A Roseate Spoonbill bird in Green Bay, July 31, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Birdwatchers are excited, and possibly a little surprised about a recent discovery in a Green Bay wetlands area.
A sighting of the Roseate Spoonbill hasn’t been confirmed in Wisconsin in 178 years.
“Not many pink birds. It’s either a flamingo, or a spoonbill,” said Logan Lasee, Naturalist and Birdwatcher.
Logan Lasee spotted the pinkish bird last week.
“While I was looking out on a mud flat, this bird was actually hanging out with a flock of geese. So I started calling people,” he said.
Lasee had seen a Roseate Spoonbill before, but not in the Ken Euers Nature Area in Green Bay.
“This is a really large shorebird, that’s typically seen in the very southern part of the United States, There’s breeding colonies in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. So for one to come up here, it’s very rare. There’s actually only two records now of this bird being in the state and the last one before this was 1845,” he said.
Based on the plumage, Lasee says the bird is likely a juvenile, and recent weather events may have impacted the spoonbill’s travels.
“This year, there’s actually been a number of this species kind of blowing around the United States. So it might just be a weird year, where they’re being kind of tossed around,” he said.
The spoonbill is attracting attention from birders around the area, including Adam Sinkula.
“It’s important, because, finding birds like this, is kind of like a treasure hunt. It’s something you don’t see very often. It’s a rare occurrence here, and just kind of soaking it all in. Taking in the moment, and appreciating it,” said Adam Sinkula, Birdwatcher.
Logan Lasee says the spoonbill could feed in the impoundment for a couple more days. In the meantime, Monday’s birdwatching session is good experience.
“I’ve been on cloud nine for the last couple days. It’s been amazing to see people from all over the state, gathering here to see this bird. It’s been like Christmas,” he said.
Birdwatchers are asked to be respectful of the spoonbill and its habitat, and view the bird from a distance.
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