The highlight out birding today was setting my binoculars on a couple of Barred Owls. They did a little flying around on their own and surprisingly one could not be relocated as they just blend in. Image is one of the two seen. Image was taken on February 23, 2017
Binomial name: Strix varia
Category: Typical Owls
Size: 21” long, 42” wing span
Weight: 1.6 lb
I saw a first today in the Southern Kettle Moraine in Waukesha County. Sandhill Cranes painting themselves by preening mud into their feathers. They are known to do this to change their colors to blend in more with their surroundings. It was said by a friend of mine that iron oxide in the mud is a form of dye, they also said they turn gray again after they molt before migrating in the fall, makes perfect sense. Totally amazing to watch so I had to share some of this excitement with others. Images were taken on February 22, 2017.
The pair, preening and painting themselves with mud to change their colors
Getting the mud……look at the paint
Painting and preening
Getting the mud
Painting and preening
Painting and preening
Painting and preening….when doing their backs and even in other places, their large bill is rolling back and forth, in and out…at a pretty good speed
Painting and preening
Painting and preening
Painting and preening
Painting and preening away…
Painting and preening
Painting and preening
Getting more mud…
The pair
Look at the paint!
Painting and preening away…
Look at that paint job!
Doing some birding in Waukesha County today I came across 3 Killdeer. They appeared to be finding something to eat in the short grasses. They also did some calling and that is what got my attention to start with. Their visit was short lived after one spent a couple minutes at some water, they left the area and I did not see them around after that. Must be just be moving on through. Images were taken on February 22, 2017.
On the move!
Binomial name: Charadrius vociferus
Category: Lapwings and Plovers
Size: 10.5” long, 24” wing span
Weight: 3.3 oz
I made a quick run out to the South Kettle Moraine this morning and the highlight was a Sandhill Crane off the road. I saw another Sandhill Crane out in a field nearby, there are a few coming in with the warm weather. Another bird to note was a Snow Goose flying high up in a V shape formation of Canada Geese flock heading north. Unseasonably mild temps around 60 degrees with mostly sunny skies. Images were taken on February 19, 2017.
Binomial name: Grus canadensid
Category: Cranes
Size: 46” long, 77” wing span
Weight: 10.6 lb
Doing some birding in Grant Park this morning I came across this Coyote. Always exciting to see one of these and to think they are in the woods many times just watching you. It was a mild day for February with temps around 42 degrees and mostly sunny skies. Image was taken on February 14, 2017.
I had been birding the lakefront in Milwaukee when I got a call from Mike W, thanks Mike. He stated Tom W had found a Slaty-backed Gull at Northridge Lakes. With a quick ride over there, and some birders having it in their scopes it put a spike in what looked like might be a quiet day birding. The bird stayed in one spot the whole time I was there of about 30 minutes. It stood and rested while I was there along with the preening. It raised its wings once and I capture a couple of shots of what is known as the ‘string of pearls’, spots on the outer primaries. Other birds to note, it was said that there were 2 Glaucous Gulls, 1-adult, 1-immature and 4 Kumlien’s, 3-adults, 1-juvenile, I did not see all of them. A big thank you to Tom W for finding this nice bird and getting the word out for others to see. A mild day with temps around 40 with full sun, light breeze made for a pleasant morning out. Images were taken on February 13, 2017.
Slaty-backed Gull, with the wing up you can see the ‘string of pearls’ on the primaries
Binomial name: Larus schistisagus
Category: Gulls, Tern. and Skimmers
Size: 25” long, 58” wing span
Weight: 3.0 lb
Note: An Asian gull that is considered a rare breeder on the west coast of Alaska and is a very rare visitor to North America.
Standing in the middle
The way it was…
Going down to rest
Resting
Doing a stretch
Just another shot
It was quiet on the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning. Only thing I could come up with for a few shots was a female Red-breasted Merganser at South Shore Yacht Club. It did extensive preening and then went on to relax. It hung out with about 50 Mallards that were also just taking a break with the high winds. Other birds to note, the Ross’s Goose was still hanging around Veteran’s Park and Hooded Merganser, male was off in a distance at the yacht club. Temps were low 40’s with sun but had wind gusts from 35-40 mph so it was just not a pleasant day out there. A warm up is on the way, maybe some new birds will be found along with that change. Images were taken on February 12, 2017.
Red-breasted Merganser, female
Binomial name: Mergus serrator
Category: Ducks, Geese, and Swans
Size: 23” long, 30” wing span
Weight: 2.3 lb
Preening
Shaking off!
Into the water…
Preening
Resting
Usually on the lookout
Making a stop today at Grant Park in Milwaukee County a Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon Junco made a brief appearance at the feeder there. The junco was present for about 30 seconds and then it left. I hung around for about 20 minutes and it did not reappear. The feeder was empty but there were birds around finding things to eat. I photographed a Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon Junco at the same location on December 15, 2016. This image was taken on February 8, 2017.
Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon Junco
December 15, 2016 image below
Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon Junco photographed on December 15, 2016
Binomial name: Junco hyemalis
Category: Emberizids
Size: 6.25” long, 9.25” wing span
Weight: .67 oz
I have not been out to Johnson Creek in Jefferson County lately so I gave it a try mid morning. There were a lot of gulls over the dump but only a couple hundred loafed at the Kohl’s outlot south of I94. It was nice to see 2 Glaucous Gulls in the small group there. There was 1- 1st cycle and 1- adult present. They took flight a few times as there must have been something in the area that spooked them. A very cold day with some wind but the sun made it feel not too bad. Images were taken on February 3, 2017.
Glaucous Gull, adult
Binomial name: Larus hyperboreus
Category: Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers
Size: 27” long, 60” wing span
Weight: 3.1 lb
Habitat: This large gulls breeding grounds are in the northern arctic. It spends its winters farther north than most gulls on coasts, lakes, urban areas, dumps and agricultural fields. Mostly breeds along shorelines of the seacoast, rivers and lakes, also refuse dumps. These gulls are usually not found inland.
Diet: It captures prey such as plovers, small ducks, ptarmigans, auks, birds, small mammals and invertebrates. It also scavenges dead fish, carrion, garbage and dead animal matter.
Nesting: The nest is a shallow bowl constructed of twigs, grasses, sedges, moss and sometimes feathers. The nest is located on cliff edges, grass slopes above cliffs, islands or ponds on the tundra. 3 eggs are usually laid brown in color with dark brown spots.
Glaucous Gull, 1st cycle
Glaucous Gull, 1st cycle in the middle, it just landed
Glaucous Gull, 1st cycle loafing
Glaucous Gull, adult
Glaucous Gull, adult loafing
Glaucous Gull, adult
Glaucous Gull, adult
Glaucous Gull, 1st cycle
Got a glimpse of a Red Fox doing a brief hunting before it left the area. Always a treat to see one of these. Images were taken on January 30, 2017.
Thinking about something here in the grass….
Scientific name: Vulpes vulpes
Type: Mammal
Habitat: Forests, grasslands, mountains, savanna, agricultural lands and deserts. Red Foxes can also adapt to farms, suburban areas and sometimes cities.
Average life span in the wild: 2 to 4 years
Size: Head and body, 18-33.75 inches
Weight: 6.5 to 24 lbs
Diet: Fruit, vegetables, fish, frogs, rabbits, birds and rodents in the wild. If living in a human environment they may include in the diet garbage and pet food.
Range: Northern hemisphere from the arctic circle to Central American. They can also be found in Northern Africa and central Asia.
On a mission
Comes up empty and leaves the area
I spent some time today trying to catch up with the Ross’s Goose that made a quick stop yesterday as reported at South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee. I found it early afternoon hanging out with some Canada Geese at Bay View Park on the lakefront. This is a grass area and it would have been nice to get it in the water, but you have to take what you can get I guess. It was a cloudy day with a good breeze from the west, cold temps around 25 degrees with an occasional light snow flurry. Images were taken on January 29th and on the 31st, 2017.
Binomial name: Chen rossii
Category: Ducks, Geese, and Swans
Size: 23” long, 45” wing span
Weight: 2.7 lb
Range: An exciting visitor that is usually spotted a couple times a year in the state. The breeding range for this species is northern Canada, and migrates to parts of southwest US and Mexico.
Grazing
Grazing with the Canada Geese
Grazing with the Canada Geese
With a Canada Goose in the background
Ross’s Goose with a few flurries
Preening
Preening
Preening
A quick rest
Grazing
Grazing
A scratch
Ross’s Goose with a Canada Goose
Just looking
Grazing together
A little fluffed up
At you
One foot up
The back view
The last few days I have hit the lakefront in Milwaukee with hopes to see the Harlequin Duck that was reported a few days ago. Today and getting into the afternoon finishing up a lap at Lakeshore State Park I spotted the 1st year male Harlequin Duck east of the island out a ways. It was with about 6 Common Goldeneyes. In a few seconds the group of ducks flushed for some reason and they flew north out of sight. I walked to the point at the Sailing Center and came up empty. On the walk back to the Summerfest grounds I relocated the duck out from Discovery World. It was again with a small group of Common Goldeneyes and once again they all flew for some reason but this time to the south. The lake was very calm and I wonder if any movement on shore made them more skittish? I was lucky to get a few shots off before it left. I looked south at all the ducks to the lighthouse and no Harlequin, from there it was ice to the south for awhile. Thanks to Jym M for finding this duck near the Sailing Center a few days ago and getting the word out. A cloudy day with mild temps, a breeze from the northwest made for not a bad day out birding. Images were taken on January 24, 2017.
