Weekly outdoors notes
The Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas II project is underway, and organizers are calling for more birders to join the effort aimed at providing the most comprehensive account yet of the birds that call Wisconsin home.
"Already, volunteers are setting new records for the atlas survey and changing what we know of the breeding bird landscape in Wisconsin," said Nick Anich, breeding bird atlas coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. "We've had some great findings so far. But there is still so much more to learn and we need more volunteers to help better our understanding of Wisconsin birds."
The survey, last done 20 years ago, helps assess whether populations of bird species that nest and raise their young in Wisconsin are increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The results will shape bird conservation efforts over the coming generation.
So far this year, volunteers have set new records for birds not documented in the previous survey, including:
■ Pam Campbell of Menomonie spotted a pair of Eurasian collared-doves building a nest in a tree in Dunn County, a species not found nesting here during the first atlas survey conducted in the late 1990s.
■ Another species confirmed for the first time in this atlas survey is the whooping crane, one of the two most endangered crane species in the world. The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership has been working for the past decade to release cranes in the wild in Wisconsin in hopes of building a self-sustaining population in the eastern U.S. The cranes were sighted on their nest at the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge; other pairs are nesting in Adams, Wood, and Marathon counties.
■ Thomas Wood of Menomonee Falls confirmed black-necked stilts as breeding in Wisconsin, a welcome observation since this species was recorded breeding in Wisconsin for the first time during the previous atlas. Wood observed this striking species nesting in Dodge County.
■ Dale Bonk of Mount Horeb confirmed that a long-eared owl was breeding in Dane County; this rare owl was not found at all in the county in the previous atlas survey and was only confirmed then in five counties statewide.
Kim Kreitinger, president of the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, one of the organizations behind the survey, says now is a great time to join the effort because the migration is winding down. Aside from shorebirds, most of the birds you see here in June and July are birds that nest in Wisconsin, so volunteers don't have to sort out which are migratory birds headed to or from Canadian nesting grounds.
"It's safe to assume that the vast amounts of songbirds you encounter are on their breeding territories," Kreitinger said. "Understanding the places they frequent, the habitats they use and the times of year in which they raise young are critical to conserving them."
Volunteers look for and document breeding behaviors of birds, everything ranging from a male singing a courtship song to a pair building a nest to a mother feeding her young. The survey seeks to confirm the presence and abundance of different species in every corner of the state.
Bill Mueller, director of the Western Great Lakes Bird & Bat Observatory, one of the other sponsoring organizations, said people can volunteer for the survey according to their desire, expertise and time. Birders who know a lot of species are encouraged to sign up to survey a 3-mile by 3-mile block of land. Birders can intensively survey their block over one breeding season or spread it out over the five years.
Birders with interest but less bird identification experience or less time are encouraged to turn in individual sightings of nesting birds they see while they are outdoors hiking, biking, camping, or even while sitting in their backyard.
"The second Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas is critically important to help us understand how Wisconsin bird populations are changing," Mueller said. "And, it is fun, and a great way to learn more about the natural world."
More than 1,600 people participated in that 1990s survey, and Mueller and other organizers hope more will get involved this time around. Volunteers can enter their data online using a customized atlas portal to eBird, a web-based reporting system many birders already use to keep track of their bird sightings and scientists use to harness the power of millions of birdwatchers worldwide. Such technology, along with advances in digital and smartphone cameras, also have made it easier and quicker to verify unusual observations.
In addition to the WSO, the DNR and the Great Lakes Western Bird and Bat Observatory, the Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas II is co-organized by the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative.
The survey's use of a specialized online data entry system allows volunteers, organizers and the general public to see real-time the results of the bird survey to date. As of June 1, nearly 40% of 1,246 priority survey blocks have already had some data recorded, and 335 species were reported, including 146 confirmed as breeding.
Fishing: Orvis, in partnership with Trout Unlimited, will present free fly-fishing clinics at the Milwaukee Orvis store in Bayshore Town Center. The classes are designed for beginning fly anglers or those desiring a refresher. All equipment and instruction will be provided. The classes will run from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on the following Saturdays and Sundays: June 13 and 20. Call the Orvis store at (414) 963-8709 to reserve a space or for more information.
Damsels and Dragons: Learn more about dragonflies and damselflies Saturday in a program titled "Damsels and Dragons" at Richard Bong State Recreation Area, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville. The event will be led by a naturalist and visit the habitats of dragonflies and damselflies. It will include catching and releasing the animals as well as explaining what makes them unique and important. The event will run from 9 to 10:30 a.m. For more information, call (262) 878-5600 or visit dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/richardbong/.
Birding: Photographer Allan Block of Mequon will give a presentation titled "Feather Tailed Stories" at the July 7 meeting of the Noel J. Cutright Bird Club, Riveredge Nature Center, 4458 County Hwy. Y, Saukville. Block publishes a blog of photos and essays to tell life histories of bird species. The meeting is free and open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m.. It will be preceded by a bird walk at 6 p.m. For more information, contact Carl Schwartz at email@example.com or call the center at (800) 287-8098.
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- Apr 16, 2016 | Ruffed Grouse Society donation aims to enhance habitat
On the Trail Blog
Journal Sentinel outdoors editor Paul A. Smith offers news, notes and perspective on the great outdoors.
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