Bird Watchers Digest’s – Annual Big Sit

The Circle of (avian) Life

Bird Watchers Digest and the New Haven Bird Club (with Swarovski) sponsored the 2013 Big Sit on two dates this year; Saturday October 12, and Sunday October 13.  Perhaps it was expanded to include Saturday because some bird watchers wanted their Sabbath day off, or like me; were also rabid Green Bay Packers fans, and needed their Sunday’s free to watch TV, drink beer and eat snacks. Whatever their reason; I chose Saturday for my all-day bird quest even though the weather was threatening to be partially inclement.

The Rules:

• Observations can be made from any area within the state/country you live, or wish to represent.
• Observations can only be made from within your pre-determined 17-foot (diameter) circle.
• There’s no limit to how many people can occupy one circle (other than the obvious spatial limitations)
• Bring some chairs. Have a picnic or barbeque. Welcome passers-by and their contributions to your list.
• If a bird is seen or heard from within the circle but is too distant to identify, the circle can be left to get a closer look/listen to confirm the bird’s identity. However, any new bird species seen or heard while confirming the original, can’t be counted unless it’s seen or heard from an “anchor” who stayed behind in your circle, or is seen by you when you return to your circle.
• Tally the number of species that you observe.
• Big Sit participants can work in shifts. No one person needs to be there throughout the whole Big Sit! The area can be left and returned to as frequently as desired, but you must be sure to return to the exact 17-foot diameter circle each time.
• The same circle must be used for the entire Big Sit!
• The Big Sit! will begin at 12:00am midnight and end 24 hours later.

In what passed for early morning quiet (when you live next to an Interstate highway) I loaded up the WPT for my drive north to Havenwoods State Forest at 6:20 AM. I have written in this blog more than a few times about Havenwoods and why I love it so much, so I’ll spare you the details this time. Suffice it to say that I know of no other area in the City of Milwaukee where I would wish to spend 12 hours in one spot where I can find an equal amount of diverse ecology, and not be besieged with constant passersby. If you wish City of Milwaukee peace, solitude,and nature; Havenwoods is also for you.

I unloaded the gear and equipment I had brought into my trusty plastic Ames, four-wheeled garden cart, locked the WPT and pushed my burden to the west, down the only paved road. The wheels made a scratchy, gravely sound that seemed to reverberate more loudly than I wished, but I had no choice. When I left the roadway to the left between the two giant rocks; the mown grass on the path immediately absorbed any excess noise. The sun was just then threatening to rise behind me, so I pushed as fast as I dared to be ready for the dawn.

I had pre-chosen the exact same spot as I had used back in 2008; north and above the largest pond and just east of the iron foot bridge. There, the 2003 Eagle Scout, wooden bench awaited. The pond below and to my south was littered with the floating, darkened shapes of Canada geese with a smattering of Mallard ducks, just as it was in 2008. I stood there taking a few pictures and waited for the sun to poke above the horizon. The air was warm (64 degrees) with a 12-15 mph breeze blowing from the west-southwest, and the sky was mostly clear. Dressed in jeans, hiking boots, a tee shirt, ball cap, and my birding vest; I was comfortable enough. I watched the pond and waited for what I knew would soon come next.

When the sun had risen slightly over the horizon, its orange light peeking through the trees; some of the geese began to honk. I estimated around 40 birds were paddling around the water surface in two distinct groupings. On some unknown cue, about half of the birds began flapping their great black wings and took flight; all the while honking and creating quite a racket. I noticed that two of the nine Mallards went with them into the sky heading mostly south. Approximately 10-minutes later, the rest of the geese repeated the first grouping’s pre-flight checklist and lifted off the pond’s surface. This time, no ducks followed. As it would turn out; that left seven (two pairs and three males) to keep me company on the pond for almost my entire Big Sit day.

Early mornings always provide the greatest opportunity to see birds; this day was no different. I tallied the majority of the species I was to see within the first three hours. Being extremely careful to double and triple-check my sightings due to the changing lighting conditions; I entered the data into my Audubon Bird App for iPhone.; I wanted to be extra certain of the identification before I claimed any species was seen this day. The first bird I registered was indeed a Canada goose, followed by a Mallard duck, and the count was officially on. Another déjà’ vu moment came around 9:00. Just like the last time I was doing a Big Sit in this spot, I again encountered a large group of eight Eastern bluebirds. I watched as they flew by, chattering and twirling around one another in a kind of dance. Eventually they alit atop the iron railings of the western edge of the bridge in similar fashion as in 2008. I was astonished to see such unexplained animal behavior repeated at roughly the same time of year and time of the day. They merely landed, sat, shifted, sat, and exchanged positions, sat, and eventually flew off; one by one until they were out of sight. The whole process took about 15 minutes. Why?

Several individuals *illegally walking their dogs past my location paused long enough to inquire as to my set-up. I patiently explained to each, my reason for being there. One particular man named “Paul” walked up to my location from across the bridge. Around his neck was a very nice Nikon camera set-up. Considering myself a bit of an amateur photographer, I asked him about his equipment. He explained that in addition to many other things that interested him, he was a birder like me and that he had taken lots of images of birds; many that he had posted on his “Flicker” website. He then handed me his attractive business card and we stood chatting about mutually known birders, and birding areas in the greater Milwaukee area. He told me that he’d recently graduated to shooting images of dragonflies and other insects as a hobby. He eventually bid me goodbye and walked up the path to the north in search of other interesting photographic subjects.  He seemed like a very nice man.

Birdstud “counts” Birds

Light drizzle began falling around 10:30, causing me to consider unpacking the Coleman 10’ X 10’ Instant Canopy I had brought. By 11:00 I was erecting it in earnest. The darkening sky to the southwest, and the intervals of intermittent rain had convinced me that that 70% “chance” of precipitation was now 100% in play. I knew that my wife Barbara and a mutual friend Margie would be joining me around 12:30 PM, so rather than scramble to put it up later; I opted for sooner.

The ladies walked up in a light drizzle on schedule, umbrellas in hand. Barbara had brought me a delightful lunch of a sub-sandwich, chips, and a drink. The two of us sat and ate (Marge said she’d eaten) and the three of us chatted about my morning’s sightings in recap. Marge and Barbara took a small walking tour of the area that included the floating dock on the smaller pond. They had no sooner returned to the canopy as the rain intensified. It became a thunderstorm with brilliant flashes of lightning. We sat in red, folding camp chairs and waited out the heavy storm.  Marge, unfortunately for her, had to scoot about 15 minutes before the rain actually stopped.  Barbara hung in there another hour and scored the one and only Sandhill crane for our circle, before needing to leave for Saturday evening church.  I stayed glued to the circle.  I was on a mission to last until dusk.

After the rain I waited about an hour and allowed the wind to dry the water from the nylon tent before packing it up.  I decided to put everything but my Bushnells and digital camera back into the plastic wheelbarrow for the rest of my anticipated time at Havenwoods.  I had just taken a short walk west across the bridge to take a picture of it when I heard a faint, high-pitched, “hell-ohhh, hell-ohhh?” Standing on the opposite side of the bridge near my wheelbarrow full of gear was a woman.  I waved cheerfully and walked back to meet her.

The curly, brown-haired female (who’s name turned out to be “Terri”) warily grilled me about my equipment and what I was doing there with it.  By her (oh real-ly?) tone I got the sense she thought I was doing something illegal, in her State forest.   Did you ever try to innocently explain your behavior to someone; even when it was completely legitimate, and when you heard yourself talk, you even sounded guilty to yourself? That was one of those moments.  The wind had been blowing into my eyes all day making them red and teary, so I surely must have looked like a crack addict, spewing B.S. about purple unicorns and aliens to ‘ol Terri.  I persevered regardless, with my seemingly implausible explanation. I eventually asked her if she either worked at Havenwoods, or was a volunteer.  She replied, “I should be, I’m here enough.”  Terri eventually excused herself to continue her nature hike and I went back to “sitting.”  

Eastern Towhee Pair

The October air began to warm somewhat again as the storm slid completely off my radar and over Lake Michigan. The sun came back out even though extremely low in the sky, painting long shadows on the path as it continued to slip westward. A first quarter moon was also visible to the south as I watched Red-winged blackbirds return to the cattails along the pond.  A pair of Blue jays continued a curious ritual of flying into a nearby treetop, and pausing for 20 seconds before flying out and repeating the process about every five minutes.  Mourning doves gathered in a clump in the lower branches, and the “chip” of White-throated sparrows sounded in the brush.

Terri reappeared from the direction she had earlier walked to stand and talk once more.  She was visibly upset and began regaling me with her frustration regarding dogs off-leash and out of the “authorized” dog walking area.  I honestly agreed with her angst concerning how idiotic people can be when they willfully disregard rules involving their pets.  While she and I were standing there, another woman approached the west end of the bridge.  At her feet on both sides, snuffling through the tall wet grass, were six (count ’em) six dogs on two leashes!  Now THAT was surely something you don’t see every day.  Terri looked aghast and I’m sure I looked slightly amused.  Terri told me that the (scofflaw), multiple dog-walking woman had earlier “seen her” and decided to walk in a different direction.  I considered that decision prudent.  I wouldn’t mess with Terri.

The last bird I logged in was a Red-bellied woodpecker before pushing the wheelbarrow back along the path to the parking lot where the WPT waited.  The sun had disappeared and the temperature was falling as I loaded the equipment into the pick-up’s bed.  My BWD Big Sit was over.  I had logged 35 species in 12 hours; not bad I figured…not bad at all.  But then again, any day birding is a good day my friends.

1. Canada Goose | Branta canadensis
2. Mallard | Anas platyrhynchos
3. Cooper’s Hawk | Accipiter cooperii
4. American Kestrel | Falco sparverius
5. Sandhill Crane | Grus canadensis
6. Ring-billed Gull | Larus delawarensis
7. Herring Gull | Larus argentatus
8. Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) | Columba livia
9. Mourning Dove | Zenaida macroura
10. Chimney Swift | Chaetura pelagica
11. Red-bellied Woodpecker | Melanerpes carolinus
12. Downy Woodpecker | Picoides pubescens
13. Eastern Wood-Pewee | Contopus virens
14. Blue Jay | Cyanocitta cristata
15. American Crow | Corvus brachyrhynchos
16. Black-capped Chickadee | Poecile atricapillus
17. Golden-crowned Kinglet | Regulus satrapa
18. Ruby-crowned Kinglet | Regulus calendula
19. Eastern Bluebird | Sialia sialis
20. Swainson’s Thrush | Catharus ustulatus
21. American Robin | Turdus migratorius
22. Gray Catbird | Dumetella carolinensis
23. European Starling S| turnus vulgaris
24. Yellow-rumped Warbler | Dendroica coronata
25. Blackburnian Warbler | Dendroica fusca
26. Palm Warbler | Dendroica palmarum
27. Eastern Towhee | Pipilo erythrophthalmus
28. Swamp Sparrow | Melospiza georgiana
29. Song Sparrow | Melospiza melodia
30. White-crowned Sparrow | Zonotrichia leucophrys
31. White-throated Sparrow | Zonotrichia albicollis
32. Red-winged Blackbird | Agelaius phoeniceus
33. Common Grackle | Quiscalus quiscula
34. House Finch | Carpodacus mexicanus
35. American Goldfinch | Spinus tristis

The complete results of the BWD 2013 Big Sit are HERE.

* Illegally = Dogs are only allowed to be walked on leash in Havenwoods on the limestone paths; not in the rest of the State forest.

Havenwoods Revisited (again) – 2013 GBBC

One can never get enough rejuvenating sunshine on a cold and wintry day in February… 

Yes, the temperature was a frosty 12 degrees and the windchill made it below zero, BUT the sun was brightly shining overhead as Barbara and I stepped outside Havenwoods State Forest to lead our 11:00 Adult Bird Walk.  
As is often the case with events planned far in advance; weather can be a factor.  Thankfully for the Friends of Havenwoods, the vast majority of their fun, interactive family “Winter is for the Birds” NatureFest events were planned for indoors.  

Havenwoods State Forest is located at 6141 N. Hopkins Street in the city of Milwaukee.  That’s just one block west of Sherman Blvd (43rd street) on Douglas Ave.Their main parking lot was full with vehicles and folks were using the auxiliary lot a short distance away.  A multitude of “bird-activities” kept the many families busy learning about birds in a creative and educational way.  Wildlife in Need Center’s Leslie Kiehl had a smallish, rescued Great horned owl named Dakota as a living example of interesting avian life.  Plus there was even an opportunity to take a horse-drawn wagon ride, or sit by a cozy wood fire outdoors.

 Properly layered in a warm blanket of winter clothing, our boots made cold-weather skrunching noises with each step in the hard-packed snow.  There had been plenty of melting and some steady rain in the past week, so slippery ice lay just beneath the fine layer of newer, fluffier snow.  This made us be extremely careful on the trails as we walked; trying not to slip and fall.  American crows were seen flying overhead and a group of pigeons erupted from a tree as they heard our approach. 

