Wisconsin Statewide Birding Report
Despite the colder temps and abundant snow in some parts of the state, bird migration is chugging along right on schedule! Blackbirds, robins, bluebirds, meadowlarks and other early passerine migrants have arrived in most portions of the state. This week also saw our first pheobe arrivals of the year. Waterfowl migration has been slow but steady. The southern counties are seeing strong goose numbers including some snow, Ross's and white-fronted geese. Open water around Madison and other locales has attracted all of the regularly occurring species of ducks including the first blue-winged teal of the year. This spring has been a good spring for white-winged scoters along Lake Michigan and a few red-throated loons have also been reported. Sandhill cranes are back on territory and a few whooping cranes have also been reported migrating north with the sandhills. The next week should bring territorial American woodcock, an influx of waterfowl and some of the early passerines including tree swallow, pheobe, kinglets, fox sparrow and creepers. Rare birds currently being seen include harlequin ducks in Sheboygan, red-throated loons at various places in Lake Michigan, and lingering snowy owls in Kewaunee/Brown counties.
