[wisb] Re: Question about Smith's Longspurs
- From: "Steve Thiessen" <stevethiessen@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <carol.jaksic@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2014 01:58:33 -0500
I've walked that field ever since I saw it became a WPA. It is very
interesting to watch and I'm looking forward to see what it looks like this
fall. And yes I will be walking it to see if I can find LeConte's and
Nelson's Sparrows. They will be there a few days this fall, I'm sure.
Even though many people have walked this field this week, I can't really
see a change in it. A lot of the base is still just dirt, but the plants
that came in seem strong. It was interesting that with the snow, last
winter,a lot of the grass seeds seem to still be there.
As far as the longspurs go, it was a interesting learning experience. They
don't act like the Laplands. Even though they did get flushed a number of
times, it wasn't a constant thing. It wasn't as bad as you are thinking or
making it out to be. The field is about 1/4 by 1/3 mile. When they didn't
want to be seen they could really disappear. Now the Savannah Sparrows may
have thought "Oh no, here they come again".
Now to dogs. I've taken a dog for walks in many fields. The birds don't
mind them near as much as they do people. And oddly enough , when I first
saw these birds (I knew what they were but needed and wanted a good look), I
let the dog walk ahead in hopes it would flush them. The longspurs got up
and flew, but not in a panic. I got great views of a bright male flying
close by.
There are many ways to bird. Some times I love to be alone and be slow and
try to notice everything. Sometimes it's all out. We chase rare birds, but
the journey with friends is the real plus. Wildlife is different every day,
and I guess so are we.
Enjoy the spring! Steve Thiessen Stoughton Dane co.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Carol Jaksic" <carol.jaksic@xxxxxxxxx>
Cc: "Wisconsin Birding Network" <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2014 5:39 PM
Subject: [wisb] Re: Question about Smith's Longspurs
>I was thinking the same thing Joan. Sounded more like harassment to the
> birds. For what, a look, a photograph, an add to a bird list? Aren't they
> migrating and wouldn't they need to rest up and eat. That didn't sound
> like
> appropriate birding to me either, but I guess everyone does their birding
> differently. I'm wondering too if that is what you do when you hunt birds,
> or just send dogs in to flush them out?
>
> On Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 10:35 AM, Lutes, Jim <jim_lutes@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> Another GREAT question..Thanks Mike! I should have provided a source for
>> finding other WPAs. Anyone can visit the WPA Mapper at
>> http://gis.fws.gov/WPA_Mapper/ or just do a search for WPA Mapper. The
>> District also has a website http://www.fws.gov/refuge/leopold_wmd/ where
>> you can find maps. Just be aware that the maps are updated as time allows
>> and may not be up to date.
>> *"Anyone can love the mountains, **it takes soul to love the prairie."*
>>
>> Jim Lutes
>> Wildlife Biologist
>> Horicon NWR/Leopold WMD Complex
>> W10040 Cascade Mountain Road
>> Portage, WI 53901
>> jim_lutes@xxxxxxx
>> 608.742.7100 ext. 17 (Office)
>> 920.948.4763 (Cell)
>> 608.745.0866 (Fax)
>> http://www.fws.gov/midwest/horicon/
>> http://www.fws.gov/midwest/leopold/
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 10:17 AM, Mike Wanger <misterwanger@xxxxxxxxx
>> >wrote:
>>
>> > Thank you, Jim -- good comments.
>> > I'm wondering if there is a website you could direct me to that lists
>> > or
>> > maps the locations of these 55 properties? If you'd care to share on
>> > the
>> > listserv, that might be good too...
>> >
>> > thanks
>> > Mike Wanger
>> > Milwaukee
>> >
>> >
>> > On Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 10:10 AM, Lutes, Jim <jim_lutes@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>> >
>> >> Hi Joan -
>> >> Great question! So, from a purely regulatory standpoint, WPAs are open
>> to
>> >> public access for wildlife dependent activities such as hunting,
>> fishing,
>> >> wildlife observation and photography, environmental education and
>> >> interpretation. I have been excited to read throughout the past couple
>> of
>> >> weeks the attention that this property has been receiving! Shameless
>> plug
>> >> alert.....there are 54 other such properties throughout Southeastern
>> >> Wisconsin! Now, from an ethical and biological standpoint I have to
>> admit
>> >> I
>> >> had concerns regarding enthusiasts repeatedly flushing birds so they
>> could
>> >> make positive identification. I guess in my mind I rationalized it in
>> >> these
>> >> ways, 1) It sounds as if, generally, there were groups pf people
>> >> making
>> >> the
>> >> trek to see the birds. I would rather see several people going out
>> >> once
>> or
>> >> twice in a day than individuals going out throughout the day and
>> >> continuously disrupting the birds. 2) The habitat condition of this
>> field
>> >> in particular is in a transient stage being a relatively new grassland
>> >> planting. In subsequent years the cover in this field will become more
>> >> dense than currently exists until we burn it for the first time (which
>> >> should be next spring if our schedule holds) so I guess I would say
>> enjoy
>> >> it while it lasts. Lastly, along those "enjoy it while it lasts" lines
>> 3)
>> >> this is a great opportunity for enthusiasts of all stripes to actually
>> >> visualize the changes in community structure and diversity which is
>> >> brought
>> >> about through restoration and management. These early stages of
>> >> restoration
>> >> have been great for these longspurs...what will it be next year? Tune
>> >> in
>> >> and see!
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> *"Anyone can love the mountains, **it takes soul to love the
>> >> prairie."*
>> >>
>> >> Jim Lutes
>> >> Wildlife Biologist
>> >> Horicon NWR/Leopold WMD Complex
>> >> W10040 Cascade Mountain Road
>> >> Portage, WI 53901
>> >> jim_lutes@xxxxxxx
>> >> 608.742.7100 ext. 17 (Office)
>> >> 920.948.4763 (Cell)
>> >> 608.745.0866 (Fax)
>> >> http://www.fws.gov/midwest/horicon/
>> >> http://www.fws.gov/midwest/leopold/
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> On Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 8:11 AM, <jsommer2@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> >
>> >> > Hello,
>> >> >
>> >> > I am not trying to stir the pot but I have a question.
>> >> >
>> >> > Please don't backchannel me because I am not interested in debating
>> >> > or
>> >> > discussing.
>> >> >
>> >> > I am just wondering why it is ok to have groups of people walking
>> >> > out
>> >> into
>> >> > these fields (which may be questionable in itself) with the sole and
>> >> only
>> >> > purpose to "flush" these birds just so we can see them.
>> >> >
>> >> > Where is the line that says past this point behavior is harassment.
>> >> >
>> >> > That's it.
>> >> >
>> >> > Joan Sommer
>> >> > Fredonia
>> >> > Northern Ozaukee County
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > ####################
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>> >>
>> >>
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>
>
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