THE AUDUBON

NEWSLETTER OF THE MADISON AUDUBON SOCIETY

222 S. Hamilton St. / Madison, WI 53703 / 255-BIRD / http://madisonaudubon.org APRIL 2001

How Much Is Enough? Celebrate Spring!` 25th Annual Art Fair Infinite Growth in a Finite World Saturday, May 5, 9:30- • A billion people live in absolute Free Program 4:30, Olbrich Gardens Mother’s Day beckons. Sunny poverty, more than the population What: David Paxson: Infinite daffodils nod gently. The rich of the entire planet 200 years ago. Growth in a Finite World scent of damp earth begs a gar- • 1/6 of the planet’s people have no When: Tuesday, April 17, 2001 dener’s touch. And, of course, access to clean drinking water. 7:00 pm—Refreshments your Audubon Society’s biggest • 2/3 of the oceans’ fisheries are being 7:30 pm—Program begins fundraising event, The Spring fished to extinction. Where: Bolz Auditorium, Meriter Art Fair, opens once again in the • Americans make up 5% of the Hospital 124 S. Brooks Street, lush and lovely Olbrich Botanic world’s population, but we use 30% Madison of the world’s resources. Parking: Meriter Hospital paid Gardens. parking ramp across the street, on One hundred twenty fine David Paxson is president of World the street, or Lot 51 north of artists compete to show their Population Balance, an educational non- Regent & Mills Streets work in this popular fair. Their profit whose mission is to raise aware- mediums range from watercolor, ness about the problems of human popu- oil, and photography to ceram- lation world-wide — political instability, cause unless we also stabilize population ics, metal, stone, and textiles. loss of human rights, loss of vital growth,” says David. He speaks to groups Admission and parking are resources, mass destruction of the envi- around the country including colleges, free! Perfect for a spring after- ronment. He attended the 1994 UN schools, church groups, and Rotary Clubs. noon outing. After a look-see, Population Conference in Egypt, where He has organized several national popula- you can chat with friends over 183 participating countries, including the tion conferences with the Science coffee and gourmet sandwiches. Vatican, approved the “Program of Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul. Then pick up a special piece for Action” to address overpopulation, “One of the best things we can do for Mom. development, and environmental issues. our children’s future economic well-being Our one-day fair opens at 9:30 In 2001, the same issues are strangling us. is to stabilize population growth so that and closes at 4:30. Children’s And things are getting worse. they will still have opportunities for a activities and face painting are Members of World Population Balance decent life in the decades ahead.” open from 10:00 to 2:00. Olbrich are from both sides of the political aisle David Paxson will be in Madison the is located at 3330 Atwood and both sides of the abortion issue. The week before Earth Day to give workshops Avenue. Board of Advisors include George for teachers, talk to students, and address We need more than a hundred Archibald of the International Crane local Rotary clubs. You are invited to meet volunteer to run the fair. If you Foundation, Norman Borlaug, Nobel with Madison Audubon board members can spare a few hours to help Peace Prize laureate and father of the and friends for a pre-program dinner at park cars, make sandwiches, green revolution, and several religious Paisan’s restaurant at 5:15 p.m. Please call help artists, greet volunteers, leaders. They oppose coercive popula- the office at 608/255-BIRD (255-2473) if etc., please call Nancy Ludwig at tion control measures, and seek popula- you have any questions. 233-0407. tion reduction through education and Next meeting September: Kent Hall, We look forward to spring (at family planning. “Birding Peru: Pacific Shore, last) and a wonderful Art Fair. “No matter what your cause, it is a lost Amazon Basin, & High Andes” See you there! Art Fair Raffle Prize List Field Trips Old Town Discovery 174 canoe. Retail for Fun & Learning value $775 – Donated by Rutabaga Sundays in April: 1, 8, 15, 22 and Bushnell Spacemaster spotting scope 60 29: Scope Days at Goose Pond mm with 15-45 zoom eyepiece and a Scope viewing days at Goose Bogen tripod. Retail value $600 – Pond will be held during the peak Donated by Eagle Optics of the spring migration season. Framed Original Oil Painting “Two We sometimes have as many as Coyotes.” Value $850 – Painting donated 20 species of waterfowl on the by Jonathan Wilde, Framing donated