There was still snow at Horicon Marsh when my friend and I made our first birding trip of the year there last weekend. The frogs were singing loudly even while surrounded in snow and ice.
We saw about 40 bird species including plenty of American White Pelicans:
And we got to watch a Belted Kingfisher fly from tree to tree and skim the marsh water looking for fish:
A few weeks ago I spotted my first-ever Horned Lark in a farm field just north of Madison. Once you see a bird species and get an idea of the type of terrain they prefer, it’s much easier to find them again someplace else. On Saturday this one was hanging out in a farm field just outside of the auto tour area of the marsh.
He was singing his heart out. They have a very interesting little song.