Wisconsin Statewide Birding Report 12.3.12The biggest story in Wisconsin birding continues to be an influx of winter finches from boreal Canada. Evening grosbeaks and Bohemian waxwings are visiting feeders and fruit trees, respectively, all the way south to the Illinois state line. Common redpolls as well as both white-winged and red crossbills also are being seeing statewide. Pine grosbeaks have invaded the north woods in large numbers and have remarkably trickled as far south as La Crosse and Milwaukee. Amazingly, multiple hummingbirds continue, including rufous in both La Crosse and Waukesha counties and a late ruby-throated in Sheboygan County. Although unlikely to match last year?s exceptional flight, another good snowy owl year appears to be in the works with upward of 20 individuals already reported, most along the Great Lakes shorelines. Waterbird migration is near peak and will continue until ice-up. Check large water bodies in particular for tundra swans, lingering common loons, and various ducks, including late-season species such as common goldeneyes, red-breasted mergansers, and buffleheads. Bald eagle numbers are building along the Mississippi River and other typical winter haunts. Likewise, now is a great time to visit bluff country in the southwest part of the state in search of golden eagles just arriving on winter territories. Rare finds in the state this past week include a northern hawk owl in Door County, varied thrushes in Bayfield and Waukesha counties, Townsend?s solitaires in Milwaukee, western grebes at various locations, eared grebes in Sheboygan and Milwaukee, and Pacific loon in Clark County. As always, help track bird populations and their migration patterns by sharing observations at
www.ebird.org/wi. - Ryan Brady, Bureau of Wildlife Management research scientist, Ashland
