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Open pipes=bird death trap
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The Kern River Preserve in California discovered a 8" vent tube with hundreds of dead bird skulls and carcasses inside.
Sean Rowe of Audubon California's Kern River Preserve suggests the following: Pipes of all sizes are a problem. We have found dead birds in pipes from 1 1/2” to 10” in diameter. A very high percentage of pipes I’ve looked into contain at least one dead bird. And pipes don’t have to be in place very long. Twice I have leaned a 3” steel pipe against a building, expecting to use it within a few days, only to find dead birds inside. 2 House Finches in one and a Rock Wren in another.
- In our area 8-10” steel pipe (often old well casing) is used to make gate posts. We’ve documented dead American Kestrels, Northern Flickers, Ash-throated Flycatchers, and western fence lizards.
- "3” steel pipe – used for fence corner posts – house finches & rock wren
- "1 1/2 - 2” plastic pipe – tree swallow
- "2-3” outhouse vent pipe – common yellowthroat
Solutions:
- Remove pipes that can be removed
- Plug pipes with sand/gravel or a heavy well fitted rock. Even a few sticks if absolutely nothing else around.
- Pipes that can’t be capped – eg. Plumbing vent pipes (on your rooftop) – cover with1/4” mesh hardware cloth held in place by a stainless steel hose clamp
- Large gate posts – fill with sand, concrete or gravel. Weld on steel caps – some ranches do this, or we have capped with a concrete plug.
- Small steel pipes – used for signs or chain link fence posts – cap with metal cap or crimp top together."
In addition, Mary Whitfield says, "I was just on the roof of my house and found three uncapped plumbing vent pipes on it, I'll be covering them this weekend."
Click here for a guide (567kb pdf) for land managers and home owners was prepared by Kern River Audubon. |
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There are many excellent places to go birding in our area. Here are a few birding lists for some of our local hotspots.
- Baird Creek Parkway: This checklist is still a work-in-progress. This greenway is within the city of Green Bay and is stewarded by the Baird Creek Preservation Foundation.
- Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve: This checklist is produced by Barkhausen. You can also pick up a copy at their Interpretive Center.
- Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary: We have modified their bird list to fit on standard paper, but it takes 3 pages. Stop in at their Nature Center (directions) to pick up their brochure of their bird checkllist, on a single sheet of paper.
- Nicolet National Forest: This checklist comes from the Nicolet National Forest Breeding Bird Survey. Visit their site for more information about the survey.
- Point au Sauble: This checklist is from work done by students at the University of Green Bay's Cofrin Center for Biodiversity.
- Point Beach State Park: This checklist came from the park.
- Whitefish Dunes State Park: Because this park has a variety of habitats, you can see a diversity of birds. Use this condensed checklist or pick up a double-sided 4-columned version at the park, north of Sturgeon Bay. The DNR is updating their website, so a link to specific directions will wait.
More Birding sites
- An excellent resource for northeast Wisconsin is the online version of the Great Wisconsin Birding & Nature Trail. Click on the region you are interested in, then click on each marked point to get the same information available in the print version.
- While there are many areas within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest which are excellent for birding, we recommend visiting the Halley Creek Bird Trail as an excellent day outing.
- Ridges Sanctuary in Door County
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When birds hit a window it is frequently fatal. Even if they are just stunned they are easy prey for cats and other predators. Placing hawk or owl silhouettes on your glass is often recommended but only somewhat effective. Carl has developed a new method: stringing feathers with monofilament line across windows or glass doors. He used to have many birds, especially ovenbirds, meet their fate against patio doors. Stringing one feather across each window pane has prevented all bird collisions. Of course, only wild game or domestic fowl feathers should be used--never those of song birds or raptors.
How does this work? The feathers flutter with very little air movement. Wildlife react to movement. Static objects, like silhouettes or decals, do not cause the same reaction. One theory is that the movement causes the birds to shift their focus from the distance they see through the window to the surface where the feather is moving.
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Update your Tackle!
- 26 species of water birds are impacted by poisoning from remains of lead fishing tackle. Up to half of adult loon deaths can be attributed to lead poisoning. One lead sinker or jig head or a couple of lead shot can kill an adult loon, eagle, or swan from lead poisoning.
- A high number of Trumpeter Swan deaths are caused by lead.
- Bald Eagles can be poisoned from fragments of lead bullets in carcasses they feed on. Humans may also be affected by these minute fragments, though we generally aren't exposed to the same levels. as eagles.
- Lead shot on trap and skeet shooting ranges can accumulate to hazardous levels. Birds using the area when humans have left can ingest lead.
- Sinkers are easily ingested by birds.
- Lead can be toxic to birds even at low levels of exposure, and damages the nervous system, leading to paralysis and death. Sublethal effects include neurological, tissue, and organ damage, and reproductive impairment
For more information on the effects of lead on birds, read the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative's paper here.
If you know someone who hunts or fishes, give them a gift of nontoxic ammunition and lead-free tackle. If you can't find nontoxic tackle at your local store, check the Raptor Education Group site.
