222 S. HAMILTON ST.
• MADISON • WISCONSIN 53703 • 255 BIRD • MAY 1999
MAS
Art Fair
at Olbrich
Gardens
Illustration by Norma Donovan
Just in time for Mother’s Day, Madison Audubon Society is hold-
ing its 23rd Annual Art Fair – May 1, 1999. Come choose a
Mother’s Day gift of art, while enjoying early spring flowers at
Olbrich Gardens.
More than 100 artists, many from Wisconsin, will be exhibiting
at Olbrich from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The MAS Art Fair is a
juried show. Selected artists have used wood, glass, paper, jewel-
ry, photography, sculpture, painting, metal and textiles to capture
the natural beauty of the world around us.
All of the art is consistent with the conservation philosophy of
MAS and does not contain materials from endangered resources.
Also, Wild Birds Unlimited is a major sponsor for the event and
will have a sales booth at the fair.
The MAS Art Fair is fun for the entire family. Admission and
parking are free. There will be live musical entertainment, a raffle,
silent auction and special activities for children. Children can join
in the activities from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Gourmet food is
available for sale throughout the day.
Many civic-minded businesses make generous donations to the
raffle. And, many of the featured artists donate items to the silent
auction. Winners of the raffle and silent auction will be
announced during the art fair at 4:30 p.m. Winners do not need to
be present to win. You may purchase raffle tickets in advance by
calling the office at 255-2473. Raffle tickets are $1 each or six for
$5.
The MAS Art Fair is the society’s second largest fundraiser.
Proceeds from the art fair are incorporated in the MAS general
fund and supports public education programs, monthly speakers,
sanctuaries and field trips. You may still have an opportunity to
volunteer for this exciting and fun event. Please call Jeanie
Druckenmiller at 244-0295 if you’d like to help.
1999 Art Fair Raffle Prize List
1. Wilderness Systems Rascal—one person kayak.
Retail value $449. Donated by Rutabaga
2. Framed Original Oil Painting of Fox. Value
$650. Painting donated by artist Jonathan
Wilde Framing donated by Meuer Art
Company
3. Eureka Equidome four person tent. Retail value
$220. Donated by Fontana
4. Andy Brinkley Studio copper and cedar wren
house. Retail value $125. Donated by
Chickadee Depot
5. Wild Birds Unlimited compact binoculars.
retail value $100. Donated by Wild Birds
Unlimited
6. Signed and numbered print “My Nieghbors” by
artist Joan White. Retail value $80. Donated by
Nature of Things Store
7. TM Hoff handmade copper bird feeder. Retail
value $53. Donated by Chickadee Depot
8. Original metal sculpture. Value $75. Donated
by artist Ellis Nelson
9. $30 Gift Certificate for Mounds Pet Food
Warehouse. Donated by Mounds Pet Food
Warehouse
10. REI Mini Skinny fanny pack with shoulder
strap. Retail value $28. Donated by REI
11. Book “Wisconsin’s Outdoor Treasures” by
Tim Bewer. Retail value $19.50. Donated by
Borders Book Shop
12. Book “Wisconsin Waterfalls — A Touring
Guide” by Patrick Lisi. Retail value $19.95.
Donated by Flying Fish Graphics
Tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. Winners
need not be present to win. Drawing will take
place at 4:30 p.m. on May 1 at Olbrich Botanical
Gardens.
 MADISON AUDUBON SOCIETY
President: Marsha Cannon, 251-1276
Vice-president: Joanne Herfel, 241-8009
Goose Pond Resident Naturalists:
Mark and Sue Martin, 635-4160
Editors: Pat & Deb Ready, 873-1703
pready@ku.com
Graphic design: Pat Ready.
Printed by Roemer Printing.
THE AUDUBON CAWS is published
September through July by:
Madison Audubon Society,
222 S. Hamilton St.,
Madison, WI 53703,
(608) 255-BIRD (2473).
Birding hotline, 255-BIRM.
Madison Audubon Web Page:
http://audubon.madison.wi.us/audubon/
E-mail: audubon@msn.fullfeed.com
E-mail services donated by Fullfeed
Communications.
Contribution deadline is May 10 for the
June issue, for which items may be sent to
Pat Ready, 1210 Oakwood Ct., Stoughton,
WI 53589. pready@ku.com
The mission of the Madison Audubon
Society is to educate our members and the
public about the natural world and the
threats that natural systems are facing, to
engage in advocacy to preserve and protect
these systems, and to develop and maintain
sanctuaries to save and restore natural habi-
tat.
