Winter is here, bringing with it snow and colder temperatures. Current daily lows are hanging around the single digits, with the coming days having the potential for subzero temperatures overnight.
At this point in the season, the vast majority of migrants have moved on, leaving mostly only our winter residents. With temperatures this cold, the flowages should be well on their way to freezing, potentially disincentivizing some northern migrants that would otherwise stop here in search of open water. Keep your eyes peeled for Snow Buntings, Dark-Eyed Juncos, and diving ducks such as Goldeneyes and Bufflehead!
Hunting Seasons Still Ongoing:
| Large Game | |
| Deer (Archery & Crossbow) | September 13-January 4 |
| Migratory Birds | |
| Goose | September 1- December 16 |
| Other Game Birds | |
| Turkey | September 13- January 4 |
| Ruffed Grouse | September 13- January 4 |
| Pheasant | October 18- January 4 |
| Small Game | |
| Cottontail Rabbit/Squirrel | September 13- February 28 |
Mammals seen in the area within the last week:
Red Fox
Raccoon
Beaver
Grey Squirrel
Red Squirrel
Muskrat
White-tailed Deer
Bird sightings within the last week on Crex Meadows, Fish Lake, Amsterdam Sloughs, and surrounding area:
Canada Goose
Trumpeter Swan
Tunda Swan
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Wild Turkey
Ring-necked Pheasant
Mourning Dove
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Pied-billed Grebe
Golden Eagle
Northern Harrier
Bald Eagle
Rough-legged Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Snow Bunting
American Tree Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird