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222 S. Hamilton St. / Madison, WI 53703 / 255-2473/ www.madisonaudubon.

org March/April 2009

The Return of Osprey to


Southern Wisconsin
Free Program nesters in the southern part of the state
Who: Patrick Ready led him on an adventure to learn more
What: Osprey in Southern Wisconsin about the species. Reading books, talk-
When: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 ing to experts, going on banding trips
7:30 p.m. – Program and spending countless hours observ-
Where: Warner Park Community ing and photographing the resident
Center, 1625 Northport Dr. pair have made Ready an expert of
(Sherman & Northport) sorts on the life of Ospreys.
Parking: Free, near the building Plan to enjoy Pat’s photos of various
Osprey nests in southern WI, along
March 18, 2009
with some interesting tales and factual
“Wings Over Madison” Banquet
I n the mid-1990s a pair of Osprey information about these “Fish Eagles”
with Robert Anderson and his nested on a utility pole in the Yahara as they are sometimes called.
Peregrine Falcon River in Stoughton, Wisconsin. The
nest was soon discovered by Patrick Over the past 10 years several
Reservation deadline has passed. Call Ready, a resident of the city. He became Osprey pairs have nested in the
John Minnich at (608) 327-0129 for space intrigued by these birds as he canoed southern part of the state including
availability. the river. this cell tower nest located in
Pat’s fascination for these unusual Madison.
Many thanks to our sponsors:
Solheim Billing & Grimmer
Michler & Brown
Wegner LLP
M&I Bank
A full list of sponsors will appear in the
May CAWS.

Raffle donors:
John and Judith Hutchinson of Fontana
Sports Specialties
Eagle Optics
Marci Hess
Meuer Art & Picture Frame Company
Wild Birds Unlimited
REI
David Billing of Solheim Billing & Grimmer
Itchy Cat Press
Orange Tree Imports

Madison Audubon is a chapter of the National Audubon Society


Turtle Nest Protection Project
Update
By Greg Geller

Editor’s note: In spring 2007, researcher Greg Geller began a project


with Madison Audubon Society’s support to develop an efficient and
low-cost method for private and public landowners to increase survival
of turtle nests, including both eggs and young turtles, by reducing
mammalian predation via non-lethal means. Faced with ever-shrinking
habitats, high predation rates and direct, human-caused mortality,
many turtle species are in decline. First year results were reported in
the Oct. 2007 CAWS newsletter.

The year 2008 was a fairly good time to test the electric exclu-
sion fences for their basic utility for the turtle nest protection
project, but a definitely poor one to generate large sample sizes.
Things were moving along well until June 8 when both study
sites were completely flooded over. All the nests that had been
laid and camera-monitored until that point were then drowned
and the fence chargers themselves had to be rescued by wad-
ing through waist-deep water. But, three weeks later the floods MAS Art Fair – Saturday, May 2
receded, the turtles again made nesting attempts and soon pro-
vided the study with its first year of data.  New Location: Warner Park
Two fence schemes are currently being tested, both of which Sign up now to volunteer
show some early promise as a way to increase the nesting suc-
cess of turtles by excluding their most important predator, the Spring is right around the corner! And so is Madison Audubon
raccoon, from nesting areas. The combined current tally is all Society’s 33rd
three nests inside the protective fences survived to hatching, annual Art Fair.
while all five of those outside the fences were predated. The Mark your
cameras, two of which are on loan from Madison Audubon, are calendar for
also generating related information on map turtle nesting ecol- Saturday, May
ogy and predator behavior, which adds detail and value to the 2, from 9:30 to
project, as much of this information is little-documented.  4:30 and plan to
It is hoped that positive demonstration of this nesting area pro- attend the Art
tection approach may promote its use on both private and pub- Fair at Warner
lic lands, wherever appropriate.  I remain grateful to Madison Park Community
Audubon for their support and look forward to the upcoming Center, 1625
field season in the truly magical landscapes along the Lower Northport Dr.
Wisconsin River.  This festive event,
just in time for Mother’s Day, features 130 artists displaying fine
arts and crafts. In addition, the fair offers a raffle, creative kid’s
activities, the MAS information booth, and the popular silent
auction that grows larger each year. Food will be available on
site.
More than 100 volunteers are needed to ensure the success of
the event. Help is needed in many areas, including volunteer
coordination, kids’ activities, raffle, artist and volunteer check-in,
artist set-up and take down, plant sale, MAS information booth,
and silent auction. Volunteers are needed the day of the fair, but
also in the office weeks before the event.

For more information, please check out the Art Fair link at
www.madisonaudubon.org, watch for more in the May
CAWS, or e-mail Joanne Herfel at jherfel@gmail.com, or call
255-2473.

Raccoon searching for turtle nests on July 2, 2008.