JOIN MADISON
AUDUBON
Student/Senior: $15
Introductory membership: $20
Basic: $35
Foreign: Add $10 in US funds.
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ADDRESS
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Please enclose your check payable t o
National Audubon Society and mail to Madison
Audubon Society, 222 S . Hamilton St. #1,
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with National Audubon and all members receive
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Z02
7xCH
Field Trips Abound
Saturday, May 1: Birding Picnic Point
Come join trip leaders Roma
Linehan and Ursula Petersen for a
pleasant spring morning of birding on
Picnic Point, one of Madison’s bird-
ing hot spots. With lots of shoreline,
open water and a variety of woods,
wetlands and open areas, Picnic
Point is known for its diversity of
birds. By May 1st, many migrants
may be here, depending on the
weather. On the lake we will look for
waterfowl, gulls and terns; in the
marshlands we’ll be looking for
blackbirds, wrens, song and swamp
sparrows; in the woodlands we’ll
look for woodpeckers, thrushes, ori-
oles, vireos and early warblers; and
in the fields and gardens we’ll look
for grassland sparrows. Trip leader
Roma Linehan has over 20 years of
birding at Picnic Point. Co-leader
Ursula Petersen is an experienced
MAS bird trip leader. Meet at 7:30
a.m. at the Picnic Point parking lot off
University Bay Drive, north of UW
Lot 60 and north of the UW hospital.
The trip will last for 2-3 hours with an
opportunity to extend longer. Bring
binoculars, bird books, and dress
appropriately for the weather, which
will be cool by the lake in the morn-
ing. If you have questions, call Roma
Linehan at (608) 238-5406.
Sunday, May 2: Birding Wyalusing
Al Shea, one of Wisconsin’s most
experienced birders, will lead this trip
to Wyalusing State Park, which over-
looks the confluence of the
Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers.
The Mississippi is a major migra-
tion route for numerous birds and the
rugged bluffs make this breath-taking
scenery a beautiful spot for a spring
adventure. We’ll observe hawks, war-
blers, lots of other birds and maybe a
few spring wildflowers. Bring a lunch,
as this trip will last until mid-after-
noon.
Meet to carpool at 5 AM in the
parking lot of ToysRUs toy store in the
Nakoma Plaza at the intersection of
the beltline with Verona Road (Hwys.
151, 12 and 18). If you have ques-
tions, call Al Shea at 825-6232.
Wednesday, May 5: Owen Park
Evening Nature Walk
Come enjoy a leisurely stroll
through Owen Park with trip leader
Jon Sutton. Owen Park is a Madison
conservation park on the south side of
Old Sauk Road. Jon is an environ-
mental educator with a broad back-
ground in natural history. Having
been a birder all his life, he will do
his best to identify as many spring
migrants as show up. We may see
thrushes, woodpeckers, sparrows,
swallows, a few early warblers and
maybe an owl. We’ll keep an eye out
for wildflowers in the woods and the
restored prairies. If an early butterfly
shows, Jon will share his knowledge
about these colorful creatures as he
has become a butterfly enthusiast.
Meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Owen Park
parking lot near the house off the
driveway from Old Sauk Rd., across
from Crestwood School. The trip will
last till about dark, possibly 2 hours.
Bring binoculars and dress for the
weather. If you have questions, call
Jon Sutton at 238-7676.
May 6,11,13,18: Warbler Walks!
MAS’s annual early morning war-
bler walks will be held in the UW
Arboretum. This year’s trip leaders
will be Ken Barmore, Tod Highsmith,
Tony Kalenic and Levi Wood. We
will be looking for migrating warblers
as well as Vireos, Thrushes, Tanagers
and whatever else flies by.
Meet at 6:00 AM in the Arboretum
at the Wingra/Galistel Woods parking
lot along McCaffrey Drive. Enter the
Arboretum from the east off of Mills
Street. If you enter from the west
(Seminole HWY.) you will have to
walk from the McKay Center parking
area.
If you have questions, call Levi
Wood at 277-7959.
Saturday, May 8: International
Migratory Bird Day
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Bird Watching Walks
- Come catch the “migration
sensation”!
Led by experts; for people of all ages
and expertise
• Cherokee Marsh (north end of
Sherman Ave)
• Picnic Point
• U.W. Arboretum (McKay Center)
7:00 - 11:00 a.m.
• Madison School Forest (meet at 7
a.m. to carpool from the Kohl’s food
store parking lot at Nakoma Plaza,
Verona Rd. and return about 11
a.m.)
9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Family Events on
the Capitol Square (S. Hamilton St.
corner) -during the Farmer’s Market!
☞ The Balloon Man!
☞ Face painting
☞ Games and activities
☞ Exhibits, displays, free posters!
Sponsors for “IMBD” include
Chickadee Depot, Madison Audubon,
U.W. Wildlife Ecology, the Black
Hawk Council of Girl Scouts, and the
DNR.
The birds will be returning soon.
Come and greet them! For more infor-
mation or to help at the event (we
need volunteers!) call Karen Etter
Hale, 255-BIRD.
Fri. May 14: Evening at Nine Springs
Dave Fallow, well-known Madison
birder, will lead this 2 1/2 hour bird-
ing trip. We will visit one of the more
interesting and often overlooked bird-
ing spots in the Madison area to
search for shorebirds, herons, cranes,
terns, swallows and waterfowl. This
area has good mud flats, marsh and
pond habitat.
Meet at 6:30 PM at the Epic Life
Insurance Co. parking lot at 6801
South Towne Drive just south of the
beltline. We will carpool there to take
fewer cars to Nine Springs. Bring a
scope if you have one. If you have
questions call Dave Fallow at 249-
3843.
Sat., May 15: Spring Green Birding
Joint trip with the Nature
Conservancy. Participants will walk
the various habitats at the preserve
looking for grassland and woodland
birds. Trip leaders Greg Geller and
Becky Abel will also share informa
tion about the plants and natural com-
munities protected at Spring Green
Preserve. Wear footgear appropriate
for walking among cacti and a hat if
the day is warm and sunny. Bring
water, and binoculars and a field
guide if you have them. In case of
heavy rain, the trip will be postponed
until May 29. Call Greg Geller at
608/544-2082 (home) if you have
questions or in case of bad weather to
see if the trip has been postponed.
Meet at the Spring Green parking
lot. Directions: From the intersection
of U.S. Hwy. 14 and State Hwy. 23
near Spring Green, travel north on 23
for 0.5 miles and turn right (east) on
Jones Road. After 0.75 miles, turn left
(north) on the dirt access road to the
preserve parking lot (it’s just past the
driveway to a house trailer).
Sat., May 22: Woodland Wildflowers
& Birds
Joint trip with the Nature
Conservancy, Richland County, 9:00
AM to 12:00 PM. Join trip leader
David Kopitzke and ornithologist
Maggie Jones for a hike at the height
of spring wildflower bloom and dur-
ing bird migration. Participants will
visit a variety of habitats including a
lowland forest, a pine plantation, an
old field, an upland mixed oak
woods, and a blufftop prairie that
overlooks the Lower Wisconsin State
Riverway and the Avoca Prairie
beyond. This trip will be somewhat
strenuous and involve hiking over
rugged, rocky, brushy ground up
steep hillsides. Wear sturdy walking
shoes and bring water. Bring lunch
and stick around after the trip to eat
and converse with other trip partici-
pants.
Trip is limited to 20 people. Call
Cate Harrington at TNC office in
Madison, (608) 251-8140, on or after
May 4 to reserve your place for the
trip and get directions to the meeting
place. No reservations will be taken
before May 4.
Sun., May 23: Birding at Horicon
Marsh
Enjoy a spring day birding in
Horicon Marsh. The trip is scheduled
to join with DNR naturalist Bill
Volkert's 11:00 a.m. tour of Horicon
Marsh. As those who have been on
one of Bill's tours before knows, he is
an enthusiastic fount of knowledge
about Horicon Marsh and its diverse
bird life. With 268 species of birds
identified in the marsh, Horicon is
one of the birding hot spots in
Wisconsin. At this time of year, in
addition to the nesting egrets, herons
and waterfowl, we hope to see plenty
of warblers, vireos, thrushes and
other passerines. With luck we will
hear and maybe even see some of
the more elusive marsh birds, such as
rails, and wrens. While on Bill
Volkert's one hour tour we will have
his expertise to help us locate and
identify as many birds as we can.
After the tour, Bill may be available
to answer your questions about the
marsh or about the birds.
In addition to our tour with Bill
Volkert, we plan to cruise around the
marsh investigating other areas and
exploring further for more birds. We
may not head back to Madison until
mid-afternoon.
Meet at the East side Cub Food
Store parking lot at 8:30 a.m. to car-
pool up to Horicon Marsh. To reach
Cub Foods take Hwy. 30 east to Hwy
51. Head north on Hwy. 51 and take
the first right (Nakoosa Trail) and turn
right again into the Cub Foods park-
ing lot.
Bring binoculars, a hat, sunscreen,
a scope if you have one and dress
appropriately for the weather. If you
have questions, call Levi at 277-
7959.
May 21-24 Birding Northwest
Wisconsin
Carol Anderson and Tony Kalenic
will lead this 4 day trip (Fri thru Mon)
to northwest Wis. Friday we will
drive to Grantsburg WI and bird at
Crex Meadows wildlife area Fri.
evening and Sat. morning. Sat. after-
noon we will drive north to Superior,
continued on next page
Field trips . . .
continued from page 3
WI stopping a few times to bird. Sat.
evening thru Mon. morning we will
bird in Douglas County. This will
include at least a couple of visits to
Wisconsin Point, Stone’s Bridge on
the Brule River, possibly Stone’s
Chimney and Co. A south of
Superior. Note that this is the week-
end PRIOR to Memorial Weekend.
The trip is being run this weekend to
coincide with peak passerine migra-
tion in northwest Wisconsin. This
usually includes good to excellent
warblers at WI Point. Two years ago
when this trip was last run highlights
included Red-Necked Grebe,
Trumpeter Swan, a couple of dozen
Blackpoll Warblers, Sharp Tailed
Grouse, American Bitterns and
Whimbrels at Crex Meadows. The
scenery alone is worth the trip. If you
cannot make all 4 days you could do
a 3 day version joining us at some
point. Tony will arrange car pooling
and make motel reservations. To get
more information and/or reserve a
spot call Tony at 249-8836.
Sat., May 29: Natural History of
Quincy Bluff, Adams County
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Joint trip with the Nature
Conservancy. This trip will take us
through black oak and jack pine
woods, then along ancient sand
ridges and dunes that snake through a
variety of wetland types. Along the
way, trip leader Lynn Hanson will
point out geologic features and dis-
cuss how Native Americans once
traveled through places like Quincy
Bluff following an elaborate trail sys-
tem. Roy Wittwer will talk about the
Conservancy's history and land man-
agement at the preserve, and
ornithologist Carol Richter will help
participants identify native bird
species. Wear sturdy footgear for
scrambling up rocks. Also please
bring water and a lunch as we will
plan to eat lunch on Quincy Bluff.
This hike is about 3 to 4 miles long
and somewhat strenuous as we will
be hiking to the top of the bluff. Call
Lynn Hanson (920/485-3019; work) if
you have questions.
Meet at the Quincy Bluff parking
area. Directions to Quincy Bluff:
Take State Hwy 13 south from
Adams/Friendship or north from
Wisconsin Dells to Cnty. Hwy. H.
Drive west on H for 2.5 miles. Turn
north (right) onto 16th Ave., then west
(left) onto Evergreen Ave., and then
north (right) onto 16th Drive.
Continue 2.2 miles to the parking lot
on the right (east) side of the road.
Sun., May 30: Canoe Red Cedar Lake
Libby Zimmerman, an experienced
wetland ecologist, will lead this canoe
trip around Red Cedar Lake, near
Cambridge. She and her late husband,
Jim Zimmerman, have enjoyed a
weekend home here for many years.
While Libby tells us about the ecology
and history of the lake, we hope to
see marsh birds such as herons, bit-
terns, black terns and maybe yellow-
headed blackbirds. We will walk on a
bog mat, so bring foot gear that can
get wet (no barefeet). Attach bow and
stern rope to your canoe to tie it when
stopped.
Bring your own canoe, binoculars,
hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, midday
snack or lunch and dress appropriate-
ly for the weather. The canoe trip will
last about four hours. Libby has invit-
ed those who wish to stay to eat their
snack or lunch at her place after
canoeing and she will provide cold
drinks.
Meet Libby at 8:00 AM at the boat
landing on the northeast shore of Red
Cedar Lake just South of HWY. 12.
Take HWY. 12 about 2 miles east of
Cambridge, just past the intersection
with County A from the north, the
next right (no sign) to the south to the
DNR boat landing. It is necessary to
call Libby at 423-4047 if you are
coming on the trip so she can match
paddlers. Call Libby if you need a
canoe or paddling partner or if the
weather is questionable.
Sat., June 5: National Trails Day:
Birding Badger Prairie
Enjoy a leisurely morning bird walk
at the height of the nesting season,
when resident birds should be busy
caring for young. We hope to find a
variety of birds during this two hour
walk on trails in Badger Prairie Park
and along the Military Ridge Trail,
just east of Verona.
