222 S. Hamilton St. / Madison, WI 53703 / 255-BIRD / www.madisonaudubon.

org November 2006

A Message from the MAS President Community Conservation at the

Greetings, members Badger Army Ammunition Plant
and friends, In 1997, the U.S. Army
Free Public Program
announced that it would
I am starting this monthly column to keep you be decommission- What: Alison Duff talks about Badger
informed about our 2007-2010 fundraising campaign. ing the Badger Army Army Ammunition Plant
Our newly formed Fundraising Committee, of which Ammunition Plant When: Tuesday, November 21, 2006
I am a member, is designing a number of initiatives to (BAAP) on U.S. Highway 7:00 p.m. - Refreshments
enhance our current efforts and to create new means 12 in Sauk County. The 7:30 p.m. - Program
for obtaining funds necessary to expand our work. 7,354-acre property has Where: NEW LOCATION – This
We have been very busy in accomplishing our since been called one of Meeting Only! Auditorium, State
mission of education, advocacy, preservation and the most important sites Historical Society of Wisconsin
restoration. We bring you more than 60 field trips a in the conservation of 816 State Street
year. The field trips enhance all aspects of our mission grassland bird habitat in Parking: Lake Street Ramp or Helen
statement. We hold general monthly meetings seven Wisconsin. White Library
months a year to educate or raise awareness. We put Located just south of
out a newsletter nine times a year to keep you up Baraboo, the BAAP
to date on what we are doing. We keep our eyes on shares its northern border with Devil’s Lake State Park and lies with-
proposed legislation and other initiatives and lobby in a network of nearly 10,000 acres of managed wildlife habitat. For
for those not naturally given a human voice. And the past several years, community members have discussed a long-
year round, we manage and restore our sanctuaries. It term vision for the site. The result of their work is the Badger Reuse
takes a lot of people and other resources to get this all Plan, which emphasizes the importance of conservation, education,
done. We are hoping to increase our membership, and agriculture, and community involvement in the management of the
we are planning a new “kids program” initiative. property.
You are essential in helping us reach our goals. The Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance was incorporated as a non-
Here’s a partial list of how you can help: profit organization to oversee the realization of the Badger Reuse
• Renew your membership locally. continued on page 2
• Volunteer for one of our many committees and
activities.
• Share your financial resources with us.
• Send us your program ideas.
• Keep an eye on our wish list—you may be able to
hook us up with a resource.
• Participate in planned giving.
• Let your friends know about MAS.
And in the meantime, thank you so much for all that
you already do to assist us.

Sincerely,
Joanne Herfel
MAS President

Madison Audubon is a chapter of the National Audubon Society

 Annual Audubon Membership
___New ___Renewal ___Gift
When you receive a renewal notice from
National Audubon use this form to renew and
thereby direct some of your donation to local
causes. Find your expiration date at the top
right corner of your address label.
Name for Membership:
Name ______________________________
Address ___________________________
__________________________________
Phone _____________________________
Email______________________________
___$20 special First-year New Member
___$15 Senior or Student – new or renewal
___$35 Renewal
__$40 Double Audubon Membership -
(New or Renew + Gift Membership)
___$15 CAWS newsletter subscription only
(Non-member)
Membership amount $_______
Additional contribution $_______
TOTAL Enclosed/Charged $_______
Please make check payable to:
Madison Audubon Society
Charge my __VISA __Master Card
Name on Card:
Card # ___________________________
Exp. Date __________________
Signature __________________________
___I do NOT wish to receive the
National Audubon magazine.
___Business/Corporate Membership
Please call the MAS office 608/255-2473
This is a Gift Membership from:
Name ______________________________
Address ___________________________
__________________________________
Phone (_____) ______________________
Email _____________________________
Z02 7xCH
Mail to: Madison Audubon Society
222 S. Hamilton St., Suite 1
Madison, WI 53703-3201
THE AUDUBON CAWS is published
September through June 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
The Audubon CAWS
Badger Plant . . . continued from page 1
Plan and to mobilize commu-
nity members in the restoration
of Badger’s ecosystems. Just
this year, volunteers have spent
nearly 1,000 hours removing
invasive species, collecting
seed, and conducting pre-
scribed burns inside the proper-
ty. Alison Duff, the Coordinator
for the Alliance will share the
organization’s recent challenges
and successes, what has been
learned about the biological
diversity of the site, and future
plans for community involve-
ment at the Badger Army
Ammunition Plant.
Alison is from rural North Dakota. She has a Bachelor’s degree in ecology, evolu-
tion and behavior from the University of Minnesota and she recently completed her
master’s degree in land resources from the Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental
Studies at the University of Wisconsin. She has completed a survey of the prairie and
savanna vegetation inside the BAAP and has been the Coordinator for the Sauk Prairie
Conservation Alliance since September 2005.
Their web site is www.saukprairievision.org.
You are invited to join our speaker, MAS board members and friends at the pre-pro-
gram dinner at Porta Bella Resteraunt (425 North Francis Street) beginning at 5:15 p.m.
Please call the office at (608) 255-2473 if you have questions.
Next meeting: January 16, 2007 – Jim Miller: Bird Photography
Audubon Members - Renewal Instructions
When? Please renew when your renewal date is within a couple months,
or when you receive a renewal reminder from National Audubon. You can
check your CAWS address label for your renewal date (i.e. JUN04). This
makes renewals simpler, and in the long run it will help cut down on paper.
How? Renew your Audubon membership through Madison Audubon by
using the Membership Form in the CAWS or on the web at
http://madisonaudubon.org. Renewing through Madison Audubon directs
your money to local causes.
Bonus! Please check Double Audubon Membership when you renew. This
includes an Audubon Gift Membership for only $5 more! What a great
opportunity to introduce Audubon to a friend, relative, student, work
buddy, neighbor, or teacher! Thank you for helping Double Audubon
Membership, one member at a time!
MADISON AUDUBON SOCIETY The mission of the Madison Audubon
President: Joanne Herfel, 241-8009
Society is to educate our members and
Vice-president: Debra Weitzel, 836-4051
the public about the natural world and
Goose Pond Resident Naturalists:
the threats that natural systems are fac-
Mark and Sue Martin, 635-4160
ing, to engage in advocacy to preserve
Editor: Michael Becker, 265-9484
and protect these systems, and to devel-
caws.editor@gmail.com
op and maintain sanctuaries to save and
Graphic design: Patrick Ready
restore natural habitat.
Printed by Roemer Printing
 November 2006
MAS Education and Outreach Open
House: New Teaching Materials
Available
  Would you consider being a voice for the Madison
Audubon Society’s education initiative? The MAS
speaker’s bureau and education team have been
working hard throughout the summer and fall and
would like to invite you to learn about their latest
programs and introduce ways for you to be involved.
To learn more, come to the open house on Tuesday,
January 23, 2007, 4 to 7 p.m. at Mary Young’s house.
  The members of the speaker’s bureau will demon-
strate four new interactive Power Point presentations.
With these ready-to-go presentations it’s even easier
to speak to local community groups about the impor-
tant role we can all play in protecting and enjoying
nature. The presentations are built around the topics
of prairie birds, urban birds and rural birds of south-
ern Wisconsin as well as an overview presentation
about MAS. Each one features bird photos taken by
Pat Ready and bird sounds recorded by John Feith.
  The birding presentations can be customized for
any group. The introduction includes the essentials
for birds to live in the wild, including how to care
for your feeders and nesting boxes. The heart of the
presentation is bird recognition. It allows for the audi-
ence to identify the bird before the name is given.
Each bird slide lists the key identification markings
and at least one photo. The bird’s call can be played
with a click of the computer mouse, before another
click reveals its identity. The last section gives an
overview of Madison Audubon Society. These presen-
tations are great for any age group.
In addition to the new speaker's bureau presenta-
tions, you will also have a chance to learn about our
