Bird Categories Archives - Page 35 of 41 - Window to Wildlife

Blackburnian Warbler

By admin | May 16, 2014 - 6:54 pm |May 18, 2014 Bird Categories, Wood-Warblers

I stopped briefly at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha Wisconsin late morning today. There was a nice selection of 9 warbler species present. The one that caught my eye was a male Blackburnian Warbler with the flaming-orange throat. The color of the throat was almost unbelievable. It was foraging in the grasses in the water for insects. At one time it came up onto a bridge and picked insects off the railing. It appears this little guy has a wood tick on the forehead. Other warbler species present were Palm, Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped, Yellow, Magnolia, American Redstart, Wilson’s and Chestnut-sided. It was a fun hour or so there as the warbler action continues. It was another cloudy day, temps in the 50’s, but a nice hour or so out birding. Images were taken on May 16, 2014.

Blackburnian Warbler

Binomial name: Dendroica fusca

Category: Wood-Warblers

Size: 5” long, 8.5” wingspan

Weight: 0.34 oz.

Going for the next insect!

Got that insect!

Insect on the end of the bill!

Insect on the end of the bill!

On the bridge with cob webs all over the face picking off insects from underneath the bridge railing !

On the bridge looking for insects!

Insect on bill end, on the bridge!

On the bridge!

Looking for the next insect on the bridge!

Yellow Warbler

By admin | May 15, 2014 - 8:05 pm |May 16, 2014 Bird Categories, Wood-Warblers

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The Yellow Warblers have been present along with many other species of warblers at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha Wisconsin. They continually forage like the rest of them up and down the trees hanging over the water. Like the others too, they always are flying back and forth across the river there as their eyes pick up flying insects above the water. Other warbler species present were Blackburnian, Palm, Northern Parula, Blackpoll, Black-and-white, Yellow-rumped, Magnolia, American Redstart and Chestnut-sided. Images were taken on May 14, 2014. The images appear to be males, so I added some at the bottom (last 4) that should be females taken at Wehr Nature Center back in 2013 for identifying females.

Yellow Warbler

Binomial name: Setophaga petechia

Category: Wood-Warblers

Size: 5” long, 8” wingspan

Weight: .33 oz.

Habitat: Moist thickets along streams, wetlands, ponds, and swampy areas. They also inhabit dry areas such as, orchards, farmlands, forest edges, berry patches and gardens.

Diet: Mostly insects they pick from foliage and capture in flight.

Nesting: Typically a nest is built about 10’ from the ground but sometimes higher. Nests are located in the vertical fork of a bush or trees such as willow, dogwood or honeysuckle. The nest is cup size build with materials such as grasses, bark strips, and nettle plant material. The nest is wrapped with spider webs, plant down and fiber material. The inside lining can consists of materials such as dandelion, willow, cattail seeds, feathers and deer hair. The female lays 4-5 eggs, incubation last 10 to 14 days. The nesting period can be from 8 to 12 days.

Notes: Look for Yellow Warblers near the tops of small trees and tall shrubs.

Yellow Warbler - Male Wehr Nature Center May 13, 2013

Yellow Warbler – Female, little red streaking on breast if any, Wehr Nature Center May 13, 2013

Yellow Warbler - Female Wehr Nature Center May 13, 2013

Yellow Warbler – Female, little red streaking on breast if any, Wehr Nature Center May 13, 2013

Northern Parula

By admin | May 15, 2014 - 9:13 am |May 15, 2014 Wood-Warblers

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Northern Parulas at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha Wisconsin. In the couple of hours I spent birding there, a couple of Northern Parulas showed and gave nice views as they were foraging through the trees on insects. Other warbler species present were Blackburnian, Palm, Yellow, Blackpoll, Black-and-white, Yellow-rumped, Magnolia, American Redstart and Chestnut-sided. It was a overcast day, dark day at times, 50’s, but still a nice day to be out viewing all the warbler action. It appears all the images are of males. Images taken on May 14, 2014.

Northern Parula

Binomial name: Parula americana

Category: Wood-Warblers

Size: 4.5” long, 7” wingspan

Weight: 0.3 oz.

