The Snowy Owl along the lakefront in Milwaukee gave nice views this morning. Not much action other than some preening and a yawn. Still nice to see this beautiful owl. Images were taken on November 14, 2017.
A little preening here…
The yawn…
Laying low as a Northern Harrier was in the area
In the planter
The highlight on the Milwaukee lakefront this morning was a Snowy Owl at the Lake Express Ferry. It only hung around resting on top of a container for a couple of minutes before took off and landed on the breakwall. A majestic bird that always makes you stare at it. It was a cold day with temps around 35 degrees and some sun and a breeze. Images were taken on November 6, 2017
Binomial name: Bubo scandiacus
Category: Typical Owls
Description: Adult males are mostly white with a few dark feather tips. Adult females and juveniles are white with dark scalloping on chest, back, wings, and tail. Yellow eyes, black beak, and feathery feet.
Size: 20”- 28” long, 49” – 59” wingspan
Weight: 3.5 lb. – 6.6 lb.
Habitat: Wide open, treeless spaces such as shorelines, lakes, open fields, and agricultural sites.
It was a day with some occasionally mist cloudy skies but I decided to hit a few birding spots along the lake. The highlight of the day was a pair of Long-tailed Ducks at Lakeshore State Park. They were adult females in their winter plumage. They did some on and off diving for food but there were a few people around and fishing boats that kept them out off of shore most of the time. Bradford Beach to the north had scoters but it was too foggy to make them out when I was there. One female Red-breasted Merganser was one of the only ducks in the lagoon, well there were fisherman everywhere today in boats and on land so that makes sense. A cool day at 45 degrees with cloudy skies and some fog. Images were taken on November 5, 2017.
Binomial name: Clangula hyemalis
Category: Ducks, Geese, and Swans
Size: 16.5” long, 28” wing span
Weight: 1.6 lb
Cool Fact: This duck was once known as Oldsquaw
Left one going for the dive, the one on the right already in, just a swirl…
A Snowy Owl was found on the Milwaukee lakefront this morning. It had caught an American Coot for something to eat and was sitting on that during the picture taking. The bird never moved from the spot while I was present. First one of the fall season reported in the area that I know of. It was a cold morning with stiff winds and little sun to warm up with. Images were taken on October 31, 2017.
Snowy Owl with the American Coot
Binomial name: Bubo scandiacus
Category: Typical Owls
Description: Adult males are mostly white with a few dark feather tips. Adult females and juveniles are white with dark scalloping on chest, back, wings, and tail. Yellow eyes, black beak, and feathery feet.
Size: 20”- 28” long, 49” – 59” wingspan
Weight: 3.5 lb. – 6.6 lb.
Habitat: Wide open, treeless spaces such as shorelines, lakes, open fields, and agricultural sites.
Just looking around, this bird seemed content just sitting there. Probably resting from a long flight…
The back view…
One of the birding highlights along the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning was seeing this Eastern Meadowlark at McKinley Beach. I was hoping for Western, but I just can’t see it here. It came in off the rock shore and landed in a grass area. It did some feeding, looked around some and away it went heading south. One of the other highlights was accidentally flushing a Short-eared Owl at Lakeshore State Park. The owl flew east over the harbor where 4 gulls appeared to harass it. I lost sight of it at that point. A very windy morning with cold temps, still nice to be out birding. Images were taken on October 27, 2017.
Looking for something to eat here…
Doing some feeding…
Getting something…
I stopped at the Fox River in Waukesha this morning to do a bird check. Going through group of about 8 Mallards on the other side of the river surprisingly hidden with them was a single male Ring-necked Duck. The Mallards saw me, they thought I had bread, came across the river to me, but the Ring-necked Duck was skittish and stayed back. After a couple of minutes some walkers came by and the Ring-necked Duck flew north on the river and landed. That was the last I saw of it. Other birds present, just the everyday Ring-billed Gulls and those Mallards. No Hooded Merganser…:) Some sun but a mostly cloudy day at my stop at the river, still mild temps. Images were taken on October 26, 2017.
Ring-necked Duck, male in the golden leaf fall water surrounded by a couple of floating leaves…
Binomial name: Aythya collaris
Category: Ducks, Geese, and Swans
Size: 17” long, 25” wing span
Weight: 1.5 lb.
Birding the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning was generally quiet. A Lesser Yellowlegs at Lakeshore State Park was probably the highlight in the places I stopped at. It did a little feeding and after awhile just took off and went east to the big lake. Other birds to note, a hand full of Northern Shovelers were still hanging around the lagoon at the park. 3 Sanderlings were present at McKinley Beach, the rest of the birds seen were just common species for this time of year. I took a few images of the Lesser Yellowlegs to share. It was an gloomy overcast days with some rain showers early with temps in the lower 50’s. Images were taken on October 23, 2017.
Binomial name: Tringa flavipes
Category: Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies
Size: 10.5” long, 24” wing span
Weight: 2.8 oz
Notes: Breeds in northern Canada and Alaska, winters at coasts of southern US and Mexico.
Eyeing something up here
Watching…
Going down….did it get it?
A miss…
Just walking along the shore…
Some preening…
Just finished preening…
Got something here….
Coming into shore…
Birding some of the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning it was basically quiet. On my second run to McKinley Beach I got a text from Mike W. He had seen a Horned Lark. I arrived seconds later and it was still present in the beach area. It fed along the beach area sorta hanging with a Sanderling. I feel this bird is a adult male in non-breeding plumage. It hung around for a while and I did some other birding in the area. I checked later and the bird had left. I would think the bird is in the area. The only other bird there as mentioned was the one lone Sanderling. It was just a gorgeous day with full sun, warm temps and a nice breeze to keep things cool. Images were taken on October 18, 2017
Horned Lark
Binomial name: Eremophila alpestri
Category: Chickadees and Titmice
Size: 7.25” long, 12” wing span
Weight: 1.1 oz
Horned Lark just working the beach for food
Horned Lark in search for food…
Horned Lark with possibly something to eat…
Horned Lark just standing pretty…
Horned Lark looking..
Horned Lark digging around for something to eat…
Horned Lark on the move…
The close up…
Birding along the lake this morning was quiet for the most part. McKinley Beach had 3 Sanderlings. These numbers seem to change daily there at that beach. Lakeshore State Park still had the Redhead Duck and 2 Pied-billed Grebes along with many American Coots and Double-crested Cormorants. A few American Shovelers still hanging out. The Black Scoters were still present off of North Point. I ran into Bruce along the Milwaukee Lakefront, he had found some House Finches eating apples in a tree and I took a few images to share of the event. I have never saw this feeding before but it is probably normal. A beautiful fall day with plenty of sunshine, nice temps but did have some wind gusts. Images were taken on October 17, 2017.
House Finch, male with an apple…
Binomial name: Carpodacus mexicanus
Category: Fringilline and Cardueline Finches and Allies
Size: 6” long, 9.5” wing span
Weight: .74 Oz.
Digging in…
House Finch, female with apple in the bill…
House Finch, male enjoying some apple…
House Finch, female enjoying some apple…
House Finch, female getting the good stuff!
House Finch, female with apple in the bill…
House Finch, male enjoying some apple…
House Finch, male, getting way in there!
House Finch, female getting that peeling!
A stop at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee provided nice views of both the Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. A total of 4 Greaters and 1 Lesser. When I arrive early about 7:15, just the 4 Greaters were present. After a few minutes the Lesser Yellowlegs showed up. They look tired as they probably just had put on some miles. They did next to no feeding while I was there and just rested. It was a cool morning, overcast with some strong west winds. Also present at Lakeshore State park provided brief view of a thinking now, a Common Snipe by the looks of the distant image, not a American Woodcock as first thought as it flushed while I walked the path and it just went way up and headed north, also an American Kestrel which I have not seen for awhile. Another lakefront beach, McKinley had 12 Sanderlings, and the Black Scoters were still present off North Point that Tom W reported yesterday. Images were taken on October 15, 2017.
Greater Yellowlegs
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs in front with Greater behind
Lesser Yellowlegs in front with Greater behind
Greater Yellowlegs riding the waves…
Lesser Yellowlegs on the right, I thought it was feeding but appeared to be playing with this item…
Greater Yellowlegs moving along the beach area…
Lesser Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs, I thought it was feeding but appeared to be playing with this item…
Lesser Yellowlegs in front…
Lesser Yellowlegs
2 Greater Yellowlegs
Eyes closed, resting…
Greater Yellowlegs, the double…
Greater Yellowlegs…
A stop at McKinley Beach this morning in Milwaukee provided nice views of a Lapland Longspur. It seemed to be hanging with a couple of Killdeer. It continually fed in a short grass near the beach area eating seeds and then moved to a parking area. That is where the Killdeer went and so did it. The Killdeer just acted like it was a bitter cold day and did nothing, just stood there. The Lapland Longspur fed still eating seeds along cracks in the parking area and where weeds grown in cracks that held presumably a seed bank. A nice surprise to see this bird this morning but then we do see them this time of year along the lake, just once in awhile. No other unusual birds to note this morning along that part of the lakefront. A cold morning out with stiff winds from the northwest, very little sun with temps around 50. Interesting, first saw them last year at Lakeshore State Park on October 15. FOF winter hat, winter coat along with a scarf! Images were taken on October 10, 2017.
Finding seeds to eat along weed filled cracks in the parking area…
Binomial name: Calcarius lapponicus
Category: Lapwings and Plovers
Size: 6.25” long, 11.5” wing span
Weight: 0.95 oz
Cool facts: This common bird breeds in the Arctic tundra, and winters in open fields across most of the United States and southern Canada.
Finding weed seeds…
Finding more weed seeds…
Finding seeds in the grass to eat…
Finding seeds…
To the ground for seeds…
In the short grass area…
I made a stop at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee for a first stop checking the beach area this morning. The beach was quiet. I ran into Dave G there and I said I was heading to McKinley Beach, he said he was there earlier this morning and it was empty. Since I was at the lakefront I made the drive over and within a flock of about 25 Ring-billed Gulls I saw a gull with a light black head. I knew this was going to be something good and it was, a Franklin’s Gull, juvenile (1st cycle). Dave followed me over he also got few shots off before the gull took to the air and headed south for what appeared to be no apparent reason. The gull was just preening so it makes sense what the gull had in mind I think. It was a short lived burst of excitement in the birding world as we just don’t see Franklin’s along the lake very often. The highlight of the day with not much else to report along the north side of Milwaukee’s lakefront. It was a gorgeous day with full sun, mild temps and very little wind. Images were taken on October 8, 2017.
Binomial name: Larus pipixcan
Category: Gulls, Terns and Skimmers
Size: 14.5” long, 36” wing span
Weight: 10 oz
Stretching before the flight…
Some preening…
Franklin’s Gull, left – Ring-billed Gull, right
The back view..
A stop at McKinley Beach this morning in Milwaukee gave brief views of 8 Sanderlings feeding pretty much non-stop. Also present were the commonly seen Ring-billed Gulls at this location. After only a couple minutes a dog approached the area and all the birds flushed with the Sanderlings heading south. Other birds to note along the local lakefront were many Double-crested Cormorants everywhere, and ~ a dozen Northern Shovelers, and a Ruddy Duck being at Lakeshore State Park. It was a overcast morning with mild temps around 58 degrees with some steady winds and waves off the lake. Images were taken on October 6, 2017.
Sanderling with a bite to eat…
Sanderlings feeding along the beach bank…
Sanderlings feeding along the beach with Ring-billed Gulls
Moving along the beach with waves rolling in…
Along the beach they go…
Trying to avoid the waves…
Shaking it off!
Size comparison image with a Ring-billed Gull and a Sanderling…
Some preening
More preening
Scratching…
Coming towards me…
In the wave…
Out of the wave action…
Just waiting for the sight of something to eat…
A Great Blue Heron was seriously fishing this morning at Greenfield Park putting on a great show while I watched from a distance. This young bird ate and ate with very few misses and twice captured 2 Flathead minnows at once while I was there. It eyed some of its food from a short distance and gave striking moves to capture its morning food, but sometimes just waited for the next small fish to swim by, then the capture. Other birds present at the park were just the typical birds that have been hanging around recent weeks. It was a nice morning to be out, with low winds, full sun and warm temps. Images were taken on September 22, 2017.
Catching a pair!
Stealth mode, looking for the next catch with a drip!
The catch!
The drop…..
Stealth mode times 2…
Another catch!
Great Blue Heron with a Flathead Minnow
The heron sees something a short distance away…
Gulp!
Got it!
Another pair of Flathead Minnows!
Shaking the head with the tongue out, I have seen this before…
Another small catch…
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
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..
A brief stop at the McKinley Beach this morning provided nice views of 2 Sanderlings and 2 Semipalmated Sandpipers. One of the Sanderlings was transitioning into nonbreeding plumage and still had some of its breeding plumage, an interesting look. The birds fed on the algae mat at the beach. Other than that the lakefront was pretty slow at Bradford Beach, Lakeshore State Park and the harbor. Images were taken on September 10, 2017.
Sanderling going into nonbreeding plumage from breeding plumage with a worm…
Sanderling in nonbreeding plumage…
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Sanderling going into nonbreeding plumage
Sanderling going into nonbreeding plumage
Sanderling in nonbreeding plumage
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Sanderling nonbreeding plumage
Semipalmated Sandpiper
A stop at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin provided some nice views of Sanderlings. They fed along the algae mat in the beach area. A stunning shorebird species close up that moved quickly along the beach area. Images were taken on September 3, 2017.
