Bluebirds and Martins + Birds Eye View Photo Exhibit - 23 June 2024

The June 24 4th Sunday of the month Bird and Nature Adventure at the UW Lakeshore Nature Preserved featured "Bluebirds and Martins" with about 16 attendees of all ages including some kids.  Trip leaders Jeff Koziol and Paul Noeldner explained that the special bird houses for these native cavity nesting species and the weekly monitoring protocol are part of the Preserve's mission to support research, education, and native plant and wildlife biodiversity.  Paul handed out a Bluebird Trail Recipe for folks interested in putting up boxes and doing weekly monitoring.  Jeff led the walk along fairly accessable mowed nature paths through tall native wildflowers with many already blooming profusely in the Biocore Prairie. The group made frequent stops to look at plants and birds and the sharp eyed kids in the group spotted every interesting bug along the way.  

Jeff followed monitoring protocols to briefly open some Bluebird boxes for participants to see and learn about nesting activity by Bluebirds as well as native Tree Swallows, Black-capped Chickadees and House Wrens that also benefit from and need human supplemented nesting boxes. Each makes a uniquely different kind of nest.  Biocore Prairie Manager and Purple Martin PUMA project team member Seth Magee shared a report that it is already a good year for the apartment style Purple Martin House and hanging gourds atop the Biocore Prairie hill with 52 nestlings already hatched and 23 eggs on the way.  

One participant shared that she has lived in Madison for 84 years and had only visited Picnic Point. This was her first visit to the Biocore Prairie and she loved it and plans to return to explore more of the 300 acre Lakeshore Nature Preserve. 

Participants were also encouraged to visit the nearby Birds Eye View public exhibit on the 9th floor of the MRI Medical Research Institute building next to UW Hospital.  The exhibit is open from June to September and features wonderful bird photography from the perspectives of local bird lovers and photo artists Arlene Koziol, Paul Ludden, Rob Streiffer and Tom Yin.  

Take a walk at the Biocore Prairie to see the Bluebird boxes and Martin house any time to enjoy the wildflowers and birds and be sure to stop at the MRI building to see the 9th floor Birds Eye View bird photography public exhibit. 

Report and photos by Paul Noeldner.