newly acquired bird education kit. The kit features
binoculars and field guides that can be taken into
classrooms and used on field trips to teach kids about
birding. Maybe you’d like to serve as a mentor that
takes this birding kit to a school or park near you!
The open house will be held at Mary Young’s house,
826 Pebble Beach Drive, on Tuesday, January 23, 2007,
starting at 4 p.m. and lasting until 7 p.m. From the
corner of Old Sauk Rd. and Gammon Rd. (far west
side), take Old Sauk Rd. east for one block. Go north
(left) on Pebble Beach Dr. about 3.5 blocks. The house
is the dark two-story on the left, two houses before
Woodland Hills Park. Mary’s home phone number is
(608) 836-1443.
  For more information call Linda Merrill at (608) 233-
8961 or Cindy Bertalan at (608) 835-9746.
Madison Audubon Spring Banquet
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
We are excited to announce that the keynote
speaker for the 2007 Madison Audubon Society
Banquet will be Laura Erickson and her “Owls of
Harry Potter!”
The Audubon CAWS
Fund Raiser for MAS and Local Artist
Features Work of Rachel Fon
Café Zoma is pleased to present:
A Very Special Showing of Rachael Fon’s Bird Art
For November 17, 18, and 19 only!
We will be having an Art Opening Celebration on Nov. 17, from 6
PM to 9 PM. Refreshments and the first look at the art will be provided!
Bring your friends, Rachel’s work is amazing and you will be glad you
saw it in person!
Proceeds from Sales will go to help Rachael with medical bills and to Madison
Audubon Society to protect the birds that inspired Rachel’s work!
  Rachel is a native Madison artist. She has shown & been honored at the
local & national level for her unique pen & ink stippling works including;
Artful Women, Madison Art Guild Salon Show, Natural Resource Foundation
Trumpeter Swan Print, International Crane Foundation, Texas Audubon Bird
Classic, and more.
Sadly, at 45 years of age Rachel has been stricken w/ Trigeminal Neuralgia and
Lung Cancer. She is courageously battling these two insidious illnesses and is in
need of your support now as her time with us is limited.
Café Zoma will be showing many originals and some prints. Most will be for
sale, some from private collections will not be for sale. This is an unusual chance
to see a fine collection of Rachel’s pieces in one place. See samples of her work at
the MAS web site: http://www.madisonaudubon.org/audubon/
Café Zoma is located at 2326 Atwood Ave, on Madison’s near east side. The
phone number is 246-2009. The work comes down on Sunday Nov. 19 at 6 PM
sharp, do not miss this chance.
Christmas Bird Counts, 2006
If this isn’t already part of your holiday tradition, why not consider
setting aside some time this year to participate in one or more of
these fun and important counts?
Counts may take place on any day from December 14 through Jan-
uary 5, and coordinators will be setting the date of their counts soon.
The largest counts, such as Madison’s, usually occur on the first Sat-
urday during the period, which will be December 16 this year. Other
counts in the Madison area include Baraboo, Mt. Horeb, Poynette,
Sauk City and Waterloo. Dates and coordinators for these counts will
be listed in the December CAWS and on the MAS website.
Last year over 600 Eastern Bluebirds were recorded during statewide
CBCs shattering the previous record of 197 in 2003.
Photo: Jack Bartholmai
 November 2006
MAS Field Trip
Saturday, Dec. 2: Madison Lakes Birding
As winter sets in, ponds and smaller lakes of
south-central Wisconsin freeze, causing migrat-
ing birds to become concentrated on Madison's
large lakes, which remain open longer. Al Shea,
expert birder and long time MAS field trip
leader, will lead us in observing waterfowl,
gulls and winter birds. This trip has produced
some unusual birds in the past, including Red-
throated Loons, so don't miss it!
We will carpool and leave at 7:30 a.m. from
the middle of UW Parking Lot 60 at the north
end of Walnut Street, near University Bay. The
trip will last about four hours. Bring a scope if
you have one and dress warmly. If you have
questions, call Al Shea at (608) 825-6232.
Bringing the Outdoors In
What’s in your backyard? Kids love collect-
ing (and throwing) rocks, going belly down
to probe insects and belly up to count cloud
creatures—but what about birds? At what
age did you discover a lone feather, observe a
hovering hummingbird, or gather your first
robin’s nest (oops!)?
Wildlife watching is the most popular and
fastest growing outdoor activity in the U.S.
And birds are everywhere and accessible to
all, young and old, rich and poor, in the big
city and out in the country. But the electronic
generation may need a little nudge before
fledging.
So we’re starting up a great new program
for kids and their parents. The Bird Mentor
Program supplies everything needed for a
classroom/community group birding expe-
rience: a bird identification photo CD and
PowerPoint of 32 common Wisconsin birds
and their habitats, fifteen pairs of binoculars
(wow!), a spotting scope, three field guides,
poster, and even a Teacher’s Guide for
grades 4-8. All we need are a few “passenger
pigeons” to bring the message home. To learn
more please join us for an informal evening
of fun, refreshments, and information sharing
at the November Education meeting
For the time and place of the November
Education meeting or more information
about the MAS Birding Kit Program please
call Cindy at (608) 835-9746.
Also, mark your calendar for January 23
when the education committee will hold an
open house for both the Birding Kit Program
and the MAS Speakers Bureau. Please see the
article in this month’s newsletter for com-
plete details about the MAS Education Open
House.
The Audubon CAWS
Loons will preen themselves for a few minutes and then rise up and stretch
with vigorous wing flapping. All photos by Patrick Ready
Loons Take to Area Lakes
By Patrick Ready
Every October and November, Common
Loons migrate through the Madison area. One
good place to see them is on Lake Monona
along the causeway near Monona Terrace.
