Wisconsin Statewide Birding Report 7.6.08
Breeding birds are in full swing across the state. Many species have begun fledging young including some of the long-distance migrants and some early nesters like cardinals and song sparrows are onto their second broods. The recent flooding wiped out thousands of wetland bird nests including swamp sparrows, common yellowthroats, and marsh wrens in southern Wisconsin.
Birders can still see and hear many breeding species across the state and careful birders will really enjoy watching parents tote their youngsters around the woods, grasslands and marshes this time of year. Adult shorebirds should begin returning from their brief nesting season in the next week to two weeks. Look for them in and around the flooded fields across the southern half of the state or at managed draw-downs in wildlife areas like Fish Lake wildlife area in Burnett County.
Interesting birds reported the past two weeks include lark sparrows in northwestern Wisconsin near Crex Meadows Wildlife Area.
There seems to be an invasion of sorts this year. There is also an invasion of white-winged crossbills across the north. Look for them in and around conifers with cones. As opposed to 2006, 2008 seems to be a down year for dickcissel, with birds scattered throughout the southern portion of the state.
As summer wears on, birders should be checking wetlands for southern water bird species that wander north post-breeding. As always, please report any and all sightings to eBird (
www.ebird.org/WI) to help track bird populations.