Magnolia Warbler

By admin | May 15, 2014 - 7:00 am |May 15, 2014 Bird Categories, Wood-Warblers

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Magnolia Warblers at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha Wisconsin. In the couple of hours I spent birding there, the Magnolia Warbler was the most common of the species. Both males and female were present. Other warbler species present were Blackburnian, Palm, Yellow, Blackpoll, Black-and-white, Yellow-rumped, Northern Parula, American Redstart and Chestnut-sided. One of the highlights was a Tufted Titmouse. It was a overcast day, dark day at times, 50’s, but still a nice day to be out viewing all the warbler action. It appears all the images are of males. Images taken on May 14, 2014.

Magnolia Warbler – Male

Magnolia Warbler

Binomial name: Dendroica magnolia

Category: Wood-Warblers

Size: 5” long, 7.5” wingspan

Weight: .30 oz.

Habitat: Breeds in open coniferous stands, sometimes mixed forest.

Diet: It primarily eats insects off of tree needles, leaves, and twigs, also finds food from the undersides of plants and behind the bark of trees.

Nesting: Nests are usually located in lower tree branches or twigs, in very dense forest areas less than 10’ off the ground. They are made usually carelessly, some what messy with grass, weeds, hay and twigs. The female lays 3-5 brown-spotted or speckled white to light cream colored eggs once a year. Hatching time 11 to 13 days.

Magnolia Warbler – Male

Magnolia Warbler – Male, looking for the next insect.

Magnolia Warbler – Male, seeing the insect.

Magnolia Warbler – Male, leaping for the insect.

Magnolia Warbler – Male, going for the insect.

Magnolia Warbler – Male, seeing the insect and flying to the next branch!

Magnolia Warbler – Male, look at the black lines!

Magnolia Warbler – Male, going for the next insect!

Magnolia Warbler – Male

Magnolia Warbler – Male

Magnolia Warbler – Male

Magnolia Warbler – Male

Magnolia Warbler – Male

Tennessee Warbler

By admin | May 14, 2014 - 7:49 pm |May 14, 2014 Bird Categories, Wood-Warblers

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Tennessee Warblers at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha Wisconsin. When I arrived around 11:00 Tennessee Warblers were plentiful, but then numbers dropped in a short period of time. All that I viewed were adult males. Other warbler species present were Cape May, Palm, Yellow, Blackpoll, Bay-breasted, Yellow-rumped, Northern Parula, and Chestnut-sided. The best day I ever had at this location for warblers. Images taken on May 13, 2014.

Tennessee Warbler

Binomial name: Vermivora peregrina

Category: Wood-Warblers

Size: 4.75” long, 7.75” wingspan

Weight: 0.35 oz.

Going for the bug!

Stretching for the bug!

Going for the bug!

Scarlet Tanager

By admin | May 14, 2014 - 6:39 am |May 29, 2014 Piranga Tanagers and Allies

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Scarlet Tanagers have been present recently and I photographed a female at the Waukesha Fox River Sanctuary yesterday. We also had a male this week in the yard. On the river, this female acted like a flycatcher continually flying out on the river catching flying insects. Obviously that is what they do. A few images of the 2 events plus a couple images from Lake Park Milwaukee last year to the exact date.

Scarlet Tanager – Female Waukesha Fox River Sanctuary May 13, 2014

Scarlet Tanager

Binomial name: Piranga ludoviciana

Category: Kinglets

Size: 7.25” long, 11.5” wing span

Weight: 0.98 Oz.

Scarlet Tanager – Female Waukesha Fox River Sanctuary May 13, 2014

Scarlet Tanager – Male Waukesha May 10, 2014

Scarlet Tanager - Male Lake Park MKE May 10, 2013

Scarlet Tanager – Male Lake Park MKE May 13, 2013

Cape May Warbler

By admin | May 13, 2014 - 7:41 pm |May 14, 2014 Bird Categories, Wood-Warblers

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Cape May Warblers at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha Wisconsin. While birding here today, many warbler species were present. The Cape May Warblers both male and female with their striking colors gave nice views for short periods of time. Other warbler species present were Tennessee, Palm, Yellow, Blackpoll, Bay-breasted, Yellow-rumped, Northern Parula, and Chestnut-sided. Images taken on May 13, 2014.

Cape May Warbler – Male, Waukesha Fox River Sanctuary

Cape May Warbler

Binomial name: Dendroica tigrina

Category: Wood-Warblers

Size: 5” long, 8.25” wingspan

Weight: 0.39 oz

Cape May Warbler – Male, Waukesha Fox River Sanctuary

Cape May Warbler – Female, Waukesha Fox River Sanctuary

Cape May Warbler – Male, Waukesha Fox River Sanctuary

Cape May Warbler – Female, Waukesha Fox River Sanctuary

Cape May Warbler – Male, Waukesha Fox River Sanctuary

Cape May Warbler – Female, Back view, Waukesha Fox River Sanctuary

Cattle Egret at the Waukesha Fox River Parkway South May 13, 2014

By admin | May 13, 2014 - 6:20 pm |May 13, 2014 Bird Categories

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Cattle Egret at the Fox River Parkway South in Waukesha County Wisconsin. With heavy rains last night water is just about everywhere in the county. The low area at the park that holds water in wet times of the year was a great place for this species to spend some time to rest and hopefully find some food. The Cattle Egret originated in Africa, appeared in North America in 1953 and spread across the entire continent. Thanks to all birders who got the word out about the presence of the Cattle Egret, an uncommon visitor to this part of the state. A few distant images taken there today in the late afternoon May 13, 2014.

Cattle Egret

Binomial name: Bubulcus ibis

Category: Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

Description: White plumage with cream-colored feathers on its chest, head, and tail during breeding season. Yellow bill and gray legs.

Size: 18”-22” long, 35” – 38” wingspan

Weight: 9.5 oz. – 18 oz.

Habitat: Pastures, grasslands, meadows, and wetlands

Diet: Insects (grasshoppers and crickets), spiders, amphibians, and worms

Nesting: Cattle Egrets nest in colonies, typically near a body of water. Both males and females build the nest; males collect twigs and sticks while the female assembles them into jumbled pile in a tree or shrub. It is common for these birds to steal nest materials from others. The female will lay 1 to 5 eggs and raise 1 brood each season. Both parents incubate the eggs. Chicks are born with down feathers but are still helpless. The fledglings leave the nest after about 45 days.

Notes: Cattle Egrets are appropriately named as they tend to forage for food near cattle or other large, grazing animals. They eat insects and other vertebrates spread by these animals. The birds have also been known to forage behind farm machinery. Farmers may welcome these birds to their pastures as Cattle Egrets will help control fly and tick populations among cattle.

Cattle Egret - Fond dc lac County WI May 13, 2013

Cattle Egret – Fond du lac County WI. May 13, 2013

Cattle Egrets - Fond dc lac County WI May 13, 2013

Cattle Egrets – Fond du lac County WI. May 13, 2013

Cattle Egret – Fond du lac County WI. May 13, 2013

Prothonotary Warbler at the Wehr Nature Center in Franklin Wisconsin May 11, 2014

By admin | May 11, 2014 - 6:16 pm |June 20, 2014 Bird Categories, Wood-Warblers

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I did some birding at Wehr Nature Center today in hopes to do well on Warblers. A couple of years ago this place did very well and I thought I would give it a shot. The stream area was really birdie when I arrived around 11:00 am. Warbler species present were Wilson’s, Chestnut-sided, Canada, American Redstart, Yellow-rumped, Yellow, and Common Yellowthroat. After about 30 minutes a warbler appeared and the striking color on this bird shocked me! I knew it was not a warbler that I had ever saw before. It did not take me but a few seconds to realize it was a Prothonotary Warbler with that bright golden-yellow head. The way the bird foraged along the stream bank waters edge feeding almost off the top of the water from branch to branch confirmed my ID thoughts. It left the area I was at and returned 3 more times in the 2 hours I was there. It was an exciting time getting this uncommon visitor to this part of the state finally on my life list!

Prothonotary Warbler – Male

Prothonotary Warbler

Binomial name: Protonotaria citrea

Category: Wood-Warblers

Size: 5.5” long, 8.5” wingspan

Weight: 0.56 oz.

Habitat: Breed in wooded swamps, lake or pond edges, woody streams and wooded river bottoms. Breeding habitat range is the southern US from east Texas to the east coast, north in southern Wisconsin. This species winters in parts of West Indies, Central and South America.

Diet: Forages along low vegetation, dead wood and stumps on rivers, streams, swamps, lakes and ponds. They feed on insects, snails, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, mayflies and spiders annually found on logs, branches, tree trunks and on the ground. After the breeding season they have been also known to eat seed, fruit and nectar.

Nesting: The male locates at least one cavity in a tree, sometimes digging their own in a tree 3 to 10 feet from the ground, but most often woodpecker holes are used. They can be found over water. Nest boxes are also used along with and artificial cavities such as cans, jars, pipes, etc. The male puts moss inside the nest cavities and the female finishes the foundation construction with materials of more moss and liverwort. While finishing the nest construction the male protects the female. The nest cup is constructed of grape plants, rootlets, plant down and some of the materials it is lined with are grasses, sedges, leaves bark material, tendrils and sometimes even fishing line has been used. Size of the nest cup is approximately 2” wide. Typically 3-7 whitish brown spotted eggs are laid and both adults tend to feed the young after incubation of 12 days by the female.

Cool facts: On occasion the Prothonotary Warbler will visit hummingbird feeders for nectar. The male will set up fake nest holes and display in front of them, this is not fully understood.

Prothonotary Warbler – Male

Prothonotary Warbler – Male with insect.

Prothonotary Warbler – Male

Prothonotary Warbler – Male, looking for food.

Prothonotary Warbler – Male

Prothonotary Warbler – Male, looking for food.

Canada Warbler – Male

Chestnut-sided Warbler – Male

Wilson’s Warbler – Male

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Warblers and more at Lake Park Milwaukee Wisconsin, May 10, 2014

By admin | May 10, 2014 - 7:26 pm |May 11, 2014 Bird Categories

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I spent a few hours at Lake Park in Milwaukee this morning into mid-afternoon. I saw some nice warbler action but nothing like a couple of days ago. Warbler species and numbers were down, but still a great day to be out birding. Some of the warblers that I had looks at were Black-throated Green, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Palm, Nashville, Blackburnian, Cape May and possible Tennessee. Birds seemed higher up today in the trees. The nice sunny day with warm temps brought out a lot of birders there at the park.

Black-throated Green Warbler – Male

Black-throated Green Warbler – Male Preening

Black-throated Green Warbler – Male

Black-throated Green Warbler – Male eating well.

American Redstart – Male

Common Yellowthroat – Female

Common Yellowthroat – Female with insect.

Palm Warbler

Tennessee Warbler ??

Cape May Warbler

Ovenbird

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Warblers and more at Lake Park Milwaukee Wisconsin, May 8, 2014

By admin | May 8, 2014 - 7:29 pm |May 9, 2014 Bird Categories, Wood-Warblers

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I birded Lake Park in Milwaukee this morning into mid-afternoon. I saw some great warbler action with 16 warblers species and 73 total species for the day. Some of the FOY warblers were Wilson’s, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Black-throated Green, Blue-winged, Northern Parula, Bay-breasted, and American Redstarts. Some of the other highlights from the day, Indigo Bunting, Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, Eastern Bluebirds, Red-headed Woodpeckers, Eastern Towhee and Gray Catbirds. Interesting to see a Ruby-throated Hummingbird within 50 feet of a Dark-eyed Junco. It was a very cold morning with strong NE winds and mostly cloudy but early gave way to some sun and warmer temps that were expected.

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat going for the gnat!

Common Yellowthroat

Least Flycatcher

Least Flycatcher looking for the next snack!

Least Flycatcher in flight!

Least Flycatcher

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Ovenbird

Magnolia Warbler

Eastern Towhee – Female

Eastern Towhee – Male

Black-and-white Warbler

Gray Catbird with gnat in bill.

Gray Catbird with gnat in bill.

Gray Catbird

Clay-colored Sparrow

Lincoln’s Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

American Robin

White-throated Sparrow

By admin | May 3, 2014 - 6:36 pm |May 3, 2014 Bird Categories, Emberizids

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I recently did some birding at the Fox River Parkway South in Waukesha Wisconsin. There where numerous White-throated Sparrows present with nice views. A flock of approximately 6-12 birds at different times moved around the woods while I was there. The sparrows scratched the ground finding seeds to eat that have worked their way under leaves and surface ground cover over the winter. Photographs taken on April 29, 2014.

