he has become a
butterfly enthusiast.
Meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Owen Park
parking lot near the house off the dri-
veway from Old Sauk Rd., across from
Crestwood School. The trip will last til
about dark, possibly 2 hours. If you
have questions, call Jon Sutton at 238-
7676.
Sat., May 7: Birding Picnic Point
Come join trip leaders Roma Linehan
and Willy Hutcheson for a pleasant
spring morning of birding on Picnic
Point, one of Madison’s birding hot
spots. With lots of shoreline, open
water and a variety of woods, wet-
lands and open areas, Picnic Point is
known for its diversity of birds. By
May 1st, many migrants may be here,
depending on the weather. On the
lake we will look for waterfowl, gulls
and terns; in the marshlands we’ll be
looking for blackbirds, wrens, song
and swap sparrows; in the woodlands
we’ll look for woodpeckers, thrushes,
orioles, vireos and early warblers; and
in the fields and gardens we’ll look for
grassland sparrows. Trip leader Roma
Linehan has over 20 years of birding
at Picnic Point and just compiled a
Campus Area Bird Checklist. Meet at
7:30 a.m. at the Picnic Point parking
lot off University Bay Drive, north of
UW Lot 60 and north of the UW hos-
pital. The trip will last for 2-3 hours
with an opportunity to extend longer.
If you have questions, call Roma
Linehan at (608) 238-5406.
Spring and Summer
Ecotreks
Beginning Bird Walk at the
Arboretum
To be held on Saturday May 27,
from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m., free of
charge. Bring binoculars and bird
books if you have them. The walk is
intended for all ages. If you get the
chance sign up ahead of time with
Madison School-Community
Recreation at 266-6255, registration
# ortrek 303. If you have questions,
contact Jan at 255-7304.
May 13 Field Trip to Horicon
Marsh Bird Sanctuary
MAS, in partnership with Madison
School-Community Recreation
(MSCR), is offering a day trip to
Horicon Marsh on Saturday May 13
from 11a.m. - 3p.m. Engage in
Horicon’s annual Bird Festival activi-
ties and observe the rich bird life!
Bus transportation included, fee of
$12.00/adult and $5.00/youth. Bring
a sack lunch, drink or snack if
desired. Intended for all ages. Please
sign up with MSCR at 266-6255 under course # orhor 301.
If you have questions, contact Jan at 255-7304 or MSCR.
Leopold Education Project Facilitator Workshop
for Educators
Held at Upham Woods in the beautiful Wisconsin Dells
April 28 - 30th, this facilitator workshop will provide educa-
tors with the tools necessary to train new teachers to use the
Leopold Education Project curriculum. Indoor and outdoor
activities based on Leopold’s philosophy will provide valu-
able insights into understanding Leopold’s way of thinking.
The Leopold Education Project (LEP) is an innovative, inter-
disciplinary conservation ethics curriculum targeted for
grades 6 -12, adaptable to grades 4 and 5, that is based on
Aldo Leopold’s literary classic, A Sand County Almanac.
The LEP strives to increase student’s awareness of the land
and teach them how to make responsible choices for our
planet. Funded in part by Pheasants Forever the fee of $195
includes two nights lodging, meals, all instruction, the cur-
riculum Lessons in a Land Ethic, a personal copy of A Sand
County Almanac, the facilitator’s manual, and a biographi-
cal video of Aldo Leopold.
For a registration form contact:
Treva Breuch, LEP State Coordinator
2313 Middleton Beach Road, Middleton, WI 53562
(608) 238-3212
e-mail <wabreuch@students.wisc.edu
Madison Parks
Come join MAS and Madison School-Community
Recreation (MSCR) on a hike at one of Madison’s conserva-
tion parks and at Goose Pond (in Arlington). Led by natural-
ists, the walks are Sundays, 1:30 - 3:00, rain or shine.
Intended for all ages, free of charge. If you get the chance,
please sign up ahead of time with MSCR at 266-6255.
DATES PARK MSCR Registration #
4/30 Cherokee Marsh (North) ortrek 301
6000 N. Sherman Avenue
5/21 Edna Taylor Conservation Park ortrek 302
802 Femrite Drive
6/11 Owen Conservation Park ortrek 001
6021 Old Sauk Road
7/16 Goose Pond ortrek 002
in Arlington, WI
7/30 Prairie Ridge Park ortrek 003
2406 Berkley Drive
If you have questions, contact Jan at 255-7304 or MSCR at
266-6255.
POPULATION AND HABITAT
By Rhonda Dix
Every Added American
Does Matter.
The average American consumes 30-50 times more
resources than a person in the devleoping world. And,
through TV and movies, we are astonishingly effective at
exporting our lifestyle. According to a recent ABC
Newspoll, Americans think one of the most important
problems facing the world in the 21st century is how we
handle population growth and the environment. The quiz
below might give us all something to reflect on and hope-
fully cause some positive changes in our lives. We can be
part of the solution.
Test Your Knowledge about U.S. Consumption
1. While the U.S. has 5% of the world’s population, it uses
what percent of the world’s resources?
a) 10% b) 15% c) 25%
2. How much land in U.S. cities is devoted to cars, i.e.
streets and parking lots?
a) 1/16th b) 1/8th c) 1/3rd
3. What is the annual electric bill to operate all the exit
signs in the U.S?
a) 100,000 b) 1 million c) 1 billion
4. What is the amount of U.S. land developed each year to
build residential and commercial centers?
a) 100,000 acres b) 250,000 acres
c) 400,000 acres
5. The average American consumes over 700 lbs of paper
a year. How much of that is “junk mail?”
a) 10 lbs b) 24 lbs c) 34 lbs
6. What is the annual tonnage of post-consumer waste in
the U.S?
a) 60 million tons b) 100 million tons c) 200 million tons
7. According to the American Moving and Storage
Association, the average American has how many
pounds of stuff?
a) 550 b) 1,050 c) 1,950
8. What is the percent of Americans who have stated that
nearly half the items they purchase they really don’t
want or need?
a) 13% b) 23% c) 33%
9. If all Bostonians (for example) ate one less hamburger
per year it would save...?
a) 2,000 cattle b) 3,000 farm acres
c) 552 million gallons of water
10. What is the amount Americans spend on cosmetics per
year? (Hint: It’s more than the cost of providing family
planning to everyone in the developing world.)
a) $4 billion b) $6 billion c) $8 billion
Answers: C for all questions
Sources: 6 Billion and Beyond, “All Consuming Passion” by the
New Road Map Foundation, US Census Bureau, UNICEF,
Pop!ulation Press
The Fate of the Mourning Hello Wisbirders
By Willy Hutcheson, Madison Bird
Dove Hangs in the Balance Watcher (From the Internet)
Attend the April 10 Hearings!!
This morning (March 7) at Goose
by Karen Etter Hale, Executive Secretary
Pond, I experienced the thrill of find-
If you care about the fate of the mourning
ing all 5 goose species in one spot!
dove, ATTEND YOUR SPRING HEARING AT 7
The BRANT was present from at least
P.M. MONDAY, APRIL 10 and VOTE! The dove
8:30 to 10:00 AM on the west side,
hunt question will be the first one on the ballot.
easily visible (as long as it wasn’t hid-
The DNR Board, Governor Thompson, and Representative
ing behind a larger Canada) from
Dwayne Johnsrud all say the hearings are where the issue will be decided. Many,
Goose Pond Road. Also on the west
if not all, of the hunting organizations are calling on their members to attend.
side were 3 White-fronts, and switch-
Dick Ellis, outdoor writer, says “Take five” (attend and take five friends with you.)
ing back and forth between the two
The Alliance for Animals and RAVEN (Raising Awareness of the Value of
sides were a flock of 44 snow geese
Endangered Nature) urge people to recruit three others and pledge to stay to the
which contained 1 Ross’ goose.
end of the hearing.
