222 S. Hamilton St. / Madison, WI 53703 / 255-2473/ www.madisonaudubon.

org Summer 2009

Two BIG CLOSE-UPS in Store Snapper Prairie Incorporated

at Goose Pond Vulture Day into Faville Grove Sanctuary
F aville Grove
Sanctuary now
officially includes
about 550 acres
and a dedicated
State Natural Area,
following the transfer
in March of the deed
for Snapper Prairie
to Madison Audubon
Society from The Pearl Miller’s favorite: prairie phlox, and a
Nature Conservancy. single stem of pale-spike lobelia.
The 28.33-acre site
includes about 22 acres of While Faville Prairie was

W ant to see a really BIG BIRD up close? Uncle Butzie,

a tame Turkey Vulture, will star at “Vulture Day” on
Sunday, June 14 at Goose Pond Sanctuary, from noon to 3:00
remnant floodplain prairie— saved from “cow and plow”
one of only two remnants
(the other being the original
intentionally as a scientific
and ecological reserve
p.m. Visitors can also tour a BIG RESTORATION, 40 acres of 60-acre Faville Prairie tract) through the efforts of Aldo
tallgrass prairie in bloom, where Turkey Vultures are often of the great Crawfish Prairie, Leopold and the generosity
seen. a 2,500-acre wet prairie of Phillip and Eleanor
Lisa Hartman, wildlife biologist and vulture researcher, opening that graced the west Miles, Snapper’s history
and Uncle Butzie will be at the Sanctuary headquarters barn, bank of the Crawfish River, is more serendipitous. The
W7503 W. Kampen Rd., Arlington. Uncle Butzie cannot be set in a broader landscape tract was once a part of the
released because he suffered a broken wing. Hartman will of savannas, wetlands, and larger Miller farm. Pearl
describe vulture lifestyles, their outstanding soaring capabili- scattered smaller prairie Miller had a deep love for
ties, their value to ecology as the clean-up crew, and interest- openings. continued on page 2
ing experiences she has had with them. With her husband,
DNR wildlife biologist Mike Mossman, she has studied the
large scavengers for more than 25 years. Inside This Issue
At the Hopkins Road Prairie hospitality station you can sur- Miller/Snapper History .................. 2
round yourself in acres of blooming prairie, climb up the hill, Art Fair Raffle Winners.................... 3
and (if you’re lucky) view Turkey Vultures gliding overhead. New MAS Officers. .......................... 4
Guides and descendants of early landowners will be on hand Audubon Conference...................... 4
with information about prairie restoration, habitat, animal Lawns & Gutters Tour...................... 5
species and human history in the area. This 40-acre tract, part Summer Field Trips........................5-8 Madison
of Goose Pond’s total 664 acres, was planted to prairie in 1999. FG Wildlife Grant............................. 8 Audubon
Spring at Goose Pond....................... 9
For more information call the MAS office at (608) 255-
MAS Banquet Awards.................... 10
Society
BIRD (2473) or resident managers Mark or Sue Martin at
Donations......................................... 10 Serving Columbia,
(608) 635-4160. To reach Goose Pond Sanctuary, just south Dane, Dodge, Iowa,
of Arlington, from Hwy. 51 at Leeds go west on CTH K, MAS Loses a Friend........................ 12
Jefferson, Richland
drive two miles to Goose Pond Rd., turn north on Goose and Sauk Counties
Pond Rd. and turn west on Kampen Rd.

