Category Archives: Uncategorized

Terns of Michigan (5 Species)

December 5, 2023 rmsallmanngmailcom Leave a comment

Terns are some of the most sleek and acrobatic species of birds in the world. They swiftly swoop, hover, and dive through the skies across North America. With many terns having similar looking plumages, they can be difficult to tell apart. Fortunately, with a little knowledge about tern identification and where they are most expected, it becomes easier to tell them apart.

Michigan is home to four species of terns that are annual and fairly common in the state, in addition to one species that is extremely rare. Here is everything that you need to know about the terns of Michigan.

Arctic Tern (Rare)

Identification

Arctic Terns in breeding plumage have a clean white body with gray wings, a dark black cap on the head, a reddish orange bill, and short reddish orange legs. In nonbreeding plumage, the black cap is replaced by a black stripe over the eye and the legs and bill are black as opposed to reddish orange.

Range

Arctic Terns are extreme long-distance migrants spending the summer in Northern Canada, Alaska, and the Northern most parts of Europe. They winter in Antarctica, meaning they fly from pole to pole each migratory season.

Diet and Foraging Habits

Arctic Terns feed mostly on fish but will also eat insects. To catch fish, these birds will hover above the water and plunge in headfirst to try and nab prey just below the surface.

Where to Find this Bird

Arctic Terns are a species that is rare in most parts of the continental United States and can usually only be seen during migration. Look for this species near large bodies of water as they typically migrate offshore. Keep an eye out for a short and stout looking tern amongst Common Terns and Forster’s Terns.

Black Tern

Identification

In breeding plumage, Black Terns have gray wings with white on the shoulder area. They have an overall black body and head, black bill and legs, and white underside behind the legs. Nonbreeding Black Terns are much paler with a white head and body and just a small patch of black color near the eye.

Range

Black Terns winter in Northern South America and make their migratory journey north in spring when they spread out across most of Mexico and the continental United States. They breed in South-central Canada and the Northern United States.

Diet and Foraging Habits

Black Terns are very acrobatic as they forage for food and catch prey on the fly. They eat small fish and insects, usually by flying low over marshy areas. One interesting thing about Black Terns is that they do not plunge into the water to catch fish like many other tern species do.

Where to Find This Bird

In winter, Black Terns can be found around coastal habitats but in spring and summer, marshes and swamps become the best place to locate this species.

Caspian Tern

Identification

Caspian Terns are extremely large for terns. In fact, they are the largest tern species in the entire world. They are white with gray wings, black legs, and a chunky red bill. Caspian Terns also have a black cap in breeding plumage which fades in nonbreeding plumage and looks more like a black smudge near the eye.

Range

Caspian Terns are extremely widespread in not only North America but the entire world. This species got their name due to the fact that they were common around the Caspian Sea (which they still are to this day). Caspian Terns can be found along the coasts of Australia, Africa, Southern Asia, Europe, and North America.

In North America, Caspian Terns winter in Mexico, Souther California, the Gulf Coast, Florida, and along the Atlantic Coast. They migrate north in spring and nest in parts of Canada, the Western United States, and the Great Lakes.

Diet and Foraging Habits

Caspian Terns primarily feed on fish but will also eat crustaceans and insects. This species feeds in the same way that other terns do; flying above the water to search for food and diving headfirst into the water when they see something they want to catch.

Where to Find this Bird

Caspian Terns frequent ocean coastlines as well as the shores of large inland bodies of water. They are most easy to find during migration when they show up in fairly large numbers along beaches and can be seen and heard flying over the water. In the Midwestern states, the Great Lakes are a fantastic place to find this species.

Common Tern

Identification

In breeding plumage, Common Terns have a white head and body with gray wings, a black cap, an orange bill with a black tip, and orange legs. An important feature in Common Terns that separates them from the nearly identical Forster’s Tern is the color of the primary feathers in adults. In Common Terns they will be dark gray while in Forster’s Terns they will be light gray to white. Nonbreeding adults will not have a complete black cap but rather a partial cap with the front of the head showing white.

Range

Common Terns winter along the Coasts of South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Gulf of Mexico. In spring they move north into Canada and parts of the Northern United States, including the Great Lakes states.