White-throated Sparrow – adult white and black striped variation.

White-throated Sparrow

Binomial name: Zonotrichia albicollis

Category: Sparrows

Size: 6.75” long, 9” wing span

Weight: 0.91 Oz.

Habitat: Woods, forest edges, pond edges and tree lines in brushy under growth. Breeding range is the far northern areas of the Midwest states in the US and the lower two-thirds of Canada. The winter range for this species is Southern US from New Mexico through northern IN to the east coast of the US.

Diet: Mainly seeds from grasses and weeds, sometimes fruits seeds.

Nesting: The nest is constructed by the female usually and on the ground, it is cup shaped. The location is usually under a bush, shrub or dead vegetation but concealed by leaves. Materials used are mosses, sticks, pine needles, and grasses. 1-6 eggs pale green and spotted are laid and incubated from 10-14 days, 1-2 broods.

Cool Facts: There are two forms of this sparrow. One is the white and black striped head, the other tan and black striped head regardless of sex. Young birds and females are just duller in color. They both variations have the white colored throat. A frequent visitor to the backyard feeder in migration to some parts of the US.

White-throated Sparrow – adult white and black striped variation with seed in mouth.

White-throated Sparrow – adult tan and black striped variation.

White-throated Sparrow – adult white and black striped variation – back view.

White-throated Sparrow – adult white and black striped variation with seed in mouth.

White-throated Sparrow – adult tan and black striped variation.

White-throated Sparrow – adult white and black striped variation, scratching for seeds.

White-throated Sparrow – adult white and black striped variation.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

By admin | May 2, 2014 - 7:19 pm |May 2, 2014 Kinglets

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Ruby-crowned Kinglets were in abundance at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha, Wisconsin. It was a 1st for me to be able to see and photograph the striking raised scarlet crown on the Ruby-crowned Kinglet. It only lasted for about 10 seconds. Small insects were thick in the trees hanging over the river and the Ruby-crowned Kinglets just continually moved from tree to tree picking them off. I think the river water temp and the humidity there allows for continued hatching of these insects, probably gnats. It seems typically if these birds are not resting, they are looking for or flying to their next food. Some of the other species present were Yellow, Black-and white, and Yellow-rumped Warblers along with Brown Creepers and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Images were taken on April 30, 2014.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Binomial name: Regulus calendula

Category: Kinglets

Size: 4.25” long, 7.5” wing span

Weight: 0.23 Oz.

Habitat: Breeding habitat is spruce, tamarack, and fir trees found in dense conifer forests. During migration they can be found in deciduous trees, bushes, and thickets found in parks, woodlands and along rivers and shores of lakes. Breeding range is northern US, Canada and Alaska.

Diet: Typically they hover in and around twigs and leaves fly catching small insects. Their diet also includes spiders, bark beetles and eggs that are usually found on and around twigs and leaves. Winter they will eat berry parts, sap and seeds.

Nesting: The female picks the location and builds the nest in a period of about 5 days. The location of the nest can be as high as 100 feet off the ground, usually hidden with overhanging foliage and found near the interior of the tree. A globe shape nest is constructed of spider-webs and cocoon silk wrapped around feathers, grasses and mosses. The inside is lined with fir and fine plant material. These materials allow the nest to increase in size as the brood grows and continued maintenance is required. Up to 12 eggs are laid in the nest for 1 brood.

Cool Facts: The male displays the striking scarlet crown when aroused. One of the smallest birds in the US is easily identified by the distinct white eyering and constant wing flickering that they do. Young males look similar to females as they lack the scarlet crown.

Image taken on April 16, 2014 at the Fox River Sanctuary – male – flying to the insect.

Image taken on April 16, 2014 at the Fox River Sanctuary – male – looking for food.

Image taken on April 16, 2014 at the Fox River Sanctuary – male – getting the insect.

Image taken on April 16, 2014 at the Fox River Sanctuary - male - flying for the food.

Image taken on April 16, 2014 at the Fox River Sanctuary – male – flying for the insect.

Garganey

By admin | May 1, 2014 - 7:40 pm |December 31, 2014 Ducks, Geese, and Swans

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Garganey at the Crex Meadows Wildlife Area in Grantsburg, Wisconsin on May 1, 2014. The male Garganey will be a 1st state record for this species in the state pending acceptance. The normal range for this species is quite large covering much of Eurasia in breeding season and winters in southern Africa and Asia. Within a couple of minutes after arriving at Crex about 7:00am the bird was located near to where it has been reported over 1 week ago. That location was south and east of the intersection of County Road F and Abel Road. A couple of hours later we relocated the duck just north of that spot in the Erickson Flowage with more distant views. At that time it was very active for awhile as it moved around to numerous spots on the flowage. The duck has been hanging out with Blue-winged Teal. It was a cloudy and cold day with steady winds making it feel like winter. Still some snow on the ground in a couple of places. A new life bird!

Garganey

Binomial name: Anas querquedula

Category: Duck, Geese, and Swans

Size: 15.5” long, 24” wing span

Weight: 13 Oz.

Habitat: Common breeding habitat for this species is small shallow ponds and lakes with floating vegetation like in swamps, fields of water and freshwater marshes.

Diet: Wide range of plant seeds, pondweeds, grasses, as well some insects by skimming the water.

Nesting: The nests are in a shallow depression underneath tall plant material usually less than 100 feet from waters edge.

Garganey – male on left with 3 Blue-winged Teal on right

Garganey – male upright preening on right side with 2 Blue-winged Teal with heads under water.

Garganey – male – in front, Blue-winged Teal in back

Garganey – male, right

Garganey – male back, Blue-winged Teal – male front

Trumpeter Swan -Crex Meadows

Trumpeter Swan Crex Meadows

Worm-eating Warbler

By admin | April 29, 2014 - 3:57 pm |May 2, 2014 Wood-Warblers

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A Worm-eating Warbler was present at Fox River Parkway South in Waukesha Wisconsin on April 29, 2014. This gloomy morning gave way to some decent views and nice action of the bird searching and finding food on the forest floor. I viewed the bird twice at about 6:30 a.m. and then again 10:30 a.m. Other birders were fortunate to see this uncommon visitor to this part of the state that is viewed by only a few birders each year. I hope it hangs around for awhile yet for others to enjoy too! Other highlights were Nashville, Pine and Yellow-rumped Warblers and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Photographs were taken on April 29-30th, 2014.

Worm-eating Warbler

Binomial name: Helmitheros vermivora

Category: Wood-Warblers

Size: 5.25” long, 8.5” wingspan

Weight: .46 oz.

Habitat: Breeds in deciduous forests sometimes mixed with conifers on steep hillsides with a dense understory. Winters in mature tropical forests found in Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Diet: Spends a lot of its time near or on the ground. It searches through leaf litter and low vegetation and uses it long narrow bill to access the food it prefers, which is small larvae of moths (worms), spiders, slugs, and arthropods.

Nesting: The cup sized nest is located on the ground near the truck of a deciduous tree, often on a slope near water. The nest is constructed of leaf parts and lined with moss and grass material. Usually 3-6 white to pinkish eggs are laid in the nest. The female incubates the eggs and stays tight on it. Young usually leave the nest within 10 days unable to fly but they survive. When intruders like chipmunks, squirrels and other small animals approach the nest, it sometimes waits until contact is made to be flushed from the nest as it blends in well with the forest floor. If that happens the female leaves the immediate nest area with distracting motions.

Cool Facts: Song of the Worm-eating Warbler is similar to that of the Chipping Sparrow but shorter in length. Plumage of both sexes are similar.

Looking for larvae (worms)

With spider in bill!

Looking for larvae (worms)

Looking for larvae (worms), leg holding leaf

Searching for and finding food.

Looking for food

Searching for food.

Just finished eating something!