Binomial name: Histrionicus histrionicus
Category: Ducks, Geese, and Swans
Size: 16.5” long, 26” wing span
Weight: 1.3 lb
Normal Range: Normal range for this species is about Yellowstone Park WY, west of there to the coast, north of Yellowstone far up into Canada and then west to the Pacific coast. Some of their range is also the eastern Canadian coast of the Atlantic Ocean.
1st sighting of the Harlequin Duck east of the island at Lakeshore State Park today
A stop at the Fox River in Waukesha late morning today gave nice views of a Hooded Merganser, male. It hung around with a large flock of Mallards at times. Once it came up on the shore as someone had tossed out some corn, it appeared to eat a piece. It stood there as the Mallards ate the corn, like it did not know what it was suppose to do there. One time on the water I saw it eat a crayfish. For the most part it felt right at home with the Mallards. Not much else was on the river where I was other than a few Canada Geese. What a beautiful duck! It was a very gloomy day, with the mild temps it did not feel too bad for January. Images were taken from January 22, – February 6, 2017
Hooded Merganser, male
Binomial name: Lophodytes cucullatus
Category: Duck, Geese, and Swans
Size: 18” long, 24” wing span
Weight: 1.4 lb
Hood up
Hood up
Hood down
With corn
Hood down before a dive
The dive
The dive
Preening
Preening
Preening
Hood up
Hood down
At you
Crayfish snack!
Preening
Preening
Preening
Preening
Hood is up!
Hood is up!
On the ice
Best friends! The Hooded Merganser follows the Mallard, female around all day, he is always at her side..:)
Hood is down!
Hood is up, just a walk on shore following around the female Mallard
Stretching
Hood is down!
A quick drink!
On my way home from doing some birding in Milwaukee County it was a big surprise to see 2 Sandhill Cranes. They were foraging on a hilltop far off the roadway in old hay field on the south end of Waukesha, I stopped for a couple of distant shots. There were a pair of them. Considered rare birds for this time of year at this location. It was a day of fog, never did see the sun, on a few occasions it got brighter. The mild temps of near 40 felt great as we are only in January. The mild temps Images were taken on January 19, 2017.
Sandhill Crane, one of the pair
Binomial name: Grus canadensid
Category: Cranes
Size: 46” long, 77” wing span
Weight: 10.6 lb
Sandhill Crane
Sandhill Crane
I did some birding along the lakefront this morning in Milwaukee. Many diving ducks were present in the harbor and a few Red-breasted Mergansers were within lens range. Other ducks and 100’s of them were Greater Scaup and Common Goldeneyes. Ice just left the harbor in the last day or so with rain that moved in so ducks were very active feeding on mussles. It was a dark gloomy day and temps were around 33-34 degrees. A light wind made it feel winter like. Images were taken on January 17, 2017
Red-breasted Merganser, male, shaking off!
Binomial name: Mergus serrator
Category: Ducks, Geese, and Swans
Size: 23” long, 30” wing span
Weight: 2.3 lb
Red-breasted Merganser, female
Red-breasted Merganser, male
Red-breasted Merganser, male, partial stretch
Red-breasted Merganser, male
Red-breasted Merganser, female
Red-breasted Merganser, male at takeoff!
Long-eared Owl in Wisconsin on January 6, 2017
Long-eared Owl
Binomial name: Asio otus
Category: Typical Owls
Size: 15” long, 36” wing span
Weight: 9 oz
Eastern Screech-Owl in Wisconsin on January 3, 2017
Eastern Screech-Owl
Binomial name: Otus asio
Category: Typical Owls
Size: 8.5” long, 20” wing span
Weight: 6 oz
On a very foggy morning…
I have put together a collection of some of the Wisconsin birding moments from the year 2016. The collection includes vagrants, special visitors, or just the beautiful birds that nest here or migrate through the state of Wisconsin. All images were taken in 2016. It was a very exciting year with the birds and also birding with some old birding friends and meeting some new ones, too. Thanks to everyone who helped make this happen. When putting this post together, once again, it amazes me what birds were seen this year here in Wisconsin!
