This year’s outing was held, Saturday, April 20, 2024. Like last year, this is the latest date we’ve ever had this trip. (AGAIN a good thing, as Marathon County’s April weather has felt more like February). The weather was cold 30 degrees, very breezy and partly cloudy. By the time we were done it was still only 35degrees. We had a total of 15 attendees from across the state.
The water levels were a little high on Smokey Hill Rd and Rangeline Rd. For some, this was their first visit to the Mead Wildlife Area. We ended the day with 66 total species as compared to the 77 species we had last year.
Our first car caravan stop was on Smokey Hill Rd and stopped to check for Yellow-headed Blackbirds are we were fortunate to find a few. We then headed to viewing platform on South Rice Lake. A good variety of waterfowl species were seen Lesser Scaup, Horned Grebes and Trumpeter Swans, Gadwall, Wood Ducks, Green & Blue winged Teal, Northern Shoveler’s, Ring-neck Ducks, Ruddy Ducks, Bufflehead and Redheads.
PHOTO BY MYLES HURLBURT
Earlier in the morning I had seen large numbers of blackbirds (mostly Rusty’s). Species on this stop included Rusty Blackbirds, Trumpeter Swans, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler’s, Hooded Mergansers and American Wigeon. We only had a few on this stop.
PHOTO BY MYLES HURLBURT
PHOTO BY MYLES HURLBURT
As we continued on Bangart across highway C we had 42 Brewers Blackbirds in an open field a 1 mile or so down the road. We also had a single (female) Red-breaster Merganser on the small pond along with many Rusty Blackbirds and Lapland Longspurs.
PHOTO BY MYLES HURLBURT
We then headed back to the George W. Mead Headquarters Building with a walk around the lower trails. There were two Purple Martins on the new Purple Martin nest boxes that were donate from the Wausau Bird Club (a Birdathon recipient). We also had American Tree and Chipping sparrows, Savannah Sparrows, Hooded Mergansers, Ring-necked Ducks and couple of Trumpeter Swans. Through the wooded area we saw Hermit Thrush, Dark-eyed Junos and Yellow-rumped Warblers.
PHOTO BY MYLES HURLBURT
PHOTO BY MYLES HURLBURT
We concluded the morning with a tally of 66 species.
The weather certainly impacted the number of species seen. We had a great Field Trip. 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!
