Poynette Christmas Bird Count and Goose Pond Unit - 2020

Fifty years ago on December 23, 1971, Bill Smith and Steve Krings conducted the first Poynette Bird Count centered in Poynette at the Owl’s Nest restaurant at the intersection of Highways 51 and CS.

Bill, who grew up in Poynette, coordinated the count for the first decade and then we took over. We enjoyed working with Bill at DNR and for the past 40 years he has been the count leader for unit 1. On the first count, Bill and Steve found 28 species including ruffed grouse, Wilson’s snipe, herring gull, red-headed woodpecker and yellow-bellied sapsucker that were not found on this year’s count. 

This year the Poynette Count was held on December 26th. A major challenge this year was the pandemic. Some field counters passed on participating while those that participated went in family groups while non-related birders traveled in separate cars.  

Sixty four species were counted by 33 field observers and seven households. Species and numbers — bold are uncommon species or high numbers — Canada geese (1,397), wood duck (4),  gadwall 14, American black duck (12), mallard (1,026), green-winged teal (1), common goldeneye (6), hooded merganser (1), ring-necked pheasant (28), wild turkey (373), great blue heron (1), bald eagle (101), northern harrier (1), sharp-shinned hawk (1), Cooper’s hawk (6), red-shouldered hawk (1), red-tailed hawk (97), rough-legged hawk (11), American kestrel (17), merlin (1), peregrine falcon (2), Virginia rail (4), rock pigeon (474), Eurasian collared dove (16), morning dove (278), sandhill crane (92), eastern screech owl (7), great horned owl (2), barred owl (1), short-eared owl (1), northern saw-whet owl (1), belted kingfisher (1), red-bellied woodpecker (67), downy woodpecker (131), hairy woodpecker (46), northern flicker (2), pileated woodpecker (8), northern shrike (1), American crow (782), horned lark (71), black-capped chickadee (310), tufted titmouse (53), red-breasted nuthatch (13), white-breasted nuthatch (125), brown creeper (3), eastern bluebird (8), American robin (45), European starling (512), cedar waxwing (138), American tree sparrow (354), fox sparrow (1), swamp sparrow (3), white-throated sparrow (1), dark-eyed junco (972), Lapland longspur (265), yellow-rumped warbler (1), northern cardinal (324), red-winged blackbird (1), house finch (341), pine siskin (37), American goldfinch (138), and house sparrow (402).

Photos below: Cooper’s hawk, by Graham Steinhauer; Eastern bluebirds, by Bill Smith; Hairy woodpecker, by Dory Owen; Merlin, by Bill Smith; Rough-legged hawk, by Dory Owen; Wild turkeys, by Dory Owen

As always there were many interesting observations. Al and Gale Shea were rewarded with a special sighting of 58 bald eagles at one location along the Wisconsin River.

Bald eagle party. Photo by Jeff Pieterick

Meg Nelson and her husband David reported a flock of 130 crows in the unit surrounding Schoeneberg Marsh Waterfowl Production Area/Erstad Prairie.

Brand Smith, our volunteer Kestrel Nest Box Program coordinator and Pat Ready, a kestrel nest box volunteer, had a high count of five kestrels. We wonder how many of the 17 kestrels found in the count were from the Madison Audubon kestrel box project?

American kestrel. Photo by Jim Stewart

Peregrine falcons did not nest in Wisconsin 50 years ago and we were lucky enough to find two (record high) on the count. Other species found in 2020 that were not present or very rare in Columbia County in 1971 include the wild turkey, merlin, Eurasian collared dove, sandhill cranes (rare), eastern bluebird (rare), and house finch.

JD Arnston and his parents reported a bald eagle carrying sticks for nest building along Rowan Creek Fishery Area near Poynette.

For 20 years an area around Goose Pond has been surveyed as the “Goose Pond Unit”. This year we found 25 species in the Goose Pond Unit including 7 redtails, 83 morning doves, 51 cranes, 250 lapland longspurs, and 185 house finches. Our highlight at Goose Pond was counting 170 house finches in our maple tree in the backyard of the Kampen Road residence.

We wrote in the October Friday Feathered Feature about the invasion of pine siskins. In early October we counted 1,017 pine siskins at Goose Pond. On the count day we could not find any pine siskins around Goose Pond and only found 37 in the larger 177 square mile count area. The nation-wide Audubon CBCs will provide information where the invasion was in the last half of December.

https://madisonaudubon.org/fff/2020/10/16/pine-siskin-2020-an-invasion-year

The 2020 pandemic year is behind us and we look toward things returning to normal before next year’s 51st Christmas Bird Count.

