By Myles Hurlburt, WSO field trip committee
This year’s outing was held, Saturday, April 19, 2025. The weather was a cool 37 degrees partly cloudy. By the time we were done it reached 45 degrees. We had a total of 10 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 70 total species as compared to the 66 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. For some reason most of the waterfowl were in the far back area past the tree line. Hundreds of waterfowl were seen there, including Lesser Scaup, Canvasbacks, American Coot, Northern Pintails, American Wigeon, Horned Grebes, Trumpeter Swans, Gadwall, Wood Ducks, Green Teal, Blue winged Teal, Northern Shoveler’s, Ring-neck Ducks, Ruddy Ducks, Bufflehead and Redheads.
Trip Participants
From there we continued down to Rangeline Flowage where we had Lesser Scaup, Ring-neck Ducks and a few Common Loons, and other common waterfowl.
The Gulden Road area had a few Trumpeter Swans and a couple of Lesser Yellowlegs. We then headed over to Bangart Rd, where we found a flock 500 Lapland Longspurs. We’ve never seen them in a tree before.
Lapland Longspurs: Myles Hurlburt
Lapland Longspurs in tree: Myles Hurlburt
As we continued on Bangart across Highway C, we had just a few Brewers Blackbirds on Eau Pleine Road near the ginseng area.
We then headed back to the George W. Mead Headquarters Building with a walk around the lower trails. There were five Purple Martins on the new Purple Martin nest boxes that were donated by the Wausau Bird Club. 
Purple Martins: Myles Hurlburt
We also had American Tree and Chipping sparrows, Savannah Sparrows, Hooded Mergansers, Ring-necked Ducks and couple of Trumpeter Swans. Through the wooded area was very quiet with only a few Eastern Phoebes, Dark-eyed Junos and Yellow-rumped Warblers.
We concluded the morning with a tally of 70 species.
The weather was better than last year. Overall, we had a great field trip, so new attendees got to experience the gem we have in Marathon County.
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!