by “Seen Today” board. Tundra Meuer Art Company Swans are often among the earliest visitors; they rest up here on their Bronze bird bath “Alden.” Retail value long trip from Chesapeake Bay to $215 the Arctic Circle. – Donated by Chickadee Depot Spotting scopes will be set up Dolomite 3 season 2 person tent. Retail along the drive for visitor use on value $189 – Donated by Fontana Sports Sunday afternoons from 2:00 to Specialties 5:00 p.m. Members will be on Original metal sculpture. Value $80 – hand to help visitors locate and Donated by artist Ellis Nelson identify waterfowl. If the weather is inclement, the scopes will not be Directions to Goose Pond: From the east 2 $10 gift certificates to Mounds Pet Food set up. If you have questions or — take Hwy. 51 north into Columbia County, turn left (west) on County Hwy. K; Warehouse. Retail value $20 – Donated would like to volunteer as a host, by Mounds Pet Food Warehouse after two miles turn right on (north) on call Dorothy Haines at 221-1948 or Goose Pond Road, then turn left on Dragonfly t-shirt. Retail value $15 – the MAS office, 255-BIRD. Prairie Road, which is the driveway into Donated by Wildwood Productions Thursday, April 12: Frogs Night the Sanctuary. From the west — take Raffle tickets cost $2.00 a piece or are 3 Out County Hwy. Q north to Waunakee, then continue straight north to County Hwy. V; for $5.00. Drawing will be held at This is a joint trip with The turn right (east) on V; after four miles go Olbrich Botanical Gardens at 4:30 p.m. Nature Conservancy. Bring a north (left) on County Hwy. I for about on Saturday, May 5. Winners need not sense of adventure on this trip as four miles and turn right (east) on County be present to win. Tickets are available at you “look” at the world from a Hwy. K. After one mile turn left (north) on the MAS office or at the MAS Art Fair on Goose Pond Road. May 5. MADISON AUDUBON SOCIETY THE AUDUBON CAWS is published President: Joanne Herfel, 241-8009 September through July by: Vice-president: Amy McDaniel, 238-0450 JOIN MADISON AUDUBON Madison Audubon Society, Goose Pond Resident Naturalists: Student/Senior: $15 222 S. Hamilton St., Mark and Sue Martin, 635-4160 Introductory membership: $20 Madison, WI 53703, Basic: $35 Editor: Abbie Kurtz, 245-1758 (608) 255-BIRD (2473). Foreign: Add $10 in US funds. [email protected] Birding hotline, 255-BIRM. Graphic design: Sara Smith NAME Madison Audubon Web Page: Printed by Roemer Printing ADDRESS http://madisonaudubon.org The mission of the Madison Audubon E-mail: [email protected] CITY Society is to educate our members and the E-mail services donated by Berbee STATE ZIP public about the natural world and the Contribution deadline is APRIL 2 for ____I do not wish to receive AUDUBON maga- threats that natural systems are facing, to the MAY issue, for which items may be zine engage in advocacy to preserve and protect sent to Abbie Kurtz, 313 Moulton Ct., these systems, and to develop and maintain Madison, WI 53704 or email ____The National Audubon Society occasional- sanctuaries to save and restore natural [email protected] ly makes its membership list available to care- habitat. fully selected organizations whose mailings you might find of interest. To have your name omitted from this list, please check here. CAWS Newsletter Subscriptions Available Please enclose your check payable to I am not a member of National Audubon, but am interested in receiving National Audubon Society and mail to The Audubon CAWS newsletter to stay informed of chapter activities. I’ve Madison Audubon Society, 222 S. Hamilton St. enclosed $10.00 payable to Madison Audubon Society to cover printing and #1, Madison, WI 53703. Memberships are shared with National Audubon and all mem- mailing for one annual year. bers receive Audubon magazine. Z02 Mail to: Madison Audubon Soc., 222 S. Hamilton St. Suite #1, Madison, 7xCH WI 53703 different perspective - through varied topographical and ecological sounds. Besides listening for a vari- complex. Bird sightings should ety of frog calls, participants will include sandhill cranes, a variety of learn about frog lifestyles and wet- migratory waterfowl, snipes, hawks, lands ecology. Bring a flashlight and bluebirds, meadowlarks and other wear footgear that can get muddy spring migrants. The tour will and wet (in cold water); bring rain include from 2 to 3 hours of leisurely gear if appropriate. The trip will be hiking and the opportunity to canceled if the temperature is below explore more on your own. 45 degrees Fahrenheit or in case of Meet