[wisb] Horicon to add "new" bird

From: Jeffrey Bahls <jbahls@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: wisbirdnet <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:39:58 -0600
Passenger Pigeon Donated to Horicon Marsh International Education Center

The passenger pigeon was at one time the most abundant bird in North
America.  However, due to unregulated hunting and habitat destruction
this bird went extinct in the early 1900’s.  The loss of the passenger
pigeon was among the most vivid examples of species extinction and in
many ways provided the impetus for our modern conservation ethic.

Because this bird disappeared nearly 100 years ago, only a few
specimens remain in a select number of museums and collections in the
world.  Around the turn of the last century, a young passenger pigeon
was mounted in Waukesha County by William Zimdars and remained in his
private collection for decades.  Throughout his lifetime he practiced
taxidermy and had assembled a sizeable collection of a wide variety of
birds.  Years ago, he passed his collection on to his son, who also
recently passed away.  The bird was kept by the son’s wife, Mildred
Zimdars and following her husband’s death, the family went through the
estate.  This was when this priceless specimen again came to light.

Realizing the uniqueness and tremendous historical value of this rare
specimen, the family contacted DNR Naturalist, Bill Volkert to assess
the entire family collection of mounted birds.  Bill traveled to the
family home to identify all of the birds in the collection and to
advise which ones are currently protected under federal law.

All migratory birds fall under federal protection and therefore needed
to be kept in the family, since they were mounted prior to the current
laws, or given to a museum or other institution having a federal
collector’s permit.  The vast majority of the collection was given to
DNR.  Not knowing what to do with the passenger pigeon, the family
finally decided that an appropriate place for this would be to have it
on display at the new Horicon Marsh International Education Center.
On Friday, January 8, 2010 Clyde and Kathy Robinson, granddaughter of
William Zimdars, traveled to Horicon Marsh to deliver this bird.

This extinct species will become part of the exhibits at the new
Education Center and a special public unveiling of this display will
take place at the January meeting of the Horicon Marsh Bird Club.
This will be held on Thursday evening, January 21 when the monthly
program will focus on the history of the passenger pigeon.  Everyone
is welcome to participate in the program and view this very rare and
special display.  The program begins at 7:00 pm. program description

 The Passenger Pigeon – Biological Storm Revisited
The January 21st meeting of the Horicon Marsh Bird Club will feature
environmental historian, artist, author, educator, musician, and
speaker Kelly Bleich of Randolph.  Bleich has lectured throughout the
state on the passenger pigeon and will provide insights into the
extinct bird’s history.  He will share his collection of
thought-provoking materials as part of the evening’s program including
a drawing of “Martha”, the last passenger pigeon; his book, “Floating
Sticks, Tides and Waterfalls”, with a poem written in memory of the
last great flight in our area; and an Owen Gromme print of the birds.
The local connection to this bird that conservationist Aldo Leopold
described as part of a “biological storm” will be considered.
        Bleich has met and spent time with several well-known naturalists
including working as a “gabboon” for Fran Hamerstrom.
        The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the lower level at the
International Education Center located on Highway 28 north of Horicon.
Refreshments will be served after the program during which time
persons attending are invited to look more closely at Kelly’s
collection and visit with this uniquely talented and most interesting
speaker.


The Friends of the Horicon Marsh International Education Center would
like acknowledge the generosity of Kathy and Clyde Robinson and the
Zimdars family who provided the passenger pigeon for exhibit at the
Education Center.

Hope to see you there

Jeff Bahls
Lowell WI
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[wisb] Horicon to add "new" bird

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