April 2010 All programs and activities are open to the public VOL. 30, NO.

P.O. Box 184, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Published eight times a year

Editor: Janet Wissink, 7035 Mountain Rd., Pickett, WI 54964
920-589-2602
wiss@centurytel.net
Check our website for up-to-date information: www.winaudubon.org

Spring Banquet
Featuring “20 Years of Great Photos from Birder’s World” with Chuck Hagner
Saturday, April 17, 2010 Robbins Restaurant
Restaurant - 1810 Omro Road, Oshkosh
5:30 pm Social and Silent Auction
Photo Display by local photographer Boyd Gibbs
6:30 pm Dinner . . . followed by a brief meeting and the
presentation of the Katherine D. Rill Environmental Award
The highlight of our evening will be the program “20 Years of Great Photos from Birder’s World” presented by Chuck Hagner,
editor of Birder’s World Magazine. Chuck is a long-time avid birdwatcher, nature writer, and author of “Guide to Ducks and
Geese” and “Wings of Spring” which won a 2006 National Outdoor Book Award. You will find his essay Practice Seeing in the
book “Good Birders Don’t Wear White: 50 Tips from North America’s Top Birders”. He has birded in Alaska and almost every
part of the lower 48 states, plus Uganda, Cuba, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, and other countries. In 2001, Chuck became
editor of Birder’s World after a successful 17-year career in publishing.

$20.00 per person RSVP by Saturday, April 10, 2010

Make your reservations early, seating is limited.

Entrée Choice for each attendee: (Please circle entrée choice after each name.)
(Dinners include Spring Garden Salad, Baked Potato, Vegetable, Rolls, Butter, Sherbet, and Beverage (Coffee, Tea or Milk))
A. Prime Rib B. Chicken Parmesan C. Grilled Salmon w/dill sauce D. Vegetable Stir Fry (no potato)

Name _____________________________________________________ A. B. C. D.
Name _____________________________________________________ A. B. C. D.
Name _____________________________________________________ A. B. C. D.
Name _____________________________________________________ A. B. C. D.

