State Survey Shows 8 New Bird Species Added Since 2000

Eight new nesting species have been reported in Wisconsin, according to the state’s latest attempt at compiling a breeding bird atlas.

More than 700 volunteers have been documenting bird breeding activity over the last year. The volunteers report 229 bird species including eight not found during a previous survey that ended in the year 2000.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources bird atlas coordinator Nick Anich said the new birds include endangered species like the Kirtland’s warbler and whooping crane, but also a couple of introduced exotic species.

“The great tit and European goldfinch are both European birds that we think were released by a pet importer in the Chicago area, and so those are along the Lake Michigan lakeshore in southeast Wisconsin,” he said.

Anich said another highlight of the first year of this bird atlas is the spread of wild turkeys to more of the state. The survey is scheduled to continue for four more years.