| Reprinted with permission from the Wisconsin Association of Lakes
A Wisconsin Conservation Warden's Mission - "To protect, enhance and promote the safe and wise use of our natural resources through enforcement, education, and community based wardening that guarantees fair and equal treatment for all."What does that mean to you? A large part of my duties as a Conservation Warden, revolve around our greatest natural resource - lakes and streams. You've likely seen us patrolling the waterways and shorelines and wondered to yourself "what is that warden doing today?" We are the main "eyes" for the Department of Natural Resources, monitoring shoreline and lake projects, investigating complaints, checking fishers, hunters and boaters, and on some days doing all of the above.On some occasions though, you may have thought to yourself, "where has that Warden been, they haven't been on the lake in ages?" Wisconsin is very low in Conservation Wardens compared with the number of residents. There are only one to two Wardens per county, which means that each Warden has at least 85 lakes to monitor (different in other parts of the state). That's why it's critical that we work together to protect the waterways we love. What can you do to help? Take time to become educated and informed about the resources in your area and the regulations that apply to using those resources. A great source for that information is the DNR website (www.dnr.wi.gov). The website contains information from shoreline regulations to boating safety to the bag limits on your favorite fish. You can also get this information from the DNR service Centers located around the state. Report violations or suspicious activity that you are aware of or observe. The best method is to call the DNR hotline at 800-TIP-WDNR (847-9367) a statewide, 24 hour confidential violation reporting system.Lead by example, follow the regulations with the understanding that Wisconsin's laws are there to protect two very important things - the great people and great resources of our state.
In Wisconsin, we are lucky to have the great resource of our lakes and streams. Let's take responsibility to protect, enhance and promote the safe and wise use of them. Stay informed, stay involved, stay legal and stay responsible.
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| While on a weekend pontoon ride in early June, I spotted two very large birds soaring above the lake; east of Boy Scout Island. Ospreys! We watched for quite so time as the birds glided effortlessly over the lake, looking for fish. Suddenly, one of the birds stopped, hovered then dove straight down into the water. It apparently came up empty, as it rejoined its partner, and began searching again. We were treated to three more dives before one of the birds was apparently successful, catching a fish of about 10 inches.
The Osprey, Pandion haliaetus, is a very large raptor (bird of prey) found near water throughout much of the world. They may be found on any continent except Antarctica. There is only one species of this bird, but there are 4 subspecies. The subspecies found in Wisconsin being Pandion haliaetus carolinensis. This bird is not common to Lake Eau Claire. I estimate that one might see about 10-20 bald eagles for every osprey. Often mistaken for an eagle because of its huge size (a wingspan of about 5 feet), an osprey can be distinguished from the bald eagle by its white underbelly, dark marking running through the eye, and an odd, gull-like wing beat. The osprey will also hover in one spot, high above potential prey, and dive directly into the water. The eagle will do neither of these.
Ospreys are sometimes called fish eagles. Their diet is about 99% fish. They are excellent fishermen, and eagles have been observed harassing these birds in an attempt to get them to drop their catch, which the eagle then steals. They eat a wide variety of fish species, but tend to concentrate on a few certain species abundant in the area where they reside. In Wisconsin, osprey tends to concentrate on panfish. I have personally seen ospreys, on the Eau Claire River, take red horses. Once I saw one carrying what appeared to be a small northern pike or musky. Ospreys cannot swim, and occasionally drown if they should happen to lock their talons into a fish too large for them to lift. Since they are not locally abundant, they are not considered to have a major impact on fish populations.
As in most birds of prey, the female bird weighs more than the male, averaging about 4 lbs. as compared to about 3 lbs. for the male. A pair of these birds will build a large nest of sticks, often in a tall dead tree or atop telephone poles. The nest may be several feet across. They often nest alone, although in some areas colonial nesting occurs. The nest will usually be within a few miles of a body of water. Ospreys produce an average of 3 eggs per season, the young hatching in about 32-43 days, in the order the eggs were laid. Those hatching first will have the best chance of surviving when food supplies are scarce. This phenomenon, called brood reductions, is common in birds of prey. The young will fledge in about 7-8 weeks, and become independent in about 7-17 weeks. The female tends the young, and the male provides the fish. They become sexually mature in about 3 years, and an osprey may live as long as 25 years in the wild. They are generally monogamous, and may use the same nest site year after year.
Osprey numbers have rebounded dramatically since the 1950’s and 60’s. Like other birds of prey, they had once been decimated by the effects of the pesticide DDT. This pesticide interfered with their calcium metabolism, causing them to lay very brittle eggs that often broke during incubation. With the banning of DDT, and protection against shooting, they have recovered nicely and have regained their place in aquatic ecosystems throughout much of their former range. In Wisconsin, the osprey is listed as a threatened species, and; like all birds of prey, is protected. A survey conducted in 1991 found 340 active osprey pairs in the state. I suspect that number has grown.
The next time you are out on the lake, look skyward occasionally. The chance is kind of slim with all the herons, turkey vultures, and eagles around, but if you are lucky, one of those huge birds you see just might be one of “our” magnificent ospreys. To see one is a true ornithological treat.
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Wisconsin is home to about six species of owls, though several other species may be occasional visitants; passing through unexpectedly, or migrating down when food supplies in the far north are scarce. Permanent residents include the great horned, the barred, the long-eared, the short-eared, the eastern screech, and the saw-whet owls. One of, if not the most common, is the barred owl, Strix varia.
The barred owl is a large owl with a length of 16-25” and a wingspan of 38-50”. As is the case with birds of prey in general, the female is larger, with an average weight of about 1lb. 11oz. while the males average about 1lb. 6oz. They are gray in color, with dark eyes, a yellowish beak, and no ear tufts, which distinguish them from the common great horned owl, Bubo virginianus. Their size is deceptive, since they are mostly feathers. They are sometimes called the “8-hooter,” since their typical call is Hoohoohoohoo hoohoohoohooaww, which is often paraphrased as “who cooks for you, who cooks for you all?” There is a noticeable drop in pitch with the last syllable. They may also produce a blood-curdling scream, sound like a monkey, or shriek like a young wolf. They mostly call at night, as they are nocturnal, but they may sometimes be heard on a cloudy day, especially in May. These owls are well known to bow hunters, since they prefer wooded areas near river bottoms, upland mixed hardwood forests.
Like other owls, barred owls are largely beneficial, dining principally on voles and other small rodents, but they will also eat reptiles, snakes, insects, and sometimes birds. Their only significant natural enemy is the great horned owl.
The barred owl nests in March or April in Wisconsin, usually in a cavity in a hollow tree, 18-50 feet off the ground, where the female will lay 2-4 round eggs which will hatch in the order they are laid; 2-3 days apart. This “stair step family” ensures that, even in periods of relative scarcity of food, that the first bird or two to hatch might have a reasonable chance to survive. If food is scarce, the last to hatch simply can’t compete, and may starve. The young will leave the nest at about 4 weeks and sit on branches of the nest tree. They will take their first flight at about 7 weeks. Pairs mate for life, and will return to he same nest site year after year. Barred owls have been known to live up to 10 years in the wild, and as long as 23 years in captivity.
Contrary to popular opinion, owls in general are not “wise.” As birds go, they are not at the top of the intelligence scale. That distinction is reserved for the crows, jays, and their relatives. However, they are equipped with phenomenal senses of vision and hearing, which makes them very efficient predators. Like all birds of prey, they are strictly protected in Wisconsin.
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