Phone: __________________________
Make check payable to Winnebago Audubon and
Mail to Winnebago Audubon, PO Box 184, Total enclosed for Dinner: $20.00 x ____ = _______
Oshkosh, WI 54903.
PAGE 1
 A Kid’s Eye-View by Carmen Meuret
Here comes the sun! Spring is finally here! As
the daffodils, tulips and crocus begin to blossom
and color the land; as the ice begins to thaw and let
the twinkling water beneath peak out; as the
beautiful songbirds begin to come back home, we,
as Wisconsinites, truly soak up the arrival of our
long lost friend.
But not only do birds and flowers begin to arrive
during spring, a special item that no one seems to
pay much attention to does as well and that is the
wonderful world of fungi. I have just finished
learning about the kingdom of fungus in science
class and I found the subject to be very intriguing;
not only because they are not something that is
commonly thought of, but because they are so
unique and simple, yet complicated at the same
time.
I’m going to talk about a certain kind of fungus
that I found to be the most intriguing kind of all –
Crodyceps fungus. This fungus is a parasitic fungus
that infects the minds of insects. It can be found
mainly in Asia and thrives in humid temperatures
and rainforests. The fungus is like something from a
science-fiction movie and had me wowed from the
start.
The spores of the fungi are what attack the
insect. When the spores land on the insect, they
inject a chemical that disorients the mind and body
of the creature. The insect shows signs of worry and
when the chemical has really sunk in, the insect
starts to move very uneasily and is directed away
from where its intended destination was. Shortly
after, the ant dies and soon after that, something
starts to protrude out of the ant’s head. The
Cordyceps fungus has taken over and it is now the
object growing out of the ants’ lifeless brains.
Cordyceps fungus does not only attack jungle
ants, but several other insects as well. Each type of
insect has a special type of Cordyceps fungi whose
main purpose is to attack it. Any type of insect, from
a spider to a butterfly, can get infected and when it
does, the insect has only a few days left to live. It
can take the fungus three weeks to grow fully and
after it has grown to its max, the deadly spore will
shoot from the tip and infect other insects in the
area.
The Crodyceps fungus has been used for pest
control but has only been used in places such as
Asia and Africa. The fungus is not suppose to be
harmful to humans and, in fact, has an ability to
possibly help humans.
I hope this extraordinary living creature has
wowed you just as much as it has me. To see the
fungus in action, go onto www.youtube.com and
type in Crodyceps fungus. You should get videos
that have an image of an ant. Click on one and let
your mind be amazed.
(Carmen is a seventh grader at Webster Stanley Middle
School.)
PAGE 2
IN SEARCH OF CRANE COUNTERS!
The cranes are back! Join us for the
Crane Count APRIL 17; Orientation APRIL 7
On April 17, 2010 the International Crane Foundation
(ICF) in Baraboo, Wisconsin is sponsoring the 35th Annual
Midwest Crane Count in Winnebago County. The Count is
used to monitor the general population trend of Sandhill
Cranes in the Upper Midwest, as well as to promote
awareness of cranes and wetland conservation throughout the
Count area. You are invited to participate!
In 2009, volunteer counters tallied 1214 Sandhill Cranes in
the early morning hours in Winnebago County. There were
also two Whooping Cranes tallied. The total tally for Wisconsin
and portions of Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota was
over 11,500 cranes. If you are interested in taking part, please
contact the Winnebago County Coordinator, Evelyn Meuret,
Winnebago Audubon Society, at (920) 426-1656, or email
meuret@uwosh.edu.
Potential volunteers are encouraged to attend an
organizational meeting on Wednesday, April 7 at 6:30 pm.
The meeting will be held at the Oshkosh Public Library,
Meeting Room B. At the meeting, participants will select
survey sites, receive observation forms and instructions. If you
would like to participate but are unable to attend the meeting,
contact the Winnebago County Coordinator.
Based in Baraboo, Wisconsin, the nonprofit International
Crane Foundation sponsors the Crane Count as a part of its
efforts to preserve and study the world's 15 species of cranes
and the natural communities on which they depend. Sandhill
Cranes once experienced severe population declines in the
late 1800s to early 1900s in the Upper Midwest, but have
recovered successfully. The Crane Count has documented the
growth of the sandhill population, and allows ICF to monitor
crane abundance and distribution. Observations of the
abundant Sandhill Cranes can often lend insight into the
endangered crane species of the world. One local example is
the flock of Whooping Cranes being released in Central
Wisconsin, and led on migration to the Gulf Coast of Florida
by ultralight aircraft. Participants may have a chance of
sighting a Whooping Crane during the Crane Count.
To find out more about the Crane Count, visit the
International Crane Foundation's website at www.cranecount.
org or contact Joan Garland, ICF’s Crane Count Coordinator