The Audubon CAWS 2 March/April 2009


YOUR Education training, please contact Dee Wylie:
dwylie@chorus.net or (608) 833-2744.
Wishing you all the best in 2009, and
hoping for the opportunity to work,
Committee is • Planning and facilitating our sec-
laugh, and learn together as we strive to
strengthen the connection between chil-
Planning for a Banner ond year of cooperating with MSCR dren and the natural world.
(Madison School & Community
Year in 2009! Recreation) MAD Camp, to offer Bird Mentor Workshop
By Nancy Hylbert, Chair Audubon Adventures environmental (New or Review for Mentors)
MAS Education Committee service-learning opportunities to middle Here is a chance for new or experienced
We have an enthusiastic and growing school youth in the greater Madison Bird Mentors to learn more about the
group of energetic volunteers who are Area. This camp takes place for 8 weeks, Bird Mentor program, equipment, and
revved up about our projects for 2009. from mid-June to mid-August. If you tips for working with groups. The work-
We are excited about our Education would like to assist with curriculum shop will be on Saturday, March 7 at the
Committee offerings, and we look for- planning, materials, or teaching, please Middleton Library from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
ward to the possibility of your participa- email Nancy: nhylbert@yogaforhealth. You will have the opportunity to view the
tion! Some of the main events we are net. PowerPoint program, practice working
focusing on this year are:
with the equipment, and hear suggestions
• Hosting school children for a half day from experienced Bird Mentors. Come
• Expanding our Bird Mentor Program. of learning and environmental steward- join the fun! Call Dee Wylie at (608) 833-
Using a Power Point presentation, a ship via our Audubon Adventure Day 2744 with any questions.
set of binoculars, including child-sized Sanctuary Field Trips (usually offered in A Bird Mentor is anyone interested
binocs, and a healthy dose of enthusi- the fall). Kids gleefully experience prai- in birds (even a beginning birder) who
asm, our volunteer bird mentors have rie scavenger hunts, bird watching, pen- wants to share their excitement about
taught more than 500 school children ning their own original nature poems, birding - you choose the age level and
and their attending adults about our collecting prairie seeds, and playing the time. We have great PowerPoint
local birds and their habitats. We are Critter Quest, an insect-observation and programs that provide interesting pre-
planning to expand our program to identification game created by two of sentations for students or groups to help
include even more schools this year! If our more imaginative education com- them enjoy learning more about birds.
you have considered being a bird men- mittee members. We have these and You make this happen as a Bird Mentor
tor, but are unsure of what to expect, more kid-friendly activities all planned and are rewarded with stories, smiles,
come along and ‘shadow’ one of our out; all we need to get more school and the joy of sharing the small wonders
experienced bird mentors. This pro- children and home schoolers out on of our world. Learn more at the Mentor
gram takes place primarily during the our sanctuaries is YOU! For more info, Workshop on March 7!
school year. To schedule a shadowing please email Nancy: nhylbert@yogafor-
experience, or to participate in a brief health.net.

Announcements

ICF Wetland Ecology Lecture


Wednesday, March 25
The International Crane Foundation is hosting a visit by wetland
ecologist Max Finlayson of the Institute for Land, Water and
Society at Charles Sturt University, Australia’s largest regional
university, in New South Wales. Prof. Finlayson will give a
guest lecture at 2650 Humanities Building on the UW-Madison
campus at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25. The title of his talk Friends of the UW-Madison Arboretum
is “Wetland Conservation and Management: Worldwide Issues, Native Plant Sale – Saturday, May 9
Conflicts and Synergies, and Learning from Comparison and Orders can be placed now through March 20 for your choice of
Collaboration”. He plans to describe the conditions of wetlands over 100 varieties of woodland and prairie native plants (includ-
globally, with 2-3 examples of major global projects to conserve ing a rain garden, butterfly/hummingbird garden, savanna
wetlands internationally. Madison Audubon is cosponsoring the garden, children’s prairie garden) and native shrubs, vines
lecture. For more information, contact Alison Duff at ICF (608) and trees. All species are native to the area and are propagated
356-9462. More information about Max Finlayson is available plants, not dug from the wild.  The pre-order brochure is avail-
at: http://www.csu.edu.au/research/ilws/about/members/ able at www.uwarboretum.org/foa or phone (608) 263-7760.
finlayson.htm
Big Birding Day:
Saturday, May 9, 2009
See article, p. 9

The Audubon CAWS 3 March/April 2009


Migrate to one of late winter birds. We hope to see migrat-
ing swans, geese and other water birds.
and turn left. Continue to Libby Rd. and
turn left again. The shelter lot is a few
these MAS Spring Meet to carpool at 8 a.m. in the parking
lot where Copp’s supermarket used to
blocks up on your left. Call Pat Ready at
(608) 873-1703 for more info.
Field Trips be at the intersection of Allen Blvd. and
Century Ave. in Middleton. Meet at the Saturday, April 11: Beginning Birding.
Saturday, March 21: Beginning Birding
east end of the lot near Century Ave., Repeat of March 21 trip. See information
Each spring, MAS sponsors many birding
or you can join the group at 9:30 a.m. at from that write-up.
field trips, and though the leaders attempt
Goose Pond. Bring your binoculars, a
to help new birders, it is not always pos-
scope if you have one, and a snack, as the Friday, April 17: Evening at Goose Pond.
sible to answer all of their questions.
trip may last to early afternoon. Call Tony Come join us for an evening birding
Picnic Point will be the site for beginners
and Carol at (608) 249-8836 for questions. tour at Goose Pond and nearby
to get their questions answered. This
Sunday, April 5: Scope Day at Goose wetlands. Water conditions are still
area, at the west end of the UW campus,
Pond/Uncle Butzie the Vulture too! high from last year and water levels
offers varied habitats and a good oppor-
Scopes are provided from 1-4 p.m. for probably will increase with snow melt.
tunity to observe a variety of waterfowl
spring bird migration. Directions: Goose The high water should provide ideal
and small birds. We will meet next to the
Pond Sanctuary is 15 minutes north of habitat for wetland birds. Meet in the
bus shelter in the parking lot by the 1918
Madison near Arlington. Take Hwy. 51 to farm house at W7503 Kampen Road
Marsh (across from the entrance to Picnic
Leeds, turn west on County K, north on (northwest of Goose Pond) at 6:30 p.m.
Point) at 7:30 a.m. Questions? Call Allen
Goose Pond Road, and west at the Goose We will carpool to other wetlands. If
Holzhueter at (608) 238-0546. Also offered
Pond sign onto Prairie Lane. See page 10 you have questions, contact Mark or
April 11 and April 25.
for info about Uncle Butzie the vulture. Sue Martin at goosep@chorus.net or
(608) 635-4160.
Thursday, April 9: Frogs Night Out
Bring a sense of adventure on this trip,
cosponsored by Wisconsin Wetlands
Association, 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 wetlands ecology. Meet at
the Mazomanie Wildlife Area at 6:45 p.m.
Loon/Patrick Ready From Hwy. 14 in Mazomanie, drive north
on County Hwy. Y for about four miles.
Sunday, March 29: Spring Birding at Just before the highway bends to the east
Rose Lake (right), turn left on Law’s Dr. Travel on the
Rose Lake State Natural Area is a hid- access road about a quarter mile and turn
den gem acquired by Jefferson County left onto the first gravel road. Follow this
with assistance from Madison Audubon. about one and a half miles until it dead- Sandhill Crane/Patrick Ready

For a description of Rose Lake and what ends at a parking lot. Bring a flashlight
and dress for wet conditions. The trip will Saturday, April 18: Annual Midwest
we expect to see on this trip, click on
be canceled if the daytime high tempera- Crane Count
Sanctuaries on the MAS web site. We
ture is below 45°F or in the event of very Don’t forget to sign up to help count
hope to see many ducks, geese (including
strong winds or heavy rain. The rain date cranes from 5:30-7:30 a.m. on Saturday,
Greater White-fronted), cranes and shore-
is April 16. Call trip leader Bob Hay only April 18. The count, organized by the
birds. In addition to the lake, we will tour
if you have questions. (608) 829-3123. International Crane Foundation, takes
woodlot and prairie habitats. Rose Lake
place in every county of Wisconsin and in
is adjacent to Dorothy Carnes County
several adjacent states. Watching the sun-
Park, which is just west of Fort Atkinson Saturday, April 11: Spring Migrants rise and listening to the awakening of a
off US Hwy. 12. The only entrance is well Spring has sprung! This field trip focuses crane marsh can be an unforgettable expe-
marked. Meet in the parking lot at 9 a.m. on birding the Lake Farm County Park rience. Check www.savingcranes.org to
and stay as long as you like. If you have area and nearby open water. Lake find out more, including who your county
questions, contact Nolan Kollath at (920) Waubesa and Upper Mud Lake should coordinator is. Be sure to sign up early.
648-3842 or nkollath@charter.net have a variety of ducks. On the trails we
Saturday, April 4: Spring Birds of may find Yellow-rumped Warblers, phoe- Saturday, April 18: Ice Age Trail (Once
Columbia County bes, thrushes and a variety of sparrows. Around the Sink and Down the Drain)
Tony Kalenic and Carol Anderson will Bring a scope for viewing the lake. This We’ll look for returning waterfowl and
lead this car birding trip through northern trip will be from 9 -11 a.m. Meet at the No. grassland birds at Shoveler’s Sink, stroll
Dane and southern Columbia counties 1 shelter parking lot. Take South Town Rd. through the gorge cut by glacial meltwa-
to look for early spring migrants and south from the Beltline to Moorland Rd. ter at the Cross Plains Ice Age National