Gyrfalcon in Superior Wisconsin chasing a Common Raven 1-2-2016
Gyrfalcon in Superior Wisconsin chasing a Common Raven 1-2-2016
Gyrfalcon in Superior Wisconsin 1-2-2016
Slaty-backed Gull at Johnson Creek in Jefferson County 1-7-2016
Slaty-backed Gull at Johnson Creek in Jefferson County 1-7-2016
Common Redpoll eating alder cone seeds at Frame Park in Waukesha 1-16-2016
Common Redpoll eating alder cone seeds at Frame Park in Waukesha 1-16-2016
Common Redpoll eating alder cone seeds at Frame Park in Waukesha 1-16-2016
Great Black-backed Gull, 2nd cycle at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee 1-16-2016
Great Black-backed Gull, 2nd cycle at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee 1-16-2016
Great Black-backed Gull, 2nd cycle at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee 1-16-2016
Long-eared Owls in Wisconsin on 1-28-2016
Long-eared Owls in Wisconsin on 1-28-2016
Long-eared Owls in Wisconsin on 1-28-2016
Long-eared Owls in Wisconsin on 1-28-2016
European Goldfinches in Kenosha County 2-9-2016
European Goldfinches in Kenosha County 2-9-2016
European Goldfinches in Kenosha County 2-9-2016
European Goldfinches in Kenosha County 2-9-2016
European Goldfinches in Kenosha County 2-9-2016
Horned Lark at Johnson Creek in Jefferson County 2-11-2016
Horned Lark at Johnson Creek in Jefferson County 2-11-2016
Northern Cardinal in the South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha County 2-13-2016
Tufted Titmouse in the South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha County 2-13-2016
Pine Grosbeak, male eating berries in Eagle River in Vilas County 2-20-2016
Pine Grosbeak, male eating berries in Eagle River in Vilas County 2-20-2016
Pine Grosbeak, female eating berries in Eagle River in Vilas County 2-20-2016
Pine Grosbeak, female in Eagle River in Vilas County 2-20-2016
Pine Grosbeak, immature male in Eagle River in Vilas County 2-20-2016
Bohemian Waxwing in Eagle River in Vilas County 2-20-2016
Bohemian Waxwings in Eagle River in Vilas County 2-20-2016
Bohemian Waxwing in Eagle River in Vilas County 2-20-2016
Glaucous Gull, juvenile at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee County 2-24-2016
Glaucous Gull, juvenile at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee County 2-24-2016
Red-tailed Hawk in Milwaukee County on 2-27-2016
Red-tailed Hawk in Milwaukee County on 2-27-2016
Long-tailed Duck at Bender Park in Milwaukee County 3-7-2016
Long-tailed Duck at Bender Park in Milwaukee County 3-7-2016
Long-tailed Duck at Bender Park in Milwaukee County 3-7-2016
Long-tailed Duck, the dive at Bender Park in Milwaukee County 3-7-2016
Long-tailed Duck, the dive at Bender Park in Milwaukee County 3-7-2016
Long-tailed Duck, the dive at Bender Park in Milwaukee County 3-7-2016
Long-tailed Duck, preening that long tail, at Bender Park in Milwaukee County 3-7-2016
Snow Goose at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County 3-12-2016
Snow Goose at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County 3-12-2016
Snow Goose, the stretch at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County 3-12-2016
Snow Goose on a mission at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County 3-12-2016
Great Horned Owl in Milwaukee County 3-15-2016
Great Horned Owl in Milwaukee County 3-15-2016
Eastern Screech Owl Milwaukee County 3-25-2016
Eastern Screech Owl Milwaukee County 3-25-2016
Horned Grebe at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County 3-25-2016
Horned Grebe at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County 3-25-2016
Common Loon, distant shot at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County 3-25-2016
Killdeer in the snow warming up in the sun after a fresh late March snow in Milwaukee County 3-25-2016
Killdeer in the snow warming up in the sun after a fresh late March snow in Milwaukee County 3-25-2016
Killdeer in the snow warming up in the sun after a fresh late March snow in Milwaukee County 3-25-2016
Say’s Phoebe, a rare visitor to the state from the southwest US looking for food at Goose Lake Park in Dane County 3-29-2016
Say’s Phoebe a rare visitor at looking for food at Goose Lake Park in Dane County 3-29-2016
Say’s Phoebe a rare visitor at looking for food at Goose Lake Park in Dane County 3-29-2016
Say’s Phoebe a rare visitor going for something to eat at Goose Lake Park in Dane County 3-29-2016
Great Blue Heron, hunting, first of the spring to return at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County 4-1-2016
Great Blue Heron, just hanging out, first of the spring to return at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County 4-1-2016
Great Blue Heron, at takeoff time at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County 4-1-2016
Great Blue Heron, takes to the air, Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County 4-1-2016
Golden-crowned Kinglet at Lake Park in Milwaukee 4-8-2016
Yellow-rumped Warbler at Lake Park after a fresh snowfall in Milwaukee 4-8-2016
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, one of a flock of about 10 stopping in at Lake Park for some running sap in a tree 4-8-2016
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, going for some sap in a tree at Lake Park in Milwaukee 4-8-2016