Meet at 7:00 AM in the Military
Ridge Trail parking lot off County
HWY. PB, just south of Verona Road,
across Verona Road from the entrance
to Badger Prairie Park and the Dane
County Home. Bring binoculars, a
bird book, comfortable walking shoes
and dress appropriately for the weath-
er. Questions call Levi at 277-7959.
After the bird walk, stay to enjoy the
National Trails Day activities going
on all day at Badger Prairie Park!
Sat., June 5: Bicycling to Prairie
Remnants
7 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Joint trip with the Nature
Conservancy. Join trip leaders Steve
Richter and Paul West for a bike trip
(about 20 miles) total on county high-
ways) to prairie remnants along the
Crawfish River, including Snapper
and Faville prairies. At the
Conservancy's Snapper Prairie, we
will do our annual count of two of
these plants. On our ride home, we
will stop at a site where landowners
are working to restore prairie and
savanna, where we hope to find a few
uncommon grassland birds while we
hike. Bring your bike, lunch, sun-
screen, binoculars, and hiking shoes.
Bike helmets are suggested. If there is
a steady rain, the trip will be can-
celed. Call Steve Richter (608/250-
2420) if you have questions about the
trip.
Directions: From Madison or
Milwaukee take I-94 to Lake Mills
exit, go south on State Hwy. 89 to the
four way stoplight. Go west at the
light on Tyranena Rd. for one half
mile to its junction with Madison Rd.
and Cnty. Hwy. B. Turn right at this
junction and go west for 0.5 miles
past Rock Lake Rd. Park in the public
lot opposite the county park.
Sat., June 6: Birding Governor
Dodge State Park
NOTE: Change of date from 6-13-99
Come join us on Sunday 6, 1999
when we bird in the 5000 acre
Governor Dodge State Park in the
driftless area of south west Wisconsin
near Dodgeville. Governor Dodge is
an interesting summer birding area.
Birds we saw or heard in early June
last year include Bob-o-links, Sedge
Wren, White-eyed Vireo, Bell's Vireo,
Yellow-Breasted Chat, Orchard
Oriole, Clay-Colored Sparrow and
Henslow's Sparrow. There is potential
to find some interesting species of
birds.
Meet at the east end of the Nakoma
Plaza parking lot off of Hwy. 18-151
at 6 a.m. to carpool from there. A
State of Wis. parks sticker is necessary
to enter the park. We should return
around noon. Bring binoculars, hiking
shoes and dress for the weather. If
you have any questions about the
trip, please call John Romano at 236-
9410.
Sat., June 12: Ecology of Lost Lake
Natural Area
Experience a morning in one of the
hidden jewels of the Baraboo Hills,
Lost Lake Natural Area. Trip leader,
Becky Isenring, noted DNR terrestrial
ecologist with special expertise in
plants and birds will explore this nat-
ural area with trip participants. This
rich maple basswood mesic forest
should have plenty of singing birds
and blooming wildflowers. If we are
lucky the yellow lady slippers may be
blooming. Birds might include tan-
agers, grosbeaks, vireos and warblers.
This off trail hike through rugged
terrain may turn up a few ticks. So
wear light colored clothing, sturdy
hiking shoes and a hat. Insect or tick
repellent may be advisable.
Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Caledonia
School on Hwy. 78 about 5 miles
south of the Hwy. 78 exit off I-90, less
than a mile short of the next cross-
road at Beich Road. The trip will last
to 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Bring binoculars,
water, insect repellent and a snack. If
you have questions, call Becky at
608/643-6906.
Costa Rica — A successful trip!
by Jim Marrari
Twelve birders from Wisconsin recently returned from the Madison Audubon
trip to Costa Rica. We were treated to 10 days of mild weather and spectacular
scenery from the rugged cloud forest to the lowland pacific rain forest. The group
saw 285 species of birds (and heard a few more).
Highlights include great looks at Resplendent Quetzals, Pygmy Kingfisher, and
Flame-colored Tanagers. The feeding station at Coter Lake gave fabulous views of
Golden-hooded, Scarlet-rumped, and Palm Tanagers, Yellow-throated Euphonia,
and Red-legged Honeycreeper. Hummingbirds were seen just about everyday
with a trip total of 23 species! We were also excited to see warblers at their win-
tering grounds including Wilson’s, Yellow, Black & White, Chestnut-sided, and
Black-throated Green. Our guide’s (Jack Poll) ability to quickly find birds and
position the scope provided the group lots of up-close looks. In addition to birds,
one tree at Hacienda Solimar with 12 howler monkeys thrilled everyone.
Stay tuned for future trip announcements. If you have any suggestions for long-
distance trips, please contact Jim Marrari at 231-2395 or email
jacamar@execpc.com.
