Wisconsin Statewide Statewide Birding Report 10.12.12 Fall migration continues to advance with each passing cold front. This past week saw nice movements of blackbirds, robins and juncos into the state as well as our first decent numbers of diving ducks. Hawk migration continues to feature primarily red-tailed hawks and sharp-shinned hawks with a few falcons and other species mixed in. Passerine migrants include most of the short-distance migrants such as fox sparrow, hermit thrush, winter wren, both kinglets and a number of sparrow species. In open areas look for migrating longspurs, pipits and horned larks to be moving through the area. Often undetected but not un-common are saw-whet owls. This small owl species has been moving through in good numbers. Banding stations across the northern and central portions of the state are reporting movements after recent cold fronts. Birders can find this owl by playing a recorded version of the song at night in or near thick conifers or listening for the calls of mobbing chickadees or nuthatches during the day. Winter finches have been quiet so far with pine siskins and purple finches being the main species reported. Rare birds seen this week include western grebes at a handful of locations as well as a few lingering Nelson?s sparrows statewide. This week should bring more movement with predicted west and northwest winds. Check larger water bodies for migrant diving ducks, loons and grebes. The best land birding will be in brushy edges or weedy margins of wetlands where sparrows and other short-distance migrants will congregate. As always, please report sightings to
www.ebird.org/WI to help better track migratory bird populations. - Andy Paulios, coordinator Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative