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, going for some sap in a tree at Lake Park in Milwaukee 4-8-2016
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, going for some sap in a tree at Lake Park in Milwaukee 4-8-2016
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, on a tree at Lake Park in Milwaukee 4-8-2016
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male on a tree looking for some fresh sap in a tree
Winter Wren finding food at Whitnall Park 4-14-2016
Golden-crowned Kinglet at Whitnall Park 4-14-2016
Yellow-rumped Warbler at Whitnall Park 4-14-2016
Yellow-rumped Warbler at Whitnall Park 4-14-2016
Caspian Tern at the beach at Grant Park in Milwaukee County 4-14-2016
Caspian Terns at the beach at Grant Park in Milwaukee County 4-14-2016
Caspian Tern, ready for takeoff at the beach at Grant Park in Milwaukee County 4-14-2016
Caspian Tern with a flyover at Grant Park in Milwaukee 4-14-2016
Bonaparte’s Gull at Grant Park in Milwaukee County 4-14-2016
Bonaparte’s Gull at Grant Park in Milwaukee County 4-14-2016
Bonaparte’s Gulls hanging out in the water at Grant Park in Milwaukee County 4-14-2016
Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County 4-14-2016
Western Meadowlark doing the call, at Bender Park in Oak Creek 4-18-2016
Western Meadowlark at Bender Park in Oak Creek 4-18-2016
Western Meadowlark doing the call, at Bender Park in Oak Creek 4-18-2016
Western Meadowlark in flight at Bender Park in Oak Creek 4-18-2016
Western Meadowlark in flight at Bender Park in Oak Creek 4-18-2016
Great Blue Heron, 1st year bird that was born last summer has returned and doing some feeding. At Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County 4-23-2016
Great Blue Heron, more feeding at Greenfield Park 4-23-2016
Great Blue Heron, more feeding at Greenfield Park 4-23-2016
Upland Sandpiper near North Point on Milwaukee’s Lakefront in Milwaukee County 4-24-2016
Purple Martin checking out the house at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County 4-24-2016
Purple Martin checking out the house at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County. Turns out they never nested here this year 4-24-2016
Smith’s Longspur, male in the corn stubble at Brooklyn Wildlife Area in Dane County 4-25-2016
Smith’s Longspur in the corn stubble at Brooklyn Wildlife Area in Dane County 4-25-2016
Summer Tanager, male, this rare visitor gave stunning views at the Wehr Nature Center in Greenfield in Milwaukee County 4-28-2016
Summer Tanager, male, at the Wehr Nature Center in Greenfield in Milwaukee County 4-28-2016
Summer Tanager, male, at the Wehr Nature Center in Greenfield in Milwaukee County 4-28-2016
Willets, 1 of 4 of them feeding at the South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee County 4-29-2016
Willets feeding at the South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee County 4-29-2016
Willet, just keeping a lookout at the South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee County 4-29-2016
Willet on the move at the South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee County 4-29-2016
Willets feeding at the South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee County 4-29-2016
Willet at the South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee County 4-29-2016
Willet feeding at the South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee County 4-29-2016
Bonaparte’s Gull, adult at the South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee County 4-29-2016
Bonaparte’s Gull, adult at the South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee County 4-29-2016
Bonaparte’s Gull, immature at the South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee County 4-29-2016
Horned Grebe at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County 4-29-2016
Caspian Terns at the McKinley Marina in Milwaukee County 4-29-2016
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher going for a bug at Lake Park Milwaukee County 4-29-2016
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher going for a bug at Lake Park Milwaukee County 4-29-2016
Canada Geese gosling at the South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee County 5-2-2016
Canada Geese gosling at the South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee County 5-2-2016
Canada Geese gosling at the South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee County 5-2-2016
Canada Geese gosling at the South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee County 5-2-2016
Green Heron at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County 5-5-2016
Black-throated Blue Warbler, male at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County 5-5-2016
Black-throated Green Warbler, male at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County 5-5-2016
Blackburnian Warbler, male at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County 5-5-2016
Great Horned Owl, owlet at in Milwaukee County 5-9-2016
Great Horned Owl, owlet at in Milwaukee County 5-9-2016
Great Horned Owl, owlet in Milwaukee County 5-9-2016
Barred Owl, owlet perched in a small tree in Milwaukee County 5-9-2016
Barred Owl, owlet working its way up a small tree, a small step to get up in the canopy of the forest in Milwaukee County 5-9-2016