The Audubon CAWS 4 March/April 2009


Scientific Reserve, and search for pasque Tony Kalenic. For questions, call Levi at and continue 12 miles to the village of
flowers on the bluffs above. This 3-mile (608) 277-7959. Leland. As you enter town, turn north on
walk traces the contrasting landscape of Hemlock Rd. and go about 1/8 mi to old
glaciated and unglaciated (Driftless Area) Saturday, April 25: Abraham’s Woods white farmhouse (S8440A) on the right,
terrain along the route of the Ice Age Abraham’s Woods is a State Natural Area with white barn opposite. If you have
National Scenic Trail. Wear sturdy boots; owned by the UW-Madison Arboretum. questions contact Mike Mossman at (608)
bring binoculars, water, and food; and The ‘southern mesic forest’ found here 544-5501.
dress for the weather. Meet at 9 a.m. at is somewhat rare in this part of the state,
the intersection of Cleveland Rd. and Old and features a dense canopy of sugar
Sauk Pass. This is about three-fourths of maple, basswood, yellowbud hickory and
a mile south of U.S. Hwy. 14 in the Town hackberry. This trip is timed to coincide
of Cross Plains. Contact trip leader Gary with peak spring wildflower displays
Werner of the Dane County Chapter, Ice and early migrant bird visitors. Time
Age Park & Trail Foundation, at (608) 249- permitting, we may stop at nearby Oliver
7870 with questions. Prairie, a limestone ‘goat’ prairie, to look
for early blooming flowers such as bird’s
Sunday, April 19: Faville Grove foot violet. We will carpool at 8 a.m. from
Sanctuary West the Home Depot parking lot, near the
Experience Madison Audubon Society’s intersection of the beltline and Verona
Faville Grove Sanctuary with sanctuary Rd. If you would like to pass on carpool-
ecologist and land steward, Lars Higdon. ing and meet the group at Abe’s Woods,
Participants will hike through northwest- located just southwest of Albany in Green
ern Jefferson County’s recessional glacial Co., contact the trip leader for directions. Great Horned Owl/Patrick Ready
terrain while viewing its attendant array Trip leader Amy Staffen can be contacted
of plant communities (wetland, prairie, at (608) 238-0450 with any questions. We
sedge meadow, perched tamarack bog, will cancel only in the case of danger- Jefferson/Dodge County Birdwalks
fen, savanna, and woodland). We expect ous weather. The group should return to April will be upon us sooner than we
to see Sandhill Cranes, various migratory Madison between noon and 1 p.m. realize, and we will be starting the second
waterfowl and songbirds, hawks, grass- season of the Jefferson and Dodge County
land birds and other resident species. It Saturday, April 25: Beginning Birding Birdwalks. As in 2008, the walks will
is not unusual to see at least one flock of Repeat from the March 21 field trip. See be led by experienced birders. Leaders
cormorants enroute to Green Bay. The page 4 for complete details. include Nolan Kollath, lifelong birder
field trip will last 2-3 hours. Meet at the and former instructor at Madison Area
west unit of the sanctuary at 7:15 a.m. Sunday, April 26: Baraboo Hills Spring Technical College, Watertown; Karen
From Madison, travel east on I-94 to the Wildflowers Etter Hale, Executive Secretary, Madison
Lake Mills/Waterloo exit, then go 3 miles Come check out what’s happening on a Audubon Society; and Brad and Royan
north on Hwy. 89 to the old farmstead at spring day at Hemlock Draw, especially Webb, members of the Horicon Marsh
N7710 Hwy. 89. If you have questions, call the display of spring wildflowers, which Bird Club. The walks are affiliated with
Lars at (608) 220-9563. include some of the special northern spe- the Madison Audubon Society.
Friday, April 24: Evening at Cherokee cies that thrive in these hemlock groves Jefferson and Dodge counties have
of the Baraboo Hills. The Louisiana thousands of acres of prime bird watch-
Waterthrushes will be back, singing their ing habitat. We manage our walks under
long ringing melodies along the creek, the rule “go where the birds are” so we
phoebes should be nest-building on the choose walk sites close to the scheduled
shaded sandstone cliffs, and with luck date. As we firm up the schedule, we
we’ll find migrant birds in force. We’ll will post the information on our website,
stop at the ancient quartzite sea-stacks http://www.theropod.org/walks.html.
and see how Nature continues to heal the We will again be holding our walks on
scars left by former human activities and the third weekend of the month, April
more recent storm events. through September. You can join our mail-
Egrets/Patrick Ready This 2-mile round-trip forest walk is ing list at the website and be notified of
along unmaintained trails that may be all upcoming walks as soon as they are
Marsh damp in spots, so wear appropriate foot- planned. We will not give out any infor-
We‘ll see cranes, observe the courtship gear. Expect the trip to last about three mation you provide and only use the list
flight of woodcock and snipe, and see hours. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Mossman to keep people informed about the walks.
several spring migrants. Meet at 6:30 p.m. home in Leland, for carpooling to the We had a lot of fun with good birds,
at the Cherokee Marsh parking lot at the entrance trail on Reich Dr. To reach good company and pleasant walks last
north end of Sherman Ave., on Madison’s Mossmans’, take Hwy. 12 eight miles year. We’d be happy to have you join us
north side. Waterproof footwear is recom- north from Sauk City (or 7 miles south this year for more of the same. All experi-
mended. Trip leaders are Levi Wood and from Baraboo), turn west on Hwy. C ence levels are welcome.

