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Winter 2004
Mallards on Green Bay
| 3-15-04 Andy Cassini |
A sunny day at the point yielded a total of 25 species of birds. The American Crows were very active over much of the point. Three species of woodpeckers were seen as well (Downy, Hairy and Red-bellied). Today marks the first Kingfisher seen at the point this year. The water is still pretty far out off the point, but a number of ducks could still be seen; the list includes Mallards, Common Goldeneye, Common Mergansers, and both the first Hooded Merganser and first Bufflehead seen at the point this year. A Bald Eagle could be seen sitting out on the ice at a great distance. |
| 3-15-04 Andy Cassini |
There were many Red-winged Blackbirds, Dark-eyed Juncos and Common Grackles today. Northern Cardinals could be heard singing, and American Tree Sparrows were still plentiful. The open water is just too far out now, making duck identification difficult. I could positively identify the closer ducks as Common Goldeneye, Common Mergansers and Mallards, but there were thousands more way out in the bay. I had the opportunity to see another Snowy Owl. It was again way out on the ice, and this time had caught something (possibly a duck?). It was feeding, and taking multiple swallows, as opposed to swallowing its prey whole (implying the prey was a bit larger.) The bird again looked darker, like a young female, and certainly could be the same bird Nick and I saw on March 5th. |
| 3-06-04 Andy Cassini Nick Walton |
Nick Walton and I were out at Point Sauble today and had the good fortune of seeing a Snowy Owl. It was way out on the ice and required a spotting scope to get a good look at it. It was a thrill to see. I had actually in all likelihood seen the bird on the previous day, but because of darkness and distance, I could not say with 100% confidence that it was a Snowy Owl. Today...we could. It was great! We also got another good look at two Glaucous Gulls: one adult and one sub-adult. In addition to Herring and Glaucous Gulls, we saw a lone dark-backed gull sitting on the ice at a great distance. Unable to make a definite call, we had to record the bird as a probable Lesser Black-backed Gull based on size and shape (between Ring-billed and Herring in size and closer to Ring-billed in body shape). According to our records, this would be the first sighting of a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Point Sauble by UWGB researchers. To cap off the day, while we were studying the gulls we were buzzed by our first Northern Pintails of the year. Along with the Snowy Owl, this was definitely a memorable day at the Point! |
| 3-05-04 Andy Cassini Nick Walton |
The open water off the point was still dominated by Common Goldeneye; however, there were also Canada Geese, Common Mergansers, Mallards and American Black Ducks there as well. As I was watching them, a Glaucous Gull flew over offering an excellent view. According to the records, this marks the first Glaucous Gull recorded for Point Sauble, by UWGB researchers. |
| 3-03-04 Andy Cassini Nick Walton |
There was a lot of activity at Point Sauble today. The woodpeckers (Downy, Harry and Red-bellied) were very active near the road, along with American Tree Sparrows, House Finch, American Goldfinch, White-breasted Nuthatches, Black-capped Chickadees and Dark-eyed Juncos. Male Red-winged Blackbirds are now at the point and can be heard frequently. With the recent warm weather and rain, a patch of water has opened up near the point, allowing for ducks. It was mainly Common Goldeneye and Scaup (though at a distance appeared to be Greater), but a small group of Redheads flew over as well. There was also an adult Bald Eagle hanging out on a large pile of ice near the open water. As I was leaving the point, I saw my first Common Grackles and Brown-headed Cowbirds of the year. I also had the first American Robin at the point today. |
| 2-24-04 Andy Cassini Nick Walton |
The wooded area near the base of the point is still turning up the greatest numbers of birds. The woodpeckers (Downy, Harry and Red-bellied Woodpeckers) were very active today in this area. Also observed near this site were Morning Doves, Northern Cardinals, House Finch, White-breasted Nuthatches, Black-capped Chickadees, Dark-eyed Juncos and House Sparrows. |
| 2-17-04 Andy Cassini Nick Walton |
Species observed today included: Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Morning Doves, American Tree Sparrows, House Finch, American Goldfinch, White-breasted Nuthatches, Black-capped Chickadees, Dark-eyed Juncos, House Sparrows, American Crows and Blue Jays. |
