Bird & Nature Blog

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Birds by Bike at Zeloski Marsh

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If you’ve been following my posts this summer, you might remember some of my tips for keeping your summer birding fresh—literally. As a way to beat the heat, I’ve been out birding-by-bike so I can keep a nice breeze on my face and stay cool. It’s been ideal in this pandemic too, since one of the safest places to be is outside.

If you’ve been finding that some outdoor destinations are too crowded for your liking, I’ve got a recommendation for you. It checks a lot of boxes:

  • Ideal for social distancing (I’ve never seen anyone else there on my visits!)

  • Easily accessible by foot or by bike

  • Close to other fun destinations, making it perfect for a lil’ day trip excursion

  • Gorgeous habitat

  • Full of birds!!!

Where exactly is this fun birding hotspot? It’s Zeloski Marsh, in nearby Jefferson County!

Photo by Caitlyn Schuchhardt

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Fun in the Faville Grove sun

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Prior to the internship my knowledge about south-central Wisconsin native and non-native plants, birds, and conservation techniques was very limited. Now, several weeks in, I have learned a variety of prairie, woodland, savanna, and wetland plants. Naming and identifying plants are skills that needs to be practiced over and over to eventually be engraved into you.

Photo by Josh Rohrer

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Searching for dragons and damsels

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Searching for dragons and damsels

This year and next year we're going to put a special emphasis on dragonflies and damselflies. Our goal with your help is to find as many species as possible at Goose Pond, Erstad Prairie/Schoenberg Marsh, and Otsego Marsh.

Could you help us search, identify, and tally them? This is an independently completed citizen science project. Details and guidance are below!

Photo by Graham Steinhauer

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A tale of two paddlers

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A tale of two paddlers

Two months ago, I made my first trip to Madison Audubon's Otsego Marsh property (click here for a map) just northeast of Goose Pond Sanctuary. Never heard of it? You're not alone; it's a hidden gem. And now, I can't stay away!

If you haven't made it out there yet this summer, we invite you to visit. It's free, open to all, and an easy drive. There's a parking lot, a hiking trail through the woods, easy put-in locations for canoes and kayaks, and best of all, it's the site of our latest land purchase.

Madison Audubon photo

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A Birder's Calendar

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Last week, I talked about how fall migration is going to be here before we know it. Shorebirds are certainly starting to show up, and by mid-August we’ll be seeing our warbler friends return to us as they pass through on their southbound journey.

If you’re just getting started with your first year of birding, the timing of these arrivals and departures can feel like a lot to grasp. Not only are you dealing with IDing field marks, learning bird calls, and figuring out where to find the birds you’re looking for, but you've got to keep track of when they’ll be here too?

Yeah, it’s a lot.

For a new birder, keeping track of all this can be overwhelming. How are you supposed to know what birds are on their way, and what birds are about to depart? What’s common and expected to stick around? What nests here? So many questions!

This week’s post has some resources—and helpful eBird tips and tricks!—to help you get a sense of the birding seasons.

Photos by Caitlyn Schuchhardt