[wisb] Blue Grosbeak, Whooping Cranes

From: Daryl Tessen <bhaunts@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Mon, 18 May 2009 18:10:25 -0500
On a "run" down to Mud Lake WA to try for the chat and moorhen---both  
successful, although the chat was not very cooperative, only scolded  
a little, probably due to the wind---I checked out several other  
areas.  The BreezyPt/Jersey ponds were rather quiet, both going and  
coming back.  A Black-bellied Plover, numerous Dunlins and 6 Sb  
Dowitchers, among a few others.
The Arlington ponds were likewise also very quiet with only a very  
few shorebirds present.  After checking out Grassy Lake (Columbia co)  
I swung around on the east and north roads.  On the road going north  
along the east side of the lake a bird flew in front of my vehicle.   
This was by the railroad tracks.  What was surprising was that it was  
a dark blue.  Fortunately it landed on a mullen stalk by the tracks,  
allowing me to see the thick grosbeak bill, and brownish wingbars--- 
male Blue Grosbeak.  A real surprise.  After a minute or two in flew  
off to the northeast.

The next surprise was at the Harvey/Hwy 60 pond.  I noticed three  
white things on the west pond as I approached, which proved to be 3  
Whooping Cranes.  They were feeding but soon two of them started  
their "dance".  What a pleasure to watch.  I alerted a birder who was  
checking out the marsh to the north.  Both of us enjoyed their antics  
including dancing, feeding and circling the area.  They were still  
present when I returned about an hour or so later.

On the way home I decided to check the small pond along Cty G in  
Winnebago co (I did not know of Bettie's post about this pond before  
hand.).  The Avocet stood out as I pulled off on the shoulder (such  
as it is).  Scoping the pond revealed 11 species of shorebirds.   
Prior to this I had had only 8 species after checking all that prime  
shorebird habitat in Dodge, Columbia and Dane cos.  Why this small  
pond had so many species is intriguing!  (For the day I had 14  
shorebirds.)
Daryl Tessen
Appleton, WI






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[wisb] Blue Grosbeak, Whooping Cranes

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