Many animal tracks crisscrossed the trails; each set having a unique tail to tell of survival in the cold.  The two of us walked our “usual” counterclockwise route that starts at the garden and ends back at the lot covering a total distance of just over five miles, in a mostly circuitous path. We were not to be joined by any other intrepid bird watching wannabes this day; more than likely due to the weather.  That was OK with us.  The sun felt great on our faces and the vigorous walk was good for the soul on this 16th of February.  

This in effect was our GBBC 2013.  Want to participate…check the link.

Birdstud Tours

Our (small but satisfying) bird list reads like this:

1. Red-tailed hawk
2. American Crow
3. Rock dove
4. Mourning dove
5. Hairy woodpecker
6. Black-capped chickadee
7. White-breasted nuthatch
8. House sparrow
9. Blue jay
10. American robin

Canoe-Birding the Mighty Milwaukee River (Part One)

♫ ♪ Ol’ man river, dat ol’ man river he mus’ know sumpin’, but don’t say nuthin’, he jes’ keeps rollin’, he keeps on rollin’ along. ♫ ♪♪

The Milwaukee River begins in the Kettle Moraine State Forest Fond du Lac County, with the most recognizable “starting point” flowing south out of Long Lake near the tiny village of Dundee, WI. It rolls south past Grafton to into downtown Milwaukee, where it finally empties into Lake Michiganbeneath the yellow arch of the Daniel Hoan bridge. Cedar Creek, the Menomonee Riverand the Kinnickinnic River are its three main tributaries, fueling its motion towards the big lake. There are 31 automobile and four train bridges over its Milwaukee county run alone. Several inviting parks line the banks of the Milwaukee River. These include Estabrook, Gordon, Kern, Lincoln, Pere Marquette, Pleasant Valley, and Riverside Parks in Milwaukee, Kletzsch Park in Glendale and Hubbard Park in Shorewood.

In an effort to connect the natural current of the Milwaukee River with a current of business and leisure activities, the City of Milwaukee launched the RiverWalk Initiative in 1988. The City and Business Improvement District (BID) together share the price tag of RiverWalk construction and other RiverWalk capital expenditures in accordance with the terms of a Development Agreement. Property owners with a RiverWalk constructed on their river frontage are solely responsible for maintaining such riverwalks to a standard acceptable to the City and the BID. In September of 2009 the Milwaukee River was named to be one of “10 great places to stream through cities”. According to Kit Cramer for USA TODAY, the Milwaukee River is on her list of “great places to take a boat ride.”

With all those worthy reasons to enjoy the Milwaukee River in mind, plus the possibility to see some birds while traveling the waterway; Barbara and I decided put the Canoe-dle to “play.” Utilizing the wonderful and comprehensive map created by the Milwaukee Riverkeepers, I chose a likely non-threatening place to “put-in” at Kletzsch Park, just below the bucolic waterfall. A persistent angler was working the eddy below the churning white water with a fly-fishing rig as watchful Canada geese lingered nearby. We nimbly carried our aluminum steed from our street-parked vehicle from the nearby (parallel oriented) Milwaukee River Parkway, down a gentle gravel embankment and scuffed it into the water; ready for our trip down river. We each took turns carefully getting in, becoming situated, and eventually shoved off; scraping plenty of rocks as we eased into slightly deeper water.

The 3.5 mile journey downriver was quite pleasant. The Milwaukee’s current, was more than enough to maintain forward momentum with only general course corrections necessary. The temperature was around 75 degrees at 9:30 AM and the sun was beating down through a mixture of clouds and clear sky. Private residences dotted the shoreline on each side, however not tightly packed together. It seemed as though those who were either fortunate or intelligent enough to initially locate their dwellings along this rather quiet stretch of urban river, had decided to stay the course and maintain occupancy, if not to actually have established a permanent dock or mooring. There were few actual piers or launch areas to be seen amongst the thick undergrowth that lined the riverbanks, let alone any actual watercraft. Smallish tributaries, (akin to neighborhood drainage causeways) joined with the main body of water as we drifted along the main river channel. Concrete storm water outlets pierced the embankments at various intervals; trickling a few gallons per minute into the flow, from some unknown runoff source, and the traffic noise was nearly nonexistent.

Mighty Beltedkingfishers, and four different kinds of swallows (Barn, Tree, Cliff and Rough-winged) were the birds of the majority, as well as the occasional Northern cardinal, American robin, American goldfinch, Mallard, Canada goose, Several sandpiper varieties (Solitary, Least, and Spotted), Dunlin, Yellow warbler, Eastern kingbird, Blue jay, and American crow. Binoculars were welcome equipment, however nearly unnecessary due to the close-quarters sightings. One backwater area we canoed into was literally “swimming” with large carp in very shallow and muddy water. We paddled upstream in this channel until we almost ran aground; rough fish zipping this way and that to avoid the hull riding over their scaly backs, clouds of brown muck in their wakes.