Barred Owl, owlet working its way up a small tree, a small step to get up in the canopy of the forest in Milwaukee County 5-9-2016
Barred Owl, owlet taking a break in a small tree after climbing in Milwaukee County 5-9-2016
Barred Owl, owlet getting higher up in the forest in Milwaukee County 5-9-2016
Philadelphia Vireo at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County 5-13-2016
Nashville Warbler at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County 5-13-2016
Baltimore Oriole what appears to be putting the first string around the possible start of a nest at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County 5-13-2016
Yellow Warbler, male at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County 5-13-2016
Magnolia Warbler, male at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County 5-13-2016
Yellow Warbler, male at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County 5-14-2016
Prothonotary Warbler, male at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County 5-14-2016
Prothonotary Warbler, male at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County 5-14-2016
Prothonotary Warbler, male at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County 5-14-2016
Canada Warbler, male at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County 5-14-2016
Common Yellowthroat, male at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County 5-14-2016
Chestnut-sided Warbler, female, calling at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County 5-14-2016
American Redstart, male at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County 5-14-2016
American Redstart, male, with a bug at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County 5-14-2016
American Redstart, female at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County 5-14-2016
Black and White Warbler, male at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County 5-14-2016
Chestnut-sided Warbler, female at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County 5-14-2016
Common Nighthawk sitting on a log on the ground in Marquette County 5-15-2016
Common Nighthawk in Marquette County 5-15-2016
Killdeer, adult in Milwaukee County 5-18-2016
Killdeer, adult in Milwaukee County 5-18-2016
Killdeer, chick in Milwaukee County 5-18-2016
Killdeer, chick in Milwaukee County 5-18-2016
Killdeer, chick in Milwaukee County 5-18-2016
Killdeer, chick in Milwaukee County 5-18-2016
Great Blue Heron with nesting young in SE Wisconsin on 5-19-2016
Great Blue Heron with nesting young in SE Wisconsin on 5-19-2016
Great Blue Heron with nesting young in SE Wisconsin on 5-19-2016
Great Blue Heron some of the ~30 nests at this site 5-19-2016
Little Blue Heron looking for food at Lake Maria in Green County 5-20-2016
Little Blue Heron looking for food at Lake Maria in Green County 5-20-2016
Little Blue Heron off the perch it goes and heading to the south off shore near the boat landing at Lake Maria in Green County 5-20-2016
Little Blue Heron heading south at Lake Maria in Green County 5-20-2016
Little Blue Heron heading south at Lake Maria in Green County 5-20-2016
And still heading south as it passes by me…….at Lake Maria 5-20-2016
White-winged Tern at the Manitowoc Impoundment in Manitowoc County. Probably the bird farthest from its normal range found in 2016. A eurasian bird that 100’s of birders came to see from the US at this location 5-21-2016
White-winged Tern at the Manitowoc Impoundment in Manitowoc County 5-21-2016
White-winged Tern with a Bonaparte’s Gull at the Manitowoc Impoundment in Manitowoc County 5-21-2016
White-winged Tern at the Manitowoc Impoundment in Manitowoc County 5-21-2016
White-winged Tern with some Caspian Terns at the Manitowoc Impoundment in Manitowoc County 5-21-2016
White-winged Tern on the shore at the Manitowoc Impoundment in Manitowoc County 5-21-2016
Kirtland’s Warbler, distant shots in Adams County 5-27-2016
Kirtland’s Warbler, distant shots in Adams County 5-27-2016
Kirtland’s Warbler, distant shots in Adams County 5-27-2016
Virginia Rail at the Vernon Marsh in Waukesha County 5-28-2016
Virginia Rail at the Vernon Marsh in Waukesha County 5-28-2016
Franklin’s Gull at North Point in Sheboygan 5-31-2016
Franklin’s Gulls, 3 preening at North Point in Sheboygan 5-31-2016
Franklin’s Gull at North Point in Sheboygan 5-31-2016
Franklin’s Gull at North Point in Sheboygan 5-31-2016
Franklin’s Gulls interaction at North Point in Sheboygan 5-31-2016
Ruddy Turnstone at North Point in Sheboygan 5-31-2016
Ruddy Turnstone working it’s way through the algae bed at North Point in Sheboygan 5-31-2016
Wood Duck, male in Waukesha County 6-2-2016
Wood Duck, male feeding in Waukesha County 6-2-2016
Wood Duck, male in Waukesha County 6-2-2016
Wood Duck, male in Waukesha County 6-2-2016
Eurasian Collared-Doves in Burlington 6-15-2016
Eurasian Collared-Doves showing affection in Burlington 6-15-2016
Eurasian Collared-Doves showing affection in Burlington 6-15-2016
Eurasian Collared-Dove in Burlington 6-15-2016
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female at Wyalusing State Park 6-16-2016
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female back view at Wyalusing State Park 6-16-2016
