New Birds at Powell Marsh - 02 Jun 2026

A full moon woke me this morning shortly after midnight. The moon appeared as a spot light through the window of the cabin and blinded me from my slumber. I would sleep fitfully for the rest of the morning. By 5 am I was up and ready to go. 

Robin needed more stuff from Walmart so I drove into Minocqua shortly after 6 am and got her supplies. I then returned and decided to go back to Powell Marsh WMA. Leaving the house just after 7 am I headed to County Rd. H and headed east. I managed to pick up the Red-eyed Vireo and Yellow-throated Vireo in the same spot as yesterday.

Continuing east on H I made a stop next to a stream and bridge and looked for birds. A Chestnut-sided Warbler was singing loudly from a maple next to the road but I was unable to find it. The woods nearby hosted Ovenbird, Veery (Merlin's Bird of the Day), and Nashville Warbler while the grassy meadows on either side of the stream produced Alder Flycatcher, Swamp Sparrow, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Yellow Warbler and Pine Warbler.

3954–3998 CTH-H, Woodruff US-WI 46.03386, -89.77269, Vilas, Wisconsin, US

Jun 2, 2026 7:44 AM - 7:49 AM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments:     Clear, breezy, 58F
13 species

Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica)  1
Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum)  1
Veery (Catharus fuscescens)  1
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)  1
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  1
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)  1
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla)  1
Nashville Warbler (Leiothlypis ruficapilla)  1
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  1
Northern Yellow Warbler (Setophaga aestiva)  1
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica)  1
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus)  1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S351296009
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

I continued on to Powell Marsh WMA and parked in the same spot as yesterday. Skies were clear this morning but significantly more windy (5 - 15 mph) so I expected fewer photo opps. As expected the Alder Flycatchers and Sedge Wrens were singing less frequently and farther away.

But, a female Bobolink flew in and landed next to the dike. This was a nice find and new bird for this trip!

A bit farther down the dike a Trumpeter Swan was bathing. It didn't stay long once it realized I was looking at it.

Despite the significant breeze the dragonflies on the dike were swarming this morning. Dozens of Chalk-fronted Corporals (a type of Skimmer) were landing in front of me every few feet and seemed to accompany me the entire walk.

Far to the south I started hearing the bugling of Sandhill Cranes and managed to eventually see them flying in the distance. Seven birds in flight included several that had such severe wing-molt that I wondered how they could stay in the air. Another new bird for the trip!

As I reached the junction with the east-west dike. I spotted a single Black Tern foraging along the canal and open waters in the eastern portion of the marsh. Luckily, it made several passes close enough to photograph despite the backlighting. I had hoped to see one on this trip and my dream came true. Another new bird for the trip!

I stopped and chatted with a couple who were walking their dogs, and after leaving them I spotted the first of two Blue-winged Teal. Another new bird for the trip!

Canada Geese were flying in large flocks and even came into land in the nearby waters. Again, severe wing molt indicated that these birds were not going far.

I waited a while for the Black Tern to return but it did not, so I decided to continue south along the main dike. A Sedge Wren was singing next to the dike and I managed to see it about 50' away and get some long-distance photos.

With things quieting down even more I turned around and headed back to the car. Along the way I spotted a couple of Bog Fritillary Butterflies (possibly Silver-edged Fritillary, as well). 

Off in the distance I spotted a Gray Ghost (male Northern Harrier) and a Turkey Vulture soaring over the treeline. Both new birds for the trip!

I'd return to the car in a quiet parking lot this morning. It was 10 am so I decided to head back into town and get an early lunch.

Powell Marsh SWA (Vilas Co.) (incl. vista & dikes), Vilas, Wisconsin, US
Jun 2, 2026 8:07 AM - 9:55 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.993 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Clear, breezy 5-15 mph, 60F
26 species

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  60
Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)  2
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)  2
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  1
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)  3
Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)  7
Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata)  2
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger)  1
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)  1
Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)  1
Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum)  6
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  1
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  1
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)  6
Sedge Wren (Cistothorus stellaris)  6
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)  4
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  2
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)  4
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)  1
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  6
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  4
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla)  1
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  5
Northern Yellow Warbler (Setophaga aestiva)  4
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S351359366

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

As I drove south on US-51 I decided to check out the bogs just west of County Highway H. I only stayed a few minutes as birds were quiet and there was really no place to pull off and walk. 

4671–4699 CTH-H, Boulder Junction US-WI 46.06598, -89.75607, Vilas, Wisconsin, US
Jun 2, 2026 10:14 AM - 10:20 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.964 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Clear, 70F
6 species

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  1
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla)  1
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  1
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica)  1
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus)  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S351370334

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

I'd return to the cabin at Dillman's Resort and spend the afternoon working on photos, but while I waited for Robin to get out of class I managed to see a Bald Eagle soaring overhead (another new bird) along with a Hooded Merganser, Ruby-throated Hummingbird and the local songsters listed below.

(46.0047,-89.8437) Dillman’s Bay Resort, Vilas, Wisconsin, US
Jun 2, 2026 11:38 AM
Protocol: Incidental
Checklist Comments:     Pt cloudy, breezy, 68F
7 species

Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  1
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  1
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus)  1
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S351406915
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

Robin and I would then head into Minocqua for dinner at the Yacht Club (relax, its a beer/burger joint). On the way back to the cabin a Pileated Woodpecker flew across the front of the car and gave Robin her best looks yet.

BTW, the feeder outside the cabin was empty this morning. The Raccoons have found the seed and suet cake. This evening a young Raccoon is finishing off the remaining suet cake; the Chipmunks and Gray Squirrels have done their part to empty what refill I gave this afternoon but at least I did get a visit from the Red-breasted Nuthatch for 15 minutes. And, as I finish this post a pair of Eastern Phoebes just landed in the tree outside the window.