Featured Image by Tim Wick
Weather has been variable in the Grantsburg area as of late. We have had a week or so of warmer weather, with a couple days reaching around 50 degrees. We have also had some rain within the past week, which greatly reduced the amount of snow cover. Flowages are still frozen, but on the warmer days we have had some transfer ditches open up.
Even though it’s winter, there are still plenty of things to see on Crex Meadows, Fish Lake, and Amsterdam Sloughs! There are several birds that are winter residents or visitors to the area, including Snow Buntings, Golden Eagles, Redpolls- all of which are on our sightings list for the past week!
The warmer weather also prompted Sharp-tailed Grouse to begin moving into some of their lekking areas to begin the early stages of their spring mating rituals. This activity will not be consistent until into the end of March but will increase as the weeks go by in this last bit of winter.
Roads in Crex Meadows, Fish Lake and Amsterdam Sloughs can be a bit tough to travel on this time of the year, but especially after a snowstorm (or a rainstorm). Our roads are maintained and plowed by the township, but are not the first priority in the immediate hours following winter weather. It is a good idea to check in with staff at the Visitor Center prior to your trip, just to be sure you can access viewing areas!
Bird sightings within the last week on Crex Meadows, Fish Lake, Amsterdam Sloughs, and surrounding area:
| American Crow | Hairy Woodpecker | Red-tailed Hawk |
| American Goldfinch | Horned Lark | Ring-necked Pheasant |
| Bald Eagle | House Finch | Rock Pigeon |
| Barred Owl | House Sparrow | Rough-legged Hawk |
| Black-capped Chickadee | Mallard | Ruffed Grouse |
| Blue Jay | Northern Cardinal | Sharp-tailed Grouse |
| Canada Goose | Northern Shrike | Snow Bunting |
| Common Raven | Pileated Woodpecker | Trumpeter Swan |
| Downy Woodpecker | Red-bellied Woodpecker | White-breasted Nuthatch |
| European Starling | Red-breasted Nuthatch | Wild Turkey |
| Golden Eagle | Redpoll |
Mammals seen in the area within the last week:
| Coyote | Grey Wolf | White-tailed Deer |
| Fisher | Red Fox |