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Archive for the ‘Bird watching’ Category

Birds of Spring

March 30th, 2013 by innkeeper

This spring bird’s name couldn’t be more apropos…

brown headed cowbird 800px-Molothrus_ater_2

The Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)

Brown-headed Cowbirds  occur in open or semi-open country and often travel in flocks, sometimes mixed with Red-winged Blackbirds (particularly in spring) and Bobolinks (particularly in fall), as well as Common Grackle or European Starlings. These birds forage on the ground, often following grazing animals such as horses and cows to catch insects stirred up by the larger animals. They mainly eat seeds and insects. Before European settlement, the Brown-headed Cowbird followed bison herds across the prairies. Their parasitic nesting behavior complemented this nomadic lifestyle.

This bird is a small brood parasite: it lays its eggs in the nests of other small passerines (perching birds), particularly those that build cup-like nests. The Brown-headed Cowbird eggs have been documented in nests of at least 220 host species, including hummingbirds and raptors. The young cowbird is fed by the host parents at the expense of their own young. Brown-headed Cowbird females can lay 36 eggs in a season. More than 140 different species of birds are known to have raised young cowbirds.

The Brown-headed Cowbird is typical in general shape but is distinguished by a finch-like head and beak and is smaller than most icterids. The adult male is iridescent black in color with a brown head. The adult female is slightly smaller and is dull grey with a pale throat and very fine streaking on the underparts. The total length is 6.3–8.7 inches and the average wingspan is 14 inches.

Learn More About Spring Birds at Justin Trails Resort

Bird Watching in Western Wisconsin

June 20th, 2012 by innkeeper

“It is always a wonderful experience to see and hear the birds and wildlife that inhabit your property. Rare WI birds found on your property included Acadian Flycatcher and Cerulean Warbler.”  Marty Evenson, Madison, WI.

“The work you have been doing to keep the open areas open was much in evidence. The birds that I observed on your prairie and other open areas June 10 and 11, 2012 included;

Eastern Kingbird
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Robin
Brown Thrasher
Barn Swallow
Tree Swallow
Chimney Swift
Common Yellow throated Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Sparrows – Song, Savannah, Chipping, Field, Grasshopper
Cowbird
Baltimore oriole
Redwing Blackbird
Indigo Bunting
Dickcissels
Am Goldfinch

The bolded species are watch list species described below. Other birds seen on other parts of the property on the watch list included Wood Thrush, Willow Flycatcher, Blue-winged Warbler

Watch list Birds in WI

Birds on the Natural Heritage Inventory’s “watch list.” Watch list species have experienced, or are believed to have experienced, a statewide or range-wide decline, but are not currently tracked in the Natural Heritage Inventory (NHI) database. The watch list includes newly discovered species for which origin and rarity need to be determined, certain animals designated as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan, and species that were tracked in the past but proved more abundant, widespread, or less vulnerable than previously thought. Although watch list species are not actively tracked by NHI, occurrences documented during surveys are often stored by NHI, as these species could be tracked in the future if there is further evidence of their decline.”

Birds are made welcome with feeders hanging on The Lodge, flowers, shrubs and trees for food and habitat. Songbirds are found near our buildings. You will find hawks and larger birds on the trails.

Bird watchers are thrilled with the large variety of birds found on our property. In our Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast library we have “Birds of Wisconsin, Field Guide” by Stan Tekiela available for your use to identify any species unknown to you. We have the videos: “Hummingbirds; Jewels of the Forest” and “Bats; the True Story” for your viewing pleasure.

Locally grown bird sunflower seeds are available to our birds, sugar water for humming birds & grape jelly for Baltimore Orioles. Bird feeders, a bird bath and heated drinking water bring the birds to the restaurant windows for Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast guests viewing pleasure.

Barn swallows are very evident in the compound around the buildings. Barn Swallows make their home in the basement of the barn. They are great fun to watch when mom flies in with food for her babies who are peeping from four yellow mouths wide open. Their swooping flight patterns are so graceful. These industrious birds feed on mosquitoes. The benefit to you is the opportunity to sit outdoors in the evening without mosquito bites.

Bats are seen at dusk as they feed on mosquitoes and other bugs. They can be seen swooping about 12 to 15 feet above ground. The bats are afraid of humans and are very good at avoiding humans.

Visit the Sparta Bed and Breakfast Wisconsin, Justin Trails Resort LLC for a day or a week-long getaway in the peaceful countryside.

Naturally we create joy with quality lodging and recreation in a secluded coulee.

Bird species observed 6/23/2010

July 6th, 2010 by justin trails

Location: Justin Trails
Observation date: 6/23/10
Number of species: 54

Turkey Vulture 5
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 2
Chimney Swift 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 3
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee 10
Eastern Phoebe 5
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Yellow-throated Vireo 4
Warbling Vireo 3
Red-eyed Vireo 4
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 9
Tree Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 6 Cliff Swallow 2
Black-capped Chickadee 5
White-breasted Nuthatch 6
House Wren 9
Eastern Bluebird 3
Veery 5
Wood Thrush 7
American Robin 13
Gray Catbird 8
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 2
Cedar Waxwing 4
Blue-winged Warbler 4
Yellow Warbler 6
American Redstart 1
Ovenbird 15
Mourning Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 8
Eastern Towhee 5
Chipping Sparrow 5
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow19
Scarlet Tanager 4
Northern Cardinal 3
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 8
Indigo Bunting 6
Red-winged Blackbird 22
Brown-headed Cowbird 11
Baltimore Oriole 3
American Goldfinch 6
House Sparrow 10

Bird Watching in Driftless Region 4/30/2010

April 30th, 2010 by justin trails

Wisconsin Birds –Field Checklist
Wisconsin Society of Ornithology, Inc.
April 30, 2010 10:00-12:30 total species 44

Observer: Marty Evanson

2 Canada Geese
2 Mallard Ducks
6 Turkey Vultures
1 Red Tailed Hawk
1 Killdeer Plover
1 Rock Pigeon Dove
1 Mourning Dove
1 Barred Owl
2 Red bellied Woodpeckers
9 Yellow bellied Sapsucker
2 Downy Woodpeckers
1 Hairy Woodpecker
1 Northern Flicker Woodpeck
1 Pileated Woodpecker
1 Eastern Phoebe Flycatcher
2 Blue Jay Corvids
1 American Crow Corvid
1 Tree Swallow
4 Barn Swallows
2 Black-capped Chickadees
1 White-breasted Nuthatch
3 House Wrens
2 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers
4 Eastern Bluebird Thrushes
7 American Robin Thrushes
1 Brown Thrasher Mimid
1 European Starling
1 Tennessee Warbler
1 Nashville Warbler
2 Palm Warblers
1 Ovenbird Warbler
9 Eastern Towhees
15 Chipping Sparrows
6 Field Sparrows
1 Savannah Sparrow
7 Song Sparrows
4 White-throated Sparrows
3 Northern Cardinals
2 Rose-breasted Grosbeak
1 Indigo Bunting Cardinal
2 Red-winged Blackbirds
2 Common Grackle Blackbirds
8 Brown-h Cowbird
1 Baltimore Oriole
2 House Finches
8 American Goldfinches
5 House Sparrows

2 Black-capped Chickadees
1 White-breasted Nuthatch
3 House Wrens
2 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers
4 Eastern Bluebird Thrushes
7 American Robin Thrushes
1 Brown Thrasher Mimid
1 European Starling
1 Tennessee Warbler
1 Nashville Warbler
2 Palm Warblers
1 Ovenbird Warbler
9 Eastern Towhees
15 Chipping Sparrows
6 Field Sparrows
1 Savannah Sparrow
7 Song Sparrows
4 White-throated Sparrows
3 Northern Cardinals
2 Rose-breasted Grosbeak
1 Indigo Bunting Cardinal
2 Red-winged Blackbirds
2 Common Grackle Blackbirds
8 Brown-h Cowbird
1 Baltimore Oriole
2 House Finches
8 American Goldfinches
5 House Sparrows