222 S. Hamilton St. / Madison, WI 53703 / 255-BIRD / www.madisonaudubon.
org
“Where am I?” The Red-eyed Vireo
asks his question rhetorically before
quickly answering himself: “Here I am!”
You easily spot him on a nearby branch
chattering away to no one in particular.
“Where am I? Here I am!”
Further off you hear another call, less
distinct, and not one you remember
hearing before in these woods. What
species is that? A quick check of the field
guide: did he say “dtzee, dtzee” or “zweet,
zweet?” You hear it again. Is that metallic
or raspy? “Where am I?” Quiet!! “Here
I am!”
Back home you pop in your “Bird
Songs” CD and begin flicking through
tracks. As you come across a match
— ah, it was “tzee, tzee” — you think to
yourself I wonder who sits out in the woods
and records these things?
The answer, of course, is John Feith,
nature sound recordist and videogra-
pher. John will be discussing the finer
points of aural birding at a free public
program on Oct. 17 in the Lapham
School auditorium. His presentation
will include numerous photos,
videos and sound recordings, most
from Wisconsin’s nature preserves.
Photo: Pat Ready
Madison Audubon is a chapter of the National Audubon Society
October 2006
Birding by Ear
Free Public Program
What: John Feith talks about
Identifying Birds by Their Songs
When: Tuesday, October 17, 2006
7:30 p.m. - Program
Where: Lapham School
Auditorium (New location — this
meeting only)
1045 East Dayton Street
Parking: Lot on the Mifflin Street side
of the building
Yellow warbler by Pat Ready
Feith is the author the CD “Bird Song vation efforts,” says Feith.
Ear Training Guide,” which is used Sales of the CD and DVD have
by thousands of birdwatchers, begin- raised over $20,000 for conservation
ners and experts, to learn and practice groups like Madison Audubon Society,
bird identification. He has also recently The Nature Conservancy, Wisconsin
released a DVD, “Birds, Birds, Birds!” Society for Ornithology and the Natural
which adds photos and videos. Heritage Land Trust.
“I hope that learning how to identify You are invited to join our speak-
both common and ers, MAS board members and friends
rare birds leads more at the pre-program dinner at Paisans
people to get in- Restaurant (new location: 131 West
volved in land conser- Wilson Street) beginning at 5:15 p.m.
Please call the office at (608) 255-2473 if
you have questions.
Next meeting: November 21, 2006
 Annual Audubon Membership
___New ___Renewal ___Gift
When you receive a renewal notice from
National Audubon use this form to renew and
thereby direct some of your donation to local
causes. Find your expiration date at the top
right corner of your address label.
Name for Membership:
Name ______________________________
Address ___________________________
__________________________________
Phone _____________________________
Email______________________________
___$20 special First-year New Member
___$15 Senior or Student – new or renewal
___$35 Renewal
__$40 Double Audubon Membership -
(New or Renew + Gift Membership)
___$15 CAWS newsletter subscription only
(Non-member)
Membership amount $_______
Additional contribution $_______
TOTAL Enclosed/Charged $_______
Please make check payable to:
Madison Audubon Society
Charge my __VISA __Master Card
Name on Card:
Card # ___________________________
Exp. Date __________________
Signature __________________________
___I do NOT wish to receive the
National Audubon magazine.
___Business/Corporate Membership
Please call the MAS office 608/255-2473
This is a Gift Membership from:
Name ______________________________
Address ___________________________
__________________________________
Phone (_____) ______________________
Email _____________________________
Z02 7xCH
Mail to: Madison Audubon Society
222 S. Hamilton St., Suite 1
Madison, WI 53703-3201
THE AUDUBON CAWS is published
September through June by:
Madison Audubon Society,
222 S. Hamilton St., Madison, WI 53703,
(608) 255-BIRD (2473).
Birding hotline, 255-BIRM (2476).
Madison Audubon Web Page:
http://madisonaudubon.org
E-mail: masoffice@mailbag.com
E-mail services donated by Berbee
The Audubon CAWS
October Meetings
Just a reminder about two important conferences happening soon. Both conferences
will be held at Ho-Chunk Convention Center, Baraboo/Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin,
and all are welcome to attend. For more information, including complete registration
information, visit the Madison Audubon Society website at www.madisonaudubon.
org or call (608) 327-0129.
No Bird Left Behind: Bird interactions Upper Midwest Audubon Conference
with tall structures and how to reduce October 14-15, 2006
the risk National Audubon Society president
October 13, 2006 John Flicker will speak to participants
Hear the latest information on how from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and
to reduce the risks to migrating birds Wisconsin. Workshops and field trips
from tall structures such as buildings, focus on citizen science, birds and
transmission towers and wind energy birding, habitat issues and more. On
generators. The one-day conference Saturday evening Jim Fitzpatrick will
is intended to bring interested parties speak about his experiences with the
together to discuss the problems, open Ivory-billed Woodpecker.
lines of communication and foster coop-
eration to help alleviate the problems.
Sponsors include Wisconsin Audubon Madison Audubon Wishlist
Council, Wisconsin Bird Conservation Please take a moment to look over our
Initiative, and Wisconsin DNR. wishlist. We greatly appreciate any
donations, or leads to contributions, of
the following items.
Small computer speakers
Digital camera
Quality binoculars
Digital (LCD) projector
Gator utility vehicle
Thank you.
Audubon Members - Renewal Instructions
When? Please renew when your renewal date is within a couple months,
or when you receive a renewal reminder from National Audubon. You can
