THE AUDUBON

NEWSLETTER
OF THE
MADISON
AUDUBON
SOCIETY

222 S. Hamilton St. / Madison, WI 53703 / 255-BIRD / http://madisonaudubon.org JUNE 2001

Former EPA Chief Blasts Bush

on Environment
by Frank Davies, NAS and buses by 95% as an example of an “industrywide
Carol Browner, who ran the Environmental Protection situation” that only EPA can handle.
Agency under President Bill Clinton, spoke out against On global warming, Bush and Whitman have said
Bush administration policies, saying that “the breadth and they will develop their own policies, after backing out
speed of some of their anti-environmental actions has of the global Kyoto agreement to curb gas emissions
been stunning.” Browner, who headed the EPA for eight that help cause the problem. In addition, last month
years, said she had been reluctant to criticize a new GOP Bush reversed a campaign pledge to limit carbon diox-
team whose leader had defeated her mentor, Al Gore. ide emissions from electric power plants, overruling
But recent Bush decisions on arsenic in drinking water Whitman. Browner said Bush’s decisions were “precipi-
and carbon dioxide tous” and “had weakened the United States’ role in the
emissions, as well as a proposed budget that cuts environ- international arena on this issue.”
mental enforcement and scientific research, motivated her She said the new administration may be underestimat-
to go public. “I recognize they have a different point of ing public interest in these issues. “People don’t think
view,” Browner said in an interview, “but the speed with their air and water are too clean, and they know govern-
which they have begun to reverse things is alarming.” ment has an important role here,” said Browner, who
The decision by her successor, Christie Whitman, not to recently joined the board of the National Audubon
implement tighter standards on arsenic in drinking water Society. “They want a strong environmental cop on the
particularly bothered Browner because the Bush adminis- beat.”
tration said that “not enough science had been done.”
“This was a 10-year process mandated by
Congress,” said Browner, who had ordered the
stricter standards in December. “It’s unfair to
suggest that this extensive scientific process,
with public participation, was a rush to judg-
ment. It simply wasn’t.”
More generally, Bush’s proposed budget would
reduce the EPA budget 6%, with heavy cuts in
enforcement. Whitman pointed out that a new
$25 million program would help shift responsi-
bility for some enforcement to the states.
Browner argued that states could expand their
role, but that should not reduce EPA’s work.
“Why cut national enforcement unless what
you’re trying to do is limit the number of big
cases that can be filed,” she said. “That’s where
you get the greatest reduction in pollution.” She
cited strict rules enacted last year aimed at
reducing sulfur emissions from diesel trucks
Spring and Summer
Sojourns
Saturday, June 2: Birding Governor
Dodge State Park
Come join us when we bird in the
5000 acre Governor Dodge State
Park in the driftless area of south-
west Wisconsin near Dodgeville.
Governor Dodge is an interesting
summer birding area. Birds we saw
or heard in early June last year
include Bob-o-link, Sedge Wren,
White-eyed Vireo, Bell’s Vireo,
Acadian Flycatcher, Orchard Oriole,
Clay-Colored Sparrow and
Henslow’s Sparrow. There is great
potential to find some interesting
bird species. Trip leader John
Romano has birded extensively here
and knows the breeding birds of this
park very well, as he has done
Breeding Bird Atlas work in
Governor Dodge.
Meet at 6:00 am at the Super
America gas station at the intersec-
tion of Verona Rd. (Hwy 18-151)
with Raymond Rd. A State of WI
Parks sticker is necessary to enter the
park. We should return around
noon. If you have any questions
about the trip, please call John
Romano at 236-9410.
JOIN MADISON AUDUBON
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7xCH
Saturday, June 9: Birding Honey
Creek
Aaron Stutz will lead this birding
trip to the Wisconsin Society of
Ornithology birding sanctuary along
Honey Creek in the Baraboo Hills.
WSO bought this property to protect
the diverse birds nesting here. In this
part of the Baraboo Hills, it is possi-
ble to find unusual nesting warblers,
such as Worm-eating warblers, as
well as Scarlet Tanagers and Acadian
Flycatchers. Early June is the peak of
the breeding season. For those who
are interested, Aaron plans to offer
an extended trip in the early after-
noon to Baxter’s Hollow. This is one
of the largest Nature Conservancy
properties in the Baraboo Hills, par-
ticularly known for its diversity of
nesting birds.
Meet at 7:00 am at the Kohls Food
Store in Middleton at the north end
of Allen Boulevard on Century
Avenue to carpool. Bring binoculars
and a lunch or snack, and dress for
the weather. You may meet the
group at 7:45 am at Honey Creek.
