ARBORETUM NEWS (ANNOUNCEMENTS)

White-winged crossbills, pine siskins and redpolls sighted in Arboretum

MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2009

Many bird-watchers are reporting white-winged cross bills, (Loxia leucoptera) in spruce trees in Longenecker Gardens or along McCaffrey Drive at the Arboretum. People are also seeing common and hoary redpolls (Carduelis flammea and C. hornemanni) in various conifers including Tamaracks near Teal Pond. Others have seen Pine Siskens (C. pinus), titmice (Parus bicolor), and white-throated sparrows(Zonotrichia albicollis). Robins can be seen near the Big Spring and flocks of cedar waxwings can be seen near the spring or in the crabapple collection.

Located between Lake Wingra and the West Beltline Highway at 1207 Seminole Highway, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum features the restored prairies, forests and wetlands of pre-settlement Wisconsin. This 1,260-acre arboretum also houses flowering trees, shrubs and a world-famous lilac collection. Educational tours for groups and the general public, science and nature-based classes for all ages and abilities, and a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for groups, families and individuals are available.