Featured Image by Gayle Sheahen
Weather is slowly becoming more spring-like in the Grantsburg area; with most days over the last week had been in the high 40’s and 50’s. We have had a couple days that were in the 60’s, but those have been few so far. This week we also have more cold days with incoming snow in the forecast. Because we have had many warmer days, all the snow has melted from Crex Meadows, Fish Lake, and Amsterdam Sloughs (but not for long), and all flowages are open.
With the ice being gone from our flowages, we are seeing a wide variety of waterfowl hanging around. Good viewing locations right now are pretty much anywhere there is water!
Springtime also means mating season for birds, and there have been several species participating in mating displays observed this week, including Sharp-tailed Grouse, Sandhill Cranes, Trumpeter Swans, and Wild Turkeys.
Highlights this past week include American Black Duck, American Wigeon, Belted Kingfisher, Bufflehead, Canvasback, Eastern Phoebe, Gadwall, Merlin, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, and Redhead.
Most roads in Crex Meadows, Fish Lake and Amsterdam Sloughs have been holding up quite well for the most part, but some have been extremely muddy. The east side of Main Dike Road may be impassable for some vehicles, as well as the northeast part of North Refuge Road. 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.
Top viewing locations this week: Phantom Lake, Dike 6 and Refuge Extension Flowages on Crex Meadows. Grettum and Dueholm Flowages on Fish Lake.
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 Black Duck | Eastern Bluebird | Red-bellied Woodpecker |
| American Coot | Eastern Meadowlark | Red-breasted Nuthatch |
| American Crow | Eastern Phoebe | Redhead |
| American Goldfinch | European Starling | Red-shouldered Hawk |
| American Kestrel | Fox Sparrow | Red-tailed Hawk |
| American Robin | Gadwall | Red-winged Blackbird |
| American Tree Sparrow | Golden-crowned Kinglet | Ring-billed Gull |
| American Wigeon | Great Blue Heron | Ring-necked Duck |
| American Woodcock | Great Horned Owl | Ring-necked Pheasant |
| Bald Eagle | Green-winged Teal | Rock Pigeon |
| Barred Owl | Hairy Woodpecker | Ruby-crowned Kinglet |
| Belted Kingfisher | Hooded Merganser | Ruffed Grouse |
| Black-capped Chickadee | House Finch | Sandhill Crane |
| Blue Jay | Killdeer | Sharp-tailed Grouse |
| Blue-winged Teal | Lesser Scaup | Snow Bunting |
| Brown Creeper | Mallard | Snow Goose |
| Bufflehead | Merlin | Song Sparrow |
| Canada Goose | Mourning Dove | Tree Swallow |
| Canvasback | Northern Cardinal | Trumpeter Swan |
| Common Goldeneye | Northern Flicker | Tundra Swan |
| Common Grackle | Northern Harrier | Turkey Vulture |
| Common Loon | Northern Pintail | White-breasted Nuthatch |
| Common Merganser | Northern Shoveler | Wild Turkey |
| Common Raven | Northern Skrike | Wood Duck |
| Cooper’s Hawk | Pied-billed Grebe | Yellow-bellied Sapsucker |
| Dark-eyed Junco | Pileated Woodpecker | |
| Downy Woodpecker | Purple Finch |
Mammals seen in the area within the last week:
| American Badger | Grey Squirrel | Raccoon |
| Beaver | Grey Wolf (tracks/scat) | River Otter |
| Black Bear | Mink | Striped Skunk |
| Coyote (tracks/scat) | Muskrat | White-tailed Deer |