I have put together a collection of some of the Wisconsin birding moments from the year 2017. 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 2017. 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!
Eastern Screech Owl, red morph in Milwaukee County January 3, 2017
Long-eared Owl in Wisconsin on January 6, 2017
Red-breasted Merganser, male at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County January 6, 2017
Red-breasted Merganser, female at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on January 6, 2017
Sandhill Crane in Waukesha County on January 17, 2017
Hooded Merganser in Waukesha County on January 22, 2017
Hooded Merganser, this male was always keeping male Mallards away from his companion friend, a female Mallard on the Fox River in Waukesha County on January 22, 2017
Best friends! The Hooded Merganser follows the female Mallard all day, everyday, even leaving the area for a few days, they would return and the Hooded Merganser was still at her side. At the Fox River in Waukesha County on January 22, 2017
Hooded Merganser, male on the grass near the Fox River in Waukesha County on January 22, 2017
Harlequin Duck, male at Lakeshore State Park on January 24, 2017
Ross’s Goose was found feeding along with some Canada Geese in Bay View in Milwaukee County on January 29, 2017
Glaucous Gull, 1st cycle at Johnson Creek in Jefferson County Wisconsin on February 3, 2017
Glaucous Gull, adult at Johnson Creek in Jefferson County Wisconsin on February 3, 2017
Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon Junco at Grant Park in Milwaukee County on February 8, 2017
Slaty-backed Gull, this rare gull was found at Northridge Lakes in Milwaukee County on February 3, 2017
Sandhill Crane in the South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha County on February 19, 2017
Killdeer, some open water in the South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha County on February 22, 2017
Sandhill Cranes painting themselves to blend in, in the South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha County on February 22, 2017
Sandhill Crane painting itself with mud to blend in, in the South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha County on February 22, 2017
Sandhill Crane painting itself with mud to blend in, in the South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha County on February 22, 2017
Barred Owl in Milwaukee County on February 23, 2017
Downy Woodpecker working hard in Milwaukee County on February 23, 2017
Sandhill Cranes in the snow in the South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha County on February 27, 2017
Sandhill Cranes in the snow getting something to eat in the South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha County on February 27, 2017
Greater White-fronted Goose was found feeding along with some Canada Geese at Veterans Park in Milwaukee County on February 27, 2017
Red-shouldered Hawk found perched in a tree driving the back roads in Marquette County on March 5, 2017
White-winged Scoter, female with a mussel in the mouth at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on March 10, 2017
Killdeer with some open water in Milwaukee County on March 10, 2017
The Barred Owl in the falling snow, blends right in, in Milwaukee County on March 13, 2017
Long-eard Owl in the snow, in Wisconsin on March 13, 2017
Long-eard Owl in the snow, in Wisconsin on March 13, 2017
Common Goldeneye on both sides with the rare, Barrow’s Goldeneye in the middle in Sheboygan on March 15, 2017
Horned Grebe at Grant Park in Milwaukee County March 21, 2017
Horned Grebe, the close up at Grant Park in Milwaukee County March 21, 2017
American Robin, leucistic, found in the city of Waukesha on March 22, 2017
American Robin, leucistic, a different bird than above found near Frame Park in the city of Waukesha on March 25, 2017
Brant, a distant shot of this rare visitor to the state at Goose Pond in Dane County on March 31, 2017
Canvasback, this bird hung around for less than a day and slept most of the time it was here. Must have had a long flight and was just totally tuckered out, at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on April 6, 2017
White-throated Sparrow at Lake Park in Milwaukee on April 10, 2017
White-throated Sparrow, the close up at Lake Park in Milwaukee on April 10, 2017
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Lake Park in Milwaukee on April 10, 2017
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, the close up at Lake Park in Milwaukee on April 10, 2017
