Bird & Nature Blog
A clutch of the latest stories from Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance
This time of year, monarch butterflies begin their annual migration from their summer breeding grounds to their overwintering sites in Mexico. The massive influx of these insects through our area is not only quite a sight to see, it’s also a great opportunity to give a helping hand, from where you are. There are three ways you can help monarchs this fall.
Photo by Howard County Library System
Please see this link to assist the DNR in conserving reptiles and amphibians. DNR biologists need our help in identifying road crossings that cause a lot of herp mortality. Their work with turtles at such crossings have shown that such identification and subsequent work on signage or other steps can reduce that mortality.
One such crossing, which doesn't need such protection because our members and guests tend to be careful and drive slowly, is at Goose Pond on Prairie Lane between the prairie and the observation area and Goose Pond itself. Many salamanders over-winter in the prairie and return to the pond in late spring or early summer.
Photo by Nick Walton // DNR Press release
Time for some good news. Please see this link that will lead you to the news of the latest Dane County acquisition: 160 acres just south of Verona west and north of the intersection of STH 69 and River Road.
The press release focuses on Badger Mill Creek, the Sugar River, trout, flood control, and water infiltration, all important and in the context of this news, happy topics. Please note that the County has committed to restore almost all 160 acres to prairie. That's why the future management of the property will help protect streams and groundwater and mitigate floods but think of our grassland bird friends. A happy, happy home in their future.
Photo by Arlene Koziol
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
A house wren mom has won my heart this spring and summer. The wren couple occupied a wren house set in my apricot tree this spring. For weeks now, Mom has called and hunted through the front yard, ceaselessly bringing one bug after another to the babes. She'll perch, bug in beak, and call to the young ones, and feed them when they reply. Sometimes the bugs are large and visible, other times much smaller (I'm always hoping the real small ones are ticks). She never stops, and ranges from the ground beneath some bushes to 30 feet up a dying birch, which should be full of bugs, and every level in-between.
Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar
