By Ryan Brady
DNR Natural Heritage Conservation Program Biologist
WISCONSIN – Since our last report, snowy owls have surged into Wisconsin, including dozens in eastern counties and sightings from every corner of the state. Read a detailed update on our snowy owl page (www.dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/SnowyOwls.html).
Although seasonable to mild conditions allowed many swans, geese, ducks and other waterbirds to linger last week, cold temperatures over the past few days have iced up water bodies and begun forcing some farther south. The cold snap will be short-lived, however, so a full exodus is unlikely for now. Look for tundra and trumpeter swans at any source of open water, large numbers of Canada geese, and continued diversity of dabbling and diving ducks, in addition to a few loons, grebes, coots and other waterbirds. Red-breasted and common mergansers, buffleheads, common goldeneye and mallards are among the most common species seen this time of year.
Some landbirds persist as well. Yellow-rumped, pine and orange-crowned warblers were reported, as well as northern flicker, red-headed woodpecker, cedar waxwing, eastern bluebird and increasing numbers of American goldfinches. Common redpolls continue to be widespread, while white-winged crossbills are scattered around the state in smaller numbers. None of the other “winter finches” are showing particularly well at this point.
The period’s biggest rarity was a Ross’s gull discovered along the Mississippi River near Prescott on Nov. 27. This rare arctic visitor furnished only the second state record but unfortunately was found deceased several days later.
Following the state’s first documented barn owl nest since 1999, individuals (not nests) were recently documented in both Sheboygan and Crawford counties. Other highlights include a varied thrush in Sheboygan and Townsend’s solitaires in Columbia, Marquette, and Sauk. Though the species is not rare, a ruddy turnstone along the Milwaukee lakefront is notable not only for being a late migrant but also sporting a numbered leg band that was placed on the bird by Danish researchers in Greenland!
The 122nd Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is set to take place Dec. 14 through Jan. 5. Wisconsin has dozens of count circles around the state. Find one near you and learn how to join the count at Audubon’s CBC webpage (www.audubon.org/conservation/join-christmas-bird-count). Early season counts are likely to host higher-than-average species and numbers given warm temperatures forecast statewide through much of next week.
Good luck to all who participate in this event, the nation’s longest-running community science bird project.