Diet and Foraging Habits

Common Terns eat primarily small fish but will also eat crustaceans and other marine and freshwater invertebrates. They will catch fish from the surface of the water while flying or dive into the water to catch prey.

Where to Find this Bird

Common Terns are birds of coasts and shorelines. They are typically found along large bodies of water such as the oceans and the Great Lakes. They can be seen resting on beaches and sandbars.

Forster’s Tern

Identification

Breeding plumage Forster’s Terns have a white body and white forked tail, orange legs, an orange bill with a black tip, and a black cap going from their neck to their bill. They have light gray wings and light-colored wingtips (which is an import thing to note when differentiating between Forster’s Terns and Common Terns).

Nonbreeding Forster’s Terns look almost the same as in breeding plumage but instead of a full black cap, they have a black streak that covers their eye.

Range

Forster’s Terns winter along the Southern coasts of the United States and Mexico. They migrate north during the spring and breed in Southern Canada, portions of the Western U.S. and specific places along the Great Lakes. Forster’s Terns are year-round residents of Eastern Texas and Southern Louisiana in addition to parts of the Atlantic Coast near North Carolina and Maryland.

Diet and Foraging Habits

Forster’s Terns feed primarily on fish which they catch in a very distinctive manor. These terns will hover above the water, and suddenly plunge themselves below the surface. In addition to fish, they will also eat insects.

Where to Find this Bird

Forster’s Terns can be found in both freshwater and saltwater marshes in addition to coastlines.

Summary

Terns are quick and acrobatic birds that can sometimes be difficult to identify since so many of them are similar looking. Knowing the species that are expected in your state can be instrumental in identifying which one you are looking at in the field. Hopefully, this article has helped in answering some questions about the terns of Michigan.

If you enjoyed this post, please give it a like and a comment. Also be sure to check out the Badgerland Birding YouTube Channel.

Uncategorized

An Open Letter Response to Madison Audubon’s Comments About Our Video

December 4, 2023 Dereksallmann Leave a comment

On November 30th, you (Madison Audubon) made a blog post responding to our video about changing your name to “Badgerland Bird Alliance” which we feel is too close to our brand name “Badgerland Birding”. Your response included 5 specific points that you claim to be “misleading” or “false”, but did not address our main argument, which is the confusion and negative impact to our brand (which we’ve been building over the last 7 years) that your name change has caused and will continue to cause.

You have continued to not allow comments on your social media posts after many people expressed their concerns or asked you to change your name, which makes us question how much you actually value feedback, since you continuously squash people’s ability to comment publicly.

Here are each of your 5 claims, and why your response is misleading or just flat out wrong. Your claims are in red, our response is in black.

False Claim #1: Badgerland Bird Alliance is attempting to “steal” the name from Badgerland Birding.

Why this is false: We would never engage in an effort to steal a name—it is absolutely not in our organization’s character or best interest. “Bird Alliance” is the core of our name, shared among a network of chapters. The word Badgerland is a very commonly-used geographic descriptor for Wisconsin organizations; there are nearly 200 entities in the state that use Badgerland in their name. Even in the recent application to federally-trademark “Badgerland Birding”, use of the word Badgerland is listed with a disclaimer, perhaps because of its nature as a common geographic term.

The committee and board evaluated numerous name options and independently determined that “Badgerland Bird Alliance” best describes where we work (10 counties in southern Wisconsin) and what we do. Learn more about this in our name announcement video.

The assertion that the term “Bird Alliance” is core to your name and that “Badgerland” is common and therefore justifies its use in your name is misleading. We believe the specific combination of “Badgerland Bird” is integral to our identity and brand, which predates your organization’s name change by nearly 7 years. Our objection stems from the confusion and association that already has and will continue to impact our established presence and audience from the use of Badgerland + Bird.

You also claim that “Badgerland” best describes your geographic location (Southern Wisconsin), however Badgerland references the entire state, which is misleading and misrepresents your apparent reach.

False Claim #2: Badgerland Birding and Badgerland Bird Alliance “do a ton of the same things.”