at 7 a.m. to carpool from the very strong winds. Call trip leader parking lot for the eastside Cub Bob Hay only if you have questions; Foods. From Hwy. 30 go north on (608/267-0849; work) or (608/829- Hwy. 51 (Stoughton Rd.) to the first 3123; home). the 1918 Marsh (across from the right turn on Nakoosa Trail. Turn Meet at the Mazomanie Wildlife entrance to Picnic Point) at 7:30 a.m. right again into Cub Foods parking Area at 6:45 p.m. Directions: From on April 7 and at 6 p.m. on April 20. lot. Riders are expected to share Highway 14 in Mazomanie, drive Questions? Call Allen Holzhueter expenses with car drivers. You may north on County Highway Y for at 238-0546 also meet the group at the Faville about 4 miles. Just before the high- Saturday, April 21: Wildflowers at Grove Sanctuary at 8 a.m. by head- way bends to the east (right), turn Walking Iron ing east on I-94 to the Lake Mills exit, left on Law’s Drive. Travel on the Come on this trip to Walking Iron then go 3 miles north on Hwy. 89 to access road about 0.25 miles and turn County Park to search prairies, N7710 to Hwy. 89 on the right side. left onto a gravel road. Follow this woodlands and wetlands for wild- Meet near the old farmstead. about 1.5 miles until it dead-ends at a flowers, such as pasque flowers, If you have questions, call David at parking lot. The trip leader will be dutchman’s breeches and marsh 265-4562, daytime. there to meet you. The trip will last marigolds. We will keep an eye out until 9:00 p.m. for migrants, such as bluebirds, her- Friday, April 13: Evening at Mud mit thrushes and swamp sparrows. Lake Wildlife Area Meet trip leader Todd Miller at At sunset we’ll watch and listen to 8:00 a.m. at the Kohl’s Food Store hundreds of geese, ducks, cranes and parking lot in Middleton at the inter- other birds as they noisily fly into section of Allen Blvd. and Century this Columbia county birding hot Ave. Those who wish can meet the spot to roost for the night. We may group at 8:30 at the Walking Iron Co. also witness the courtship flight of Park by going west on Hwy 14 to woodcocks and snipes as well as Mazomanie, then north on Co. Hwy. watch other spring migrants. Mark Y, then west on Hudson St. and and Sue Martin, our Goose Pond res- north on Beckman to the parking lot ident naturalists, will explain all on the right. Friday, April 27: Evening at these wonders and more. Meet at the Be prepared for about 2 hours of Cherokee Marsh naturalists’ residence at Goose Pond enjoying wildflowers and birds. If Enjoy a few evening hours of bird- at 6:30 p.m. This trip will last over you have questions, call Todd at 242- ing in Cherokee Marsh. We should two hours until after dark. 8998. find cranes, observe the courtship If you have questions call Mark at Sunday, April 22: Faville Grove flight of woodcock and snipe and see 635-4160. Sanctuary Tour several spring migrants. Cherokee Marsh, Madison’s largest Friday, April 20: Beginning Birding Tour the Faville Grove Sanctuary natural area, is located on the north- Each spring, MAS sponsors many with residents David Musolf and east side of Madison. Meet at 6:30 birding field trips and, though the Roger Packard. This tour will PM at the Cherokee Marsh parking leaders attempt to help new birders, include hiking through a variety of lot at the north end of Sherman Ave. it is not always possible to answer all plant communities while searching Waterproof footwear is recommend- their questions. Picnic Point will be for their respective avifauna. The ed. If you have questions call Levi the site for beginners to get their area includes quality wetlands, sev- Wood at 277-7959. questions answered. This area, at the eral restored prairies, a sedge mead- west end of the UW campus, offers a ow, savanna, a perched tamarack Saturday, April 28: Abraham’s varied habitat and a good opportuni- bog, a fen and some woodlands. Woods Wildflowers & Birds ty to observe a variety of waterfowl MAS and landowners/resident Before European settlement in the and small birds. stewards David and Roger are devel- mid-1800s, three large islands of We will meet in the parking lot by oping this fledgling sanctuary. They will lead you through this highly continued next page Spring field trips . . . We will carpool at 5:00 a.m. from woods, wetlands and open areas, continued from page 3 the Super America gas station park- Picnic Point is known for its diversi- sugar maple forest floated in the ing lot, at the intersection of Verona ty of birds. By May 1st, depending prairie-savanna landscape of south- and Raymond Roads. If you