A Thank You and Field Report From the Brix Biking Bird Brigade

As a previous blog post detailed, Brix participated in this year’s Wisconsin Natural Resource Foundations Great Wisconsin Birdathon. Early on June 1st, our crew set out to see how many species of birds we could find in a tour of the watersheds we call home. We had a lot of fun and saw a ton of birds.

Team member Kerry birded with her dog in their usual favorite Mount Horeb area haunts. Kerry spotted a yellow-billed cuckoo (well, she heard it then saw it the next day) at Blue Mounds SP. She also was excited to hear singing wood thrushes at Stewart Lake.

Nina and Beth met the rising sun at Belleville Community Park to explore its recently restored wetland fed by the Sugar River.

The Sugar River watershed was a theme for us, as many of the farmers who grow our food manage properties in the watershed. We later joined April Prussia and Steve Fabos on their stunning property of Dorothy's Range on Erickson Creek-- a small trout stream that feeds into the Pecatonica River. This was the highlight of our day. Their pristine property hosts oak savanna and upland prairie along with a variety of other habitats and is home to breeding bobolinks, dickcissel, and grasshopper sparrows (also Henslow’s sparrows but we didn't hear any on our walk... April and Steve hear them often when watering the pigs or working on the property).

If you’re not yet a bird nerd, and those bird names mean nothing to you, you might be interested to know those species were once some of the most abundant in our region. These days, it’s a rare treat to see any of these species because so much of our grasslands have been transformed by agriculture or other development. At Dorothy’s Range, we got a glimpse of how agriculture can work in conjunction with rather than opposition to natural systems.

Above: April and Beth looking at an owl feather

Bobolinks sing a boisterous song while dancing through a flight display above the prairie. They look like a party bird dressed in a black tuxedo juxtaposed by a bold mullet of bright yellow feathers decorating the back of their heads. Their displays make for a gleeful scene and offer a reminder of what Wisconsin once was and still can be. Thanks April and Steve for all you do for this magical landscape! Thanks for the bobolinks and the bacon (#bobolinksandbacon).

After Dorothy’s Range the sun was high and hot for our visit to Erickson Wetlands. Kingfisher Organics provides some of our produce and some hot sauces, kraut, and kimchi, and their farm is directly upstream from Erickson Wetlands. Watching our species count grow felt extra exciting with the added perspective of seeing our producers in action within the same systems depended upon by the birds.

Above: A pig in the pasture at Dorothy’s Range

We returned to the Sugar River proper to bike the Military Ridge State Trail. Marie joined the crew for the bike. We got a lot of sun and saw a few additional species and tons of repeats from earlier in the day. Midafternoon isn’t the most promising time to see birds in action, but the Sugar River reflecting big summer clouds against a backdrop of sky blue and Midwest green was enough reward for us.

We closed the day at Marie and Matt’s house, Donald Farm, across from Donald County Park. Close community that Mount Horeb is, it’s no surprise they happen to be next door neighbors with Nina.

Nina got out her spotting scope to show us the red-tailed hawk nest everyone kept an eye on through the spring. We all got a look at a fuzzy baby hawk except poor 6-year-old Teddy Raboin. Of the experience Teddy said, "I probably could have seen it if I could have opened my eye while I was looking."

Above: Teddy trying to see the baby red tailed hawk

As the heat faded along with the day, we walked along Door Creek in Donald County Park, another quality trout stream that again, eventually feeds into the Sugar River. Wowzas! We added a couple species in Donald Park, including blue birds thanks to the blue bird houses erected by volunteers in the park.

Bobolinks were the favorite of the day, but it was also super fun to see an early morning green heron, the baby RTHA, and to spend the day with folks who are excited about birds and dedicated to growing food in harmony with thriving ecosystems. In total, we saw 81 species of birds, not bad for a hot day when many birds have gone quiet and sneaky for nesting season.

Speaking of nesting season, we’ve hit upon that time of year when fledgling birds have left their nests and can be seen and heard begging for food from their tired parents. On behalf of those tired bird parents who are doing their best to usher another generation into the world, I would like to thank all of you who made donations either through the Birdathon website or by buying Birdathon Cider or a sticker. Your donations went directly to the Bird Protection Fund which supports the highest conservation needs of birds throughout their lifecycles. Brix quickly sold out of the kegs of Birdathon Blackberry Cider and donated 10% of proceeds to the fund. A limited supply of bottle will still be sold.

Thanks for your support! Happy birding! Happy bobolinks and bacon!

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