On May 6, our day started searching around the Weigand’s Point area on Lake Wisconsin.The Sauk Prairie Recreation Area includes land on Lake Wisconsin formerly used as a pumping station for process water. We were fortunate enough to see American White Pelicans searching for food before continuing on their migration to breeding grounds northwest of here.
After that we spent the rest of our day searching on land inside the fence of the former Badger Army Ammo Plant.
We counted 10 species of Sparrows including Henslow’s, Savannah, and Swamp Sparrows.
We counted 6 species of Warblers including Nashville, Orange-crowned, Blue-winged and Yellow (pictured) Warblers.
One of the ponds located at the base of the Baraboo Bluffs provided us with quite a bit of excitement. We spotted a Sandhill Crane sitting rock still on her nest with neck and head laying flat on the ground! Close by was a Great Blue Heron and a Pied-billed Grebe. Off in another direction was a Canada Goose family with 4 fuzzball goslings. Overhead flew a mature Bald Eagle. And then the coup de gras – a Sora called!
We attribute our success to the wide variety of habitat available in this conservation area. The woodlands of the Baraboo Bluffs open up to majestic prairie grassland creating a unique and rare transitional area.
In 2003, biologists with the Wisconsin DNR found that these lands provide habitat for 97 confirmed or probable breeding bird species, of which 21 are grassland and shrubland dependent.
Since 1990, Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger has worked for a complete and comprehensive cleanup of the former Badger Army Ammo lands to ensure future generations will not be burdened with the legacy of pollution from Badger.
Your donation or pledge supports the Bird Protection Fund and state-wide projects that protect the year-round migrating, breeding, and wintering needs of Wisconsin’s birds. All donations and pledges are tax-deductible.
THERE IS STILL TIME TO DONATE!
The Wisconsin Birdathon continues until June 15 – visit our team page.
Here’s our complete list if all 68 bird species!
Badger Bird List_CSWAB Prairie Pipers team_May_6_2017
Thank you for supporting the Prairie Pipers team, and for helping our state’s birds!
