Statewide Birding Report 2.24.13 The 2013 Great Backyard Bird Count concluded on February 18 with more than 3,400 checklists of 134 birds species submitted across Wisconsin. Thanks to all who contributed to this four-day, global event that provides our best snapshot of late winter bird populations. Speaking of late winter, birders reported significant signs of spring this past week, including singing northern cardinals and black-capped chickadees, drumming woodpeckers, courtship flights of common ravens, and trumpeter swans north all the way to Lake Superior. Sandhill cranes returned to the state in good numbers across southern Wisconsin on Monday, and the first arctic geese were seen this past week, including greater white-fronted geese in several locations and a flock of 10 Ross?s geese in Algoma. Winter isn?t over, however, and boreal owls continue to make news in the state and region with birds being seen in Douglas, Bayfield, and Oneida counties. Birders should look for these small owls hunting rodents near bird feeders during low light conditions and are encouraged to report sightings with a picture to Wisconsin eBird (
www.ebird.org/WI). White-winged and red crossbills, common and hoary redpolls, pine grosbeaks and other winter finches continue in strong numbers nearly statewide. Feeder watchers have also reported several dark-eyed juncos of the western ?Oregon? subspecies. Other rare birds spotted this week include a spotted towhee in Chippewa County, black-legged kittiwake near Neenah, and northern hawk owls in Door and Douglas counties. - Ryan Brady, Bureau of Wildlife Management research scientist, Ashland