Take Hwy 12 through Sauk City to
County Hwy C near the Badger
Ordinance Works. Go west (left) on
Hwy C to County Hwy PF in Leland
about 10 miles. Turn right (north) on
MADISON AUDUBON SOCIETY
President: Joanne Herfel, 241-8009
Vice-president: Amy McDaniel, 238-0450
Goose Pond Resident Naturalists:
Mark and Sue Martin, 635-4160
Editor: abbiejkurtz@yahoo.com
(please note new email address)
Graphic design: Pat Ready
Printed by Roemer Printing
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.
CAWS Newsletter Subscriptions Available
I am not a member of National Audubon, but am interested in receiving
The Audubon CAWS newsletter to stay informed of chapter activities. I’ve
enclosed $10.00 payable to Madison Audubon Society to cover printing and
mailing for one annual year.
Mail to: Madison Audubon Soc., 222 S. Hamilton St. Suite #1, Madison,
WI 53703
County PF about 1 1/2 miles to Lins
Rd or Sky View Rd. Turn left (west)
about 1/2 mile to the Honey Creek
parking lot just west of Honey
Creek. If you have questions, call
Aaron at 232-1756.
Saturday, June 9: Sauk County Bike
Tour of TNC Lands
This is a joint trip with the Nature
Conservancy. Visit the largest and
smallest Conservancy preserves in
the state when you bike Stone’s
Pocket Road and the Sauk Prairie
with Steve Richter and Paul West.
The 20-25 mile trip will include a
short hike in Baxter’s Hollow to lis-
ten for woodland warblers along
Otter Creek. Then bikers will pedal
to two small prairie remnants that
are surviving remnants of the once
14,000 acre Sauk Prairie. These sites
contain more than 100 species of
plants, including a number of rare
ones. We will listen for clay colored
sparrows and look at the summer
blooming plants on a unit we
burned this fall. Both sites were once
plowed. The sandy soil was soon left
to restore itself and become prairies
once again.
Bring your bike, sunscreen, lunch
and drinking water, and don’t forget
to wear a helmet. We will also do
THE AUDUBON CAWS is published
September through July by:
Madison Audubon Society,
222 S. Hamilton St.,
Madison, WI 53703,
(608) 255-BIRD (2473).
Birding hotline, 255-BIRM.
Madison Audubon Web Page:
http://madisonaudubon.org
E-mail: masoffice@mailbag.com
E-mail services donated by Berbee
Contribution deadline is June 11
for the July issue, for which items
may be sent to Abbie Kurtz, 313
Moulton Ct., Madison, WI 53704.
abbiejkurtz@yahoo.com (please note
new email address)
some hiking. Call Steve Richter (251-
8140) if you have questions about
the trip.
Meet at 9:00 am at the Sumpter
Community Center. Take US Hwy
12 north from Sauk City to the junc-
tion with Cnty Hwy C. Go west on
C for 1.5 miles to the junction with
Stone’s Pocket Rd. The center is
located at the junction of Cnty C and
Stone’s Pocket Road.
Sunday, June 10: Birding Indian
Lake County Park
Come enjoy a day of birding at
Indian Lake County Park. This
northwestern Dane County Park has
extensive woods, open meadows,
the lake and wetlands. Trip leader
Kay Burcar has surveyed birds here
for a number of years. She has
observed Tufted Titmice, Cerulean
Warblers, Acadian Flycatchers,
Scarlet Tanagers and Orchard
Orioles. Around the lake, Kay has
observed breeding Teals, Wood
ducks, Pied-billed Grebes, Great
Blue Herons, Sandhill Cranes and
Woodcocks.
Meet at 6:30 am at the Kohl’s Food
Store in Middleton at the north end
of Allen Boulevard on Century
Avenue to carpool. Or meet at 7:00
am at Indian Lake County Park
which is south off Hwy 19 a few
miles west of Hwy 12. The trip will
include three to four hours of bird-
ing. If you have questions, call Kay
at 798-2275.
Wednesday, June 13: Beginning
Birding at Picnic Point
This trip will help beginning bird
watchers develop their skills at
locating, identifying and observing
birds. This area at the west end of
the UW campus offers a varied habi-
tat and a good opportunity to
observe a variety of waterfowl and
nesting woodland birds, including
flycatchers, thrushes, woodpeckers,
warblers and sparrows. Trip leader
Allen Holzhueter will spend a lot of
time identifying birds and teaching
the skills of bird watching. Special
attention will be paid to answering
beginning birders’ questions.
Meet in the parking lot by the 1918
Marsh, across from the entrance to
Picnic Point, at 6:00 pm. Please bring
binoculars and a bird guide if you
can. If you have questions, call Allen north on I-90 & 94 and exit west on
Holzhueter at 238-0546 after 3:00 pm. Hwy 33, a few miles west of Portage.
Go west on Hwy 33 into Sauk
Thursday, June 14: Evening at Black
County and turn right (north) on
Earth Prairie
County U. When U turns west in
This is a joint trip with the Prairie
about 2 miles, continue straight
Enthusiasts. We will tour a Nature
(north) on Schepp Rd., across I-90 &
Conservancy Preserve and State
94 to Levee Rd. The Leopold shack is
Natural Area called the Black Earth
on the north side of Rustic Road #49,
Rettenmund Prairie, which is located
called Levee Rd., 1 mile west of
a few miles southwest of Black Earth.
Schepp Rd. The shack is 1.5 miles
Our trip leaders will be Kathie and
east of the junction of Co. Hwy T and
Tom Brock, prairie enthusiasts who
Levee Rd.
have a large prairie and oak savanna
A $10 donation to the Leopold
restoration on their own property
Foundation is required when touring
nearby. We will view an outstanding
the farm. Insect repellant is strongly
population of wood lilies, which
recommended, as mosquitoes in the
should be in peak bloom. We will also
River floodplain can be fierce. Wear
look for other flowering plants, as
sturdy hiking shoes and bring water
well as birds. Learn about the history
and a snack, as the trip may last past
and management of this prairie!
noon. If you have questions about
Meet at 6:30 pm at Black Earth
the farm, you may call Rob Nelson,
Rettenmund Prairie. Allow about 30
Education Coordinator at the
minutes driving time from the west
Leopold Foundation, at 608-355-
side of Madison. Go west from
8952.
Madison on U.S. Hwy 14 to the traffic
light at Black Earth. Turn left (south) Sunday, June 24: Birding at Devil’s
on Hwy 78 through Black Earth. At Lake State Park
the south edge of town turn right Join us for a morning of scouring
(west) on County KP and F. About the southern half of Devil’s Lake
1/2 mile west, turn left (south) on State Park to look for nesting bird
County F. Go about 200 yards to species including Veery, Pileated
Fesenfeld Road. Turn right on Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Vireo,
Fesenfeld Road to the prairie Acadian Flycatcher, Scarlet Tanager,
entrance, about 300 yards west.Park Blue-winged Warbler and possibly
on the road. The trip will last about 2 Cerulean Warbler and Worm-eating
hours. If you have questions, call Warbler. In all, we’ll probably find
Kathie or Tom at 238-5050. 50-60 species.
The two leaders, Chuck Heikkinen
Sunday, June 17: Tour of Leopold
and Delia Unson, are intimately
Family Farm
acquainted with this area from their
Visit the historic “sand county”
experience covering it for the
farm and renovated chicken coop
Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas.
where world-renowned conservation-
During their two years of coverage,
ist Aldo Leopold developed his con-
they found 117 possible nesting
servation philosophy and wrote the
species.
inspirational essays in Sand County
Meet at 6:30 am to carpool in the
Almanac. We will visit the shack,
parking lot of the Middleton Kohl’s
hear about Leopold’s early efforts at
Foods on Century Ave. and Allen
plant community restoration and see
Blvd. Or, meet us at 7:30 am in the
the continuing restoration going on
parking area for the boat landing on
today. In addition, we hope to enjoy
the southwest shore of Devil’s Lake.
the birds and wildflowers on this
A state park sticker is required to
Wisconsin River floodplain farm.
park at Devil’s Lake. Wear shoes,
Meet at 8:00 am to carpool from the
bring water and insect repellent.
Kohl’s food store parking lot on the
Since we will be there until about
north side of Middleton, at the inter-
noon, you might want to bring a sack
section of Century Avenue and Allen
lunch. If you have questions, call
Blvd. Or meet the tour at 9:00 am at
Chuck Heikkinen at 274-4043 or
the Leopold shack on Levee Road,
email him at reiki@inxpress.net
west of Portage. From Madison go
continued on page 4
Field Trips . . .
continued from page 3
Thursday, June 28: Badger Prairie
Park-Ice Age Junction Tour
Join the Prairie Enthusiasts on this
tour of the Ice Age Trail. Dane
County Parks Naturalist Wayne
Pauley will be our tour leader. We
will start hiking in Badger Prairie
Park and go north across Cross
Country Road through more recently
acquired property that has been
restored to prairie. Wayne will
explain the County’s efforts at prairie
restoration, making comparisons of
different aged prairies. While some
prairie was planted just last year,
other prairie is over five years old.
Wayne will be sharing his expertise
and enthusiasm for native prairies
and perhaps some of his knowledge
of the native Americans’ and early
settlers’ uses of native plants. In
addition, we hope to identify any
grassland birds seen and heard.
Meet at 6:30 pm at the Badger
Prairie County Park’s first shelter as
you enter off Verona Road. Take
Verona Road (Hwy 151 & 18) south-
west from Madison past McKee
Road to the exit just east of Verona.
Right after exiting Hwy 151 & 18 and
before passing the Dane County
Home, turn right on Nesbit Road
and almost immediately turn left
into the Park. Continue to the first
parking lot with a shelter. Wear stur-
dy shoes for on and off-trail hiking.
If you have questions, call Wayne at
work, 246-3899 or at home, 273-2371.
Sunday, July 1: Butterflies of
Cherokee Marsh
On this trip we’ll observe and learn
about butterflies, those small but
exquisitely beautiful creatures that
dance about our ankles in summer.
Ann Swengel will lead this two hour
hike 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. Ann is a wide-
ly-known butterfly researcher, pho-
tographer and author of numerous
articles on butterflies. She is a Vice
President of the North American
Butterfly Association.
Bring binoculars if you have them
(close-focusing ones work best) or
just get close! It’s best to wear long
pants and a hat for protection from
the sun. Meet at 10:00 am at the
Cherokee Marsh parking lot at the
north end of Sherman Ave. Call
Ann only if you have questions
about the trip, at (608) 356-9543
(Baraboo).
Saturday, July 7: Madison Butterfly
Count
This is our 11th annual count. Mark
this hike and census on your calen-
dar! Each year within a few weeks
of the Fourth of July, butterfly
enthusiasts all over North America
participate in a census of butterfly
species. Each count is conducted at
several sites within a 15 mile diame-
ter circle and the same circle is sur-
veyed each year. These censuses
help to monitor the health of our
butterfly populations and the results
of all North American counts are
published in an annual report. Last
year a total of 421 counts were con-
ducted across North America, 13 of
them in Wisconsin. On the Madison
census 12 people in 3 groups count-
ed for a combined total of 14.6 hours
and found 309 butterflies of 34
species. This year’s group will have
an enjoyable time finding, observing
and counting butterflies. Counters
are needed. The leader will provide
identification expertise. If you can
identify butterflies, or can help spot
butterflies, or just want to see and
learn about butterflies, join us on
this count.
Bring eye or close-focusing binocu-
lars, dress for protection from the
heat and sun (a hat is recommend-
ed) and bring your lunch as the trip
will last from 9:00 am until noon.
Anyone who wants to continue
counting in the afternoon at another
site can do so. The organizer, the
North American Butterfly
Association, requires a $3.00 fee
from each count participant to cover
administrative and publishing costs.
Meet at the parking lot at the McKay
Center in the UW Arboretum.
Heading west on the Beltline, take
the Seminole Highway exit and go
north. After several blocks you will
see the sign at the Arboretum
entrance. Turn right into the
Arboretum and continue until the
road ends at the McKay Nature
Center parking lot. Call the leader,
Karl Legler, at (608) 643-4926 (Sauk
City) only if you have questions
about the butterfly count or if you
would like to count at your own
favorite site.
Midwest Birding
Symposium 2001
Mark your calendar now for the
2001 Midwest Birding Symposium
(MBS). This much-anticipated bird-
ing event will be held from
Thursday, August 30, through
Sunday, September 2 at the Regency
Suites Hotel and KI Convention
Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Green Bay is surrounded by wet-
lands that vary from Lake Michigan
shoreline to cattail marsh and sedge
meadow. The area lies along major
pathways for fall migrants. The
theme of Wetlands and Wetland
Species will ring through the week-
end of activities that will include
birding field trips, visits to nature
centers and museums, and bay cruis-
es. Highlights of the 2001 MBS will
include bus trips with guides to
major birding areas, nationally
renowned keynote speakers, a youth
day, and a market fair of birding
products.
Information and registration for the
MBS can be made through the BIRD-
ER’S WORLD magazine website,
www.birdersworld.com or by con-
tacting Jennifer Birkel at 800-558-
1544, ext. 245 or by e-mail at
jbirkel@kalmbach.com
We encourage you to book lodging
at the Regency, which will serve as
host hotel and symposium headquar-
ters. For accommodations, call 800-
236-3330 and request the special
Midwest Birding Symposium room
rate of $99.00. If you would like infor-
mation on alternative lodging, con-
tact the Green Bay Area Visitor and
Convention Bureau at reached at
888-867-3342 or their website,
www.greenbay.org
We look forward to seeing you in
Green Bay!
Thanks to All Who Made the Art Fair a Success
It takes a lot of help to make an Art Fair. Madison Audubon Society thanks our generous donors and volunteers.