Madison Audubon is a chapter of the National Audubon Society

Snapper. . .
continued from page 1
her “flower patch,” and especially
its annual show of prairie phlox.
Pearl steadfastly refused to allow
her father and brothers to plow
the patch, so the Millers continued
to mow it for marsh hay in late
summers even as the surrounding
prairie lands disappeared. The
annual mowing kept woody
vegetation from invading the
prairie, and strongly encouraged
the short-statured, fall-blooming,
lady’s tress orchids—so much
so that it is said that the fragrant
orchids filled the air with their scent
each fall. It is unlikely that Pearl
Miller ever heard of Aldo Leopold’s
ideas regarding a “land ethic,” but
clearly, she understood.
Then, in the late 1970s while
hunting pheasants, two DNR
staff stumbled onto the remnant,
which ultimately led The Nature
Conservancy to acquire the site and
an access easement in 1979 with
a generous donation from Joan
Heymann and Arthur Snapper, Jr.,
and it was named the Arthur and
Albena Snapper Memorial Prairie
in memory of their parents. Faville
Prairie was transferred to the
University of Wisconsin Arboretum
in 1945, making it the world’s first
publicly protected prairie preserve.
It was dedicated as Scientific Area
(later State Natural Area) #3 in
1952 (at the same meeting of the
State Board for the Preservation
of Scientific Areas at which SNAs
#1 and #2, Parfrey’s Glen and
Cedarburg Bog were dedicated),
granting it the highest protection
provided by state law.
Snapper Prairie received State
Natural Area protection only in
1987 (SNA #168), and yet ironically,
Snapper fared better than Faville
during the intervening years.
While Snapper was mowed
almost annually for hay under
the Miller’s care, Faville suffered
from benign neglect as an outlying
property of the overstretched UW
Arboretum. Faville endured many
long intervals without burning, and
brush and trees made significant
inroads on the open prairie.
The Audubon CAWS
Michigan lily at Snapper Prairie.
Following its acquisition by TNC,
Snapper too suffered a period of
neglect, and aspen, cottonwood
and willow began to invade,
although TNC soon recognized the
consequences of inaction and began
a regular burn rotation for the
site. More recently, however, TNC
established a policy of focusing on
large, landscape-scale projects (its
Last Great Places initiative) and the
organization has sought to divest
itself of small tracts like Snapper.
Volunteers and summer interns
with Faville Grove Sanctuary have
managed Snapper under a formal
management agreement since 2003
(and we assisted TNC informally
before that). On our watch, we
have burned a portion of the prairie
annually, cut and girdled invading
trees, pulled and cut sweet clover,
dug wild parsnips, and cut out the
woody fence row along the south
edge of the property to improve
habitat for grassland birds. Going
forward, we hope to restore a
significant portion of the Crawfish
Prairie and integrate Snapper
Prairie fully into the larger Faville
Grove landscape (with your help, of
course!).
While we are sorry to lose
TNCs partnership in this grand
undertaking, we are honored to be
entrusted with the care of this gem
of a prairie.
2 Summer 2009
Miller Prairie – Snapper
Prairie History
By Mark Martin
Preservation of the Miller/Snapper Prairie
has an interesting history that includes
involvement of a number of MAS members.
• 1850s. The Miller family acquired land that
included 30 acres of wet-mesic prairie.
• 1912-15. Leonard Miller remembers bring-
ing food to family members who were dig-
ging a ditch by hand and, with the help of
horses, to drain water from the prairie. The
ditch now is less than one foot deep and can
be observed after a burn.
• 1960s. The Wisconsin Conservation
Department (now the DNR) came close to
purchasing a small prairie remnant from
the Miller family about one-half mile west
of the prairie and west of Highway G. A
farmer offered $5 more per acre than the
Department.
• 1972. On Dec. 9, I was hunting pheasants
in the area with Chuck Pils, who serves on
the MAS Sanctuaries Committee. I was a
DNR wildlife technician and assisted wildlife
research biologists in studying pheasants,
Great Horned Owls, Red-tailed Hawks, and
red fox in the Waterloo area. We liked to
hunt pheasants and on that Saturday were
hunting south of the prairie when a rooster
flushed and we missed it. It flew north and
we followed it to see if we could flush it
again. Crossing a tree line we found a stand
of prairie that included large numbers of
compass plant and prairie dock. We didn’t
know the quality of the prairie with only a
short early winter visit.
• 1973. Two visits were made by DNR
research biologists to inspect and inventory
the plants. Only 22 acres of virgin prairie
were found and it is my understanding that
one of the Miller brothers had allowed a
neighbor to plow up 8 acres a few years earli-
er. When Pearl Miller found out about plow-
ing the prairie it was stopped, as she loved
the wildflowers growing there and did not
want them destroyed. Bill Tans, with DNR’s
Scientific Areas program, joined the group on
the Sept. 7 tour. Gene Woehler, MAS board
member and former Sanctuaries Committee
chair, took the lead for the Department in
trying to purchase the land for a scattered
wildlife habitat. Gene wrote a memo on
Sept. 20 requesting the 30 acres be appraised.
The land was in the Frank Miller estate
and owned by six brothers and sisters. Cliff
Germain, director of DNR’s Scientific Areas
program (today’s Endangered Resources
Program) wrote a memo in October to
Wildlife Management staff recommend-
ing acquisition of the property. At that
time Scientific Area acquisition funds
were “very limited”.
• 1974. The property was appraised at
$12,000 ($400/acre). A neighboring farmer
was also interested in the parcel and he
advised the DNR game manager that
he would “top anything the state would
offer.” Gene Woehler found after talking
with Pearl and Leonard that they were
aware of the prairie flowers. Leonard
told Gene that yellow lady slippers were
once so abundant they picked them by
the handful and took them to school
for the teacher. They told Gene that the
prairie would not be plowed. Gene sent
a letter March 1 to Paul Olson inquiring
if The Nature Conservancy could assist
with purchase of the property. Beginning
around 1974, I met Mike Ayers of Lake
Mills who was interested in all aspects
of nature (see Feb. 2009 article on MAS
Excellence Award winners). Mike became
friends with the Miller family. He enjoyed
listening to Leonard reminisce about the
flocks of prairie chickens and the blue
hawks (gray male marsh hawks) that
hunted his free ranging chickens.
• 1978. Bill Tans wrote a Project
Acquisition Proposal to The Nature
Conservancy requesting their assistance.
Mike Ayers was listed as the “ecologist
with knowledge of the property.” The
estimated fair market value was then
$19,500 ($650/acre). The Miller family
verbally agreed to sign the option thanks
in large part to Mike’s work. Bill men-
tion that “Fund raising will be by (the)
Chapter.” Mike and I also prepared a
document for Miller Prairie and we esti-
mated the value at $22,400 ($700/acre
that included a two acre access easement).
“Because of economic pressures on the
Miller family and the desire to purchase
their land by surrounding landown-
ers, it is felt the area must be purchased
this year to be preserved.” It was men-
tioned that TNC could donate the land
to Jefferson County Parks Commission if
they were successful in acquisition.
• 1979. The Lake Mills Leader on Sept. 13,
1979 reported that TNC completed the
purchase of a 30-acre virgin prairie. This
was TNC's 67th acquisition in Wisconsin
and the land will be managed as a
Scientific Area. “This is one of our most
important acquisitions,” said Gene Roark,
Chairman of the Wisconsin Chapter. Gene
is still very active with many conserva-
tion organizations. It was reported that
the acquisition “was made possible by a
$20,000 donation from Arthur Snapper,
Jr. of Kalamazoo, Michigan and Joan
Heymann of Palo Alto California, given
in honor of their parents. The prairie will
be officially known as The Arthur and
Albena Snapper Memorial Prairie.” Gene
Roark also mentioned that the Miller
family “sold at a price far below what the
prairie could bring as farmland.”
• 1980. The Capital Times carried an article
on Feb. 6, with a photo of Pearl Miller
exploring the wilds of a Wisconsin prairie.
• 1980s. Under the leadership of Jill
Bedford, TNC preserve steward, a man-
agement plan was prepared. Jill also led
the volunteer effort to inventory rare
plants.
• 1981. Snapper Prairie was designated
as Wisconsin Scientific Area #168. The
Millers used the prairie for cutting “marsh
hay.” Annual mowing, mostly in late July
and August, was conducted and areas
that were not mowed were burned the fol-
lowing spring. In later years, tractors and
larger mowers were used and impacted
some prairie plants. It was interesting to
note that willows and dogwoods survived
for decades with probably no or little
reproduction.

Art Fair Raffle Winners

• Vortex spotting scope and tripod donated by Eagle
Optics—won by Tim Garity of Madison.
• Framed wildlife photo donated by Mikkel Nelson—won
by Mary Braskamp of Madison.
• “Migration” quilt donated by Gloria Welniak—won by
Levi Wood of Madison.
• Songview in-house window birdfeeder donated by
Mounds Pet Food Warehouse—won by Nancy Saindon of
Madison.
• Deluxe in-house window birdfeeder donated by Mounds
Pet Food Warehouse—won by Susan Clark of Madison.
• Yard art by Smith and Hawken donated by Jung Garden
Center northeast—won by Jane Tormey of Madison.
• Wall hanging donated by Gloria Welniak—won by Bliss
Kilzer of Madison.
• Teak cutting board and gift certificate donated by Orange
Tree Imports—won by Pat Becker of Madison.
• Framed floral picture—won by Julie Wills of DeForest.
• “Birdscaping in the Midwest” by Mariette Nowak donat-
ed by Itchy Cat Press—won by Diane Montgomery of
Madison.
• Gift certificates donated by Wild Birds Unlimited—won
by Karen Ecklund of Madison and Dottie Schoenke of Sun
Prairie.
• “Hanging by a Thread: A Kite’s View of Wisconsin” by A sunny but cool day greeted art fair goers at Warner Park. Tim
Craig Wilson donated by Itchy Cat Press—won by Pete Garity and daughter are pictured with the Vortex spotting scope he
won and Mary Braskamp stands with her framed wildlife picture.
Weiler of Madison