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female at Wyalusing State Park 6-16-2016
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female at Wyalusing State Park 6-16-2016
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, male at Wyalusing State Park 6-16-2016
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, male at Wyalusing State Park 6-16-2016
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, male
Great Crested Flycatcher with nesting young, bringing food to the nest hole in Walworth County 6-21-2016
Great Crested Flycatcher with nesting young, bringing food to the nest hole in Walworth County 6-21-2016
Great Crested Flycatcher with food going to the nest hole in Walworth County 6-21-2016
Great Crested Flycatcher feeding the young in Walworth County 6-21-2016
Great Crested Flycatcher leaving the nest hole in Walworth County 6-21-2016
Common Loon, adult in Sawyer County 7-2-2016
Common Loon, adult on nest, view of nesting site in Sawyer County 7-2-2016
Common Loon, adult on nest in Sawyer County 7-2-2016
Common Loon, adult on nest
Common Loon, chick in Sawyer County 7-2-2016
Common Loon, chick in Sawyer County 7-2-2016
Common Loon, adult with food in Sawyer County 7-2-2016
Common Loon, chick preening in Sawyer County 7-2-2016
Common Loon, adult in Sawyer County 7-2-2016
Common Loon, chick stretching in Sawyer County 7-2-2016
Common Loon, chick, walking on the beach in Sawyer County 7-2-2016
Common Loon, chicks, training time on the beach in Sawyer County 7-2-2016
Common Loon, chick heading back out into the water after a short walk on shore in Sawyer County 7-2-2016
Common Loon, adults in Sawyer County 7-2-2016
Common Loon, adult with chicks in Sawyer County 7-2-2016
Common Loon, adult stretching in Sawyer County 7-2-2016
Common Loon, adult in Sawyer County 7-2-2016
Merlin in Sawyer County 7-2-2016
Merlin in Sawyer County 7-2-2016
Merlin in Sawyer County 7-2-2016
Dickcissel, female in Franklin 7-8-2016
Dickcissel, male in Franklin 7-8-2016
Dickcissel, male in Franklin 7-8-2016
Dickcissel, female with a grasshopper in Franklin 7-8-2016
Dickcissel, female perched pretty in Franklin 7-8-2016
Chimney Swifts nesting in a silo at a barn in Ozaukee County 7-18-2016
The swift flies into the top of the silo, clings to the silo wall and then drops down just past the nest and then flies up into the nest
Chimney Swifts nesting in a silo at a barn in Ozaukee County 7-18-2016
Where all the nesting took place in Ozaukee County 7-18-2016
White-winged Dove at Argyle in Lafayette County 7-17-2016
White-winged Dove preening at Argyle in Lafayette County 7-17-2016
White-winged Dove in flight at Argyle in Lafayette County 7-17-2016
White-winged Dove, the bird hung out on treetops such as this and flew from top to top at Argyle in Lafayette County 7-17-2016
White-winged Dove, it was difficult to get much of the top white wing photographed as the bird always flew above me at Argyle in Lafayette County 7-17-2016
Swallow-tailed Kite, the rare visitor near Fish Creek in Door County 7-27-2016
Swallow-tailed Kite, near Fish Creek in Door County 7-27-2016
Swallow-tailed Kite, the near Fish Creek in Door County 7-27-2016
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female, on Royal Catchfly in the yard in Waukesha County 7-31-2016
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female, on Royal Catchfly in the yard in Waukesha County 7-31-2016
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female, on Royal Catchfly in the yard in Waukesha County 7-31-2016
Black-necked Stilt at Horicon Marsh in Dodge County 8-5-2016
Sora at Horicon Marsh in Dodge County 8-5-2016
Sora at Horicon Marsh in Dodge County 8-5-2016
Pied-billed Grebe, juvenile, at Horicon Marsh in Dodge County 8-5-2016
Great Egrets at Horicon Marsh in Dodge County 8-5-2016
Great Egret catching a snack at Horicon Marsh in Dodge County 8-5-2016
Great Egret at Horicon Marsh in Dodge County 8-5-2016
Great Blue Heron at Horicon Marsh in Dodge County 8-5-2016
American White Pelican at Lake Sinissippi in Dodge County on 8-10-2016
American White Pelican at Lake Sinissippi in Dodge County on 8-10-2016
American White Pelicans feeding at Lake Sinissippi in Dodge County on 8-10-2016
American White Pelicans going for the fish in the pelicans mouth at Lake Sinissippi in Dodge County on 8-10-2016
American White Pelican in the air at Lake Sinissippi in Dodge County on 8-10-2016
Black-crowned Night Heron fishing at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee 8-14-2016
Black-crowned Night Heron fishing at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee 8-14-2016
Black-crowned Night Heron at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee 8-14-2016
Green Heron fishing at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee 8-30-2016
Green Heron fishing at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee 8-30-2016
Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeding the young in the nest in Walworth County 9-4-2016
Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeding the young in the nest in Walworth County 9-4-2016
Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeding the young in the nest in Walworth County 9-4-2016