Thanks to all the field and feeder counters that made this a very successful count.

Written by Mark Martin and Susan-Foote Martin, Goose Pond Sanctuary resident managers

Cover photo by Dory Owen

The “Not So” Reckless Wrens 2020 Birdathon and COVID-19

Baltimore orioles everywhere at Otsego Marsh! Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar

The word “reckless” is defined as thoughtless, irresponsible and uncontrolled. Not so for our stalwart group of seasoned birders who took to the marshes, ponds, woodlots and prairies for the annual Great Wisconsin Birdathon that raises funds for Madison Audubon and the Natural Resources Foundation’s Bird Protection Fund. We began the count at 7:30 a.m. on May 15 and ended 24 hours later. The weather was perfect and so were the birds that seemed to show up on cue to be counted.

The COVID-19 virus set the rules for the count. For the first time, we were all going to be social distancing by separating into teams of one or two individuals based on households, each responsible for canvasing a specific area within our total count range. Although this might have seemed like a disadvantage, the divide and conquer method of birding turned out to be a very successful strategy that brought a record-breaking 137 species to the Reckless Wrens bird list! 

Graham and Calla, just one household unit of the Reckless Wrens team, get their bird count started. Photo by Richard Armstrong

We knew that the 2020 bird count was going to be strong. If what we were seeing for yard birds was an indication of what birds might be seen on the count day, we would not be disappointed. Birds at the Martin's cabin feeders and around the yard were colorful and plentiful. All seven species of woodpeckers, orioles, goldfinches, house finches, rose-breasted grosbeaks, hummingbirds and indigo buntings were some species that came to mind.

The 24-hour period featured beautiful sunny skies, light winds and low humidity. Vehicle traffic was light and only a single jet plane contrail was spotted. Instead, turkey vultures drifted overhead in graceful patterns that could have been orchestrated by bored air traffic controllers. We also had bald eagles, a northern harrier, and American kestrels cruising the skies overhead.

Turkey vultures teeter and totter in the clear air. Photo by Arlene Koziol

“Safer at Home” might have better prepared us for our day with the birds by clearing our minds of the normal day-to-day distractions that can clutter our thoughts. We might have been more tuned into the songs and sights of the colorful birds that surround us that otherwise might have gone unnoticed. So too were the sounds of the wind through the trees or the liquid tinkling of water flowing in the creeks where we stood that day. 

The 2020 count was different because the rules had been changed by a virus. We know that the number of birds is declining precipitously, but on this day the birds were with us. 

Numbers and some highlights:

In the first seven years the Reckless Wrens averaged 96 species with the previous high of 121 in 2018. We have many highlights and memories from this year. This year was a record count for American white pelicans: 1 at Goose Pond, 5 at Mud Lake Wildlife Area WA, 20 at Otsego Marsh, 25 at a Waterfowl Production Area (WPA) northeast of Pardeeville, and 68 at Schoeneberg Marsh WPA/Erstad Prairie. American bitterns are a new species for our count and were found at Goose Pond and Rowan Creek Fishery Area. We were very pleased to find black terns (state-endangered), 12 at Whalen Grade, 13 at Schoeneberg Marsh WPA/Erstad Prairie, and 25 black terns at Grassy Lake WA. A highlight for the Martins was finding two active red-shouldered hawk nests (state-threatened) and two more nests that might be active. Overall, we found 12 species that are listed as State-endangered, threatened, or special concern.

Red-shouldered hawk nestlings, photo by Arlene Koziol

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Kathy and Jim Shurts wrote:

We started our Birdathon day at the Vienna Waterfowl Production Area on County V just west of DeForest.  This set the tone for the day, visiting various wetlands and flooded fields in northern Dane County and southern Columbia County. The water table was high everywhere and we were routinely slowing down or stopping to look over the flooded fields and ponds. One thing that really stood out is that there is no lack of Red-winged Blackbirds, Canada Geese, or Sandhill Cranes in this part of Wisconsin! We did bird at small woodlots as well, and these provided highlights, especially the squabbling male Baltimore Orioles. The flashes of bright orange are always a delight. We ended our day at Whalen Grade, a road that dissects Whalen Bay from the rest of Lake Wisconsin. The Black Terns and Common Terns, both state endangered species, were a treat to see. Whalen Grade is also a popular fishing spot and there were many people out on this nice day fishing from shore. We missed our fellow team members but still had a good time.

