Wisconsin Statewide Birding Report: 10.31.08
Colder temps and high winds have moved migration along in the past week. Birders along the Great Lakes and the Upper Mississippi River wildlife refuge have reported increased concentrations of many duck species. Waterfowl surveys along the Upper Mississippi refuge have reported hundreds of thousands of canvasbacks, scaup, ring-necks and other waterfowl including tundra swans. Birders along Lake Michigan report a number of scoters among the migrant diving ducks. Common loon migration has begun and numbers are building on larger lakes and Lake Michigan. Raptors are moving through the state with peak numbers of red-tailed hawks and the first larger push of both eagle species and rough-legged hawks. The first snowy owls have been reported in the region this past week. The winter may be an invasion year for northern owls as banders have already reported a number of boreal owls at banding stations. Northern Wisconsin birders are reporting good numbers of siskins, white-winged crossibills and purple finches this fall. This upcoming week should bring our first influx of redpolls and pine grosbeaks. Rare birds reported this week include golden eagles, black scoters and a Sabine's gull in Stoughton. As always, please report sightings to eBird (
www.ebird.org/WI) to help better track migrant bird populations.
