November-December 2014 All programs and activities are open to the public Vol. 35, No. 3

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

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From the Quiz From the Quiz From the Quiz From the Quiz Master:Master:Master:Master: I’m a black-masked 2-1/2 inch tan frog of the woodlands. I’m the only Wisconsin frog that freezes solid in winter with no heart rate, respiration or brain activity. Come spring’s-warmth, I’m jumping about once again. What am I? (Look closely to find the answer in this newsletter.)

The Story of

Growing Oshkosh

a nonprofit, organic urban farm

Thursday, November 20

6:30 pm Social; 7:00 pm Program

Evergreen Retirement Community 1130 N. Westfield St.

Want to learn what the Growing Oshkosh project is all about? Winnebago Audubon and Wild Ones Fox Valley Area will co-host this program. The presentation is free and open to the public. Dani Stolley, Founder/Farmer and CEO of Growing Oshkosh, will talk about the first two years of the organization’s existence -- successes, failures, and what's in store for the future. Come hear her talk about the "beyond organic" educational urban farm, as well as their School Garden Program and their Hope Garden Program. Dani Stolley is a lifelong Oshkoshian, and passionate environmentalist, particularly when it comes to community sustainability. As the first person to graduate from UW Oshkosh's new Environmental Studies Program in 1997, she worked for over 15 years as a Development Director for several local and regional environmental non-profits (like the Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust, Green Bay Botanical Garden and The Prairie Enthusiasts.)

Toward Harmony with Nature Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015 Oshkosh Convention Center

“Creating a Healthy Habitat in Your Yard” Keynote by Stanley Temple; 3 Concurrent

Sessions with 9 topics to choose from. For more info: www.towardharmonywithnature.org

New Year Will Bring New Programs

But Keep Popular Activities

WAS Board of Directors met recently to make plans for 2015 and I think you will find some interesting activities, such as owls and owl banding; the new Wisconsin Breed-ing Bird Atlas; the history of banning DDT in Wisconsin; and a hands-on, interactive family program. You will also enjoy the return of the Frog Night Hike, Birdathon, Crane Count, and Oshkosh Bird Fest, and more! Look for the details on some of these in our next newsletter in January.

Rill Environmental Award for 2015

It’s not too early to be thinking about nominations for the Katherine D. Rill Environmental Award. Each year Winnebago Audubon Society recognizes an individual (or an organization) from our community who has worked to achieve the Society’s objectives. The award was named to honor the memory of Katherine D. Rill who dedicated her time, skills and efforts to preserve and restore wildlife habitat, conserve birds, engage in citizen science, and educate others about natural systems. Nominees must be from our area. The candidate must have shown a dedication to preservation or restoration of habitat; or conservation of birds; or engagement in citizen science; or education of others about natural systems. Candidates may not nominate themselves. Please send nominations to Winnebago Audubon Society, PO Box 184, Oshkosh, WI 54903 no later than March 15, 2015. Include your complete contact information along with a letter detailing why your nominee qualifies. The nominee should be able to attend the Spring Banquet (April date to be determined yet) when the award will be presented.

Quiz Answer: Quiz Answer: Quiz Answer: Quiz Answer: Wood frog, Rana sylvatica

Jan Moldenhauer Memorial Tree

This past summer a white

birch tree was planted at

Sullivan’s Woods in memory of

Jan Moldenhauer, a long-time,

active member of Winnebago

Audubon. The birch will be an attractive addition to the

other varieties of trees used by the “Friends” to educate

the school district’s children. Besides being a lifelong

educator, Jan supported many environmental causes and

involved herself in other organizations including the

Friends of Sullivan’s Woods.

Rescued & Released

A couple months ago, I found a small Eastern screech owl in the gutter of the busy street in front of my office, apparently stunned after being struck by a car. I put her in a cardboard box and called Aves Wildlife Alliance. I delivered my “special package” to Beka, who examined her and determined she was a very healthy female with a mild concussion. After a few days of recovery at the rehab center, I was thrilled to be able to release her back in her own neighborhood. For more information on the proper way to rescue birds and wild animals, visit www.aveswildlife.org. The website is full of great information about wildlife rehabilitation and when and how to attempt a rescue. Here is an excerpt from the website:

How to Rescue a Bird

1. Find a suitable container (cardboard box, pet carrier). Poke air holes in it, if needed. Line it with a clean, soft cloth or paper towel. 2. Gently pick up the animal (wear gloves or cover with a cloth) and place in the container. 3. Secure the container so the animal cannot crawl or jump out. 4. Keep the animal in a warm, dark, quiet place away from pets and children. Remember stress from over handling can kill. 5. Do not give food; give water only if animal can stand. 6. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible to arrange for the wild animal to get help. Remember any wild animal, when scared, will try to protect itself. Please contact a wildlife rehabilitator prior to rescuing or transporting any wild animal. Aves Wildlife Alliance, located in Neenah, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving and restoring native wildlife through innovation and excellence in community outreach and wildlife rehabilitation. They are licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and are certified by the International Wildlife Rehabilitators Council. - Janet Wissink

Easy-to-Find Wish List Items

(see complete list at www.aveswildlife.org)

USDA Organic Baby Food (Fruits and Vegetables only) Unsalted Shelled Walnuts, Almonds, or Filberts (Hazelnuts) Mixed Nuts in Shell Black Oil Sunflower Seed Premium No-Waste Mixed Seed Premium Mixed Seed Thistle Seed Finch Seed Whole Corn Whole Oats Rabbit Pellets

The Eastern screech owl patiently waited in the bottom of a grocery bag for me to release her. She was about 8 or 9 inches tall with gray coloration. She was going through a head molt, so her ear tufts were not well defined and she looked like she was having a really bad hair day. Screech owls are common city dwellers, more often heard than seen. Listen for their soft trill or whinny after dark.

Updating Sullivan’s Woods

Recently WAS applied for collaborative funding from National Audubon Society to replace the sign at Sullivan’s Woods and update the informational media used by the Oshkosh Area School District. The existing wooden sign had deteriorated over time and was difficult to repair. It was decided to replace it with a new, more durable, metal sign. To introduce students to their upcoming field trip the

teachers have been using an outdated VHS tape. A

committee has chosen new photos, will write the

background narrative, and a professional company will

produce it into a DVD format. Funding from National

Audubon totaling $725.00 was approved and along with a

generous donation from the Sullivan family, both projects

will be completed next spring. — Zaiga Freivalds

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Unflavored Pedialyte Paper Towels Garbage Bags – 33 Gallon Oxi-Clean Vinegar

Seven years ago Winnebago Audubon brought naturalist Randy Korb and live Wisconsin amphibians into the classrooms at Oaklawn and Webster Stanley elementary schools. Every year for the past seven years, the amphibians have visited public and parochial schools in Oshkosh and the surrounding area. This year, they were back at Webster Stanley and Oaklawn. Over 4,000 students have been able to see, hear, touch and feed true frogs, tree frogs, toads and amphibians. These are the same animals that they might encounter in their back yards, at local parks, camping, or visiting the many natural areas in our state. Students learn that amphibians have no claws, no scales. They absorb water through their skins so a healthy habitat is critical to their survival. We hear their songs in the spring as the males sing to attract a female and the mating begins. If you have attended the Frog Night Hike also presented by Randy Korb and also sponsored by Winnebago Audubon, you’ve heard the laughter, the gasps and the joyous sounds as young and old learn about these wonderful creatures.

This program is sponsored by the Hiwela Fund of the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, National Audubon, Wisconsin Audubon Council, Provident Financial Consultants, Winnebago Audubon and the generous members of Winnebago Audubon who donate to the Birdathon and give support to pay for these programs. This is a collaborative effort to bring unique educational programs to local school children. Thanks to all our sponsors, we look forward to continuing this program. — Carla Hansen

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Above: Lalee Yang is thrilled to be holding a very large bullfrog at Oaklawn Elementary.

Right: Alana Koch reacts to a tiny tree frog that she is holding at Oaklawn Elementary.

Above: Naturalist and educator Randy Korb sets out different types of salamanders for the class to see during an amphibian presentation sponsored by Winnebago Audubon.

All pictures appeared on the Northwestern website and were taken by Jeannette Merten.

Wisconsin Amphibians Go to School . . . Again

Birdathon 2014

Another successful Birdathon for Winnebago Audubon Society. This year’s Birdathon was dedicated to Janet Moldenhauer, a faithful supporter of the Birdathon, Winnebago Audubon and of environmental causes. Janet died last year and was surely missed as we ventured out to see birds in the beautiful month of May. Four teams counted birds for a total of 125 different species seen. We saw a lot of different warblers this year and a few were new birds for my life list. It is so nice to see so many different species in a day. Our team included Brenda Reese, Curt Reese, Ken Lohry and me, Carla Hansen. On Janet Wissink’s team were Janet, Evelyn Meuret, Carmen Meuret and Mary Rebman. Anita Carpenter and Bettie Harriman formed the third team while the participants at the BIG SIT at Oshkosh Bird Fest were the fourth team that provided additional birds. A great big thanks to all of you. My team raised the most money - Hooray for us. Bettie Harriman and Anita Carpenter saw the most species, that’s great. And thanks to the other two teams that were a big part of our success. A really big thank you to our contributors. Together we raised $1,165.00 for Winnebago Audubon’s environmental education in the community. Todd Berens,

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2014 Birdathon Bird List

Curt Reese, Brenda Reese, Carla Hansen and Ken Lohry at Eureka Dam.

Mary Rebman, Karen Hielsberg, Evelyn Meuret, Randy Korb, Janet and Rich Carlson, Kenneth Lorhy, Richard Hansen, Bob Hansen, Mike Hansen and Erica Schlaug, Carla and Andy Hansen, Janet Wissink, Anita Carpenter, Diane Lowe, Zaiga Freivalds, and matching contributions from Goldman Sach’s and Kimberly Clark, all contributed to make this year’s Birdathon a success. — Carla Hansen

