1. Jim Knickelbine Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Preserve
Birds of our Waters
Jim Knickelbine
Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Preserve

2. Aldo Leopold (1948)
“ A thing is right (good) when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong (bad) when it tends otherwise. “

4. People have changed the landscape
Up to 85% of the Earth’s surface has been altered by people- we have had a tremendous impact on the environment.

5. People have changed the landscape
Up to 85% of the Earth’s surface has been altered by people- we have had a tremendous impact on the environment.
Ecosystems are constantly adjusting according to rapidly changing conditions.

6. Manitowoc County
Bordered by one of the largest lakes in the world Manitowoc County has more than 50 lakes not including unnamed lakes and springs

7. Manitowoc County Lakes
Provide much needed habitat for nesting and migrating birds of all types- waterfowl, raptors, songbirds, etc.
Open water, emergent aquatic, and different shoreline wetland habitats each contribute important benefits to many types of wildlife.

8. Manitowoc County Lakes Shoreline Wetlands
Emergent aquatic
Cattail marsh
Sedge meadow
Springs
Wet meadow or prairie

9. Bird populations
About 1/3 of bird species are declining

10. Bird populations About 1/3 of bird species are declining
About 1/3 of bird species are stable

11. Bird populations About 1/3 of bird species are declining
About 1/3 of bird species are stable
About 1/3 of bird species are increasing
Some common species, while still common, are declining

12. Wisconsin is a critical place in the lives of many migratory birds.

14. Birds of our Waters Canada Goose (not Canadian) Giant Canada Goose
Hudson Bay or Interior
Lesser/cackling?

15. Giant Canada Goose Thought to be extinct by 1930’s
Small population found in Minnesota in 1960’s
Reintroduced to Great Plains and other sites
Now 3 million
Benefits from alterations that people have made to the land

16. Swans
Tundra Trumpeter Mute

17. WI Breeding Ducks 29 species on State checklist Mallard Wood Duck
Blue-winged teal
others

18. Mallard

19. Wood Duck Population decimated by 1920’s Migratory Bird Treaty
Act of 1918

20. Blue-winged Teal

21. Winter Ducks

22. Mergansers

23. Loons

24. Loons in Wisconsin
There are about 4,000 loons in Wisconsin, compared to about 3,000 in the year 2000.
Prefer to nest on lakes with irregular shoreline, native vegetation, good water clarity, not too much human disturbance.
Loons “imprint” on the lakes on which they were hatched, and return there to nest when adults. Most males within 7 miles, females within 15 miles.

25. Loons
Young loons return to the region where they were hatched at age 3, but may not actually find an open nesting territory until age 6.
Loons can live for 25 years in the wild.
Lakes in Manitowoc County provide migratory stopover habitat, which can be crucial for loon survival.

26. Loons
Loons begin migrating south in October, moving first over to Lake Michigan in stages, then to the south end of the Lake, then in November fly in 1-2 days from there to the Gulf of Mexico.
Young loons migrate north their first spring, but along the Atlantic coast to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Then back to the gulf for winter.

27. Grebes

28. American White Pelican

29. Double-crested Cormorant

30. Herons

31. Rails

32. Shorebirds

33. Osprey

34. Bald Eagle

35. Northern Harrier

36. Peregrine Falcon

37. Gulls

38. More Gulls

39. Terns

40. Black Tern
Declined 78% since
1960s

41. Belted Kingfisher

42. Flycatchers

43. Swallows

46. Wrens

47. Warblers

48. Little Brown Jobs (LBJ’s)

49. American Crow

50. Blackbirds

52. Sparrows (more LBJs)

53. Migrant visitors

54. Improving Backyard Habitat

55. Food, Water, Cover

56. Food
Many native plants provide food for birds and other wildlife- from coneflowers to choke cherries to oaks.
Don’t forget nectar plants for pollinators
Milkweed for monarch butterflies
Possibilities are endless depending on goals

57. Food Cont’d
Native plants can provide not only fruit but also harbor insects eaten by wildlife
Fewer insects on cultivars or non-natives
Native plants are often easier to maintain
Migratory birds seek insects (from water) in spring, and fruit in fall

58. Water As simple as a birdbath Sound of flowing water attracts wildlife
Shallow, gradually sloping edges so animals don’t drown

59. Cover Shrubs/trees with dense foliage, some evergreens
Select plants that deer don’t like, or be prepared to protect them

60. Putting it all together

61. Shoreline Habitat Enhancement

64. References How to Manage Your Land to Help Birds
By Vicky Piaskowski- free online
Birdscaping in the Midwest by
Mariette Nowak
National Wildlife Federation
Backyard Habitat Program

65. Final Thoughts
There are about 300 species of birds that can be seen in and around our lakes.
The lakes and the land around them are inseparable, and both should be appreciated and sustainably cared for.

66. Questions? Thank you!
Jim Knickelbine Director/Naturalist Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Preserve Woodlanddunes.org