Wisconsin Statewide Birding Report 1.4.13 - Recent snows and colder temperatures have moved our birds into a winter pattern. This week also brings to a close the 113th Annual Christmas Bird Count and some interesting patterns emerged and some rare birds were sighted.
Most notably, this year seems to be a great one for the winter finches. Birders are reporting large numbers of common redpolls and a large influx of hoary redpolls statewide. In a normal year, birders report a handful of hoary redpolls in the far northern counties, this year the number of reports have far exceeded the norm.
Other winter finches being seen in good numbers include pine siskins, pine grosbeaks and bohemian waxwings. The latter two species are attracted to fruiting trees and have been documented well into central Wisconsin.
Varied thrushes are also being reported in much higher numbers. This rare winter visitor from the Pacific Northwest has now been reported in at least 10 different Wisconsin locations this fall and winter.
Winter temperatures have frozen most water bodies statewide. Remaining open water inland should hold large numbers of geese and ducks and even a few tundra swans that refuse to leave for the Atlantic Coast. This winter is also proving to be an average to above average snowy owl year. Check ebird (ebird.org/WI) for locations of owls and other birds of interest in your area in 2013.
- Andy Paulios, wildlife biologists and Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative coordinator
