[wisb] Madison BIGBY Update

From: Max Witynski <birdmax922@xxxxxxxxx>
To: wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2011 20:28:30 -0500
Yesterday I ran my BIGBY route, which is very similar to Kim
Kreitinger's, between 4:00 and 4:30.  I started off with a pair of
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers in my yard, then ran down the bike path to
the Nakoma Duck Pond.  There I had not much besides cowbirds and a
raptor that was probably a harrier (should have brought my nice
binoculars).

As I approached the Ho Nee Um area things really picked up.  I had
three new BIGBY birds: White-throated Sparrow, N. Flicker, and E.
Phoebe right in a row. Then a Fox Sparrow and a Towhee each flew out
of a bush.  Six Blue-winged Teal were in the water with Gadwall,
Mallards, and Shovelers.  A Yellow-rumped Warbler was near a flock of
about thirty Cedar Waxwings by the giant sycamore tree.  As I stood at
the sewage drain outlet, I could see 25 or so small gulls really
fighting the wind over the lake.  I was 99% sure they were Bonaparte's
because of the gray wings with white leading primaries.  My new
Crossley Guide helped me confirm when I got home.  I had 31 species
near Lake Wingra.

This morning I woke up to a Hermit Thrush in my backyard hopping under
a bush which a robin is building a nest in.  I heard two
White-throated Sparrows and one Hermit Thrush singing on the bike
path.  On the ride home an E. Bluebird was in the field across the
street from my house.  I have thought about putting a Bluebird box
there for years and think I will finally do it.  Does anyone know if
Wild Birds Unlimited sells them?

My BIGBY list is up to 59.  Recent highlights besides those already
mentioned have been:

10 Duck Species in Ho Nee Um
20-30 Turkey Vultures roosting in a grove of pines along the bikepath
every morning and evening since 3/17.  Every day I see someone stopped
on their bike just staring open-mouthed up at them, and I usually stop
and talk for a second.
Woodcock on the bikepath!  That sure was a surprise.
Chipping Sparrows returning to my feeders yesterday.

Good Birding!
Max Witynski (Madison, Dane)
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[wisb] Madison BIGBY Update

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