[wisb] Iowa and Sauk Cos. yesterday

From: Peter Fissel <pfissel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Wisconsin Birding Network <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2014 08:40:30 -0500
I went west of town yesterday to see what had come in recently.  Started at 
Thomson Memorial Prairie on the Dane/Iowa Co. line, on F south of Blue Mound.  
Not much there besides E. Meadowlarks and Red-wings.  I continued south on F to 
Schurch-Thomson Prairie, a Prairie Enthusiasts property.  I saw a big flock of 
longspurs in the air as I pulled onto Reilly Rd.  They settled down on the 
ridge to the south, so I broke the scope out.  Every one I could see clearly 
was a Lapland, most in full breeding plumage.  Very nice.  Also heard my FOY 
House Wren and Upland Sandpiper while standing there.  A pair of Brown 
Thrashers kept me alert, since I kept thinking I was hearing other birds.  Nice 
selection of birds in the woodlot up by the barn and kiosk, but nothing 
stunning. 
 
I checked a few areas east of Mineral Point, but didn't hear any Western 
Meadowlarks.  On Town Line Rd. east of Mineral Point, where the road dips down 
into a wooded ravine, I picked up FOY Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and Gray Catbird.  
I thought maybe I heard a Bobwhite east of the road, but there was a B. 
Thrasher over that way, so I wasn't sure.  Good habitat, though - pasture and 
savannah. 
 
Nothing of note at Gov. Dodge State Park.  The Stephens Falls trail was busy on 
a nice Saturday afternoon, so fairly birdless.  They've cleared out most of the 
brush where the Bell's Vireos are usually found on the road to Twin Valley, 
including near all of it along the bridal trail.  Oh well.  
 
In Sauk Co., Bakkens Pond west of Spring Green had tons of Coots and very few 
ducks.  There were lots of swallows feeding low over the water, including my 
FOY No. Rough-winged and Cliff.  Lots of Yellow-rumps there, and I gradually 
became aware that the trill I was hearing was a Pine Warbler, not a Chipping 
Sparrow (my ears are rusty yet.)  I walked over to the row of pines and spotted 
it flitting around.  Briefly checked Peck Rd. which was very quiet.  Spring 
Green Preserve was windy, hence not very birdy.  Several Field Sparrows, but no 
Lark Sparrows (Jim Otto had them earlier this week.)  A Grasshopper Sparrow 
sang once.  
 
Peter Fissel
Madison, WI
####################
You received this email because you are subscribed to the Wisconsin Birding 
Network (Wisbirdn).
To UNSUBSCRIBE or SUBSCRIBE, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: 
//www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn
To set DIGEST or VACATION modes, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: 
//www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn
Visit Wisbirdn ARCHIVES at: //www.freelists.org/archives/wisbirdn
[wisb] Iowa and Sauk Cos. yesterday

Other related posts:
