Lake Wausau is a great place for viewing waterfowl
migration, especially during the spring when the variety of
loons, grebes, ducks and more are most abundant. April to
early May is prime time for viewing this variety of birds as
they migrate through our area to their breeding grounds
farther away. Ducks, such as Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup
and Bufflehead, can be very abundant at certain times.
From late March to early April is the prime time to watch for
migrating Tundra Swans as they pass through to their arctic
breeding grounds. Common Loons and Horned Grebes often
stage here in good numbers before moving onward as well.
Fall migration on Lake Wausau can also be good at certain
times, and the late fall season is the best time of year to look
for unusual to rare waterfowl that have visited the lake during
migration. Some unusual to rare duck sightings have included
all three scoter species (Surf, Black and White-winged),
Long-tailed Duck, and Barrow’s Goldeneys
Marathon County lies within the Mississippi Flyway.
The flyway represents the migration route of over 325
bird species making their yearly journey from their wintering
grounds to their breeding grounds. The breeding grounds
stretch north into Canada, with many species using our area
by following the Mississippi River to the Wisconsin River.
Waterfowl such as ducks, loons, grebes, and geese use these
waterways to rest and feed during their migration. They can
follow the river north to the lakes of northern Wisconsin,
which they use as resting stopovers. Besides waterfowl,
shorebirds also use this flyway with some making the
extraordinary trip from the Antarctic to the Arctic.
The Mississippi Flyway, in the United States, begins at the
delta of the Mississippi River and ends in northern Canada.
This flyway doesn’t cross any mountains, so that helps the
birds conserve precious energy. It is estimated that 40%
of all the waterfowl and shorebirds found in North America
use the Mississippi Flyway.
The Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers also lead waterfowl
and shorebirds to the Great Lakes, which also provide these
migrants areas to rest safely and to feed on their journey.
The Wausau Bird Club has included in the QR Code a
checklist of all the waterfowl and shorebirds that can been
seen along the Wisconsin River and in Lake Wausau.
So, have your binoculars ready for the parade of birds!