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Caspian Tern

By admin | April 26, 2014 - 7:09 pm |May 2, 2014 Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

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I birded the Milwaukee lakefront this morning for a short period of time. The highlight was Caspian Terns. There were a small amount present on Bradford Beach sitting with many Ring-billed Gulls. There were also a small group of them fishing for food over at McKinley Marina. 5 Black-crowned Night-Herons were on the east side of the Veterans Park Lagoon, and recent ducks that have been reported are still present. I observed many large flocks of Double-crested Cormorants flying north far out over the water, and some flocks very high up over the shoreline. Beautiful morning to be out with lots of sunshine, but the steady northeast winds made it almost feel like winter. Photographs were taken on April 26, 2014 on the lakefront in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Caspian Tern

Binomial name: Sterna caspia

Category: Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Size: 21” long, 50” wing span

Weight: 1.4 lbs.

Habitat: Main breeding habitats are large lakes, ocean coasts, river and barrier islands and marsh in salt water in the Northwestern US and scattered places though out Canada.

Diet: Mainly fish but have been known to also eat large insects and crayfish.

Nesting: They typically nest in colonies. The nest is nothing more than a shallow scrape on the ground made of shell parts, dried plant material and pebbles located in sand or gravel. The rim of the nest may also be topped off with sticks. 1-3 buff eggs are laid which both sexes incubate and they also both care for the young.

Cool Facts: Largest tern in the world. Caspian Terns winter in parts of the southern US and Mexico, some are permanent residents on the California coast. This species flies over the water searching for food. When they locate their food, they plunge straight down into the water to get it. Sometimes they remain under the water for seconds, looks as if they have disappeared. Then they just take flight right out from under the water, pretty amazing!

Fish in mouth!

Hunting for food.

Ring-billed Gull chasing the Caspian Tern

Caspian Tern – Racine North Beach April 30, 2013

Caspian Terns – Racine North Beach April 30, 2013

Caspian Tern with a Forster's Tern (right front) - Racine North Beach April 30, 2013

Caspian Terns with a Forster’s Tern (right front) – Racine North Beach April 30, 2013

Forster’s Tern – Horicon Marsh May 5, 2010

Downy Woodpecker

By admin | April 23, 2014 - 6:32 pm |May 2, 2014 Woodpeckers and Allies

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I stopped for a short time today at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha Wisconsin to do some birding. I watched a pair of Downy Woodpeckers excavating a nest hole in a dead tree. First I observed the male working at the nest hole and then the female took over for a while. They really put some time into doing this between breaks. Yellow-rumped Warblers were in large numbers late morning, but then that slowed early afternoon. A couple of Palm Warblers made a brief appearance and a handful of Cedar Waxwings hung around feeding on a few berries that made it through the winter. Images were taken on April 23, 2014.

Pair of Downy Woodpeckers – the male (r), female (l) looking at the nest hole.

Downy Woodpecker

Binomial name: Picoides pubescens

Category: Woodpeckers and Allies

Size: 6.75” long, 12” wing span

Weight: 0.95 oz.

Habitat: Breeds in open woodlands, parks, backyards, vacant lots, orchards mostly in deciduous trees. Their breeding range is from Alaska east through central Canada and all of the US except the Southwest.

Diet: Insects are their main diet, but they also eat berries and seeds. They are a frequent visitor to backyard bird feeders for suet and black sunflower seeds. The Downy has also been seen drinking from hummingbird feeders.

Nesting: Both adults share the work of excavating a nest hole in a dead tree or limb. It takes the pair 1-3 weeks and the cavity is 6”-12” deep and is usually 1.5” or less across at the bottom. The bottom is lined with only wood chips where usually 3-8 eggs are laid.

Cool Facts: The Downy Woodpecker is typically a permanent resident to an area. They look very much like a Hairy Woodpecker but smaller and their bill is short and stubby where the Hairy bill is long. Adult males have a red patch on the back of their head. Woodpeckers do not sing, they just drum on wood to get the same effect. People think their drumming has to do with food, but they are actually very quiet eaters. The Downy is the most common woodpecker in backyards in North America. These woodpeckers and can peck up to 1200 times per minute while excavating a tree nest hole.

Downy Woodpecker working on the excavation.

Downy Woodpecker – female, working on the excavation.

Downy Woodpecker – male, working on the excavation.

Downy Woodpecker - just checking out another hole.

Downy Woodpecker – female, just checking out another hole.