check your CAWS address label for your renewal date (i.e. JUN04). This
makes renewals simpler, and in the long run it will help cut down on paper.
How? Renew your Audubon membership through Madison Audubon by
using the Membership Form in the CAWS or on the web at
http://madisonaudubon.org. Renewing through Madison Audubon directs
your money to local causes.
Bonus! Please check Double Audubon Membership! when you renew. This
includes an Audubon Gift Membership for only $5 more! What a great
opportunity to introduce Audubon to a friend, relative, student, work
buddy, neighbor, or teacher! Thank you for helping Double Audubon
Membership, one member at a time!
MADISON AUDUBON SOCIETY The mission of the Madison Audubon
President: Joanne Herfel, 241-8009
Society is to educate our members and
Vice-president: Debra Weitzel, 836-4051
the public about the natural world and
Goose Pond Resident Naturalists:
the threats that natural systems are fac-
Mark and Sue Martin, 635-4160
ing, to engage in advocacy to preserve
Editor: Michael Becker, 265-9484
and protect these systems, and to devel-
caws.editor@gmail.com
op and maintain sanctuaries to save and
Graphic design: Patrick Ready
restore natural habitat.
Printed by Roemer Printing
 October 2006
Report from
Goose Pond
By Mark and Sue Martin
Over the course of two weeks in
late August and early September,
seven inches of rain fell at Goose
Pond, creating excellent water
conditions. We were surprised to
hear chorus frogs calling in late
August. Toads and tiger salamanders
are abundant, and a flock of 30
Sandhill Cranes has been around
most of the summer, whiling away
the long days and evenings with us.
Robert Lerch stopped for a visit in
early September. Robert sold his farm
to MAS in 1967 — the society’s first
60 acres at Goose Pond, including
the buildings. Now 90 years old,
Robert enjoys stopping by and seeing
the progress in prairie and wetland
habitat.
While visiting, he spotted a
large white bird soaring overhead.
Thinking Whooping Crane, we ran
for the field glasses and ended up
with a nice view of a great egret.
Hopefully you, too, can stop by this
fall. October is a wonderful month to
view the waterfowl and hike the prairies.
You may also be lucky enough to sight
the flock of Prairie Peacocks that frequent
the Goose Pond Road and Prairie Lane
area. November is a good time to observe
The Audubon CAWS
tundra swans as they stop on their
migration to the East Coast.
The Bicentennial Prairie (south of
the information board) and Sue Ames
Prairie were burned in April and are
looking impressive. Both prairies have
hiking trails and benches. Thanks to
the Alex Valley and the Windsor Scout
troop for erecting 6 benches at Goose
Pond. Please remember to stay on the
drive and not walk down to the pond
or use the railroad tracks to get a closer
look — this results in all of the birds
flushing off the pond.
Seed Collecting Help Needed
A news story on Labor Day
focused on the shortage of labor to
harvest farm crops throughout the
nation. We also have a shortage of
labor to harvest prairie seeds. We are
expecting a record seed crop, and the
late blooming species such as asters
and goldenrods should produce
excellent seed.
No experience is needed for seed
collecting. Bring your gloves and
nippers if you have them. We can
also supply these items. Seed will be
collected at Goose Pond Sanctuary
every Saturday though October 28.
We’ll be collecting from 9:30 a.m. to
noon and from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Meet at the residence at the end of
Prairie Lane.
 October 2006
Seed Collector Essentials
Faville Grove Sanctuary
Collecting Times: Saturdays, Sept.
2 through Oct. 28, 9:30 a.m. to noon
and 1:30 p.m. to 4:00. Directions:
From Madison take I-94 east toward
Milwaukee. Take the Lake Mills/
Waterloo exit (Highway 89), go north
approximately 1.75 miles and turn right
onto County G. After approximately 1.5
miles, turn right onto Prairie Lane and
drive approximately 1.5 miles to the
parking area.
Sanctuary manager/contact: David
Musolf — musolf@bascom.wisc.edu,
(608) 265-4562
Goose Pond Sanctuary
Collecting Times: Saturdays, Sept. 9
though Oct. 28, 9:30 a.m. to noon and
1:30 p.m. to 4:00. Directions: From
Madison, take U.S. 51 north about 15
miles toward Arlington and turn west
onto County K. After about 2 miles, turn
right (north) on Goose Pond Road and
take about half a mile to Prairie Lane.
Turn left (west) onto Prairie Lane and
meet at the residence at the end of road.
Sanctuary manager/contact: Mark or
Sue Martin — goosep@chorus.net,
(608) 635-4160
Photo: Rich Armstrong
Fantastic, fun, fall
field trips!
Saturday, Oct. 7: Raptor Migration at
Eagle Valley
Join MAS on this day-long trip, led by
Bill Smith and Brett Mandernack.  We
will hike in the Eagle Valley Preserve, a
1,450-acre preserve located on the bluffs
of the Mississippi River near Cassville. 
The trip is timed to coincide with the
peak of fall migration, and we hope to
see Peregrine Falcons, eagles, buteos,
Sharp Shin Hawks, Turkey Vultures and
much more. 
Red-tail hawk by Pat Ready
A round-trip walk of approximately
three miles on level ground will get us
to the observation area and return to
the parking lot.  There is a possible side
trip to visit the preserve’s oak forests
and bluff prairie restorations on mod-
erately steep trails, adding another mile
to the round trip.  Bill works for the
Department of Natural Resources, and
Brett is the resident caretaker and migra-
tion counter at Eagle Valley.
 Meet to carpool at 7:00 a.m. at the
Cub Foods parking lot on the right
(west) side of Verona Road just south
of the Beltline.  Bring lunch, binoculars,
water and a scope, if you have one. 
Parking at Eagle Valley Preserve is lim-
ited, so carpooling is encouraged.  The
trip will last until 5:00 p.m. and is lim-
ited to 25 people.  Call Bill evenings at
(608) 255-0665 to register for the trip or
if you have questions.
 
