The Western Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory continues its offshore surveys by aircraft, from one mile to ten miles offshore along the west shoreline of Lake Michigan. At present there are diminishing numbers of diving ducks and loons present, but Red-breasted Mergansers, Common Goldeneyes, a few loons and grebes, and smaller numbers of Long-tailed Ducks are still being seen. We did survey blocks offshore from Ozaukee and Sheboygan counties today. We continue to find good numbers of Glaucous Gulls, with one Iceland Gull today, and increasing numbers of Ring-billed, Herring, and Bonaparte's Gulls. Glare is a huge issue on sunny days, and as we turn north or south, the lake-side observer has to deal with that, while the land-side observer "gets a break" from the visual struggle with glare. Lake Michigan, especially far offshore, is really "wild territory" - and we are reminded of that on every trip.
By Wm. Mueller - - Ornithology, ecology, environmentalism, and our life in the natural world
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Ongoing Offshore Lake Michigan Waterfowl/Waterbird Surveys (WGLBBO)
The Western Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory continues its offshore surveys by aircraft, from one mile to ten miles offshore along the west shoreline of Lake Michigan. At present there are diminishing numbers of diving ducks and loons present, but Red-breasted Mergansers, Common Goldeneyes, a few loons and grebes, and smaller numbers of Long-tailed Ducks are still being seen. We did survey blocks offshore from Ozaukee and Sheboygan counties today. We continue to find good numbers of Glaucous Gulls, with one Iceland Gull today, and increasing numbers of Ring-billed, Herring, and Bonaparte's Gulls. Glare is a huge issue on sunny days, and as we turn north or south, the lake-side observer has to deal with that, while the land-side observer "gets a break" from the visual struggle with glare. Lake Michigan, especially far offshore, is really "wild territory" - and we are reminded of that on every trip.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
expanding WGLBBO's kestrel nextbox project into the city
There's a well-known very large bridge in central-city Milwaukee that now has kestrel nestboxes installed on its structure, thanks to Paul Novotny, Bridge Maintenance Manager of the City of Milwaukee, and his men Greg and John - (see photos). We're grateful to them for their help. Next steps include monitoring of the nestboxes by students from New Horizons Academy who work with environmental educator Chad Thomack from Milwaukee's Urban Ecology Center - and to Melissa Cook, WDNR's Manager of the Hank Aaron State Trail, who helped connect us with Paul and his crew. Lots of great partners on a great project for WGLBBO (the Western Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory)! Thanks to all involved.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
bird conservation's biggest unresolved issue
Once again (to the chagrin of some who would like us not to talk about it), another great article on bird conservation's biggest unresolved issue: http://conservationmagazine.org/2012/03/cat-fight/
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
a week of traveling
Saguaro in Saguaro Nat'l Park |
San Pedro River - SE AZ - Gray Hawk habitat |
Sandhill Cranes on the Platte River in Nebraska |
Ramsey Canyon - TNC - Southeast AZ Arizona Sycamore - Ramsey Canyon |
Broad-billed Hummingbird - AZ |
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