Featured Image By: Nancy Jahnel
Temperatures have continued to be inconsistent this past week, with some days reaching the 80’s, but some days with highs only in the 40’s. Predicted temperatures for this week look to be mostly in the 50’s, but some days into the low 60’s. Sunday and Monday were rainy days, but the rest of the week looks to be almost no chance of precipitation.
Some waterfowl species are still hanging around the area, with the best viewing opportunities being down at Grettum Flowage on Fish Lake Wildlife Area. Grettum Flowage is currently drawn down to mudflats, making it perfect for shorebird viewing. Species like Spotted Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, and Solitary Sandpiper have been seen there in the past week, but have also had a couple of reports of a Hudsonian Godwit- which is unusual for our area.
Springtime also means mating season for birds, and there have been several species participating in mating displays observed this week. The most visible displays are put on by Sharp-tailed Grouse, Sandhill Cranes, Trumpeter Swans, and Wild Turkeys.
Highlights this past week include Bonaparte’s Gull, Dunlin, Great Egret, Green Heron, Hudsonian Godwit, Palm Warbler, Peregrine Falcon, Red-necked Grebe, White-faced Ibis, and Wilson’s Phalarope.
Most roads in Crex Meadows, Fish Lake and Amsterdam Sloughs have been holding up quite well but can be wet and muddy after significant rainfall. It is a good idea to check in with Visitor Center staff before making a trip to the area to learn the most current information.
In the springtime, the Wisconsin DNR conducts several prescribed burns on State Wildlife Areas. While you are visiting Crex Meadows, Fish Lake, and Amsterdam Sloughs, you may notice smoke in the air. These fires are likely controlled by DNR fire staff monitoring them the entire time until they are confirmed to be out. However, springtime is also wildfire season in our area, so it’s important to be aware of your surroundings.
Bird sightings within the last week at Crex Meadows, Fish Lake, Amsterdam Sloughs, and surrounding area:
American Bittern
American Coot
American Crow
American Goldfinch
American Herring Gull
American Kestrel
American Robin
American Tree Sparrow
American White Pelican
American Wigeon
American Woodcock
Bald Eagle
Barn Swallow
Barred Owl
Belted Kingfisher
Black-capped Chickadee
Blue Jay
Blue-winged Teal
Bonaparte’s Gull
Brewer’s Blackbird
Broad-winged Hawk
Brown Creeper
Brown Thrasher
Brown-headed Cowbird
Bufflehead
Canada Goose
Canvasback
Chipping Sparrow
Common Goldeneye
Common Grackle
Common Loon
Common Merganser
Common Raven
Cooper’s Hawk
Dark-eyed Junco
Double-crested Cormorant
Downy Woodpecker
Dunlin
Eastern Bluebird
Eastern Meadowlark
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Towhee
European Starling
Field Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Gadwall
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Great Horned Owl
Greater Scaup
Greater Yellowlegs
Green Heron
Green-winged Teal
Hairy Woodpecker
Hermit Thrush
Hooded Merganser
Horned Grebe
Horned Lark
House Finch
House Sparrow
Hudsonian Godwit
Killdeer
Lesser Scaup
Lesser Yellowlegs
Mallard
Merlin
Mourning Dove
Northern Cardinal
Northern Flicker
Northern Harrier
Northern House Wren
Northern Pintail
Northern Shoveler
Osprey
Palm Warbler
Pectoral Sandpiper
Peregrine Falcon
Pied-billed Grebe
Pileated Woodpecker
Purple Finch
Purple Martin
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-breasted Merganser
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Redhead
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-necked Grebe
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-winged Blackbird
Ring-billed Gull
Ring-necked Duck
Ring-necked Pheasant
Rock Pigeon
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Ruddy Duck
Ruffed Grouse
Rusty Blackbird
Sandhill Crane
Savannah Sparrow
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Solitary Sandpiper
Song Sparrow
Sora
Spotted Sandpiper
Swamp Sparrow
Tree Swallow
Trumpeter Swan
Tundra Swan
Turkey Vulture
Vesper Sparrow
White-breasted Nuthatch
White-crowned Sparrow
White-faced Ibis
White-throated Sparrow
Wild Turkey
Wilson’s Phalarope
Wilson’s Snipe
Wood Duck
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Mammals seen in the area within the last week: