Gateway to the Refuge

Bird Migration at the Refuge

Bird migration is a spectacular phenomenon that occurs every spring and fall, when millions of birds travel across continents and oceans to find suitable habitats for breeding and wintering. The Necedah National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to witness and enjoy this migration, as it provides a variety of habitats, such as wetlands, grasslands, and forests, that attract many different species of songbirds. Some of the birds that you can see at the refuge during spring and fall migration are:

• Golden-winged warbler: This is a small and colorful songbird that has a yellow crown, wing patches, tail spots, and a black mask and throat. It breeds in shrubby habitats, such as young aspen forests, and feeds on insects and spiders. It is one of the most endangered songbirds in North America, due to habitat loss, hybridization with blue-winged warblers, and nest parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds. The refuge is one of the few places in Wisconsin where you can still find this rare and beautiful bird.

• Red-headed woodpecker: This is a medium-sized woodpecker that has a striking red head, neck, and breast, and a black-and-white body and wings. It nests in cavities of dead or dying trees, and feeds on insects, nuts, seeds, and fruits. It also caches food in crevices of trees or fence posts and defends its territory aggressively. It is a species of concern in Wisconsin, due to habitat loss, competition with other cavity-nesters, and collisions with vehicles and windows. The refuge has one of the largest populations of red-headed woodpeckers in the state, and you can see them in the oak savannas and pine barrens of the refuge.
• Bobolink: This is a medium-sized songbird that has a unique plumage and song. The male has a black body, a white back, and a yellow patch on the back of its head, while the female is brown and streaked. The male sings a bubbly and complex song during flight displays, while the female makes a short and sharp call. It nests in grasslands, such as hayfields and prairies, and feeds on seeds and insects. It is a long-distance migrant, traveling from North America to South America and back every year. It is a declining species in Wisconsin, due to habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation, as well as nest predation and mowing. The refuge has some of the largest and highest quality grasslands in the state, and you can hear and see bobolinks in the open fields of the refuge.

• Redwing Blackbird: Red-winged blackbirds are common and conspicuous songbirds that can be seen and heard at the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, especially during spring and summer. They have a black body, a red shoulder patch, and a yellow wing bar. They are omnivorous and feed on seeds, insects, and other animals. They nest in marshes, wetlands, and grasslands, where they build cup-shaped nests of grasses and sedges. They are polygynous, meaning that one male mates with several females and defends a territory that contains their nests. Red-winged blackbirds are one of the most abundant and widespread birds in North America, with a population of over 200 million individuals. They are also one of the most studied birds, as they provide insights into topics such as ecology, evolution, behavior, and conservation. They are adaptable and resilient and can cope with habitat changes and human disturbances. However, they also face some threats, such as habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation, as well as predation, parasitism, and disease. Red-winged blackbirds are part of the rich biodiversity and beauty of the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, and they need our respect and support to survive and thrive. You can enjoy watching and listening to these birds at the refuge, as well as learn more about them and their habitats.
• Trumpeter and Tundra Swans: The Necedah National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to see trumpeter and tundra swans, which are two species of large and majestic waterfowl that migrate through Wisconsin every year. Trumpeter swans are the
  

  Trumpeter Swan

  

  Tundra Swan

  
  largest and heaviest of all swans, with a wingspan of up to eight feet and a weight of up to 30 pounds. They have a pure white plumage, a black bill, and a loud, trumpet-like call. Tundra swans are slightly smaller and lighter than trumpeter swans, with a wingspan of up to six feet and a weight of up to 20 pounds. They have a mostly white plumage, a black bill with a yellow spot, and a soft, musical call. Both species breed in the northern regions of North America, such as Alaska and Canada, and winter in the southern and coastal states, such as California and Maryland.

  The refuge provides a suitable habitat and food source for both trumpeter and tundra swans, as it has a variety of wetlands, such as marshes, pools, and flowages, where the swans can rest, feed, and socialize. The swans feed mainly on aquatic plants, such as pondweed, coontail, and wild rice, which they reach by dipping their long necks into the water. The refuge also protects and monitors the swan population and conducts research and outreach activities to increase public awareness and appreciation of these magnificent birds.
  You can see trumpeter and tundra swans at the refuge during spring and fall migration, which usually occur from March to May and from October to December, respectively. The peak migration periods vary depending on the weather and the availability of open water. You can usually view swans from the observation decks, trails, and roads of the refuge, especially near the major wetlands, such as Sprague Pool, Suk Cerney Flowage, and Harvey Pond. You can also hear their distinctive calls echoing across the refuge. You can find more information about the refuge and its wildlife on its website.

