justnorth posted on May 16, 2007 05:15 :: 1776 Views
Migration is in full swing across the state with south winds and warm temperatures. Birders have been reporting strong numbers of warblers, tanagers, grosbeaks, flycatchers and other Neotropical migrants. Early migrants like ruby-crowned kinglet and yellow-rumped warbler still persist in southern Wisconsin, but are quickly being replaced by more diverse flocks of warblers. Some birders have reported more than 20 species of warblers in a morning. This week brought the first reports of red-eyed vireo, olive-sided flycatcher and eastern wood-pewee. Other late migrants like mourning warbler, willow flycatcher, Connecticut warbler and others should not be far behind. Birders have been reporting good numbers of shorebirds at Nine Springs in Madison, the Highway 12 ponds in Eau Claire, Ashland, and other shallow mudflats. Both species of yellowlegs, and least, semipalmated, solitary, and spotted sandpipers, dunlin, and Wilson’s phalarope have all been reported. In addition, last week brought an influx of willets, American avocets, and marbled godwits as well. Birders at wetland areas are reporting marsh wren, yellow-headed blackbird, black terns, and the other typical wetlands species. In grassland areas bobolinks, Henslow's sparrows, grasshopper sparrows, upland sandpipers, and the other typical grassland species have all arrived on territory and have begun nesting.
Nocturnal birders are also reporting whip-poor will and this upcoming week should bring our first nighthawk reports. Hummingbirds began arriving on May 4 but the main push doesn't seem to be in quite yet. Saturday is International Migratory Bird Day and there are a number of festivals and activities going on to celebrate our wonderful bird resources across the state. The following week should bring more migrants. Head to your favorite migration hotspot and enjoy! As always, please report sightings to eBird (www.ebird.org/WI) to help track populations of these wonderful species.
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