A Time For Study

Before everyone in Wisconsin had vacation, I had a little time to hang out with my friend Nancy.  She lives on this beautiful farm FULL of cool critters.  So on this day we spent time with a hummingbird banding team from Milwaukee at her place.  Also joining us was new friend and birder Travis.  He brought his kiddos to help with the banding project of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. 

Chimney Swift

Nancy helped record data while the rest of us carefully trapped hummingbirds for banding. "Trapped" makes it sound terrible but I assure you that none of the hummingbirds were harmed for this very important tracking project.  The team members banding these little birds are professional and excellent at what they do. 

During my time in Wisconsin, I ran surveys for my hometown helping several organizations for our 5th and final year of the Wisconsin Bird Breeding Atlas.  

Canada Goose

Wisconsin in June is lovely.  It wasn't too buggy nor was the bug population quite the same as it was in Maine:)  The birding challenge? Water levels are rising and swallowing up land around the Great Lakes and have affected the piers, shorelines, and road systems which normally allow for easy access to birding hotspots.

I wore water shoes on several of the trails at Woodland Dunes because the boardwalks were submerged under river water. 

The end of this boardwalk at Woodland's Dunes was completely submerged. 

It was crazy.  In some areas, I wasn't able to access platforms!

Blue-winged Warbler

I focused my energies on warblers and sparrows.  Two Rivers and Manitowoc are unusual cities in that northern breeding Canadian warbler species can sometimes be found breeding in our area. 

I'd monitor the rivers and lakes as well for that breeding information. 

American White Pelican 

I'd do stationary counts for 15-20 minutes each day and collect data. 

May, June and July are especially important months in regards to breeding birds. 

female Red-winged Blackbird

For example, if I saw this female Red-winged Blackbird carrying food, I'd enter that this bird was carrying food. 

Clay-colored Sparrow

During my sparrow surveys, I'd mark down if these birds were in their normal territories.  For example, I'd check areas from years past where I've seen these birds before.  In the case of the Clay-colored Sparrow above, I marked "singing male". 

Everyone in the state of Wisconsin was working around the clock to collect the data to complete their data blocks on this last year.  I could only give a couple hours a day. 

Red-bellied Woodpecker

At Nancy's place, we found so many incredible things. 

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

While our hummingbird banding was happening, we were also making an inventory of all the birds she had on our property.  Nancy's property covered an "atlas block".  Normally birders who live in their "blocks", because it's close to home, like to cover their area. Some adopt other blocks around their areas. 

White-crowned Sparrow

Once a birder has found enough breeding evidence on 40 species of birds in their block, they've completed their area. That block will go dark. While home, I helped complete some of the blocks and/or add more information to those blocks. 

Purple Finch

In Manitowoc county at Nancy's place, we discovered a RARE, for the summer, White-crowned Sparrow.  And I was able to confirm a pair of breeding Purple Finches for the atlas.  I was not able to see a nest, but food was being gathered.  Historically, Purple Finches used to breed during the summer in Manitowoc. 

There were a lot of people managing records and checking areas for birds.  

Back home, where I could stay close, I watched Purple Martins feed their young.  This can be a tricky species to find.  They depend entirely on people to provide homes on the eastern half of the US.  

Purple Martin populations on the eastern side of the US are declining.  And if you don't know where to look for the colonies, they can be very difficult to find.  I found 2 breeding colonies in my town.  A third colony had collapsed and the population for that area had completely disappeared. 

It was fun watching these fast birds snatch butterflies and other insects out of the air and then swirl down to feed their young. 

I took notes and lots of documentation. It was an absolute thrill to be able to contribute to the count.  Next week, we'll explore the idea of birding near family.  Do you document your birds in your area when you find evidence of breeding? Until next time.....

Every Day Is Sunday

When I visit with family during holiday over an extended period of time, I find that every day blurs into the next.  During breakfast with my Grandma one morning, I asked her, "What day is today?"  

Bald Eagles at the Two Rivers Harbo

"Sunday. But when you're retired, every day is Sunday.", she replied.  I didn't need to be retired to understand that feeling . 

Days and dates lose their meaning.  And with our agenda, it was quite a dangerous thing to forget scheduled events.  Thankfully, my Dad wouldn't let us forget:)

Everyone needed meeting times and where we'd meet.  If I could, I'd let it all happen as it happens, but that's not the way of the world. 

