Statewide Wisconsin Birding Report: More Unusual Birds Alight

By Ammoland Editor Joe Evans

USA -(Ammoland.com)- June is here, and with it the unofficial start of summer. Accordingly, bird migration – while definitely not over – is finally winding down across Wisconsin.

A few migrant landbirds continue statewide, such as blackpoll, Wilson’s and other warblers, olive-sided flycatchers, Philadelphia vireos, Swainson’s and gray-cheeked thrushes, common nighthawks, white-crowned sparrow, and even rough-legged hawk, but in general numbers of migrants are low now.

A great diversity of shorebirds were also on the move this week, highlighted by American avocet, hudsonian and marbled godwit, whimbrel, red knot, red-necked phalarope and more! You may have also noted flocks of Canada geese moving north as if it were early spring.

This phenomenon, which occurs annually from mid-May to mid-June, is called “molt migration” and typically consists of nonbreeding or failed breeding individuals that are flying north to the Canadian tundra, where resources are plentiful and predators fewer, to molt (replace) their feathers.

Rarities

The list of unusual birds seen this week is a long one. Among them were western kingbirds in Ashland, Bayfield, and Door counties, Franklin’s gulls in Bayfield and Manitowoc, white-winged dove in Winnebago, a snowy owl in Fond du Lac, western …Read the Rest

Source:: AmmoLand