Panel discussions set for Badger Plant
Learn more about potential future uses for the Badger Army Ammunition Plant.
Panel discussions have been scheduled by Community Conservation Coalition
for the Sauk Prairie. Dates and topics are as follows: Wednesday, April 28 -
Agriculture; Wednesday, May 12 - Education/Research; Wednesday, May 26 -
Recreation.
Discussions are planned for 7:00 p.m. in Room B24 of the “West Square
Building” (corner of Oak and Broadway) in Baraboo.
POPULATION AND HABITAT
Human Demands — Fewer Species
By Caroline Beckett
We live during one of the world’s great extinctions, the biggest die-off since the
dinosaurs disappeared 65 million years ago. Birds, bugs, plants, animals, indige-
nous peoples are disappearing at a rate far faster than any of the previous five
massive extinctions. Scientists estimate that about 600,000 species have died out
since about 1950, or about 50-150 species a day.
What accounts for such an accelerated extinction rate?
A single species—us. Human population has soared this century, doubling in
the last 50 years. If population growth continues at its present rate, there will be
twice as many people-12 billion-here in 46 years.
Human demands for the basics—land, food, water-mean that we compete with
other species for the same resources. And our insatiable appetites for more hous-
es, cars, things, mean that we use up natural resources faster than they can be
replenished. The United States has about 6% of the world’s population, but we
use more than 35% of the world’s natural resources.
So what can we do?
We can reduce wasteful consumption, buy wisely, reuse, and recycle.
We can encourage our government to reinstate the family planning program in
foreign aid budgets. Since 1995 when U. S. Congress slashed its budget, 6.9 mil-
lion couples in developing countries had 4 million unwanted pregnancies, with
1.9 million unwanted births, and 1.6 million abortions. 150 million couples des-
perately want to limit their families but have no means of birth control.
We can stem the tide of extinction, but we are running out of time.
Sources: “Biotic Holocaust,” International Wildlife, March/April 1999.
Zero Population Growth data sheet.
Public Forums on Seizing
Opportunities in the State Budget
for Conservation
by Karen Etter Hale, Executive Secretary, MAS
The powerful Joint Finance Committee (JFC) is currently
analyzing the Governor’s biennial budget (through May)
before it goes to the Assembly, the Senate, and then back to
the Governor. To have our voice heard on environmental
issues, we need to focus on those of most importance.
Reauthorizing the State Stewardship Fund, an extremely
popular parks and open space acquisition program, is very
important. The Governor, to his credit, agrees, but the level
of bonding he proposes is too little. The JFC should main-
tain the original 1990 buying power of the Fund by autho-
rizing bonding at $60 million, annually adjusted for infla-
tion, for each of the next ten years. The state will then be
able to keep purchasing such places as the Willow
Flowage, complete existing state park projects, and contin-
ue to leverage matching dollars for Dane County parks,
adding on to Goose Pond Sanctuary, etc.
An issue that should be part of the budget process, but
isn’t, is review of Wisconsin DOT’s State Highway Plan,
which proposes to spend $1 billion per year of both federal
and state money over the next 21 years! The JFC should be
asked to require the legislature to review and approve this
massive plan.
Included in the budget is a land use planning initiative
that finally defines the needed elements for a comprehen-
sive land use plan, so that all local governments will know
what is expected of them. Still needed are incentives to do
planning and disincentives for not doing planning.
The State Recycling Program depends on a state-local
partnership to pay for the collection and marketing of recy-
clables, but the Governor proposes to end the recycling sur-
charge and the fund which pays grants to municipalities. An
increase in the tipping fee on each load of waste going to
landfills would raise money for local recycling programs
and create a clear incentive to recycle and reduce waste.
This would also discourage, but not end, the influx of out-
of-state waste.
What You Can Do: Short letters (one subject each) that tie
your personal experiences (my family camps at...) to the
need to fully fund good conservation programs are very
effective. Write to each of the co-chairs of the JFC (Sen.
Brian Burke and Rep. John Gard) and to your own legisla-
tors. All Senate mail is PO Box 782, Madison WI 53707-
782. Assembly reps with last names A-L are PO Box 8952;
M-Z are PO Box 8953, Madison WI 53708. For more
detailed information, contact Karen Etter Hale, 255-BIRD.

Merrimac Ferry or a New Bridge? An Opportunity to Voice Your Opinion

by Karen Etter Hale, Executive Secretary
The Wisconsin Department of
Transportation (WisDOT) is trying to
decide whether to abandon the
Merrimac Ferry and build a bridge
across the Wisconsin River near
Merrimac or replace the aging ferry,
and they would like your opinion.
