Update!

Apparently the last post about Bill didn't go through.  I received a text yesterday saying that he was at mile 182, and the latest sighting was species 140, a Black-billed Cuckoo.  The traffic was building, so he was going stop for the day.

 A Wisbird update, posted by Barbara Duerksen this morning, put Bill in the Avoca area.  He has put 188 miles behind him!  A Cerulean Warbler, (a nemesis bird for me!) was species #141.  Bill said he had about 5 days to go.

This is an incredible effort and deserving of support.  Help Bill and the birds!

Bill update

Bill texted at 11:00 this morning and said he was at the junction of Highway 130 and 133, south of Lone Rock.  He's added a Kentucky Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Eastern Wood Pewee and finally, a Bald Eagle.  Sounds like a great morning!

Species 134

Bill called to report that he is past mile 167 on his Long Walk for Birds.  Birders from all over Wisconsin have been posting great bird sightings as the radar last night showed the heaviest migration so far this spring.  Bill picked up a Red-eyed Vireo, Philadelphia Vireo, Yellow-throated vireo, Swamp
Sparrow, Carolina wren and an Ovenbird.  He sounds great!  If you haven't pledge your support yet to benefit the Bird Protection Fund, Bird City and other conservation efforts, be sure to do so!  You can go to his Great Wisconsin Birdathon page at  The Great Wisconsin Birdathon Be part of this fantastic adventure!  Bill has persisted through rain, cold, heat, and heavy traffic at times, to bring both funds and attention to the cause of bird conservation.

100 miles to go; 152 done

After a good rest day today, I'll be back out on the road tomorrow. I have approximately 100 miles to go, and I still hope to find 35+ more species in about 10 more days (I have walked 152 miles, and the species total remains at 126, with the "most noteworthy species" so far going to a Bell's Vireo in Dane County).

I've averaged about 9.5 miles per day. I expect to have some folks walking with me on some sections of the remaining distance. I'm trimming my pack weight a little today - it's still a bit too heavy. I've had one day of real soaking rain, and one day of about 40 degree cold and biting wind, plus a few more at about 80-81 degrees.

Please consider a pledge or donation if you have not already made one. Bird conservation in Wisconsin needs YOUR help - if our birds are important to you, please "step up to the plate" and contribute! It's easy - go to http://www.wibirdathon.org/nrfw/participantpage.asp?uid=3370&fundid=1805

152 Miles!

This is Robin forwarding Bill's texts.  I hope everyone is enjoying his posts as much as I am, and is supporting his amazing effort.

Bill wrote at 5:50 this morning that yesterday he was at mile 141, and species 122.  He saw a Bell's Vireo and a Blackpoll Warbler, and was expecting rain all day.

A 1:32 pm update was not quite as grim as rain hadn't shown up yet.  Species 123 was an Orchard Oriole.  His 4:18 update gave his species at 125 with a Cliff Swallow, and a Cedar Waxwing (and a bit later added Forster's Tern, for #126).  He is just outside Mazomanie and has walked over ten miles today.  He's 60% complete in approximate miles for the trip.  He is hoping for at least 35 more species in his total.

Come on everyone!  Get your friends and neighbors to support Bill in his incredible walk for birds! Go to: http://www.wibirdathon.org/nrfw/participantpage.asp?uid=3370&fundid=1805

walking and birding through Madison

Walked from the neighborhood of my friend Ruth Ellickson, around the north end of Lake Monona and down the isthmus, to Capital Square. Thanks to the wonderful folks at the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, and Karen Etter Hale of Madison Audubon and WBCI, for a very enjoyable lunchtime discussion (and lunch). Then out along and through Lakeshore Nature Preserve to Picnic Point and Frautschi Point, with the awesome Anne Lacy of the International Crane Foundation (thanks for walking along, Anne!). The mileage total is now at 130, and species total is at 120 (added E. Kingbird, Am. Coot, Warbling Vireo, Black-throated Blue Warbler, and Magnolia Warbler today).

Thanks to Ruth for her kind hospitality!

another set of miles along a roadside

Into Madison on Highway BB, with many common birds' songs nearly drowned out by traffic noise, this was not a day for finding a wide diversity of species. I put in another nine miles of foot travel. I am now at mile 120.5, with no new species added today, and therefore my species total still stands at 115.