Bird & Nature Blog
A clutch of the latest stories from Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance
Although any birder reading this already knew, I was surprised by the Wisconsin State Journal coverage of a Black-throated Gray Warbler appearing in Madison. Birders are flocking to see this western species that almost never shows up here. A bonus is the bird is as beautiful as it is rare as you can see from the photo.
Photo by Aaron Maizlish
Many people dread winter—the cold weather, the snow, the dwindling daylight. It makes getting outside a challenge and can sap your motivation to do anything, much less go birding. There are days when I am one of those people. But then there are days when I remember that there are owls … and that now is the best time to find them!
Owls breed in the winter, with many beginning their courtship and mating activities in late fall, making the next several months a more vocal and active season for them than usual. If you’ve been feeling discouraged by those all-too-early sunsets and the deep dark of the 5pm hour, consider a form of birding that doesn’t necessarily need the light of day, and give owling a try!
This week’s Entryway to Birding blog brings you everything you need to know about the owls you might find in our region, as well as tips for how you might find and ethically observe them.
Photo by Andy Reago and Chrissy McClarren
Exciting news: Snowy owls have begun to arrive in Wisconsin, with the first landing in Dane County! Lots of you may know this news already but the DNR link might be worth checking out because it reviews some basic information about snowy owls and some precautions to take in finding and watching them. Enjoy!
Photo by Ryan Brady
The next couple of blogs, you faithful 6 readers, will focus on reasons to be thankful in this dismal year.
One is Wildlife. The DNR just released an absolutely delightful report on Snapshot Wisconsin and a great wildlife photo from each of Wisconsin's counties. Many of the photos have additional links so you can learn more about different species.
Photo courtesy of WDNR
Back in late October, a rare visitor dropped into Madison—a black-throated gray warbler, normally found west of the Rockies. Everyone thought he would be a one-day-wonder, stopping for a quick pit-stop before continuing to ride the winds south on his journey to Mexico. But he stayed. And he stayed. And he stayed. Against all odds, he is still here.
For a new birder, seeing a rare bird like this can feel like a rite of passage. But unless you’re the one to stumble across a rarity, how would you even know it’s out there? How can you hear about these cool sightings, much less learn how to track them down? This week’s Entryway to Birding blog brings you the inside scoop on rarities, so you too can experience that special birding thrill.
Photo by Caitlyn Schuchhardt