Madison Audubon, based on the strong objections of a majority of its members, Parking Concerns –
is opposing a dove hunt in Wisconsin. We agree with the governor (!) that there Learning the Hard Way
are enough species to hunt already, and that this issue will only serve to stir up
A bird watcher learned the hard
unnecessary controversy about hunting. The dove hunt issue is contentious, but
way that when bird watching, one
can remain civilized if we strive for accuracy in the debate. This will add to our
should park on the correct side of the
credibility when addressing other issues of mutual concern. The real enemy is not
road. While viewing a brant along
the “other side,” but apathy on the part of those who care little or nothing for our
Hwy. 60, the person drove on to the
natural resources.
shoulder of the road on the wrong
The hearing in Dane County will be at the Dane Co. Expo Center, where voting
side to get a better view and paid for
will be by paper ballot, due to an anticipated record turnout. In all other coun-
that mistake with an expensive traffic
ties, voting will be by the traditional show-of-hands. The hearing in Sauk Co. will
ticket.
be at UW - Baraboo, in Columbia Co. at the Columbia County Administration
Another time bird watchers were
Bldg, in Jefferson Co. at the Jefferson Co. Fairgrounds – West Exhibit Bld. The
viewing the brant and cars were
entire questionnaire, including other hearing locations, is on the DNR website at
parked on both sides of the road on a
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/nrboard/springhearings/. Anyone of any age can
hill. The County Sheriff asked every-
attend any county hearing and vote on any question. To vote for delegates to the
one to park on the same side of the
Conservation Congress, however, you will have to show proof of residency for
road for safety reasons. Let’s try hard-
the county in which you are voting (anything with your mailing address should
er to be better lookers, and obey the
work). For a very thorough discussion of the dove issue, please see the Wisconsin
rules of the road.
Society for Ornithology website http://wso.uwgb.edu/wso.htm. We urge you to
stay throughout the hearing, as there are other important
questions on the ballot. Question 5 reduces the closed
area for coyotes during deer-gun season. Because of the
Sanctuary Work Days
greater chance that wolves may be shot at that time, – Volunteers Needed
MAS does not believe there should be any coyote hunting Join us for workdays at Goose Pond
during deer-gun season. Question 15 correctly calls for or Faville Grove. Work will include
more control of mute swans, an exotic species which prescribed burning, fence removal,
adversely affects our native waterfowl species. The roadside cleanup and tree planting or
Conservation Congress, after the official DNR portion, removal. The workday will be held
has advisory questions which often become important the Saturdays 15th from 9:30-12:00 and
following year. #45 is about banning personal watercraft from all 1:00-4:00. Bring a lunch if you would
waters 400 acres and less; #46 about Mecan Springs; #47 about like to stay all day. For more informa-
access to our public waters; #58 about the independence of the DNR Secretary; tion Call Mark or Sue (608-635-4160)
and #59 about re-establishing the Public Intervenor’s office - all of which we sup- for Goose Pond or David or Roger
port. (920-648-3313) for Faville at home or
If you CANNOT attend the hearings, written comments can be mailed no later David at work (608-265-4562).
than April 14 to Al Phelan, Conservation Congress Liaison, Wisconsin DNR, PO
Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921 (e-mail comments will NOT be accepted). Wanted Digital Camera
Be aware that while the DNR assures us that these will have the “same weight Madison Audubon Society is looking
and effect as oral statements at the hearings,” written comments will be tallied for a donation of a digital camera to
and reported to the DNR Board SEPARATELY from votes at the actual hearings. take photos of Audubon events and
PLEASE ATTEND YOUR SPRING HEARING! It is YOUR chance to vote. For sanctuaries. Call Margaret at 255-
more information, call Karen Etter Hale at the MAS office, 255-2473. 2437 for more information.

Remembering
Sam Robbins
By Mark and Sue Martin
Wisconsin lost one of its finest and
most widely known ornithologists
when Sam Robbins passed away on
February 19, 2000. Sam was a hus-
band, father, minister and ornithologist
who contributed much to Wisconsin’s
knowledge of birds.
He began bird watching at an early
age in Massachusetts and came to
Madison in 1939 to attend the UW. For
many years he coordinated the
Wisconsin phase of the North
American Breeding Bird Survey estab-
lished by his brother Chandler, was a
regional coordinator of the Wisconsin
Breeding Bird Atlas project and compil-
er for Madison Audubon Society’s
Christmas Bird Counts. We enjoyed
working with Sam on the atlas project
and enjoyed discussing new observa-
tions with him.
Sam was the editor for the original
edition of Wisconsin’s Favorite Bird
Haunts and the editor of the Wisconsin
Society for Ornithology’s Passenger
Pigeon for many years. Many people
learned much about Wisconsin’s birds
from Sam’s lectures, appearances on
Public Radio and his definitive book on
Wisconsin birds entitled, Wisconsin
Birdlife.
For 23 years Sam wrote a weekly arti-
cle entitled, From the Robbins Nest,
that appeared in the rural newspaper,
The Country Today. In his articles, he
frequently mentioned Goose Pond and
we always looked forward to reading
about Sam and friend Bill’s birding
adventures. One article that was titled
Shortest distance to Madison goes
through Goose Pond, was a favorite
saying among Madison birders dating
back to the 1940’s. Sam operated on
the maxim that “the shortest distance to
Madison from wherever he was living
always passes through Goose Pond.” In
another article titled The Atlas
Notwithstanding, There Is Only One
Goose Pond, Sam wrote about the five
species of geese in Wisconsin, saying
“To me there is just one Goose Pond”.
I will always remember at Sam’s
memorial service, his son David men-
tioned that he learned from his dad that
the shortest distance between two
places was not a straight line. On that
day, I was nearly late for the service
because I had taken Sam’s advice and
detoured several miles in the opposite
direction to observe the brant at
Schoeneberg’s Marsh, a “life bird” for
me. I knew that Sam would understand.
Randy Hoffman later related that ironi-
cally, one bird Sam had never observed
in Wisconsin was the brant.
Madison Audubon Society selected
Sam in 1993 as Environmentalist of the
Year.
Memorials in memory of Sam can be
sent to the Wisconsin Society for
Ornithology (WSO), C/O Alex Kailing,
W330 N8275 West Shore Drive,
Hartland, WI 53029. Madison
Audubon gave a donation in memory
of Sam. WSO will likely use the memo-
rials for a shorebird monitoring and
management program.
Best of the Nest, with illustrations by
Sam’s son Rick, features selected offer-
ings from his first 10 years of columns
in The Country Today. Copies are
available by calling 800-236-4004.
Brant
By Mark and Sue Martin
In the Golden Birds of North
American, authored by Chandler
Robbins (Sam’s brother) and three other
ornithologists, brant are described as “a
small, locally common, dark goose –
breeds in the Arctic; winters in coastal
bays – once nearly extinct, it is now
regaining its former numbers. Brant are
primarily a sea goose and rare inland.
In Wisconsin Birdlife by Samuel D.
Robbins, Jr., Sam reported on “seven
reliable reports of spring sightings” of
brant from the late 1800’s to 1990.
Willy Hutchinson’s report of seeing
five species of geese at one location is
like having Tiger Woods hit 2 “hole in
ones” in a row. This was first time that
anyone in Wisconsin has accomplished
this feat. Sam listed five species of wild
geese in Wisconsin - regular (snow
goose, Canada goose), rare (white-front
goose, brant) and accidental (Ross’
goose).
YES, I want to make the
Goose Pond vision a reali-
ty. Here is my contribution
to the Goose Pond
Campaign.
[ ] Acre Maker. $1,000 or more
to buy and restore another acre
of land at Goose Pond.
[ ] Half-Acre Maker. $500-
$999 to buy and restore anoth-
er half-acre of land at Goose
Pond.
[ ] Adopt An Acre. I pledge
$100 a year for three years
($300 total) toward Goose
Pond restoration. Here is my
first installment.
[ ] Nest Egg. I pledge $50 a
year for three years($150 total).
Here is my first installment.
[ ] My Own Vision. $
to help as much as possible.
Name
Address
In Memory of
In Honor of
For Gifts Honoring Another: Send
Acknowledgement to (name and
address)
Contributions will be acknowledged
near the Goose Pond Information
Board as follows: $1,000 or more-
name to appear on a permanent
plaque; $250-$999-name to appear
on engraved paving brick.
Acknowledge in Madison
Audubon Society Newsletter
Do not acknowledge in Madison
Audubon Society Newsletter
Make checks payable to Madison
Audubon Society and mail to:
Madison Audubon Society, 222 S.
Hamilton Street, Suite #1, Madison,
WI 53703
Tax deductible to the extent allowed
by law.
Madison Audubon Society’s
financial statement is available
upon request.
NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION ALERT
Help Protect the Waters of Wisconsin!
by Karen Etter Hale, Executive Secretary
Polluted runoff from construction
sites, streets, fields and feedlots
continues to be a serious problem in
Wisconsin, as does uncontrolled
access of livestock to our state’s lakes,
streams and wetlands. The proposed
“nonpoint pollution” rules, over 450
pages developed by both DNR and
DATCP (Department of Agriculture,
Trade, and Consumer Protection), are
an opportunity to clean up our
waters. Please send comments to
EACH of these agencies to make the
rules as strong as possible. Points to
make include:
• Require buffers of vegetation along
all navigable waterways in the state
• Limit livestock access to streams
• Ban direct runoff from feedlots or
stored manure area into all waters
• Ban unconfined manure piles and
overflow of manure storage facili-
ties
• Ban manure storage in floodplains
In addition, tell DATCP to:
• Keep productive soils on fields by
reducing erosion
Madison Audubon Society, Inc.
Joanne Herfel, President
222 S. Hamilton St. Suite #1
Madison, WI 53703
• Provide adequate funding for devel-
oping and implementing nutrient
management plans
• Remind DATCP they have no
authority to adopt different perfor-
mance standards than DNR, the
lead water quality agency in
Wisconsin, and tell DNR to:
• Address thermal, toxic, nutrient and
salt runoff from municipalities
• Reduce soil erosion from construc-
tion sites and croplands
DATCP comments must be sent by
April 19 to:
Don Houtman, DATCP-ARM,
P.O. Box 8911, Madison, WI
53708-8911.
DNR comments must be sent by May
5 to:
Carol Holden, DNR WT/2,
P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI
53707-7921.
For more information, call Karen Etter
Hale, MAS, 255-BIRD.
4/00
MAS Calendar at a Glance
Sundays in Apr.: Scope Days at
Goose Pond, p. 2
10 Apr.: DNR Spring Hearings, p. 6
12 Apr.: Frogs Night Out, p. 5
14 Apr.: Evening at Mud Lake, p. 3
15 Apr.: Wildflowers at Walking Iron,
p. 3
16 Apr.: Geology of Devil’s Lake and
Baraboo Hills, p. 3
18 Apr.: MAS monthly meeting and
program, p. 1
21 Apr.: Evening at Cherokee Marsh,
p. 3
22 Apr.: Tour Faville Prairie, p. 3
29 Apr.: Abrahams’s Woods, p. 4
30 Apr.: Birding Wyalusing, p. 4
2 May: Owen Park Walk, p. 4
7 May: Birding Picnic Point, p. 4
1321 E. Mifflin St.
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 256-1066
Non-profit organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit No. 1831
Madison, Wisconsin