[wisb] Horicon Marsh Festival Field Trip results

From: Daryl Tessen <bhaunts@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Sat, 8 May 2010 16:21:45 -0500
Dennis G and I helped on the festival Friday (until 2:00 pm) and  
today (until noon).  Friday the leader was Jeff B and today Brad  
Webb.  Despite the challenging weather both days (Fri was rain and  
today was strong northwest winds and COLD;  when I left Appleton this  
morning it was snowing with the rain).
Friday we had 110 species with Black-necked Stilt (3), Am Avocet (3),  
Upland Sandpiper, Glossy Ibis (2) being the highlights.  15 shorebird  
and 12 warbler species were found.

Today we had 119 species (which is a record, by one, for any festival  
trip) that included Friday's four highlights, plus a Rusty Blackbird  
(heard and seen well), Barred Owl, Lapland Longspurs, Am Pipits.  13  
warblers, 14 shorebirds.

However after today's trip I returned back to Hwy 49 between the  
pumphouse and the 49 sign where there is ever improving shorebird  
habitat.  The Glossy Ibis remain absurdly easy to see and up close.   
However the shorebirds had increased from late morning to now include  
40 Wilson's Phalaropes, 125 Dunlins, 100+ Le Yellowlegs, a Stilt  
Sandpiper and 3 short-billed Dowitchers, among others.  Then a  
Peregrine Falcon cruised thru and every thing up close and back in  
the marsh took flight, even the 3 Avocets.  When things finally  
returned a Ruddy Turnstone and 2 Long-billed Dowitchers were  
present.  Then 2 Peregrines went thru and the routine was repeated.   
The Avocets moved much closer to the road and on the west end of the  
pond by the sign.  (All sightings are on the south side of the  
highway;  way too much water on the north side.)  And the "3rd" Black- 
necked Stilt (apparently that the main dike pair have chased out from  
last weekend) remains by the cattails on the west side.  During this  
post trip time along 49 there were 6 new species that we did not see  
there during the trip!  It does change fast!!

There is an impressive number of shorebirds that are building in this  
area and should be watched during the upcoming days.  Apparently this  
is the section that the feds are drawing down this year for shorebirds.

Good luck.

Daryl Tessen
Appleton, WI





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[wisb] Horicon Marsh Festival Field Trip results

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