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Graham wrote:

Birding for Calla and me is a calm and leisurely activity that encourages us to explore wildlife areas, state natural areas, and parks. While the Birdathon fits that description, it has an edge of urgency that I do not find in a non-event setting. We started at 7:30 a.m. and by 5:00 p.m. there were 92 species written down for the two of us. Neither of us has ever made a checklist that large. After Calla and I discussed our options, we agreed to find 100 species within the 24-hour period. We were so close already, why not try?

After sunset we were on the search for some night birds around Governor Nelson State Park. We had given up on owls when a large bodied raptor lifted out of a tree and disappeared immediately into the darkness. Neither of us had good enough night vision to tell what it was, but the speaker is an excellent birding tool. We hopped out, played a great horned owl call, and the bird soared in as silently as it had left landing in an oak at 20 yards. It sat for a moment like a statue. We didn’t move either. Two minutes later the bird started hopping and hooting, and Calla jotted down great horned owl. We got up early the following morning, and reached our goal of 100 birds. Here are a few other events of note:

1. A red-tailed hawk nest was found at Otsego Marsh last year. Calla did an imitation of the bird with a keee-arr, to see if she could get their attention. The nest appeared inactive, but two nearby red-headed woodpeckers were startled into flight. This was a first for Calla, and she was ecstatic.

2. Blue-gray gnatcatchers are tiny ping pong ball birds with very angry eyebrows. Neither of us had seen one until one dropped in on us at Goose Pond.

3. Otsego Marsh is FULL of Baltimore orioles, especially near the parking lot. It was a treat to have a dozen males flashing orange and singing while a few females decided who to pick.

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JD Arnston wrote:

JD checking out warbler heaven! Photo by Mark Martin

I started the Birdathon a bit later in the day than most — leaving work at 5:00 p.m. to go birding at Rowan Creek Fishery Area near Poynette where I knew I could add a red-breasted nuthatch to the team's list. In addition to the nuthatch, I saw several other great species including an American bittern, barred owl, and a golden-winged warbler — a lifer for me. I continued to bird until 10:00 p.m., finding a common nighthawk at Goose Pond and a pair of eastern screech owls! My Birdathon didn't stop there, as I met up with Mark the next morning at 6:30 a.m. at Mud Lake WA to search for warblers. We made sure to bird at a safe distance (6 feet or more) and had an amazing hour, with 13 species of warblers seen. Although I had several highlights throughout these my few hours, my favorite moment was when we saw a black-throated blue warbler (another lifer for me), a prothonotary warbler, and a northern waterthrush along forested ponds where we found other warblers such as magnolia and Nashville warblers flitted overhead. This was the first Birdathon that I've helped with, and I'm already looking forward to next year's count. 

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Special thanks to the donors and others please consider giving a financial gift to the Reckless Wren Birdathon Team to support Madison Audubon and the Bird Protection Fund.

Written by Sue Foote-Martin and Mark Martin Goose Pond resident managers, Jim (team captain) and Kathy Shurts, Graham Steinhauer, Goose Pond land steward, Calla Norris, and JD Arnston.

Earth Day Bird Count

Calla is checking out the sights, photo by Graham Steinhauer

We decided to hold an “Earth Day” Goose Pond Sanctuary Bird Count to reflect on changes to the sanctuary over the past 50 years. On April 23, 2020, Graham Steinhauer and Calla Norris counted in one team while Mark counted by himself in order to maintain social distancing.

On a gray day like April 23, it’s difficult to guess what birds you will find. You see a few drab shapes (save for the striking black and white contrast of diving ducks) swimming in the shallows or flitting about in the bushes. It takes a decent pair of binoculars, patience, and some help from a field guide to figure out what is actually going on.

We were very pleased to find 53 bird species and 2,668 individuals. The water levels have remained high since March of 2019, and helped contribute to the high number of water birds. The three and one half hour count was conducted with clouds, 10 mile per hour winds and a high of 52 degrees. The 2020 spring migration for some species is late. Usually all geese have headed north except for one or two nesting pairs, and we were surprised to find 529 Canada geese, 70 cackling geese, 4 snow geese and 2 greater white-fronted geese. The main reason we conducted the count was to document early nesting species including Canada geese and ducks.  

