BIRDS CONTINUE TO STIR INTEREST (AND BUILD CAPITAL)

An unexpected encounter with a Snowy Owl
on Memorial Day in
Jackson Harbor is recounted by Janet Berggren.

Washington Island, Wisconsin -

Birds continue to stir interest

Local birding activity has never been better, it seems.  

Recent sightings include several birds that are considered “rare” for this location and time of year.  These birds help confirm what many Island birders already knew, that in early summer migration the combination of shoreline, wetlands, upland fields, hedges and woods provide excellent opportunities to observe birds of surprising variety.

Several weeks ago, in the field across from his home, Rock Island Park Manager Randy Holm spotted a large bird with an unusual beak that he couldn’t immediately identify.  By means of photos he took and then emailed to Melody Walsh, who was off-island at the time, this bird was determined to be a Crested Caracara.  The Caracara’s common habitat is found in Mexico and points much farther south than Wisconsin.  This became the first official sighting of the Crested Caracara in Wisconsin, a new state record with Holm’s name credited as observer. 

Interest from other birders was immediate and strong.  With binoculars and telephoto cameras at the ready, the Crested Caracara became their primary objective, as the Island’s central acreage was scanned for a glimpse of this bird.  It’s presence was still being confirmed through daily observations  over the following several weeks.

 

Such heightened birding interest may have led to other, unexpected bird sightings, too.   Both experienced and casual observers saw and photographed birds that are considered rare enough to post on the Door Rare Bird Alert website, according to Melody Walsh.  

In addition to observing the Crested Caracara, visiting birder Eric Howe spotted a Black Vulture among the more commonly seen Turkey Vultures.  Howe also spotted a Northern Mockingbird on Rock Island on May 26.

Janet Berggren was surprised by a Snowy Owl and was able to take many photos on Memorial Day, May 26, near her home in Jackson Harbor.  Here is Janet's narrative:

“A bit of background on the photo:      I walked out on our dock Monday evening, May 26, around 6:30 p.m.  When I cleared the tree line and came out to the open end of the dock, a large white bird flew right in front of me diagonally (north to south) across the width of the dock -- literally a few feet away at eye level -- and landed on the piling on the south side of our dock, maybe 12 feet away.  The huge bird perched there and stared at me -- and I stared back.  I didn't move a muscle for several very long minutes.  It was long enough to get a good look at this bird, which was clearly a Snowy Owl -- not your typical sight on Memorial Day!  I was totally enthralled, having never seen a Snowy Owl before.  My dad started me out bird watching at the age of six, so I know he'll be happy for me -- and wishing he was there.

"I took my eyes off the owl for a minute to look at the squawking Mergansers in the water below, and the owl lifted off and flew south across the harbor to the Jackson Harbor Town Dock, more or less right in front of Karen Baxter's lunch wagon.  The bird was so large, I could see it land on a picnic table.  I looked over to Nelson's Dock and spotted Larry and Jeanie Young.  I called to them across the water, telling them of my find.  They hopped on their bikes and rode over to the Town Dock to get a look at it, while telling their daughter, Pam Young, who got out her camera.

"By the time I arrived at the Town Dock a few minutes later with husband Ken, son, Charlie and Charlie's finance, Amanda, carrying my camera and binoculars, the owl was posing nicely for Pam.  Pam and I were both able to approach quite closely and we took multiple pictures.  When we got too close, the owl flew to a nearby piling and then later to the roof of the Town net shed, by Seediver's dock.  Eventually, it flew back across the harbor to land on the railing of our neighbor's "floating dock," which was still on land.  The Berggren crowd trooped home and Ken and I found the owl (which had now turned its back on us) and I was able to continue shooting photos.  We finally gave up and went in the house -- the owl outlasted us!  We couldn't believe it!  The owl was never afraid of us and barely seemed annoyed.  It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience any way you slice it, but the most amazing part was watching the owl turn its head around 360 degrees.  I have several photos of the owl's back turned to us, while it is staring at us!"

Word of such sightings would seem to be an appetizer for birders who register for the three-day Island Birding Festival that starts today, Friday, May 30.  However, according to Sandy Peterson who founded the Island Birding Festival eight years ago, birders who come here for the weekend festival – while certainly interested in seeing a rare bird – appear to be more attracted by the great number and variety of birds found here.

   

Festival registration ended in mid-May, before the Crested Caracara made news.  So far, there are 50 Birding Festival registrants for the field birding and 70 people for the Saturday evening banquet.  Sandy noted that there’s also a practical, logistical limit to the number of birders that can be properly organized and guided in the field. 

