Although American Robins have a well-known reputation as harbingers of spring, populations can be found throughout the northern continental U.S. in winter, including Wisconsin.
Ring-necked Pheasants are a nonnative species brought to Wisconsin in 1916 as a game bird. Management at Goose Pond has primarily focused on the restoration of native habitat to support native species, though pheasants also benefit from these practices.
This week, I’d like to focus on a species observed by our other Christmas Bird Count group, a bird who always looks like it just lost a bar fight: the Red Crossbill.
This year we prepared for the first-ever Christmas Bird Count (CBC) at Fair Meadows Sanctuary, after we recently learned that we were not part of any of the official National Audubon CBC circles.
From mugs to sweaters and holiday cards, the striking red of the male Northern Cardinal can be spotted more times in my grandma’s living room than at my bird feeders.