Human beings were few and far between on our journey; mostly seen at overpasses as they stood to look out and downward at the glistening river. The color of the water was decidedly brown and murky, however lacking any objectionable odors. Painted turtles could be seen sunning themselves on the occasional shoreline-captured log; slipping quietly into the cool wetness as we passed too near their comfort zones. Slight sprinkles kicked up from passing rain-fattened clouds, but nothing steady developed. The shade actually brought small amounts of fleeting relief to the sun-baked reflective aluminum. I called out each bridge (street) name to Barbara as we slipped underneath them; watching the swallows darting to and fro catching the plentiful water striders from the rusty surface of the river.

The gentle and relaxing trip took about two and one-half hours from put-in to take-out, just ahead of the Estabrook Park Dam. The Estabrook Dam was put into service in 1937 to elevate water levels in the Lincoln Park area after a prior project to blast bedrock from the bed of the river to minimize flooding drastically reduced water levels. The Dam creates an impoundment or small lake behind it that has been loved by local residents, and used by both motorized and non-motorized users alike as a recreational area. Unfortunately, the Estabrook Dam has been on a long decline in the past several decades, and Milwaukee County has not addressed several outstanding maintenance and repair requirements per State Dam Safety regulations. It is currently the subject of much debate and argument as to whether it should or must be saved from dismantlement. Total costs to keep/repair/renovate the dam include $4.8 Million to $6.3 Million depending on amount of sediment removed. Environmental opponents argue that removing the dam would yield the greatest positive impacts on river ecology, flood management, water quality, sediment management, fish and aquatic life, terrestrial wildlife, and recreation. They further argue that dam removal will help restore the natural and wild aspect of the Milwaukee River for current and future generations. Additionally, they maintain that the ecological health created by a free flowing river offers greater long term value than maintaining the present lake behind the dam.

Before we became entangled in the upstream portion of the decrepit concrete structure, we landed on shore at the designated (signed) spot. Either that or the sign that clearly stated “Canoe Take-Out” was for fast food pick-up intended for canoeists only.  We reversed the process on board the Canoe-dle in order to set foot on dry land. The temperature was now over 90 degrees and it was time to carry the canoe to the previously spotted second vehicle. You see, if you intend to have a splendid and relaxing time going down river, not intending to paddle (and perhaps fight) your way back against the natural flow; you need to plan ahead. We had done so before driving the canoe to its launch site, however one critical step had been overlooked; I had left my set of keys three and one-half miles upriver in the other vehicle! Well, as my father had sagely told me time and again (in what should have been my formative youth); “what you don’t have in your head, you gotta’ have in your feet,” off I embarrassingly went with the awesome Usinger’s liver sausage sandwich and can of sparkling water (intended as a post-trip picnic) in hand, to walk the distance as my self-imposed penance for being stupid.

Forty weary minutes later, after passing far too many bone-chilling, union-backed Sandy Pasch for 8th District senate lawn signs (I much prefer the duly-elected Alberta Darling myself) and going through my water supply faster than my perspiration was running; I arrived at the car. I cursed my decision to wear less than adequate footwear not truly fit for schlepping my sweaty body, however the Mercury Mountaineer’s AC controls set to sub-zero quickly took the sting out of my shame and frame. I texted Barbara that I would be driving back to her shortly, and pulled away from the curb chuckling to myself, while my wracked brain mercifully decided to give my (second-guessing) subconscious a rest – No sense ruining my own glorious day. Loading up went quick and Barbara was all too gracious in excusing my truck keyless faux pas. I thanked her for a fantastic time and promised that “next time” the keys would ride down river with me.

Rivers are always changing with constantly flowing, moving water. Spring (melt-away) snows remodel their slumbering wintry banks, recovering their jutting bottom rocks with off times explosive seasonal rebirth. Renewing rains freshen and refill the waterways like welcoming breaths of oxygenated vigor. Rivers turn and twist; meandering a bit here and there, but always with a purpose…rivers unlike lakes; go places. Similarly, I turn, I twist, I meander with purpose (mostly)…I love going places (sometimes even without the proper equipment). I guess rivers and I have a lot in common. Plus…there’s always the mutual communion of “canoe-birding”…and anything combined with birds is always a winner in my book.

