Statewide Birding Report as of March 8, 2023
March is primetime for waterfowl viewing wherever open water allows. Flocks of tundra swans, Canadian geese, greater white-fronted geese, and various ducks have been found in wetlands, inland lakes, and flooded farm fields. Look for cackling geese, snow geese, and even a few Ross’s geese among them. Puddle ducks include mallards, wood ducks, northern pintails, American wigeon and others. Expect divers like common goldeneyes, redheads, hooded mergansers, buffleheads, and scaup in slightly deeper waters.
Farther north, snow and ice prevail, where trumpeter swans, a few Canada geese, and bald eagles are the primary migrants. Northern saw-whet owls have begun tooting, and common ravens are nesting now. Feeders in the north right now primarily host evening grosbeaks and American goldfinches among the resident species. Pine siskins are scarce and common redpolls are nearly absent this year as most spent the winter across Canada where, unlike last year, food resources were adequate to sustain them.
– Ryan Brady, DNR Natural Heritage Conservation Program BiologistWisconsin DNR Birding links