Contributors Nancy Krahn Dawn Dark Mark Evans Dyan Steenport Ken Wood
Olbrich Gardens Colleen Binkley Mountain Jacki Friend Donald Stone Cheri Yearous
Rutabaga Gary Ziegler Gordon Krause Sharon Clark Allison Strohm Mary Young*
Eagle Optics Sue Koehler Bill Pielsticker Gaskill Glenn Michael Young
Jonathan Wilde Gordon Decker Kirsten Warren Gaskill Teschendorff Steven Young
Chickadee Depot Karl Klingbeil Christianson Phyllis Gibson Barb Unger Morris
Ellis Nelson Peter Roycraft Christine Linda Gorley Stuart Utley Zimmerman
Fontana Sports Lisa Larsen Rademacher Mary Gorman Ann Vandeburg*
REI Kurt Salla Jill Bedford Dorothy Gosting Joann Walker *Our Great Art
Nature of Things, Donna Brown Becker Matt Harris Janet Wood* Fair Committee
East Towne Bill Genszler Bill & Linda Joanne Herfel* Levi Wood
Wild Birds Mike & Lisa Husar Sumner Sarah Hole
Unlimited Don Hollatz Kristee’s Baskets Keith Hulsebos Art Fair Raffle Winners
Laura Kearney Lorraine Ortner- Terry Harrison Rosemary Johnson Winning tickets were drawn for fabulous
Ellis Nelson Blake Laura Meddaugh Carol Jones raffle prizes at our 25th annual Art Fair on
Mounds Pet Food Peggy McDaniel Estelle Serena Rick Jones May 5 at Olbrich Botanical Gardens.
Warehouse Peggy Furlin John Schakel Lisa Kane And the winners are…
Wildwood Reckhouse Cliff Matyszczyk Don Kennedy Old Town Discovery 174 canoe donated by
Productions Meredith Green Susan Meyer Laura Kerney Rutabaga: Mark Miller
Camera Company Sean Burgess Jennifer Kesselhon Bushnell Spacemaster spotting scope and
Borders Book Store Mao Lor Volunteers Kathy Konica tripod donated by Eagle Optics: B D
Caroline Beckett Michelle Rachel Amass Jeanne Krause Stamm
Steep & Brew McDowell Jane Anderson Jackie Landucci Original oil painting donated by Jonathan
Cub Foods Demetra Ben August Lori Ledeboer Wilde with framing donated by Meuer Art
Jim Kristine Mary Becker Caroline Becked Frankie Locke Company: Jeff Furr
O’Connor Lane Bacon Kerry Beheler Lou Locke Bronze bird bath donated by Chickadee
Sam’s Club Meg Campbell Rob Besteman David Ludwig Depot: Gene Mitchell
Wal-Mart Brian Werner Kathie Besteman Nancy Ludwig* Domolite 2 person tent donated by Fontana
Peggy Schmidt Michelle Roberts Joyce Bohling Susan Magee Sports Specialties: Margaret Riley
Quentin Braun John Crahen Deb Borley Mary Manering* Metal sculpture donated by artist Ellis
The DeMars Tammy Floyd Quentin Braun Carol Maroney Nelson: Jean Bennett
Family Jane Thompson Dee Dee Britton Mark Martin Daypack donated by REI: Paula Neese
Mounds Pet Food Pat Kroth Willis Brown Sue Foote Martin Fish pottery donated by The Nature of
Flying Fish Geri Schrab Ann Burgess Amy McDaniel* Things at East Towne: Laura Good
Graphic Jame Sauer Mary Bussey Liz Middleton Bird feeder, scoop, and bird seed donated
Meuer Art Co. Van Johnson Edna Canfield Tony Milanowski by Wild Birds Unlimited: Carol Jones
City of Monona Carrie Fonder Marsha Cannon Sue Milch A Sand County Almanac signed by Nina
Wisconsin Supply Louise Coughlin Pete Cannon John Mitchell Leopold Bradley donated by Laura
Isthmus Eric Sutter Glenn Chambliss Michael Nelson Kearney: Evelyn Shimshak
Madison Area Julia Sutter Rosemary Collucy Laurel Neverdahl The Sense of Wonder by Rachel Carson
Convention & Eric Olson Linda Crubaugh Paul Noeldner* donated by Borders Book Shop: Curt
Visitor Center Susan Zieke Vijoya Dasgupta Dave Peterson Coffing
WI Public Anne & Mike Adam DeMars* Margaret Digital photo printing service donated by
Libraries Bodden Ann DeMars Peterson* The Camera Company: Brad Phelan
Madison Recycling Eydie Liebert Bob DeMars Nancy Porkorney Harry Potter basket donated by Peggy
Eileen Meinecke Elsie DeMars Pam Porter Schmidt: Al Hedstrom
Artist Donors Barb Timmel Matt DeMars Harry Read Audubon bird clock donated by Peggy
Ruth Hanson Deb Radke Jean DeMuzio Pat Ready Schmidt: Sophie Blair
Toby McCulloch Amy Weh Diane Derouen Jon Reindl Dragonfly T-shirt donated by Wildwood
Charlotte Fung- Barbara Day Larry Dewey Lynn Robertson Productions: Nancy Bruins
Miller Jacobs Rhonda Dix Pat Salz 2 Gift certificates donated by Mounds Pet
Lori Ciszewski Sharon Manke Darlene Dorn Peggy Schmidt* Food Warehouse: Vic Martin, Karen Mandt
Gena Oilendieck Ann Ingerson Jeannie Rose Sime Engraved emu egg donated by
Paul Klein Lynn Stack Druckenmiller* Jim Sime Enchantagrave Company: Jill Clemons
Maggie Robert Sjostrom Karen Etter Hale Evelyn Shimshak Composter donated by City of Madison
Schuchardt Pason Vang Christine Elholm Ina Smolker recycling campaign: Kristin Johnson
Lori Monson-Huus Jim Becia Sue Ellingson* Rich Staffen Congratulations to all of our winners!
Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative -
Historic Signing May 12
by Karen Etter Hale, Executive Secretary
With Horicon Marsh as a backdrop, over 100 people
came together on Saturday, May 12 to witness an historic
signing ceremony of the Wisconsin Bird Conservation
Initiative (WBCI). Wisconsin is the first state in the nation
to develop a comprehensive bird conservation strategy.
This initiative will provide the basis for an integrated
approach to keeping common birds common and recover-
ing imperiled species in the state.
At the time of the signing, 65 organizations and state
and federal agencies had endorsed this voluntary partner-
ship dedicated to providing a full spectrum of conserva-
tion to Wisconsin’s bird species. These ranged from the
Ruffed Grouse Society and Aegolius Bird Club to nature
centers and land trusts, from the Wildlife Society and WI
Conservation Congress to the WI Woodland Owners
Assn. and WI County Forests Assn., from Ducks
Unlimited to the WI Society for Ornithology, from the St.
Croix Nat’l Scenic Riverway and Fish & Wildlife Service
to DNR and DATCP, and, of course, Audubon.
The master of ceremonies was Steve Miller from DNR.
Guest speakers were Franc Fennessey, DNR deputy secre-
tary, who read a proclamation from the governor and
announced that a “birding trail” will be established, and
Paul Schmidt, migratory bird coordinator for the Fish &
Wildlife Service. Just as he brought up the whooping
crane reintroduction project, a whooping crane (aka John
Christian) appeared to present Wisconsin with a ceremo-
nial check for $871,000! About a third of this money from
CARA (the Conservation And Reinvestment Act, or off-
shore oil monies) will be used to begin implementing
WBCI.
Thanks go to everyone who helped put this wonderful
event together, especially the DNR Horicon office, Ducks
Unlimited and the Horicon Marsh Bird
Wetlands Victory!!
by Karen Etter Hale, Executive Secretary
Thanks to ALL of you who sent letters and cards, or who
made calls and visits to your legislators and the governor
on this critical issue, a million acres or more of
Wisconsin’s isolated wetlands are protected once again!
On May 7, Governor Scott McCallum signed legislation
that will give authority to the Wisconsin DNR to regulate
the development of these wetlands. This Wisconsin legis-
lation is the first of its kind nationwide to restore wet-
lands regulation to the state after federal authority had
been revoked by a January 9 U.S. Supreme Court decision.
WWA is to be commended for the leadership role they
took to protect wetlands on our behalf. This important
campaign, which could not have been budgeted for, has
been very costly, and we would urge you to contribute
whatever you can. Our wetlands are worth it. Please write
your check to Wisconsin Wetlands Assn., 222 S. Hamilton
St., Suite #1, Madison, WI 53703. For more information,
contact Karen Etter Hale, 255-2473 or masoffice@mail-
bag.com
Wolves Holding Steady
by Mark and Doreen Pfost
With the DNR’s Wolf Manage-ment Plan approaching its
second year, interested individuals and organization repre-
sentatives gathered in Wausau on April 7 to receive
updates and offer comments on the status of Wisconsin’s
Timber Wolf. Among the Wolf Stakeholders’ Meeting par-
ticipants were tribal representatives, livestock interests, vol-
unteer wolf trackers, hunting and conservation groups and
environmental organizations, including MAS. In accord
with the Management Plan, issues raised by stakeholders
are addressed in May by the Wolf Technical Committee.
