Bird Watchers Digest's - Annual Big Sit

The Circle of (avian) Life

Bird Watchers Digest and the New Haven Bird Club (with Swarovski) sponsored the 2013 Big Sit on two dates this year; Saturday October 12, and Sunday October 13.  Perhaps it was expanded to include Saturday because some bird watchers wanted their Sabbath day off, or like me; were also rabid Green Bay Packers fans, and needed their Sunday’s free to watch TV, drink beer and eat snacks. Whatever their reason; I chose Saturday for my all-day bird quest even though the weather was threatening to be partially inclement.

The Rules:

• Observations can be made from any area within the state/country you live, or wish to represent.
• Observations can only be made from within your pre-determined 17-foot (diameter) circle.
• There's no limit to how many people can occupy one circle (other than the obvious spatial limitations)
• Bring some chairs. Have a picnic or barbeque. Welcome passers-by and their contributions to your list.
• If a bird is seen or heard from within the circle but is too distant to identify, the circle can be left to get a closer look/listen to confirm the bird's identity. However, any new bird species seen or heard while confirming the original, can't be counted unless it's seen or heard from an "anchor" who stayed behind in your circle, or is seen by you when you return to your circle.
• Tally the number of species that you observe.
• Big Sit participants can work in shifts. No one person needs to be there throughout the whole Big Sit! The area can be left and returned to as frequently as desired, but you must be sure to return to the exact 17-foot diameter circle each time.
• The same circle must be used for the entire Big Sit!
• The Big Sit! will begin at 12:00am midnight and end 24 hours later.

In what passed for early morning quiet (when you live next to an Interstate highway) I loaded up the WPT for my drive north to Havenwoods State Forest at 6:20 AM. I have written in this blog more than a few times about Havenwoods and why I love it so much, so I’ll spare you the details this time. Suffice it to say that I know of no other area in the City of Milwaukee where I would wish to spend 12 hours in one spot where I can find an equal amount of diverse ecology, and not be besieged with constant passersby. If you wish City of Milwaukee peace, solitude,and nature; Havenwoods is also for you.

I unloaded the gear and equipment I had brought into my trusty plastic Ames, four-wheeled garden cart, locked the WPT and pushed my burden to the west, down the only paved road. The wheels made a scratchy, gravely sound that seemed to reverberate more loudly than I wished, but I had no choice. When I left the roadway to the left between the two giant rocks; the mown grass on the path immediately absorbed any excess noise. The sun was just then threatening to rise behind me, so I pushed as fast as I dared to be ready for the dawn.

I had pre-chosen the exact same spot as I had used back in 2008; north and above the largest pond and just east of the iron foot bridge. There, the 2003 Eagle Scout, wooden bench awaited. The pond below and to my south was littered with the floating, darkened shapes of Canada geese with a smattering of Mallard ducks, just as it was in 2008. I stood there taking a few pictures and waited for the sun to poke above the horizon. The air was warm (64 degrees) with a 12-15 mph breeze blowing from the west-southwest, and the sky was mostly clear. Dressed in jeans, hiking boots, a tee shirt, ball cap, and my birding vest; I was comfortable enough. I watched the pond and waited for what I knew would soon come next.

When the sun had risen slightly over the horizon, its orange light peeking through the trees; some of the geese began to honk. I estimated around 40 birds were paddling around the water surface in two distinct groupings. On some unknown cue, about half of the birds began flapping their great black wings and took flight; all the while honking and creating quite a racket. I noticed that two of the nine Mallards went with them into the sky heading mostly south. Approximately 10-minutes later, the rest of the geese repeated the first grouping’s pre-flight checklist and lifted off the pond’s surface. This time, no ducks followed. As it would turn out; that left seven (two pairs and three males) to keep me company on the pond for almost my entire Big Sit day.

Early mornings always provide the greatest opportunity to see birds; this day was no different. I tallied the majority of the species I was to see within the first three hours. Being extremely careful to double and triple-check my sightings due to the changing lighting conditions; I entered the data into my Audubon Bird App for iPhone.; I wanted to be extra certain of the identification before I claimed any species was seen this day. The first bird I registered was indeed a Canada goose, followed by a Mallard duck, and the count was officially on. Another déjà’ vu moment came around 9:00. Just like the last time I was doing a Big Sit in this spot, I again encountered a large group of eight Eastern bluebirds. I watched as they flew by, chattering and twirling around one another in a kind of dance. Eventually they alit atop the iron railings of the western edge of the bridge in similar fashion as in 2008. I was astonished to see such unexplained animal behavior repeated at roughly the same time of year and time of the day. They merely landed, sat, shifted, sat, and exchanged positions, sat, and eventually flew off; one by one until they were out of sight. The whole process took about 15 minutes. Why?

Several individuals *illegally walking their dogs past my location paused long enough to inquire as to my set-up. I patiently explained to each, my reason for being there. One particular man named “Paul” walked up to my location from across the bridge. Around his neck was a very nice Nikon camera set-up. Considering myself a bit of an amateur photographer, I asked him about his equipment. He explained that in addition to many other things that interested him, he was a birder like me and that he had taken lots of images of birds; many that he had posted on his “Flicker” website. He then handed me his attractive business card and we stood chatting about mutually known birders, and birding areas in the greater Milwaukee area. He told me that he’d recently graduated to shooting images of dragonflies and other insects as a hobby. He eventually bid me goodbye and walked up the path to the north in search of other interesting photographic subjects.  He seemed like a very nice man.

Birdstud "counts" Birds

Light drizzle began falling around 10:30, causing me to consider unpacking the Coleman 10’ X 10’ Instant Canopy I had brought. By 11:00 I was erecting it in earnest. The darkening sky to the southwest, and the intervals of intermittent rain had convinced me that that 70% “chance” of precipitation was now 100% in play. I knew that my wife Barbara and a mutual friend Margie would be joining me around 12:30 PM, so rather than scramble to put it up later; I opted for sooner.

The ladies walked up in a light drizzle on schedule, umbrellas in hand. Barbara had brought me a delightful lunch of a sub-sandwich, chips, and a drink. The two of us sat and ate (Marge said she’d eaten) and the three of us chatted about my morning’s sightings in recap. Marge and Barbara took a small walking tour of the area that included the floating dock on the smaller pond. They had no sooner returned to the canopy as the rain intensified. It became a thunderstorm with brilliant flashes of lightning. We sat in red, folding camp chairs and waited out the heavy storm.  Marge, unfortunately for her, had to scoot about 15 minutes before the rain actually stopped.  Barbara hung in there another hour and scored the one and only Sandhill crane for our circle, before needing to leave for Saturday evening church.  I stayed glued to the circle.  I was on a mission to last until dusk.

After the rain I waited about an hour and allowed the wind to dry the water from the nylon tent before packing it up.  I decided to put everything but my Bushnells and digital camera back into the plastic wheelbarrow for the rest of my anticipated time at Havenwoods.  I had just taken a short walk west across the bridge to take a picture of it when I heard a faint, high-pitched, "hell-ohhh, hell-ohhh?" Standing on the opposite side of the bridge near my wheelbarrow full of gear was a woman.  I waved cheerfully and walked back to meet her.

The curly, brown-haired female (who's name turned out to be "Terri") warily grilled me about my equipment and what I was doing there with it.  By her (oh real-ly?) tone I got the sense she thought I was doing something illegal, in her State forest.   Did you ever try to innocently explain your behavior to someone; even when it was completely legitimate, and when you heard yourself talk, you even sounded guilty to yourself? That was one of those moments.  The wind had been blowing into my eyes all day making them red and teary, so I surely must have looked like a crack addict, spewing B.S. about purple unicorns and aliens to 'ol Terri.  I persevered regardless, with my seemingly implausible explanation. I eventually asked her if she either worked at Havenwoods, or was a volunteer.  She replied, "I should be, I'm here enough."  Terri eventually excused herself to continue her nature hike and I went back to "sitting."  

Eastern Towhee Pair

The October air began to warm somewhat again as the storm slid completely off my radar and over Lake Michigan. The sun came back out even though extremely low in the sky, painting long shadows on the path as it continued to slip westward. A first quarter moon was also visible to the south as I watched Red-winged blackbirds return to the cattails along the pond.  A pair of Blue jays continued a curious ritual of flying into a nearby treetop, and pausing for 20 seconds before flying out and repeating the process about every five minutes.  Mourning doves gathered in a clump in the lower branches, and the "chip" of White-throated sparrows sounded in the brush.

Terri reappeared from the direction she had earlier walked to stand and talk once more.  She was visibly upset and began regaling me with her frustration regarding dogs off-leash and out of the "authorized" dog walking area.  I honestly agreed with her angst concerning how idiotic people can be when they willfully disregard rules involving their pets.  While she and I were standing there, another woman approached the west end of the bridge.  At her feet on both sides, snuffling through the tall wet grass, were six (count 'em) six dogs on two leashes!  Now THAT was surely something you don't see every day.  Terri looked aghast and I'm sure I looked slightly amused.  Terri told me that the (scofflaw), multiple dog-walking woman had earlier "seen her" and decided to walk in a different direction.  I considered that decision prudent.  I wouldn't mess with Terri.

The last bird I logged in was a Red-bellied woodpecker before pushing the wheelbarrow back along the path to the parking lot where the WPT waited.  The sun had disappeared and the temperature was falling as I loaded the equipment into the pick-up's bed.  My BWD Big Sit was over.  I had logged 35 species in 12 hours; not bad I figured...not bad at all.  But then again, any day birding is a good day my friends.

1. Canada Goose | Branta canadensis
2. Mallard | Anas platyrhynchos
3. Cooper's Hawk | Accipiter cooperii
4. American Kestrel | Falco sparverius
5. Sandhill Crane | Grus canadensis
6. Ring-billed Gull | Larus delawarensis
7. Herring Gull | Larus argentatus
8. Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) | Columba livia
9. Mourning Dove | Zenaida macroura
10. Chimney Swift | Chaetura pelagica
11. Red-bellied Woodpecker | Melanerpes carolinus
12. Downy Woodpecker | Picoides pubescens
13. Eastern Wood-Pewee | Contopus virens
14. Blue Jay | Cyanocitta cristata
15. American Crow | Corvus brachyrhynchos
16. Black-capped Chickadee | Poecile atricapillus
17. Golden-crowned Kinglet | Regulus satrapa
18. Ruby-crowned Kinglet | Regulus calendula
19. Eastern Bluebird | Sialia sialis
20. Swainson's Thrush | Catharus ustulatus
21. American Robin | Turdus migratorius
22. Gray Catbird | Dumetella carolinensis
23. European Starling S| turnus vulgaris
24. Yellow-rumped Warbler | Dendroica coronata
25. Blackburnian Warbler | Dendroica fusca
26. Palm Warbler | Dendroica palmarum
27. Eastern Towhee | Pipilo erythrophthalmus
28. Swamp Sparrow | Melospiza georgiana
29. Song Sparrow | Melospiza melodia
30. White-crowned Sparrow | Zonotrichia leucophrys
31. White-throated Sparrow | Zonotrichia albicollis
32. Red-winged Blackbird | Agelaius phoeniceus
33. Common Grackle | Quiscalus quiscula
34. House Finch | Carpodacus mexicanus
35. American Goldfinch | Spinus tristis

The complete results of the BWD 2013 Big Sit are HERE.

* Illegally = Dogs are only allowed to be walked on leash in Havenwoods on the limestone paths; not in the rest of the State forest.

Firsts of the New Spring (2010)

♫...Just around the river bend...waiting just around the river bend...♪

I look once more, just around the river bend of my favorite tiny stretch of the glorified drainage ditch that is the Menomonee River, to see what may be waiting...or is that "wading."  Sure enough, there they are; Mr. Mallard and his beautiful better half.  They're paddling ever so quietly, just at the edge of the undercut.  I stand there, motionless watching...just watching.  I am idly wondering how many people would even pause a moment to see what is a rather commonplace water bird, when behind me I hear, "Coming Through!"  I turn suddenly towards the interruption, to nearly be knocked into the drink by two of the BRAINDEAD.  Damn I hate that!  I'm telling you...what a totally ridiculous hobby to spoil a perfectly serene moment of natural commune.  Grrrrrrrrr...

I don't know what I have more of a problem with; the flamboyantly festooned cyclists bent on tear-assing up the nature trails, or the idiots who (like this other guy on my little first walk of the season) walk his German Sheppard off the leash, so that it's a full 25 yards ahead of him!  Shortly after the BRAINDEAD encounter, I am turned away from the thin path staring upward through my binoculars, minding my own business, when my peripheral vision catches the blur of fur on a bee-line towards me.  You guessed it...the guy's dog has damn-near scared the crap outta' me when I realize the size and breed approaching...no owner in sight.  Sheeesh!  That's unnerving I'll tell you.  I believe I uttered some sort of feral sound, as my brain attempted to catch up with my options.  Hey, buddy...you ever hear of a thing called a "leash law!"

