Statewide Birding Report:
Spring bird migration continues across the state, despite the snow in the north and chilly weather statewide this week. Robins, meadowlarks, grackles, blackbirds, killdeer and other early migrants are now present statewide. Migratory birds continue to stop over at birdfeeders on their journey northward. Waterfowl viewing along the bay shore continues to be exciting with many different species being observed. There have been observations of meadowlark, cowbirds, osprey, and other migratory fish eating birds. With the spring bird migration underway we have been seeing or hearing several species including loons, robins, Canada geese, juncos, piliated woodpeckers, great blue herons, green herons and belted kingfishers. There have also been observations of meadowlark, cowbirds, osprey, and other migratory fish eating birds. Grouse can be heard drumming and tom turkeys seen displaying in the Cable/Drummond areas. Many northern ducks can be seen on lakes where the ice is melting, you can view many Hooded, Common mergansers and common goldeneye on both Middle and Upper Eau Claire Lakes. Summer birds are arriving; most recent have been robins, eastern blue birds, sand hill cranes and American kestrel. Many birders are seeking out the young, wet shrubby habitat to watch the nuptial dance of the American woodcock. Birders are encouraged to monitor those birds for nesting and report their sightings to ebird (
www.ebird.org/wi) so that we can better track bird populations across the state.
