Weekly birding report and big bird news
Birding and bird conservation
Wisconsin ranks 2nd in the nation in percentage of residents who birdwatch, and it’s easy to see why as evening grosbeaks and hundreds of other species put on a show. Photo by Ryan Brady.
Wisconsin is home to over 300 species of birds and has thousands of people who enjoy birds. Explore the links below for information on birds, bird identification, birding locations and how to get involved in bird conservation efforts.
Statewide Birding Report as of November 14, 2019
Though only robin-sized the northern shrike is a formidable predator, pursuing avian and rodent prey at field and feeder from now through early April. Photo by Ryan Brady.
Unusually cold weather bringing early ice to many water bodies this week. Madison Audubon’s Goose Pond Sanctuary hosted over 500 tundra swans, 2000 mallards, and 1500 Canada geese on Nov 12. Thousands of tundra swans were reported at the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge south of La Crosse, best viewed from the Minnesota side of the river. The Madison lakes have hosted just a few swans so far but later in the season is often better at that location. Nonetheless, birders have reported good numbers and diversity of waterfowl there, including white-winged scoters and a long-tailed duck on Lake Monona. Numbers of common goldeneyes, one of our latest and hardiest waterfowl species, have increased substantially statewide. While the bulk of large gulls in the state this time of year are ring-billed and herring, a count of 11 Iceland (Thayer’s) gulls in Superior on Nov 10 was impressive.
Snowy owls have yet to be reported in Wisconsin, which is unusual for this late in the year and likely a sign of a non-irruption year ahead. Get the full outlook at the 2019-20 Update tab on our snowy owl website. A few short-eared owls have been spotted near dusk at large grasslands. Listen now for increased calling activity among great horned owls as last year’s young go off on their own and adults begin to announce their territories and court mates. Sparrows are still well represented by good numbers of dark-eyed juncos and American tree sparrows but also lingering species like fox, chipping, white-throated, swamp, and savannah sparrows. This is a good time of year to offer suet and peanut chunks to woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, and other backyard birds. Fruit crops seem good in many areas and are attracting robins, waxwings, hermit thrushes, and other species, especially in the south.
Overall the past month has been notably quiet for rarities, while this week’s best find was probably a summer tanager at a backyard feeder in Dane. The week ahead looks fairly dry and far more mild, meaning ice formation should slow and the current bird scene may not change much. Take advantage by checking out the cranes, ducks, and field birds near you, being sure to report your finds to www.ebird.org/wi. Good birding!
– Ryan Brady, DNR Natural Heritage Conservation Program biologist