The Audubon Caws
Saturday, Oct. 7: Fall Migrant Songbirds
The main focus of this field trip will
be sparrow species, including White-
throated, Lincoln’s and many others. We
will also be looking for late warblers,
flycatchers, thrushes and other fall
migrants. Meet at the Dane County Unit
of Pheasant Branch Conservancy, which is
about a mile-and-a-half north of Century
Avenue in Middleton on Pheasant Branch
Road. This is the third parking lot for the
conservancy on the right as you drive
north out of Middleton. The field trip will
begin at 7:15 a.m. Bring warm clothes for
cool early morning fall weather. If you
have questions, please call trip leader
Mike McDowell at (608) 850-4122.  at Goose Pond
Sunday, Oct. 8: Lodi Ice Age Tour
Dane County Ice Age Trail expert Gary
Werner will lead this joint trip with the
Dane County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail
Foundation to the Lodi Marsh Wildlife
Area.  He will show us a variety of bio-
logical communities including wetlands,
woodlands, oak savannas and hilltop
prairies.  Gary will point out evidence
of dramatically sculptured glacial land-
scapes which are the basis for much of the
delightful biological diversity found in
southern Wisconsin.  We will see areas of
prairie, wetland and oak savanna restora-
tion in progress.  Although not primarily
a birding trip, there will be opportunities
to see resident and migrating waterfowl,
fall woodland and grassland birds.
Meet to carpool at 8:00 a.m., in the
parking lot of the former Copps grocery
store in Middleton at the intersection of
Allen Boulevard and Century Avenue.
You can also meet the trip at 9:00 a.m.
at the Ice Age Trail parking lot in Lodi
Marsh.   Bring binoculars, hiking shoes,
water, rain gear and dress appropriately
for the weather.  The trip includes about
five miles of walking, including steep
hills.  The trip will last three to four hours
and, if you wish, you can bring lunch for
an optional picnic at the end of the trip.  scopes to people will make this trip more
If you have questions, call Gary at (608)
249-7870.
 October 2006
Scope days at Goose Pond/CAWS file photo
 
