By Mark Korducki
It has been a fantastic month of birding.
Jim Edlhuber photographed this second state record Fulvous Whistling Duck on Lake Waubesa in Dane County on May 16.
The most unusual sighting during May occurred in Dane County where a Fulvous Whistling Duck was discovered. This bird was a one day wonder but proved quite cooperative that day and, thanks to modern communication means, was enjoyed and photographed by dozens of thrilled birders. It is only the second state record. The previous sighting was back in 1989.
Pat Ready captured this image of the Fulvous Whistling Duck out of the water.
The bird was found by Marcus Brown of Madison.
A very cooperative Black-bellied Whistling Duck was still being seen late in the month in Dodge County. Another individual was seen in Manitowoc County.
The month began with cold temperatures and vagrant flycatchers. A Say's Phoebe was found in Milwaukee and remained for a few days. It was being seen in at historic Forest Home Cemetery in the heart of the city, which proved to be a nice spot to enjoy a variety of migrants. An early Western Kingbird was found on the beach in Manitowoc. Another individual was found in Milwaukee; this bird broke the typical pattern and stayed at red-hot Warnimont Park for a week and was seen by many birders. A third individual was found in Shawano County.
Franklin photographer Jeremy Meyer photographed this Says Phoebe at Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee on May 2.
The cold weather ended on May 9, and the rest of the week saw temperatures soar through the 80s and 90s in many locations, bringing great waves of spring migrants on southerly winds.
May saw an unusual influx of typically uncommon southern warblers, especially in the Milwaukee area. Multiple Cerulean, Kentucky, Worm-eating and Yellow-throated Warblers were seen. The numbers and diversity of warblers, flycatchers, tanagers and vireos was quite impressive.
Jeremy Meyer, who recorded 31 warbler species on a single day in a single park during May,photographed this Worm-
eating Warbler and Yellow-breasted Chat.
A Blue Grosbeak returned to Ozaukee County for the fourth consecutive year, but it may not have stuck around. Another Blue Grosbeak was found in a Milwaukee County park. A Western Tanager was seen in Milwaukee County and another in Trempealeau County. Summer Tanagers were seen in increasing numbers across the state. (I wonder if this species might one day nest here? )
Jeremy Meyer photographed this male Western Tanager in Greendale (Milwaukee County) on May 4.
Bayfield County continued its run of rare birds with a handsome male Lark Bunting at a feeder, and another individual showed up at the ferry terminal in Milwaukee late in the month. A Cinnamon Teal was a great find in Douglas County.
Jim Edlhuber photographed this Lark Bunting at the Lake Express Ferry terminal in Milwaukee on May 23.
Smith's Longspurs have been seen annually in Dane, but this season's report came from Rock County. A Chuck-wills-widow was found in Dane County but was only passing through and did not remain.
Pat Ready photographed this Little Blue Heron, found by Dave Liebel of Madison, at Black Earth Creek Headwaters
Natural Resource Area, just west of Middleton.
Little Blue Herons were found in Dane and Marquette Counties, and an adult Yellow-crowned Night Heron was found in Milwaukee County. Snowy Egrets were seen in Brown County and two were observed flying over Milwaukee. White-faced Ibis reports came in from Brown and Dane while the lone Glossy Ibis report came from Winnebago.
Laughing Gulls were found in Manitowoc, Ozaukee and Milwaukee Counties. An adult California Gull was photographed in Port Washington (Ozaukee) in excellent light.
Brown was a hotspot for shorebirds, including a very early Whimbrel, both godwits and Red-necked Phalarope, several of which also were found in Columbia County. The only report of Ruff came in from Rusk County. A Piping Plover was found on the beach in Milwaukee.
Despite the heat, many late reports of Snowy Owls came in throughout the month. A late flock of Bohemian Waxwings was recorded in Door. Several reports of both redpolls occurred in Bayfield County.
Eurasian Tree Sparrows were found in Racine and Marinette Counties, and a possible female Lazuli Bunting was photographed in Milwaukee.
In addition to compiling this monthly report, Mark coordinates Wisconsin’s 92 Breeding Bird Survey routes.