Why this is false: Badgerland Birding is a Limited Liability Corporation business. They operate largely through their YouTube channel, social media, and birding tours in Wisconsin and throughout the United States. They produce high-quality, entertaining videos that share information about birding. In contrast, Badgerland Bird Alliance is a local nonprofit conservation organization. We operate as a conservation land trust and through on-the-ground programming in southern Wisconsin. Our focus is on native habitat restoration for wildlife; volunteer citizen science programs; direct advocacy for wildlife and natural resources; free nature outings; and youth education, primarily for kids in classrooms and community centers. We both do work that involves birds and is effective, but we each do that work in different sectors, in different ways, and for different purposes.

For one, we are a Limited Liability COMPANY, not a CORPORATION. There’s a big different between the two. Additionally, the characterization of our work as merely “YouTube, content creation, and birding tours” oversimplifies and is demeaning to our broader impact. We engage with a diverse audience through educational content, community outreach, and active participation in bird conservation. Both our organizations contribute significantly to bird-related initiatives in Wisconsin, and it is misleading to downplay the scope and effectiveness of our work, and what our work will encompass in the future.

False Claim #3: Badgerland Bird Alliance gets substantial funds and direction from National Audubon Society.

Why this is false: BBA is an affiliated chapter of NAS and we have similar missions. However, we are entirely separate organizations with our own fundraising, staffing, programming, and communications. As a chapter, we receive a small portion of dues from NAS which amounts to about 0.5% of our total funding; the rest is from grants and donations that we secure independently.

We never said “substantial” funds, simply funding. While you assert independence, the affiliation with the National Audubon Society (NAS) raises questions about the potential influence and direction from NAS. The claim that NAS dues contribute only 0.5% of your total funding may downplay the significance of this relationship, which is still very clearly present.

False Claim #4: Badgerland Bird Alliance did not conduct proper due diligence.

Why this is false: BBA had an extensive and careful process to develop and vet the new name. There is more detail here. During the due diligence process, BBA searched for and considered all of the many organizations, businesses, and groups in Wisconsin (and beyond) with names that use common terms like Badger, Badgerland, Bird, Birding, Alliance, and other similar words, and discussed these with legal counsel before moving forward.

Our concerns about due diligence relate to the lack of distinctiveness between our organizations’ names and the current and future potential for confusion. While you state that legal counsel was consulted, the fundamental issue remains that our established identity and brand are at risk. A more comprehensive assessment of potential confusion in the public domain would have been prudent, or consulting us beforehand. At the very core of the issue, is the lack of respect Madison Audubon seems to have for its fellow bird-related organizations and their established brands, which is saddening.

False Claim #5: Badgerland Bird Alliance is a large, corporate-like entity that is bullying Badgerland Birding.

Why this is false: BBA is a small, local conservation nonprofit with about 3,000 supporters in south-central Wisconsin. Badgerland Birding has more than 27,000 subscribers to their YouTube channel and are building a national-scope brand. Throughout this process, our staff has been diligent, respectful, and responsive to their concerns, which we have shared with the board for review. In our last conversation with Badgerland Birding (just prior to the video’s release), we strongly emphasized our desire to work together collegially to find a positive path forward. That is still the case.

The acknowledgment of our subscriber count and scope of our reach only reinforces the idea that we would not want our brand infringed upon. Also, characterizing yourself as a small, local conservation nonprofit significant downplays the size of your organization, which based on online tax records, brings in millions of dollars each year, and has at least 10 full-time employees. Additionally, your unwillingness to cooperate about changing your name is where people are getting the “bullying” from. The fact that your organization is oblivious to what you are doing shows a true lack of respect and understanding of how your actions are being perceived.

We remain committed to open and respectful dialogue to find a resolution that preserves the integrity of both organizations. However, the fact that you are not willing to change your name or address our concerns about the confusion and negative impact to our brand suggests you do not actually want to work together to find a solution, rather just appear you do. Our concerns are rooted in protecting the brand we’ve built over the years and ensuring our audience and your audience can distinguish between the two entities. We welcome continued discussions to reach an amicable resolution, but don’t feel your words are matching your actions.