Allow me a brief tutorial on the local Leash LAW!  Milwaukee City Charter Ordinance - Chapter 63-1. Definitions. In this chapter:  1. AT LARGE means an animal is off the premises of its owner and on any park or parkway without the permission of the department or the director. Any animal shall not be deemed to be at large if any one of the following conditions occurs: a. It is attached to a leash not more than 6 feet in length which is of sufficient strength to restrain the animal and the leash is held by a person competent to govern the animal and prevent it from annoying or worrying persons in the park or parkway.  Oh well...such was my first 1/2 hour back on my local birding trail. I can hardly wait for the brush to fill out so I can't see them coming even FARTHER away from me.

The Milwaukee County Grounds, another of my favs, yielded some more first of the year birds.  This area of Milwaukee County, referred to as the Detention Basin is truly "growing" in popularity for many marshland inhabitants.  This is the third spring for this recently completed dewatering project, and the surrounding fauna are taking hold nicely.  The late afternoon cold air is filled with the various sounds of life; Red-winged blackbirds, Song sparrows, Killdeer, American robins, and dogs barking.  Oh yeah, they're here too.  Bunches of them with their hands-off owners trailing way behind them, frolicking and biting at each other as they (gag-me) "socialize."  I just have to get over this, don't I?  Well...it's hard!  I am a law abiding citizen who follows society's rules; particularly when NOT following them, infringes directly on other people's nice days.  I promise...perhaps I'll try to turn even my other two cheeks, but it won't be easy...no sir.

Ok, back to the birding...perhaps I'll try it next time with a few cocktails in me, before I go out...just to mellow me out.  Care to join me?  Great, but leave your bicycle and dog at home thank you...♫ just around the river bend...♪ ♪

The Birds of Lake Park

Milwaukee has a LOT to offer Birdwatchers:

One of Milwaukee’s best places to look for (watch) birds has got to be in Lake Park on Milwaukee’s lake front. A Milwaukee County park, it features diverse land features, plants, trees, and terrain. The park itself has become a gathering place for people of all interests; joggers, bicyclists, Frisbee golf enthusiasts, soccer, rugby, mothers with small children who play together on the equipment and in the sandbox, hikers, dog walkers, and of course; birders. With regularly scheduled “Warbler Walks” in the spring and fall of each year, local bird-watcher Paul Hunter and his peers know the lay of the land by heart and have each path, walk and geographic separation named and surveyed to accompany their archived detailed species counts. (Visit Paul’s Page for more information.)

I have personally been to the park at least 8 times and have come away with new birds for my lifelist almost each time. I have been there on the cold windy days, the cool rainy days, the sunny glorious ones too and am always glad I came. The trees are always filled with birds, and the feeders in the park are consistently, lovingly filled by the Friends of Lake Park. I will say I am a bit chagrined by the “dog walkers” of the park who have decided that the wonderful fenced-in tennis courts are a good place to allow fido to run leash-less and free upon. (I even took a video HERE if you wish to be similarly appalled.)

...But then again I digress...If you can look the other way and not pay any attention to the distraction of lawbreaking going on around you, (and I know you can) look to the trees for your reward. There are many trails to explore and discover. The upper pathways offer the best views of the varied species available. The lower ones, while bucolic, are a bit too densely packed with vegetation to afford a good view of the animal life. Red-headed and Red-bellied Woodpeckers were the stars of the day this sunny warm August 31st morning. Their chittering and squawking could be heard all over the ravine as the different family units gathered. The cool breeze from Lake Michigan wafted through the openings in the trees bringing a fresh odor of all things watery. Harley Davidson's 105th anniversary party was winding down it's Labor Day weekend celebration but the "potato-potato-potato" sound of the bikes could still be heard rising above the bluff. Birds seen this day were; the aforementioned woodpeckers, Chickadees, Cedar Waxwings, American Robins, White-breasted Nuthatches, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Canada Geese, House Sparrows, American Goldfinches, and Yellow-shafted Northern Flickers. The hour spent walking along the pathways was serene and relaxing and will soon be repeated. I suggest you wend your way there for a visit as soon as you are able. The warblers are coming soon and are not to be missed!