Wildlife Update: January 26, 2021
Weather has been exceptionally warm for a Northern Wisconsin January. In the Grantsburg area we have had a lot of days with highs in the 20’s and even into the 30’s. We have had few days with lows below zero. We have had a few small snow storms so far this winter, but those have also been few and far between.
Roads in Crex Meadows and Fish Lake have been somewhat icy recently, so it is best to drive slowly through the wildlife areas at this time. As always, roads are plowed by the township throughout the winter, but are a lower priority that the other roads and may be plowed a bit later on.
There are plenty of winter birds to be seen in the area right now, though recent sightings have been a bit minimal.
Bird highlights for the past week include: Snow Bunting, Rough-legged Hawk, Sharp-tailed Grouse, and Lapland Longspur. Also be on the lookout for other winter birds, such as Snowy Owl, Golden Eagle, White-winged Crossbill, Red Crossbill, and Pine Grosbeak (even though they weren't on the list this week, there have already been sightings this winter).
Winter is also a the perfect time to get out and look for animal tracks! We have also been seeing many different mammal tracks all over the roads of Crex Meadows, Fish Lake, and Amsterdam Sloughs, including those of Grey Wolves, Coyotes, Red Fox, Fisher, and more. You might even get lucky and see tracks from a Bobcat or a River Otter while out exploring!
Birds spotted in Crex Meadows, Fish Lake, Amsterdam Sloughs, and Grantsburg Area within the last week:
American Crow
American Goldfinch
American Tree Sparrow
Bald Eagle
Barred Owl
Black-capped Chickadee
Blue Jay
Brown Creeper
Common Raven
Common Redpoll
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Horned Lark
Lapland Longspur
Northern Cardinal
Northern Shrike
Pileated Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-necked Pheasant
Rough-legged Hawk
Ruffed Grouse
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Snow Bunting
White-breasted Nuthatch
Mammals Spotted:
Coyote (tracks)
Fisher
Grey Squirrel
Grey Wolf (tracks)
Red Fox
Red Squirrel
White-tailed Deer
**See something out on our properties that isn’t on the list? Feel free to send us a report or stop in and tell us the story! We are always happy to hear observations from our visitors!