Sanderling chasing off another Sanderling in the area
What’s up…
Looking for something to eat…
On the move along the mat
Got something…
On the move with a little wind blowing
A little wave action here…
In search of something to eat…
Here is a bite…
Posing…
I stopped at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee this morning to see what was going on. A Black-crowned Night Heron, Green Herons and Great Blue Herons were present. They gave nice views, being the Black-crowned Night Heron and Great Blue Heron were immature, there was not much action. They just were perched looking and waiting near water something to come by to feed on. The Green Heron, the bluest Green Heron I have ever seen spent most of it’s time just hunting for food. The Great Blue Heron walked across the channel which was interesting. A cloudy morning, with mild temps made for a nice day out. Images were taken on September 4, 2017.
Black-crowned Night Heron, immature…
Black-crowned Night Heron looking
Black-crowned Night Heron finding something
Shaking off!
Getting a drink
Playing with a snail…
Green Heron, 1st summer and the bluest Green Heron I have ever seen. It has been around the park for most of the summer…
Green Heron on the look out…
Green Heron, enjoying the view…
Preening
Preening
Just perched
Stretching…
Great Blue Heron, crossing the channel, going down…
and down…
down…
The middle of the channel…
Going up…
Up…
My first stop this morning on Milwaukee’s lakefront was McKinley Beach. Guess there were at least 25 shorebirds. Mostly Sanderlings, a Least Sandpiper, and few Semipalmated Plovers. Also present were 2 Ruddy Turnstones which are always exciting birds. They feed in the more stony areas of the beach turning over items on the beach such as mussels getting food. They were flushed often by walkers with and without dogs but held still a few times for photos. It was a beautiful morning to be out with sunny skies and pleasant temps. Images were taken on September 3, 2017.
Ruddy Turnstone, juvenile on the move
Ruddy Turnstone
Binomial name: Arenaria interpres
Category: Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies
Size: 9.5” long, 21” wing span
Weight: 3.9 oz
Ruddy Turnstone feeding on a mussel…
Ruddy Turnstone in a mussel and always turning things over…
Ruddy Turnstone with something to eat
Feeding in the water too….
Ruddy Turnstone feeding on mussels
Feeding
Ruddy Turnstone, juvenile
In search of food…
Northern Shoveler, maybe adult female
Ruddy Turnstone, Breeding adult plumage for comparison to fall plumage, taken in spring 2017. Image for reference only
The Whooping Crane juveniles, 7 of them, have been in training at the White River Marsh State Wildlife Area for the last couple of months. Viewing is now open to public. A birding friend of mine, Karen Schoenike reserved the blind and I was able join her for the big event today watching some of the training. We arrived very early in the morning meeting Doug Pellerin who took us out the blind after meeting Brooke Pennypacker and Colleen Chase at the gate. Colleen who has worked with these birds since hatching joined us in the blind after she released the birds from the pen. The event started with the release of the birds, mingling by the pen, then they took to flight and landed numerous times. This was an amazing and fun event to witness in person, to watch these birds in action feeding, flying and hanging as a group like family. Doug and Colleen were great hosts. The eggs of these birds came from Necedah in April 2017, were flown out to Maryland, incubated, hatched ~June 24th, 2017 and flown back here for Operation Migration. Correct me if I am incorrect on any of this information. The morning started out with low cloud cover with temps at 50 degrees, breezes picked up after awhile, sun peek out once or twice. Photographing these birds are difficult from the blind as prairie grasses are reaching at least 6 feet tall now plus the birds are pretty distant. No adults were seen today. With that said, it was still a great experience today at Operation Migration! I hope the Whoopers have a successful flight to the south when it is their turn to migrate. Contact Doug Pellerin if you want any information on the blind use. Images were taken on August 31, 2017.
Opening of the pen for the young Whooping Cranes begin…
Puppet in hand with the Whooping Crane hood on…
The excitement builds and the birds come running out after the gate is opened…
They are anxious to be out for feeding and it is time to fly!
They start feeding in the field at first not to far from the pen…
They are moving out…
They take to the sky!
Up, up, and away, Colleen leaves the area, they will be on their own for hours now…
They are flying off in a distant but remain in the area…
They are up and away…
Circling around in a very big area…
More of the same…
They are heading towards us…
Not time to land yet, they are just passing by for another circle…
Coming in for a landing at the pen landing strip…
Doing some feeding after the first flight and hanging out…
They are headed to behind the pen to a pond and were out of view for awhile…
Time to takeoff again…
Up, up, and away…
View looking at the pen from standing in the blind…
