Waterfowl through Partridge

Occurring with increasing frequency in the region, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks made two appearances in WI as follows: the first was a pair in Jefferson Co 15 Jun (Richard Rowley) followed by up to five birds in Trempealeau Co 29–31 Jul (m.ob.). Unusual at this time of year, a lone Cinnamon Teal was discovered in WI at the Crex Meadows SWA, Burnett Co 30 Jun (Brett and Joe McDonnell). In a positive sign, Spruce Grouse were documented in MI’s LP in Ogemaw and Oscoda Cos. Multiple sightings from both of these counties haven’t occurred since 2019. They were also recorded with breeding successes from MN’s usual area in the north-central and northeast part of the state. Sharp-tailed Grouse were documented from Crex Meadows SWA in WI with one to two birds reported throughout the season. In MI they were observed in their typical areas of the eastern UP while in MN they were reported from nine north and one south county with breeding successes noted. Greater Prairie-Chickens occurred in WI at their usual area in the Buena Vista Grasslands, Portage Co with a high count of 24 birds on 1 Jun. They were reported in MN in their usual areas in the northwestern part of the state along with one report from Chippewa County in the west-central where they were reintroduced in recent years. Gray Partridge remains increasingly hard to find in any season in WI with only two birds reported from Grant Co on 28 Jun. In MN there were scattered and widespread reports from 21 counties.

Doves through Gulls

MI accounted for two White-winged Dove reports: the first in Marquette, Marquette Co 19 Jun (Dustin Liecht) and the second in Kalamazoo Co 7–10 Jul (Richard Keith, m.ob.). MI also provided the region’s lone rare hummingbird report of a Rufous in Ishpeming, Marquette Co 15 Jul (Tom Skelding). This was the state’s third July record all being from the western or central UP. Up to three Yellow Rails were reported from MI’s Houghton Lake WRA, Roscommon Co through 15 Jun. The last time MI had summer reports of multiple Yellow Rails was 2016. MN also reported them from four northern counties. Sandhill Cranes were abundant throughout WI and MI while in MN they remain abundant and widespread except in the southwest area of the state where they are scarce.

Thirty-eight individual Black-necked Stilts were found in WI at the Horicon NWR, Dodge Co, one of four counties where they were reported from the Badger State. MI’s only report was of up to two individuals that remained through 17 Jul at the Pte. Mouillee SGA, Monroe Co. In MN nesting was attempted at the North Ottawa Impoundment, Grant Co. WI reported Piping Plovers from four counties bordering Lakes Superior and Michigan with confirmed breeding in Brown Co. In MI reports came from 14 counties concentrated as usual in Benzie and Leelanau Cos. Per the Great Lakes Piping Plover Recovery Project, 81 unique breeding pairs were documented in the Great Lakes region, breaking last year’s record of 80. A high count of 18 at Sleeping Bear Dunes NL, Benzie Co 12 Jul was noted. MN’s only report came from a lone individual on Morris Pt., Lake of the Woods Co 28 Jun. MI’s sixth Snowy Plover appeared at Platte Pt., Benzie Co 2–3 Jun (Taylor Smith, m.ob.). Upland Sandpiper reports came from 18, 32 and 25 counties for WI, MI and MN respectively all having a typical distribution. MI’s second Bar-tailed Godwit was discovered in Manistique, Schoolcraft Co 25 Jun (Chris Vogel).

One of the region’s few summer records of Black-legged Kittiwake appeared in MI at Fisherman’s Island SP, Charlevoix Co 5–7 Jun (Lawrence Greenman, m.ob.). Presumably the same individual was relocated at the Good Harbor Trail, Leelanau Co 12 Jul. What was presumed to be the same individual seen in Chicago at the end of May, MI’s first state record Black-tailed Gull was discovered in Manistique, Schoolcraft Co 8–10 Jun (Chris Vogel, m.ob.). Presumably the same individual was relocated a month later at Point Aux Chenes, Mackinac Co 8–9 Jul (Oliver Kew, m.ob.).

Egrets and Herons through Finches

Snowy Egrets generated typical reports for the season: from three counties in MI and from three west-central counties in MN with egg laying documented in Grant Co. The region’s only Little Blue Heron report came from WI in Milwaukee County on 20 Jul. Western Cattle-Egrets were reported from 5 counties each in WI and MN. MI went without any summer reports for the first time in 10 years. All three states reported typical numbers and distribution of Black-crowned Night Herons: WI’s were concentrated in the southeast and east-central parts of the state; MI’s were concentrated in the Saginaw Bay Area and around metro Detroit, and MN’s were scattered but mainly from the west-central and east-central regions. Yellow-crowned Night Herons remain elusive in the summer with only one report from WI in Jefferson Co 20 Jun (Tom Belzer). The only White-faced Ibis reports were of six birds in WI from Dane and Sauk counties and from four MN counties. Casual in MI, a Swallow-tailed Kite appeared at Lime Lake, Kent Co 28 Jul.

The only Great Gray Owl reports came from MN, St. Louis Co in the Sax-Zim Bog area in June. WI was the only state to report a Short-eared Owl coming from Portage Co 9 Jun (David Flores). American Three-toed Woodpeckers were only documented from MN in two north-central counties. Black-backed Woodpeckers were recorded from typical ranges in three counties in MI’s UP and from seven north-central and northeast counties in MN. WI’s second state record Crested Caracara continued from the spring in Ashland Co 1–5 (m.ob.). Presumably the same individual was relocated in nearby Bayfield Co 7 Jun (Crystal Hurley). Say’s Phoebe was present at the same site for the fifth straight year in MN’s Big Stone Co where it successfully nested. After an impressive spring showing Loggerhead Shrike reports carried over into summer in MI with typical reports from three counties, but MN had reports from 14 counties (well over the 10-year summer average of 10) with successful nesting in Clay and Fillmore counties. WI provided reports from four counties. Boreal Chickadees went unreported in MI for the first time 10 years and is the culmination of many years of dwindling numbers. While in MN they were reported from their typical range in six north-central and northeast counties.

In MN a Rock Wren appeared at the Touch the Sky Prairie NWR, Rock Co 10 Jun (Emily Patterson, m.ob.). Evening Grosbeak reports were typical with WI only providing one or two birds from three northern counties, MI having typical reports from 14 counties and in MN from six northern-central and northeast counties. Red Crossbill reports were mostly average with WI logging reports from 21 counties with a high count of 31 on 12 Jun in Vilas County; MI provided reports from an impressive 25 counties with noteworthy reports from several counties on the western edge of the LP; MN reports came from 20 northern counties and only one south county, Mower Co on 8 Jun. White-winged Crossbill reports were low as this was a poor irruption year for this species. There were reports from four, five and four counties from WI, MI and MN respectively.

LeConte’s Sparrow numbers were in line with averages with WI providing reports from four northern counties, MI with reports from four UP counties and MN with reports from 18 northern and three southern counties. Nelson’s Sparrows were only reported from four northern MN counties. In MI Kirtland Warbler reports were consistent with previous years coming from 16 counties. A nice high count of 41 was noted from Ogemaw Co on 16 Jun. Encouraging news from WI were reports from Marinette and confirmed breeding in Adam’s counties. In MI the spring Great-tailed Grackle from Whitefish Pt., Chippewa Co lingered until June 3. Lastly, casual in MN, a Lazuli Bunting was present in Gonvick, Clearwater Co 24–29 Jun (Dawn Johnson Stromquist).

Report processed by Eric DeFonso, 10 Feb 2025.