at (608) 356-9462 extension 142, or by email at
jgarland@savingcranes.org.
VOLUNTEER
THIS SPRING AT
SULLIVAN’S WOODS
Do you enjoy children and being outdoors? WAS Friends of
Sullivan’s Woods is looking for volunteers to assist teachers
and guide 4th grade students at Sullivan’s Woods this
spring — for one day, once a week, or every day. You choose
what works for you. This is a great opportunity to share your
love of nature with young people.
Call Louise Coumbe at 920-231-4722 for details about how
you can become involved with the Oshkosh Area School
District outdoor environmental program.
 2010-11 SLATE OF OFFICERS
AND PROPOSED BUDGET Winnebago Audubon Society
extends a sincere thank you to
The Winnebago Audubon Society will hold its annual
meeting for the election of officers and board members and each of you who made a
to approve the proposed budget for 2010-11 on April 17 at contribution to our chapter.
the Spring Banquet.
Your support is invaluable and
The board presents the following 2010-11 slate of
officers: allows us to continue to provide
President: OPEN (Janet Wissink) positive experiences in nature for
Vice President: OPEN (Pat Nichols)
our community, especially for
Secretary: OPEN (Zaiga Freivalds)
Treasurer: Carla Hansen children.
Board of Directors: Dave Hanke, Dana Hartel,
Evelyn Meuret, and Dave Moon Anonymous
If you would like to nominate someone, or know of Anonymous
someone who might be interested in serving on the board, Anonymous
please contact one of the officers listed on the back page. Anonymous
We would very much like to have more members take an Anonymous
active role in our chapter. Janet, Pat, and Zaiga have all Sylvia Banville
served beyond their terms as outlined by our bylaws, but Todd & Betty Berens
are willing to continue until new officers are found. Constance Berner
The following budget has been approved by the WAS
Charles & Marion Beyer
Board. Please take this opportunity to review it. If you
have any questions, please call Dave Moon, 235-4429, Louise Coumbe
PRIOR to the April 17 annual meeting. The membership Judy Jolin
will be asked to approve this budget at the meeting. Mike & Suzette Lizotte
Erica Pyfer
Income: Tim Raupp
Mary Rebman
Audubon Adventures Sponsors ........................... $ 800.00
Audubon Membership Shares ............................... 771.00 Jan Scalpone
Chapter Memberships........................................... 200.00 Jack & Maria Talin
National Memberships ........................................... 500.00 David & Doris Thomas
Birdathon Pledges ............................................. 1,000.00 Marilyn & Ted Wojahn
Activities ............................................................... 300.00
Annual Appeal/Donations................................... 1,000.00 RILL FUND for Sullivan’s Woods Prairie: Me-
Grants ................................................................ 1,000.00 muna Khan
Fundraisers .......................................................... 745.00 Don & Carole Meton
Spring Banquet ...................................................... 500.00 Gil & Sharon Roderick
Interest ..................................................................... 4.00 Clifford Schwebke
TOTAL INCOME ............................................. $6,820.00
IN MEMORY OF JESSE FISSEL
Expenses:
Amy Fissel
Annual Report.................................................... $ 10.00
Audubon Adventures Classrooms ......................... 800.00 IN MEMORY OF CARROLL
CARROLL GAY
National Audubon Mbrshp Reimbursement ........... 500.00 Wendy Rodman
Activities ............................................................. 2,640.00
Dues and Memberships ......................................... 120.00
Donations ............................................................. 100.00
IN MEMORY OF LAVERNE LEE
Fundraisers .......................................................... 250.00 Robert Lee
Spring Banquet ...................................................... 500.00
Liability Insurance ................................................. 250.00 IN LOVING MEMORY OF CARROLL GAY
Newsletter Postage ............................................... 450.00 For the Sullivan’s Woods Fund
Newsletter Paper and Printing............................... 300.00 Jeanne Gay and Family
P.O. Box Rental .................................................... 100.00
Programs.............................................................. 500.00 IN-
IN-KIND DONATION
Rental (Meeting Place) ......................................... 200.00 John Pagel, Mail List Processing Inc.
Website ................................................................. 100.00
TOTAL EXPENSES......................................... $6,820.00
PAGE 3
RECENT BIRD OBSERVATIONS:
Waterfowl Migration in Full Swing
I spent part of Saturday and Sunday, March 27-28,
watching waterfowl and attempting photos. From Oshkosh,
down along the west shore of Lake Winnebago and at City
Park in Fond du Lac, I would estimate that there were
several thousand Tundra Swans along the southwest
perimeter of the lake. A great number of them took wing
Sunday morning from the southwest corner of the lake and
headed north. On my return to Oshkosh in the afternoon, I
noted thousands of ducks and many Tundra Swans in the
