Chequamegon Bird Club Blog

So far this spring I have returning Fox Sparrows and Song Sparrows in the yard, a pair of Bluebirds checking out the nestbox, many Robins foraging and a pair of Killdeer that I hope will nest nearby.  The Sandhill Cranes have been circling and calling overhead and flocks of Canada Geese have been flying through.  While out checking my Bluebird trail, I spotted a female Northern Harrier, a couple of E. Meadowlarks and many Red-winged Blackbirds.  Today we found a butterfly on the deck, sunning itself, I think it was a Painted Lady.  Hopefully, one of these days we’ll get a nice day with southerly breezes that will push more migrants our way.  Reporting from the Town of Halsey, Marathon Co., March 28th.

Claire Romanak

Guess I’ll be the first one to post my observations for the birds moving through our area (Taylor County Wis.). Probably others wanting to list their migration observations can click on the “Comments” link below.

A week or so ago, we began seeing red-winged blackbirds, Canada geese and sandhilll cranes. But today during my walk in the Chaquamegon National Forest, I added three new species that I think were brought in by today’s southerly winds.

My first observation today was a red-shouldered hawk. According to my phenology records it is just slightly earlier than average.

Next I saw a small group of golden-crowned kinglets - the earliest observation for my phenology list.

Finally as I returned to my yard and neared the bird feeder, I heard and saw evening grosbeaks. Generally we have them during the winter months, but we had none this year so this was a pleasant surprise.

Ok, I’ve started the 2009 migration observations. Anyone else have any that they would care to report?

experimenting more than reporting I guess - Mourning Doves and starlings have been taking such vigorous baths in the waterer it is over 1/2 emptied every day - still no birds frozen to the feeders - sure hope that doesn’t happen - how does one get that plastic stuff put on the feeders to prevent stick-on birds??

no sign of Siskins for quite some time - lots of Goldfinches, Chickadees, woodpeckers, and, the starlings have come from the neighbors to enjoy the numerous carcasses I have hanging - if that’s all they bother with, I can live with it - they are often amusing - no sights or sounds of the Barred Owls lately - hope they are still around - did see a dead shrew on top of the snow today out in the field - odd - and the remains of a rabbit and a mourning dove - flushed quite a few grouse out of the snow in the woods -and that would be it for now!    Gayle

All of the activity at my feeders has attracted the attention of a Northern Shrike, much to the dismay of the local (and vocal) Blue Jays.  Each winter I usually see one Northern Shrike hunting around the feeders and this year will apparently follow suit.   Claire

I went out last Saturday looking for the Snowy Owl that Dan Belter had seen but was not successful in locating it.  There were some hunters in the area and they may have flushed it.  I did see that Connie re-found it later that afternoon.  I did see a total of three Rough-legged Hawks, two Redtails and a Bald Eagle so the search did yield some good sightings. 

Claire