Mornin' to this family of bobcats caught on a wildlife cam. 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.

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This week’s weekly:

• Fall Migration 🦢 

• Wolf update 🐺 

• Deer hunter survey 🦌 

Wisconsin’s Great Fall Migration

It all started with a man named Count Von Bothmer.

While sipping a boot of bier in the early 1800s at his estate in Germany, he spotted a stork that looked a little ... strange.

Upon further inspection, the Count was bewildered to find the bird stuck with a spear! A number of questions arose:

Cripes! Where the heck does one find a spear these days? How's it even flying still? How many beers did I have?

He took it to a naturalist, and the two figured the spear must have originated somewhere in Africa.

And seeing how it was the 1800s and, well, you know - not many folks had access to African weaponry, the bird had to have been speared in Africa, then flew all the way to Germany afterwards.

Other speared birds starting showing up, and a domino effect sparked the obsession over bird migrations!

Wisconsin's migratory birds

• Head south for winter in search of warmer climates

• Rely on some form of internal, unknown navigation

• Millions of birds will migrate through Wisconsin from mid-summer to early winter

Where'd all the birds go?

For thousands of years, humans have pondered where the birds disappear to in the wintertime.

Early theories included hibernation and even transmutation, becoming an entirely different species all together.

One such theory from the 1700s did come close. It theorized migration, but the destination was a little off: They thought the birds were flying to the moon.

But what truly sparked the field of Ornithology (bird science) came during World War II, when soldiers found what appeared to be German bombers on their radar.

When the Blitzkrieging Nazis never showed, the baffled soldiers chalked it up be to the angels of dead soldiers on their radar screens.

It wasn't until years later that someone put two and two together - indeed, the dots were birds!

What comes up, must come down

We know what you're wondering: Why ever would anyone ever want to leave Wisconsin in the wintertime!?

Besides skipping out on plow duty, birds have good reasons for this north/south migration:

1. Nesting: Birds come north to Wisconsin in the springtime to claim open nesting sites from which to raise young

2. Food: While us 'Sconnies enjoy pumpkin pie, tailgate brats, and other fall fare, birds have to travel to warmer climates to find more resources (aka bugs to eat)

3. Temperature: Though many birds can handle the cold when food is available, most neo-tropical migrants can not.

Siri, set directions to Argentina, please

Unlike your Dad who lives and dies by his road map (why oh why can't we just use Google Maps), birds have other methods to get where they're going.

And though the migration patterns range as far north as the Arctic and as far south as Argentina's Tierra del Fuego, the means of their navigation still baffles scientists.

The best guess so far is that birds have some genetic imprint in their DNA of where to go. For example, a newly hatched Ruby-throated Hummingbird, a solitary animal, knows to fly over the Gulf of Mexico despite having never done so.

Another theory thinks that birds rely on olfactory mapping to find where they're headed. Just follow the smell of tacos and tequila...

Dozens of experiments have been conducted that point to other possible sources of navigation, like the sun, stars, landmarks, and magnetism of the Earth, though none is completely conclusive.

Birds ETA

As each bird has different needs and habits, the time of their departure varies greatly.

Some have a more sporadic, "fare weather" migration style. For example, if the winter is mild enough, you may see crows stick around in whats called partial migration. Grab a snow shovel, fellas.

For the sportsmen and women out there, they'll know that migration means something a little differently to waterfowl. A bit heartier than other birds, some species come only as far south as Wisconsin, where Lake Michigan provides unfrozen waters to feed in. Duck hunters, delight!

Viewing

Over the span of a few months, millions of birds will fly through the Dairyland state. Hopefully not directly over our cars...

With this neat tracker from Birdcast, you can view live migration maps and daily tallies on bird movement data.

Of course, the best way to see 'em is in the great outdoors at some of the state's prime spots, listed on this Map Of All The Important Bird Areas.

And for those who want to lend a han- erm, wing, consider joining local conservation project.

Just as long as ya get out 'der!

Other great Wiscampsin reads…

The Return of the Sandhill Crane

Wisconsin's State Bird

Wisconsin's apex predator returns: The revitalization of the gray wolf

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Wiscampsin Weekly Poll

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Nuts and Seeds 🌰 

🚘 Watch out for deer!: If Wisconsin had its own motorcycle club, the slogan on the back of our leather jackets would read “Watch out for deer!” The DOT is again warning us all that as bucks start chasing does, we need to keep our eyes peeled. Check out this neat graph on recent stats.

🐺 Wolves not on the prowl: The wolf population has apparently increased 4% last year while “farm conflicts” (AKA your prized goat getting eaten) decreased to just 18 instances, the lowest number in 18 years. The current population of wolves in Wisconsin is estimated to be at 1,007.

🦌 Deer hunting survey: The DNR is still requesting that you submit your deer hunting survey. Last year, hunters reported seeing an average of 0.78 deer per hour, the highest number in the 14 years of surveying! 0.78!? Musta been little ones like Uncle Joe shoots…

 Sponsored by our new Wiscampsin Basic Tees!

Want to support the Wiscampsin Weekly and look super cool doing it?

We just stocked some new Wiscampsin Tees that are sustainably made, hike friendly, and feel oh so soft.

This head turner is available in 3 colors: Heather Bark, Heather Cream, and Heather Pine. Who da heck is Heather…?

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We only ordered a limited batch so place your orders today, lest we run out of your desired size + color!

*As always, 1% of profits will go to the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks.

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Meme of the Week 😂

A review from the trail… They say a picture is worth a 1,000 “ope’s!”