Sincerely,

Derek and Ryan Sallmann

Badgerland Birding

Birds by State and Region, Uncategorized

Grouse of Minnesota (4 Species to Know)

November 15, 2023 rmsallmanngmailcom Leave a comment

Grouse are a particular group of game birds that are medium to large in size and are chicken-like in appearance. In North America, Grouse have traditionally been hunted as a source of food, but to birders, they are desirable to find because of their unique qualities and beauty. While some grouse species are numerous, they can still prove to be elusive and it’s always an adventure to try and find them.

In Minnesota, there are four native species of grouse that can be found in the wild. Some of these species are fairly rare and even coveted by birders. Below is the list of all four species, with photos and information about their habits, how to identify them, and where to find them.

Ruffed Grouse

Identification

Ruffed Grouse male and females look similar in coloration with some slight differences. Overall, both males and females have a light colored chest and underside, with dark and light brown barring and speckling. Their backs and wings are shades of brown with some white and darker markings mixed in. Ruffed Grouse have a crest on their head and during the breeding season, males will show black neck feathers as a display in addition to fanning their tails in a similar manor to a peacock.

Range

Ruffed Grouse can be found in the northern forests of North America. Their range encompasses most of Southern and Western Canada up into Alaska. In the United States, Ruffed Grouse live in the Midwest around the Great Lakes, in the Northeast, and some of the states in the Northwest such as Montana and Idaho, among others.

Diet and Foraging Behavior

Ruffed Grouse eat mostly plant matter with just a small amount of their diet consisting of insects. Typical fare for the Ruffed Grouse is leaves, buds, ferns, grass, acorns, fruits, and twigs of birch and aspen trees.

Where to Find this Bird

Ruffed Grouse can be very difficult to see as they live in dense woodlands and move very deliberately. Some of the best times to see them is during winter when they stand out more than in months when there isn’t snow. Another way to see Ruffed Grouse is by driving forest roads where they can sometimes be seen on the edge of the tree line of walking on the road, or by visiting a lek in the spring.

In Wisconsin, the north woods of the Nicolet National Forest can be a great place to find Ruffed Grouse. They can be found in many of the wooded counties in the northern part of the state.

Spruce Grouse

Spruce Grouse Chick (Jacob W. Frank Photo)

Identification

Male Spruce Grouse have a gray head, brown sides and wings, a black throat, white speckling and striping on their underside as well as white markings on their face. They also have a noticeable bit of bright red above their eye. Females are a mottled gray, brown, and tan with barring on their underside.

Range

Spruce Grouse do not migrate and inhabit most of Canada and Alaska year round. They also live in some parts of the United States including northern Michigan, Minnesota, Maine, Wisconsin, New York, Washington, Montana, Oregon, Idaho, and some of the states in the northeast.

Diet and Foraging Behavior

Spruce Grouse have a somewhat unique diet eating mostly conifer needles. They typically prefer the younger needles and will forage high up in trees as well as on the ground. Spruce Grouse also eat other plants as well as insects and even fungi.

Where to Find this Bird

Spruce Grouse can be most easily seen when they venture out onto roadsides. They are typically extremely tame around people but can be hard to spot if they are concealed in the understory due to their impressive camouflage.

Greater Prairie Chicken

Identification

Greater Prairie Chickens (also known as Pinnated Grouse) can be identified by their tan and brown barred bodies, small heads, short tails, and light colored throats. Males have golden yellow above their eyes and when mating, puff out yellow-orange throat sacks on their neck. Females look very similar to the males but with less noticeable gold coloration on their face and minimal orange coloration.

Range

The Greater Prairie Chicken once had a range that encompassed most of the Plains states as well as the Great Lakes states. While they do still reside in these areas, their range has condensed to specific areas. Greater Prairie Chickens can still be found in large portions of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and to a lesser extent in states like Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Diet and Foraging Behavior

Greater Prairie Chickens feed on seeds, grains, fruits, and insects. They can be seen foraging in small to large groups in open fields where they can sometimes be very difficult to pick out.

Where to Find this Bird

The easiest time of the year to find Greater Prairie Chickens is in winter when they can be seen foraging in fields where they stand out more clearly against the snow. They can also be seen in early morning, roosting in trees. The other time of year they can be found is during spring when they lek, and males put on displays for females.

Sharp-tailed Grouse

A Group of Sharp-tailed Grouse Roosting in a Tree (Dan Svingen Photo)

Identification

Sharp-tailed Grouse have lighter undersides with brown and tan speckling. They have more brown and tan coloration on their wings, back, and head, with white mixed in making up an intricate pattern. Males have yellow-orange above their eye and show purple throat sacks while performing their mating display. Females have a similar look to the male but with less color near the face. Sharp-tailed Grouse get their name from their pointy looking tail which is very triangular looking due to the center tail feathers being the longest. They will often times hold these unique tails up in the air making them even more noticeable.

Range

Sharp-tailed Grouse can be found in different parts of Northwestern North America. They are nonmigratory and live year round in much of Alaska, Central and Southern Canada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, and Minnesota. Sharp-tailed Grouse also live in some of the Great Lakes States as well as other Great Plains states in smaller numbers.

Diet and Foraging Behavior

Sharp-tailed Grouse eat a wide variety of food items, most of which are plants. This species partakes in grains, seeds, grasses, buds and fruits. When available, Sharp-tailed Grouse will also eat insects. Foraging is typically done on the ground but these birds will also feed in trees. While feeding, Sharp-tailed Grouse are reminiscent of chickens as they walk around and peck.

Where to Find this Bird

Sharp-tailed Grouse live in a variety of habitats from Boreal woods to pine barrens. The easiest way to find this species is to search out an area where they lek during the spring, where they are quite noticeable and boisterous.

Summary

Grouse can be quite difficult to find, but they are certainly fascinating to see in the wild. Minnesota has a nice variety of grouse species to find, and we hope that this article helped shed some light on how to find and ID them.

If you enjoyed this post, please give it a like and a comment. Also be sure to check out the Badgerland Birding YouTube Channel.

Uncategorized

How Did WILD Flamingos End Up in Wisconsin?

October 4, 2023 Dereksallmann Leave a comment

One of the most exciting moments in birding, is hearing news that a rare bird is nearby, and being able to try and see it. This was the case, when news broke that American Flamingos had made their way to Wisconsin, which was improbable, but not impossible. Earlier in the year, hurricane Idalia had pushed American Flamingos into the United States from further south, and they had been seen in Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Louisiana, and more. Although it was a possibility that they could show up in the badger state, it didn’t seem likely based on how far northwest Wisconsin is, until it actually happened. The Flamingos had been spotted on the coast of Lake Michigan in a town called Port Washington, which is just north of Milwaukee.

I started the drive to Port Washington, and picked up my friend Nathaniel along the way. As we got closer we counted down the minutes until we would have a chance of seeing wild flamingos on Lake Michigan.

We arrived to a busy parking lot, and an array of birders and non-birders taking in the strange sight of these unique birds. As we laid eyes on them it almost seemed unbelievable. With so many people, it felt like one of the festivals the Lake Michigan coast is known for, but this time not Summerfest, rather Flamingo Fest.

Adult American Flamingos are pink in color with black wingtips, a distinctive downturned bill, a long neck, and long legs. Flamingos are born gray and white, and only get their pink coloration from their diet of algae, shrimp, and other small crustaceans, after about 2 years. Adults are around 5 feet tall and Flamingos are normally seen in groups. Their native range extends from the Caribbean to northern South America, and they are often seen wading in the shallow waters of saltwater or brackish coasts. When feeding they will drop their head into the water and sway it from side to side, pumping water in and out of their bill to filter out food. This action may be accompanied by foot stomping, in order to bring more food to the surface. In the Wisconsin group, there were two younger birds still showing their gray color, which was quite a contrast in comparison to the pink adult birds.

A Young American Flamingo Displaying Gray Coloration

In-between capturing photos and videos and appreciating this incredible site, we also caught up with some of our other friends who had also made the trip to see the birds. The crowd continued to grow and many of the local news outlets also showed up to cover the story.

My Video About Seeing Wild Flamingos In Wisconsin

Eventually, after watching the Flamingos for about 2 and 1/2 hours, and talking to multiple news outlets, we decided to head out, feeling really excited about seeing the Flamingos in Port Washington.