Sunday, Oct. 29: Scope Days
  
Join us for scope viewing at Goose
Pond during the late fall migration
when swans are most likely to be present. 
Spotting scopes will be set up along the
drive for visitor use on Sunday afternoon
from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.  Members will
be on hand to help visitors locate and
identify waterfowl on the pond.  If the
weather is inclement, the scopes will not
be set up.  Check the website for a map to
Goose Pond. If you have questions, call
Dorothy Haines at (608) 221-1948 or the
MAS office.
 
Saturday, Nov. 4: Lake Michigan Birding  
Join us as we bird Lake Michigan
and its shoreline.  This trip is timed to
coincide with the migration of hawks
and waterfowl through Milwaukee and
Ozaukee counties.  We will be scoping
the lake for specialties like Surf, Black and
White-Winged Scoters, Long-tailed Duck,
Harlequin Duck and Red-Throated Loon. 
If the weather cooperates we will have
excellent views of migrating hawks from
some of the lakeside bluffs.  Unusual rap-
tors seen from the hawk watch in past
years include: Merlin, Peregrine Falcon,
Rough-Legged Hawk and Goshawk.  Be
sure to dress for the weather and bring
a scope if you have one.  A high ratio of
enjoyable for everyone.
 We will meet to carpool in the middle
of the parking lot of the east side Cub
Foods.  From Hwy 30 take Hwy 51
(Stoughton Road) North to Nakoosa Trail,
turn right and proceed east to Cub Foods.
We will carpool and leave at 6:30 a.m.  We
will return to Cub Foods between 4:30
and 6:00 p.m.  If you have questions, con-
tact Aaron at (608) 294-9618 or agstutz@
sbcglobal.net.
Fall is the time to
put up nest boxes
By Pat Ready
Now is a good time
to "Think Spring"
when it come to
planning nest boxes
for next year's cavity
nesters. Many birds
look for nest boxes
in spring when the
ground is still frozen.
Pounding a post
into the ground is Tree swallows by Pat Ready
easier to do in the fall.
Outdoor temps are more favorable too. Here
are some tips to consider when providing nest
boxes to attract back yard birds.
• Use material that can withstand the weather.
• Do not over-ventilate a nest box. Consider
blocking vent holes during cold, spring
days.
• Take care of the birds using the box by moni-
toring all boxes you erect at least once per
week. Record your findings.
• If you are building a bluebird nest box
with a round entrance, make the nest box
hole exactly 1-1/2” in diameter so that the
European starling cannot use the box.
• Use of an oval hole in any nest box design
is also suggested, provided it is cut 1-3/8”
wide and 1-1/4” long.
• Providing protection against climbing pred-
ators is strongly recommended. Do not use
wood posts. Rather, use the conduit/rebar
post, shielded steel post, or other mounting
system that resists climbing predators.
• Nest boxes mounted on free standing steel
fence posts must be protected from climb-
ing predators. A 40 “ length or 2” inside
diameter PVC pipe or a 40” length of 2-1/4”
square down spout to sheath the steel fence
posts will meet this need.
• Put drainage holes in the nest box floor and
clean out the drainage holes whenever the
nest box is cleaned.
• Do not paint the box exterior with a dark
color because it may absorb too much heat.
• Do not use treated lumber.
• All nest boxes should have a front, side or
top opening that allows inspection (monitor-
ing) of the box and cleaning when needed.
• Do not add a perch beneath the entrance
hole.
• Do not use interior grade plywood, which
will delaminate (become unglued) when
placed in the weather.
• An overhanging roof helps to keep out rain
and predators.
The Audubon Caws
Donations made August 1
through August 31, 2006
ACRE MAKER
Judy Schwaemle
QUARTER-ACRE MAKER
Doug and Josie Mitchell
MY OWN VISION
Marcia MacKenzie
Don McCloskey
GIFTS IN MEMORY OF A PERSON
In Memory of Susan Connell-Magee
Kevin Magee
Letter from the Editor
Dear Reader,
Madison Audubon Society
recently formed, or, more accu-
rately, reconvened, a newsletter
committee to discuss the current
state of CAWS and ways that it
may be improved. As we each
discussed our personal visions for
the newsletter, we were reminded
that CAWS is not intended for
“us” — board members, sanctuary
managers, etc. Rather, CAWS must
be viewed as a service to you, the
reader. It should be your portal into
MAS, into the decisions made and
actions taken, and address your
questions and concerns as dues-
paying members of this organiza-
tion.
The best way for us to achieve
this level of quality in CAWS, or
any publication, is to get feedback
from the reader. In the coming
months, we hope to carry out a
large-scale survey of our member-
ship. Before then, however, we
would appreciate any questions,
comments or suggestions you
might have about the newsletter.
This will not only help us improve
CAWS, but will help us craft a more
effective survey.
Please send comments via email
to CAWS.editor@gmail.com.
Thank you,
Michael Becker, Editor
 October 2006
YES, I want to make
Madison Audubon Society’s
vision a reality. Here is my
contribution to the Wildlife
Sanctuaries Campaign.
[ ] Acre Maker. $2,000 or more to buy
and restore another acre of land.
[ ]H
 alf-Acre Maker. $1000-$1999.
[ ]Q
 uarter-Acre Maker. $500-$999.
[ ] Adopt An Acre. I pledge $100 a year
for three years ($300 total) toward
sanctuaries restoration.
Here is my first installment.
[ ]N
 est Egg. I pledge $50 a year for
three years($150 total). Here is my
first installment.
[ ]M
 y Own Vision. $ ____ to help as
much as possible.
[ ]M
 y Gift. $ ____ for MAS Program
Support (i.e. Education & Newsletter)
Direct my gift to:
[ ] Where it will help the most
[ ]E
 ndowment fund to restore and
maintain the sanctuaries
[ ] Land acquisition at Faville Grove
[ ] Land acquisition at Goose Pond
[ ] MAS Program Support
Name _________________________
Address ______________________
In Memory of __________________
In Honor of ___________________
For Gifts Honoring Another: Send
Acknowledgement to:
Name _________________________
Address ______________________
______________________________
Contributions will be acknowledged near
the Madison Information Board at Goose
Pond as follows: $1,000 or more-name
to appear on a permanent plaque; $250-
$999-name to appear on engraved pav-
ing brick.
[ ]D
 o not acknowledge in Madison
Audubon Society Newsletter
Make checks payable to:
Madison Audubon Society
Mail to: Madison Audubon Society,
222 S. Hamilton Street, Suite #1,
Madison, WI 53703
Gift is tax deductible to the extent allowed
by law. Madison Audubon Society’s financial
statement is available upon request.
 Madison Audubon Society, Inc.
Joanne Herfel, President Non-profit organization
222 S. Hamilton St. Suite #1 U.S. Postage Paid
Madison, WI 53703 Permit No. 1831
Madison, Wisconsin

