Black-bellied Plover at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on September 15, 2017

Heading down to the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning my first stop was Lakeshore State Park. A Black-bellied Plover, juvenile was present at the beach area. The Black-bellied Plover fed back and forth on the beach. Also present was the first Northern Shoveler for the fall at the park. It was a female generally hanging out with some Mallards. McKinley Beach had one lone Killdeer. I decided it was time to make a check at the “Magic Hedge”, about 15 Palm Warblers were present feeding along the fence to the north. A nice morning to be out with light overcast skies, light breeze and warm temps doing a little birding. Images were taken on Septemeber 15, 2017.

Coming in for a landing at the beach area

Black-bellied Plover

Binomial name: Pluvialis squatarola

Category: Lapwings and Plovers

Size: 11.5” long, 29” wing span

Weight: 8 Oz.

Habitat: Breeding habitat is lowlands on dry Arctic tundra. They spend their winters on beaches and estuarine mudflats. They sometimes are found in flooded fields, agricultural lands, meadows near coasts or inland waters.

Diet: On their breeding grounds, main food source is insects. Their wintering habitat provides worms, bivalves and crustaceans.

Nesting: They prefer a raised area for nesting for good visibility. Nest is a shallow depression made by the male and finished by the female as her job is lining it with pebbles, grass, twigs, lichens and moss. 3-4 eggs are usually laid, one brood per season, both parents incubate them. Within 12 hours, the chicks are usually able to forage and both parents care for them.

Walking the beach and feeding along the way…

Getting a drink…

Feeding…

With all the gnats…and a feather along side…

Something to eat in the bill

Something to eat…

Something to eat…

A little stretch here…

With something to eat here…

Coming at me…

The profile

The catch…

The looking back shot…

Constantly moving and feeding along the beach…

Incoming..

 

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About admin

Window to Wildlife features the photography of Jim Edlhuber. A lifelong native of Wisconsin, Jim has been photographing wildlife for 20 years. He considers himself an avid photographer and is always trying to capture nature and wildlife through his lens. He is in several photography clubs and has won numerous awards for his work. In recent years, Jim has focused mostly on birding photography and finds it to be the most challenging.

4 Responses to Black-bellied Plover at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on September 15, 2017

  1. Nan Wisherd says:

    Wonderful photos, Jim! Thanks for sharing, and enjoy your weekend.

  2. Pat Maga says:

    Amazing pictures as always.

  3. Annie says:

    It was a gorgeous day to watch the birds and lots of them to be found. Love your pics. Thanks for sharing.

  4. Pam Skaar says:

    All these youngsters coming through is like learning a new set of birds in our area. I really like the dorsal shot since I don’t see that side often.

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