Downy Woodpecker – female

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

By admin | April 23, 2014 - 5:35 am |May 2, 2014 Gnatcatchers and Gnatwrens

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Birding at the Fox River Sanctuary yesterday in Waukesha Wisconsin I came across a couple Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. These birds were present along with many Yellow-rumped Warlbers that were there coming through. They continued to move through the trees and brush searching and getting insects for food. Image taken April 22, 2014.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher April 22, 2014

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Binomial name: Polioptila caerulea

Category: Gnatcatchers and Gnatwrens

Size: 4.5” long, 6” wing span

Weight: 0.21 oz.

Habitat: Breeds habitat is from Southern Ontario to the southwestern US and Mexico in open deciduous woodlands and thickets along stream banks.

Diet: The Blue-gray Gnatcatchers main diet while forging in trees and shrubs are small insects and sometimes spiders. These birds can be seen hovering over plant and tree foliage, flushing insects. The bobbing tail also helps in the flushing of insects.

Nesting: The cup-shaped nest can be found at any height and is constructed of plant down, spider webbing, covered with lichen flakes. The nest usually holds 3-6 pale blue eggs. Both feed the young after hatching.

Cool Facts: This bird resembles a small Northern Mockingbird.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 13, 2013

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 15, 2012

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 31, 2011 Vernon Marsh

Black-and-white Warbler

By admin | April 22, 2014 - 5:19 pm |May 2, 2014 Wood-Warblers

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I birded for a short time this afternoon at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha Wisconsin. Looking up, the trees were loaded with Yellow-rumped Warblers. I saw one Black-and-white Warbler in the mass of Yellow-rumps and just for a moment. A breezy day with temps about 50, the sun made for a very pleasant day. Images were taken on April 22, 2014. After the first 4 images are some Black-and-white Warbler images taken back on May 13, 2011 at Wehr Nature Center.

Black-and-white Warbler

Binomial name: Mniotilta varia

Category: Wood-Warblers

Size: 5.25” long, 8.25” wingspan

Weight: .37 oz.

Habitat: Moist mixed deciduous-conifer forests or woodlots.

Diet: Mostly insects, while forging like a nuthatch along limbs and trunks of a tree. Some other items in their diet are ants, flies, spiders, leaf hoppers, wood-borers and weevils.

Nesting: Usually the cup shaped nest is on the ground, hidden near a stump, fallen log, base of tree, or under leaves or limbs with 4-5 eggs. Some of the materials used to build the nest are, horse hair, leaves, moss and grasses.

Black-and-white Warbler at Wehr Nature Center May 13, 2011

Hermit Thrush

By admin | April 16, 2014 - 5:40 pm |May 2, 2014 Thrushes

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I did some birding late morning at the Scuppernong Springs Nature Trails in South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha Co. Wisconsin. I did get some nice views of the Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. Some of the other bird species present were the Brown Creeper, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Sandhill Cranes and Turkey Vultures. There was some sun today but the steady winds made it feel like a cold day. Images taken on April 16, 2014.

Hermit Thrush

Binomial name: Catharus guttatus

Category: Thrushes

Size: 6.75” long, 11.5” wing span

Weight: 1.1 oz.

Habitat: Breeds across parts of the western US, upper Great Lakes region, Northeastern US, Canada and Alaska. They use a variety of habitats such as coniferous or mixed hardwoods. They can sometimes be found in open areas such as edges of ponds, along trails, mountain glades or open areas of fallen trees. They winter in southern US, east and west coasts down to most parts of Mexico.

Diet: Main diet is insects in spring-summer changing to more fruit sometimes berries in winter. On occasion they will eat small reptiles and amphibians. Hermit Thrushes forage on the forest floors scraping through leaves or sometimes in trees hopping around for their food.

Nesting: The nest is cup shaped 4-6 inches across on the ground or in low vegetation, sometimes under a small conifer or shrub. The female constructs the nest of materials such as wood parts, mud and lichen, pine needles, grass and leaves. The nest is lined with willow catkins and fine plant parts. Construction of the nest takes 7-10 days, typically 4 eggs are laid. The male finds and brings the food to the female who then feeds the young.

Cool Facts: The Hermit Thrush stands and acts similar to an American Robin, but is smaller in size.