The Audubon CAWS 3 Summery 2009

 Meet the New MAS President Midwest Audubon
By Brand Smith Conference Is Sept. 18-20
I would like to introduce myself as your new This year’s Upper Midwest Regional
President of Madison Audubon Society, effective Audubon Conference, with the theme
July 1, 2009. Our jobs at Alliant Energy brought “Hope, Action and a Sense of Place,”
my wife and me to the Madison area from will be held at Chestnut Mountain
Janesville in 1982. I still work for Alliant as a lead Resort near Galena, Illinois Friday-
engineering technician and my wife, Sharon, is Sunday, Sept. 18-20. Audubon’ers
employed by the Madison Police Department. We from Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota,
have two grown sons and one grandson that live and Iowa will gather on this weekend
in Madison. to learn more about crucial issues
My first contact with Madison Audubon was at and fascinating topics of natural
the MAS table at a farmers’ market in the early history, and to become inspired and
1990s. I started my volunteering by collecting seeds at Goose Pond. Since then I have re-dedicated to the important work
been involved with all parts of prairie restoration, from planting to burning. I have also that our chapters do. The conference
helped with trail clearing and other miscellaneous labor. I have helped with installing is sponsored by the Audubon Council
Wood Duck, American Kestrel, and Tree Swallow houses, as well as monitoring and of Illinois.
cleaning them for the past few years. I have helped with many bird surveys around Keynote presenters include outstand-
the area, from counting the number and type of birds that frequent a food plot to pad- ing nature photographer David Olson,
dling a canoe at Schoeneberg Marsh, identifying the likelihood of breeding birds. I was noted author Scott Russell Sanders (who
involved in the pre-restoration bird survey at Zeloski Marsh to create a baseline for will also lead a writer’s workshop), and
future reference. Last year I helped with the first bat survey around Goose Pond. I was grassland bird authority Dr. Jim Herkert.
also the Seed Sale chairman for two years in the mid 1990’s. A luncheon address will be provided by
I believe that everyone should volunteer for something that is important to them. National Audubon Society President,
Madison Audubon is important to me and has made me more aware of the environ- John Flicker.
ment and how it ties to all living things. I like to be around like minded people and A variety of Saturday morning field trips
enjoy their enthusiasm to accomplish the goals of MAS focus on birds, geology, natural history or
I would like to make one comment about volunteering. Do not wait until the right wind energy. The many concurrent ses-
time to get involved. If you wait until then, you may never get involved. I volunteered sion options on Saturday afternoon and
to be president of MAS because members that know me felt that I would be a good fit Sunday morning are included in six topic
and could do a good job. My part of the process is to take their confidence in me and tracks: Bird Conservation, Restoration
follow through with my best effort to help an excellent organization continue operat- and Management, Connecting People
ing at the high level of integrity and stewardship MAS is known for. with Nature, Protecting Our Water
Resources, Energy and Climate Change,
and Chapter Roundtables.
Jon Bishop, New MAS Secretary An early registration fee (received by
Nature has been a life-long love of mine. I have
Aug. 1) of $75 includes a Friday night
been a hiker and backpacker since I could walk. I
reception, Saturday lunch and dinner,
have a BA in Ecology from UC Santa Barbara and
Sunday lunch, all sessions and keynotes,
an MS in Ecology from the University of Alaska
and most field trips. Register early to
Fairbanks. My grandparents were avid birders
receive the reduced fee and have a bet-
and got me started birding at their cabin in the
ter opportunity to obtain a placement
Cascades in Washington during my summer trips
in your first choice field trip and the
to visit them. I got completely hooked on bird-
“Wild Imagination” writing workshop.
ing when I moved to Panama in the mid nineties.
Chestnut Mountain lodging rates are
My wife, Itzy, was an avid birder, and I caught
reduced, as well, if reservations are made
the bug from her. We were active members in the
early.
Panama Audubon Society. We were also found-
Conference brochures will be available
ing members of the Sonora Audubon Society in
at chapter meetings and events or by call-
Glendale, Arizona (western suburb of Phoenix). I received a Masters in International
ing Mary Blackmore, conference co-chair,
Management (an MBA with a foreign language requirement) from the Thunderbird
at (815) 938-3204. The brochure can be
School of Global Management in Glendale, Arizona in 2001. Itzy and I did a great
obtained electronically by e-mailing Kara
deal of birding during our two years in Arizona. I moved to Madison in 2002. I am the
Gallup, conference co-chair, at karagal-
founder and CEO of Envest Microfinance Cooperative, a microfinance loan fund dedi-
lup@msn.com . We hope you can join us!
cated to the alleviation of poverty and promotion of sustainable economies. During my
time in Panama, I realized that poverty and deforestation are tightly linked. My profes-
sional goal is to incorporate sustainability into economic development to take pressure
off of natural systems while providing a dignified existence for the world’s inhabitants.
In my free time, I help restore prairie and woodland along the Ice Age Trail, and I hike
and bird with Itzy and my son, Eric.
The Audubon Caws 4 Summer 2009
Better Lawns and Gutters
Tour Slated for Sat., Aug. 15
See how native plants and rain gardens
beautify yards, and improve lakes and
streams.
Mark your calendar and plan to attend
the 8th Annual Better Lawns and Gutters
Tour, sponsored by the Dane County
Lakes and Watershed Commission, on
Saturday, Aug. 15, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00
p.m. Event partners include the Madison
Audubon Society, Wild Ones and the
Healthy Lawn Team.
Tentatively scheduled in Sun Prairie,
the tour will share how area residents
are using native plants, rain gardens and
rain barrels in their yards to reduce storm
water runoff and the amount of nutrients,
chemicals and other pollutants that are
carried from lawns, gutters and streets to
our lakes and streams.
The Tour Information Center (location to
be determined) will feature ideas on beau-
tifying your landscape, saving time and
money on maintenance, attracting wild-
life and helping our natural waterways.
Garden owners will be available during
the Tour to answer questions at the Tour
sites.
Native plants can replace all or part of
a traditional lawn. They are hardy, low-
maintenance, a delight to the senses and
attract butterflies and birds. They do not
require frequent mowing and watering
that traditional lawns do. In dry weather,
native plants are one of the few green
things in yards, because their roots go so
deep. They are better suited to this climate
and can withstand periods of drought.
Rain gardens are shallow depressions
positioned near downspouts to keep rain
where it falls. By allowing storm water
to infiltrate into the ground rather than
becoming runoff, rain gardens cut down
on the untreated storm water that makes
its way—along with the sediment, fertil-
izer, oil, pet waste and other pollutants it
carries—to our lakes, streams, rivers and
wetlands.
Madison Audubon is looking for volun-
teers to staff our display and table. Please
contact Ginny Nelson, wonelson@chorus.
net, (608) 836-8293, or the MAS office,
masoffice@mailbag.com, if you can help.
Watch www.danewaters.com for tour
maps and more information, as well as
other ways you can help reduce stormwa-
ter runoff.
The Audubon Caws
Summer Field Trips
Abound
Friday, June 5: Canoeing Smith Slough
Saturday, June 6: Birds of Devil’s Lake &
Baxter’s Hollow
See May newsletter for details, or visit www.
madisonaudubon.org.
Thursday, June 11: Evening at Owen Park
Wildlife Ponds - NEW!
Leader Russ Hefty will show us the three new
storm water and wildlife ponds, and discuss
what wildlife is currently present there and
what we might hope to attract in the future,
such as Wood Ducks. Gourds have been put
out to attract Purple Martins. Meet at 6:30 p.m.
in the Owen Park Parking Lot on the south
side of 621 Old Sauk Rd. The trip will last until
8:00 p.m. or so. Contact Russ only if you have
a question about the trip at (608) 233-8513 or
rhefty@ci.madison.wi.us.
DATE CHANGE!
Saturday, June 13: Geology of the Baraboo
Hills
Geology Professor Emeritus Robert Dott, who
has worked and taught in the Baraboo Hills
for more than 40 years, and his naturalist wife,
Nancy, will lead a walk at Hemlock Draw
and (after a picnic lunch) an optional hike at
Natural Bridge State Park. They will show us
features that indicate the fascinating geological
history of this area over the past 500 million
years (back when Wisconsin lay in the trop-
ics, south of the equator!). Nancy will identify
interesting woodland plants and birds. The
walk and picnic will last 3-4 hours and we will
return to Madison by mid-afternoon. Bring
binoculars, a lunch, water, and wear sturdy
shoes for hiking as the terrain is somewhat
sandy and rocky, the hike sometimes moder-
ately strenuous.
Meet to carpool and leave at 8:00 a.m. from
the Middleton Park and Ride. Heading north
on Hwy. 12 at Middleton take Exit 249 to the
park and ride. Or, meet at 9:00 a.m. at the small
town park on the south side of the (former!)
pond in the village of Leland on CTH C in
Sauk Co. Contact Bob or Nancy at (608) 238-
2500 or rdott@geology.wisc.edu only if you
have a question about the trip.
Thursday, June 18: Evening at Black Earth
Prairie
On this joint trip with The Prairie Enthusiasts
(TPE) we will tour the Black Earth Rettenmund
Prairie, a TPE and State Natural Area. This is
one of the highest quality prairie remnants in
southern Wisconsin, and has responded well
to its prescribed burn program. Trip leaders
are Kathie and Tom Brock, site managers for
this prairie, and Steve Richter. The extensive
wood lilies at this site should be in peak
bloom. We will also look for other flowering
5 Summer 2009
plants, as well as birds, and learn about the
history and management of this prairie. The
trip will last about 2 hrs.
Meet at 6:30 p.m. at Black Earth Rettenmund
Prairie. From Madison go west on Hwy. 14 to
Black Earth. At the traffic light (Shoe Box cor-
ner) turn left on CTH F. Follow CTH F through
the village and west for 1-1/4 mile. Turn right
on Fesenfeld Rd. to the prairie entrance, about
300 yds. Park on right side of the road. If you
have questions about the trip, call Kathie or
Tom at (608) 238-5050 or kmbrock@charter.net
Saturday, June 20: Grassland Birding in
Western Dane & Eastern Iowa Counties
Explore The Nature Conservancy’s Thomson
Memorial Prairie Preserve, looking and lis-
tening for grassland birds and prairie plants.
Learn to identify by sight and sound grassland
birds such as Bobolinks, Upland Sandpipers,
Western Meadowlarks, Dickcissels, and many
species of prairie sparrows. Thomson Prairie
is part of the Military Ridge Prairie Heritage
Area, a 50,000-acre landscape area of regional
significance for grassland bird and prairie spe-
cies conservation. Be prepared for a long hike,
and bring binoculars for bird and butterfly
viewing. This is a joint trip with The Prairie
Enthusiasts and The Nature Conservancy. The
trip will last from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Leaders are
Steve Richter and Dave Sample (608) 257-1011.
Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the TNC’s Thomson’s
Prairie Preserve parking lot. Take CTH F
south from Blue Mounds. From the intersec-
tion of F and Hwy. 18/151, take F south for 2
miles to the small designated parking area for
the TNC preserve (on the right, west side, of
the road). (CAUTION: at about 1 mile south
from 18/151, F turns to the right while Z goes
straight).
Saturday, June 20: Butterflies & Wildflowers
at Pleasant Valley Conservancy - NEW!
This is a joint trip with The Prairie Enthusiasts
and S. Wis. Butterfly Assn. Leaders are Ann
Thering and Kathie and Tom Brock. Pleasant
Valley Conservancy is one of our newest State
Natural Areas, and one of the most beautiful.
It is situated in the Driftless Area and boasts
steep goat prairies on the south-facing hillsides
and oak savanna along the ridge top. There is
also a large high quality marsh in the adjacent
lowland area. The various habitats are home
to numerous butterflies. This time of year we
hope to see Baltimore Checkerspots and per-
haps some wetland skippers, such as Mulberry
Wing. Other possible butterfly species include
Black Swallowtail, Tiger Swallowtail, Giant
Swallowtail, American Lady, fritillaries, blues,
hairstreaks, and sulfurs. All of these butterflies
will have many wonderful native plants to
nectar on this time of year. We will be hiking
two to three miles, including a steep hillside.
Long pants, a hat, water, and sturdy hiking
shoes are recommended. Bring binoculars, the
closer they focus, the better. (We have a few
Field Trips . . .
continued from page 5
extra binoculars.) Contact the trip leaders only
if you have questions: Tom: (608) 238-5050,
tdbrock@charter.net, or Ann, therannc@yahoo.
com, (608) 836-1097.
Meet at 9:30 a.m. The trip will last until noon.
Heading south into downtown Black Earth fol-
low CTH F as it turns right (west). After a mile
or so F turns left (south). Continue on F for
another 3-3/4 miles turning left onto Pleasant
Valley Rd. Drive 3/4 mile and stop at the walk-
ing trail on the left. Park off the road facing the
entrance.
Saturday, June 27: Butterflies of Cherokee
Marsh
On this morning walk we’ll observe and learn
about butterflies, those small but exquisitely
beautiful creatures that dance about our ankles
in summer. Conservation Biologist Kathy Kirk
will lead this 2-hour walk at Cherokee Marsh
on the northeast side of Madison. We will
observe a variety of butterflies as they take
nectar from wildflowers, and learn about their
identification, behavior, and lifestyle. Bring
binoculars if you have them; close-focusing
ones work best. Wear long pants and a hat for
protection from the sun.
Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Cherokee Marsh
parking lot at the north end of Sherman Ave.
Take Northport Drive (Highway 113) then
turn north on Sherman Ave. Call Kathy only
if you have a question about the trip, at (608)
442-1642.
Sunday, July 5: Madison Butterfly Count
This is our 19th annual butterfly count.
Co-sponsors are UW Arboretum and Southern
Wisconsin Butterfly Assn. Each summer but-
terfly enthusiasts all over North America par-
ticipate in more than 483 censuses of butterfly
species. Each count is similar to a Christmas
Bird Count. These censuses help to monitor
the health of our butterfly populations and the
results are published in an annual report. If you
can identify butterflies, or can help spot but-
terflies, or just want to see and learn about but-
terflies, join us on this 3-hour count/field-trip.
Bring binoculars, the closer they focus the bet-
ter. Dress for protection from the heat and sun;
a hat is recommended. The North American
Butterfly Association (NABA) requires a $3.00
fee from each participant to cover publishing
costs.
Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the parking lot for the
Grady Tract in the UW Arboretum. We will
count until about noon. Heading west on
the Beltline (Hwy. 12), take the Seminole
Hwy. exit and then turn left (south) on
Seminole Hwy. driving across the bridge
over the Beltline turning immediately into
the parking lot for the Grady Tract. If you
have a question about the butterfly count,
contact leaders Karl and Dorothy Legler at
(608) 643-4926 or karlndot@charter.net.
The Audubon Caws
Saturday, July 11: Pretty Things with
Wings—Birds, Butterflies & Dragonflies of
the Lakeshore Nature Preserve
On this trip to the Picnic Point area we expect
to see interesting bird species and at least half
a dozen species of dragonflies and twice as
many different butterflies. The walking route
will include the edge of Mendota’s University
Bay, the woods of Picnic Point, and the Biocore
Prairie. Bring your binoculars, the closer they
focus the better. (We will have a few extra bin-
oculars.) This trip is co-sponsored by Friends of
the Lakeshore Nature Preserve and Southern
Wis. Butterfly Assn. Leader is Edgar Spalding.
Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Picnic Point Parking
Lot, along University Bay Dr. on the UW cam-
pus. The trip will last until noon. Call Edgar
Spalding at (608) 265-5294 or 831-0616 only if
you have a question about the trip.
Sunday, July 12: Tour of Faville Grove
Sanctuary (East)
The east end of the sanctuary includes over
300 acres of prairie, savanna, and wetland res-
torations along the floodplain of the Crawfish
River. The walk will last two to three hours
and provide an excellent opportunity to see
the prairie in its summer colors. In addition to
prairie flowers and grasses, we will watch for a
variety of birds including Bobolink, Dickcissel,
Eastern Meadowlark, among others. Trip lead-
er is Lars Higdon.
Meet at the Sanctuary east unit at 7:00 a.m.
From I-94, at Lake Mills, go north on Hwy.
89 1-3/4 miles. Turn right on G and go 1-1/2
miles, turning right onto Prairie Lane. Park in
the pull off on the right-hand side. Call Lars
at (608) 220-9563 only if you have a question
about the trip.
Saturday, July 18: Flowers, Butterflies & Birds
of Schurch-Thomson Prairie
Visit The Prairie Enthusiasts’ Schurch-
Thomson Prairie, and the adjacent privately-
owned Underwood Prairie. The latter is closed
to the public, so this is a great opportunity to
see it up close. These and adjacent properties
form a complex of remnant prairie and CRP
grasslands that are rich with grassland birds
and other prairie animals. Summer flowers will
be in bloom, and we hope to see the rare Regal
Fritillary and other butterflies. Last year we
found five species of fritillaries. Be prepared for
a long hike and bring binoculars for butterfly
viewing (the closer they can focus the better).
6 Summer 2009
We will have a few extra binoculars. This is
a joint trip with The Prairie Enthusiasts and
Southern Wis. Butterfly Assn. Leader is Rich
Henderson. The trip will last until noon.
Meet at 9:00 a.m. From Hwy. 151 at Blue
Mounds take CTH F south (note: F makes a
right turn). After 5 miles turn right onto Reilly
Rd. Go to the end and park by the barn. Call
Rich at (608) 845-7065 only if you have a ques-
tion about the trip.
Sunday, July 19: Prairies at Their Peak
Visit Pleasant Valley Conservancy State
Natural Area, a fine prairie/oak savanna area
in western Dane County. It has been under
restoration for about 11 years. Because of the
extensive brush control and burn program
carried out this year, the site should be quite
attractive. Red-headed Woodpeckers are usu-
ally nesting. The hike will involve some hill
climbing, so wear sturdy shoes and long pants.
This is a joint trip with The Prairie Enthusiasts.
At the end of the 3-hour trip, light refreshments
will be served at the small cabin/shack.
Meet at 1:00 p.m. From Black Earth go west
on CTH F about 4 miles. Turn left onto Pleasant
Valley Rd. and stop at fire # 4609. Park on the
right (south) side of the road. Contact lead-
ers Tom and Kathie Brock at (608) 238-5050 or
kmbrock@charter.net if you have a question
about the trip.
Saturday, July 25: Scuppernong Valley Prairie
and Butterflies
Come and explore over 1,000 acres of lowland
prairie habitat in various stages of recovery.
Located in Waukesha Co. this WI-DNR owned
land has the potential of becoming one of the
largest and richest prairie areas in the state.
The vegetation across this level landscape is a
mosaic of high-quality remnant prairie, long-
abandoned old-fields reverting back to prairie,
and everything in between. Three state natural
areas are currently designated within the area.
WI-DNR’s efforts in recent years of extensive
clearing of trees and brush and reintroducing
fire are resulting in the reclamation of large
areas of prairie. Many prairie flowers and a
variety of butterflies abound. Some late season
grassland birds may also still be active in the
area. This is a joint trip with Southern Wis.
Butterfly Assn. and The Prairie Enthusiasts.
Be prepared for much walking and some wet