Bald Eagle

We'd get lost in observation with beautiful birds like the Bald Eagle.  Once, this bird flew in great numbers around Wisconsin.  During the 70's, 80's and 90's, this bird had all but vanished from the Lakeshore.  But today, after the DDT bans, these birds are once again appearing in great numbers across Wisconsin.  In fact during our stay, the Bald Eagle was quite a common bird and observed on nearly every count we did. 

a visit with Grandma

A bird I one day hope to observe in Arizona is the Rough-legged Hawk. During the winter months, this hawk is a common sight in the countryside. 

Rough-legged Hawk

I like this bird a lot because it often behaves like a kite while hunting across the fields.  

Each day felt like one long gray overcast extension of the next. Once and awhile, a ray of sunshine pierced the clouds and touched my skin.  In that rare moment, I felt like a cat sunning itself in the window. 

I could have spent hours in the field just observing the wildlife, but then again, I would have missed seeing my friends. AND I didn't even get to see all of them!  While I was home, I found out a classmate passed away and it was sad news.  Once again, I am reminded from a person's early passing to live life. Explore now.  Discover now.  Because there may not come a tomorrow. When my tomorrow comes, I want to be able to say that I truly lived life to the fullest. 

I heard more stories of death and gloom. A neighbor's father.  Carrie Fisher.  Debbie Reynolds.  George Michaels.  The holidays were rough!  I'm so glad that 2016 did not claim Betty White!  She is a national treasure!

female Downy Woodpecker

I easily forget about things when I watch wildlife.  I am thankful I live in Tucson.  I had been looking forward to going home to Wisconsin and getting a break from Arizona.  But what inevitably happens after a vacation?  I realized that I missed Tucson, my home.  When I returned, the rays of sunshine felt good against my skin. I love Wisconsin but Arizona has my heart....even during the nasty summer months:) It's funny how winter will make me forget the evil 110 degree temps!

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Anyhow, we had a blast and spent a wonderful time together. 

Birding, which is the greatest adventure of all, takes me to all places both far and near.  When I bird in Wisconsin, it's a different kind of birding.  One that blurs the past, present and future into a singular moment. It's not your typical birding, but it does make for a thought provoking experience.  Until next time.....

The cat attacks the tree on her daily morning routine.  Several ornaments a day are found rolling around the floor each day. 

Robin Stroking

The bells of St. Marys

The first time I heard the term "Robin Stroking", I burst out laughing.  It didn't conjure up a nice image!  BUT it's not as bad as you might think really.  After a huge snow storm came to Wisconsin, I was kicked out of the serious bird chasing. Inside my head I screamed "NOOOOOOOO!!" At this point, I was resigned to watching my parent's bird feeders.  Or as what some call "Robin Stroking".  

My Mom hangs up feeders as we get them filled with food

According to bird guides(the funny ones), "Robin Strokers" are people who sit at feeders and casually bird. They also have the tendency to report common birds as rare bird sightings. For example, there's a birder up in Scottsdale who was excited to find a Western Grebe in a town lake behind his home recently. The nicer birders just grin.  

While finding a Western Grebe during our winter months is not rare, it is rare observing it in flight!  Look at how weak their legs are!

But some of the sassier ones will say something back (in a not so nice manner) and put that poor naive soul in his place. In every group, there are those people. While that is an exciting bird, it's certainly not rare:) Well my parents fit this description since they like to casually glance out their window at the birds before they sit down on the couch and watch their QVC and Days Of Our Lives programs.  After our snow storm hit (and dumped 13 inches on and around our house!), it was time to Robin Stroke hard!  So the day before the storm, I helped my mom get the feeders full of food for the starving birds. 

Papa Rohrer snow plows

Then Snow Storm Ashley hit Two Rivers more than any other city in Wisconsin!  I woke up and found my 66 year old father already snow plowing!  To make things worse, I saw my younger brother out there with him helping!!!  This was a firstborn fail on my part.  So I put on my snow gear and went outside to shovel the areas that couldn't be plowed. 

A Coopers is a pretty car to look at but it's not practical for Great Lakes driving in winter or spring

After shoveling for just 20 minutes with an aching back, I remembered why I moved to the desert a long time ago:)  Don't get me wrong, I liked the snow very much but I didn't like the idea that my parents could slip on the ice and get hurt.  My ride above, the Cooper's Hawk, was loaned to me for the week. But after getting stuck in some mud near a bog, I realized it was just a fancy car that had some fun gadgets. But PS!  Thank you Erica for loaning me the car!  I wouldn't have been able to see the Short-eared Owls or Whooping Crane without it!:)  But as most of us know, this car was not made for snow or the harsh elements. My chases would end. 

