Statewide Birding Report
It's that time of year again. Snowy owls are moving into the state, so far in small numbers. At least nine individuals have been reported across seven counties as far south as Milwaukee and Crawford.
Like the cold weather, a few snowy owls have arrived ahead of schedule this fall. Expect more to show up throughout November.
Photo Credit: Ryan Brady
Birders also had good luck finding short-eared owls this week, as well as rough-legged hawks, snow buntings, and other birds of open habitats. Red crossbills and common redpolls continue to infiltrate the state, though the latter not at feeders quite yet. Cedar waxwings were observed at fruit sources in the south and central, while the first bohemian waxwings have moved into the north woods. Despite the cold weather, some of the warblers noted this week included northern parula, common yellowthroat, and Tennessee warbler among a few remaining orange-crowneds, yellow-rumps and palms.
More than 10,000 sandhill cranes were tallied at Fish Lake and Crex Meadows Wildlife Areas in Burnett County on the Oct. 30. Thousands are staging in other traditional sites in the south and along the lower Wisconsin River. Waterfowl diversity is outstanding right now. Look for a wide variety of diving and dabbling species on inland lakes and marshes, as well as the Mississippi River and Great Lakes shorelines. Over 20,000 red-breasted mergansers were counted in migration in Ozaukee County on the Nov. 1, while 5,000-plus were tallied in Kewaunee, where hundreds of redheads were also found. Large rafts of American coots remain in some locations, including 4,500 reported in Shawano on the Oct. 27. Of note in Dane were white-winged scoters, snow goose, and Ross's goose among a variety of other waterfowl.
Rarities spotted this week included white-winged dove in Racine County, glossy/white-faced ibis at Horicon and - very unusually - in Vilas, and barn owl in Sauk. Also noteworthy were gray catbirds in Milwaukee and Ashland, parasitic jaeger in Douglas, white-rumped sandpipers in Brown, and barn swallows in Grant. Find out what others are seeing and report your finds at www.ebird.org/wi. Good birding! - Ryan Brady, Ryan Brady, NHC conservation biologist, Ashland