Getting that running sap…Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Lake Park in Milwaukee on April 10, 2017
Eastern Towhee found feeding on the ground at Lake Park in Milwaukee on April 13, 2017
Hermit Thrush eating sumac seeds at Lake Park in Milwaukee on April 13, 2017
Black-crowed Night-Heron at Veterans Park in Milwaukee on April 14, 2017
In flight, Black-crowed Night-Heron at Veterans Park in Milwaukee on April 14, 2017
Ruddy Duck, male at the Milwaukee lakefront on April 17, 2017
Blue-winged Teal stretching at Horicon Marsh on April 18, 2017
Pied-billed Grebe posing at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on April 19, 2017
Great Egret with morning snack at Horicon Marsh in Dodge County on April 19, 2017
American Bittern in Oak Creek in Milwaukee County on April 20, 2017
American Bittern in Oak Creek in Milwaukee County on April 20, 2017
Brown Thrasher with something to eat at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on April 21, 2017
American Robin eating the sumac seeds at Lake Park in Milwaukee on May 21, 2017
Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Lake Park on May 22, 2017
American Avocet at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee on April 29, 2017
American Avocets in flight at Lakeshore State Park, female in front with more upturned bill in Milwaukee on April 29, 2017
American Avocet, mouth stretching, at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee on April 29, 2017
Marbled Godwits (2) in the front with Willets in the back at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee on April 30, 2017
Black-bellied Plover at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee on April 30, 2017
Marbled Godwit at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee on April 30, 2017
Willets coming in for a landing along with a Marbled Godwit with American Avocets wading in the back at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee on April 30, 2017
Bonaparte’s Gull at Grant Park in Milwaukee County on May 1, 2017
Bonaparte’s Gulls, by the 1,000’s in migration at Grant Park in Milwaukee County. It was an amazing sight to see on May 1, 2017
Bonaparte’s Gulls, by the 1,000’s in migration at Grant Park in Milwaukee County. Here some are resting far out on the water on May 1, 2017
Le Conte’s Sparrow at the “Magic Hedge” on Milwaukee’s lakefront in Milwaukee County on May 2, 2017
Le Conte’s Sparrow, with a seed in the bill at the “Magic Hedge” on Milwaukee’s lakefront in Milwaukee County on May 2, 2017
Piping Plover finding things to eat at Bradford Beach on the Milwaukee lakefront on May 2, 2017
Piping Plover found feeding at Bradford Beach along Milwaukee lakefront on May 2, 2017
Grasshopper Sparrow at the “Magic Hedge” along Milwaukee’s lakefront on May 3, 2017
Sanderling at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on May 3, 2017
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on May 5, 2017
Calling, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on May 5, 2017
Wild Turkey sneaking through the ground cover feeding at Lake Park in Milwaukee on May 5, 2017
Glossy Ibis in flight…at Horicon Marsh in Dodge County on May 7, 2017
Prothonotary Warbler in Milwaukee County on May 11, 2017
Prothonotary Warbler in Milwaukee County on May 11, 2017
Chestnut-sided Warbler in Milwaukee County on May 11, 2017
Black-and-white Warbler in Milwaukee County on May 11, 2017
Magnolia Warbler in Milwaukee County on May 11, 2017
Palm Warbler Warbler in Milwaukee County on May 11, 2017
Gray Catbird at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County on May 12, 2017
Ovenbird at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on May 17, 2017
Eastern Kingbird eating sumac berries at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on May 16, 2017
Eastern Kingbird perched pretty at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on May 16, 2017
Baltimore Oriole calling at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on May 16, 2017
Greater White-fronted Goose at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on May 19, 2017
Blackpoll Warbler, male in Milwaukee County on May 22, 2017
Wilson’s Warbler, male in Milwaukee County on May 22, 2017
Mourning Warbler, male in Milwaukee County on May 22, 2017
Canada Warbler, male in Milwaukee County on May 22, 2017
Rose-breasted Grosbeak in Milwaukee County on May 22, 2017
Ruddy Turnstone finding things along the rocks to eat at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on May 23, 2017
Ruddy Tunrstone, the close up with something to eat at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on May 23, 2017…
