Wisconsin’s Top 5 Must-See Fall Migrations

1. Monarch Butterfly

The monarch is the only known butterfly to make a two-way migration as birds do. It is incredible that such a small animal (weighing less than a penny) can travel as far as 3,000 miles to reach its winter home. Every year monarchs in the eastern United States merge into a central flyway on their journey to the mountain hillsides in Mexico’s oyamel fir forests.

Still a mystery to scientists, it is believed that the monarch uses a combination of directional aids such as the Earth’s magnetic pull and the position of the sun to travel. The biggest mystery, however, is how monarchs that have never been to the Mexican forests find their way.

As fall progresses, you can help scientists learn more. If you spot monarchs this fall, especially when there are clusters of them, you can report your findings as part of a citizen science monitoring project.

2. Tundra Swan

Wisconsin is a great place to observe the migration of the tundra swan. The Upper Mississippi River, as well as the shores of Lake Michigan, are situated on the flyway for the eastern population of tundras on their journey from the Arctic coast to the mid-Atlantic coastal region.

The tundra swan was first described by Lewis and Clark on their famous expedition. Today they are the most common species of swan in North America and can be identified by the characteristic whistling of their wings and an almost fully white body.

A fabulous place to see flocks of tundra swans is the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Look for them starting in early November until ice begins to form.

3. Eastern Meadowlark

A well-known grassland bird, the eastern meadowlark is best known by the distinctive V on its chest and its sweet, clear, whistling song. It is this song that distinguishes the eastern meadowlark from its western cousin. Although some eastern meadowlarks remain in Wisconsin year-round, most travel to the southern United States in late fall.

Eastern meadowlarks prefer prairies and other native grasslands; they can also be heard singing from atop fence posts and telephone lines. Meadowlarks and other grassland birds were once a common sight in Wisconsin. But their populations have declined precipitously as Wisconsin’s native prairies and savannas were plowed and converted to other uses.

You can see Eastern meadowlarks and other interesting species of grassland birds in the Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area in Dane and Iowa counties.

4. Green Darner Dragonfly

A less well known migratory species is the green darner dragonfly. Darners are one of the largest dragonflies, with bodies over three inches long and a wingspan of 4.5 inches. They are truly aquatic insects, relying for all life stages on fresh water such as ponds, lakes, slow-moving streams and marshes.

In late summer, darners migrate south in large numbers. They don’t return in the spring, but their offspring do. Scientists understand less about the green darner’s migration than they do about other species like birds or the monarch butterfly. They have been observed, however, to travel as far as 90 miles a day!

A great spot to see darners is in the many marshland habitats near Green Bay and the Sheboygan River. 

5. Turkey Vulture

Turkey vultures have been around since prehistoric times and are one of nature’s ultimate recyclers. They feed mainly on carrion, or dead animal flesh, which they find using their keen eyesight and sense of smell. They can eat rotten, diseased carcasses and not get sick, playing an important role in reducing the spread of diseases.

Turkey vultures are known for their effortless gliding flight and bald red head. They can be seen circling air thermals off uplands and rocky cliffs. Nature Conservancy preserves in the Baraboo Hills such as Baxter’s Hollow and Hemlock Draw are great place to spot these large birds.

This fall look for turkey vulture congregations on a warm, sunny day. Hundreds of these birds soaring in circles is truly a sight to see. After meeting up and stocking up on food reserves, Turkey Vultures will migrate to their winter homes in South America.