1 Canada Goose 33 Osprey 64 Horned Lark 95 Common Yellowthroat

2 Blue-winged Teal 34 Red-tailed Hawk 65 Bank Swallow 96 Magnolia Warbler

3 Bufflehead 35 Sora 66 Barn Swallow 97 Nashville Warbler

4 Common Goldeneye 36 Virginia Rail 67 Cliff Swallow 98 Northern Parula

5 Green-winged Teal 37 American Coot 68 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 99 Northern Waterthrush

6 Lesser Scaup 38 Sandhill Crane 69 Purple Martin 100 Palm Warbler

7 Mallard 39 Killdeer 70 Tree Swallow 101 Pine Warbler

8 Northern Shoveler 40 American Woodcock 71 Black-capped Chickadee 102 Wilson's Warbler

9 Redhead 40 Greater Yellowlegs 72 White-breasted Nuthatch 103 Yellow-rumped Warbler

10 Ring-necked Duck 42 Lesser Yellowlegs 73 Brown Creeper 104 Yellow Warbler

11 Ruddy Duck 43 Bonaparte's Gull 74 Marsh Wren 105 Chipping Sparrow

12 Wood Duck 44 Herring Gull 75 House Wren 106 Clay-colored Sparrow

13 Common Merganser 45 Ring-billed Gull 76 Sedge Wren Winter Wren 107 Dark-eyed Junco

14 Red-breasted Merganser 46 Caspian Tern 77 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 108 Lincoln's Sparrow

15 Ring-necked Pheasant 47 Forster's Tern 78 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 109 Savannah Sparrow

16 Wild Turkey 48 Mourning Dove 79 American Robin 110 Song Sparrow

17 Common Loon 49 Rock Pigeon 80 Eastern Bluebird 111 Swamp Sparrow

18 Horned Grebe 50 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 81 Hermit Thrush 112 Vesper

19 Pied-billed Grebe 51 Belted Kingfisher 82 Swainson's Thrush 113 White-crowned Sparrow

20 American White Pelican 52 Downy Woodpecker 83 Veery 114 White-throated Sparrow

21 Double-crested Cormorant 53 Northern Flicker 84 Wood Thrush 115 Indigo Bunting

22 American Bittern 54 Pileated Woodpecker 85 Gray Catbird 116 Northern Cardinal

23 Black-crowned Night Heron 55 Red-bellied Woodpecker 86 Brown Thrasher 117 Rose-breasted Grosbeak

24 Great Blue Heron 56 Eastern Kingbird 87 European Starling 118 Brown-headed Cowbird

25 Great Egret 57 Eastern Phoebe 88 Cedar Waxwing 119 Common Grackle

26 Green Heron 58 Great Crested Flycatcher 89 American Redstart 120 Eastern Meadowlark

27 Turkey Vulture 59 Blue-headed Vireo 90 Black-and-white Warbler 121 Baltimore Oriole

28 American Kestral 60 Red-eyed Vireo 91 Blackburnian Warbler 122 Red-winged Blackbird

29 Bald Eagle 61 Warbling Vireo 92 Black-throated Green Warbler 123 American Goldfinch

30 Cooper's Hawk 62 Blue Jay 93 Canada Warbler 124 House Finch

31 Merlin 63 American Crow 94 Chestnut-sided Warbler 125 House Sparrow

32 Northern Harrier

Badger Tracks Badger Tracks Badger Tracks Badger Tracks by Anita Carpenter

If I were told that I could study only one plant family, I’d choose Asclepiadaceae - the milkweeds. Of the seventy-plus species found in North America and 2000 in the world, only 12 species grace Wisconsin’s beautiful landscape. Common milkweed, swamp milkweed and the orange-flowered butterfly weed are the most familiar and widespread. Three species (prairie, dwarf and wooly) are threatened and purple milkweed is endangered in Wisconsin. My 12 species share an unique flower structure, pollination strategy, and chemistry. Yet they vary in flower color, habitat preference, and growth forms. In addition to plant taxonomy, physiology and ecology, my study would include insects that are solely dependent on milkweed. The most famous milkweed-dependent insect is the monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, whose caterpillars eat only milkweed leaves and flowers. Caterpillars transform into adult butterflies which overwinter as adults. Since winter is approaching, how do these winter-intolerant butterflies survive freezing temperatures? I hope by now everyone is aware of their amazing and well-documented migration to Mexico to avoid our harsh winters. Their offspring return next May to a landscape dotted with tender, newly-sprouted milkweeds. Females lay their eggs on milkweed leaves, eggs hatch, caterpillars munch, and the cycle repeats itself. Among other milkweed-dependent insects, two piqued my curiosity this autumn when I asked, how do red milkweed beetles (RMB) and large milkweed bugs (LMB) overwinter? Adult red milkweed beetles, Tetraopes tetraophthalmus, appear on milkweed in July. Each 1/2-inch-long beetle is red with black spots and sports two long, recurved antennae. These beetles characteristically feed on leaf tips, leaving visible clues to keen observers that they are or were here. RMB belong to the long-horned beetle family, Cerambycidae, whose members typically lay eggs under tree bark. Larvae feed on/in wood leaving behind characteristic tunnels which can be identified to species. Red milkweed beetles do not lay eggs on trees. In fact, they do not stray far from their host plant. We just can’t see them. Mating adults may be seen on milkweed. A female