Your old lead tackle can be sold at many scrap metal yards. Brown County residents may bring these to the Brown County Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 2561 South Broadway. For questions, call Brown County Recycling Hotline at 920-448-4400. Some gun shops will buy back old ammunition--call and ask.
 Click on the card to see it full size.
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"Making our communities healthy for birds...and people"
Full details for Bird City Wisconsin are here.
Milwaukee Audubon Society is heading the development of Bird City Wisconsin, modeled on the successful nationwide program Tree City USA.
They received an $8,000 Together Green grant funded by Toyota for this partnership among Milwaukee Audubon Society, the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, Wisconsin Audubon Council, the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison Audubon Society and the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin for developing the criteria for Bird City recognition, and launching the program in 2010.
Bird City Wisconsin participants can learn how to protect and manage green space, landscape with native plants in backyards and parks, adopt architecture and lighting systems that reduce collisions, and many other tools hospitable to breeding, wintering, and migrating birds which seek safe places to spend time and find food.
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Green Bay is one of the first cities approved as a Wisconsin Bird City, and 2012 was awarded High Flyer Status for extra effort.
As we hear about them, bird city events will be listed on our calendar page.
Brown County, Bailey's Harbor, and Ephraim/Peninsula State Park have also received Bird City (County) status. |
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April 22: Flock to the Oconto Marsh |
On April 22, 2012, Oconto's Promise is sponsoring an opportunity for people to learn more about the Oconto Marsh, the birds in the area, and plant life. Help us celebrate obtaining our Bird City Wisconsin status on Sunday, April 22, 2012 from 10 a.m. — 2 p.m. at the Oconto Marsh, on County Y about 1.5 miles east of Oconto. The marsh parking lot is on the west side of the road just past Harbor Road when leaving Oconto. If space is not available in the lot, park alongside the road.
Brochure & Poster
- Geo-caching: Special geo-caches will be set up to help you explore the marsh. You may either venture with one of our guides or strike out on your own to complete the activity. GPS systems will be available, or you can bring your own. Find the site of the soon-to-be-installed observation platform.
- Basic Frogging: Explore the edges of the marsh and try to find the different frogs and toads that consider the marsh their home. A net will be available to capture and explore the amphibians before letting them go.
- Tours in the Marsh: 10 a.m. & 12 noon — DNR Wildlife Biologist John Huff will lead a free informational session about the migratory waterfowl and other wildlife. 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. — Amanda Strick, Oconto County Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator, will lead tours about invasive plants such as phragmites, along with information on other local plants and wildlife.
- Informational Booths:
- Oconto Milling Company—Check out their supply of bird seed and feeders.
- AMBLE—The goal of AMBLE is to empower a network of concerned citizens to monitor bird health and beach conditions along miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, thus increasing knowledge of avian botulism trends.
- Northeastern Wisconsin Audubon Society—Check out their selection of brochures on natural landscaping for birds.
The Refuge: Ducks Unlimited, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the Lower Fox River/ Green Bay Natural Resources Trustee Council worked together to improve the 220 acre marsh refuge. Their efforts replaced the pump and repaired the levees, making it easier to maintain the water level in the marsh. The trail is open year-round to the public. Visitors are welcome to walk the 2.7 mile trail, view the wildlife, and enjoy the other natural features of the emergent marsh and sedge
Celebrating Bird City Status: With the cooperation of Oconto Park and Recreation and the NEW Audubon Society, Oconto’s Promise was able to meet the criteria, including:
- Oconto Marsh is part of the Great Wisconsin Birding & Nature Trail, Lake Michigan Region
- City of Oconto ordinances mandate the protection of park property.
- Birdhouses installed in our city’s parks.
- Assistance available for identification, control, and removal of invasive species
- Sponsoring an International Migratory Bird Day. We have held one in the spring and fall.
Oconto’s Promise plans to continue to make annual progress in improving the habitat for birds so they can re-apply for the award to maintain its status annually.
Other Oconto’s Promise Efforts: Members of Oconto’s Promise believe Oconto has many wonderful assets, such as the marsh, bay, river, and lumbering history. Citizens of Oconto have worked to improve the community, and we, including our youth members, want to be a part of those efforts.
- Installing the marsh observation platform the Oconto High School Tech Ed students built for our group.
- Helping birds by promoting the “Cats Indoors” program & working to prevent window strikes.
- Planning more outdoor classes and activities, including music in the park and promoting Oconto’s trails.
- Seeking funding for ways to add trails or boardwalks in the marsh.
- Promoting Oconto’s history.
Oconto's Promise is dedicated to involving youth in the community and giving them a voice. Our goal is to continue meeting the Bird City Wisconsin criteria while working with youth. Our group welcomes opportunities to work with community members and organizations. If you, or someone you know, is interested in partnering with Oconto’s Promise, please let us know. To make a donation, get involved, or learn more: Oconto’s Promise Telephone: (920) 834-6845 E-mail: ocontospromise@gmail.com. |
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