They will hold a public hearing on
Monday, May 3 at the Community
Education Center, 730 Monroe St.,
Sauk City. The open- forum hearing is
from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. (testimony will
be taken by court reporters) and the
formal hearing convenes at 7 p.m.
A ferry has operated in the Merrimac
area since 1848, with the state run-
ning it toll free since 1933. This ferry,
one of the very few anywhere in
Wisconsin and certainly the only one
in operation for over 150 years, is an
important part of our heritage and a
significant tourist draw. The current
12-vehicle Colsac II, now 35 years
old, has increasing mechanical and
structural problems, and won’t be car-
rying larger vehicles such as vans this
year.
WisDOT is proposing five options in
its draft Environmental Impact
Statement, which is available at local
libraries and municipal offices in
Lodi, Sauk City, Baraboo, and several
other locations. Alternative B-1d
would be a new bridge east of the
existing railroad bridge. Alternative B-
2b is a new bridge west of the exist-
ing RR bridge. A replacement 12-car
ferry similar to what is operating now
is the “no-build” Alternative F-1.
Alternative F-2 provides for a 24-car
seasonal ferry similar to the current
ferry. Alternative F-6 is a 24-car ice-
breaker ferry and the most expensive
ferry option. Madison Audubon sup-
ports Alternative F-1.
According to a survey done by Sauk
County, about 75% of county resi-
dents prefer a seasonal ferry. In addi-
tion, only 12 people, according to a
WisDOT study, are affected by the
slightly longer drive in the winter
when the ferry is shut down (2-10
minutes longer, depending on where
you live near Merrimac). The biggest
concern if either a bridge or a larger
ferry (or “floating bridge”) is built, is
with the many impacts that would
result from the projected increase in
through traffic diverted from I-90/94
to the east and highways 12 and 78 to
the west. The average daily traffic
volume from Okee (just south of the
river) to the south landing would jump
from 1,510 (the base in 1994) to
2,550 by the year 2020, even for the
“no-build” option. With a 24-car
ferry, this increases to over 3,000
cars/day and to 4,150/day with a
bridge. There simply isn’t room, with
this volume of traffic, to keep Hwy
113 scenic as it curves and climbs
past Devil’s Lake and many other pro-
tected natural areas. Either a bridge or
a larger ferry would also hasten devel-
opment in the Baraboo Hills, a place
we have all worked hard to protect.
Please make your voice heard! If you
can’t make the hearing, written com-
ments can be postmarked no later
than June 11 and sent to Daniel J.
Pruess, P.E., District Planning
Supervisor, WisDOT District 1, 2101
Wright St., Madison, WI 53704. For
more information, call Karen Etter
Hale, 255-BIRD, or Mary Sullivan,
township of Merrimac, 608-493-2452.
 Before the cutting. After the cutting.

Invasive Tree Removal Projects

By Mark and Sue Martin YES, I want to make the
Goose Pond vision a reality.
Our thanks go out to the 14 volunteers who worked on March 27 removing
Here is my contribution to the
invasive woody species at our new property, Faville Grove Sanctuary . Three peo-
Goose Pond Campaign.
ple gave their chain saws a real workout cutting honey locust and box elder. The
cutters worked hard to make sure that those who made the brush piles did not [ ] Acre Maker. $1,000 or more to
run out of work. buy and restore another acre of
Both tasks were difficult because most of the trees that were cut and piled were land at Goose Pond.
“wild” honey locust. They are similar to the honey locust planted as landscape
[ ] Half-Acre Maker. $500-$999 to
trees except that they have 1-inch long, very sharp thorns. One person had a buy and restore another half-acre of
thorn penetrate the sole of his field boot! land at Goose Pond.
The trees were being removed so they do not produce seeds this summer that
[ ] Adopt An Acre. I pledge $100 a
would invade the prairie that will be planted in fall. Removal of the invasive trees
year for three years ($300 total)
opened the area up and will increase the attractiveness of the area for grassland
toward Goose Pond restoration.
birds. Here is my first installment.
A wildfire started by a neighbor burned the roadside and fence line shortly
before the workday. This allowed volunteers to pick up decades of litter and [ ] Nest Egg. I pledge $50 a year
for three years($150 total). Here is
remove a fence.
my first installment.
Work has also been done at Audubon’s 60 acres at Schoeneberg’s Marsh. Mark
Pfost, work-study student, William Damm and Mark spent one morning cutting [ ] My Own Vision. $ to
cottonwoods and black oak trees. help as much as possible.
