Wisconsin Statewide Birding Report 5.2.14May is upon us and Neotropical migrants from central and southern America are finally returning to some parts of Wisconsin. Baltimore orioles, rose-breasted grosbeaks, and ruby-throated hummingbirds are now visiting feeders in the southern third of the state, albeit in small numbers so far. Nonetheless, get the oranges, jelly, and sugar-water feeders ready! Warbler diversity is also on the rise, with Nashville, yellow, black-and-white, orange-crowned, palm, black-throated green, and others. Birders across the south should head to their favorite parks and woodlots in the weeks ahead as the lack of leaf cover promises some excellent viewing conditions. Pine warblers are also visiting backyard suet feeders in above average numbers due to cool, wet conditions and a general lack of insect prey. Sparrow numbers are on the rise as clay-colored, Lincoln's, white-crowned, white-throated, Henslow's, Harris's and others were found. Some other landbirds reported this week included least flycatcher, winter and house wrens, blue-headed vireo, and hermit and wood thrush. Waterfowl numbers remain excellent in many locations statewide, including Horicon Marsh, Crex Meadows, and other wildlife areas. Wetlands and flooded fields are also attracting more shorebirds. Yellowlegs remain dominant but willets staged a nice flight across the south on 30 April, including a flock of 42 at Racine. Spring remains slow to come across the north, where large numbers of dark-eyed juncos, American tree sparrows, fox sparrows, and other typically early migrants continue several weeks later than average. Tundra swans and migratory Canada geese largely skirted the north's ice cover this spring but numbers and diversity of ducks and grebes has been good where water is available, including an exceptional total of 117 red-necked grebes at Lake Superior's Chequamegon Bay on the April 25. Even some snowy owls are lingering, with birds this week at least from Horicon Marsh, Buena Vista Marsh, and Green Bay. It was a great week for rarities, including a first state record garganey and fourth state record chestnut-collared longspur both at Crex Meadows in Burnett, fifth state record say's phoebe and a northern mockingbird both in Ashland, worm-eating warbler in Waukesha, eared grebe in Jefferson, and piping plover and marbled godwit in Racine. Help us track the migration by reporting your observations from your backyard or beyond to
www.ebird.org/wi (exit DNR). And remember, May is the month all birders live for - get out and enjoy it! - Ryan Brady, Bureau of Wildlife Management research scientist, Ashland
