Wisconsin Statewide Birding Report 8.15.14The avian nesting season is wrapping up with young of most species fledged by now. Exceptions include notoriously late nesting species such as cedar waxwing and American goldfinch, which are likely on eggs or feeding nestlings yet. Hummingbird feeders are very active now as both adults and youngsters jockey for the chance to fuel up for the migration ahead. Remember to avoid unnecessary red dyes and use multiple feeders spread over a wide area to minimize territorial disputes. Chimney swifts are now beginning to gather at communal roosts in large numbers. DNR and its partners are seeking public help in counting and monitoring this declining species. Purple martins are also beginning to stage, while common nighthawk migration should get underway in the week ahead. The bulk of adult shorebirds have already moved through the state but peak numbers of juvenile birds are expected in the weeks ahead. More rain is needed to increase the amount of suitable habitat, however. Wetlands are great places to bird right now. These are hosting large numbers of egrets and pelicans in some areas, as well as gallinules, various waterfowl species, terns, herons, sora and Virginia rails, blackbirds, and other species. In the north, groups of common loons are being reported on inland lakes. This is an annual event as non-breeding and post-breeding birds gather; however, the behavior has been more common earlier this year due to widespread loon nest failures caused by extreme black fly outbreaks. Northern birders also noted the first signs of warbler migration this week, including an increase in Tennessee warblers, as well as other Neotropical migrants such as olive-sided and yellow-bellied flycatchers. Rare birds spotted this week included a ruff in Dodge County, blue grosbeak in Sauk, white-faced ibis in Winnebago, snowy egret in Brown, yellow-crowned night-heron in Marathon, and Franklin's gull in Ashland. As always, find out what others are seeing and help us track the migration at
www.ebird.org/wi (exit DNR). Good birding! - Ryan Brady, Bureau of Wildlife Management research scientist, Ashland