ground. Bring food and water, sun screen, hat,
insect repellent, and binoculars (the closer they
focus the better; we will have a few extra pairs).
Leaders are Rich Henderson (608) 845-7065 and
Karl and Dorothy Legler.
Meet at 10:00 a.m. The trip will last until 3:00
p.m. Meet at the Scuppernong Prairie State
Natural Area parking lot on CTH N. From
Eagle (in SW Waukesha Co.) take Hwy. 59 west
for 1 mile to CTH N. Turn right (north) onto
CTH N and go for about 1-1/2 miles. Look for
a Scuppernong Prairie sign on the right. The
gravel parking lot is on the left.
Saturday, Aug. 1: Goose Pond Prairie
Restoration
Join us for a tour of restored prairies at Goose
Pond Sanctuary led by Mark and Sue Martin,
Goose Pond Resident Naturalists. The prairies
should be in peak color and this will be a good
opportunity to learn your prairie plants. We
will also tour mesic and dry-mesic prairies as
well as unburned and burned prairies. The trip
will last about 2-1/2 hours. Meet at the sanctu-
ary headquarters residence, W7503 Kampen
Rd., Arlington (northwest of the pond) at 1:30
p.m. From Madison go north on Hwy. 51 into
Columbia Co.; turn left (west) on CTH K. After
two miles turn right (north) onto Goose Pond
Rd., then north one mile to Kampen Rd., turn
left on Kampen Rd. for 1/2 mile, then left into
the driveway. If you have questions about the
trip call Mark or Sue at (608) 635-4160 or email
goosep@chorus.net.
Saturday, Aug. 8: Butterflies of the Avoca/
Blue River Area
This trip will highlight several areas in the
Lower Wisconsin State Riverway, including
Avoca Prairie and Savanna State Natural Area
in Iowa Co. and the Muscoda and Blue River
units in Grant Co. Leader will be Mike Reese.
We expect to see late butterflies and several
southern immigrants. A hat and long pants are
recommended. Bring a lunch and binoculars
(the closer they focus the better). A few extra
binoculars are available. This is a joint trip
with the Southern Wis. Butterfly Assn.
Meet at 10:30 a.m. The trip may last until
5:00 p.m. Allow 1-1/4 hour travel time from
Madison. Take Hwy. 14 east to Lone Rock,
south on Hwy. 130, then turn right on Hwy
133. Go west about 5-1/2 miles, turn right on
Hay Rd. and drive north to the parking lot just
before the creek. Call Mike at (920) 787-2341 if
you have a question about the trip.
Saturday, Aug. 15: Shorebirds of Southern
Wisconsin - NEW!
This trip will go to wherever the shorebirds
are! Possible destinations include Columbia,
Jefferson or Dane Counties, based on current
conditions and reports. Bring a scope if you
have one. The trip will last 3-4 hours. Leaders
are John Romano, Quentin Yoerger and Peter
Fissel. Contact Peter at (608) 226-0260 (before
10:00 p.m.) or pfissel@library.wisc.edu only if
you have a question about the trip.
Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Cub Foods parking
lot on the northeast side of Madison. From the
intersection of Hwys. 51 and 30 head north
on 51 for about 1/3-mile then turn right on
Commercial Ave. then left on Nakoosa Trail to
the Cub Foods lot.
Sunday, Aug. 16: Driftless Area Caves
Here’s an introduction for the average surface
dweller to the amazing world of caves! We will
see some general karst topographic features
and learn about the geology of southwest
The Audubon Caws
Wisconsin. The main component of the trip
will be an underground visit to one of the
wild caves found in the area, that is, a cave
undeveloped for human visitors. In addition
to studying the general geology/speleology
of the cave, we’ll see exactly why cave ecosys-
tems are so unique and fragile. The cave we
visit normally hosts two to three species of
bats, which probably will be roosting during
our daytime visit and available for us to see up
close. We will meet at 9:00 a.m. and return to
Madison by late afternoon.
Our visit to a wild cave is considered “cav-
ing” and is moderately strenuous. In addition
to a short but steep hike to the cave entrance,
our underground experience will include
walking on wet, sometimes loose rock, duck-
ing, and some hands and knees crawling. We
will journey to the end of the cave via one
short, but tight belly crawl (in caver language,
a “squeeze”).
Participants will need at least two flashlights
(headlamps are ideal), a helmet (a bike helmet
will do), gloves, sturdy footwear, and warm
old clothes (clothes that you would paint in).
Remember, caves are cool; plan to get wet and
dirty; bring an extra change of clothes for the
drive home. Pack a lunch and bring a bottle of
water.
Participation is limited to 8 people. To reg-
ister for this trip, or if you have questions, call
Jennifer Schehr (608) 843-2176 and leave your
name, telephone number and how many peo-
ple in your group (no children younger than
eight). After you register Jennifer will contact
you with a carpool meeting place for the trip.
Registration opens August 1; a short waiting
list will be held in case of cancellations.
Sora Rail/Pat Ready
Saturday, Aug. 22: Canoe Cherokee Marsh
Ecological Restoration
Learn about the fascinating history and resto-
ration story of Cherokee Marsh, the wetland
at the mouth of Lake Mendota. The first of a
series of dams was installed in 1849, at what
would become Tenney Park. This caused the
water level of Lake Mendota to rise five feet,
backing up water into Cherokee Marsh. As a
result, the peat layer “delaminated” and rose
to the surface forming a floating bog. But ero-
sion over the decades has destroyed more than
one square mile of wetland. Russ Hefty will
show us how the shoreline of this floating bog
is being stabilized by plantings to form a veg-
7 Summer 2009
etation breakwater and silt fence. This should
be peak bloom for the thousands of American
Lotus Water Lilies used as a buffer! We hope
to see a number of Great Egrets and other wet-
land birds.
Bring your canoe or kayak and meet at 8:30
a.m. at the School Rd. boat landing. Take
School Rd. north from Northport Dr. until the
road starts turning east. Instead turn left onto
the gravel road and proceed to the pier and
parking lot. You will see the sign for Cherokee
Marsh Conservation Park. Contact the leader,
Russ Hefty at (608) 233-8513 or rhefty@
ci.madison.wi.us only if you have a question
about the trip.
Thursday, Aug. 27: Fall Warbler Walk at
Pheasant Branch
Walk at Pheasant Branch Conservancy with
Mike McDowell at the beginning of fall bird
migration. Expect to see warblers, vireos,
flycatchers and other migrants. Bring comfort-
able shoes for a 2-hour walk. Meet at 7:00 a.m.
in Middleton at the dead-end street by Parisi
Park (where Park Lawn St. and Park St. meet.)
Rain or shine. If you have questions about the
trip, call Mike at (608) 831-9989 or email mike@
birddigiscoper.com.
Sunday, Aug. 30: Fall Birding at Picnic Point
Come search for fall migrants, including con-
fusing fall warblers, flycatchers and sparrows.
Co-sponsored by Friends of Lakeshore Nature
Preserve. We will be walking for two hours on
trails that take us through woods, prairies and
gardens. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Class of 1918
Marsh parking lot (across from Picnic Point).
Leaders: Eric Wood and Marty Evanson, (608)
271-6846.
Thursday, Sept. 3: Evening Tour
of Owen Park
Enjoy an evening of fall color in one of
Madison’s restored prairies. Asters, gold-
enrods and other fall prairie flowers will be
blooming among the tall prairie grasses. The
Monarch butterfly migration may be peaking
about this time. We will be alert for possible
fall migrating birds, and there is always the
possibility of seeing or hearing one of the three
species of owl that live here. We will check out
three new holding ponds.
Meet at 6:00 p.m. in the Owen Park parking
lot on the south side of Old Sauk Rd. to spend
about two hours enjoying an evening walk.
Trip leader Sylvia Marek, who lives nearby,
will share some of her 30 years of accumulated
knowledge about her favorite neighborhood
park. Questions: call Sylvia at (608) 238-8344,
evenings.
Monday, Sept. 7: Pleasant Valley
Conservancy Tour
On Labor Day, Kathie and Tom Brock will
lead an afternoon trip, co-sponsored with
The Prairie Enthusiasts, at Pleasant Valley
Field Trips . . .
continued from page 7
Conservancy State Natural Area. The site is in
the Town of Vermont, south of Black Earth, in
the driftless area of southwestern Wisconsin.
The property contains prairie remnants, wet-
lands, and extensive oak savannas and has
been under intensive management for the past
eleven years. An extensive prescribed burn
program and judicious use of herbicides have
resulted in excellent control of invasive brush.
Hiking will be partly across steep bluffs, and
long pants and good hiking shoes are recom-
mended.
Meet at the property at 1:00 p.m. The trip will
last three hours. From Black Earth take CTH F
to the west and then south for 5 miles. Turn left
on Pleasant Valley Rd. Park along the south
side by the driveway at Fire Number 4609.
If you have any questions about the trip call
Kathie or Tom at (608) 238-5050, or kmbrock@
charter.net.
Eastern Bluebird/Bob Leggett
Saturday, Sept. 12: Birding Madison School
Forest
Enjoy a fall walk through this mature hard-
wood forest on well-maintained trails. We
hope to see a variety of sparrows, thrushes,
warblers and other fall migrants. The trip
will last 2-3 hours. Meet at the School Forest
parking lot at 8:00 a.m. From the intersection
of Hwys. 151 & 69 south of Verona, go south
on Hwy. 69 about one mile and turn right on
Riverside Rd. Go west about two miles and
turn left on Fritz Rd., then south about one
mile to the curve and turn left into the parking
lot. Leaders are Peter Gorman and Peter Fissel.
Contact Peter Fissel at (608) 226-0260 (before
10 p.m.) or pfissel@library.wisc.edu only if you
have a question about the trip.
Saturday, Sept. 12: Bird Banding at Biocore
Prairie Bird Observatory
This easy fall field trip near Picnic Point runs
from 8:00 a.m. until noon. Come early or later
in the morning, stay the full time or just a few
minutes. See how birds are netted, banded,
measured and released, and discuss how
important information is gathered for man-
agement and conservation purposes. You can
expect to see resident songbirds and a variety
of other migrating birds in the hand. You