Later in the day, it was reported that the Flamingos eventually flew south, but a number of days later they were re-found at Petenwell Lake in Wisconsin. As the weather cools, it is hoped that their instincts will kick in and they will fly south, hopefully to a warmer climate with an abundance of food. As of now, they seem to be in good health and are finding enough to eat. If they do not leave as winter approaches, an attempt will likely be made to catch and relocate them. The appearance of these birds has made a huge impact on the birding and non-birding community, and hopefully seeing them will inspire more people to learn about birds and bird conservation. Where do you think Flamingos will show up next? Let us know in the comments below!

Uncategorized

Grouse of Indiana (1 Species to Know)

September 1, 2023 rmsallmanngmailcom Leave a comment

Grouse are a particular group of game birds that are medium to large in size and are chicken-like in appearance. In North America, grouse have traditionally been hunted as a source of food, but to birders, they are desirable to find because of their unique qualities and beauty. While some grouse species are numerous, they can still prove to be elusive, and it’s always an adventure to try and find them.

In Indiana there is one species that can be found in the state (the Ruffed Gouse), but it is extremely rare and difficult to find. Here is everything you need to know about this species.

Ruffed Grouse (Rare)

Identification

Range

Diet and Foraging Behavior

Where to Find this Bird

In researching which species of grouse live in Indiana I was surprised to stumble upon something of a controversy. Most recent reports of Ruffed Grouse in the state are from Yellowwood State Forest where there seemed to be a lot of debate over how many individual bids actually reside in the area. It seems that with enough searching the hardwood forests of Indiana they can be turned up but are very tough to find.

Summary

Grouse can be quite difficult to find, but they are certainly fascinating to see in the wild. If you are able to spot a grouse in Indiana, it will almost certainly be a Ruffed Grouse.

If you enjoyed this post please give it a like and a comment. Also be sure to check out the Badgerland Birding YouTube Channel.

Uncategorized

Grouse of West Virginia (1 Species to Know)

August 30, 2023 rmsallmanngmailcom Leave a comment

In West Virginia there is one species that can be found in the state (the Ruffed Gouse). Here is everything you need to know about this species.

Ruffed Grouse

Identification

Range

Diet and Foraging Behavior

Where to Find this Bird

Summary

Grouse can be quite difficult to find, but they are certainly fascinating to see in the wild. If you are able to spot a grouse in West Virginia, it will almost certainly be a Ruffed Grouse.

If you enjoyed this post, please give it a like and a comment. Also be sure to check out the Badgerland Birding YouTube Channel.

Uncategorized

Badgerland Birding Migration Madness Photo Contest Finalists Announced

July 30, 2023 Dereksallmann Leave a comment

Look at the photos below for each category and then fill out the Google Form linked at the bottom of this page. You can pick one photo per category and each person can fill out the Google form only once. Please keep the authors of the photos anonymous until voting is complete. Voting will end at midnight CST on August 13, 2023.

Best Cute Bird Photo

Best Colorful Bird Photo

Best Warbler Photo

Best Photo of Bird Nesting Behavior

Best Landscape with Bird Photo

Best Hummingbird Photo

Best Digiscoped Photo of a Bird

Best Bird of Prey Photo

Best Bird in Flight Photo

Best Photo of a Bird Fishing

Link to Google Form for Voting: https://forms.gle/miBPWauz8QGsyq9J6

We noticed we forgot a digiscoped submission so please use this form for that category! https://forms.gle/HZgEiWM3RLMXp1Fp7

Uncategorized

Grouse of New York (2 Species to Know)

June 4, 2023 rmsallmanngmailcom Leave a comment

In the New York, there are two native species of grouse that can be found in the wild. Some of these species are fairly rare and even coveted by birders. Below is the list of all four species, with photos and information about their habits, how to identify them, and where to find them.

Ruffed Grouse

Identification

Range

Diet and Foraging Behavior

Where to Find this Bird

Spruce Grouse (Rare)

Identification

Range

Diet and Foraging Behavior

Where to Find this Bird

Summary

Grouse can be quite difficult to find, but they are certainly fascinating to see in the wild. New York has a nice variety of grouse species to find, and we hope that this article helped shed some light on how to find and ID them.

If you enjoyed this post, please give it a like and a comment. Also be sure to check out the Badgerland Birding YouTube Channel.

