justnorth posted on March 20, 2007 08:09 :: 1544 Views
March came in like a lion, but recent warm temperatures have melted much of the snow in southern Wisconsin and migration is now in full swing. Birders across the southern portion of the state are reporting large flights of waterfowl including white-fronted, Ross’s, and snow geese and most species of diving and puddle ducks. Lower Mud Lake in Dane County, Horicon Marsh area, Bakken's Pond and other locations in south-central Wisconsin have all been productive. Red-winged blackbirds, grackles, cowbirds and rusty blackbirds are moving through in large flocks. Other arrivals include American robins, song sparrows, bluebirds, eastern meadowlarks, American woodcock and even a few tree swallows, phoebes and chipping sparrows! Birders in northern Wisconsin are still reporting crossbills, redpolls, pine grosbeaks and other northern finches. Good flights of eagles have been seen along the Mississippi River and the Lake Superior shoreline. Birders should keep a close eye out for migrant golden eagles mixed in with bald eagles. Rarities seen this week include the lingering great-tailed grackle, a mew gull and slaty-backed gull in Menasha, a harlequin duck in Sheboygan, and a white-winged scoter in Janesville. The upcoming week should bring more eagle and waterfowl migration and birders may want to focus on wetland areas opening up for waterfowl and early land bird migrants attracted to new food sources.
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