Backyard bird favorites return!
Statewide
Finally! After a long stint of northerly winds kept the bulk of migrants at bay, the flood gates opened a bit on Tuesday in the south and Wednesday statewide, ushering in the first major push of warblers, orioles, grosbeaks, and more. Birders in southern parks and woodlands tallied 25+ warbler species, while 13+ species were tallied north to the Lake Superior shore. Orioles and rose-breasted grosbeaks are widespread now, with hummingbirds and indigo buntings less common yet. Other favorites that have returned in numbers include house wrens, gray catbirds, and bobolinks.