You never know...

…what you're going to find outside.

This weekend two good friends were deer hunting on our land in Richland County. Pat didn't see too many deer but he saw quite a commotion in the leaves in front of him. Two moles emerged in furious combat with one another. In and out of the leaves, chasing one another about (I didn't know that moles chased anything) this went on for quite a while. I questioned Pat if he could decipher either mole's intent—not knowing mole mating behavior I thought this was perhaps vigorous foreplay. Pat thought he witnessed more hostility than love. Are moles territorial? Do they have bad days? Had they run out of grubs and earthworms?

If any mole experts have any opinion, I'd be happy to learn it. Meanwhile Pat found it pretty interesting and remarkable. He didn't think he had ever seen a live mole and I've only seen one.

For me, mole combat is another reason to get outside as often as you can and look around. Something interesting, something that will take you out of yourself, is closer than you think. The woods, hills, and creeks of Richland County are a great place but so is your neighborhood. Just the other day I walked by a flock of turkeys not too far from Hilldale, who seemed not at all concerned about Thanksgiving. Crows are always chasing owls and hawks and I wish I could have identified the mysterious bird and its call yesterday afternoon.

Wisconsin bird lovers are happy a LaCrosse family enjoyed keeping an eye on their backyard. As you read in that wonderful announcement, they found the first barn owls in Wisconsin for decades—and not just one, but a thriving family! These are among the most striking members of the owl clan and the fact that they are returning to Wisconsin is hopeful news. That press release brimmed with good news: record numbers of Kirtland's warblers and piping plovers, both endangered species, were found this summer.

Rare barn owl nest located in Wisconsin for the first time in more than 20 years. Photo credit: Karla Bloem, courtesy of Wisconsin DNR

If you had asked any expert about the chances of seeing a family of barn owls in Wisconsin this year, his or her reply would have been: zilch. You just never know. When a friend and I fished in Grant County in the spring, he never expected to see two Franklin's ground squirrels cavorting. Not many make their homes here and the few that do hang in northwest Wisconsin.

All of us will be thinking of what we should be thankful for this week. High on my list will be the beauty, vitality, and surprises in Wisconsin natural world. I'm also grateful for the many of you and others who care for our flora, fauna, and their habitat. Many conservationists in the upper Midwest have been trying to bring the barn owls back and wonderful wildlife rehabilitators cared for one of the owlets who fell out of the nest and identified the species.

The beautiful rolling hills of Wisconsin’s Driftless Area. Photo by Jeff Galligan

A bit of advice for Thursday and Friday. Walk around outside after the big meal and maybe skip some Black Friday shopping for some time in Nature. My bet is you'll encounter something invigorating to your senses and your soul.

All the best,

Topf Wells, Madison Audubon board member and advocacy committee chair

Cover photo by Kaitlin Svabek / Madison Audubon

The poetry of habitat

There once was a bird in a prairie
Whose song was as sweet as a cherry
And looking beyond the grasses so blonde
Tall skyscrapers made him feel wary.

American Goldfinch photo by Arlene Koziol

Well, now that you have glimpsed my poetic skills, I want to assure you I'll stick to my day job. But this fall has been filled with so much land work that we have been thinking—even more than usual—about the important elegance of land conservation in protecting birds.

Here's a fun fact: Thanks to the support of our members, Madison Audubon is a nationally accredited land trust. Extra fun: Of all Audubon chapters in the country, our local and mighty organization owns and manages the third most acreage, weighing in at a whopping 2,000+ acres, with multiple land acquisition projects in the works. We have also assisted numerous partners to acquire thousands of acres more.

At the local level, buying and managing land for habitat is the most immediate and effective path to conserving birds. Our sanctuaries provide large expanses of native habitat that are safe and supportive for a variety of resident and migrating birds, mammals, amphibians, insects, and critters of all sorts. Grassland birds nest at these special places. Waterfowl flocks seeking refuge, especially during hunting season, find it at these special places. Long-distance migrants that need nutritious, safe food refuel at these special places. All because of the vision of our members, volunteers, staff, and board of directors to proactively acquire, restore, and maintain this incredible resource. You’ve helped make Madison Audubon a uniquely effective local conservation organization by protecting special places. Thank you!

And because you tolerated my poetry, I'll share one more fun fact: These properties are FREE for anyone to visit, any day of the year. We invite members of the community, neighbors, schools, birders of all sorts, and historically-excluded nature lovers to explore our sanctuaries and soak up the sights, sounds, and aromas of restored and forever-protected habitats. By being there and caring about these places, you are doing so much good for birds. I invite you to visit and watch the birds—they are truly poetry in motion.

Written by Matt Reetz, executive director