Wisconsin Outdoor Report for May 11, 2017

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Wisconsin Outdoor Report for May 11, 2017

Despite much of the state receiving at least some rain in the last week, fire danger levels have reached high to very high in far northern and northwestern Wisconsin, prompting Gov. Scott Walker to declare a precautionary state of emergency. People are urged to continue to use caution with all types of outdoor burning, ash disposal and equipment use and to search the DNR website for keyword "fire" to check on conditions and restrictions in their area.

Sunshine and warm temperatures brought out lots of anglers for the opening of Wisconsin's inland game fish season last weekend. Anglers took to inland trout streams and lakes, with trout fishing reported as excellent on some inland streams with water levels perfect for fishing. Some lake anglers reported water temperatures were still cool keeping fishing slower, but walleye anglers across the north and on Green Bay found good success with many boats coming back to the dock with fish. There were some reports of bluegills biting on area lakes and crappie fishing was starting to heat up on some of the smaller lakes in central Wisconsin

Fishing pressure on Lake Michigan has been low due to large waves and strong winds off the lake. Small craft advisories were in effect on several days over the last couple of weeks. The water along the shoreline was cloudy/turbid nearly half a mile offshore the majority of the week. Alewives have moved in along shorelines and some rivers and cormorants and terns were diving to feed on them at various locations along the lake. The Saturday opener brought many bass fishermen out along Door County but high winds influenced anglers to not stay out too long. Some still found success catching 10-plus bass for a half days trip.

Lake Winnebago system fisheries biologists reported that after a fairly short sturgeon run on the upper Fox and Wolf rivers this spring, sturgeon were again observed spawning at locations on the Wolf River in late April. Second runs likely occur annually, but are so short and never as large as the first so are not always observed or reported. This year it was reported and fisheries crews were able to capture and tag an additional 46 fish.

The spring turkey season is in full swing, with many turkey hunters successful so far this spring. Third period hunters reported modest early morning gobbler activity that ended abruptly about two hours after sunrise, then picked back up from late morning into early afternoon. Most hens appear to be on their nests, incubating their clutch of eggs, which averages about 10-12 eggs.

Sharp-tailed grouse have begun their mating dances seen in the early morning at Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area.

After a long stint of northerly winds kept the bulk of spring migrants at bay, the flood gates opened a bit this week, ushering in the first major push of warblers, orioles, grosbeaks, and more. Birders in southern parks and woodlands tallied 25-plus warbler species, while 13-plus species were tallied north to the Lake Superior shore. Orioles and rose-breasted grosbeaks are widespread now, with hummingbirds and indigo buntings less common yet. On Lake Superior blue jay migration is nearing peak with more than a thousand tallied in northern Bayfield County on May 10.

Spring beauties, large flowered bellwort, trilliums, bloodroot, dwarf ginseng, Dutchman's breeches, marsh marigolds, jack-in-the-pulpits, bellwort, trout lily and hepatica are blooming. A few morels are up, but experienced mushroom pickers say the weather has been too cool so far this year for the morel mushrooms to grow.
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Wildfire Report

Statewide fire danger ranged from Low to Very High this past week; 45 fires burned 38 acres in DNR Protection Areas. Annual burning permits have been periodically suspended. The largest fire of the week burned 20 acres in Shawano County. The main wildfire causes this week included equipment, trash/debris burning, improper ash disposal and a couple power line fires. People are urged to continue to use caution with all types of outdoor burning, ash disposal and equipment use. Property owners are reminded to remain present when burning debris in a barrel or on the ground - should your fire escape, you can be held responsible for the cost of fire suppression and any damages resulting from the escaped fire. Clear an area around the pile or barrel and make sure a hose is attached to a working spigot. Wet down the burned area before leaving. Stay aware of the current fire danger for your area by checking our website: dnr.wi.gov, keyword "fire". May 14 marks the fourth anniversary of the Germann Road Fire that burned 7,442 acres and 100 buildings (including 22 homes and cabins) in Douglas County.

Firewise Tip: Are there any branches or dead trees close to power lines on your property? Ask the power company to clear them. - Joanne Ackerman, wildland urban interface coordinator, Madison
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Statewide Birding Report

Statewide
Finally! After a long stint of northerly winds kept the bulk of migrants at bay, the flood gates opened a bit on Tuesday in the south and Wednesday statewide, ushering in the first major push of warblers, orioles, grosbeaks, and more. Birders in southern parks and woodlands tallied 25-plus warbler species, while 13-plus species were tallied north to the Lake Superior shore. Orioles and rose-breasted grosbeaks are widespread now, with hummingbirds and indigo buntings less common yet. Other favorites that have returned in numbers include house wrens, gray catbirds, and bobolinks.

Least flycatcher, veery, and red-eyed vireo arrived to the south this week. Birders there even reported some species typical of the mid- to late migration season such as black-billed cuckoo, dickcissel, and olive-sided flycatcher. Waterbird migration is generally waning fast but a daily watch on Lake Michigan at Harrington Beach State Park continues to see good numbers of red-breasted mergansers, common and Caspian terns, common and a few red-throated loons, Bonaparte's, glaucous, and Thayer's gulls, and other species. Shorebird migration remains fairly slow as well, though peak flights for these species, many of which breed in arctic Canada, is yet to come.

Northern Wisconsin
Farther north blue jay migration is nearing peak--more than a thousand were tallied along the Lake Superior shore in northern Bayfield County on May 10. Ruby-crowned kinglets remain common in the north woods, alongside increasing warbler numbers and lingering dark-eyed juncos, American tree sparrows, and even an occasional snow bunting! Lincoln's and white-crowned sparrows have arrived there among increasing numbers of white-throated sparrows. Pine siskins persist amid decreasing numbers of purple finches. Overhead, sharp-shinned hawks, broad-winged hawks, and bald eagles dominate as locals set up territories and migrants press northward.

Rarities & Reporting
Some of the rarities spotted across the state this week include northern mockingbirds in La Crosse, Sheboygan and Vilas counties, glossy ibis in Dodge County, white-faced ibises in Dodge, Winnebago and Green Lake counties, black-necked stilt in Brown County, and white-eyed vireo in Dane and Milwaukee counties. The week ahead looks fairly promising for migration, with at least several days of southerly winds in the forecast. If so, this will usher in the peak of landbird migration in the southern half of the state and improved birding in the north. And don't let bad weather keep you from heading out - rainy days in May often provide the most spectacular birding! Help us track bird populations by reporting your migration sightings to www.ebird.org/wi and observations of nesting birds to www.ebird.org/atlaswi. Good birding! - Ryan Brady, research scientist, Ashland