Rare Bird sighting

We went to Crex Meadows in Grantsburg today for a bird tour.  Little did we know that there was a very rare bird in the area.  We did not see the Garganey on our tour. 

A rare duck has birders in the Midwest flocking to Grantsburg, Wis.

The garganey, a Eurasian species rarely found in North America, was first spotted at Crex Meadows Wildlife Area on April 25 and still could be seen there Monday, said Kim Wheeler, a natural resource educator for the wildlife area.

"This bird has never been seen in Wisconsin before, and it's not very often (seen) in the Midwest," Wheeler said. "Birders from all over the Midwest are coming to see it because they may not ever see it again in their entire life."

Birds from Eurasia seldom find their way to a far-inland state like Wisconsin, said Ryan Brady with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, adding that even for the lower 48 states as a whole, a garganey sighting is a rarity.

A garganey plies the water at Crex Meadows Wildlife Area in Grantsburg, Wis., on Saturday, May 3, 2014. The bird, a Eurasian species, is rare for North America and is being officially sighted in Wisconsin for the first time. (Pioneer Press: Andy Rathbun)

After our tour we went to the spot where they said we might see it.   There were a few people standing around with large scopes etc.  we walked about 100 yards down the road and what did we see but the Garganey!  we tried to get the other peoples attention but had to walk back to get it.  They were so excited.  One couple had driven up from Oklahoma to see and and was getting ready to leave when they stopped to swap stories..  One guy had been there for two days ( it was cold and rainy yesterday).  he was almost in tears!  they made phone calls and all of a sudden all these cars pulled up!  People were shaking Eric's hand, patting him on the back etc..  We did not know at the time how rare this sighting was and was a bit perplexed at the way they were all acting and talking.  Once home we found the above article!  Unfortunately I had my camera in the car and not around my neck.  we were very close and I could have gotten some very nice pictures!  

This Wednesday we head to Ashland Wi for the birding fest.  don't think we will see anything quite like the Garganey!