can accompany bird banders to the nets and
observe how they remove birds, band them,
and measure the birds at the mobile station.
The Audubon Caws
Bring insect repellent. To get to the band-
ing station, take Lake Mendota Dr. and park
at Frautschi Point. Walk south through the
woods, keeping Lake Mendota on your left,
onto the Biocore Prairie. At the prairie, follow
the trail to your right, then left. The banding
station (aka picnic table) is at the top of the
prairie. Visitors not able to walk are asked to
contact the trip leader ahead of time for per-
mission to drive you to the site. Contact: Mara
McDonald, mamcdona@wisc.edu or (608) 274-
2534 before 8:30 p.m., please.
Saturday, Sept. 12: Monarchs & Fall Flowers
at Pheasant Branch Conservancy - NEW!
Join us on a walk through the lovely Pheasant
Branch Conservancy in Middleton. The many
beautiful asters should be in bloom, and we
hope lots of butterflies will be nectaring on
these flowers. We can expect several spe-
cies, including Monarchs, sulfurs, blues, and
possibly some southern immigrants, such
as Common Buckeye and Painted Lady. You
never know what you may find! We will also
learn more about restoration efforts at the con-
servancy. Long pants, a hat, water, and sturdy
hiking shoes are recommended. Close-focusing
binoculars are also useful. We will hike two
or three miles. Leaders are Ann Thering and
Dreux Watermolen. Co-sponsors are Friends
of the Pheasant Branch Conservancy and the
South. Wis. Butterfly Assn. Contact the trip
leaders only if you have questions: Dreux
Watermolen: (608) 266-8931, dreux.watermo-
len@dnr.state.wi.us, or Ann Thering, ther-
annc@yahoo.com, (608) 836-1097.
Meet in Middleton at noon. The trip will
last until 3:00 p.m. At the west end of Lake
Mendota take Allen Blvd. north, then turn left
on Century Ave. (CTH M). Track your mileage
as you turn right onto Old Creek Rd. and then
right on Pheasant Branch Rd. going north 1.2
miles to the small county parking lot at the
beginning of the gated road.
Faville Grove
Sanctuary Receives
State Wildlife Grant
Good news! We recently received word
that Faville Grove Sanctuary will receive
$20,000 in matching funds through the
State Wildlife Grant (SWG) program,
which will go a long way toward helping
us to complete our management objec-
tives over the next two years.
Our impressive history of achievement
certainly helped to strengthen our appli-
cation and separate our request from the
many others. And by demonstrating a
healthy volunteer involvement, we were
able to leverage funding by pledging in-
kind match using volunteer hours. This
8 Summer 2009
means that every hour you volunteer, you
are also helping to bring money into the
sanctuary. Volunteer hours will continue
to be used as an in-kind match for the
three Landowner Incentives Program
(LIP) grants we received for Snapper
Prairie, Charles Prairie, and the Lake Mills
Ledge Savanna-North, so your volunteer
efforts are sure to go a long way, regard-
less of where in the sanctuary you help
out!
The SWG program is designed to pro-
vide matching funds for fish and wildlife
species of greatest conservation need
throughout the country. Funding is dis-
tributed to states through the federal gov-
ernment and used to implement wildlife
management and promote partnership
building among conservation groups.
Applying to the SWG program is a very
competitive process, especially in this
economic climate, requiring applicants
to match funds and identify how their
project will benefit priority conservation
opportunity areas and species of great-
est conservation need. In fact, Madison
Audubon was one of only four non-profit
organizations in the state to receive fund-
ing, with the remaining 19 grants going to
DNR projects. This speaks to the distinc-
tion of Faville Grove and the value of our
sanctuary as a haven for wildlife.
Due in part to our management efforts,
Faville Grove is home to many species of
greatest conservation need including (but
not limited to) the American Woodcock,
Blue-winged Teal, Eastern Meadowlark,
Bobolink, and three species of rare prairie
insects. SWG funding will be used to sup-
port summer interns, staff, and contrac-
tors who will work on habitat improve-
ments for these species and many others.
Specifically, the sanctuary plans to con-
tinue restoring natural gradients between
community types to reestablish habitat
corridors, allowing wildlife to move
freely across the landscape. With contin-
ued management we hope Faville Grove
will one day be home to other species in
desperate need of habitat such as the Red-
headed Woodpecker, Upland Sandpiper,
Franklin’s ground squirrel, and maybe
even the Greater Prairie-Chicken. We are
truly excited with what the future holds
for the sanctuary. Join us as we continue
restoring the land to create a top-notch
refuge for wildlife. You can always find
a calendar of Faville Grove work parties
and other events at www.madisonaudu-
bon.org/favillegrove.
Spring at
Goose Pond
By Mark Martin and
Sue Foote-Martin
Goose Pond looks like a prairie
pothole that you would see commonly
in the Dakotas. The water level is the
same as last summer which is a record
level. The Townships have placed
many truck loads of breaker rock
along Goose Pond and Kampen Roads
to keep the roads from being undercut
and washed out by high water.
The highlight of the spring has been
locating a Canada Goose nest. This might
be the first nest at Goose Pond since
the 1850s. We assume Goose Pond was
named for the geese that once nested
here. The breeding geese were probably
shot and their eggs taken for food shortly
after the settlers arrived. Muskrat houses
are preferred as goose nesting sites but ice
and wind eliminate most muskrat houses
by nesting season. Coyotes and fox can
easily prey on geese nesting on the shore-
line, however this nest is on a “small
island” created by high water. We hope
the nest will be successful.
With the record amount of water we
have record numbers of ducks nesting.
On the May pair count we found the
following pairs: (2) Wood Ducks, (1)
Gadwall, (44) Mallards, (70) Blue-winged
Teal, (12) Northern Shovelers, and (2)
Green-winged Teal. Counts will be con-
ducted later for Ruddy Ducks, Pied-billed
Grebes, and American Coots.
An adult Bald Eagle is present on most
Burn crew after burning the Bicennential Prairie on Saturday, April 18.
The Audubon Caws
days. With no fish in the pond, the eagle is
probably feeding primarily on American
Coots and muskrats. One day Sue saw
the eagle take off and catch a muskrat. It
landed on a Wood Duck house and spent
nearly two hours feeding on the muskrat.
One day in April we observed two adults
and an immature eagle sitting on the
ground in the prairie.
Another interesting sighting was find-
ing a Sandhill Crane on a nest at Hopkins
Road Prairie. The crane was nesting in
a one-acre restored wetland with little
water. As the water sank into the ground,
the nest was easily preyed upon by rac-
coons or coyotes and we found the bro-
ken egg shells in the uplands.
We also have a couple Yellow-headed
Blackbirds nesting west of the railroad
tracks in cattail stands. The high water is
also providing excellent habitat for frogs.
In some springs there is about 80 acres of
water and this spring we have 220 acres
of water. Chorus frogs along with a few
spring peepers are calling from most of
the shallow areas.
It was difficult to get in all our pre-
scribed burns this spring. For many days
it was very dry with low humidity and
unsafe to burn. Then we received 2.5 inch-
es of rain followed by a number of rainy
days. We were eventually able to burn six
areas of about 50 acres in our burn plan.
Thanks to all the volunteers who helped
burn, especially Jeanne and Gerry Briggs
who brought a fully equipped utility
vehicle with burn equipment, including a
large water tank with pump and hose.
9 Summer 2009
Beginning Birding: An
Outsider’s Perspective
By Sam Steinbrecher
It was a gloomy morning and unusually
dark at 7:00, mostly due to the overcast
sky. As I waited for my ride, I checked
to make sure I had my binoculars. The
sky looked ready to downpour, but the
trip leader, Allen Holzhueter, had said he
would be there rain or shine.
It’s a short drive to Picnic Point from
campus, but the sky kept getting darker
as we got closer to our destination. We
arrived to find Allen and a few other bird-
watchers. Allen decided that we should
stick close to the parking lot, in the event
that the weather became uncooperative.
Allen directed our view toward a tree
on the edge of a marsh. In it are various
types of warblers and wrens clustered
together with their respective species.
Without even leaving the parking lot, we
saw 10 different species. To the novice
birdwatcher like myself, this was a rev-
elation. Before this excursion, birds were
just that – birds. I didn’t know anything
about birds or their differences. I could
tell a robin from a goose and a cardinal,
but after that my bird related knowledge
severely drops off. All other birds were
small, oftentimes brown creatures that
chirped and sang songs in the morning.
We continued on, hugging the edge of a
tree-lined marsh, stopping every 20 yards
or so to watch more birds. We saw geese,
grackles, Song Sparrows, Barn Swallows,
Red-winged Blackbirds, a goldfinch, a
Great Egret, some Green-winged Teal
ducks, and we heard a Sora Rail, but
never saw it. The most amazing part of
all this to me, the first time birdwatcher, is
that we encountered all of these birds in
under an hour!
Our trip was cut short by the thun-
derstorm and we had only been bird
watching for 45 minutes. We had barely
left the parking lot. It was amazing to
me how many different kinds of birds
there were living all around me that I had
never noticed before. I would have loved
to explore further and see what else we
could have found, but I guess that will
have to wait until the next Beginning
Birding trip.
The author is a UW-Madison student enrolled
in English 201 who participated in a service
learning experience with Madison Audubon
Society during Spring Semester 2009.
 Joyce Altman Bequest
In February 2008, Joyce Altman passed
MAS away, leaving a $20,000 bequest to Madison
Audubon Society. Joyce, the daughter of
Excellence Helen and Harvey Peckham, was married

