[wisb] Nine Springs, Dane County
- From: "Charles Henrikson" <ckhenrikson@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Wisconsin Birding Network" <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2011 23:37:54 -0500
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
Let's start with the worst.
I actually started birding at the south end of Lower Mud Lake. As I approached
the lake I saw a few Pied-billed Grebes but, unusually, not much else. As I
stood at the edge of the lake I heard Blam! Blam! Blam! from the right. Whoa,
that was close. I looked to left and saw a group of birds on the water. On
closer look, they were all decoys. Then another Blam! Blam! Blam! from the
left. This was way too dangerous. I left.
Next I went to Fish Camp Park on Lake Kegonsa. In the far parking lot were ten
trucks with attached empty boat trailers. I stepped out of the car and saw a
few American Coots on the lake. Looking toward the point where the Yahara
River enters the lake I was again startled by Blam! Blam! Blam!. I put my bins
on the far bank of the Yahara and there was a hunter standing in his blind. I
couldn't believe that hunting could occur right where boats were being
launched. Again, I left.
Okay here's the best.
Looking for a safer place to bird I went to Nine Springs. I saw the usual
Canada Geese, American Coots and Mallards but also Northern Shovelers,
Gadwalls, American Wigeons, Buffleheads, Ruddy Ducks and Green-winged Teal.
Walking east on the main trail I saw an adult Bald Eagle standing on the more
northern spit of land extending into Pond 3. As I studied the eagle with my
spotting scope a juvenile Bald Eagle flew in and landed by the adult. After a
couple minutes another adult flew in and joined the first two eagles, all three
standing side by side. The size difference between the two adults was
dramatic. The female's head looked to be twice as large as the male's head.
As I continued to watch the eagles my attention was diverted by a raptor flying
over the trail to the east. It was a Peregrin Falcon. As it came toward me a
small flock of ducks flew beneath the falcon. The falcon dove down and plucked
one duck right out of the air. I watched the falcon fly away with the duck in
its talons. The duck looked just as big as the falcon yet the falcon had no
trouble flying with its load. However after 100 yards or so the falcon lost
its grip on the duck and the duck fell straight to the ground. I don't know if
the falcon ever recovered its prey.
With the falcon in the air the three eagles also became airborne. That stirred
up 40+ unseen Sandhill Cranes. They flew in all directions with a lot of
associated frantic calling. Finally the raptors left and all became quiet
again.
The icing on the cake was while leaving I saw a Northern Shrike in the same
tree in which I had seen one a week ago, a lone Pectoral Sandpiper on the far
eastern mudflat and a flock of Rusty Blackbirds feeding on the partly empty
creek on the south side of the trail.
What a day!
My eBird reports is appended below.
Good birding to all but be careful during the hunting season,
Chuck Henrikson
Madison, Dane County
Nine Springs Natural Area, Dane, US-WI
Oct 29, 2011 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
24 species
Canada Goose 250
Gadwall 26
American Wigeon 8
Mallard 75
Northern Shoveler 34
Green-winged Teal 6
Bufflehead 4
Ruddy Duck 8
Bald Eagle 3
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Peregrine Falcon 1
American Coot 80
Sandhill Crane 43
Pectoral Sandpiper 1
Ring-billed Gull 15
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Shrike 1
American Crow 46
Black-capped Chickadee 1
American Robin 5
American Tree Sparrow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 28
Rusty Blackbird 33
American Goldfinch 1
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