Statewide Birding Report
Ready or not migration is here! While many shorebirds have been on the move since late June and some landbirds since late July, mid-August means that migration is underway in earnest for many species. Warbler migration has really picked up, especially across the north, with good numbers of Nashville and Tennessee warblers, yellow warblers and American redstarts, the first bay-breasted warblers and at least a dozen other species. Other favorites like rose-breasted grosbeaks, Baltimore orioles, and indigo buntings have also begun to head south, particularly the showy adult males who depart first. Likewise, although hummingbird numbers have burgeoned with fledged young of the year, the highly-territorial adult males will vacate our northern climes any time now. Other migrants now include various flycatchers, bobolinks, and the first common nighthawks of the fall. Swallows and chimney swifts may be seen gathering in large groups across the south, a good number having already departed the far north. Learn more about many of these declining aerial insectivores and how you can help at an upcoming conference in Waukesha, Sept 6-8 https://dnr.wi.gov/news/Weekly/article/?id=4342.
Red-eyed VireoPhoto credit: Ryan Brady
Shorebird migration is near its seasonal peak where appropriate habitat exists. Without question Horicon National Wildlife Refuge off Highway 49 has been the hotspot, featuring hundreds of birds of many species, including uncommon finds such as black-necked stilt, American avocet, white-rumped sandpiper, and American golden-plovers. None were rarer, however, than the sharp-tailed sandpiper found there on August 8 and continuing through at least the 15th, marking the first known observation of this eastern Asian species in Wisconsin.
Despite all the migration buzz, nesting season isn't quite over yet! Family groups can still be seen for a variety of summer breeders, like American redstart, red-eyed vireo, barn swallow, song sparrow, eastern phoebe, wood duck, wild turkey, and others. Notoriously late nesters such as American goldfinch, cedar waxwing, mourning dove, and northern cardinal may also be in the earlier stages of first or second nesting attempts. Nesting or not, now is a great time to get those suet, seed, and hummingbird feeders going again if you let them lapse a bit over summer, and to offer a water source for bathing and drinking birds. As always, find out what others are seeing and report your observations at www.ebird.org/wi. Good birding! - Ryan Brady, conservation biologist, Ashland
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Upcoming events at Wisconsin recreational properties
Friday, August 17, 2018
- Blue Mound State Park - Madison Folk Music Society
- Buckhorn State Park - Universe in the Park
- Copper Falls State Park - Universe in the Park
- Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area - Duck Banding Program
- Interstate State Park - Wild Rice Game
- Lakeshore State Park -Puppets in the Park
- Lake Wissota State Park - Lumberjack Lore/Music with Igmar Torfellsson
- Flambeau River State Forest - Universe in the Park
Saturday, August 18, 2018
- Big Bay State Park - Big Bay's 24th Annual Sand Castle Day; Universe in the Park
- Devil's Lake State Park - Universe in the Park
- High Cliff State Park - Steve Keller's Traveling Snake Show
- Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern Unit - Get Outdoors! Go. . . Learn Archery
- Kettle Moraine State Forest - Pike Lake Unit -Smokey's Birthday Party!
- Mirror Lake State Park - International Wolf Center
- Northern Highland American Legion State Forest - Universe in the Park
- Richard Bong State Recreation Area -Primitive Weapons
- Whitefish Dunes State Park - Whitefish Dunes Annual Summer Candlelight Hike
Sunday, August 19, 2018
For all events search Get Outdoors