This Bird Has Been Spotted In Wisconsin For The First Time In More Than 175 Years
By Ben Jones|Published August 10, 2023
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Ben Jones
Author
Ben Jones is at heart an adventurer who delights in inspiring others. A former reporter and photojournalist, he explored towns large and small as a Wisconsin correspondent for USA Today. He later became a lead photographer and senior copywriter for an award-winning destination marketing agency, before founding Boldland Creative, a company that produces photography, video, and other content for travel destinations. Jones has completed photography and content projects in more than 15 states and when he’s not looking through a camera or at his Macbook you’ll find him exploring the world’s lakes and forests.
It’s never too late to make a return visit. An unusual pink bird that typically makes its home in warm climates was recently spotted on the Frozen Tundra. The Roseate Spoonbill was last seen in Wisconsin in 1845, and that bird was dead. But this summer, an example of the species has been spotted around Green Bay. The city is fast becoming a Wisconsin birdwatching hotspot – here’s what you need to know.
The Roseate Spoonbill is a colorful bird with a unique beak. It’s not a snow bird - it typically inhabits coastal wetlands, marshes, and estuaries throughout the southeastern United States, the Caribbean, and parts of Central and South America. This stock photo was taken in Florida.
They are often seen wading through warm shallow waters, including saltwater lagoons, tidal flats, and freshwater ponds. These are places that never freeze over or see snow.
As a migratory species, individual birds may occasionally wander off-course during their winter migration, leading to sightings in unexpected locations.
This rare avian visitor apparently went way off course. It was first spotted in July by a surprised member of the Bay Area Bird Club in the Ken Euers Nature Area in Green Bay. The bird looks a lot like this fellow.
I’m tempted to head out to see if I can spot this bird – I’ll be in Green Bay soon, so I’ll see what I can do! Have you seen it this summer? If you’re planning a birding trip, you can get good deals on lodging through Booking.com. If you’re up for more Wisconsin hidden adventures, here’s where to find them.
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