The Audubon CAWS 5 March/April 2009


Notes from Faville Grove
Back to the future
By Roger Packard
If you haven’t been out Prairie
Lane lately to see the east end of
Faville Grove Sanctuary, you’re in
for a surprise. Where the road drops
steeply over the resistant quartzite
bedrock of the Lake Mills Ledge, the
dense stand of trees and (mostly alien)
brush that ran north along the ledge is
rapidly giving way to a landscape that
would look at least somewhat more
familiar to the Native Americans who
camped and hunted in the area before
European settlement. With funding
from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
and DNR for contract work and with
lots of volunteer support, we have Removing firewood from the spoil bank of a drainage ditch that will be filled next
made tremendous progress restoring fall.
the open character of the savanna
and preparing for next fall’s wetland wet Crawfish Prairie. The park-like provided ample nourishment for the
restoration immediately east of the savanna provided ideal campsites Native Americans.
savanna. for the local Woodland Indians; the In fact, the game produced by the
In prehistoric times when fire burned springs provided fresh water as diverse mix of savannas, woodlands,
regularly through the area, patches well as a sacred connection to the prairies, and wetlands in the area
of exposed bedrock and scattered underworld; and the floodplain prairie was so bountiful that, according to
boulders provided partial protection and nearby river provided abundant current archaeological thinking, the
here and there for young bur and fish and game. Deer, elk, squirrels and establishment of the fortified village of
white oaks, hickories, and perhaps other small game, turkeys, grouse, Aztalan, just a few miles downstream
a lucky specimen of other, less fire- prairie chickens, ducks and geese, from the present-day sanctuary, by
resistant species, which matured into Passenger Pigeons that gorged on the Mississippian Indians from the city
open-grown trees above a grassy fall acorn crop, fish speared at the of Cahokia in what is now southern
understory. Below the rocks to the small opening in funnel-shaped, stone Illinois, may have been in response
east, springs fed into the vast and very weirs constructed in the river – all to a growing food shortage in that
sprawling, five-square-mile-plus
metropolis. From this secure northern
outpost, the Mississippians were
able to hunt and trade with the local
Woodland Indians for meat that was
dried and loaded into huge, dugout,
transport canoes for export to their
home city more than 350 miles down
the Crawfish, Rock and Mississippi
Rivers.
The rocky Lake Mills Ledge could
not be plowed by early settlers, so was
fenced and grazed instead. Following
an all-too familiar pattern for southern
Wisconsin, grazing preserved the
open-grown trees even as it destroyed
the understory vegetation. With the
retirement of the last dairy farmer on
the site in the 1960s, horses briefly
took the place of cows as the primary
grazer in the savanna before the area
was abandoned to invasive brush.
Over this same period, the wet prairie
Volunteer Jim Kerler feeding a hot fire.

The Audubon CAWS 6 March/April 2009


east of the savanna was mowed in late summers for hay,
and eventually drainage ditches were dug along the
immediate east edge of the savanna to channel both spring
flow and surface runoff swiftly to the river, permitting the
production of row crops on the former wet prairie.
But drained prairies make fickle cropland, as last
summer’s flood demonstrated, with each drained field
exacerbating flooding at all downstream locations, making
the system inherently unstable and unsustainable. And so,
with government support, we plan to close the drainage
ditches next fall, returning the area once again to its higher
role as a prolific producer of wildlife.
We have made great progress toward this goal, but have
much to go, and we welcome assistance! Work parties
will continue on Prairie Lane from 9 a.m. until noon every
Wednesday and on the second and fourth Saturdays
Mark and Jenny McGinley check wood duck boxes.
of March and April. In March we will continue cutting
and burning brush. Activities in April will depend on Schoeneberg Marsh WPA and Erstad Prairie (MAS) - 2.5
conditions. We may do brush work, pull garlic mustard, miles northeast of Goose Pond
or conduct controlled burns. If conditions are favorable High water in June impacted 11 of 14 boxes. All nest
for burning, we will shift work hours to later in the day, so boxes were used and luckily some nests hatched before
please send email to FavilleGrove@live.com or give Lars the flooding. Membranes from hatch eggs showed that 88
Higdon a call at (608) 220-9563 for last-minute details. young hatched from 214 eggs. Mark and Jenny McGinley

2008 Results for Wood Duck/


did an excellent job in removing boxes impacted by
flooding and placing them on higher sites.
Hooded Merganser Nest Boxes Wildland/Duck Creek Fishery Area - 2 miles north of Rio
By Mark and Sue Martin Better water conditions probably contributed to having 8
2008 was an interesting year for our Wood Duck project. successful nests with 75 ducklings jumping from the boxes.
Our goal was to have 500 ducklings make “the jump” from
nest box to the ground or water. We thought it would be Dane County
easy to reach the goal, as we’d increased the number of nest Jackson WPA - 3 miles southwest of Goose Pond
boxes from 48 to 112, with 36 newly placed boxes at Zeloski All 4 boxes were used and 20 eggs per box were found but
Marsh. only 1 young hatched.
The final total was 524 young (503 Wood Ducks and 21
Hooded Mergansers) that jumped from the 112 boxes. Only Stoughton Area Parks (Viking County Park, Lake Kegonsa
three nests had Hooded Mergansers nesting (Columbia State Park)
County Wetlands – Grassy Lake with 9 young, Wildland Pat Ready coordinates boxes at these parks. this year 1 box
with 12 young, and one at Faville Grove but the nest was out of 4 produced 14 young Wood Ducks
flooded).
Jefferson County
Here are some results from selected sites. Faville Grove Sanctuary (MAS)
Ohne Raasch maintains approximately 250 wood duck
Columbia County: boxes in marshes in and around the Waterloo State Wildlife
Anderson Waterfowl Production Area (WPA) - 4 miles east Area including 14 boxes at Faville Grove where 143 young
of Goose Pond hatched from 13 nests. Ohne also found 4 nests that are not
All 7 boxes were used and 18 eggs per box were counted included in this report where many of the eggs had holes
but only 18 young hatched. poked in them by a flicker.

Otsego Marsh (MAS) - 3 miles south of Rio Zeloski Marsh unit of the Lake Mills State Wildlife Area
Last year at Otsego Marsh we found a lot of “dump” Ohne placed 36 boxes in early spring at Zeloski Marsh. It
nesting that occurs when a number of hens lay eggs in a was expected that a good number of Wood Ducks would
single box. Otsego Marsh has a long history of nest boxes nest since hundreds of woodies could be seen at Zeloski
being present and all 17 boxes were used. Last year we Marsh on many evenings the previous September.
found that 240 eggs were laid in 10 boxes (24 eggs per box) Anticipating many Wood Ducks using the area, Eagle
and 74 young hatched. This year we found 335 eggs were Scout, Evan Spoon, coordinated a project where another 25
laid in 17 boxes (20 eggs per box) and 148 young hatched. boxes were erected last summer for the 2009 season. Ohne,
Two boxes had hatches of 26 and 28 young. Brand Smith, and Craig Kopack were disappointed when
they found that only 16 young hatched. Starlings appeared
(continued on next page)

The Audubon CAWS 7 March/April 2009


to be a major problem. It is our understanding that hens
return to the same areas where they were born; we believe
it might take a couple of years for Wood Duck numbers to
build.

Thanks to Jeff Durbin, Craig Kopack, Jenny and Mark


McGinnley, Ohne Raasch, Pat Ready, and Brand Smith for

Wood duck chick/Jack Bartholmai


all their work.
A few more boxes will be erected this spring. Our 2009
goal is to have 700 ducklings hatch. If you would like to
join the Wood Duck volunteers contact Mark or Sue at
goosep@chorus.net or 608-635-4160.

Wetland Area Boxes Successful fledged


Anderson WPA 7 2 18
3 Columbia Co. Wetlands 5 3 21
Otsego Marsh 17 10 148 Dreams Really do Come True!
Schoeneberg Marsh 14 11 88 By Dorothy Haines while observing a nest box at
Wildland/Duck Creek 11 8 75 Otsego Marsh
Jackson WPA 4 1 1 Today (May 29, 2008) Gloria Welniak and I watched 28 duck-
lings pop out of a Wood Duck house! It happened at the nest
Stoughton Area Parks 4 1 14
box near the road on the north side of the pond where we had a
Faville Grove Sanc. 14 13 143 good view from the car.
Zeloski Marsh 36 4 16 Male and female were sitting on top of the house as we
Totals 112 53 524 approached. The hen was bobbing her head up and down in
front of the hole until the first duckling appeared, then she wait-
Additional Data: ed out on the water in front until all of them had gathered. Then
• In 2006, 42 boxes produced 143 young; 50% nest success. she led the whole double clutch across open water toward the
• In 2007, 48 boxes produced 300 young; 65% nest success. wooded area behind the islands on the east side of the pond.
• In 2008, 112 boxes produced 524 young; 47% nest success. We saw them again later heading back toward their nest box
• Nest boxes contain predator guards, starlings were a area.
major cause of nest failure, and flooding impacted at least
12 boxes.

Wood Ducks/Patrick Ready

The first time we found a wasp nest in a Wood Duck nest box.

The Audubon CAWS 8 March/April 2009


Attend Your Local
Spring Hearing
Monday, April 13
at 7 p.m.
By Karen Etter Hale, Executive Secretary
The DNR Spring Hearings on Fish and
Wildlife Rules and the annual Wisconsin
Conservation Congress meetings will be
held Monday, April 13, at 7 p.m., in every
county in Wisconsin. All citizens can
attend and voice their opinions on each
wildlife and environmental issue ques-
tion.
The first half of the evening will be the
fish and wildlife rule changes proposed
by the DNR. The second portion contains
Conservation Congress advisory ques-
tions. Many of these become official DNR
rule change questions the following year. In 2007, Team Sustain Crane (l-r, Dave Drapac, Matt Krueger, Paul Noeldner, Caleb
The most interesting question this year Pourchot) not only saved the most fossil fuel, but one team member won the prize for
most funds raised. The team reassembled for 2008, with Josh Brown replacing Matt
is #53 which asks whether migratory
Krueger.
bird hunting hours should be changed
at the Lake Mills State Wildlife Area -
Zeloski Marsh Unit, includes almost 1,700 Big Birding Day: For details or to sign up for BBD, con-
tact Chuck and Delia at (608) 206-0324
Saturday, May 9, 2009
acres of restored wetland and grassland
or (608) 274-4043, leave a message on
habitat, which is accessible via the Glacial
We’re eagerly anticipating May 9. It’s their machine, or send an email to delia-
Drumlin State Trail and a system of dike
Big Birding Day, or “BBD.” chuck@gmail.com. Registration and
roads. An excellent variety and impres-
This one-day search for the most bird pledge forms are available via the MAS
sive numbers of shorebirds, marsh birds,
species takes place in your choice of any website (madisonaudubon.org) or call
waterfowl, and many other species have
one county within Madison Audubon’s the MAS office. Registrations must be
been seen there in the first two years it’s
service area: Columbia, Dane, Dodge, received by May 2. All forms received
been open to the public. The proposal
Iowa, Jefferson, Richland or Sauk. after May 2 will be assessed a $5 late fee.
would be to close hunting for waterfowl
BBD offers a way to enjoy springtime The fee for BBD is $20 per person ($30 if
and Mourning Doves after 1:00 p.m. each
bird watching while you help Madison you want to attend the awards banquet).
day from Sept. 1 though about mid Oct.
Audubon raise much-needed funds. It’s Non-participants are welcome to attend
except for the opening weekend of the
easy to participate. First, get on a BBD the banquet for $15, but must register in
duck season.
team, or form a team of 4 or 5 people. advance.
Please attend your Spring Hearing if
possible. While it is useful to hear and Then register with volunteer coordinators
participate in the discussion, you can Chuck Heikkinen and Delia Unson.
also fill in the ballot and leave if you You can start birding as early as 4 a.m.,
have limited time. The hearing in Dane or later if you like (but not earlier), and
County will be at Middleton High School; everyone quits by 5 p.m. We gather by 6
Columbia County at Portage Junior High p.m. for the banquet at Imperial Garden
School; Dodge County at Horicon City West in Middleton (corner of Allen Blvd.
Hall; Iowa County at Dodgeville High and University Ave.) to award prizes for
School; Jefferson County at Jefferson the most birds recorded, and most money
County Fairgrounds; Richland County at raised.
Richland County Courthouse; and Sauk Last year the “energy conservationists”
County at UW Baraboo/Sauk County, team once again birded the whole day on
Baraboo. The entire Spring Hearing ballot bicycles, and one team member won the
can be seen on the DNR website: http:// prize for most funds raised. Pledges from
www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/nrboard/ family and friends have ranged from five
congress/ Look for the 2009 question- to 50 cents per species, but can be any
naire under “Spring Hearings”. For more amount. Madison Audubon puts BBD
information, call Karen Etter Hale at the contributions to work in support of our
BBD participants check a variety of habitats
Madison Audubon office at 608-255-BIRD. many conservation programs.
to try and get as many species as they can.

The Audubon CAWS 9 March/April 2009


Come and Meet a Vulture, Nose to Beak Donations Received in January
A Turkey Vulture named “Uncle
Butzie” will greet visitors to Goose Pond ACRE MAKER
on the afternoon of Sunday, April 5. The Estate of Joyce N. Altman
Lisa Hartman, aviculturist and vulture
researcher, will bring her captive bird to HALF-ACRE MAKER
the barn to provide a rare opportunity In Honor of Roger Packard and David
for an up-close look at this big black bird Musolf
that is usually only viewed soaring high Sarah Packard
overhead.
Hartman and her husband, DNR wild- QUARTER-ACRE MAKER
life biologist Mike Mossman, have been In Memory of Susan Connell-Magee
studying the large carnivores for more Kevin Magee
than 25 years and have found the birds to
have intriguing lifestyles living on a diet MY OWN VISION
of dead animals. Their field work includ- Peggy Bruder
ed capturing birds on their nests to mark Diane Budyak
them with identifying wing tags. Robert and Diane Dempsey
Since 1991 Hartman has used a captive, Arthur J. Donald Family Foundation
non-releasable Turkey Vulture that she David Eagan
has trained for her educational programs; Frederick and Juanita Ehrke
Uncle Butzie is her third bird. She will Ron Endres
Aviculturist Lisa Hartman with her vul- David and Anna Marie Huset
ture Uncle Butzie that she will bring to speak on the natural history of Turkey Bill and Ginny Nelson
Goose Pond on April 5. Vultures in Wisconsin and field any inqui-
Photo credit: NRFB.Barzen ries visitors may have. Raymond and Mary Potter
While Turkey Vultures nest in the rocky Eugene Roark
bluffs around Devils Lake State Park, some vultures can usually be found in the Scott Sauer
Goose Pond area. When not feeding or soaring, they rest on the rock pile atop the George Strother
hill in the Sanctuary’s Hopkins Road prairie restoration. William H. Thomas
The Turkey Vulture’s appearance is a special feature of the regular Scope Day West Side Garden Club
event April 5. From 1 to 4 p.m., volunteers will invite visitors to spot migratory Carol Worel
waterfowl with the aid of extra viewing scopes set up in the area around the perma-
nent scope on the south side of the pond. The Turkey Vulture and Hartman will be GIFTS IN MEMORY OF A PERSON
sheltered in the big barn on the north side of the pond. Drive north on Goose Pond In Memory of Ralph Moore and Eleanor
Rd., west on Kampen Rd., and turn left just past the railroad tracks to the Goose Johnson
Pond headquarters. Park behind the residence. Mark Martin and Sue Foote-Martin
In Memory of Jim and Laura Tyndall
Marilyn Meade

GIFTS IN HONOR OF A PERSON


In Honor of Mark Martin and Sue Foote-
Martin
Sally Martin
Turkey Vulture photos/Richard In Honor of Ken Wood
Armstrong
Helen Baldwin

The Audubon CAWS 10 March/April 2009


Membership, Renewal and Donation Form
NEW MEMBERS WELCOME! MY NAME__________________________ PAYMENT INFORMATION
Join Madison Audubon Society, or give a New membership
Address _ ______________________________
gift membership. [ ] $25 New or Gift $_________
City_ __________________________________
State_____ ZIP__________________________ Renewal _________
TIME TO RENEW? [ ] $25 Student/senior
Check your Madison Audubon CAWS ad- Day phone: ( )_______________________
[ ] $60 Family
dress label to determine your renewal date. E-mail_ ________________________________
[ ] $40 Renewal
Please renew two months before that date [ ] $20 CAWS newsletter Only
to keep your membership current and avoid YES! I want to (non-member)
missing any issues of the CAWS. ___ Join Madison Audubon Over and Above Member _________
Tip: Renewing through the MAS office Society [ ] Patron $1,000
directs more of your donation to local [ ] Benefactor $500
activities and conservation projects. ___ Give a gift membership to: [ ] Partner $250
Update: We now send an annual renewal Name _________________________________ [ ] Contributor $100
notice. In the future we plan to offer a re- Donation _________
Address _ ______________________________
newal option via the MAS website. [ ] Acre-Maker, $2,500 or more
City_ __________________________________
State_____ ZIP__________________________ can purchase and restore
MAKE A DONATION one acre of land
Help make Madison Audubon’s vision a Day phone: ( )_______________________
[ ] Half-Acre-Maker, $1,250-$2,499
reality. We offer education about the natural E-mail_ ________________________________
[ ] Quarter-Acre-Maker, $625-$1,249
world, opportunities to advocate for the en- [ ] Adopt-an-Acre, $100 a year for
vironment, and two wildlife sanctuaries with ___ Renew/upgrade my membership
three years ($300 total). Here is
natural habitat where you can learn about my first installment.
___ Make a donation
the beauty and value of nature. [ ] Nest Egg, $50 a year for three
[ ] In memory of _______________________
years ($150 total). Here is my
MAIL TO: [ ] In honor of _________________________
first installment.
MADISON AUDUBON SOCIETY [ ] My Own Vision
222 S. Hamilton St., Suite #1 Please send notification of this gift to: Total enclosed/charged $_________
Madison, WI 53703 Name _________________________________ Please make check payable to
Address _ ______________________________ Madison Audubon Society,
Madison Audubon Society, Inc. is a tax- City_ __________________________________ OR please charge my
exempt, not-for-profit organization under State_____ ZIP__________________________ [ ] VISA [ ] Master Card
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Day phone: ( )_______________________
Code. Donations are tax deductible to the Name on card _______________________________
E-mail_ ________________________________
extent allowed by law. Madison Audubon’s
Card # _____________________________________
financial statement is available upon
request. [ ] Please do not acknowledge my Expiration date _______/ _________
Gift in Madison Audubon CAWS.
Signature __________________________________

THE AUDUBON CAWS is published


MADISON AUDUBON SOCIETY September through June by: Madison Audubon Wishlist
President: Stan Druckenmiller Madison Audubon Society, We greatly appreciate any
Vice-president: Debra Weitzel 222 S. Hamilton St., Madison, WI 53703, donations, or contributions, for the
Goose Pond resident managers: (608) 255-2473. following items.
Mark and Sue Martin Birding hotline, 255-2476.
Faville Grove Sanctuary managers: www.madisonaudubon.org • Quality binoculars
David Musolf, Roger Packard masoffice@mailbag.com • Digital (LCD) projector
Editor: Patrick Ready E-mail services donated by Berbee
• Mule utility vehicle
pready@tds.net
The mission of the Madison Audubon •Rider mower/snow blower in
Graphic design: Patrick Ready
Society is to educate our members and working condition
pready@tds.net
the public about the natural world and the
CAWS printer: Roemer Printing • Energy efficient washing
threats that natural systems are facing,
machine
to engage in advocacy to preserve and
Submissions for the May CAWS protect these systems, and to develop and • Household/deck furniture
are due March 18. maintain sanctuaries to save and restore • Small, custom-routed, wood signs
natural habitat.

The Audubon CAWS 11 March/April 2009


Madison Audubon Society, Inc.
Stan Druckenmiller, President
222 S. Hamilton St. Suite #1
Madison, WI 53703

Return of Osprey to
Southern Wisconsin
see page 1

Memorial Day Weekend:


Outdoor Family Fun, Education, and Birding!
Note: This is a combined March/   Save gas and Go Green by staying close to home this Memorial Day
April issue of the CAWS newslet- Weekend! 
ter. The May CAWS is scheduled Join Audubon members, friends, and families at this annual relaxing and
to be mailed on April 17. highly enjoyable weekend retreat.  Just over an hour north of Madison, Camp
Lake Lucerne provides inexpensive group cabins with private rooms (two
single beds), indoor family rooms and play areas and a fireplace.  Enjoy hot
cooked meals in the new dining hall overlooking the beautiful spring-fed
lake. Afterward, take one of the easy hiking and biking trails through the
woodlands (can you spot the orchids?) and restored prairie (watch for the
Inside This Issue bluebirds) and down to the quiet lake and beach to see turtles, herons, hawks,
MAS Banquet Sponsors................. 1 and other wildlife.
Osprey/April Program................. 1 You may want to bring your bike, canoe or kayak, swimsuit, and a good
book (sorry, no pets), and don’t forget your binoculars!   Educational
Turtle Nest Update......................... 2
activities, games, campfires, birding hikes, and carpooling to nearby natural
Education Committee Plans......... 3 areas are arranged informally. Or just relax. There is no strict schedule.  Last
Announcements............................. 3 year featured a side trip to nearby Buena Vista Marsh to join a researcher
Spring Field Trips........................ 4-5 radio tracking prairie chickens, and we plan to do that again. The cost for
Saturday and Sunday nights and 5 hot meals is just $139 (Friday night is
Faville Grove News....................... 6
optional, checkout is Monday afternoon).  Email paul_noeldner@hotmail.com
Wood Duck Results........................ 7 or call (608) 698-0104 right away to make your reservations! 
Spring Hearings............................. 9
Big Birding Day.............................. 9
Meet “Uncle Butzie” ................... 10
Memorial Day Special................. 12 Is it time to renew your membership?
See form on page 11 and help MAS.
Madison Audubon
Society
3&4/09
Serving Columbia, Dane,
Dodge, Iowa, Jefferson,
Richland and Sauk Counties

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