Without grassland birds, North America’s Central Grasslands would lack the melody of the Eastern Meadowlark, the vibrant colors of the Common Yellowthroats, and the mystique of the Northern Harrier—just to name a few. Since 1970, more than half of North America’s grassland birds have disappeared, and three quarters of all grassland bird species are in decline. In response to this decline, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Center for Conservation Media (CCM) began the project, Restoring North America’s Central Grasslands, to advance policy and funding goals by educating target audiences on the diversity of grassland habitats in the Northern Great Plains, as well as the courting and nesting behavior of the birds who live there.

Mark & Sue Foote Martin, Jeffrey Lang, Neil Rettig, and Laura Johnson stand together at Goose Pond Sanctuary, May 19, 2022. *Photo by Arlene Koziol*

Neil Rettig and Dr. Laura Johnson from Neil Rettig Productions came to Goose Pond Sanctuary on May 19 and 20 to film grassland birds for the CCM project that spans over 500 million acres of land (see bottom of feature for more info on Neil and Laura). However, Neil and Laura are no strangers to filming birds at Goose Pond. In October, 2019, Neil and Laura joined the New York film company, Archipelago Films, to shoot footage of wetland and migrating birds at Goose Pond for the IMAX production, Wings over Water. A teaser for Wings over Water can be found here, including a snowy scene of mallards shot at Goose Pond. More information on filming Wings over Water at Goose Pond can be read on a previous Friday Feathered Feature.

While filming for the Cornell Lab’s CCM project at Goose Pond, Neil and Laura captured footage of 16 species including grassland obligates: Northern Harrier, Eastern Meadowlark, Savannah Sparrow, and Clay-colored Sparrow. Neil and Laura also got footage of American Goldfinches bathing in water droplets, Tree Swallows mating, Song Sparrows, Willow Flycatchers, and Eastern Kingbirds. Although species like American Goldfinches and Tree Swallows provided excellent opportunities for filming, other species did not cooperate as well. While Common Yellowthroats are abundant at Goose Pond and can be heard singing “witchety-witchety-witchety” from all directions, their small size and quick, darting movements proved difficult to film. Furthermore, the robotic gargling sound of the Western Meadowlark was heard as if only a few yards away, but their loud song makes them sound closer than they appear and difficult to locate.

Neil Rettig and Laura Johnson film Northern Harriers. *Photo by Arlene Koziol*

Although all species filmed offered fascinating insight into the lives of grassland birds, none captivated the filmmakers or Goose Pond staff and volunteers like the Northern Harrier. Mark and I had been scouting for birds to film and hoping for the low, sweeping flight of the Northern Harrier when Mark pointed out his window at a large powdery gray raptor sitting in the green vegetation of a recently burned prairie: the male Northern Harrier, sometimes referred to as a “Gray Ghost.”

Northern Harrier, sometimes called the “Gray Ghost.” *Photo by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren*

The bird took off shortly after we saw him, and Mark quickly called Graham, Neil, and Laura to head over right away. I got out of the truck and followed the Gray Ghost as it soared over a hill and out of sight. Once on top of the hill, I was rewarded with the sight of an even larger buffy-brown raptor with a characteristic white-rump: both the male and the female Harrier were right in front of me soaring together in close circles. I nearly jumped for joy when I saw the two of them, and hoped that Neil and Laura would get there before they disappeared. My hope began to diminish as I saw a group of crows mob the female away, and shortly after, the male took off in the opposite direction. This was only minutes before Neil, Laura, and Graham showed up in their van, camera ready.

Neil Rettig films Northern Harriers from his van. *Photo by Arlene Koziol*

Despite the news that both Harriers flew off in different directions, Neil and Laura’s patience never faltered: we knew they’d be back. The previously warm morning turned wet and cold quickly, and we stood in the rain waiting for the Harriers to return. Despite their absence, Neil was ready to film at a moment’s notice, which proved necessary when the female reappeared on the horizon. He began filming the female soaring, when suddenly the male flew past us clinging to a vole with his talons, and heading straight towards the female. Within an instant, we witnessed a mid-air prey transfer, and Neil excitedly announced that he got it on camera! Such an event is rarely captured on film and is famously depicted in a painting by Jonathon Wilde on the cover of Frances Hamerstrom’s book, Harrier, Hawk of the Marshes.

We continued watching the Harriers and saw the female return to the same general location multiple times, and were able to deduce where their nest may be. Later on, Neil, Laura, and Mark were treated to seeing the male Harrier bringing nesting materials to the female that was building the nest. We look forward to Neil and Laura returning to Goose Pond in July to film later stages of nesting behavior (feeding and fledging of young), and hope for a successful Northern Harrier nest!

We want to thank Arlene Koziol for the wonderful photos she took on both days Neil and Laura filmed at Goose Pond, as well as Jim Otto, JD Arnston, and Meg LaPointe for scouting for nests and birds to film.

Written By Emma Raasch, Goose Pond Sanctuary seasonal employee

Cover photo: Common Yellowthroat by Arlene Koziol

NEIL RETTIG, Wildlife Cinematographer

Neil Rettig is a world renowned 6-time Emmy Award winning cinematographer with over 40 years experience filming rare and endangered species world wide. Over the past four decades, Rettig has contributed to the production of hundreds of films, including IMAX Productions, National Geographic Specials, and Science Documentaries. His knowledge of raptors, especially the rare forest Eagles, has resulted in scientific publications and a greater understanding of critically endangered species such as the Philippine and Harpy Eagles. Neil’s fieldwork has been instrumental in the conservation of rare and threatened animals, the establishment of protected ecosystems around the world, and breeding projects for endangered species. Neil has been acclaimed for his creative eye, artistic composition, lightning fast ability to capture the moment, and intimacy with the subject.

DR. LAURA JOHNSON, Expedition Coordinator

Laura Johnson is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with over 30 years of experience. She’s fiercely passionate about raptors and has spent most of that time focused on birds of prey as an avian vet and licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Today Laura splits her time between the veterinary office, assisting Neil on film shoots and expeditions, and caring for the birds and animals at their farm in Prairie du Chien.

Neil and Laura host a live American Kestrel box webcam at their farm in Prairie Du Chien that can be found on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's website here.