vicinity of Wendt's Marina. The swans seem to be partial to
patchy ice in the shallow zones for secure resting places.
Among the ducks seen in those last two days were
thousands of Scaups (more Lessers than Greaters),
hundreds of Canvasbacks (scattered over a wide area),
and a scattering of Redheads, Ringnecks, Buffleheads,
Ruddy Ducks, Common Mergansers, Redbreasted
Mergansers, and Mallards.
The Canvasbacks, Scaups and Redheads all were
dominated by a huge preponderance of males. I believe
that sex ratios with big surpluses of males are well reported
in the literature for these species.
I observed with some sympathy, a very aggressive
courting party of nine Lesser Scaup drakes pursuing a
single hen with what human observers might characterize
as "reckless abandon". The hen would often dive to seek
relief from their overly enthusiastic attentions only to be
followed by the whole troupe of "romeos". I am led to
wonder if the males ever force their breeding activity on
these unreceptive hens underwater. I am led to speculate
that these flocks are often composed of unpaired males
pursuing an as yet unpaired female; or a gang of unpaired
males attempting to breed with the female of an
established pair. If the latter be the case, I had no luck in
identifying the "paired" male in the whole group. I observed
a similar sized group of Redheads engaged in essentially
the same activity.
My greatest amusement was derived from watching a
troupe of three Male Redbreasted Mergansers fishing (at
times very close to shore). I was able to identify a number
of their catches as Yellow Perch and Gizzard Shad. Their
fish catching proficiency is amazing! A lot of their fishing
activity has been going on in the vicinity of a large effluent
discharge culvert due north of the city waste water
treatment plant.
The distribution of these birds changes rapidly with
shifting and diminishing ice cover. The south half of the
lake was much more open Sunday afternoon than during
my drive down in the morning. — Michael J. Huebschen
UPCOMING EVENTS . . .
May Birdathon
May 8 Bird Walks (8:00 & 11:00 am) at the WILD
Center and Wild Ones Spring Plant Sale
May 15 Waukau Creek Family Adventure Day
May 22 Frog Night Hike
Jun 26 Canoe/Kayak Rush Lake with Tom Ziebell
Aug Monarch Tagging
Details to come in newsletters & www.winaudubon.org
PAGE 4
MONARCH BUTTERFLY UPDATE
Monarchs in Space
On November 16, 2009 three monarch caterpillars
from Monarch Watch lifted off with the space shuttle
Atlantis, destined for the International Space Station.
Thousands of "Monarchs in Space" participants raised
monarchs in the classroom or at home and watched as
the monarchs on the ISS completed their development
and emerged as adult butterflies - the first monarchs in
space!
To commemorate the monarchs' 40 million mile round
trip from Monarch Watch Headquarters here in Kansas
we have a beautiful poster, some stickers, and other
items available for purchase in support of Monarch
Watch. Head over to our Monarchs in Space page
(http://monarchwatch.org/space) to check them out and
order some today!
Complete project details including lots of photos and
video is available online at http://monarchwatch.org/
space
Storms in Mexico
There has been a disaster of extraordinary proportions
in the heart of the monarch overwintering area.
Unprecedented rainfall from 31 January - 4 February led
to flooding and landslides that resulted in the loss of
many lives and the near destruction of the towns of
Angangueo and Ocampo, the two municipalities that
serve as hubs for those visiting the monarch colonies at
Sierra Chincua and El Rosario.
The community of El Rosario was also hit hard with a
major landslide that buried more than a dozen residents
and destroyed bridges and homes. The consequences of
this disaster will be felt for years by some and for a
lifetime by others. Angangueo will never be the same -
the one we remember before the flooding is gone.
The monarch colonies were also strongly impacted by
the rainfall but the monarch population will recover - how
long this recovery will take is a question that can't be
answered at this time.
We have posted a series of articles about the storms
in Mexico, the status of the monarch population, etc. via
our blog: http://monarchwatch.org/blog/category/mexico/
A few quick facts: 1) An unprecedented amount of
rainfall in eastern Michoacan in the first four days of
February led to landslides and massive flooding in
Angangueo and the surrounding area. About 50 people
lost their lives in landslides and Angangueo was severely
damaged. The story of the storm and the aftermath are
extensively chronicled on our Blog.
2) A series of storms in January and February have
taken a toll on the monarch population. The final estimate
on the mortality suffered by the monarchs is not yet in but
it is clear that over 50% of the overwintering population
died as a result the harsh winter conditions.
3) Because of the severe mortality at the
overwintering colonies, the number of monarchs returning
to the breeding areas this spring will be fewer than at
anytime since the colonies became known to science in
1975. These numbers are so low that they are certain to
impact the number of monarchs that return to Mexico
next fall.
 Badger Tracks by Anita Carpenter

