Conservancy Birdathon team logs 122 bird species.

Photo by Jeff Brown

The Chirp Chasers have wrapped up another year of the Great Wisconsin Birdathon and the team is happy to report it reached its fundraising goal of $1750 and logged 122 bird species! As team captain I would like to thank the individual team members: Jeff Brown, Barb McNaughton Bernhardt, Kathy Mehls and Kristi Lund.  The money raised will be split between the Chippewa County Land Conservancy and the Wisconsin Natural Resources Foundation. The NRF will use these dollars to fund conservation projects that protect wild birds and CCLC will use these funds for the continued management of their bird friendly properties.

 Here are some birding highlights:

Our choice of Birdathon dates hit the height of the spring migration right on the nose. Individual team members split up to cover more territory and on each property recorded itemized lists of the species seen. Viewing the data illustrates the importance of CCLC properties for our birds and the Joas Preserve was evidence of that.  Clearly these properties are used as migratory stopovers and for habitat and breeding. Remaining at the Joas Preserve for five hours, we were happily surprised at the number of birds we spotted, which confirmed and validated our efforts. The trail along the abandoned railroad leading into the Joas Preserve and the wetland on the property were particularly noteworthy.  A Black Billed Cuckoo was spotted (which can be hard to do as they are very wary) along with many warblers:  Wilsons, Magnolia, Nashville, Black and White and Redstart just to name a few.  A pair of Brown Thrashers, several pairs of Catbirds, and at least ten Baltimore Orioles were viewed along the rail bed. A friendly Eastern Towhee was busy hunting for bugs on the trail while the wetland area produced a pair of Wood Ducks, Sandhill Cranes and Green Herons.

One team member, Kathy Mehls reported seeing several Golden-winged Warblers on Calkins Lake (a non-CCLC property) in the New Auburn area. This species is on the US Fish and Wildlife’s list of birds of conservation concern making it even more significant.  Jeff Brown spent time at Area 178 (Riverview Park adjacent to Seymour Cray Blvd) and logged two additional species, the Orchard Oriole and the Blackpoll Warbler and he took the great photos seen here. While birding in her neighborhood vicinity, Barb Bernhardt added another species, the Pine Siskin to our tally.

My brother and I were in Minocqua for the first day of the Birdathon and were fortunate to observe a Sora at Powell Marsh in Manitowish waters. Similar to a Rail, these birds are very shy, and are often heard but not seen. We also spotted several Trumpeter Swans and I declared this year the year of the Northern Harrier.  These large hawks were seen in Minocqua and at the Tom Lawin Wildlife Area near Jim Falls. With stunning black tipped white and gray wings, they float like giant butterflies only feet above the ground as they hunt. Before the brown fields turn green, they are an eye-catching sight.

The Chirp Chasers look forward to this event every year and love supporting our native wild birds. Thanks again to all who donated or participated. See you next year!