Rare sighting as threatened bird species likely got lost, ending up 1,000 miles from home in Wisconsin
A rare subtropical wood stork was spotted in a very unexpected place recently – Wisconsin, after the bird apparently got lost inflight.
The wood stork typically lives in the Gulf Coast states as well as Central and South America.
The bird, which is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, was first seen last Sunday by a man hunting deer in the Mud Lake Wildlife Area in Columbia County, Wisconsin, northeast of Madison.
"It's always fascinating where these birds come from and where they end up," Horicon Marsh Bird Club President Jeff Bahls, who is also a wildlife technician for the state Department of Natural Resources, said.
"This is the time of year when we do get these oddball stray birds," he added.
The hunter first sent Bahls photos of the wood stork that he took during the sighting on Sunday.
Bahls viewed the bird for himself on Monday, saying he thinks it's a juvenile that hatched this spring because of its light-colored bill.
As wood storks get older, their bills eventually turn black.
He said young wood storks typically go exploring in the summer because they have no territory.
They are also the only species of stork that breeds in North America.
The stork was last seen on Tuesday flying northeast with a flock of pelicans.
The wood stork was once endangered with only 5,000 nesting pairs in the United States in the 1970s, but as of 2023 that had grown to more than 11,000 nesting pairs, according to the Center for Biological Diversity.
The birds became a protected species in 1984.
Wood storks have also been forced to move north because of habitat destruction and climate change.
"The wood stork has made a remarkable comeback, but wetland destruction from urban sprawl still looms large over the species," Stephanie Kurose of the Center for Biological Diversity previously said in a statement. "The Service needs to ensure that wetlands will be protected. It's also crucial to continue to adequately monitor the stork's population to make sure ongoing threats don't undo this hard-fought success."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Critically endangered pearl mussels recovering
A multi-million pound reintroduction programme to help endangered pearl mussels has been hailed a success by a conservation organisation. Natural England invested £13m in targeted projects, including boosting freshwater pearl mussels in Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and Durham. A single adult mussel can filter 50 litres of river water a day and they remove bacteria that threaten aquatic ecosystems. Ginny Swaile, of Natural England, said the pearl mussel project is "proving that saving endangered species and improving water quality are not separate goals". Mussels, which can live for more than half a century, have been reintroduced across the north of England and Cumbria which hosts 90% of the wild population. The location of their whereabouts is kept secret by conservation groups because of the threat of them being harvested for their pearls. The MaST (Margaritifera, Salar, Trutta) project on the River Rede, a tributary of the River Tyne, has an innovative way of reintroducing pearl mussels to a waterway. Ms Swaile said: "The project in the Rede catchment exemplifies innovative species recovery in action. "By creating wetland habitat and addressing agricultural pollution sources, we're not just saving critically endangered mussels - we're building the foundation for thriving salmon and trout populations." Larvae mussels attach themselves to the gills of salmon and trout during a crucial stage of their lifecycle. Conservation projects are also ongoing at the Wansbeck, Coquet, Till Breamish and Tweed rivers. Other critically important species like the European eel, Atlantic salmon, brown trout, river lamprey and otter are also benefitting from cleaner waters. Follow BBC North East on X and Facebook and BBC Cumbria on X and Facebook and both on Nextdoor and Instagram. More stories like this England's rare species get £14.5m habitat boost Freshwater mussels breed for first time in 13 years Freshwater pearl mussel rescue plan Related internet links Natural England
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Photographer stunned as trail camera captures unexpected creature moving through forest: 'I couldn't believe what I saw at first'
Photographer stunned as trail camera captures unexpected creature moving through forest: 'I couldn't believe what I saw at first' A nature photographer has recounted a surprising discovery he made while checking one of his trail cameras. While the brown bear is listed as "least concern" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, the species was once considered to be extinct in Lithuania. However, the large animal has made a handful of appearances in the last several years, hinting at its return to the local ecosystem. A highly publicized sighting occurred in the Šalčininkai district in Lithuania in April. Marek Kislovskij, a wildlife enthusiast and photographer, captured a brown bear strolling through a nearby forest using a perfectly located trail camera, according to Kislovskij told the publication, "When I came to check the camera, I couldn't believe what I saw at first." According to Kislovskij, he was not aware of any brown bear encounters in the Šalčininkai district. "I was really surprised to have captured such a shot and, of course, I was thrilled," he continued. "At the same time, it was a bit unsettling to realize that a bear had recently been walking around in that same area." Trail cameras can serve as a perfect tool to monitor the well-being of nearby wildlife while remaining hands-off. As with the case of the brown bear sighting, trail cameras can also be extremely useful in the documentation of rarely seen species. Although Lithuania has been described as a "non-bear country," bears once enjoyed strong populations throughout several European nations, but habitat loss and overhunting contributed to their decline. The sighting of a brown bear can be a sign of a thriving ecosystem. Brown bears can play a crucial role in regulating prey populations, dispersing seeds, and aerating the soil. Although they can be viewed as intimidating predators, they are very wary of humans and commonly avoid interactions. This sighting came just days after a bear cub was spotted in northwest Lithuania. Laimonas Daukša, director of the Lithuanian Hunters and Fishermen's Association, noted the importance of the sighting to Made in Vilnius. Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "A special day for Lithuanian nature, because from now on, bears living in Lithuania, which were previously considered extinct, despite their regular visits to our nature, should also appear in the Red Book," Daukša said, referring to the country's list of protected animals, plants, and mushrooms. "As far as I know, according to the current procedure, only leading species can be included in it, so we have the first bear cub that has opened a new page in this book," he added. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Wildlife haven' nature reserve known for bluebells closes to visitors ahead of sale
A 'wildlife haven' nature reserve has closed to visitors as it is set to be sold off. Longspring Wood, in Toms Lane, Kings Langley, is described as a 'a wildlife haven... an oasis nestled behind houses' with a mass of bluebells as well as oak, ash, and hazel trees. The one-hectare site is managed by the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust, but the charity has confirmed its sale is underway. A message on the trust's website says: 'As part of our ongoing efforts to maximise the impact of our conservation work, we have undertaken a thorough review of our nature reserves and how we can best allocate our limited resources. 'After careful consideration, the trust has made the decision to step away from managing Longspring Wood. 'The site is now under offer so we have closed our path while the sale is completed.' Access to the wood is closed. In total, the trust is stepping back from seven nature reserves across its area. Bluebells (Image: Alamy/PA) It has highlighted it is responsible for 700 hectares of land and the seven reserves represent three per cent of its total land holdings. Proceeds from the sale will be reinvested in its long-term strategy as it is running 'significant budget deficits' amid increasing costs. Each site will remain designated 'local wildlife sites', affording them special legal protection in the planning system. The trust added: 'Where the trust is exploring the sale of sites, we do so being explicit that we want to see the land maintained for its contribution to nature and will implement safeguards through the sale process to ensure as best as we are able that this is upheld.' No trains to run on entire length of Watford Junction line this weekend 'Safety concerns' spark cancellation of summer camp 'with ties to Iran'Other sites it is looking to sell are Rabley Pit, near Shenley, Royston Chalk Pit, and Uxbridge Alderglade. It is handing Oughtonhead, in Hitchin, Stocking Springs Wood, near Ayot St Lawrence, and Willowmead, near Hertford, back to their owners. Wildlife at Longspring Wood includes blackcaps, bluebells, wild cherries, blue tits, great tits, long-tailed tits, nuthatches, goldfinches, King Alfred's cakes fungi, and wood mice.
