Spring & Summer Birding in the Bog
Alex Mann
As summer comes to an end, it’s a good time to reflect on some of the great birds the Cedarburg Bog supported so far this year.
A Common Raven wandered the Bog area from mid-February to the end of April. This bird was typically observed flying just above the tree tops and croaking – probably looking for a mate. This will be a bird to watch for in the future as this species expands its breeding range south into more heavily human-altered landscapes.
The Friends of the Cedarburg Bog hosted six birding events this spring and summer. Event attendees found over 90 species during those trips! Spring highlights were singing Hooded Warblers, Black-billed Cuckoos feasting on tent caterpillars around the Field Station, a Least Bittern chuckling near the boardwalk bridge, many singing Scarlet Tanagers and Acadian Flycatchers, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird building a nest one spiderweb at a time, and multiple Brown Creeper nests.
Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeding nestlings in the bog. Photo by Alex Mann
The Field Station’s upland woods had two pairs of Brown Creepers nesting along a trail in May. Brown Creepers nest in this part of Wisconsin in very small numbers and seem to benefit from dead Ash trees. Their nests are typically under loose bark and are incredibly difficult to find. We were thrilled to discover and share these with some of our bird walk patrons.
Pair of Brown Creepers leaving their nest under the bark of a dead Ash tree near the Field Station. Photo by Alex Mann.