10/06
Is it time to renew your membership?
See form on page 2 and help MAS.

Return Service Requested

Pat Ready

Birding by Ear
see page 1

MAS Calendar at a Prairie Festival

Glance The Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance will be hosting their third annual Prairie
Festival at the Badger Army Ammunition Plant on Saturday, November 4, 2006.  From
10 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors are invited to learn more about the ecosystems inside the
Programs
Badger Plant, join us for a panel discussion with the future and current landowners
Tuesday, Oct. 17
about their plans for the property, and hear a building demolition update. 
John Feith talks about birding by ear
The festival will also feature informational booths from local conservation and youth
organizations, a photo display of volunteer restoration work inside the Plant, live folk
Field Trips music, children’s games and crafts, a live raptor, and a prairie seed planting.  A local
Saturday, Oct. 7 youth group will also be selling food and beverages for lunch.  Please join us as we
Raptor Migration at Eagle Valley celebrate another year of success in the restoration of Badger’s prairie and savanna
Saturday, Oct. 7 communities.
Raptor Migration at Eagle Valley Questions?  Contact the Alliance Coordinator, Alison Duff at alison@saukprairievi-
sion.org or (608) 442-6677.
Sunday, Oct. 8
Lodi Ice Age Tour
Sunday, Oct. 29
Scope Days at Goose Pond  
Saturday, Nov. 4
Lake Michigan Birding  

Conferences
Friday, Oct. 13
No Bird Left Behind
Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 14-15
Upper Midwest Audubon Conference 612 W. Main St.,
Suite 303
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 256-1066