April Bird Walk - Zeloski Marsh

Over a dozen birders and leaders gathered at Zeloski Marsh for a bird walk in surprisingly good weather. The threatened rain held off completely and while the wind was brisk, temperatures were good, there was plenty of sun and spirits were high. Waterfowl numbers were a bit low in terms of individuals but there were many species represented. We began the walk with a circling Broad-winged Hawk, a real migratory treat. A full list of birds seen is below. Karen Etter Hale even surprised us with cookies to chew on while birding, two types no less! We also thank her for her usual exemplary field notes, from which the bird list is taken.

If you couldn't be with us for this walk, we hope you will be able to join us for an upcoming field trip.

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Special Note:
Some of us have been asked how to pledge for the upcoming Great Wisconsin Birdathon. The Birdathon, for those not familiar with it, is a recently developed funding method for projects that nurture and support our state's birds and their habitats. As it happens, Karen Etter Hale, Charles Roberts and Brad Webb of the Jefferson / Dodge Birdwalk Group and Clare and Matt Carlson of the Friends of the Glacial Heritage Area are participating again as part of the Finch Gang. The original Finch Gang was closely associated with the area of the Birdathon walk. You can learn more about the Birdathon, the Finch Gang and pledge if so inclined (and Thank You!! if you are) at this website:

Finch Gang!

Donations can be made from the main page or click on the name of a team member to assign your donation to that individual. The birds and we thank you!

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39 species were seen on this walk.

Lake Mills SW - Zeloski London Rd. Dike, Jefferson, US-WI
Apr 19, 2015 8:50 AM - 11:55 AM
Protocol: Traveling - Property Specific
0.7 mile(s)
Comments: 50; mostly sunny; E 10mph to near 70; mostly sunny; E 15-20mph.
Jefferson-Dodge Bird Walk with about 17 attending. Walk from parking lot on London Rd.
west and north on dike. Chorus frogs. 39 species (+2 other taxa)


Canada Goose 15 Two on nests along east-west dike.
Wood Duck 5
Gadwall 4
Mallard 4
Blue-winged Teal 4
Northern Shoveler 1
Ring-necked Duck 26
Bufflehead 13
Hooded Merganser 2
Ruddy Duck 1
duck sp. 200 Large number of ducks flew up from west side of marsh, then settled back down.
We couldn't see them on the water; probably hidden in the flooded vegetation.
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 1
American White Pelican 38
Great Blue Heron 3
Turkey Vulture 6
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned/Cooper's Hawk 1 Flying too far away to id for sure.
Broad-winged Hawk 1 Flew right over before we started our walk.
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 25
Sandhill Crane 24
Killdeer 1
Mourning Dove 4
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 2
Tree Swallow 25
Barn Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 1
American Robin 5
Palm Warbler 1
Song Sparrow 8
Swamp Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Yellow-headed Blackbird 3
Common Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 9
American Goldfinch 1


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