have on the weather, many migrants may ern Wisconsin. Abraham’s Woods, a questions, call Al Shea at 825-6232. be here. On the lake we will look for State Natural Area and one of the Tuesday, May 1: Mayday! Owen waterfowl, gulls and terns; in the UW Arboretum’s outlying areas, is Park Evening Nature Walk marshlands we’ll be looking for one of the finest remnants of sugar Come enjoy a leisurely stroll blackbirds, wrens, song and swamp maple forest left in southern through Owen Park with trip leader sparrows; in the woodlands we’ll Wisconsin. On this field trip we will Jon Sutton. Owen Park is a Madison look for woodpeckers, thrushes, ori- be looking for spring wildflowers conservation park on the south side oles, vireos and early warblers; and that may be at their peak, and of Old Sauk Road. Jon is an environ- in the fields and gardens we’ll look strolling through the forest of sugar mental educator with a broad back- for grassland sparrows. Trip leader maple, basswood, yellowbud hicko- ground in natural history. Having Roma Lenehan has over 20 years of ry, hackberry, and other typical been a birder all his life, he will do birding at Picnic Point and just com- southern mesic forest trees. Possible his best to identify as many spring piled a Campus Area Bird Checklist. birds include vesper sparrows, migrants as show up. We may see Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the 1918 Marsh bobolinks and meadowlarks, red- thrushes, woodpeckers, sparrows, parking lot across University Bay headed woodpeckers, kinglets, early swallows, a few early warblers and Drive from Picnic Point, north of the warblers, and possible scarlet tan- maybe an owl. We’ll keep an eye UW hospital. The trip will last for 2- agers and towhees. out for wildflowers in the woods 3 hours with an opportunity to Time permitting, we will stop at and the restored prairies. If an early extend longer. If you have questions, nearby Oliver Prairie, a limestone butterfly shows, Jon will share his call Roma Lenehan at (608) 238-5406. “goat” prairie, in search of pasque knowledge about these colorful May 8, 10, 15, & 17: Warbler Walks! flowers fruits, bird-foot violets, creatures as he has become a butter- MAS’s annual early morning war- prairie smoke, Richardson’s sedge fly enthusiast. bler walks will be held in the UW and the leaves and flower buds of Meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Owen Arboretum. This year’s trip leaders other lime-prairie plants. Park parking lot near the house off will be Tod Highsmith, Levi Wood, We will carpool at 8:00 a.m. from the driveway from Old Sauk Rd., Ken Barmore, and Tony Kalenic. We the Super America gas station park- across from Crestwood School. The will be looking for migrating war- ing lot, at the intersection of Verona trip will last til about dark, possibly blers as well as Vireos, Thrushes, and Raymond Roads. If you would 2 hours. If you have questions, call Tanagers and whatever else flies by. like to pass on carpooling and meet Jon Sutton at 238-7676. Meet at 6:00 a.m. in the Arboretum at the Wingra/Galistel Woods park- the group at Abe’s Woods, located Thursday, May 3: Picnic Point just southwest of Albany in Green ing lot along McCaffrey Drive. Enter Warbler Walk the Arboretum from the east off of Co., contact the trip leader for direc- Willy Hutcheson will lead this tions. The trip leader, Andrew Hipp, Mills Street. If you enter from the early morning warbler walk on west (Seminole Hwy.) you will have is a naturalist at the Arboretum and Picnic Point. This is one of currently studying botany at the to walk from the McKay Center Madison’s birding hot spots, with a parking area. University of Wisconsin - Madison. nice combination of woods, open Please call 241-5045 or e-mail If you have questions, call Levi fields, wetlands and water. On this Wood at 277-7959. [email protected] with any trip we will be looking for migrating questions. We will cancel only in the warblers, as well as vireos, thrushes, Wednesday, May 9: Birding at Token case of dangerous weather. tanagers and whatever else flies by. Creek Sunday, April 29: Birding Wyalusing Meet at 6:00 a.m. in the Ed Saur will lead this evening trip Al Shea, one of Wisconsin’s most Picnic Point parking lot off at Token Creek County Park. He has experienced birders, will lead this University Bay Drive, at the lived a few miles from this county trip to Wyalusing State Park, which north end of Walnut Drive, north of park in Northeast Dane County and overlooks the confluence of the UW Lot 60. If you have questions visited it frequently for more than 20 Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. call Willy at 260-8263. years. Ed has also atlased this park The Mississippi is a major migra- for the Wisconsin breeding Bird Saturday, May 5: Birding Picnic tion route for numerous birds and Atlas project for three years. Though Point the rugged bluffs make this breath- bordered by Hwy 51 and I 90, the Come join trip leaders Roma taking scenery a beautiful spot for a park’s varied habitat holds species Lenehan and Willy Hutcheson for a spring adventure. We’ll observe such as Northern Oriole, Indigo pleasant spring morning of birding hawks, warblers, lots of other birds bunting, brown thrasher, eastern on Picnic Point, one of Madison’s and maybe a few spring wildflowers. Bluebird, Warbling vireo and five birding hot spots. With lots of shore- Bring a lunch, as this trip will last species of flycatchers, to name just a line, open water and a variety of until mid-afternoon. few. At this time in May a variety of migrant warblers are possible, as are Madison Audubon’s BIG DAY BIRDING EVENT a late peenting Woodcock or a May 12 singing Wood thrush. Madison Audubon is holding the 2nd annual Big Birding Day on The trip will begin at 6:30 p.m. International Migratory Bird Day May 12, 2001. Come celebrate the spring Token Creek County Park is located migration with us. in the northeast quadrant of the I 90- The event will begin at 4AM, yes four, and run for 14 hours until 6PM. The 94 & Hwy 51 interchange. It is about goal is to find as many bird species as you can in Dane County in those 14 1/2 mile north on hwy 51 from I 90- hours and return to the finish line before 6PM. The reason? For fun, the experi- 94 or 1/2 mile south on Hwy 51 from ence, the camaraderie with other birders and to raise a little money for Hwy 19 and just east of the PineCone Madison Audubon. Restaurant truck stop. Brown signs More than anything this event is for your enjoyment and to create an oppor- mark the entrance. Bring binoculars, tunity to see a large variety of migratory species in one day. Birding with a a field guide, and wear shoes that group or a friend is a wonderful way to learn and appreciate our natural will keep your feet dry, as some world. Consider adding an inexperienced birder to your team. trails may be wet. Meet at the park- The total number of species seen last year was 164! Highlight birds included: ing lot at the first building on the cattle egret, willets, phalaropes and 17 other species of shorebirds, 23 species of right. For questions, call Ed at 846- warbler including the hooded warbler, tundra swan, peregrine falcon, white 4482 or email [email protected]. eyed vireo, summer tanager, vesper and grasshopper sparrows, dickcissel, and June 1-3: Crex Meadows Field Trip bobolink. On this 3-day, long distance trip we Prizes will be given to the top ranking teams. The ala carte cost is $15 per will concentrate on finding the wide person OR $25 which covers your participation, dinner, and the awards ban- variety of birds that breed in Crex quet held at Imperial Gardens West where adventures of the day will be told. Meadows and other natural areas in This is a rain or shine event. It is anticipated that each team will find 100-150 northwestern Wisconsin. species in the 14-hour limit. You do not have to bird the entire 14 hours but Species that will be of great interest please come join us for the banquet afterwards and tell us of your days adven- on this trip are Sharp-tailed grouse, tures.So, put a team together of 2-4 people, call Ken Barmore at 608-836-6096 or LeContes and Sharp-tailed sparrows, email him at [email protected], clean those binoculars and get some Connecticut warblers, and sleep. Each team needs to elect a captain who will receive a list of official rules Trumpeter Swans. Depending on adapted from the World Series of Birding. The registration deadline is Tuesday how the spring season unfolds we May 1, 2001. Don’t delay, call or email Ken today to register or for more infor- may see numerous wildflowers, mation. including lady slippers. We will be leaving Madison at 8AM in a 15-passenger rental van on Horicon Marsh Bird Festival Friday, June 1st bound for Grantsburg, WI. We plan to spend May 11 - 13, 2001 the night in a local motel and bird The fourth annual Horicon Marsh Bird Festival will be held throughout the Crex Meadows Friday night and Marsh at various sites as part of the Marsh Melodies spring series of events. Saturday. Saturday evening we will This weekend event consists of a variety of activities focusing on the great stay at Hunt Hill Audubon Camp array of birds to be seen here at the peak of the spring migration. Horicon near Sarona. Sunday morning we Marsh is one of the finest birding sites in the upper Midwest with more than will bird Hunt Hill looking for 265 species of birds having been recorded here over the years. Horicon Marsh numerous woodland and other has been designated as a “Wetland of International Importance” and is also grassland birds. We will return to recognized as a Globally Important Bird Area”. Madison by early evening on This Festival is truly a celebration of birds. As a marsh-wide event, it will Sunday, June 3rd. The cost of this feature a wide variety of outdoor activities, field trips, marsh tours, bird band- weekend trip will be in the neighbor- ing demonstrations, and other events. Special activities are also offered for hood of $100 per person and will families and children. Activities will be available for beginners, intermediate include 2 nights lodging, the van bird watchers and experienced birders. Among some of the many activities are rental and some meals. early morning bus trips around the marsh to see the greatest variety of birds, Please contact Ken Barmore at 608- workshops on bird identification, a special bird banding demonstration, chil- 836-6096 or via email at dren’s programs, pontoon boat tours of the marsh, a wildlife art show, plus an [email protected] by May exhibit hall and gift shops. 10th if you are interested in attend- For more information please contact Larry Michael of the Horicon Marsh ing this weekend trip. This trip is Bird Club at 920-485-2936 or Bill Volkert, DNR Naturalist at 920-387-7877 or limited to 14 people, so call early to write to the Friends of the Horicon Marsh International Education Center at reserve a spot. N7725 Hwy. 28 Horicon, WI 53032. For a complete schedule of events and reg- istration forms, check out the Horicon Marsh Bird Club webpage at horicon- marshbirdclub.com. POPULATION & HABITAT Attend Your Local Spring Hearings Gotta Java? Monday, April 9 at 7 p.m. By Caroline Beckett by Karen Etter Hale, Executive Secretary Some of us just have to get that The DNR Spring Hearings on Fish and Wildlife Rules and the annual Wisconsin buzz. Whether you get jump- Conservation Congress meetings will be held Monday, April 9 at 7 p.m. in every started with a cuppa joe in the county in Wisconsin. All citizens can attend and voice their opinions on each morning, or love to latte in the wildlife and environmental issue question. The first half of the evening will be the afternoon, your coffee fix can fish and wildlife rule changes proposed by the DNR. The second portion contains make a difference to the survival Conservation Congress advisory questions. Many of these become official DNR of our feathered friends. rule change questions the following year. Congress questions include supporting a Coffee plantations used to be proposed amendment to the Wisconsin constitution that would give people “the mixed habitat with canopy trees right to fish, hunt, trap, and take game subject only to reasonable restrictions as shading coffee bushes. In the prescribed by law,” a moratorium on the granting of high capacity well permits, early 1990s, US-AID financed cut- three questions on invasive (exotic) species, a “roadside” habitat proposal, ting the forest canopy on 40% of whether the state should acquire the Badger Ammunition Plant to be held in per- the plantations in Colombia, petual trust for the people of Wisconsin, and a question on the prohibition of the Central America, and the use of cyanide in mining, among others. Caribbean in hopes of increasing Please attend! Your vote is important! The hearing in Dane County will be at the coffee production. Today full-sun Alliant Energy (Dane Co. Expo) Center, Columbia County at Turner Jr. High plantations are monocultures, School, Jefferson County at the Jefferson Fair Grounds Activity Center, and Sauk with no habitat for birds that eat County at the Al Ringling Theater. The entire Spring Hearing ballot can be seen on insect pests. Birds found at full- the DNR website: For more information, call Karen Etter Hale, 255-BIRD. sun plantations have dwindled to 1583 10% of the 150 or so species that used to live there. In addition, Lower Mud Lake Threatened multi-national corporations dis- By Harry Read, Conservation Chair courage competition and under- The Village of McFarland is considering an annexation request from a group of 13 cut small farmers, or pay them as land owners in the