Before work started the small “savanna” area contained three large black oaks,
Name
and one large bur oak along with many smaller trees. By the end of the morning,
the four large oaks remained along with 2 white oak saplings, 2 bur oak saplings Address
and 12 black oak saplings.
Reducing the density of trees should allow the remaining ones to grow into In Memory of
“savanna” trees. Our hope is that some of the saplings will survive for a couple of
hundred years. Hopefully others will document the change over the years with In Honor of
photographs. (see photos) For Gifts Honoring Another: Send
Acknowledgement to (name and address)
Contributions will be acknowledged near the
Goose Pond Information Board as follows:
Helping the Cause MY OWN VISION
$1,000 or more-name to appear on a perma-
Maria Bode nent plaque; $250-$999-name to appear on
ACRE MAKER Norma Kolthoff engraved paving brick.
Wayne and Suzanne Weiss Edward Mason Acknowledge in Madison Audubon
In memory of Robert and Lois Frank and Helen Myers Society Newsletter
Sutcliffe,Vernon and Clara Dalton - In honor of Ray and Eleanor Brown -
Robert and Lora Sutcliffe Do not acknowledge in Madison Audubon
Laura Brown Society Newsletter
HALF-ACRE MAKER In memory of Ron Friberg -
ADOPT AN ACRE Make checks payable to Madison Audubon
Irene and Paul Rasmussen Society and mail to: Madison Audubon
Jill and Jerry Martin In memory of Anne Foote - Society, 222 S. Hamilton Street, Suite #1,
Jef Wood Tom and Kris Kesselhon Madison, WI 53703
NEST EGG In memory of Jet - Tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Sue and Paul Fieber Jennifer Kesselhon Madison Audubon Society’s financial state-
In memory of Charles Metzger - The In memory of Dick Stith - ment is available upon request.
Metzger Family Dave Fallow
Mary Walker Memorial Garden Dedication MAS Calendar
By Mark and Sue Martin at a Glance
When we came to live at Goose Pond Sanctuary almost 20 years ago, we were
made aware of the work of those who came before us. 1 May: MAS ART FAIR!! p. 1
One of the areas on the property that we especially enjoy each spring is a small 1 May: Birding Picnic Pt., p. 2
wildflower garden on the north side of the residence called the Mary Walker 2 May: Birding Wyalusing, p. 2
Wildflower garden, named for this past president of MAS. 5 May: Owen Pk. Nature Walk, p. 2
The flowers came from her own garden and some of the many species trans- 6,11,13,18 May: Warbler Walks, p. 2
planted included Virginia waterleaf, bloodroot, Virginia bluebells, numerous vio- 8 May: Intern’l Migration Day, p. 3
lets, wild geranium, columbine, Jack-in-the-pulpit, and also several trillium and 14 May: Eve. at Nine Springs, p. 3
fern species. 23 May: Birding Horicon, p. 3
Mary inspired many people with her love of the natural world. She has provid- 30 May: Canoe Red Cedar Lk., p. 4
ed a beautiful garden for us to enjoy and for her beloved birds to thrive in. 5 June: Birding Badger Prairie p. 4
Join us on May 15 for a dedication of the garden at 2 o’clock in the afternoon 5 June: Bike Prairie Remnants p. 4
at Goose Pond Sanctuary as we dedicate this special place. Mary’s daughter, 12 June: Lost Lake Ecology p. 5
Josephine Walker of Maryland, will be our guest of honor. Call Sue Martin at
635-4160 if you would like to join us. 1321 E. Mifflin St.
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 256-1066
Wildlife Inventories Planned for Pheasant
Branch Marsh and Belfontaine Conservancies
The Friends of Pheasant Branch are organizing a wildlife inventory of the
Pheasant Branch Marsh and Belfontaine Conservancy areas to take place this
year. Likely partners in this project are the City of Middleton Conservation Lands
Commission, DNR, UW-Madison Wildlife Ecology Dept., and Dane County
Parks Dept. Wildlife information is needed to supplement the plant community
and cultural information gathered for the master planning process for these two
conservancy areas. If you’re interested in contributing observations to this project
contact Tom Bernthal, DNR Wetland Ecologist, 266-3033, or
berntt@dnr.state.wi.us.

Madison Audubon Society, Inc. Non-profit organization

Marsha Cannon, President U.S. Postage Paid
222 S. Hamilton St. Suite #1 Permit No. 1831
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, WI 53703

5/99
MAS Art Fair – May 1
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