| 2-12-04 Andy Cassini Nick Walton |
There was little activity on the point itself today. Species near the base included: House Finch, American Goldfinch, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Cardinal and a Downy Woodpecker. As I moved toward the point itself, the activity decreased greatly, with only a few of the aforementioned species being observed. |
| 2-06-04 Andy Cassini Nick Walton |
I went to the point today in search of the immature Harris’s Sparrow and Common Redpoll that Nick Walton recorded yesterday morning. I had no luck in either endeavor, but did have the good fortune of seeing an adult Northern Shrike. Another predator at the point today was an immature Sharp-shinned Hawk. It should be noted that I saw a Cooper’s Hawk yesterday afternoon as well. Both of these accipiters likely are watching the backyard feeders for unsuspecting prey. They were both seen on Point Sauble property, near the houses. The Cooper’s Hawk was seen carrying off a dead bird (possibly a Dark-eyed Junco) into the woods. It was first seen on the side of the road, mantling over its prey, as I was driving towards the point. |
| 2-05-04 Andy Cassini Nick Walton |
This morning I did surveys at points 1 and 10. Perhaps do to the warmer weather, there were more birds around then I have observed in some time. The first bird of the day was American Crow. It may sound strange but I have not had crows at the Point in quite some time. The crows were near Nicolet Dr, but I was able to hear them from point 10. At point 1 there was a Red Fox playing on the ice. As I returned to my car from point 1 I found a lone Common Redpoll. Common Redpoll is a bird that I have been anticipating at the Point this season as they have been found at scattered locations all over the state this winter. Last, but defiantly not least interesting, was a juvenile Harris’s Sparrow at the intersection of Point La and Nicolet Dr. This species is rare but regular in WI and found most commonly in the fall. There is usually a mixed flock of sparrows and finches at this intersection. Other species at this location included American Tree Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, American Goldfinch, and House Sparrow. Overall, this was a very exciting day at the point. |
| 2-04-04 Andy Cassini Nick Walton |
Many of the typical winter residents were seen today. The first Cedar Waxwings were seen at the point today. Also, presumably, the same male Ring-necked Pheasant was seen hanging around the road. |
| 1-28-04 Andy Cassini Nick Walton |
We recorded a total of thirteen species at the point today. We had many of the usual birds we have been seeing (see previous accounts for January), with the addition of a Blue Jay. This may not seem particularly noteworthy, except for the fact that it was the first Blue Jay recorded at the point this year. Their absence has been notable. In addition, we heard the Great-horned Owls again today. |
| 1-21-04 Andy Cassini Nick Walton |
Today I saw the first American Kestrel of the year at Point Sauble. He was hanging out at the base of the point, near the open area close to the road. Also seen today were Morning Doves, Black-capped Chickadees, House Sparrows, House Finch, American Goldfinch, White-breasted Nuthatches, Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Downy Woodpeckers. |
| 1-13-04 Andy Cassini Nick Walton |
It was slightly warmer today, and a total of 12 species were observed at the point. They included many of the standards: Black-capped Chickadees, American Tree Sparrows, Northern Cardinals, Dark-eyed Juncos and White-breasted Nuthatches. Also seen were three species of woodpeckers: Downy, Hairy and Red-bellied. In addition to these birds, a pair of Great-horned Owls could be heard calling back and forth. |
| 1-07-04 Andy Cassini Nick Walton |
A total of nine species were spotted today. On most winter trips to the point (as today), one is likely to encounter the following species: Dark-eyed Juncos American Gold Finch, Black-capped Chickadees, American Tree Sparrows and Northern Cardinal. Today, only one species of woodpecker was seen: Harry Woodpecker. I had the excitement of seeing two adult Bald Eagles sitting on the ice near the point. In addition, a male Ring-necked Pheasant was spotted. |
| 1-05-04 Andy Cassini Nick Walton |
It was relatively quiet today. Canada Geese were spotted out over the bay, while Black-capped Chickadees were active on shore. American Tree Sparrows were present along with Dark-eyed Juncos and American Goldfinch. Harry Woodpeckers and Brown Creepers were also observed. |
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May 19, 2004