As I reach the pond, I approach slowly, attempting to remain concealed behind some trees. And then I see it—the year’s first Solitary Sandpiper, feeding in the shallows.
The telltale sign of a Tree Swallow nest is often feathers. In some cases, there are so many feathers, you can’t even see the underlying nest structure of dry grass or pine needles.
The familiar Gadwall (Mareca strepera), a widespread dabbing duck, is a common spring and fall migrant in Wisconsin. Gadwalls are also occasional winter residents in the southeastern part of the state.