Baltimore orioles everywhere at Otsego Marsh! Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar
The word “reckless” is defined as thoughtless, irresponsible and uncontrolled. Not so for our stalwart group of seasoned birders who took to the marshes, ponds, woodlots and prairies for the annual Great Wisconsin Birdathon that raises funds for Madison Audubon and the Natural Resources Foundation’s Bird Protection Fund. We began the count at 7:30 a.m. on May 15 and ended 24 hours later. The weather was perfect and so were the birds that seemed to show up on cue to be counted.
The COVID-19 virus set the rules for the count. For the first time, we were all going to be social distancing by separating into teams of one or two individuals based on households, each responsible for canvasing a specific area within our total count range. Although this might have seemed like a disadvantage, the divide and conquer method of birding turned out to be a very successful strategy that brought a record-breaking 137 species to the Reckless Wrens bird list!
Graham and Calla, just one household unit of the Reckless Wrens team, get their bird count started. Photo by Richard Armstrong
We knew that the 2020 bird count was going to be strong. If what we were seeing for yard birds was an indication of what birds might be seen on the count day, we would not be disappointed. Birds at the Martin's cabin feeders and around the yard were colorful and plentiful. All seven species of woodpeckers, orioles, goldfinches, house finches, rose-breasted grosbeaks, hummingbirds and indigo buntings were some species that came to mind.
The 24-hour period featured beautiful sunny skies, light winds and low humidity. Vehicle traffic was light and only a single jet plane contrail was spotted. Instead, turkey vultures drifted overhead in graceful patterns that could have been orchestrated by bored air traffic controllers. We also had bald eagles, a northern harrier, and American kestrels cruising the skies overhead.
Turkey vultures teeter and totter in the clear air. Photo by Arlene Koziol
“Safer at Home” might have better prepared us for our day with the birds by clearing our minds of the normal day-to-day distractions that can clutter our thoughts. We might have been more tuned into the songs and sights of the colorful birds that surround us that otherwise might have gone unnoticed. So too were the sounds of the wind through the trees or the liquid tinkling of water flowing in the creeks where we stood that day.
The 2020 count was different because the rules had been changed by a virus. We know that the number of birds is declining precipitously, but on this day the birds were with us.
Numbers and some highlights:
In the first seven years the Reckless Wrens averaged 96 species with the previous high of 121 in 2018. We have many highlights and memories from this year. This year was a record count for American white pelicans: 1 at Goose Pond, 5 at Mud Lake Wildlife Area WA, 20 at Otsego Marsh, 25 at a Waterfowl Production Area (WPA) northeast of Pardeeville, and 68 at Schoeneberg Marsh WPA/Erstad Prairie. American bitterns are a new species for our count and were found at Goose Pond and Rowan Creek Fishery Area. We were very pleased to find black terns (state-endangered), 12 at Whalen Grade, 13 at Schoeneberg Marsh WPA/Erstad Prairie, and 25 black terns at Grassy Lake WA. A highlight for the Martins was finding two active red-shouldered hawk nests (state-threatened) and two more nests that might be active. Overall, we found 12 species that are listed as State-endangered, threatened, or special concern.
Red-shouldered hawk nestlings, photo by Arlene Koziol
Kathy and Jim Shurts wrote:
We started our Birdathon day at the Vienna Waterfowl Production Area on County V just west of DeForest. This set the tone for the day, visiting various wetlands and flooded fields in northern Dane County and southern Columbia County. The water table was high everywhere and we were routinely slowing down or stopping to look over the flooded fields and ponds. One thing that really stood out is that there is no lack of Red-winged Blackbirds, Canada Geese, or Sandhill Cranes in this part of Wisconsin! We did bird at small woodlots as well, and these provided highlights, especially the squabbling male Baltimore Orioles. The flashes of bright orange are always a delight. We ended our day at Whalen Grade, a road that dissects Whalen Bay from the rest of Lake Wisconsin. The Black Terns and Common Terns, both state endangered species, were a treat to see. Whalen Grade is also a popular fishing spot and there were many people out on this nice day fishing from shore. We missed our fellow team members but still had a good time.
Graham wrote:
Birding for Calla and me is a calm and leisurely activity that encourages us to explore wildlife areas, state natural areas, and parks. While the Birdathon fits that description, it has an edge of urgency that I do not find in a non-event setting. We started at 7:30 a.m. and by 5:00 p.m. there were 92 species written down for the two of us. Neither of us has ever made a checklist that large. After Calla and I discussed our options, we agreed to find 100 species within the 24-hour period. We were so close already, why not try?
After sunset we were on the search for some night birds around Governor Nelson State Park. We had given up on owls when a large bodied raptor lifted out of a tree and disappeared immediately into the darkness. Neither of us had good enough night vision to tell what it was, but the speaker is an excellent birding tool. We hopped out, played a great horned owl call, and the bird soared in as silently as it had left landing in an oak at 20 yards. It sat for a moment like a statue. We didn’t move either. Two minutes later the bird started hopping and hooting, and Calla jotted down great horned owl. We got up early the following morning, and reached our goal of 100 birds. Here are a few other events of note:
A red-tailed hawk nest was found at Otsego Marsh last year. Calla did an imitation of the bird with a keee-arr, to see if she could get their attention. The nest appeared inactive, but two nearby red-headed woodpeckers were startled into flight. This was a first for Calla, and she was ecstatic.
Blue-gray gnatcatchers are tiny ping pong ball birds with very angry eyebrows. Neither of us had seen one until one dropped in on us at Goose Pond.
Otsego Marsh is FULL of Baltimore orioles, especially near the parking lot. It was a treat to have a dozen males flashing orange and singing while a few females decided who to pick.
JD Arnston wrote:
JD checking out warbler heaven! Photo by Mark Martin
I started the Birdathon a bit later in the day than most — leaving work at 5:00 p.m. to go birding at Rowan Creek Fishery Area near Poynette where I knew I could add a red-breasted nuthatch to the team's list. In addition to the nuthatch, I saw several other great species including an American bittern, barred owl, and a golden-winged warbler — a lifer for me. I continued to bird until 10:00 p.m., finding a common nighthawk at Goose Pond and a pair of eastern screech owls! My Birdathon didn't stop there, as I met up with Mark the next morning at 6:30 a.m. at Mud Lake WA to search for warblers. We made sure to bird at a safe distance (6 feet or more) and had an amazing hour, with 13 species of warblers seen. Although I had several highlights throughout these my few hours, my favorite moment was when we saw a black-throated blue warbler (another lifer for me), a prothonotary warbler, and a northern waterthrush along forested ponds where we found other warblers such as magnolia and Nashville warblers flitted overhead. This was the first Birdathon that I've helped with, and I'm already looking forward to next year's count.
Special thanks to the donors and others please consider giving a financial gift to the Reckless Wren Birdathon Team to support Madison Audubon and the Bird Protection Fund.
Written by Sue Foote-Martin and Mark Martin Goose Pond resident managers, Jim (team captain) and Kathy Shurts, Graham Steinhauer, Goose Pond land steward, Calla Norris, and JD Arnston.
