Seasons Changing in Wisconsin - Where and What to do? (1 Viewer)

[Shady Character]

Being an "almost beginner" this past spring/summer have been fantastic as it's relatively easy to add lifers to my list. Problem is, I went to one of my favorite haunts yesterday morning and it's very quiet. Birds are going away || It got me thinking about the upcoming winter and what to do.

First, what's going on in general in my area in terms of who migrates when and some of the better places/habitats to look for them? (I really enjoyed wallowing in warblers recently!) Fortunately local groups do field trips so I try to pay attention to those and join when I can.

Second, what do people around here do in winter? I hate cold and snow but could make an effort if there were something worthwhile out in it. Don't suggest x-country skiing--I hate it. In the past I've hunkered down with my orchids, my kitchen, good books and dvds. It's a rainy day for the first time in a long time. I've been out of bed less than an hour and I'm already feeling cabin fever!!

 

[jc122463]

Having grown up in MN, my best suggestion for the winter is to leave! Go down to Central or South America, soak up the sun, and see some amazing birds.

Having said that, northern MN is very good mid-winter to pick up birds from further north (mostly some of the cool owl species).

There should still be some warblers coming through as well and the big hawk migration is just starting to pick up. Hawk Ridge in Duluth is a great place for this but there may be someplace closer to you as well.

Have fun birding and good luck with the winter!

Cheers,
Benji

 

[Gillian_M]

Winter Birding

I live in Ottawa, and used to hate winter too, before I got into birdwatching. Then, when I did get into birdwatching, I thought winter would be a dead time of year with nothing of interest around. I was wrong! As our breeding birds move south, birds from further north arrive to replace them.

Though I don't know much about Wisconsin and how it is different from Ottawa, in agricultural areas, you should be able to find flocks of Snow Buntings (perhaps with Horned Larks and Lapland Longspurs), Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Shrikes and Red-tailed Hawks. Snowy Owls, Great Gray Owls, and Northern Hawk-owls may also be possible if food supplies crash up further north. American Tree Sparrows may also venture your way in the winter.

Last year, we had a wonderful finch invasion and saw lots of Pine Grosbeaks, Common & Hoary Redpolls, and Bohemian Waxwings. Our Red-breasted Nuthatches migrated south (couldn't find hardly a one all winter) too...perhaps they were in your area!

Other interesting birds which have shown up in the past include Three-toed and Black-backed Woodpecker and Townsend's Solitaire. I also recall chasing down a Red-shouldered Hawk and a covey of Gray Partridge reported on the rare bird alerts!

If you live close to rivers which don't freeze over, you may get Common Goldeneye. Here in Ottawa we have also had the less common Barrow's Goldeneye, Harlequin Duck, and Long-tailed Duck as well.

If you haven't already, sign up for your regional rare bird alert. This will help chase away the winter doldrums especially as northern birds make their way to your area. What also makes the winter interesting is finding birds which should have migrated south, but didn't. I can usually find robins and cedar waxwings in the winter, and last winter had a reliable Hermit's Thrush and Northern Mockingbird. While robins aren't very interesting in mid-summer, it is sure nice to see them in January!

Bird feeders, too, can be interesting. There's one famous set of feeders in a rural area west of Ottawa where a Ruffed Grouse would follow people around, a white-crowned sparrow tried to overwinter, and at least one merlin hung around trying to make a meal of the birds that stayed there (such as the American Tree Sparows, and people believe it got the white-crowned sparrow as well).

With birding, you never know what you're going to see when you go out, so I go out all year round. In winter, as mentioned above, I usually stick to forested trails, look-outs along the Ottawa River where it is open all year, and drive around agricultural areas looking for the hawks, shrikes, buntings, etc.

By the time February arrives, there's usually nothing new to see and that's when I get the winter blues. However, by that time the Horned Larks are migrating north again and there is a glimmer of hope of spring.

Are you drooling yet?! I know I am, and I am still enjoying this fall's migration (which, by the way, tends to last into November here - October and November are best for seeing waterfowl after all the songbirds have left).

