This year’s outing was held, Saturday, April 23, 2022. This is the latest date we’ve ever had this trip. (Good thing, as Marathon County’s April weather has felt more like February). We had a total of 20 attendees from across the state. The weather was nice and partly cloudy with brief peaks of the sun. A bit cool starting out, mid-40’s, but as the day progressed temperatures rose into the lower 70s by the time, we ended at 12:30pm. Lots of compliments from everyone regarding the weather but I told them to enjoy our 1 day of summer. For some, this was their first visit to the Mead Wildlife Area. We ended the day with 90 total species. That is a new high species count for this trip.
Typically, our first car caravan stop is on County Line Rd, where we expect to see the few remaining Greater Prairie Chickens on one of the few known LEKs in Marathon County. I’m sad to report that we have not seen any Greater Prairie Chickens this year at this location.
Instead, we started the field trip with a walk around the headquarters. There we saw a single White-winged Crossbill, Rusty Blackbirds(flyovers), and much to our surprise we found 11 sparrow species at this location (House, American Tree, Savannah, White-crowned, White Throated, Chipping, Lincoln, Clay-colored, Fox, Song and Dark-eyed Juncos)
White-throated Sparrow Photo Credit Patricia Kuzma Sell
From there, we traveled to Smokey Hill Rd and stopped at North Rice Lake Rd where I had seen large numbers of waterfowl earlier in the morning. We did find a few Yellow-headed Blackbirds and had a total of 30 total species on this stop. This included Trumpeter Swans, American Wigeon, Mallards, Wood Ducks, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shovelers, Gadwall, Northern Pintails, Ring-necked Ducks, Lesser Scaup, Redheads, Hooded Mergansers, Pied-billed Grebes, American Coot and a single Ruddy Duck. And our first Palm Warbler.
Next stop was the viewing platform on South Rice Lake. Much quieter here with similar species but lower numbers than North Rice Lake. The group did manage to find a Brown Thrasher near the viewing platform.
South Rice Lake Photo credit Myles Hurlburt
Then we headed over to Rangeline Rd. Here again we saw similar waterfowl species but hundreds of Yellow-rumped warblers. They were everywhere! We also picked up some more American Tree sparrows, Pine Warblers and a few more Palm Warblers and both kinglets in this area.
American White Pelicans Photo credit Myles Hurlburt
Then we headed over to Rangeline Rd. Here again we saw similar waterfowl species but hundreds of Yellow-rumped warblers. They were everywhere! We also picked up some more American Tree sparrows, Pine Warblers and a few more Palm Warblers and both kinglets in this area.
We continued on Rangeline across Highway C to Eau Pleine Rd where Dan Belter had found Lapland Longspurs earlier in the week. Well, not long after viewing this same field, a large flock (300 or more) of Longspurs were seen in flight. At this location we had American White Pelicans, a Broad-winged Hawk and Merlin.
From there we headed over to Bangart Rd. Where we found Brewers Blackbirds in the ginseng fields a ½ mile down the road.
Afterward, we headed over to the George W. Mead Visitor Center where we walked around the lower trails to the pond and through the woods. We tallied 47 species on this walk. As a sweet unexpected surprise, we saw many Mourning Cloak butterflies and our first DragonFly (Green Darner). By now the temperatures were in the low 70s and it felt nice to feel the warmth while experiencing the beauty of nature. Bird(s) of the day had to be all of the sparrows, plus this Black-throated green that we observed east of the headquarters building while heading back to our cars.
Photo credit Myles Hurlburt
Photo credit Myles Hurlburt
We concluded the morning with a tally of 90 species. The weather was the nicest we’ve had all year, and it helped with a record setting species count and great comrade within the group. We really had an awesome gathering. We’d love to attract and encourage more, of all ages, to get out and explore their world. There is so much amazing life and beauty out there, if we only take the time to look for, see and enjoy it. We all should experience just how beneficial spending some time in nature truly is. The peace and tranquility are good for the soul. It changes your perspective on things. It makes you feel more positive and alive and more at peace with yourself and others. I challenge you to get out there today and see and feel for yourself!
Myles Hurlburt and Rob Pendergast Trip Leaders