Nationwide, the environmentally low-impact activity of birding involves millions of people from all age groups.  The economic contribution birders make is difficult to quantify, but it may be easier to identify their contributions on Washington Island where there is a visible increase in the number of visitors, who in turn purchase meals, overnights and gift items during their stay. 

 -  Dick Purinton

                 

KEEPING COUNT, KEEPING WARM

Washington Island, Wisconsin -

You're looking across steaming Death's Door in the above photo, with the Door Peninsula headland on the horizon.   It was 5 degrees below zero when this photo was taken, a gain of ten degrees over dawn's temperature.  Out of the frame and to the west of the old Plum Island Coast Guard facility, the Arni J. Richter made its afternoon run to Northport.

The main reason I posted this photo, though, besides showing the steam and ice, is the bird represented by the black dot seen in line with the tip of Door Bluff.   It's a snowy owl sitting on the ice bank, apparently content with its exposure in the 15-20 mph winds.  At first, I was unsure of the dark mass, but after borrowing a pair of binoculars from the ferry office, both Hoyt and I confirmed it was an owl hunkered down, feathers fluffed, occasionally turning its head from side-to-side.

Another reason for posting this "bird" photo is to introduce results of the recent Christmas Bird Count held on Washington Island December 15th.  Birders pooled their sightings for that day, and for the day or two on either side of that date.  Most observations are made in the field, but reports are also submitted from kitchen window yard feeders.  Sandy Peterson made the final tally seen below, along with supporting information.  This annual bird count activity takes place simultaneously throughout Door County, with Washington Island well represented by both experienced and novice birders.  Due to very cold temperatures, high winds, and ice covering the harbors, the birds seen this year were fewer in number and in variety of species than in years past, according to Sandy.

A snowy owl (or perhaps two different owls) are found in this year's count.

Our youngest son, Thor spotted a snowy owl after Christmas as it perched on the rocky point of Susie's Island.  It's likely this same bird has stayed in our area during this whole time.

Note added 01.09.14 -  Following our sighting of this owl, Melody Walsh was able to photograph the bird with a telescopic lens, and it had brownish feathers.  According to Sandy Peterson, this indicates a young bird, perhaps a young female.  Her email comment: "Snowy Owls are desperately trying to survive this winter all over Wisconsin.  Many are young of the year with no experience with winter or civilization - the ones with darker markings."  

More nature observed

Adding to local birding observations are reports of a wolf - and wolf tracks - sighted by several people on Washington Island.   At one point,  it was seen on Detroit Island, and then just Saturday it was spotted by the Arni J. crew from the wheelhouse as they crossed to Northport.  Seen scampering over broken ice, the wolf appeared to be heading toward to the mainland but was stopped by the open water in the Door.  When last observed, it was headed toward Plum Island.  According to Capt. Bill Jorgenson, it looked healthy and "well fed."


Otter hangs around

On New Year's day I tried to get several good shots as the ferry departed the Island docks, and I located myself at the tip of Kap's point, near the Travelift.   Prodigious piles of otter poop decorated the snow and the surrounding ice shelf.   Belly tracks, where it slid along in the fresh snow, were on both the shore and the neighboring, old barge that's moored there.  This is the same area where, a few years ago, similar signs showed that an otter lived in the area.

Carp or other fish pieces are often scattered about on the ice, among the piles of scat.  This animal makes raccoons seem like great housekeepers in comparison.  About the only thing the otter leaves uneaten from a fish are the boniest pieces surrounding the carp head.  The rest is ingested, and it seems rather quickly chewed.  The results scattered on the ice and snow indicate a quick trip through the otter's digestive tract.



Ferry Line mascot

The only close-up bird photo I can contribute today is of a ring-neck pheasant, taken this afternoon.  This fellow has taken to hanging around the terminal building, and, maybe to relieve boredom, he sometimes jumps to the window ledge to peer at Bill Schutz's computer.  By now he might anticipate the handouts, because I've seen him jump from the ground to the wooden deck by the south door and snatch a cookie or piece of bread offered him.  Some days he's accompanied by a hen, but today he "foraged" alone.

Winter's just begun, but already school has been called off two days in a row, this coming on the heels of a two-week holiday.  The upper and lower bay is locked up with ice, and ore boats still operating will have their share of troubles.

With this ice and cold, it will be interesting to see how wildlife continues to adapt.

  -  Dick Purinton