There, loons are likely to be spotted in the
middle of the lake, often swimming in closer
to shore while feeding. At this time of the year, Mock-yoddle? No sound made so
they are in their drab winter plummage. Despite this may just be a yawn.
their muted colors, they are fun to observe as
they dive and resurface, stretching and preen-
ing between submersions.
One afternoon recently, I observed their body
language to learn precisely when to get the
best action shots. Because they can begin
this rise and stretch at any given moment,
I watched one that had been preening for
Directing traffic? A high five?
several minutes. Following this preening, the
loon stretched his wings out straight above the
water, then flapped constantly while expand-
ing his body outward and upward as though
intending to stand on top of the water’s sur-
face. This whole procedure took approximately
5 to 6 seconds. Soon it was apparent that if I
were to get a decent photograph, I ‘d have to
have to be quick with my camera.
This fall, take a few minutes to watch the
loons as they continue to move south, stop-
ping on area lakes before the lakes freeze up.
Watch as they travel tirelessly to spend the The "Beach ball move." Body expan-
long winter season on the Atlantic and gulf sion during the rise and stretch.
coastal waters, returning north in late March
and early April when you can again see them
on the lakes here. Then you will see them in
their striking black and white breeding plum-
mage. This is a bird that you won’t soon forget.
For more information on Wiscinsin loons
go to loonwatch@northland.edu .
 November 2006
Early Fall at YES, I want to make
Madison Audubon Society’s
Goose Pond vision a reality. Here is my
By Mark and Sue Martin contribution to the Wildlife
In mid-September, seed Sanctuaries Campaign.
collecting volunteers in
Sue Ames Prairie flushed [ ] Acre Maker. $2,000 or more to buy
an American Bittern from and restore another acre of land.
the prairie. We could not [ ]H
 alf-Acre Maker. $1000-$1999.
remember flushing an [ ]Q
 uarter-Acre Maker. $500-$999.
American Bittern from our
prairie restorations and [ ] Adopt An Acre. I pledge $100 a year
for three years ($300 total) toward
thought that maybe the bird
sanctuaries restoration.
was migrating, got confused
Buck and Hunter in a relaxing moment Here is my first installment.
and landed in the restored
prairie instead of the pond about a quarter mile away. A week later, again at Sue Ames [ ]N
 est Egg. I pledge $50 a year for
Prairie, seed collectors flushed another American Bittern. The following week, another three years($150 total). Here is my
first installment.
bittern flushed from the prairie, and this one made a beeline to Goose Pond. It would
be interesting to know if the same bittern was flushed each time. [ ]M
 y Own Vision. $ ____ to help as
We spotted another wetland dependent species, the Sora rail, six times in much as possible.
prairie restorations in September. Rails usually are secretive and are not easy to [ ]M
 y Gift. $ ____ for MAS Program
flush. We wonder how many rails use the mesic prairie restorations. Support (i.e. Education & Newsletter)
Siberian geranium was added this year to the Goose Pond floral list. The plant Direct my gift to:
was collected along a fence line and the seed head looked like a geranium. This
exotic has only been reported from Dane and Sauk counties. Our goal next year [ ] Where it will help the most
is to collect a plant for the U.W. Herbarium and then to eliminate this invasive [ ]E
 ndowment fund to restore and
species from Goose Pond. maintain the sanctuaries
On a sad note, Buck, our nine-year old golden retriever, passed away from [ ] Land acquisition at Faville Grove
complications due to cancer. He was active and in no pain up until the last [ ] Land acquisition at Goose Pond
afternoon. Buck liked to greet seed collecting volunteers and especially enjoyed [ ] MAS Program Support
taking their gloves, caps, and unprotected sandwiches. He will be missed by all
Name _________________________
of us. We are talking about getting a new puppy in the near future. Hunter, our
one-year old golden, would like another brother. We will keep you posted on Address ______________________
any additions to the Goose Pond family.
On a glad note, we hope you visit Goose Pond in November to view the In Memory of __________________
migrating waterfowl, especially the tundra swans. Water levels are ideal for
In Honor of ___________________
swans to feed on the abundant arrowhead tubers.
For Gifts Honoring Another: Send
Autumnal Funding Acknowledgement to:
Madison Audubon Wishlist Donations made September 1 Name _________________________
Please take a moment to look over our
wishlist. We greatly appreciate any dona-
through September 30 Address ______________________
tions, or leads to contributions, of the fol- ______________________________
lowing items. ACRE MAKER Contributions will be acknowledged near
Desktop Computer (to run Windows XP) Frederick Ott the Madison Information Board at Goose
Flat Panel LCD display (energy efficient!) Pond as follows: $1,000 or more-name
Digital (LCD) projector HALF-ACRE MAKER to appear on a permanent plaque; $250-
Quality binoculars Curt and Arlys Caslavka $999-name to appear on engraved pav-
ing brick.
Gator utility vehicle
Thank you. MY OWN VISION [ ]D
 o not acknowledge in Madison
Jean Casper Audubon Society Newsletter
Eleanor Wagner Make checks payable to:
Photo submissions Madison Audubon Society
If you have quality photos of birds, prairie GIFTS IN HONOR OF A PERSON
vistas or plants and would like to submit In Honor of Margaret Van Alstyne Mail to: Madison Audubon Society,
them for use in the CAWS, please email Robert and Nancy Dott 222 S. Hamilton Street, Suite #1,
them in JPG format (reasonable file size) to: AND, HONORING THE USE OF Madison, WI 53703
pready@tds.net. Prints can be mailed to JOHN BIRD’S GOLF CART Gift is tax deductible to the extent allowed
Pat Ready, 1210 Oakwood Ct., Stoughton, Anonymous by law. Madison Audubon Society’s financial
WI 53589 statement is available upon request.