Editorials, Uncategorized

Birders and Bird Watchers Are Crazy People: Here’s Why

June 3, 2023 rmsallmanngmailcom Leave a comment

Different hobbies attract different types of people. Some of the communities built around pastimes can be categorized or stereotyped as all sorts of different things. Let me tell you this right now, it’s fair to label birders and bird watchers, as absolute crazy people. The term “crazy” can have a lot of different meanings. I’m not talking about the mentally unstable kind of crazy, but rather the kind of crazy more in line with fanantical passion that other people not involved in the hobby may mistake for mental instability. Before you get too upset about this declaration, I know a thing or two about the craziness of birders, because I in fact am one. This will not be a post chastising birders and bird watchers but rather a celebration of all the weird and wacky things that birding can drive you to do. Here are five reasons birders and bird watchers are crazy people.

They Wake Up Early

In this video Badgerland Birding starts birding before sunrise on the first of the year

If you’re anything like me, you aren’t a big fan of getting up early, and few things can persuade you to do so. One of those things is birding. While birds are active throughout most of the day, the early part of the morning is when they are most energetic and vocal; meaning that morning is usually the best time to go birding. This often means maximizing your day will require getting up before sunrise to make sure you arrive at your destination in time to catch the bird songs ringing in the first light. Furthermore, sometimes the days start even earlier than near sunrise if your destination is farther away, more on that in just a minute. The fact of the matter is that to get the most out of birding, a lot of times it will mean waking up extremely early, which people usually only do voluntarily when they are extremely passionate about something. Dare I say, crazy about something.

They Take Long Trips

Badgerland Birding goes on an extremely long road trip to see a Tundra Bean-goose

Another wild thing that hardcore birders routinely do is travel great distances in the pursuit of birds. This can be going to a particular hotspot or on a journey to see a particular bird that happens to be far away. This is especially the case for rarities both locally, and even on the national level. One of the longest trips I ever went on to see a bird was driving from eastern Wisconsin to Iowa to try and find an extremely rare Tundra Bean-goose. It’s not just driving long distances though that make birders a bit crazy, its’ that they also take planes just to see rare birds. A Stellers Sea Eagle on the East coast, and a Small-billed Elaenia in Illinois are just two examples of birds that people took flights from across the country just to check off their list. For rare birds, it’s not uncommon at all for people to travel exceptional distances, and I think that’s pretty crazy, but admittedly, a long road trip to see a bird makes for a great time, especially when you find the one you’re looking for.

They Go on Birding Vacations

A video from when Badgerland Birding took a trip to Oklahoma to go birding

In the same vein as road trips and flights to see a bird are what we at badgerland birding call “birdcations.” These are vacations specifically for the purpose of going birding. This is actually way more common than you might think as certain regions of the United States and different countries are major meccas for ecotourism. One such area in the United States in the Rio Grande Valley were birders flock from all over the country to explore the area and view some of the many rare bird species that call South Texas home. Other hot spots for birders to vacation to are Arizona, Costa Rica, and Columbia. You have to be pretty passionate about a hobby to center your entire vacation around it, and that’s exactly what many birders do.

They Go to Weird Places

Ryan from Badgerland Birding goes birding at a sod farm in Wisconsin

Undoubtedly one of the most peculiar things about birders is the places that they are willing to go to find birds. Of course some of these places are beautiful and picturesque. Others however, are well let’s just say, not so majestic. One of the most hilarious places birders find themselves going are landfills. Landfills are goldmines for different scavenging species such as gulls and birds of prey, but telling people you’re spending the day at the dump will definitely get you some weird looks. Other odd places birders go looking for birds are flooded fields, roadsides, sod farms, and even other people’s houses for rarities that show up at home bird feeders. To non-birders, going to these places is a very weird thing, but in my opinion the strange places birding takes you is actually one of the most enjoyable things about it. What other reason would you possibly have to go to a sod farm or a landfill? The strangeness of it, is what makes it fun.