 
Part Two – Goin’Downtown…stay tuned.

Embracing "Tunnel" Vision

You just KNOW you want to…

Remember when you were a kid?  I do.  Hell, I’m basically still a kid at heart and unafraid to admit it.    Remember how it felt to explore new, strange, scary, (“don’t go in there Joey cause you’ll get hurt!”) kind of places?  I do.  I still do cause I can…without the aforementioned parental warnings associated.  Is it scary?…Yes  Is it kinda’ stupid?…Yes too…but what the hell?  During the latest GBBC I ventured to Havenwoods (as you know if you read this blog) and came across a semi-frozen version of the same drainage system that is usually totally thawed (or is it “UN-thawed”…no, that sounds wrong doesn’t it?  Kinda like when you say IN-flamable, when you mean the damn thing will burn like a monkey on a cupcake right? But I digress…as usual Birdstud…as usual)  Anyway, where was I?  Oh, I was telling you fair reader about the drainage system…

Well, the tunnels at the bottom of the hill were practically screaming out, “COME HERE” to me, so I did.  It reminded me of my childhood when I went down to the “culverts” near my Madison, WI home.  I wasn’t supposed to go near them because my Mom said I’d “get hurt” right…but I did anyway.  I mean c’mon some of the guys from the neighborhood were having a rock fight on the top of them near the creek and I just HAD to join them.  Geeze…when I think back about that…a freakin’ ROCK fight no less!  Anyway, I went to join the fracass and…well..dodged a rock and FELL into the culvert bottom and split my knee wide open.  I remember running back full-tilt to the house for a medic. 

When my Mom came outside to meet me, I said through my tear-stained and muddy cheeks, “Mom…I know I wasn’t supposed to be by the culverts cause you told me not to, and you can punish me however you want to, but please just help me!”  She did.  I even skated on the punishment because (apparently) my contrition (and misery) was authentic enough, and she laughed each time she’d tell that tale over the years before her death in 2008…thanks Mom…I love you…you were the best.

So here were the tunnels of 2010 calling out my name.  Were there dangers?  Only if you count the thin honeycomb ice that coated the pond that drained into them.  Oh what the heck…time for some Tunnel Vision!  Plus, it was like visiting an art gallery if you like that kind of art anyway…see for yourself.

A tunnels-eye view

Drainage “Art”

Looks fun doesn’t it?  Thanks for reading and dreaming along with the kid in me…B. Stud

The GBBC 2010 ~ How did YOU do?

Reporting your findings when it really counts…

No, the GBBC is certainly not the Greater Boston Business Council (http://www.gbbc.org) A Boston based organization to help the bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgendered business community, with more than 1,000 working professionals.  However noble that goal and organization may be, it is totally unrelated to the subject of this particular BS blog.  This little slice of Birdstudian poundcake is dedicated to satiating the hunger of those who value citizen science reporting.  You see it’s one thing to perform your due dilligence and “watch” the birdie, and another to remember to “share” your observations with the entire birding world.  Whether you feel confident that you are “worthy” of posting what you “thought” you saw, you truly ought to give it a try and follow-up with your very own report. 

By the way…you have until March 1, 2010 to do so…HERE  just as I did below…

The Devereaux Yard

This first list above was observed in the backyard of the house on Saturday over the period of 8 hours of casual (look out the window every-so-often) viewing.  I would observe a particular species and make a maximum count.  What eventually was reported to the GBBC website, was the maximum amount of that particular species I had seen over that 8-hour time period.  I decided to also sneek away for a little more than an hour to one of my favorite birding areas in the City of Milwaukee; the State forest at Havenwoods.  I pulled on the big Sorel boots and trudged through the snow.  Here’s that final submitted count as well…(below)

The highlight of that little side-jaunt was the approximately 250 Starlings that decided to “electrify” me with their presence in a high-tension power tower.

I will be blogging more about this particular Havenwoods trip in a near-future blog so stay tuned…In the meantime, I also counted the next day just for kicks in the back yard once more.  The weather for the three counts was magnificent and sunny as I spent as much time outdoors as possible.  Here is that final submitted count:

So, in short I hope that you (fellow birder) also had the great fortune to observe during this past GBBC of 2010, and furthermore that you had the confidence to log on and report your totals. 

Remember: Every Little Bird bit helps, when it comes to science…make yours “count” too.

Thanks for reading!

Birdstud