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Orange Tree Imports
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.
Announcements
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
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 first time we found a wasp nest in a Wood Duck nest box.
Return of Osprey to
Southern Wisconsin
see page 1