*WSO Field Trip - Fall Warblers at Bay Beach Sanctuary in Green Bay*
On Saturday, September 8, 2018, 25-30 members and friends of WSO turned out
for WSOâs annual âFall Warblerâ field trip at Bay Beach Sanctuary. With
overcast skies, northeasterly winds and the first cool temperature of the
season, we were hoping for a good day birding was in order. Well, we were
not disappointed.
We spent the first 15-20 minutes viewing birds from the fishing dock near
the first parking lot. Here we had only a few waterfowl species including a
couple of flyby Wood Ducks, Mallards, a Redhead, Blue-winged Teal, and
several Canada Geese. Also present were American White Pelican, a
cormorant, Great Blue Heron, a few Great Egrets, Green Heron, Black-crowned
Night-Heron, a young Bald Eagle, Caspian Tern, and Belted Kingfisher.
From the docks, we walked the road past the Directorâs residence to the
bridge. From the bridge, we had nice looks at both the Green Heron and
Black-crowned Night-Heron sitting along the edge of the pond. We then
walked the trail north. Near the beginning of the trail, we were
entertained by a young Gray Catbird that stayed only a few feet away from
the group as it hopped in an out of the Wild Grape along the trail. Then
our first warbler was spotted; two Palm Warblers were flitting in the bare
branches just above our heads. Then a Common Yellowthroat called from the
cattails and then made a quick appearance for us to see. From the wooden
railing, a little farther down the trail, we had our first wave of
passerines. Here we had our first Nashville, Magnolia, Blackpoll, and
Black-throated Green Warblers, as well as our first Philadelphia and
Red-eyed Vireos. Birds were flitting in and out of the vegetation so
quickly that it was difficult to identify each bird let alone get everyone
on any particular bird. But most people had good looks at the Philly vireo
and most of the warblers.
Soon the action quieted down and the birds seemed to disappear. A short
time later we found out why; a Cooperâs Hawk was spotted and it was
actively hunting in the area. We did have a small flock of Cedar Waxwings
fly through but nothing else of note so we continued down the trail to the
entrance road.
We didnât have much luck along the road but did pick up both nuthatches,
Warbling Vireo and Wild Turkey. Near the intersection of the entrance road
and the next parking area we again had a small wave of birds. New birds
included Tennessee Warbler and a single Wood Thrush that was spotted by
only a few of us. From the parking area, we spotted several Chimney Swifts
and Tree Swallows in flight high above our heads.
After a short restroom break at the Nature Center, we continued our hike
east down the paved trail/road. We added Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted
Grosbeak, and Yellow-rumped Warbler along the road. As we got to the grassy
area and Willow Trees on the south side of the road, we could see several
birds in the low willows along the grassy trail. So we worked our way down
this trail back to toward the Nature Center. It was at this point the
clouds thinned, the sun came out and had our best activity and birding. We
added Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher,
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Indigo Bunting, Northern Parula, Bay-breasted,
Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Canada and Wilsonâs Warblers. A few in our group
spotted a very early migrant Orange-crowned Warbler, but our best bird was
a beautiful male Black-throated Blue Warbler that was seen well by everyone.
We were soon back to the Nature Center and needed to head to our cars for
our field trip extension to Cat Island. Our group tallied 80 species which
included 17 species of warblers in about 2 hours of birding the sanctuary
For the Cat Island extension, at group 25 met at the Lineville Road
park-n-ride. Here we met our Cat Island guide; Tom Prestby. After some
carpooling we were off to Cat Island to find a different variety bird -
shorebirds.
Cat Island is a restoration project that involves reconstructing three
islands in the lower bay, providing 272 acres of habitat for a variety of
plants and animals. A 2.5-mile long wave barrier along the remnant Cat
Island shoals will protect and help to restore approximately 1,225 acres of
shallow water and wetland habitat behind the islands leading to the
recovery of much of the important lower bay habitat. Eventually, the three
islands in the chain will be built from beneficially reused fine sands
dredged from the outer harbor navigation channel.
Because this is a restoration project and the fine sand dredging are
unstable in some areas, Cat Island has a very limited access. Fortunately,
for the past 3-4 years, Tom Prestby and Mike Reed have worked with the
project managers to allow WSO access to this great area and be our guides
for this field trip.
After a long hike from the parking area, our group gathered at our first
stop on the Cat Island chain. Here we had a fleeting look at a Whimbrel
that Tom had seen earlier in the morning, but the bird flushed. It flew
directly by us for pretty great looks but not the kind we had hoped for. It
appeared to land some distance east of us, so we hoped to re-find it on our
return trip. Here, we also had Dunlin, Sanderling, Stilt Sandpiper, and
Semipalmated Plover. After some diligent searching, we also got on the
Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tom had earlier as well. It took some time for
everyone to get good looks because it kept moving in and out of the
vegetation. Eventually, we all had great scope looks. A short time later we
also found Semipalmated, Bairdâs and Pectoral Sandpipers.
Spotted Sandpipers were a frequent sight on our walk out and back as were
the 10000-15000 Double-crested Cormorants. Quite a spectacle, especially
when 2000+ get up off the water all at once and fly a short distance and
land again. American White Pelicans were common as were Herring Gulls. We
did find a female Bufflehead, a few Ruddy Ducks, Blue & Green-winged Teal,
Gadwall, American Wigeon, and Lesser Scaup as well.
We now started our long trek back to the cars. As we're walking back a
Peregrine Falcon flew right by our group giving us great looks at an
immature bird with a full crop. It must have just fed on one of the
shorebirds we had seen. We also wanted to check the area where the Whimbrel
had appeared to land before we returned to the cars. Initial scanning
yielded nothing, but sharp-eyed Shawn Putz found it wandering through the
vegetation. Even though we got the bird in our scopes it wasnât easy to see
as it moved in and out of the clumps of vegetation. Then a Northern Harrier
sailed in over the Whimbrel and flushed it. It circled a few times giving
itâs rolling, whistled calls a few times and then landed farther back and
wasnât easily seen again. What a treat to have it in flight and calling so
very near us. The Cat Island extension yielded 32 species, 3.2 miles of
walking, and 11 species of shorebirds.
Overall, the dayâs field trip ended with 92 species, great comradely and
lots of fun. Thanks to all that attended and especially to the Green Bay
group for their helpful suggestions and guidance. Iâd like to thank Daryl
Tessen for helping me lead our group, a special thanks to Tom Prestby and
Mike Reed to organizing the Cat Island extension and to Tom Prestby for
leading the group there.
Jeff Baughman
Campbellsport
Fond du Lac County
WSO Field Trip co-chairman
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