News Graphic 12/16/2014
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SOUTHERN OZAUKEE
High flying friends
Birding in Ozaukee County strengthens local
economies, provides opportunities
By Denise Seyfer
News Graphic Staff
OZAUKEE COUNTY — Bird lovers do not have to wait until
spring to revel in the magnificent plumage of these feathered
friends. Birding in winter offers Ozaukee County and its
nature centers many economical and tourism advantages.
Even in the colder months, the county along with Mequon
Nature Preserve and Riveredge Nature Center offers an array
of winter birding opportunities. About 15 percent of
Wisconsin’s birds remain in the state year-round.
“Bird watching engages people in citizen science, where
much scientific knowledge is gained from bird counts and nest
monitoring,” said county Supervisor Jennifer Rothstein.
“Bird watching is a wonderful, multi-generational activity
that families can share as well as a group of friends. (Birds)
provide an aesthetic pleasure. It renews the spirit and gets
people outdoors to appreciate their surroundings.”
The county board has another opportunity to show their
support for birds and the environment by adopting a
resolution in January, declaring the second Saturday in May
International Migratory Bird Day in Ozaukee County. Further,
the board could authorize the county to reapply for its Bird
City Wisconsin and High Flyer statuses for 2015.
“Ozaukee County has a rich history of park and open space
planning, dating back to the 1970s, with periodic updates of
(the plans) made approximately every five years,” said
Ozaukee County Parks and Planning Director Andrew Struck
in his application for the achievement.
Ozaukee County joins four other communities, Mequon,
the city of Port Washington, the town of Grafton and the
village of Newburg with its bird city status.
Riveredge hosts winter bird count
On Dec. 20, Riveredge Nature Center will host its 44th
annual Christmas bird count. Small groups of participants
will travel by foot and by car, exploring a variety of habitats.
Counters try to cover as much area as possible during a 24hour day, within a 5-mile or 177-square-mile diameter circle.
Bird feeders within the circle at private homes are also
counted. To be involved in this count, sign up at
www.riveredgenaturecenter.org prior to Friday.
Bird counting, especially in winter, is the world’s oldest and
largest wildlife survey conducted by amateurs. With nearly
2,000 count areas in the U.S., Wisconsin adds 102 to the total,
said information from Riveredge. Bodies of water around the
county can attract white pelicans, plovers, various terns,
ruddy turnstones, ducks, geese and loons, according to the
nature center.
Watchers
could
glimpse
peregrine
falcons and eagles,
including the golden
eagles and U.S. Bald
eagles, which draw
admirers from around
the world.
“Data
collected
provides
valuable
insights into the longterm health of bird
populations and the
environment.
Bird
populations can show
the effects of seed crop
fluctuations, weather,
as well as the influence
of humans on the
abundance
and
distribution of birds,”
said MNP information.
A nuthatch looks for food.
According to the
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Photo submitted
A great blue heron
hangs out in a pond
at Mequon Nature
Preserve. A place
where it is known
to frequent often,
s o m e t i m e s
gathering
with
other herons.
National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated
Recreation, more than two million residents have spent more
than $744 million on bird-related equipment and trips in 2006.
Wisconsin ranks second nationally in the proportion of
citizens considered birders, reported the U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service.
County features award statuses, nature preserves
Winter bird hobbyists can prospect through many of the
counties’ preserves and corridors.
In 2012, Ozaukee County became the first county in
Wisconsin and one of 14 to receive High Flyer status, which
shows a higher level of commitment to nature, the
environment and open spaces.
The Ozaukee Washington Land Trust – a group of Ozaukee
County residents concerned about the negative effects of
growth and the rapid loss of natural areas and open spaces – in
conjunction with its partners, including Ozaukee County
Planning and Parks Department acquired the Forest Beach
Migratory Preserve and is in the process of restoring the “old”
golf course to a native habitat.
Nearly 200 different bird species have been observed in
Forest Beach Migratory Preserve as of November 2012. The
following year, Wisconsin eBird data recorded 252 different
bird species observed in Ozaukee County.
The county and its board has established Parks Open Space
Plans and natural areas as well as increased outdoor
recreation opportunities and more public access.
Ozaukee County has five sites on the Great Wisconsin
Birding and Nature Trail. These sites include Harrington
Beach State Park in Belgium, Lion’s Den Gorge Nature
Preserve and the Ulao Waterfowl Production Area in Grafton,
the Ozaukee Interurban Trail and Schwengel Waterfowl
Production Area in Belgium. Ozaukee Interurban Trail was
the second multi-use trail in the state to receive designation as
a Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail.
In 2012, the county introduced 30 boxes which fledged more
than 180 bluebirds at Mee-Kwon, representing the highest
count on record. Since 2008, nearly 775 eastern bluebirds have
fledged in the 30 boxes, county documents showed. Boxes at
Hawthorne Hills County Park and Golf Course was added
later.
Other winter bird watching venues, include Lion’s Den
Gorge Nature Preserve, an Ozaukee County park and
significant bird habitat on Lake Michigan. OWLT holds a
conservation easement that preserves and prevents any use of
the property that could impair or interfere with conservation
and preservation of the lake shoreline, forests, wetlands,
bluffs and other natural features. The trust also owns Huiras
Lake in Fredonia, Donges Bay Gorge in Mequon, Kurtz’s
Woods in Saukville and Bratt Woods in Grafton.
Mequon continues initiatives
The city of Mequon, along with Mequon Nature Preserve,
has also been working hard to attract bird hobbyists and
sustain bird populations year-round, which are indicators of a
healthy environment and ecosystem.
Mequon was recognized in 2014 for its fourth year as a bird
city, meeting 16 of the 44 criteria to attain its basic Bird City
Wisconsin status, while meeting eight High Flyer standards.
“The nature preserve continues its efforts to protect and
encourage bird populations to seek refuge in Ozaukee County
by acquiring additional land where native grasses can be
planted,” said Kristin Gies, executive director at MNP. By
removing invasive species, especially buckthorn and garlic
mustard, bird refuges thrive. MNP also showcases a new bird
hot spot with year-round flowing water.
The MNP has conducted official and unofficial studies
since 2007, such as the annual Eastern Bluebird Nesting
Survey. Currently 25 bird boxes rest in its habitats.
Bird watchers can enjoy five more acres of land south of
the Trinity Creek site, after a 2013 acquisition. The preserve
intends to till the land and reseed it to provide a wide variety of
native plants and grasses to attract many birds not previously
seen in the area.
Education opportunities, efforts abound
Ozaukee County and municipality avian programs engage
the public in many educational awareness opportunities.
Classes that teach how to turn your yard into a bird sanctuary
are offered, along with teaching the value of dead trees and
their effect on the bird population. Nature centers and
preserves also offer adults and children hands-on experiences
and free exploration.
The Ozaukee County Planning and Parks Department is
developing a management plan for open-space properties,
which will contain a network of low-impact, passive-use
recreation and wildlife/avian viewing trails for the public.
The Port Washington Chamber of Commerce, Port
Washington Tourism Council and the Ozaukee County
Tourism Council promote birding opportunities within the
county.
Grafton’s Chamber of Commerce and Port Washington
Tourism Council financially sponsored an Ozaukee Trailside
Birding Guide. The guide lists birding hot spots throughout
the county near the Ozaukee Interurban Trail and
conservation tips to help birds through backyard habitats and
community involvement. The guide was an effort to promote
ecotourism and encourage bird habitat preservation and
protection as well as the enjoyment of birds and other wildlife.
(Denise Seyfer can be reached at [email protected].)
For information on birding in Ozaukee County, visit
■ www.mequonnaturepreserve.org,
■ www.riveredgenaturecenter.org, or
■ www.co.ozaukee.wi.us/PlanningParks/PlanningParks_BirdConserve.asp.
Swans take flight.