STATEWIDE BIRDING REPORT AS OF AUGUST 14TH, 2020

Birding activity is picking up across much of the state. The first southbound common nighthawks have been reported, while chimney swifts and various swallow species are congregating or in some cases moving south. Flycatchers are also moving now including olive-sided, yellow-bellied, willow, alder, and least flycatchers, as well as eastern kingbirds and eastern wood-pewees. Flocks of starlings and blackbirds are locally common but breeding territories have been largely vacated. Other species grouping up now include some cedar waxwings, common loons, and great egrets.

Many backyard birders are reporting excellent numbers of ruby-throated hummingbirds this year. It's a mixed bag for orioles and rose-breasted grosbeaks, though, as some are still seeing family groups at feeders and others have seen "their" birds already depart. Interestingly, purple finches and red-breasted nuthatches are showing well for this early in the season, including multiple observations at feeders across southern and central Wisconsin. Perhaps this is a harbinger of things to come this winter. It's time to start looking for the first family groups of American goldfinches. This backyard favorite nests very late, with September featuring peak fledging time.

Warbler migration is well underway, especially in the northern half of the state, where the season's first Philadelphia vireo was also reported. A Swainson's thrush in Dane county this week was a precursor of their migration to come in earnest later this month. Shorebird numbers haven't been great but diversity has generally been good. Notable finds this week included piping plover, willets, and American avocets along Lake Michigan. Notably absent have been buff-breasted sandpipers with not a single individual reported since July 25.

The week's two best finds were a black-bellied whistling duck in LaCrosse county and 3 (!) snowy egrets with great egrets in Green Lake. Birders should keep an eye out for swallow-tailed kites as several have been reported in the region this month. The week ahead offers promising birding conditions, especially on Sunday through Tuesday following the passage of a cold front on Saturday. Help us track the migration by reporting your finds to www.ebird.org/wi. Good birding!

– Ryan Brady, DNR Natural Heritage Conservation Program biologist