As an exercise to help us summarize our days either from Upham or working from home, we use the activity of “I wonder, I notice, it reminds me of”. This helps others understand what we are up to and what we are dealing with physically and mentally.

I wonder what Upham Woods would be like with campers and people! Although it has been very nice to be able to do a lot of conservation work like clearing brush, making burn piles, and piling a sawed-up fallen down oak tree, I wonder what camp is like when there are kids to teach and take out into the woods, campfire songs and skits to perform, and the radical raptors finally getting the spotlight they deserve.

I noticed that in this time of COVID-19, isolation is very important and there is no better place to be isolated at (or to be at all!) than Upham Woods. It is quite dreary without campers, counselors, and fellow staff members, but it is also quite safe and well quarantined.

I noticed that the sounds of nature like the river, the birds, especially woodpeckers, and the rustling efforts of squirrels searching for prime acorns underneath the fallen leaves is much louder and it can be quite fun trying to figure out where all the sounds that surround you are coming from!

This situation of isolation does not remind me of anything! I can’t say I have ever gone through something like this, but nor have almost everyone else. Being in this new territory, I am reminded, however, of when I start to do something new like going to a new school, starting a job, taking on a new sport, or meeting new people; the necessity for flexibility and the willingness to become comfortable with the unknown is essential for success in these types of situations. My time so far up at Upham has been nothing but learning new things, trying things in different and innovative ways, and accepting the uncertainty of the situation we are all in.

In late March I began noticing the migratory birds coming back to Upham woods from their winter homes in the south. Starting with the Robin, a symbol for many that winter is coming to an end and that spring is upon us. Canada Geese and Mallards started to become more common on the Wisconsin river as well. Blue Jays are abundant in early April. These are some of my favorite birds here at Upham woods. I’ve probably seen more during my time here than anywhere else.

I thought that It would be a fun project to document the bird species I saw around Upham woods so I decided to keep a bird journal. Any time I see a new species around I write it down and continue to put tallies next to them for each sighting. I decided I would divide it up by month starting with April. There are a lot of birds that have been around all winter like the black capped chickadee, dark eyed junco, Mourning dove and American Crow to name a few. By the time April came around, the robin was the most common. They are everywhere you look pecking at the ground looking for bugs and worms. I soon became somewhat obsessed with the birds around me. I started taking a pair of binoculars everywhere I go to help identify all the birds I see. I became more aware of all the different calls that I heard and the subtle differences between similar species. I still consider myself somewhat of a novice when it comes to identifying different birds but it is a hobby I enjoy and will continue to do. Anytime I see something new I go back to my computer to do some research. The Cornell ornithology website, and e-bird app have proven to be quite useful.

I’ve now spotted 26 different species at Upham woods. Some of my favorites that I haven't mentioned yet include the Barred Owl, Red Bellied Woodpecker, Sandhill Crane, Bald Eagle, Bufflehead Duck, and the Blue Heron. The latest species so far is the yellow rumped warbler, the first of the many warbler species that will be migrating through Wisconsin. I will continue to keep my eyes out for new visitors to add to my list. Birds are everywhere and are often taken for granted but the more you notice, the more you begin to appreciate them. I encourage anyone interested to start keeping track. You’ll probably be surprised at the diversity all around you.