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Drumming Up Spring

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The sounds of spring are again inspiration for this week's blog post. My last few birding sessions have featured lots of frenzied behavior from woodpeckers and nuthatches—species that are high into courtship right now. Early spring is a great time to do some slow birding and notice how the activity around you is shifting—you can witness some exciting behaviors and feel even more connected to the shifting of the seasons.

Woodpeckers may not sing like our vocal black-capped chickadees or northern cardinals, but they sure do drum. This week's Entryway to Birding blog takes us into the world of woodpeckers to decipher that drumming.

Photo by Caitlyn Schuchhardt

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A Beginner's Guide to Birding Without Binoculars

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Welcome back to the Entryway to Birding blog! Mid-February had us in what felt like a polar vortex and now, suddenly, spring feels closer than ever. Those of us who've been living in the Midwest for awhile know we're not done with winter just yet—"false spring" can't fool us!—but it sure has been nice to feel the sun and hear the sounds of spring in the air.

The frenzy of activity that comes with warmer weather is a delight. It poses the perfect opportunity to make birding your new hobby this season—even if you don't have binoculars! This week's Entryway to Birding blog is stepping outside—no gear, no bins, no nothing (well, except a few layers and some boots that can handle this wintery-spring slush!)—to see what we can find.

Photo by Caitlyn Schuchhardt

Help Madison Audubon Share Big for birds!

The Big Share is just FOUR DAYS away on March 2, and we can’t WAIT to talk up our bird conservation work with loyal supporters and new audiences. How about you?

Our goal is to raise $7,500 and bring in 40 new members to the flock. Can you help us? The best ways are to:

  1. Make a donation on March 2, especially between 6-7 am - donate here

  2. Create a Facebook Fundraiser - learn more

  3. Post about the day on social media - learn more

The Big Share is a lively day of online giving for Madison Audubon and 70 other Wisconsin non-profits. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the good we’ve done together and share with your friends the ways your favorite local bird organization (ahem!) helps birds, kids, and habitats.

Madison Audubon photo

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An eagle wants to know: Why are we still shooting and fishing lead?

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Last week's issue of the Wisconsin Outdoor News (WON) has a story some Madison Audubon volunteers have been following with great concern. An adult Bald Eagle in distress was found near Barneveld and is now receiving care at the Dane County Humane Society. As I write this, his prognosis is guarded.

He has been diagnosed with lead poisoning. He has shotgun pellets from an old injury and has also probably eaten lead fragments as he scavenged the remains of deer shot by hunters.

Madison Audubon’s Bald Eagle Nest Watch volunteers have been monitoring an active bald eagle's nest in that area for a couple of years. It's possible this eagle was one of a nesting pair at some point. The nest is still active with a pair of eagles.

This eagle has every right to wonder: is this any way to treat your national symbol and a magnificent bird? No, and it needs to stop.

Photo by Monica Hall

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Bird Names for Birds

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Birds are awesome. They come in all different shapes, sizes, sounds, colors, and habitats. Some are bold and loud, some are elusive and quiet. Some perform, build dozens of nests, or sing beautiful melodies to attract a mate. Some eat fish, others seed, others insects, others nectar. Some are striped, some speckled, some solid colors. Some migrate, some overwinter. Birds are AMAZING.

Some of the people they’re named for, however, are not amazing. These people lived lives that do not uphold the morals and standards the bird community should memorialize. Birds should have bird names, and these honorifics should be changed. Instead of naming a bird after a person, why not give birds names that describe the bird?

Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar