Statewide Birding Report
Rare/exciting birds reported recently include white-faced ibis in Marquette County, yellow-crowned night-heron in Milwaukee, blue grosbeaks in multiple locations, and a prairie warbler in Door county. Songbird activity is now past peak as many birds are fledging young. Singing activity should be active in the morning hours until about mid-July depending on location. Birders might enjoy birding grasslands and wetlands right now as many of these species are double-brooded and young birds are much easier to watch in wetland ecosystems than in forest ecoystems. Exciting wetlands in early July include Horicon Marsh, Crex Meadows and Mead Wildlife Area (amongst others). Many grassland birds are still active including Henslow’s, grasshopper and lark sparrows, dickcissels, meadowlarks and thrashers. Bobolinks are now beginning to fledge young and males are starting to gather into mid-Summer molting areas in preparation for the long flight home to Argentina. With recent rains birders should check flooded fields for early returning adult shorebirds. Many adult shorebirds pass through Wisconsin in early-mid July on their way back to coastal and tropical wintering areas. – Andy Paulios, wildlife biologist, Fitchburg