The highlight of the day regards wood ducks. There are two duck boxes at Goose Pond, and one of them has been inhabited by hooded mergansers for the last six years. Where are the wood ducks? We probably have low densities of wood ducks because there isn’t a lot of woody cover. This year Graham erected a third duck box two weeks ago. He checked it yesterday (April 23) and voilà! A hen wood duck popped out of the box, and she was sitting on a clutch of eggs. This is the first record of wood ducks nesting at Goose Pond. 

Wood duck couple, photo by Monica Hall

Other observations of note include finding three goose nests in the Manthe wetlands on muskrat houses, 14 species of ducks including a pair of pintails and a lone male, a record of 175 mallards (129 pairs - 46 pairs seen and 83 lone drakes where the females are nesting),  43 double-crested cormorants, an estimated 464 tree swallows that were mostly hunting over the water due to cool weather and a record number of 53 yellow-rumped warblers that were also busy catching insects. Mark will long remember watching duck butts on the Manthe wetlands from Kampen Road.  There were blue-winged teal, northern shovelers, gadwalls, mallards, and northern pintails feasting in the shallow water.  

At feeders during this time of year we trade juncos for goldfinches, chickadees for white-crowned sparrows, and tree sparrows for blackbirds… red-winged and yellow-headed, as it turns out! For a period of five days, three yellow-headed blackbird males frequented bird feeders at the Prairie Lane Residence. We didn’t see any yellow-headed blackbirds during our count, but we’re delighted to have seen them within the last week.

Yellow-headed blackbirds looking at Graham, looking at them. Photo by Graham Steinhauer

Beyond the checklist itself, surveying all of the water and some of the uplands on Goose Pond’s 660 acres, gives you insight on the importance of each habitat or even microhabitat. We try to provide as many quality pieces of habitat for grassland, savanna, and wetland birds as we can. Here are a few examples of the specificities required by bird species. 

A beautiful yellow-rumped warbler, by Richard Armstrong

1. Green-winged teal were found almost exclusively in the wetland scrapes south of the Kampen Road Residence. 

2. Almost all of the yellow-rumped warblers were seen flying back and forth from a patch of sumac to large oak trees.  

3. 85% of ring-neck ducks were found in a thin isthmus of vegetation and flooded cottonwood stumps. We cut those cottonwoods in the winter of 2018.

4. 464 tree swallows were seen during this count, and they were either on their nest box, in the air, or on one particular small dead tree. There was seemingly nothing special about this tree besides that it was near the water where they were feeding. At least 120 tree swallows were seen occupying its few thin branches at a time.

5. One downy woodpecker was observed, and it was on the best (ask a downy what that means) of three snags at Goose Pond. 

Fifty years ago Madison Audubon had just acquired 60 acres along Prairie Lane, and restoration efforts did not begin until 1976 with the planting of the Bicentennial Prairie.  In 1970 there was very little nesting cover in the local area and no restored wetlands.

Today, Madison Audubon owns 660 acres that includes over 400 acres of restored prairie.  With the high water and our 20 acre acres of restored wetlands there are 180 acres covered by water in the local area.  Our neighbors Rollie and Lynn Manthe have their land in wetland and restored prairie habitat.  Judi Benade, a neighbor to the west, has another 75 acres of wildlife habitat.  The upland nesting ducks and grassland bird numbers have greatly responded to the increase in grassland cover.  

Fifty years ago, there were no Canada geese, wood ducks, hooded mergansers, sandhill cranes, northern harriers, or clay-colored sparrows nesting in the area. 

Sandhill cranes happily nest at Goose Pond Sanctuary in 2020. Photo by Arlene Koziol

In 1985 Mark and Sue began erecting kestrel nesting boxes and have greatly expanded the kestrel nest box project thanks to coordination by Brand Smith. On this day, we ran into Bob Bennicoff, a volunteer who was monitoring kestrel boxes. Bob had a smile on his face when he told us about the five pairs of kestrels nesting within a half mile of Goose Pond.

We also observed a number of bird watchers and one hiker on our trail system that enjoyed getting as close to nature as possible while maintaining a reasonable distance from other humans.  This has been an excellent spring migration and many people have visited to view the sanctuary and take a break from staying at home.

Looking back we are thankful to the many members, partners, and neighbors that have helped Goose Pond grow to benefit the prairie, wetlands,  flora and fauna, and our visitors.  The future looks bright for increasing the size and quality of Goose Pond Sanctuary as we move ahead to the 100th celebration of Earth Day! 

Written By Mark and Sue Foote-Martin, Goose Pond Sanctuary resident managers, and Graham Steinhauer, land steward