Anyway, I hope this helps!

 

[Shady Character]

Thanks, Benji and Gillian! I haven't forgotten my little thread here, just busy with being outside while it's nice

I like, OK, actually love the idea of hitting the tropics in winter. With my old job I was actually able to make a few trips down in the winter to Mexico and Belize. I wasn't into birds then but it was nice to get away. Now it's a little tougher and I haven't done it in a dozen or so years. Must look into that, though.

Gillian, I do have a feeder but it seems to be unpopular among the avifauna. Still, I'll keep it filled for the chickadees and house finches that show up. Maybe some others will get the clue as winter comes on. Free lunch, feathered friends!! Belly up!!

I've found a few resources starting with my own book shelves. My co-conspirator has a few books including a couple of Stokes books on bird behavior including winter stuff and an old one called "Guide to Nature in Winter." The section on nests got me thinking: I have found a couple of nests on my favorite hiking trail. Maybe I'll spend the winter recording the location of nests and then see if anyone uses them next year. Yeah, I'm that kind of geeky. I also found a book on winter camping. OK, that's beyond the outer limit of what I'm up for.

Another resource I'm looking at is Ebird. I think I can look at what birds are where and when and get an idea of how to spend some of my time. Wisconsin has to have some similarities to Ottawa in terms of winter residents/migrants.

The next step is to get some decent waterproof shoes or boots. And a warm jacket. And a hat.

Thanks for your input!

 

[MLoyko]

Don't Worry

I agree with the others,

Although winter is dull and dreary most of the time, being in a northern State (PA is up there but not as far as I'd like ) you should get some pretty decent birds for winter. Like mentioned before you got most of the northern owl's having a possibility of showing up (waste some time trying to spot the Northern Saw-Whet owl....I can't find him:-O)

You also get a lot of birds (Chickadees, Titmice, Cardinals, etc.) that gladly show up to the feeder depending on the food you provide (here is what works for me):

Peanuts, sunflowerseeds, suet (all kinds), mixed specialty stuff.

I really enjoy feeding the birds and find I don't have to leave my house on the really cold days because they come to me, here is a link to help out on the feed preferences of different bird types. http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/BirdFoods.htm#SeedPreferences

I also seem to see a lot more hawks during the winter for some reason, I see mostly Red-tailed, sharp-shinned, and cooper's hawk, but I have a disputed Rough-legged over here in PA too.

So don't worry winter is just as good as summer in my opinion :t:

Best,
Matt

 

[steveo]

Always keep your eyes on this http://www.virtualbirder.com/vbirder/realbirds/rbas/WI.html

 

[Shady Character]

Thanks again, everyone. The advice and ideas you shared have payed off well. I've been finding some winter birds! On Thanksgiving I stopped at a park on the way to my big family dinner and saw a Northern Shrike. Very cool bird. Snooping around the few open water areas over the last few weeks I've been able to find tons of swans, ducks, geese and other waterfowl. One day I briefly had a Pine Siskin under my bird feeders--such a plain bird I've probably overlooked them hundreds of times before! On Xmas Day I spent some time watching a dozen or so Bald Eagles. The sun is going to be out today so I'm planning on looking for waterfowl again. Then, later this week I'm headed to Ecuador. I suspect there will be some interesting birds there :t:

Have a Happy New Year!

 

[Gillian_M]

Hi Shady,

Good to hear you're finding some birds this winter! Pine Siskins have moved south this winter, so keep an eye on your feeders! Another finch that has wandered south this year is the White-winged Crossbill. I have been seeing flocks flying overhead, though they don't seem to land in trees very often. Look for them in areas with lots of conifers, especially spruce and hemlock trees.

Snowy Owls are also moving south in big numbers, and there have been at least three Northern Hawk-owls reported in eastern Ontario so far this season (I have seen one here in Ottawa!).

Keep enjoying the winter birds while they are here, but have fun in Ecuador too!!!