Ruby-throated Hummingbird taking a break after feeding the young in the nest in Walworth County 9-4-2016
Ruby-throated Hummingbird leaving the nest after feeding the young in Walworth County 9-4-2016
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female perches in a near by tree on a branch within sight of the nest for awhile typically after feeding the chick in Walworth County 9-4-2016
Greater White-fronted Goose with a Canada Goose at the Fox River in Waukesha 9-14-2016
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage in Waukesha County 9-16-2016
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage in Waukesha County 9-16-2016
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage in Waukesha County 9-16-2016
Parasitic Jaeger, juvenile at Wisconsin Point in Superior 9-21-2016
American Avocet at Wisconsin Point in Superior 9-21-2016
American Avocets at Wisconsin Point in Superior 9-21-2016
Great Egret hanging out at Echo Park in Burlington on 9-29-2016
Great Egret with a catch at Echo Park in Burlington on 9-29-2016
Great Egret with a catch at Echo Park in Burlington on 9-29-2016
Great Egret incoming at Echo Park in Burlington on 9-29-2016
Great Egret with a catch at Echo Park in Burlington on 9-29-2016
Great Egret all fluffed up and fishing at Echo Park in Burlington on 9-29-2016
Rusty Blackbird at Echo Park in Burlington 10-2-2016
Rusty Blackbird at Echo Park in Burlington 10-2-2016
Purple Gallinule, the rare visiting bird who’s normal range is Florida looking pretty at Mauston in Juneau County 10-13-2016
Purple Gallinule at Mauston in Juneau County 10-13-2016
Purple Gallinule at Mauston in Juneau County 10-13-2016
Western Grebe, still hanging around till this day on the Milwaukee lakefront, first found October 19, 2016 …10-21-2016
Western Grebe, on the Milwaukee lakefront 10-21-2016
Dunlin, 1 of 2 feeding at the McKinley Beach on the Milwaukee lakefront 10-27-2016
Dunlin at the McKinley Beach on the Milwaukee lakefront 10-27-2016
Sanderling at the McKinley Beach on the Milwaukee lakefront 10-27-2016
Dunlin at the McKinley Beach on the Milwaukee lakefront 10-27-2016
Mute Swan, 1 of 3 at Bay View on the Milwaukee lakefront 11-10-2016
Mute Swan at Bay View on the Milwaukee lakefront 11-10-2016
Mute Swan at Bay View on the Milwaukee lakefront 11-10-2016
Anna’s Hummingbird in Wauwatosa in Milwaukee County. This rare hummingbird stayed in Wauwatosa for 49 days before migrating on December 14, 2016, just amazing!
Anna’s Hummingbird in Wauwatosa in Milwaukee County 11-15-2016
Anna’s Hummingbird in Wauwatosa in Milwaukee County 11-15-2016
Anna’s Hummingbird in Wauwatosa in Milwaukee County 11-15-2016
Anna’s Hummingbird getting nectar in Wauwatosa in Milwaukee County. Notice the band on the leg? 11-15-2016
Anna’s Hummingbird perched between feedings in Wauwatosa in Milwaukee County. Image taken shortly before the bird migrated on 12-14-2016 after 49 days.
American Kestrel coming in for a landing at the Milwaukee lakefront on 11-30-2016
American Kestrel coming in for a landing at the Milwaukee lakefront on 11-30-2016
American Kestrel on takeoff at the Milwaukee lakefront on 11-30-2016
Townsend’s Warbler, a rare visitor from the western US spent a few days at feeder in a yard in Kewaunee County 12-9-2016
White-breasted Nuthatch in the South Kettle Moraine 12-10-2016
Black-legged Kittiwake, a rare visitor from the east and west coasts of North America spent at least a week at the Fox River Mouth in Green Bay in Brown County 12-12-2016
Black-legged Kittiwake, as it flies, it is usually looking for food near the surface of the water 12-12-2016
Black-legged Kittiwake just making passes in search for food 12-12-2016
Black-legged Kittiwake just making passes in search for food on the water surface 12-12-2016
Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon Junco on a rock at Grant Park in Milwaukee County 12-15-2016
Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon Junco on a rock at Grant Park in Milwaukee County 12-15-2016
Green-winged Teals, male left, female right at Lakeshore State Park Milwaukee County 12-26-2016
Kumlien’s Iceland Gull at South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee County 12-27-2016
Kumlien’s Iceland Gull at South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee County 12-27-2016
Common Goldeneye, male at South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee County 12-27-2016
Eastern Screech Owl, adult red morph in Waukesha County 12-28-2016
Link to Wisconsin Birding 2015 Year in Review:
www.windowtowildlife.com/wisconsin-birding-year-review-2015
Link to Wisconsin Birding 2014 Year in Review:
http://www.windowtowildlife.com/wisconsin-birding-year-review-2014/
Doing some birding today in Waukesha County I came across something I had never seen before. A Opossum in a crab apple eating the fruit. It was there for a good 30 minutes and then I left. Images were taken on December 28, 2016.
Binomial name: Didelphia virginiana
Category: Mammals
Average life span in the wild: 2 years
Size: To 2.5 feet in length
Weight: 1.8-14 lbs
Diet: Fruits, snakes, insects, snails, slugs, eggs, mice, rats, fish, frogs, crayfish, and carrion.
Cool fact: The can give birth to as many as 25
Eastern Screech-Owl, adult red morph in Waukesha County on December 28, 2016