Award to the late Jim Altman and lived on Hillcrest

Circle in Madison.
Recipients According to Charles Miller, executor of the
estate, neighbor, and friend of the family for
many years, Joyce and her mother gener-
ously fed the birds both in Madison and on
their 15-acre property in Richland County,
which they supplied with bird food regularly
year around. 
Madison Audubon members Patrick and
Above: Tom and Kathie Debra Ready were good friends of Joyce.
Brock received the Cliff Pat built bird feeders and nest boxes for her
Germain Award for Excel- over the years. “We used to spend weekends
lence in Community-Based with her at the country place near Richland
Restoration Center. She enjoyed learning about all the
birds that lived on her property,” Pat recalls.
Left: Mike Ayers received Joyce managed a trail of bluebird nest boxes,
the Sam Robins Award starting about 20 years ago. Hummingbirds,
for Excellence in Citizen
Brown Thrashers, towhees and flying squir-
Science
rels were other favorites. Joyce loved birds
and animals and left bequests to various
Humane Societies, saying, “I advocate for
those who can’t speak,” according to Mr.
Miller.
Barbara Shaw, a neighbor of the Peckham
Right: Bob Welch and family, added that Joyce would bring home
Debra Martin accept the poor little stray creatures to care for. On
James Zimmerman Award behalf of the birds, Madison Audubon
for Excellence in
Society thanks Joyce Altman for helping us to
Environmental Education
and Communication continue to support her interest in those who
cannot speak for themselves. — Submitted by
Dorothy Haines

