[wisb] WSO Horicon field trip results

WSO Horicon Marsh Field Trip - August 23, 2009

About 50 birders gathered along Hwy. 49 near the north end of Horicon Marsh 
this morning, under sunny skies and with temperatures rising from around 50 
degrees -- and little or no wind.  There was the standard variety of ducks 
present, along with Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Pied-billed Grebes, 
coots, cormorants, and large flocks of American White Pelicans that were 
feeding as a group.  Unfortunately, the water levels have been too high this 
year for shorebirds in this area, but some people were lucky enough to spot 
the family of Trumpeter Swans that has been present.  A couple of male 
Yellow-headed Blackbirds also made a close fly-by.

We left about 8:50 to drive to the auto tour, stopping first at the parking 
lot near the entrance to carpool.  There wasn't much bird activity along the 
loop (except for a brief view of Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, as well as 
some Solitary Sandpipers), so the group parked and walked out along the Old 
Marsh Road.  There was a flock of about 20 Black Terns present, along with 
Green Herons, and a few Lesser Yellowlegs, pelicans and other marsh birds. 
Walking further to the next pool, we had good looks at a couple of Snowy 
Egrets that were actively feeding, as well as some Wilson's Snipe.

Around 10:30 we headed south along the east side of the marsh and drove out 
on the Main Dike, to the spot where the water levels are lower and there has 
been some good shorebird habitat.  Unfortunately, the numbers of sandpipers 
and plovers were quite a bit down from what had been there on a scouting 
visit earlier in the morning -- but we had decent looks at Least, 
Semipalmated and Pectoral Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Semipalmated 
Plovers.  Also spotted were single White-rumped and Stilt Sandpipers, but 
soon after the latter was found we discovered the reason that there were now 
fewer birds present -- a Peregrine Falcon came rocketing in, soon to be 
joined by a second one, and off went the shorebirds!  The falcons briefly 
chased each other, then flew around making quick passes at the now-flying 
flocks of sandpipers.  At one point both immature peregrines perched in a 
dead tree about 100 yards down the road, giving us decent scope views for a 
short time.  We enjoyed seeing them, but were also pleased to see them leave 
after a few minutes, so the shorebirds could begin to return -- but 
unfortunately no different species were spotted.  Sora and Virginia Rails 
frequently called from the marsh, and one or two of each were spotted 
walking around on the mudflats, and a couple of Northern Harriers also came 
cruising by while we were there.  About 11:45 most of the people were ready 
to move on, so we wrapped up the field trip and everyone headed toward their 
respective homes.  Thanks to everyone who participated, and to Jeff Baughman 
for co-leading this outing.

Tom Schultz
WSO Field Trips co-chair
Green Lake Co. 

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