Wisconsin Statewide Birding report 11.1.13 Birding has slowed a bit during this chilly late October as the majority of migrant land birds have left the state. Just a few sparrows, juncos, robins, and blackbirds remain in the north, along with winter residents such as snow buntings, northern shrikes, and various backyard feeder birds. Activity is better in the south, where flocks of eastern bluebirds, more sparrows, yellow-rumped warblers, large roosts of blackbirds (up to 50,000!) and other hardy species hold on in good numbers. Red-tailed hawk migration has just passed peak, while bald eagle numbers are on the rise and golden eagles and rough-legged hawks have moved in from their arctic nesting grounds. Migration of northern saw-whet and long-eared owls continues under the veil of darkness. Now is the time to start checking open fields and wetlands at dawn and dusk for short-eared owls. Sandhill crane numbers continue to build as traditional hotspots like Crex Meadows in Burnett County, 6th Ave Marsh in Adams County, along the Lower Wisconsin River near Spring Green and Arena, and other large field/wetland complexes across south and central WI. The Direct Autumn Release whooping cranes were also released at Horicon Marsh this past week. Horicon also continues to host some late-season shorebirds, most notably pectoral sandpipers, dunlin, and greater yellowlegs. Tundra swans made their first push into the state this week, though numbers are still weeks from peaking. Waterfowl numbers have generally been low statewide but large rafts of ruddy ducks and American coots were reported from various locations. The Upper Mississippi River system is hosting thousands of gadwall, mallards, ring-necked ducks, and canvasbacks. Scoter numbers have been good on Lakes Michigan and Superior, including Chequamegon Bay, Sheboygan, and Milwaukee’s Bradford Beach. Rarities spotted last week include pacific loon in Bayfield County, rufous hummingbird in Sheboygan, two brants in Stevens Point, continuing white-tailed kite in Adams, California gull in Douglas, and white-faced ibis at Horicon. Help us track the migration and discover what other birders are finding across the state at
www.ebird.org/wi (exit DNR). - Ryan Brady, Bureau of Wildlife Management research scientist, Ashland