then lays her eggs at the base of the milkweed stem or sometimes inserts them into the lower stem. Newly hatched larvae/grubs must locate milkweed roots either by burrowing through the soil or by tunneling down inside the stem. They feed on milkweed roots in autumn, overwinter in the roots, and resume feeding in spring. They create earthen chambers in which to pupate and emerge one month later in mid-summer as adult beetles. The beetles either climb up the stem or fly off to another milkweed to feed and mate. From late August into October, when milkweed seed pods appear on the plant, it’s time to search for large milkweed bugs, Oncopeltus fasciatus. These true bugs in the order Hemiptera, family Lygaeidae or seed bugs, feed on pods and developing seeds. The 3/4-inch-long large milkweed bugs are also red with black markings including a wide black band across its wings. Adults mate in early summer. Females lay about 15 eggs per site either under a milkweed leaf or in the crevice between two pods. Eggs hatch and nymphs feed on pods and seeds. They pass through five nymphal stages in about 30 to 40 days. Nymphs remain on their favorite pod so you can observe their development. Large milkweed bugs overwinter as adults so where do they go when they can fly and leave the pod? Like monarch butterflies, LMB cannot withstand our frigid winter so they may also migrate. Those that do leave may go as far south as warm Illinois. Those that don’t migrate won’t live to welcome spring. Next year LMB adults probably ride southerly winds as they fly north to repopulate Wisconsin. I find more red milkweed beetles than I do large milkweed bugs. The beetles could be in the same milkweed patch year after year whereas finding large milkweed bugs is pure serendipity, being dependent on the arrival of distant-traveling adults. So this autumn, when you come upon withered milkweed plants, you can wonder if deep within those roots, far from prying eyes, rest next year’s red milkweed beetles. As for the large milkweed bugs, you can think of them when your thoughts drift to escaping to warm-weather destinations. Just remember, come next summer take a closer look at these fascinating milkweeds that host many interesting insect dependents.

FASCINATING MILKWEEDS

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Red Milkweed Beetle

Large Milkweed Bug

NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE

PAID OSHKOSH WI PERMIT NO 90

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

� Chapter Only Membership: Your $20.00 stays in our chapter and you receive the Winnebago Audubon chapter newsletter and all chapter benefits. Make $20.00 check payable to Winnebago Audubon.

OR

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Name: ____________________________________

Address: __________________________________

City/State/Zip: ______________________________ Chapter Code: C4ZZ12OZ

Mail this form with payment to: Pat Nichols, Membership, PO Box 184, Oshkosh, WI 54903

OFFICERS President (Acting): Janet Wissink 920-589-2602 / wiss@centurytel.net

Vice President: OPEN Secretary: Chris Binder binder.t@sbcglobal.net

Treasurer: Evelyn Meuret 920-573-7828 / evelynmeuret57@att.net DIRECTORS Anita Carpenter, 920-233-6677 Zaiga Freivalds 920-233-5914 / zaigam@charter.net Dave Hanke 920-688-2907 Dave Moon 920-235-4429 / djmoon@northnet.net Pat Nichols 920-426-0261 / patnichols@earthlink.net

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RENEWALS: Your mailing label includes your membership expiration date above your name. If you are a “Chapter Only” member the word CHAPTER will appear after the expiration date. Please renew your chapter membership by filling out the application form below. Thank you for helping us save on the cost of renewal reminders. If you are a member of National Audubon, NATL will appear after the expiration date. You will receive renewal notices from National or you may renew by using the form below. If you are receiving a complimentary newsletter, COMP will appear with an expiration date. Please consider joining our chapter by using the application below.

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Welcome to Winnebago AudubonWelcome to Winnebago AudubonWelcome to Winnebago AudubonWelcome to Winnebago Audubon

A special thank you to all those who are renewing again this year as well. You are invited to participate in

activities of your local Winnebago Audubon chapter. It's a great way to meet like-minded people and to enjoy

what nature has to offer.

If you are a new member of National or the Chapter and haven’t seen your name here in the last couple of issues,

please contact Pat Nichols, Membership Chair

(email me at: patnichols@earthlink.net)

Ruth Greisinger John Kautz

Betty Olson Bonnie Schroeder

Word of the Day: Endemic

A native species confined to a certain region/having a comparatively restricted distribution. For example: the Florida leafwing butterfly is endemic to a rare habitat in

south Florida called rocky pinelands.