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Mornin’ to everyone interested in this Wisconsin’s woman goal to hike 5 miles in 50 state parks for her 65th birthday. This is the Wiscampsin Weekly, the email that gets you in the know on the Wisconsin outdoors in 5 minutes or less. New reader? Subscribe here.

This week’s weekly:

🦜 Deer hunter discovers bizarre tropical bird in woods

🕷️ Warmer weather = more ticks, mosquitos

🐟 Children’s book chronicles lake sturgeon’s epic comeback in WI

🍄‍🟫 STORY OF THE WEEK: Escapee mushrooms are taking root in Wisconsin

🦜 Deer hunter discovers bizarre tropical bird in woods LINK

• A rare subtropical wood stork, typically found in Gulf Coast states and Central/South America, was spotted in Columbia County’s Mud Lake Wildlife Area—an unusual first for Wisconsin.

• The juvenile stork, identified by its lighter bill, was last seen flying northeast with pelicans, likely wandering north due to climate shifts or simply being off-course during its late-summer explorations.

• Listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, the wood stork’s surprise visit follows other recent “oddball” sightings in Wisconsin, delighting birders and sparking interest in how far-flung species end up in the state.

🕷️ Warmer weather = more ticks, mosquitos LINK

• Ticks and mosquitoes are thriving longer in Wisconsin as warming temps add more active days to their season—contributing to rising Lyme disease cases (nearly 6,500 last year) and periodic spikes of Powassan and West Nile viruses.

• Warming temps accelerate insect development and survival, while human factors like habitat fragmentation and travel further spread disease-carrying species.

• Experts warn that traditional control methods may no longer be enough, as mosquito and tick seasons stretch beyond summer, requiring expanded monitoring, management, and research.

🐟 Children’s book chronicles lake sturgeon’s epic comeback in WI LINK

• A new middle school book, “Saving Our Sturgeon: Protecting Wisconsin’s Ancient Fish,” chronicles how lake sturgeon—once 11 million strong—were nearly wiped out by overharvest and habitat loss in the 1800s and early 1900s.

• The species’ long lifespan and blocked spawning grounds from dams slowed recovery, but the Lake Winnebago sturgeon fishery became a conservation stronghold, helping scientists learn how to restore populations.

• Today, hatcheries and conservation programs continue the work, and educators encourage Wisconsinites to see sturgeon firsthand—especially during winter spearing season on Lake Winnebago—to connect with this ancient fish’s story.

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WISCAMPSIN WEEKLY POLL

The 38% of you that voted for 16-14 inches were correct!

One location on the northwest side of Milwaukee reported a 24-hour rain total of 14.5 inches on August 9. Beating the past record set in Mellen on June 24th, 1946, with 11.72 inches.

A review from the trail… Like, zoinks ‘Scoob!