We had some more crazy February weather last month, but the migratory birds don't seem to mind and are right on schedule.   I have spotted cranes and Common Mergansers as they return and the increased numbers of Canada Geese and Mallards have been experiencing fine dining in the flooded fields of southern Wisconsin.  

Though the weather seems mild the past few weeks, we still have 12-20 inches of frost in most areas around the state.   Luckily this held up as the 70,000 lb. machine we had working in Green Lake County last week needed the help.   The necessary frost was in fine form with no indication of leaving anytime soon.    We were able to plug the outlets of three ditches draining a large wetland area which will increase hydroperiods and create some open water habitat where none exists.  

This project really went faster than expected as we were able to work with a few neighbors to secure access.   Sometimes it is the small things that make the work go more smoothly that we don't normally think about, but without this cooperation we would have had to track nearly a mile into the project site and at 1 mph on an excavator that can take some time.   

I will be moving toward project reviews and continuing surveys over the next month for upcoming projects this year.   Keep your eyes open birds are returning and it is always fun to see them in their full breeding plumage.

As I am writing this, we just had one of the warmest days of the year.  Flocks of geese streamed overhead this morning, Toms were strutting, cranes could be heard echoing across the countryside, and I saw my first Redwing Blackbird!  The first phases of Spring are here and it made the old anxiety meter peg.  There is much to do and so little time until hens will be looking to nest.  The teams are assembling for work in the field and your help would be greatly appreciated.  Contact any of the leads below for more details and sign up to volunteer online:

 

A volunteer checks boxes at George Mead WA

Wausau Chapter and George W. Mead Wildlife Area (WA):   The crew up north just finished working with the UW Stevens Point students on wood duck reporting.  The students provided excellent instruction for the team as they researched the success of the boxes from last season and prepared them for new inhabitants.  In addition to this educational project with the UW Students, the team struck out in to the field and did some fence line clean-up!  The Wausau team is full steam and has a chain saw training day scheduled for 3/31 for its volunteers.  If you are interested in work with the great team, please contact Melanie Love at 715-393-5992 for details.

 

West Bend / Cedar Creek and Jackson Marsh WA:    Reorganizing and redefining goals, volunteers Mike Depies and Steve Jeffrey are heading up projects this spring to complete the required work hours before their annual report.  A tentative work day is scheduled for 3/10, but will be dependent on mother nature.  The team plans on installing at least 18 wood duck boxes on the property.  There is also a plan to tackle an old blind and refuse removal on Smith Lake some time in April, which according to the DNR is greatly needed.   Please contact Mike Depies at 262-352-9187 for details and look for more postings or emails as dates are firmed-up.

 

Waukesha / Twin Rivers and Rome Pond WA:   There is a project day scheduled for 3/17 at 9AM.  The rain date is 3/24.  Highlights include an upland clearing project and wood duck box clean-up, depending on ice conditions.  New boxes may also be installed, as last year's audits proved to have a high success rate.  Emails will go out to team members as a reminder, but if you would like to become a new team member, please contact Mike Alaimo at 262-443-4674 for details.

 

Twin Rivers and Lake Mills WA :   A work day is not scheduled yet for Lake Mills, but a recent clean-out and check of boxes at Mud Lake proved very successful for having been installed as late as early April last year.  If Rome Pond goes without a hitch on 3/17, expect an impromptu project day scheduled for 3/24 to get even more boxes added to these properties.  Contact Mike Alaimo at 262-443-4674 for details.

 

Waukesha and Paradise Valley WA :  After the project that moved boxes in January, there are still more boxes to relocate.  A small team will try to squeak this in over the next few weeks while there might still be some ice.  A project day is still pending and will be announced once firmed-up with the DNR.  Contact Mike Alaimo at 262-443-4674 if you are interested in joining the Waukesha team!

 

NEW!!! Columbia County members - Mud Lake WA :  With the help of a volunteer that would like to make a difference with his buddies, Scott Hamele of Windsor has stepped-up to head an AWA team!  The DNR is pleased to receive help with a contact being submitted this week, which will be the first of its kind in Columbia County.  The biologist stated that Mud Lake WA is a challenging property as it has one of the largest concentrations of invasive species in the county, along with a challenging marsh environment with bogs impeding access and taking out refuge signs.  This spring, a new gun range is opening as well, which will need help with clean-up and grass cutting.  If improving this property is up your alley and is close to home, please contact Scott Hamele at 608-235-6307 to sign-up as a team member.

Mud Lake Wildlife Area

 

NEW!!!! West Allis / Waukesha / South Suburban and Big Muskego Lake WA:   For those of you in the Milwaukee or Eastern Waukesha areas, this is most likely one of your waterfowl and recreation destinations.  Close to home in a large populous, this WA gets heavy use.  The DNR was very excited in partnering with the WWA for an AWA contract.  The submission should be this week and more details to follow.  We would also like to thank Ian Bartelmez from West Allis for taking on the lead for this combined team.  If you would like to be part of his team and make a difference on Big Muskego, please contact Ian at 414-779-1552.

Big Muskego Lake Wildlife Area