The Audubon CAWS  November 2006

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

11/06

Photo: Patrick Ready

Is it time to renew your membership?
See form on page 2 and help MAS.

In This Issue: Return Service Requested

MAS meeting/program...........p. 1
Fund Raiser for Rachel Fon ....p. 3
2006 CBCs ..................................p. 3
Outdoors In ...............................p. 4
MAS Field trip.. ........................p. 4
Loons in Madison......................p. 4
Goose Pond News ....................p. 5

MAS Calendar at a Bird Feeder Recommendations

Glance From The National Audubon Society Website
Location, Location, Location! There are a few key
points to consider when deciding where to put your
Public Program
feeder. It’s not as simple as hanging it from the nearest
Tuesday, Nov. 21
tree: You want to think about things like avoiding com-
Alison Duff talks about Badger Army
petition and accommodating various feeding styles
Ammunition Plant
and preferences. You also want to think of possible

Photo: Patrick Ready

hazards to the birds, such as window collisions, prowl-
Field Trips
ing cats, and thieving squirrels. Follow these tips to
Saturday, Dec. 2
provide an ideal environment in your backyard.
Madison Lakes Birding
Locate feeders at different levels. Sparrows, juncos,
and towhees usually feed on the ground, while finches
Other Events
and cardinals feed in shrubs, and chickadees, titmice, White-breasted nuthatch
Nov. 17-19
and woodpeckers feed in trees. To avoid crowding and
Fund Raiser for Rachel Fon at
attract the greatest variety of species, provide table-like feeders for ground feeding
Cafe Zoma
birds, hopper or tube feeders for shrub and treetop feeders, and suet feeders well off
the ground for woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees.
Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2007
Protect birds from window collisions. In the United States, approximately 1 billion
MAS Education and Outreach Open
birds die from flying into windows each year. Protect birds from collisions by placing
House
feeders within three feet of windows, if possible. Mobiles and opaque decorations
hanging outside windows help to prevent bird strikes, or attach fruit tree netting out-
side windows to deflect birds from the glass.
612 W. Main St.,
Suite 303
Keep cats indoors. The location of your feline friends is important, too. Cats kill hun-
Madison, WI 53703 dreds of millions of birds annually in the United States, often pouncing on ground-
(608) 256-1066 feeding birds and those dazed by window collisions. Responsible and caring cat own-
ers keep their cats indoors, where they are also safer from traffic, disease, and fights
with other animals. Outdoor cats are especially dangerous to birds in the spring when
fledglings are on the ground. Bells on cat collars are usually ineffective for deterring
predation.