This year’s preliminary count of 254 wolves (246 outside
of Reservations) is almost unchanged from March 2000’s
estimate of 248-259. A mange outbreak is the suspected
cause of this year’s stalled population growth. The
Management Plan requires 250 animals, excluding those in
Reservations, before state delisting can be considered
(wolves are presently listed as state threatened and federal-
ly endangered). Some stakeholders argued for delisting,
claiming population goals have been met, while others
countered that delisting should wait at least another year—
especially with the unknown consequences of the mange
outbreak. In reality, state delisting only has symbolic value
until wolves are federally delisted.
A positive development since last year’s meeting is that
the Wisconsin Cattleman’s Association, WDNR and
USDA’s Wildlife Services produced a brochure entitled
“Wolves in Farm Country in Wisconsin.” The brochure
explains how to reduce depredation and how to preserve
the “crime scene” when depredation occurs. Wildlife
Service agents can usually determine the responsible preda-
tor, sometimes proving the wolf innocent, or otherwise pro-
viding documentation for compensation claims and animal
control.
Funding for the USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services’
Wisconsin Wolf Depredation Management Program needs
to be increased as more wolves inhabit the landscape, a
meeting participant observed. If you believe our state could
support a strong wolf population, and that farmers and
ranchers should not bear undue economic burden associat-
ed with wolf recovery, contact Senator Herb Kohl and
Representative David Obey (members of the Ag
Appropriations sub-committees in their respective houses).
Ask them, and your other legislators, to support increased
funding for Wildlife Services in Wisconsin. The
Stakeholders are sending Kohl and Obey joint letters to this
effect.
Stakeholders generally agreed that public support is an
important element in the continued success of Wisconsin’s
Wolf Management Plan and that a well-educated public
will be a more supportive one. The Timber Wolf
Information Network (TWIN), one of the stakeholder
groups, promotes education that portrays wolves as what
they are: powerful top predators, neither inherently evil nor
lovable and cute. TWIN provides educational materials,
workshops and speakers who make presentations to
schools and other interested groups throughout the state.
To learn more about wolves or about TWIN, see their web-
site, timberwolfinformation.org
Spring Burning at Faville
Grove and Goose Pond
by Mark and Sue Martin, and David
Musolf
Conducting prescribed burns this
spring was not easy due to either wet
conditions, high winds or winds out of
the wrong direction. No burning was
done at Erstad Prairie. However, there
were ideal burning days when weather
conditions matched those required in
the burn plans and we were able to
assemble many volunteers and get the
burns done.
David Musolf and Roger Packard
coordinated controlled burns on two
Saturdays at Faville Grove Sanctuary.
Approximately 45 acres were burned:
prairie restorations, remnant marsh
edges, river floodplain and old fields.
These diverse habitats include
Madison Audubon Society (MAS)
owned land, MAS easement property,
the UW Zoology Museum’ Alexander
Diedrick Wildlife Area, as well as some
privately held tracts. We continue to
increase the impact of sanctuary
through the cooperation of its neigh-
bors.
A small part of Tillotson Prairie was
also burned. These prairie restorations
and remnants should provide excellent
seed collecting sites. One afternoon
Mark saw nine sandhill cranes on of
the newly burned restorations.
Three days were spent burning at
Goose Pond. A large crew assembled
on Saturday, April 28 when four
restorations were burned. That was the
same day that over 20 acres were
burned at Faville Grove.
We burned 40-45 acres on the April 28
at Goose Pond. We had mowed fire-
breaks around the burn units and had
ideal wind conditions. Prescribed
burning negatively impacts weedy
grasses and woody species while stim-
ulating the growth of the prairie
species. We also burned three food plot
sites that were later planted to provide
winter food for wildlife.
Thanks to all the volunteers and
cooperating landowners who assisted
with prescribed burning and special
thanks to those individuals who
helped on more than one day. We hope
you will visit the prairies at Faville
Grove and Goose Pond this summer to
see the benefits of prescribed burning.
June Work Nights at
Goose Pond
Volunteers are needed to assist
with weedy species removal on
work nights every Monday in June
starting at 6:30 pm. Work will con-
centrate on prairie management at
Goose Pond and the UW
Agricultural Station prairie remnant.
This is a great way to learn prairie
species. Dress in long sleeves, long
pants, gloves and sturdy shoes. Cold
refreshments will be served. As
always, these work nights may be
cancelled because of rain. Call Mark
or Sue at 635-4160 if you need more
information.
Sanctuaries Donation
MY OWN VISION
In Memory of Fred Kaiser
Leo Wherley
Exciting MAS Volunteer
Opportunities
Volunteer Chair and Volunteer
Committee members
We are looking for a volunteer to
solicit, organize and manage volun-
teers for the numerous events which
MAS schedules and participates in.
Ideally, this would be a small group
of people with one person taking the
lead.
