If you did not make it to the banquet you missed a great evening. I think the 90 or so others who were there that evening enjoyed themselves as much as I did. Duane Clausen's photos of the northern lights were beautiful. I had no idea that we had as many opportunities to observe the northern lights in our area,; now all I have to do is stay up later than 9:00 pm. Duane does a great job of presenting his work; next time you see Marge Bjork you'll have to ask her about the program. I am always amazed on how easy it is to put the banquet together. With all the help, no one individual is overwhelmed with work. Thank you to all who chipped in.

Although it has been a rather snowy spring the birds are arriving pretty much on schedule. Within hours of a small spot of water opening up in front of my house a flock of swans showed up. I have seen bluebirds, red wing black birds, killdeers and cranes in the past few weeks as well. Plan on attending one or more of the many events going on before our season ends for the summer. We have two more monthly meetings, a couple of field trips, two workdays, the evening bird walks, and the crane count. Don't forget about Earth Day on April 22nd. With our busy schedules it may be hard to celebrate the day in some big way, at the very least try to get out and enjoy the beautiful world around you even if for just a few short moments.

Common birds are easy to recognize, but many small birds are more difficult. A good field guide is a must. The newest information help on identifying birds comes in audio CD form: "Bird Song Ear Training Guide" by John Feith of Madison, WI. It features 189 species with digital recordings, accompanied by a brief narration. The CD is being made available through the NEW Audubon organization for $17. To order a copy, send a check payable to NEW Audubon to : Bird CD, NEW Audubon, 1701 Ninth St, Green Bay, WI 54304.

WWW.BIRDLIFE.NET
Bird Life International is a global alliance of conservation organizations working together for people, birds, and other wildlife. Their web site provides news, information, and data about bird species and important bird areas throughout the world, case studies, and reports such as "State of the World's Birds", which describes what is known about the status and distribution of birds, the pressures on sites, species and habitats, and an analysis of current conservation action.

There are a number of bristly, or tufted, caterpillars that are often mistaken for the gypsy moth. Distinctive markings: Five pairs of blue dots followed by six pairs of red dots down the length of back. Behavior: The gypsy moth feeds on oaks, crabapple, linden, willow, birch, aspen, and more than 250 other species of trees. The caterpillars hatch in May and feed through early July. During an outbreak they can strip trees, seemingly overnight. They build no silk tents.

Over 90 people enjoyed the fifteenth annual Environmental Awards Banquet held on March 26 at Schussler's. Duane Clausen, local self taught amateur photographer, internationally known for his northern lights photographs, presented a talk and slide show of the northern lights. . The Leroy Lintereur Individual Award went to Brian Pearson. The silent auction netted almost $400. Proceeds will be used for the Chappee Rapids Audubon Society Special Projects Fund.

Bluebird Houses
Joan Campbell has three bluebird houses for sale. The houses are left from our sale last fall. Each house sells for $10. Contact Joan at 732-1277

Birders of every age and skill level are encouraged to participate in the 7th annual count. Results will add vital new information to the understanding of our birds and their environment. The Count asks families, individuals, classrooms, and community groups to count the numbers and kinds of birds that visit their feeders, local parks, schoolyards and other areas during any or all of the four count days. Instructions can be found on the web at www.birdsource.org.

From crystalline to molten to liquid, rushing water is the essence of spring. For those of us north of Oconto this year that wonderful essence is almost overwhelming. The winter of 2003/04 ranks as one of the snowiest in my twenty four years in Menominee county. As I watched the fluff pile up to over three feet I kept telling myself "This is how the lake levels come back up!". Temperatures for the past three months have been appropriately cold, open water was scarce, and wild food supplies covered making for a quiet winter in terms of animal life..at least above the snow!
Reports from January through early March were pretty similar to one another. Most people enjoyed feeder watching and chickadees were abundant! Blue jays were generally low in numbers. I feel crows are down but ravens seem to be about average. As the snow topped 2 feet the rough legs moved further south and meadow voles processed vegetation at ground level and up....especially cultivated shrubs and fruit trees, but I have noticed several wild Prunus species were also sampled. Chuck Hughes reported good flocks of redpolls at his feeder in Greenwoods area. I noticed numerous pine grosbeaks throughout Menominee county. Surprisingly to me were the large numbers of juncoes that stayed at most feeders all winter.
I did not do much traveling this winter and judging from the view out my windows I expected bird returns to be very late. I was surprised to find red-wings back in small numbers on March 10th. It was over a week later that I saw a kestrel here on March 19th. Now things were running behind, but only for a little while. Sandhills appeared March 23 ( March 16 in Oconto) and I spied morning doves building a nest the same day...I was getting desperate for data! In a few more days time the temperatures moderated and the 28-29th brought the rush. Bill and I were trying to keep track together, phoebes, grackles, E. meadowlarks, Brewers blackbirds (white eyes like diamonds), bluebirds, song sparrows, killdeer, broad wings, woodcock and huge flocks of robins. This same weekend also brought on the water and some exciting flooding here on our little creek...and most other creeks and rivers in the county over the next few days. Since then I have also seen a fox sparrow (April 2) and there is so much yet to come!
I expect frogs to be late, average date here is April 7th. Flickers and swallows will need ants and flying insects before they move in. Vegetation is still quite dormant with willows just now showing good buds here. The maple sap run has been going well since early March with good conditions continuing. Hepatica will not be out too soon here as the wood is still harboring about ten inches of snow, I know, I keep checking! But it will come, just be patient.
On my drive down to town today I noticed two adult bald eagles soaring over the highway. I looked back to the road and wondered at the expanding floodplain on either side of the embankment. I felt like I was driving on a causeway through some southern wetland, well, except leaves were scarce. I kept looking up wondering what the birds eye view was like, a broken expanse of reflected sky snaking its way southward, bounded by farms and roads. I could almost imagine the wind under me, the sun on my back. I wondered what a thermal felt like? I thought a bit about these eagles, our national birds and all. About their freedom in the air, no borders, no states, no mandatory security. Only rivers and lakes, large trees for nesting, and hunting and fishing. I think we could look back to them and learn something about our definition of freedom. Have a great summer!