AZURE LIKE IT i t ’s simpl er and quit e

Snow is retreating. Temperatures are rising. Lake ice is
melting. Woodlands are greening. It’s spring! Glorious
spring! It’s time to welcome back sandhill cranes. To hear
trilling blackbirds. To see queen bumblebees. To smell
dandelions. To discover pasque flowers. To watch maple
trees drip sweet sap. To search for the first butterfly of
spring.
On these pleasant warm days, I may see a mourning
cloak or Milbert’s tortoiseshell or eastern comma. These
are butterflies that successfully overwintered as adults. As
the daytime temperature rises, it’s easy for them to warm
up, become active and fly. I’m delighted to see them but
I’m also looking for the first “real” butterfly of spring. That
honor belongs to, as their name implies, spring azures.
After overwintering in the chrysalid stage, spring azures
must complete metamorphosis into butterflies before they
appear on the landscape. Therefore, I must wait a bit
longer until late April into May to see these one-inch blue
butterflies flitting about the foliage.
Spring azures, Celastrina ladon, are common
throughout Wisconsin, flying along woodland edges and in
shrubby areas. They are easy to identify as they are the
only small blue butterflies flying in early spring. Male
spring azures are bright pale blue on the upper wings.
Females are also light blue but show darker edges along
the tips of the forewings. Underwings are light gray
decorated with random black spots. As an aid in
identification, spring azures lack tails and/or orange spots
on the underwings.
What seems like an easy butterfly to identify is, in
reality, taxonomically very challenging. Several forms of
spring azures have been identified throughout the United
States. This collection of forms, or perhaps different
species as yet to be determined, is known as the spring
azure complex. These forms are separated by slightly
different underwing patterns and/or food plant
preferences. Three of these forms call Wisconsin home.
The violacea form is the most common and the one with
the random dark spots. The marginata form displays a
brown border along the under hindwings while the lucia
form has the brown border plus a brown patch in the
middle of the under hindwings. I find it an extra point of
interest to try to identify each individual to form. This is
tricky as the butterflies always seem to be flying. However,
acceptable to call them all
spring azures.
M a l e sp r i n g a z u r e s
generally emerge before
females and may gather on
damp soil to drink. They then
disperse and each sets up a
territory which he patrols and
defends from neighboring
males while he looks for
females. Males always seem
to be flying but they may perch
briefly—often out of view on
top of a leaf above your head (very frustrating) and then
they are off flying again. If you pause and watch an
individual, you can figure out the extent of his territory as
he flies the same route repeatedly.
When females emerge, they are quickly found by
males as the lifetime for a female spring azure is very
short—just four days. The pair mates the first day after
she emerges. She lays eggs the second day and may live
another 1-2 days. Although individuals may live only a few
days, males and females emerge over a continuum with
the flight period (the time frame when you see these
butterflies) lasting a few weeks. In Wisconsin, one brood
flies from late April into June while a partial second brood
flies from July into August. Individuals of the second brood
overwinter as chrysalids.
The pale-green, turban-shaped eggs are laid in flower
clusters of small-flowered shrubs. Unlike most butterfly
species which may use one specific plant or specific family
of plants as caterpillar food (eg. Milkweeds for monarchs),
spring azure caterpillars may feed on flowers of viburnum,
cherry, blueberries and dogwood. The white, green or red-
brown, 3/4-inch, wrinkly-looking, slug-shaped larvae blend
in very well with the flowers upon which they are feeding.
They are difficult to find. However, the caterpillars are
often tended by ants. Looking for ants may ease the
search. To be honest, I’m still trying to find spring azure
caterpillars.
Spring azures are bright bursts of blue on a green
landscape. Despite their complex taxonomy, I enjoy the
simple pleasure of watching these butterflies being
butterflies knowing that, although their time on this earth is
very short, they give me pleasure for a lifetime.

NATIVE PLANT SALE at WILD CENTER plus Bird Walks with Audubon
The Fox Valley Area Chapter of Wild Ones is having a native plant sale which includes flowers, grasses, trees and
shrubs. The plants are from hardy nursery-propagated stock. Orders must be received by April 20th. Order forms are
available at www.for-wild.org/chapters/foxvalley. You can also e-mail sziebert@charter.net or call 920-410-6932 to
request an order form. Orders must be picked up Saturday morning, May 8th from 9 AM to 12 PM at the WILD Center,
2285 W. Butte des Morts Beach Rd, Neenah. There will be some extra plants available for purchase that day. Visit the
WILD Center and join Wild Ones and Winnebago Audubon members for bird watching at either 8:00 am or 11:00 am on
the WILD Center grounds.
PAGE 5
WINNEBAGO AUDUBON SOCIETY NON-PROFIT ORG
PO BOX 184 US POSTAGE
OSHKOSH, WI 54903-0184 PAID
OSHKOSH WI
PERMIT NO 90

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

OFFICERS
President: Janet Wissink
920-589-2602 / wiss@centurytel.net
Vice President: Pat Nichols
920-426-0261 / jvnichols@earthlink.net
Secretary: Zaiga Freivalds
920-233-5914 / zaigam@charter.net
Important Note: TEMPORARILY AWAY? Please notify us if you will be temporarily
Treasurer: Dave Moon away. The post office will not forward your newsletter and we pay for the returned
920-235-4429 / djmoon@northnet.net newsletter. If your newsletter is returned to us, we remove you from our mailing list. Please
contact Pat Nichols at jvnichols@earthlink or 920-426-0261 with any questions.
DIRECTORS
Dave Hanke RENEWALS: Your mailing label includes your membership expiration date above your
920-688-2907 name. If you are a “Chapter Only” member the word CHAPTER will appear after the
Carla Hansen expiration date. Please renew your chapter membership by filling out the application form
920-233-1129 / carlajhansen@sbcglobal.net below. Thank you for helping us save on the cost of renewal reminders.
If you are a member of National Audubon, you will receive renewal notices from National
Evelyn Meuret
or you may renew by using the form below.
920-426-1656 / meuret@uwosh.edu

Winnebago Audubon Society Mission Statement: Advance the mission of the National Audubon Society
to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of
humanity and the earth’s biological diversity through grassroots efforts of community outreach and advocacy.

AUDUBON SOCIETY
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Welcome
K YES, I want to become a member at the chapter
level and receive the Winnebago Audubon newsletter.
to Winnebago Audubon
I’ve enclosed a $20.00 check payable to Winnebago
Audubon. Steven Barry Ann Lagorio
Theresa Becker Suzanne Lannbrecht
K YES, I want to become a member of the National Alice Blackburn Kenneth Lohry
Audubon Society, and the Winnebago Audubon Chap- Jeane Drover Thomas Metz
ter. My membership dues entitle me to Audubon Mary Gehrke Charlene Mier
magazine, and all chapter benefits. I am enclosing a Carol Genz Christine Paulsen
$20.00 check payable to National Audubon Society. Sandra Habeck Irene Piller
K I do not wish to receive correspondence or solicita- C. Harmsen D. Ray
tions from National Audubon Society. Sherri Haskins Kiernan Rozum
B.A. Hayes William Schultz
Name: Dorothy Jones Phyllis Spalding
Jane Kasten Michelle Williams
Address:
If you are a new member of National or the Chapter and
City/State/Zip: haven’t seen your name here in the last few months,
Chapter Code: C9ZZ120Z please contact
Mail this form with payment to: Pat Nichols, VP, Membership Chair
Pat Nichols, Membership Chair (email me at: jvnichols@earthlink.net)
P.O. Box 184, Oshkosh, WI 54903
PAGE 6