Donations Received in April

MY OWN VISION
Colleen and Bill Feist
Bob and Peg Lyons
Dolores Sorenson
Clifford Voegeli

GIFTS IN MEMORY OF A PERSON

In Memory of Carol Christenson
Lyle Christenson
In Memory of Virginia Clark
William and Rebecca Martin
In Memory of Marylin Jung
Kit Albrecht and Kevin Kennedy
In Memory of Louise Meyer
Jo Anne Grogan
Gordon and Linda Hanson
In Memory of Mark E. Musolf
Madison Audubon VP Deb Weitzel, presents the Joseph Hickey Award for
Excellence in Bird Conservation to Kent Hall and BRAW board members Joe Wayne Attoe
Schultz (BRAW President) Sue Hall, Claire Romanak, Jerry Schoen, Mike Hel- Carol Falk and Alan Johnson
gren and Pat Ready.

The Audubon Caws 10 Summer 2009

 Membership, Renewal and Donation Form
NEW MEMBERS WELCOME!
Join Madison Audubon Society, or give a
gift membership.
TIME TO RENEW?
Check your Madison Audubon CAWS ad-
dress label to determine your renewal date.
Please renew two months before that date
to keep your membership current and avoid
missing any issues of the CAWS.
Tip: Renewing through the MAS office
directs more of your donation to local
activities and conservation projects.
Update: We now send an annual renewal
notice. In the future we plan to offer a re-
newal option via the MAS website.
MAKE A DONATION
Help make Madison Audubon’s vision a
reality. We offer education about the natural
world, opportunities to advocate for the en-
vironment, and two wildlife sanctuaries with
natural habitat where you can learn about
the beauty and value of nature.
MAIL TO:
MADISON AUDUBON SOCIETY
222 S. Hamilton St., Suite #1
Madison, WI 53703
Madison Audubon Society, Inc. is a tax-
exempt, not-for-profit organization under
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code. Donations are tax deductible to the
extent allowed by law. Madison Audubon’s
financial statement is available upon
request.
MADISON AUDUBON SOCIETY
President: Stan Druckenmiller
Vice-president: Debra Weitzel
Goose Pond resident managers:
Mark and Sue Martin
Faville Grove Sanctuary managers:
David Musolf, Roger Packard
Editor: Patrick Ready
pready@tds.net
Graphic design: Patrick Ready
pready@tds.net
CAWS printer: Roemer Printing
Submissions for the September CAWS
are due August 1st.
The Audubon CAWS
MY NAME__________________________
Address _ ______________________________
City_ __________________________________
State_____ ZIP__________________________
Day phone: ( )_______________________
E-mail_ ________________________________
YES! I want to
___ Join Madison Audubon
Society
___ Give a gift membership to:
Name _________________________________
Address _ ______________________________
City_ __________________________________
State_____ ZIP__________________________
Day phone: ( )_______________________
E-mail_ ________________________________
___ Renew/upgrade my membership
___ Make a donation
[ ] In memory of _______________________
[ ] In honor of _________________________
Please send notification of this gift to:
Name _________________________________
Address _ ______________________________
City_ __________________________________
State_____ ZIP__________________________
Day phone: ( )_______________________
E-mail_ ________________________________
[ ] Please do not acknowledge my
Gift in Madison Audubon CAWS.
THE AUDUBON CAWS is published
September through June by:
Madison Audubon Society,
222 S. Hamilton St., Madison, WI 53703,
(608) 255-2473.
Birding hotline, 255-2476.
www.madisonaudubon.org
masoffice@mailbag.com
E-mail services donated by Berbee
The mission of the Madison Audubon
Society is to educate our members and
the public about the natural world and the
threats that natural systems are facing,
to engage in advocacy to preserve and
protect these systems, and to develop and
maintain sanctuaries to save and restore
natural habitat.
11
PAYMENT INFORMATION
New membership
[ ] $25 New or Gift $_________
Renewal _________
[ ] $25 Student/senior
[ ] $60 Family
[ ] $40 Renewal
[ ] $20 CAWS newsletter Only
(non-member)
Over and Above Member _________
[ ] Patron $1,000
[ ] Benefactor $500
[ ] Partner $250
[ ] Contributor $100
Donation _________
[ ] Acre-Maker, $2,500 or more
can purchase and restore
one acre of land
[ ] Half-Acre-Maker, $1,250-$2,499
[ ] Quarter-Acre-Maker, $625-$1,249
[ ] Adopt-an-Acre, $100 a year for
three years ($300 total). Here is
my first installment.
[ ] Nest Egg, $50 a year for three
years ($150 total). Here is my
first installment.
[ ] My Own Vision
Total enclosed/charged $_________
Please make check payable to
Madison Audubon Society,
OR please charge my
[ ] VISA [ ] Master Card
Name on card _______________________________
Card # _____________________________________
Expiration date _______/ _________
Signature __________________________________
Madison Audubon Wishlist
We greatly appreciate any
donations, or contributions, for the
following items.
• Quality binoculars
• Digital (LCD) projector
• Mule utility vehicle
•Rider mower/snow blower in
working condition
• Energy efficient washing
machine
• Household/deck furniture
• Small, custom-routed, wood signs
Summer 2009
 Madison Audubon Society, Inc.
Stan Druckenmiller, President
222 S. Hamilton St. Suite #1
Madison, WI 53703
Vulture Day at Goose Pond
see page 1
MAS Calendar at a
Glance
Events
Sunday, June 14
Vulture Day at Goose Pond
Saturday, August 15
Better Lawns & Gutters Tour
Friday-Sunday, Sept. 18-20
Midwest Audubon Conference
Field Trips
See the complete listings for all sum-
mer field trips on pages 5-8.
6/09
Is it time to renew your membership?
See form on page 11 and help MAS.
Madison Audubon Loses a Friend
Jill Martin, long-time friend and supporter of Madison Audubon and wife of Jerry
Martin, died in April following a long illness. While Jill’s first loves were quilting
and historical preservation, she always supported Jerry’s interest in environmental
preservation, including his often semi-weekly jaunts from their home in Gurnee,
Illinois to Lake Mills to volunteer at Faville Grove Sanctuary. And she shared his
spirit of giving.
Jill taught English at the high school and college levels for 30 years. In retirement,
she was extremely active with the Warren Township Historical Society, where
she served as vice-president. She edited a book titled Gurnee and Warren Township
(Arcadia Publishing, 2006), gathering more than 200 photographs from the histori-
cal society’s collection and writing detailed captions. Jill was fascinated by histori-
cal and genealogical research, and was an expert on the Civil War, volunteering
regularly with the Lake County Discovery Museum documenting and preserving
Civil War letters. Jill was an avid quilter and established a quilting group. And
combining her passions for history and quilting, she collected antique quilts and
could identify all the old patterns.
Jill and Jerry have donated several properties in Minnesota and northern
Wisconsin to the state departments of natural resources. They have also contrib-
uted generously to Madison Audubon over the years, assisting with acquisition
of land for expansion of both MAS sanctuaries, with acquisition of the house at
Faville Grove Sanctuary for its resident ecologist and land steward, and with sup-
port for the ecologist position. Jill’s generosity, contributions, and dedication were
broad reaching and an inspiration to us all.