Wild Parsnip at the Horicon Marsh
Wild Parsnip
A sea of cheery yellow Wild Parsnip is a pretty backdrop to the purple and pink blooms of clover and milkweed. Don’t give in to the temptation to pick a bouquet! Oils from the leaves of Wild Parsnip that get on your skin, combined with sunlight, cause a painful rash and blisters. Stay on the trails when you are hiking to avoid contact with this plant. David J. Eagan highlights the chemicals involved in causing the skin burns and how to treat it in his article “Burned by Wild Parsnip.” The Wisconsin DNR has more pictures of Wild Parsnip in its invasive species photo gallery. An excellent article that outlines methods for controlling this pesky plant can be found on the Integrated Pest and Crop Management website.
Waved Sphinx Moth
Waved Sphinx Moth
The Waved Sphinx Moth is normally nocturnal, but this one was resting in the shade on this 93 degree day at the Horicon Marsh. He is over 3 inches long. The white spot in the middle of the forewing is a reliable field mark. This common moth can fly up to 12 mph. They use their long tongues to eat nectar from tubular flowers. Their caterpillars are called hornworms because of the horn or spur that protrudes from their posterior. The main host plant is the ash tree. Unfortunately, Emerald Ash Borers are destroying this important host. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides information about what we can do to preserve our valuable ash trees to facilitate the survival of species like the Waved Sphinx Moth.
An Amazing Imposter
Gray Catbird
The Gray Catbird, with its understated beauty, is named for its call. It sounds like a young kitten mewing. It can also “imitate the vocalizations of over 40 bird species, at least one frog species and several sounds produced by machines and electronic devices,” according to the American Museum of Natural History Birds of North America: Eastern Region. Amazingly, it can sing two notes simultaneously. Some of us would be happy to sing one note well.
Black-necked Stilt Eyeing a Dunlin
Shorebirds can be difficult to identify. The Dunlin has a large, square, black patch on its abdomen, as part of its adult breeding plumage, making it easy to recognize. The Black-necked Stilt has striking black and white plumage with thin pink legs. This is prime nesting time at the Horicon Marsh and a wide variety of birds can be seen with their stunning breeding plumage.
More Warblers at the Horicon Marsh
Palm Warbler
The intensely gazing Palm Warbler makes only a brief stop before darting to his next perch. Palm Warblers are one of the northernmost breeding of all warblers. They winter in the south and they got their name when they were discovered on a Caribbean island filled with palm trees.
Blackpoll Warbler
The Blackpoll Warbler is the only warbler that breeds farther north than the Palm Warbler. The Blackpoll Warbler is one of the last warblers to arrive in the spring. “The Blackpoll is said to be one of the most beneficial of warblers, fairly gorging itself on cankerworms,” according to American ornithologist Florence Merriam. There’s a fun fact to share with friends.
Common Yellowthroat
This Common Yellowthroat flitted among the tangled branches of shrubs along the edge of the Marsh.
American Robin
This American Robin ate a few too many earthworms while he was watching the antics of the warblers at the Horicon Marsh.
You can still participate in activities for the bird festival continuing today and tomorrow.
Warblers at the Horicon Marsh
Yellow Warbler
Warblers were active at the Horicon Marsh this evening singing and flitting among budding shrubs and trees. The Yellow Warbler was aptly described as “a bit of feathered sunshine” by ornithologist Frank Chapman.
Male Yellow-rumped “Myrtle” Warbler
The male Yellow-rumped “Myrtle” Warbler has patches of yellow on his crown, side, and rump.
It is called the Myrtle Warbler because it is the only warbler that uses special enzymes to digest the waxes found in bayberries and wax myrtles. It’s ability to digest these fruits allows it to spend the winter farther north than other warblers.
Canada Goose with Goslings
Canada Goose goslings are becoming more abundant. The Horicon Marsh Bird Festival starts Thursday, May 10th and continues through Monday, May 14th. It is a wonderful opportunity to see over 200 bird species that visit the Horicon Marsh.
Spring Bird Species at the Horicon Marsh
Forster’s Terns
Forster’s Terns perch on last year’s cattails along Highway 49 at the Horicon Marsh. English botanist Thomas Nuttall named this tern after Johann Reinhold Forster, a naturalist who accompanied the English explorer Captain Cook on his epic second voyage (1772-75), according to Birds of North America: Eastern Region. If you could have a bird named after you, what species would you choose? Share your choice in the comments section.
Male Blue-winged Teal
A pair of Blue-winged Teal swim in the water along the auto tour. They are usually skittish and fly away quickly when approached, but this pair was content to swim and eat while being photographed.
Female Blue-winged Teal
The female Blue-winged Teal looks similar to most other female dabbling ducks, but she is distinguished by a patch of blue on the upper wing coverts.
Fish
Schools of fish swim with their backs out of the water and their dorsal fins exposed. It may be related to shallow water in that area or it may be related to water temperature. Fish may swim near the surface in spring due to cooler temperatures. In summer, they may swim deeper where it’s cooler.
Double-crested Cormorant
The Double-crested Cormorant swims with its body submerged and its bill in the air. It has beautiful blue eyes.
Northern Shoveler
The yellow eye of the Northern Shoveler contrasts with its metallic greenish to purplish head feathers. Flocks of Shovelers continue to swim along Highway 49.
Female Red-winged Blackbird
This female Red-winged Blackbird looks nothing like its mate. They like to nest among the cattails from March to June.
Gull
What type of gull do you think this is? Share your thoughts in the comments area.
Bird activity is picking up at the Horicon Marsh and many species are nesting. Be careful driving on Highway 49. You may need to wait for goslings crossing the road.
Resilience
Crocuses
“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
The crocuses were up and ready to blossom when they were battered by freezing rain and snow twice this week. The storms showcased the flower’s resilience and their beauty is resplendent framed by ice. Crocuses are one of the first flowers of spring and a symbol of hope after a long, cold winter. Spring has finally arrived at the Horicon Marsh!
Lots of Flocks
Northern Shoveler
The stunning breeding plumage of the male Northern Shoveler catches your eye as you travel through the Horicon Marsh today. He is easily identified by his oversized bill, which he uses to skim across the water’s surface to find tiny crustaceans and seeds to eat. Flocks of Northern Shovelers were joined by Greater Scaups, Mallards, Blue-winged Teal, and American Coots.
Trumpeter Swan
Flocks of Tundra Swans, identified by yellow spots at the base of their bills (the lore), and Trumpeter Swans swam among the Canada Geese along Highway 49. It was a treat to drive through the auto tour which is now open to vehicles.
Gulls Just Want to Have Fun
Ring-billed Gull
Ring-billed Gulls soared together riding the wind currents over the Horicon Marsh on Sunday afternoon. Gulls are partial migrants. Some stay in the area and some migrate to the warmer coasts in the winter.
Ring-billed Gull Watches the Surface of the Horicon Marsh
The gulls took turns hovering briefly, a few feet above the surface of the marsh, looking for fish, frogs, and insects.
When they spotted a delicious morsel, they plunged to the water, snatched their tasty treat, and took off. They often dropped their dinner and scooped it back up several times before eating it.
Tastes Like Chicken
This gull snaps up a frog from the water.
The gulls were quite vocal when they weren’t eating.
Herring Gull
The Herring Gull is content to watch the action from the slowly dissipating ice crust. His pink legs and the red spot on his bill distinguish him from the Ring-billed Gull with its yellow legs and black band around the bill. It takes two to four years to develop this beautiful gray and white plumage accented with a black tail and white tips.
Angry Birds
Herring Gulls Fishing at the Horicon Marsh
Herring Gulls chip away at the icy surface of the Horicon Marsh to find frozen fish underneath. It is not a good idea to flaunt your fish filet.
Juvenile Herring Gull
This juvenile Herring Gull aggressively responds to a gull that got too close to its fishing hole.
Herring Gulls in the Battle for Fish
The birds battle for open fishing holes. If a gull gets a large piece of fish, the rest of the flock gather around to try and steal some for themselves.
After chaotic flapping of wings and loud squawking, a victor eats the spoil.
Canada Geese in a Display of Aggression
Meanwhile, the Canada Geese were honking, hissing, and sticking out their tongues in their own displays of aggression.
They flare their wings and run offenders off of their turf, a muskrat house, in this case.
House Sparrow
In contrast to the aggressive displays of the gulls and geese, the pretty House Sparrow is content to flit and perch in shrubs along the Marsh.
According to the American Museum of Natural History’s Birds of North America: Eastern Region, House Sparrows are a member of the Eurasian family called weaver-finches. The House Sparrow was first introduced in Brooklyn, New York in 1850 and is now one of North American’s most common birds.
Female House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
The American Goldfinch perches peacefully with the House Sparrows.
Bird activity is increasing at the Horicon Marsh as we head into spring!
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