June 25 - Horicon Marsh

Early departure for Horicon Marsh and a rendezvous with Roberta Laffey, long-time friend and a great help with our Wisconsin leg details. We enjoyed a full day with Jeff Bahls, a good local guide who was able to put us onto much waterfowl and a great tour of the vast Horicon marsh system.

We enjoyed a fine introductory program offered by the visitor's center and ate our lunch in the middle of the marsh wit many calling Sora and Virginia Rail. i still owe a few people a good look at a Sora (not for lack of trying).

We left Jeff's company in the mid-afternoon so as to enjoy the comforts of our Band B. Four of us wandered down the hill to Devil's Lake State Park and in about an hour of birding were able to some quality birds including Acadian Flycatcher, Hooded Warbler, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

We headed up to "The Dells" for a great Farewell Dinner at "The Wilderness" with Roberta, John and Doug and enjoyed much talk about what a great trip it had been so far. Everyone got a chance to talk about their favorite location and bird. For me, the prairie with the Spargus's Pipit flying and displaying above our heads was truly special. Everyone had equally unique moments.