Statewide Birding Report: 9.11.08
Fall passerine and shorebird migration is now in full swing statewide with the recent cold fronts sweeping across Wisconsin. Birders have reported heavy migrations of warblers, thrushes, vireos and other long-distance migrants in patches of forest statewide. The next week should bring the peak of most of the migrants through Wisconsin and start to begin the downward slide of migration. Birders should seek forest patches with lots of complexity and fruit. This time of year the more mesic or wet sites with lots of shrubs tend to be better for migrants. Shorebirds continue to be seen in good numbers where shallow, muddy habitat exists. Look for shorebirds at the Lake Mills Wildlife Area - Zeloski Marsh unit, Crex Meadows and Fish Lake wildlife areas and in remaining flooded farm fields across south central Wisconsin. This seems to be an exceptionally good year for observing red-necked phalararopes in Wisconsin. Other good birds spotted this week include buff-breasted sandpipers at various locations, peregrine falcons harassing shorebirds, migrant Connecticut warbler, olive-sided flycatchers, and LeConte's sparrow. It also appears that this year's heavy June rains delayed or disturbed nesting for quite a few birds. In the last week there have been numerous reports of young duck broods and late nesting from various passerine species. As always, please report sightings to Wisconsin eBird (
www.ebird.org/wi) to help track migratory bird populations.
