[wisb] Re: North Woods birding
- From: Ryan Brady <ryanbrady10@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2010 08:55:09 -0700
With a newborn baby in the house, I've been more of an armchair birder than
anything else these days but here's my take on winter birds in NW WI. Overall
it's a below average to poor year, especially in light of our memories of the
past few years.
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH -- the dominant winter finch this year
PURPLE FINCH -- present in small to moderate numbers
PINE SISKIN -- present but only in small scattered numbers
COMMON REDPOLL -- also present but in small scattered numbers; far less than
the past couple years
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL -- present in moderate numbers; it would seem like a
good year if it weren't for last year's big #s
RED CROSSBILL -- scarce as usual
PINE GROSBEAK -- very scarce and hard to find
EVENING GROSBEAK -- scarce and local as in most recent years
BOHEMIAN WAXWING -- present in average/moderate numbers; seems like a great
year b/c the last few were awful
NORTHERN SHRIKE -- average to perhaps slightly below average year
GRAY JAY, BOREAL CHICKADEE, BB WOODPECKER, SPRUCE GROUSE -- as expected, no
changes from other years
I'm probably forgetting something but that's my take. If you plan to trek
north, perhaps wait for another year or keep your expectations low.
Ryan Brady
Washburn, Bayfield County, WI
http://www.pbase.com/rbrady
> To: wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> From: bhaunts@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [wisb] North Woods birding
> Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2010 18:01:55 -0600
>
> I spent most of today birding in the north woods, mainly Forest and a
> little of Oneida counties. Except for several spots it was extremely
> quiet!!! When I left Three Lakes I had tallied 23 species. Nothing
> new was seen until Shawano and homeward, when I finished with 37
> species.
> Here are the highlights---and low lights. Forget the blue house
> along Hwy 55 in Menominee county. They are no longer feeding, in
> fact they have no feeders out. What a contrast to all the previous
> years. (I believe Tom P mentioned this when the Madison group went
> up in Dec.) There is a nice feeder just into Langlade county, beyond
> the inn. A nice flock of Turkeys were feeding when I arrived.
> Standard winter birds were coming to the feeders, especially after
> the Turkeys left. Most numerous were the Blue Jays. Curiously no
> finches were present. In fact I did not see one finch until heading
> for Alvin along Hwy 55, south of the junction with FR 2182. A small
> flock (15) of Common Redpolls were feeding in the trees bordering the
> highway.
>
> At Alvin, the feeder on the north end of town, had a great show. 55+
> Evening Grosbeaks, 15 Goldfinches, Red and White-br. Nuthatches, BC
> Chickadees, Hairy and Downy WPs, Juncos, the Catbird (not looking too
> good) and 3 Bohemian Waxwings---and of course Blue Jays. It was
> really fun just watching the action from my vehicle.
>
> FRs 2182, 2174, 2414 and 2183 were as I expected, unbelievably
> quiet!!!!!!!! I had a total of 3 birds on the four roads. 2 Gray
> Jays were pished in at a bog along 2174, south of 2182. A Hairy WP
> was working a tree along 2414, and that was it, despite many stops
> and pishing. The winter scenery was great but the silence was
> deafening.
>
> A flock (10) of Pine Siskins was coming to a feeder in Three Lakes,
> along with standard winter birds.
>
> The A bog west of Three Lakes had 2 chickadees, unfortunately Black-
> capped. I tried briefly for the Hawk Owl at 17 and W, but nothing
> was seen.
>
> In Shawano, where Cty M crosses the Wolf River, there were many geese
> and Mallards, plus 5 Trumpeter Swans (a family), 1 Mute Swan and 1 Coot.
>
> I am interested in birders living in the northern third of the state
> as to what they are seeing for winter finches. From what I have read
> and I saw today, it looks like a very quiet finch winter.
> Daryl Tessen
> Appleton, WI
>
>
>
>
>
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