Bird & Nature Blog
A clutch of the latest stories from Badgerland Bird Alliance
Although any birder reading this already knew, I was surprised by the Wisconsin State Journal coverage of a Black-throated Gray Warbler appearing in Madison. Birders are flocking to see this western species that almost never shows up here. A bonus is the bird is as beautiful as it is rare as you can see from the photo.
Photo by Aaron Maizlish
Please use this link to read a letter that 41 fishing and hunting organizations just sent to Congressional leaders asking that Congress take some immediate and specific steps to substantially increase carbon sequestration and reduce the release of carbon. The actions will also improve and increase wildlife habitat and water quality. Just about all of these steps will also help many, many species of native plants, pollinators, and birds.
For some of these organizations, the letter represents a huge step forward in their public lobbying on the critical need to address our changed climate now.
Topf Wells, Madison Audubon board member and advocacy committee chair
Cover photo by Brenna Marsicek
Looks like the summer will be wet and warm—good news for my nominee for the most fearsome of Wisconsin's animals. No, not our two rattlesnakes… no, not ticks as loathsome as they are… no, not our most dangerous mammals, the Holstein or Jersey bulls. Ladies and gentlemen, meet, if you dare, North America's largest mosquito, the gallinipper.
I don't think they are new to Wisconsin but I'm betting they are much more common. I speculate that our changed climate is the reason. The bugs need hot, muggy weather, and water standing in those pastures where their prime prey lives. The changed climate reliably produces that weather and those conditions.
Photo by Carl Wycoff
Three birds, similar stories. We are in a climate crisis, and a bird emergency. Higher temperatures, more storms, changes in food supply, and more make the future for many of the world’s — and our state’s — birds look pretty grim. These three examples shed some light on the problem, and most importantly, the real, impactful things we all can do to help.
Bobolinks, scarlet tanagers, and Wisconsin’s woodpeckers need you.
Photo by Rick Kelly