Northern Cardinals never looked better!

But I thought to myself, "Hmmmm.  There is an opportunity here."  I read all of your blogs and love all the birds in the snow photos.  Here was my chance to partake in such a rare experience.  So I got my camera ready and sat within the warm house and watched the colorful birds at the feeders.  If this is what it's like to be a Robin Stroker, I'm all for it! Well for awhile....:)

Hey!  You can kinda see the red belly of this Red-bellied Woodpecker!

But I became restless.  I turned into a whiny needy child. "Dad, can you drive me to Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary?" "Dad, can you take me to the cemetery?" And so on and so forth.  The snow was still falling and to me, sitting in the house is only good for so long.  I watched my Dad sigh as I pulled him out into the snow for a walk. 

Every time I go home, I enjoy visiting this area for some fantastic bird watching.  And while I've seen a million Canada Geese and Mallards, there's still something magical about walking in the snow with them.  Until a goose started stalking my Dad and began hissing at him:) *snickers to self*

The true gem of the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary is the American Black Duck(below).  It's one of the reasons why I love going.  Plus it's become a "Dad and Son" thing to do:) Then afterwards we go to Kroll's for lunch.  Dad usually orders his Seaburger(made with Haddock) and Onion Rings and I'll order my typical Taco Salad and Fried Cheese Curds.  Don't judge now:) Anyhow, these ducks will come right up to you for close examination.  To be honest, this place has had everything from Tundra Swans to Gulls to Pelicans and lots of other amazing woodland birds. 

American Black Duck

We sat watching the feeders(aka Robin Stroking) at the sanctuary for awhile before spotting a rare Common Grackle visiting during the winter months.  Not bad for sitting near a window and watching about a gazillion birds come to the feeders. Here is my ebird report.

And have you ever visited a silent forest in a cemetery on a winter's day?  It's not haunting.  It's.....magical.  I looked for Great Horned Owls and Eastern Screech Owls there, but I began to freeze my tuckus (took- ahs) off and whined myself back into the warm car.  My Dad watched birds from inside the car. Then I thought it would be cool to go to the lake and see if any loons or scoters were floating around the icy waters.  But it was rather COLD! 

If you've been watching the Netflix series, "Making A Murderer", you'll recognize this name:)  Yes, my hometown is just 15 minutes away from this gem of a family.   The bird gods thought it would be funny to have a Snowy Owl hang out around their salvage yard.  We didn't find a Snowy Owl, but we did see......

.......a beautiful Rough-legged Hawk.  All the days were overcast in Wisconsin.  After my visit, I reluctantly returned back to my sunny desert skies. Wisconsin is an amazing place full of wonderful people and good food.  There is a lot of history there.  It's a rough life, but it's a comfortable one just like JRR Tolkiens' Shire.  My home is the Shire. It's a place where people eat dinners together, play cards, watch Packer games and look forward to their deer hunting.  I never could watch Packer games nor shoot a living creature, but I certainly can relate to good conversations and memories.  And of course, there is nothing quite like the Wisconsin pride in their amazing outdoor attractions. During the summer, so many people come to visit us from all over the world.  It's a great place to bird and meet nice people. 

Rough-legged Hawk

From one extreme to another, I returned to the desert home and helped out with the bird count down near the Mexican border as well as chase an Oriole in Yuma. I collapsed from exhaustion during that trek and I think did some snoring along the way. A birder's life is like this often.  I am officially tired and exhausted. This year is going to be a calmer one.  But still, one of substance as you'll see.  Las Aventuras has a lot in store!  Until next time, stay warm and have an emergency supply of Chex Mix with you in case your car breaks down in the snow:) As for Robin Stroking, I get it.  

Point Beach State Forest

When 13 inches of snow falls down and traps you inside your house, your only hope is a 10 year old kid looking for some money who is only happy to shovel your sidewalks! In the meantime, we birders must survive, save our aging backs, sip our coffee and watch our bird feeders while our future generation saves us from manual labor:)  Happy New Year everyone!

Important holiday gear for birding.  Chex Mix so that you can survive. Camera, binoculars and thick gloves so you won't get frostbite.  Note scarf and hat were also very important.  My scarf became the most important thing to me while standing out in the middle of the lake in Manitowoc!  Frosty!