Dunlin at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on May 23, 2017
Dunlin, the close up at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on May 23, 2017
Piping Plover at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on May 23, 2017
Sanderlings at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on May 23, 2017
Sanderling at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on May 23, 2017
Yellow-billed Cuckoo at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County on May 27, 2017
Black-billed Cuckoo at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County on May 27, 2017
Trumpeter Swans with cygnets at Horicon Marsh in Dodge County on June 6, 2017
Trumpeter Swans cygnets at Horicon Marsh in Dodge County on June 6, 2017
American White Pelicans, 100’s at North Point in Sheboygan on June 12, 2017
American White Pelican circling around to land at North Point in Sheboygan on June 12, 2017
American White Pelicans coming in for a landing at North Point in Sheboygan on June 12, 2017
American White Pelican, the landing at North Point in Sheboygan on June 12, 2017
Dickcissel, male at the “Rock” in Franklin, in Milwaukee County on June 15, 2017
Dickcissel, male perched pretty at the “Rock” in Franklin, in Milwaukee County on June 15, 2017
Bobolink, male at Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha County on June 19, 2017
Bobolink, female at Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha County on June 19, 2017
Savannah Sparrow stretching and calling at the Milwaukee County Grounds on June 20, 2017
Savannah Sparrow perched pretty at the Milwaukee County Grounds on June 20, 2017
Great Blue Heron gets its catch, a crayfish at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 2, 2017
Green Heron, the catch, a nice fish at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 11, 2017
Green Heron, with a catch at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 11, 2017
Wood Duck, juvenile female at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 31, 2017
Ruby-throated Hummingbird at the Royal Catchfly in Waukesha County on August 8, 2017
Ruby-throated Hummingbird getting nectar on the Royal Catchfly in Waukesha County on August 8, 2017
Black-crowned Night Heron, juvenile at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on August 8, 2017
Green Heron, juvenile at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on August 5, 2017
Least Sandpiper at Lakeshore State Park on August 23, 2017
Semipalmated Plover at Lakeshore State Park on August 23, 2017
Semipalmated Plover, the close up at Lakeshore State Park on August 23, 2017
Semipalmated Sandpiper at Lakeshore State Park on August 23, 2017
Green Heron, juvenile, the close up at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on August 25, 2017
Double-crested Cormorant at Lakeshore State Park on August 30, 2017
Opening of the pen for the young Whooping Cranes training begins at White River Marsh SWA in Berlin Wisconsin on August 31, 2017
The young whoopers training at White River Marsh SWA in Berlin Wisconsin on August 31, 2017
Taking off, the young whoopers at White River Marsh SWA in Berlin Wisconsin on August 31, 2017
Up, up, and away the young whoopers in training at White River Marsh SWA in Berlin Wisconsin on August 31, 2017…
Ruddy Turnstone, the adult in nonbreeding plumage at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on September 3, 2017
Ruddy Turnstone, the close up, the adult in nonbreeding plumage at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on September 3, 2017
Black-crowned Night Heron, immature at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on September 9, 2017
Black-crowned Night Heron, immature with something to eat at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on September 9, 2017
Great Blue Heron, crossing the channel and going down at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on September 4, 2017
Green Heron stretching at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on September 9, 2017
Sanderling chasing off another Sanderling in the area McKinley Beach on September 9, 2017
Black-bellied Plover, taking small steps at Lakeshore State Park on September 15, 2017
Black-bellied Plover, the close up with something to eat at Lakeshore State Park on September 15, 2017
Black-bellied Plover, coming in for a landing at Lakeshore State Park on September 15, 2017
Great Blue Heron with a double catch at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on September 22, 2017
Great Blue Heron with a quick catch at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on September 22, 2017
Killdeer on its way south in migration stopping at the Milwaukee lakefront on October 3, 2017
Sanderling trying to avoid the waves at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on October 6, 2017
Sanderling stopping for a moment at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on October 6, 2017
Franklin’s Gull at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on October 8, 2017
Lapland Longspur in a short grass area on the Milwaukee lakefront on October 10, 2017
Lapland Longspur finding weed seeds on the Milwaukee lakefront on October 10, 2017
Lesser Yellowlegs in front with Greater Yellowlegs behind at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on October 15, 2017
House Finch, male with an apple piece on the Milwaukee lakefront on October 17, 2017
Horned Lark at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on October 18, 2017
Horned Lark, the close up at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on October 18, 2017
Lesser Yellowlegs, wadding at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on October 23, 2017
Ring-necked Duck in the golden water at the Fox River in Waukesha on October 26, 2017
Eastern Meadowlark on the Milwaukee lakefront on October 28, 2017
Short-eared Owl over Lake Michigan at Lakeshore State Park on October 28, 2017
Short-eared Owl at Lakeshore State Park on October 28, 2017
Golden-crowned Kinglet with fall colors at Lake Park Milwaukee County on October 30, 2017
Cedar Waxwing eating berries near the Fox River in Waukesha County on November 1, 2017
Snowy Owl with the American Coot for something to eat at the Milwaukee lakefront in Milwaukee County on November 6, 2017
Long-tailed Ducks at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on November 6, 2017
Blue Jay, one of our feather friends in Marquette County on November 9, 2017
Red-breasted Nuthatch, one of our feather friends in Marquette County on November 9, 2017
Blue Jay, one of our feather friends in Marquette County on November 9, 2017
Black-capped Chickadee, one of our feather friends in Marquette County on November 9, 2017
Dark-eyed Junco, one of our feather friends in Marquette County on November 9, 2017
Snowy Owl found sitting in the planter box on the Milwaukee lakefront on November 14, 2017
Red-tailed Hawk in Milwaukee County enjoying a vole the breakfast on November 17, 2017…
Snowy Owl at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee on November 28, 2017
Snowy Owl at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee on November 28, 2017
Snowy Owl at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee on November 28, 2017
Purple Sandpiper, I saw this bird fly from point to point, just over the top of the water from Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County. I knew it had to be a rare Purple Sandpiper. I followed it down the shoreline for awhile as it fed. No one else saw this bird as it flew southward. To my knowledge, the only Purple Sandpiper seen in the state of Wisconsin in 2017.
Purple Sandpiper, the close up at Lakeshore State Park on November 28, 2017
Purple Sandpiper, just sitting pretty at Lakeshore State Park on November 28, 2017
Snow Bunting at the Milwaukee lakefront on December 3, 2017
Snowy Owl snoozing with the moon on the Milwaukee lakefront on December 8, 2017
Snowy Owl, resting on the Milwaukee Lakefront on December 9, 2017
Snowy Owl, focused on something, on the Milwaukee Lakefront on December 9, 2017
Long-tailed Ducks, 12 of them at Lakeshore State Park on December 15, 2017
Long-tailed Ducks at Lakeshore State Park on December 15, 2017
Long-tailed Ducks, the close up at Lakeshore State Park on December 15, 2017
Snowy Owl just after landing at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee County on December 15, 2017
Snowy Owl, just off its perch going for its prey on the Milwaukee lakefront on December 26, 2017
Snowy Owl, it was just smooth sailing for this Snowy Owl going for its prey on the Milwaukee lakefront on December 26, 2017
Thank you for visiting!
The End – Happy New Year!
Link to Wisconsin Birding 2016 Year in Review:
http://www.windowtowildlife.com/wisconsin-birding-year-review-2016-includes-vagrants-special-visitors-just-beautiful-birds-either-nest-migrate-state-wisconsin/
Link to Wisconsin Birding 2015 Year in Review:
http://www.windowtowildlife.com/wisconsin-birding-year-review-2015-includes-vagrants-special-visitors-just-beautiful-birds-either-nest-migrate-state-wisconsin/
Link to Wisconsin Birding 2014 Year in Review:
http://www.windowtowildlife.com/wisconsin-birding-year-review-2014/
