Alison Sazama

Although I didn't meet my individual goal of 125 birds (only 6 short) I had a great year birding and the team itself surpassed its goal of 125 birds (129 seen) and its goal of raising $2000 ($2300).

Some highlights were the many beautiful spring ephemerals in bloom…trout lilies, spring beauties, and hepaticas, while we tracked a flock of warblers in the very tops of the trees including the American Redstart, Golden-winged Warbler and Nashville warbler. In another area, members spotted Eastern Meadowlarks, Bobolinks, a pair of Black-billed Cuckoos and a Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Another highpoint was observing the secretive American Bittern giving its “ka chunk” call as it emerged from the depths of a wetland. A rare sight indeed!

Adding to the total for the Chirp Chasers are the following: Vesper Sparrow, Barred Owl, Tennessee Warbler, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Western Tanager, Blue-winged Warbler, Lark Sparrow, Whippoorwill, Northern Water Thrush, and American Woodcock.

Thank you again friends, for supporting me and the Chirp Chaser team! Your donations will assist the Chippewa County Land Conservancy to continue its valuable land protection work.

Here is the last (but not least) tally of my personal bird list this year. It's hard to keep track of them all!

It's been a good year but I wouldn't say great because I never see as many as I did when I was younger! All the more reason to keep up this good work. And as always thank you for supporting our team!!!

Ring-necked Pheasant, Black-billed Cuckoo, Rough-legged Hawk, Goshawk, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Wood Peewee, Winter Wren, House Wren, Sedge Wren, Black-throated Green Warbler, Chestnut- sided Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Pine Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Herring Gull, Canada Goose (really!) and Rock Pigeon.

I had an amazing experience birding with my brother last weekend. We stopped by a small wetland and heard an American Bittern calling with that interesting “ca chunk" sound. We sat quietly for about 10 minutes and lo and behold he ended up coming up through the ditch and standing at the side of the road. He stood ram rod straight and with his beak pointing upward he looked just like a hummock in the marsh. I've heard them many times but they are so difficult to see. We even got to see how he produces that crazy call. What an interesting bird and I’m thrilled to be able to finally add him to my life list!

Here are my additional sightings:

White Pelican (forgot to put on my list earlier), Red eyed Vireo, Magnolia Warbler, Ovenbird, Bufflehead, Swainsons Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow, Red Bellied Woodpecker, Black Capped Chickadee, Red tailed Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Purple Finch, Raven, Red breasted Nuthatch, Ruby Throated Hummingbird, American Bittern, Bobolink, Indigo Bunting and American Redstart.

I've been so busy birding I haven't had time to enter my species! Here they are:

Wood Duck, American Robin, Chipping Sparrow, Blue- gray Gnatcatcher, Bald Eagle, Brewers Blackbird, Red-wing Blackbird, Hairy Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwing, White-throated Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Common Yellow Throat, Field Sparrow, White Crowned Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, Brown Thrasher, American Coot, Rough-winged Swallow, Belted Kingfisher, Great Blue Heron, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Cardinal, Green Heron, Spotted Sandpiper, Blue Jay, American Crow, Cowbird, Ruby Crowned Kinglet, Least Flycatcher, Palm Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, Wild Turkey, Catbird, Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Eastern Kingbird, Yellow Warbler, Northern Harrier, Baltimore Oriole, Black and White Warbler, Yellow Throated Vireo, Cliff Swallow, American Goldfinch, White Breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse.

Trumpeter swan, Song Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, American Kestrel, Killdeer, Mallard, Bufflehead, Red-wing Blackbird, Common Grackle, Mourning Dove, Sandhill Crane, Hooded Merganser, Ring-Neck Duck, American Tree Sparrow, Slate-colored Junco, Bluebird, Brown Creeper, Common Loon, Golden crowned Kinglet, Northern Shoveler, Ring-billed Gull, Greater Yellowlegs, Redhead, Loggerhead Shrike, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Tree Swallow, Yellow Shafted Flicker, Fox Sparrow, Wild Turkey, Eastern Phoebe, Greater Scaup, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Osprey.