Education Chair or Co-Chair and
Education Committee members
We are searching for an individual
to lead a committee in MAS educa-
tional outreach. Currently, this com-
mittee plans the Eco Treks for the
Madison School Community
Recreation Program. There are
numerous additional opportunities
in education. We are also looking for
people interested in being on the
Education Committee.
If you are interested in these vol-
unteer positions, please call Joanne
Herfel at 266-7168 (days) or 241-8009
(eves/weekend).
YES, I want to make the
Goose Pond vision a reali-
ty. Here is my contribution
to the Goose Pond
Campaign.
[ ] Acre Maker. $1,000 or more to
buy and restore another acre of
land at Goose Pond.
[ ] Half-Acre Maker. $500-$999 to
buy and restore another half-acre
of land at Goose Pond.
[ ] Adopt An Acre. I pledge $100 a
year for three years ($300 total)
toward Goose Pond restoration.
Here is my first installment.
[ ] Nest Egg. I pledge $50 a year for
three years($150 total). Here is
my first installment.
[ ] My Own Vision. $ to help as
much as possible.
Name
Address
In Memory of
In Honor of
For Gifts Honoring Another: Send
Acknowledgement to (name and
address)
Contributions will be acknowledged
near the Goose Pond Information
Board as follows: $1,000 or more-
name to appear on a permanent
plaque; $250-$999-name to appear
on engraved paving brick.
Acknowledge in Madison Audubon
Society Newsletter
Do not acknowledge in Madison
Audubon Society Newsletter
Make checks payable to Madison
Audubon Society and mail to:
Madison Audubon Society, 222 S.
Hamilton Street, Suite #1, Madison,
WI 53703
Tax deductible to the extent
allowed by law.
Madison Audubon Society’s finan-
cial statement is available upon
request.
Madison Audubon 2001 Big Day Birding Recap MAS Calendar
Saturday, May 12th, 2001. What a magnificent day it was to be outside bird- at a Glance
ing in Dane County! The weather was cool, mostly sunny with a light south-
westerly breeze. This year 11 teams participated in the Big Birding Day to raise (See pages 3, 4, & 5 for details)
money for Madison Audubon and celebrate International Migratory Bird Day. Fri., Sat. & Sun., June 1-3: Crex
It was a wonderful event filled with good spirits, good birds and good peo- Meadows Field Trip
ple. Together we raised $380 for Madison Audubon Society. Many teams Sat., June 2: Birding Governor Dodge
reported seeing over 100 species during the 14-hour event. The grand total for State Park
all teams was 160 species just 4 shy of last year. But many new and interesting Sat., June 9: Birding Honey Creek
species were seen this year including: red shouldered hawk, white pelican, yel- Sat., June 9: Sauk County Bike Tour of
low-breasted chat, red-necked grebe, black-throated blue warbler. If you TNC Lands
would like a copy of the entire species list please send me an email at Sun., June 10: Birding Indian Lake
KCBOUTDOORS@aol.com. County Park
When the vision of this event came to my mind I saw numerous teams par- Wed., June 13: Beginning Birding at
ticipating using different modes of transportation. This year we had two teams Picnic Point
that took this vision to heart on their own. One team chose to use bicycles to Thurs., June 14: Evening at Black
make their way to the various birding spots in and around the Madison area. Earth Prairie
The second team chose to bird only the UW Campus Natural Areas by foot. Sun., June 17: Tour of Leopold Family
Both teams were quite successful and I applaud them for their use alternate of Farm
transportation. Perhaps next year some strong and inspired paddlers will join Sun., June 24: Birding at Devil’s Lake
us. State Park
This year we created a Big Birding Day logo and had shirts printed for the Thurs., June 28: Badger Prairie Park-
winning teams. We are now offering these shirts to you. The black & white Ice Age Junction Tour
image is a simple and beautiful artist-drawn Cattle Egret surrounded by marsh
reeds. (See the image at beginning of this article). The words Big Birding Day 1321 E. Mifflin St.
2001 appear underneath. We chose a Cattle Egret because it was a highlight Madison, WI 53703
(608) 256-1066
bird from last year’s event. We are offering this white, short-sleeved, t-shirt for
$10. Proceeds will go to the Madison Audubon Society. This year, participants
voted to have the Yellow-breasted chat, a highlight bird this year, as the logo
bird for next year’s design.
Thanks to everyone who participated this year for making it a great success
for Madison Audubon. I hope you will join us next year and enjoy the chal-
lenge and camaraderie of Big Birding Day.

Madison Audubon Society, Inc.

Joanne Herfel, President Non-profit organization
U.S. Postage Paid
222 S. Hamilton St. Suite #1
Permit No. 1831
Madison, WI 53703 Madison, Wisconsin

Bush and the

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