[wisb] WSO Field Trip report - White River Marsh

From: "Tom Schultz" <trschultz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Wisbirdn" <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sun, 2 May 2010 09:02:56 -0500
White River Marsh -- WSO field trip report
Green Lake County, May 1, 2010

As Daryl Tessen alluded in his post last evening, our WSO field trip had a 
spectacular morning yesterday at the White River Marsh in Green Lake County. 
A large moon hung over the dim southern sky as we began gathering at 5:00 AM 
along the Rustic Road, and bird sounds filled the air.  The sky was mostly 
clear, and the temperature was definitely on the balmy side - around 55 
degrees, which was probably about 30 higher than our typical starting 
temperature!  At this point, the winds were still relatively light, although 
they became much stronger by late morning.  In various places across the 
marsh, Wilson's Snipe were winnowing, American Woodcock were peenting and 
doing flight displays, cranes and rails were calling, American Bitterns were 
pumping, and Barred and Great Horned Owls were heard - along with many other 
birds.  As we walked along the gravel roadway, we heard our first Marsh and 
Sedge Wrens of the year, and as we listened to the latter we suddenly 
started hearing a "tick-tick, tick-tick-tick." from out of the sedge meadow. 
"Yellow Rail!", was the excited proclamation, and the distinctive ticking 
continued for several minutes, as we all listened with big smiles on our 
faces.

Shortly after this, our first Yellow Warbler was heard singing, followed by 
a Common Yellowthroat, and further along the road in on an oak island we 
encountered several Yellow-rumps, Palms, gnatcatchers, House Wren and 
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, among others.  We decided to walk back up the road in 
the opposite direction to try for a Henslow's Sparrow, but unfortunately 
they weren't calling, but we did find some other new birds, including Wood 
Thrush, Nashville Warbler, Bobolink, Baltimore Oriole, and a Pileated 
Woodpecker called and provided a fly-by.  Our group of about 20 then headed 
back to the vehicles and we drove up to the north side of the wildlife area, 
to a prairie restoration on South Road.  Here we found Henslow's and 
Grasshopper Sparrows, as well as Eastern Meadowlarks, and just down the road 
a Blue-winged Warbler provided some great looks after its "bee-buzz" song 
was heard.

Our next stop was along Hwy. D, near the White River bridge, where a 
Cerulean Warbler was heard almost immediately.  During our search to get 
looks, other birds were added, including Yellow-throated Vireo, American 
Redstart, and a very surprising Yellow-billed Cuckoo was heard and provided 
great looks.  Least Flycatcher and Ovenbird were also calling from the 
woods.

After this we drove to another spot on D where we had nice variety of 
sparrow, including Henslow's and Grasshopper, Chipping, Field and Vesper. 
From here it was back to the Rustic Road, and a spot where Pine Warblers 
have sometimes nested, and we were rewarded with looks at a male and female. 
As we were turning around on this dead-end road, some soaring Turkey 
Vultures and Broad-winged Hawks were spotted.

Following a rest break at a Princeton gas station, we headed south to the 
town of Marquette, on Lake Puckaway, where we added a number of new birds 
including cormorants, pelicans, gulls, Forster's Terns, Great Egrets, and 
Purple Martins.  Following a quick tour of the north side of Grand River 
Marsh we drove southeast to Lake Maria to check for waterbirds.  Several new 
ducks were added to the day's list, along with Red-necked Grebe, and more 
terns and pelicans.

We made one final stop at a mudflat less than a mile south of here on Hwy. 
73, where both yellowlegs were present, along with Pectoral Sandpiper and 
Green-winged Teal.  By now it was a little after noon, and we decided to 
call it a day, but it had been a great morning, with about 100 species 
recorded - including a number of very good ones!
Thanks to Jeff Baughman for co-leading this trip, and to everyone who shared 
in this great spring experience!

Tom Schultz
WSO Field Trips co-chair
Green Lake 

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[wisb] WSO Field Trip report - White River Marsh

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