• Sandhill cranes: Sandhill cranes are large and elegant birds that can be seen and heard at the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, especially during spring and fall migration. They have a gray body, a red crown, and a long neck and legs. They feed on seeds, grains, tubers, insects, and other animals. They mate for life and perform elaborate courtship dances. They nest in wetlands, such as marshes and sedge meadows, where they build mounds of vegetation and lay one or two eggs. They are social and vocal, and they form large flocks that fly in V-shaped formations. The refuge hosts the greater sandhill crane, which is the largest and heaviest subspecies, and the only one that breeds in Wisconsin. The refuge has one of the highest densities of nesting sandhill cranes in the state, with over 200 pairs recorded in 2019. The refuge also provides a stopover site for thousands of migrating sandhill cranes, which come from Canada and the western states to spend the winter in the southern states.
  You can see sandhill cranes at the refuge during spring and fall migration, which usually occur from March to May and from October to December, respectively. The peak migration periods vary depending on the weather and the availability of open water and food. You can usually view cranes from the observation decks, trails, and roads of the refuge, especially near the major wetlands, such as Sprague Pool, Goose Pool, Suk Cerney Flowage, Rynearson Pool 1, and Harvey’s Pond. You can also hear their distinctive calls echoing across the refuge.
• Geese: Geese are common and conspicuous birds that can be seen and heard at the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, a large, protected area in Wisconsin that provides habitat for many common and endangered animals and plants. Geese are waterfowl that belong to the family Anatidae, which also includes ducks and swans. They have a long neck, a large body, and webbed feet. They feed on aquatic plants, grasses, grains, and other foods. They mate for life and nest in colonies on the ground or in trees. They are social and vocal, and they form large flocks that fly in V-shaped formations. They have a variety of calls, such as honks, hisses, and cackles.
  The refuge hosts two species of geese: the Canada goose and the snow goose. The Canada goose is the most widespread and familiar goose in North America. It has a black head and neck, a white chinstrap, a brownish-gray body, and a black tail. It can weigh up to 14 pounds and has a wingspan of up to six feet. It breeds in various habitats, such as wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural fields, and winters in southern and coastal states. It is adaptable and resilient and can cope with habitat changes and human disturbances. However, it also faces some threats, such as illegal killing, disease, and collisions with vehicles and power lines. It is also sometimes considered as a pest or nuisance, as it can damage crops, pollute water, or harass people and pets.
  The snow goose is a smaller and less common goose in North America. It has white plumage, a pink bill, and black wingtips. It can weigh up to six pounds and has a wingspan of up to five feet. It breeds in the Arctic tundra, and winters in the southern and coastal states. It feeds mainly on roots, tubers, and stems of sedges and grasses, which it digs up with its strong bill. It is a long-distance migrant, traveling up to 3,000 miles between its breeding and wintering grounds. It is a declining species in Wisconsin, due to habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation, as well as hunting and climate change.
  Duck species: There are several migrating duck species that can be seen at the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, a large protected area in Wisconsin that provides habitat for many common and endangered animals and plants. Some of the duck species that you can see at the refuge are:
• Wood duck: This is a small and colorful duck that has a crested head, a long tail, and a distinctive pattern of white markings on its face and body. The male has a glossy green and purple head, a chestnut breast, and a yellow eye, while the female is gray-brown with a white eye-ring and a white patch on the throat. It nests in tree cavities near water, and feeds on seeds, fruits, insects, and other foods. It is one of the most common and widespread ducks in North America, and it can be found in various habitats, such as wetlands, forests, and fields.

• Mallard: This is a medium-sized and familiar duck that has a rounded head, a long body, and a curled tail. The male has a glossy green head, a yellow bill, a gray body, and a black tail, while the female is mottled brown with an orange bill and a white tail. It nests on the ground near water, and feeds on aquatic plants, grains, insects, and other foods. It is the most abundant and widespread duck in the world, and it can be found in almost any habitat with water, such as ponds, lakes, rivers, marshes, and parks.
• Northern pintail: This is a large and elegant duck that has a slender neck, a pointed tail, and a long bill. The male has a brown head, a white breast, a gray body, and a black tail, while the female is gray brown with a white patch on the throat. It nests on the ground in open areas near water, and feeds on seeds, aquatic plants, insects, and other foods. It is a long-distance migrant, traveling from North America to Europe, Asia, and Africa every year. fields. These are some of the most common duck species that you can see at the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, but we are often visited by pelicans, loons and other species.

These are some of the migrating bird species that you can see during spring and fall migration at the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. You can also enjoy other recreational activities, such as hiking, hunting, fishing, and photography, as well as educational and interpretive programs, such as the annual Birds, Bees and Butterflies event in June. The refuge is open daily from sunrise to sunset, and the visitor center is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

(All images courtesy of All About Birds)