How many Northern Bobwhite are still nesting in Wisconsin? And where? Photo by Ron Howard.
Since we are only 1 year in, it’s hard to make direct comparisons to the first atlas (WBBA I) just yet, because we only have about 1/5th of the coverage that we expect. But it’s interesting to see differences in the list of confirmed species so far. WBBA I (1995–2000) reported 226 confirmed species, and we are up to 212 already, including 8 species not confirmed during the first atlas.
Despite our good work so far, we have noticed multiple species confirmed during the first atlas that we did not confirm during the first season. Many of these species are uncommon, secretive, or their habitats were not covered well. Still, these species bear watching — are some declining? Will we ever confirm them during the second atlas?
Species not yet confirmed for WBBA II that were confirmed in >5 blocks during WBBA I
Northern Bobwhite by Ron Howard
Northern Bobwhite (30 WBBA I blocks)
This is one of the species where even our limited year 1 data is suggestive of a decline, which seems to be the story across their range. Compare the WBBA I map, showing decent numbers mostly in the SW quarter of the state, with the WBBA II map, showing only 4 probable blocks. Sightings are increasingly confounded by released game farm birds but even anecdotal accounts of broods have been scarce in recent years leading up to the Atlas.
Swainson’s Thrush by Ryan Brady
Swainson’s Thrush (11 WBBA I blocks)
A relative lack of effort across the northern forests could help explain the lack of confirmations for this uncommon and local nesting species in the first year. There are certainly locations this species can be found with enough effort, but comparing the WBBA I map and the WBBA II map, it’s a bit surprising there were not even any valid probable records in the first year. Wisconsin, however, hosts only a very small fraction of the continental breeding populations as most nest in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska.
Le Conte’s Sparrow by Nick Anich
Le Conte’s Sparrow (11 WBBA I blocks)
As an Ammodramus sparrow, this species can be notoriously hard to observe out in the open. However, that didn’t stop atlasers from reaching double-digit confirmations for Henslow’s Sparrow this year. Comparing the WBBA I map and the WBBA II map, it’s hard to say how things will shake out. Perhaps with additional effort in wet meadows of the north, we’ll start to fill in some more squares with darker colors.
Short-eared Owl by Tom Prestby
Short-eared Owl (8 WBBA I blocks)
As you can see from the WBBA I map, this species was not commonly detected during the first atlas. However, the WBBA II map shows all possible records currently restricted to the limited range of Greater Prairie-Chicken! Let’s hope some additional effort uncovers some more locations where Short-ears are still breeding. A recent summary of findings from the second Quebec Atlas suggests Short-eared Owls are on the decline there, as it is across most portions of its range due to the dramatic loss of grassland habitat
American Wigeon by Nick Anich
American Wigeon (7 WBBA I Blocks)
A number of dabbling ducks breed uncommonly in Wisconsin, with much higher breeding populations in the prairie pothole regions farther west and north. With only 7 confirmed records during the first atlas, it’s not too surprising that we have missed American Wigeon so far. Looking at the WBBA I map and the WBBA II map, the records are pretty scattered, but some additional effort, particularly in the Southeast Glacial Plain, but potentially anywhere, could turn up some baby wigeon.
White-winged Crossbill by Nick Anich
White-winged Crossbill (7 WBBA I Blocks)
Being a classic irruptive finch, we’ll need a flight of crossbills to come south to get a good breeding year for them. 2015 was a pretty good year for breeding Pine Siskin and Red Crossbill in Wisconsin (apparently mostly Types 10 and 2), but judging by the WBBA II map, it wasn’t much of a White-winged Crossbill year. The WBBA I map for White-winged Crossbill shows a decent spread across the north, so time will tell if we see these birds descend into our region to breed during the next 4 years.
Yellow-breasted Chat by Ryan Brady
Yellow-breasted Chat (6 WBBA I Blocks)
We are at the northernmost extent of Yellow-breasted Chat range. You can see the WBBA I map had scattered reports, mostly across the southern half of the state. The WBBA II map reveals a few records this year, including long-staying birds in Grant County and Dane County. Though a fairly rare breeder, it seems likely a pair will nest within the next 4 years.
It’s important to remember these are just a set of species whose lack of confirmed records is notable so far. We won’t know until more data comes in whether these species are actually in trouble or not. And certainly there are a number of species for which we already have a few confirmations that will be showing a decline once we start to analyze the data. But it’s interesting to watch these patterns develop.
Snowy Egret by Nick Anich
Other rare breeders from WBBA I
There were a number of very rare breeders found in the state during the first atlas. These species were confirmed in 0–2 blocks during WBBA I, but we could conceivably find them breeding. Some of them are very rare, and some of them are less rare but can be hard to detect. Some of these species were found this year during the breeding season, but they have not been confirmed. Here is that list, with the number of confirmed WBBA I blocks listed in parentheses:
Northern Pintail (2)
Lesser Scaup (1)
Horned Grebe (1)
Eared Grebe (0)
Western Grebe (1)
Snowy Egret (1)
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (2)
Yellow Rail (2)
King Rail (0)
Great Black-backed Gull (1)
Barn Owl (2)
Great Gray Owl (1)
Western Kingbird (1)
Philadelphia Vireo (2)
Worm-eating Warbler (2)
Tennessee Warbler (0)
Bay-breasted Warbler (0)
Wilson’s Warbler (0)
Nelson’s Sparrow (2)
Rusty Blackbird (1)
Mississippi Kite by Nick Anich
Species never confirmed as breeding in the state, but we came close this year:
Mississippi Kite
This is one that may have gotten away! In August we received word that a juvenile Mississippi Kite was picked up and taken to a rehabber. The homeowner reported constant calling consistent with an adult kite in the trees above. The only question is, given that the juvenile could fly, how far did it fly? And given how close Janesville is to the state line, is this evidence of a first state nesting record? Mississippi Kites are known to nest in nearby Rockford IL, but that pair was not seen this year. For the moment we’re treating this sighting as probable, but hope someone near Janesville next year can locate a nest if the birds return.
Laughing Gull
Another one that got away? In May, a pair of Laughing Gulls was present in Manitowoc, and were observed performing courtship behaviors. Then in July, a juvenile Laughing Gull showed up in Manitowoc. Because of the long distances that juvenile gulls can travel (juvenile Bonaparte’s and Franklin’s can show up in WI and they don’t nest here), this record falls short of confirmed. But the circumstances are very suspicious and hopefully Lake Michigan birders can keep their eyes peeled next year.
Chuck-will’s-widow
There were no reports of Chuck-will’s-widow during WBBA I, but since then, birds have been singing on a regular basis in Jackson County, and this year during the atlas, a bird was heard singing through May and June in Jefferson County. Judging by how hard it is to confirm Eastern Whip-poor-will (49 possible blocks, 58 probable blocks, but only 1 confirmation!), even if Chuck-will’s-widows are breeding, confirming them will be a real challenge — are any atlasers up to it?
Prairie Warbler
This species has never been confirmed breeding in the state, though singing males show up and set up territories nearly annually. It was probable in 5 blocks for WBBA I. In 2015, 2 birds were found on territory, one in Waukesha County, and one in Fond du Lac County. We agree with Jim Frank’s assessment from the species account from the first atlas that “proof still awaits the efforts of a patient observer”.