Town of Dunn. Led by Madison lawyer Norman Herro, the land little as 40 cents a pound for cof- owners have not submitted any specific plan for the area, but have indicated that it fee. would be a mix of commercial, industrial and residential development. Annexation Shade-grown coffee plantations requests for this area were denied by the Village in the early 1990s and according to are bird-friendly because the County Board Chair Kevin Kesterson, the annexation would violate a “gentlemen’s plants are sheltered by native agreement” between McFarland and Dunn to keep development north of the Yahara trees and mixed forests. The cof- River. The land is not included in McFarland’s 20 year Master Plan and about 40% of fee is organically grown and the acreage covers wetlands bordering Lower Mud Lake, which would receive urban often fair-trade—middle-men are runoff from new development. cut out and farmers are guaran- Lower Mud Lake is recognized as an important wildlife area and is a staging area for teed at least $1.26 a pound for migrating waterfowl. The McFarland Planning Commission has asked to review the their coffee. And the coffee is annexation, but the board has not granted their request. Residents of McFarland and much better tasting because the Dunn have begun to organize against the plan, holding a protest rally before the beans mature more slowly. March 12 Village Board meeting, and are planning other actions. The Town of Dunn Several companies that help birds has indicated it will sue McFarland if the Board annexes the land. and people are listed below. Annexation requires a supermajority approval vote by the Board (at least 5 of 7 mem- • Peace Coffee, toll-free: 1-888- bers), but the decision to consider the annexation was passed unanimously on 324-7872 or www.peacecoffee. February 12. The Board has until May 12 to accept the annexation. To find out how com you can help, see • Thanksgiving Coffee Co, 1-800- ht t p : / / u s e r p a g e s . c h o - 648-6491 or www.thanksgiving- rus.net/towndunn/ or coffee.com contact Cay Villars (838- • Peet’s Coffee, 1-800-999-2132 or 6533 or cvillars@biotac- www.coffee.com tics.com). It is particularly • Ancora Coffee Roasters, 608- important for residents of 233-5287 or www.ancora- McFarland opposing the coffee.com annexation to speak up. If Ask for shade-grown and fair the annexation is trade coffees at local groceries approved, halting devel- and cooperatives or wherever opment will be much coffee is served. Bottoms up! more difficult. Otsego Marsh YES, I want to make the Wood Duck Observers Goose Pond vision a reali- Needed ty. Here is my contribu- By Mark and Sue Martin tion to the Goose Pond Late winter or early spring is a good Campaign. time to check your wood duck hous- es. On a recent sunny day in early [ ] Acre Maker. $1,000 or more to March, we installed three new wood buy and restore another acre duck boxes on 10 foot-long poles. of land at Goose Pond. After chopping through 11 inches of [ ] Half-Acre Maker. $500-$999 to ice, we placed the pole into the buy and restore another half- water and drove it into the mucky acre of land at Goose Pond. bottom. The houses were then bolted [ ] Adopt An Acre. I pledge $100 a to the poles. With the addition of year for three years ($300 these houses, a total of seven boxes total) toward Goose Pond are available for wood duck use. restoration. Here is my first Thanks to William Damm, U.S. Fish installment. and Wildlife Service; Greg Martin (Otsego Marsh neighbor) for donat- [ ] Nest Egg. I pledge $50 a year ing wood duck boxes. We also pro- for three years($150 total). vided a box that we won at a raffle. Here is my first installment. William and Jean Damm donated [ ] My Own Vision. $ to help as the metal poles. Sue with recently installed wood duck much as possible. Nest boxes will be checked after the nest box. Photo by Mark Martin nesting season ends to determine Name their use. We would like to keep how many ducks used natural cavi- track of the total number of wood ties in the oak hickory woodlot. Address duck broods at Otsego Marsh this Please contact us at 608-635-4160 or summer. By determining the num- [email protected] if you would In Memory of ber of broods and the number of like to volunteer to observe wood In Honor of nest boxes used, we can also see duck broods in June and July. For Gifts Honoring Another: Send Acknowledgement to (name and MAS Volunteer Opportunities address) Volunteer Chair and Volunteer Committee members Contributions will be acknowl- Looking for a volunteer to solicit, organize