They Do Whatever it Takes to Find Birds

A video of Badgerland Birding searching a weedy field for sparrows

Probably the most crazy thing about birders and bird watchers is the way they do whatever it takes to find the bird they’re looking for. While this is a broad statement, I can think of several examples of birders doing things normal human beings would consider to be too much for the sake of just seeing a bird. This can range from going into difficult terrain such as steep grades, to having to hike for miles on trails. One particular instance I remember in which I did something a little crazy to see a bird was when I walked through fields filled with burs and other weedy plants to find a Nelson’s Sparrow. Was it worth it? Absolutely!

Another way in which birders do whatever it takes to find birds is braving the weather. Not only is it rain and snow that birders are often willing to go out in but also bitter cold and sweltering heat. We have experienced both ends of the spectrum. I distinctly remember the sub zero temperatures of the Sax-zim Bog as we searched for Great Gray Owls and other boreal birds. In spite of the cold, that was an awesome trip and really goes to show that birders will brave some awful weather and venture into some wild places to find birds.

Summary

In all, birders really do some crazy things. From the early mornings, to the long trips, it’s an extremely adventurous hobby and the most “out there” things about it are what make for the most fun. Of course not all birders and bird watchers are hard core enough to do these types of things, but as a whole, to get the most out of birding, I think you have to be at least a little bit crazy.

Are their any other crazy things birders do that we missed? Let us know in the comments below and as always, thanks for reading!

Uncategorized

Badgerland Birding Photography Contest Rules and Guidelines

May 13, 2023 rmsallmanngmailcom Leave a comment

We are happy to announce the Badgerland Birding YouTube channel is hosting a photography contest May 2023! This contest is open to anyone and everyone across the globe and we encourage everyone to invite their friends and participate. Check out the rules below to get started!

Photography contest announcement video

Entry Process

To enter the Badgerland Birding May photography contest, email your photos to BadgerlandBirding@gmail.com. You must also include the photo release from that you can find by clicking this link. Please also indicate the categories you want each photo to be entered into in the email body. The contest goes from May 12, 2023 to June 12, 2023 and submitions must be sent in by June 13, 2023. Photos submitted into the contest must be taken between the contest dates.

Red-winged Blackbird – Photo by Bill Grossmeyer

Judging and Selection Process

Finalists in each category will be selected from the pool of submissions and then voted on with an open voting process on the Badgerland Birding website and YouTube channel.

Photo Categories

Photos entered must pertain to one of the following categories.

Best cute bird photo
Photos in this category must be of birds typically thought of as cute such as chickadees, titmice, wrens, etc.
Best spring landscape with bird photo
Photos in this category must involve spring landscapes in addition to birds. An example would be birds in a tree with blooming flowers. This category can include warblers even though they also have their own category.
Best warbler photo
Photos in this category must be of birds considered to be warblers (wood warblers count too).
Best photo of a colorful bird
Photos in this category must be of bids that exhibit bright colors such as tanagers, orioles, etc.
Best photo of bird nesting behavior
Photos in this category must be of birds exhibiting nesting behaviors such as building nests or raising chicks.
Best hummingbird photo
Photos in this category must be of hummingbirds.
Best bird in flight photo
Photos in this category must be of birds that are in flight in the photo.
Best digiscoped photo
Photos in this category must be taken with the method of digiscoping
Best bird of prey photo
Photos in this category must be of birds of prey such as falcons, hawks, eagles, or owls. (Photos of owls must show relaxed owls, if they look alarmed, we will not enter the photo into the contest).
Best photo of a bird fishing
Photos in this category must show birds actively fishing such as terns, herons, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit photos not taken between the contest dates?
Photos submitted into the contest must be taken between May 12, 2023 and June 12, 2023.

How many photos can I enter per category?
You can submit up to three (3) photos per category.

Can I enter the same photo in multiple categories?
You can only enter an individual photo in one category, so make sure you choose wisely.

How much editing can be done to entered photos?
Moderate editing can be done to images, however, if the image is noticeably altered it will not be entered into contention.

What are the prizes for winners?
Winners will be showcased on the Badgerland Birding website and in a video on the Badgerland Birding YouTube channel about the contest. Winners of each category will also be entered in a drawing for free Badgerland Birding merchandise.

Summary

We are extremely excited to be hosting our first ever photo contest and hope to get as many participants as possible! Please pass along our contest to your friends and have fun birding and taking photos this spring! For additional questions, feel free to reach out.