and manage volunteers for the edged near the Goose Pond numerous events which MAS schedules and participates in. Ideally, this would Information Board as follows: be a small group of people with one person taking the lead. $1,000 or more-name to appear Education Chair or Co-Chair and Education Committee members on a permanent plaque; $250- Looking for an individual to lead a committee in MAS educational outreach. $999-name to appear on Currently this committee plans the Eco Treks for the Madison School engraved paving brick. Community Recreation Program. There are numerous additional opportunities in education. Also looking for people interested in being on the Education Committee. Acknowledge in Madison Don’t shy away from these enjoyable opportunities! Audubon Society Newsletter 700 Do not acknowledge in Madison Audubon Society Newsletter Donations Spring in MAS has an Make checks payable to Madison MY OWN VISION account at the Audubon Society and mail to: In Memory of Russel H. Ogden Madison Madison Audubon Society, 222 S. Brian Dunleavy Recycling Center Hamilton Street, Suite #1, Laura Brown & Mark Shahan on Fish Hatchery Madison, WI 53703 Carol Liddle Rd. Remember Tax deductible to the extent Bruce Connelly MAS next time allowed by law. you recycle. Madison Audubon Society’s financial statement is available upon request. Sandhill Crane Count an human land use patterns have allowed MAS Calendar the Sandhill population to rebound. Annual Tradition for Many To learn more about cranes call the at a Glance Saturday, April 21 International Crane Foundation, (608) (See pages 2,3,4 & 5 for details) Bird enthusiasts will be given the 356-9462 or check out the ICF website: chance to trek to area wetlands and enjoy Suns.,Apr.1,8,15,22,29:Scope Days ww w . s a v i n g c r a n e s . o r g at Goose Pond a springtime sunrise while on the lookout For more information about the Dane during the 27th Annual Midwest Sandhill Thurs.,Apr.12:Frogs Night Out County Crane Count, please contact Kris Fri,Apr.13:Evening at Mud Lake Crane Count. Whitman at (608) 244-6654. Wildlife Area The impressive birds make it worth Please Watch for Banded Fri,Apr.20:Beginning Birding waking up early. They stand up to four Sat.,Apr.21:Wildflowers at Walking feet tall, and their bugling call is audible Sandhill Cranes Iron for more than a mile. Sandhills are the To test the feasibility of reintroducing a Sun.,Apr.22:Faville Grove region’s tallest bird and among the migratory population of the whooping Sanctuary Tour largest in North America. In addition to crane to the eastern United States, sand- Fri.,Apr.27:Evening at Cherokee the cranes, counters enjoy the early morn- hill cranes were raised at Necedah Marsh ing activities of frogs, songbirds, water- National Wildlife Refuge last year and Sat.,Apr.28:Abraham’s Woods fowl, mammals and other wildlife. then led by ultralight aircraft to Florida. Wildflowers & Birds Sun.,Apr.29:Birding Wyalusing The event represents one of the world’s Ten of eleven sandhill cranes started largest single-species censuses. In 2000, heading north on February 25, probably nearly 1,800 counters tallied more than toward their rearing grounds here in 1321 E. Mifflin St. 13,500 cranes in Wisconsin and portions Wisconsin. Madison, WI 53703 of Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and All of the birds have leg bands with a (608) 256-1066 Iowa. re d -ov e r -green radio transmitter on the Despite their current abundance, right leg and colored bands on the left Sandhills were rare and endangered as leg. They may be traveling as a group recently as 30 years ago. Common in the rather than solo. If you should observe upper Midwest in the mid-1800s, they any of these cranes, please document declined rapidly after 1875 due to hunt- your location, date, time and band colors, ing, wetland loss and human disturbance. and send the information to Molly By 1936, fewer than 25 pairs survived in Stoddard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wisconsin, and the species was rare else- Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, where in the region. Hunting restrictions 92 0 -38 7 -2658, ext. 24 ( She will forward and the restoration and protection of wet- the information to the appropriate F&WS lands as well as the bird’s adaptation to officials.

Madison Audubon Society, Inc. Joanne Herfel, President Non-profit organization 222 S. Hamilton St. Suite #1 U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 1831 Madison, WI 53703 Madison, Wisconsin

4/01 MAS Annual Art Fair see page 1