Category Archives: Bird Categories

Fulvous Whistling-Duck at Hog Island in Dane County Wisconsin on May 16, 2022

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There have been a few birding surprises this spring and they have not stopped showing up yet. In Dane County a Fulvous Whistling-Duck was found and the word got out. We were up north when I saw the post in wisbird, but only a little over an hour drive I thought it was a smart move to head south. This is only the second Wisconsin state record for this bird species so it is very rare here in the state. The normal range for this duck is central Mexico coastlines, South America, Florida east coast and is known to breed on the east Texas coast. I need it on my state life list! No wasting time we arrive and a few birders were around to give some pointers on where to see this gem. With about a 1/4 mile hike walking at top speed I came to a shoreline with other birders, we did not see the duck! After a partial walk back and communication with others we went back to the spot and it was along the shore sorta tucked in. It flew out off of the shore and gave nice views for a few minutes. What a beautiful duck and a new state life bird #366. A big thank you goes out to Marcus Brown for getting the word out on this duck for others to see. As of 4:00 PM 5/17/22, the bird had not been relocated on this day, so one day wonder? It will be interesting to see if this bird is re-found in the days ahead.It was a beautiful day with plenty of sun, low winds. Images were taken on May 16, 2022.

The Fulvous Whistling-Duck about 150 feet from shore…

Incoming…but turned around..

The Fulvous Whistling-Duck with a female Mallard…they hung around together for a few minutes while I was there…

Connecticut Warbler at Lake Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on May 13, 2022

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While I was at Wehr Nature Center this morning checking out warblers I heard there was a reported Connecticut Warbler, male at Lake Park in Milwaukee. I made the run over to Lake Park and the warbler was found in the Locust Ravine. The bird was eating gnats from what I could see the whole time I was there moving up and down the slopes giving nice views. The warbler went to the bottom of the ravine twice while I was there continually finding things to eat. This ravine is on the north end of the park. I took some photos as you just don’t see this species often. What a beautiful bird!! It was a sunny day with some wind, cool along the lake at 61 while inland it was 91. Images were taken on May 13, 2022.

The Connecticut Warbler, male

At the ravine bottom looking for things to eat…

Going for a gnat on a blade of grass…

Near a puddle…

Gnat in the bill…

Just a pretty setting the Connecticut was in…

Nice pose with a gnat in the bill…

Always looking for things to eat…

Walking around the bottom of the ravine looking for things to eat…

On the move looking…

Looking up at the gnat and it did get it…

Warblers at Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on May 10, 2022

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A stop at Wehr Nature Center and a brief stop at the Fox River in Waukesha produced some great warbler action today. Some of the species seen were Yellow, Magnolia, Blackburnian, Black-throated Green, Bay Breasted, Blackpoll, Golden-winged, Common Yellowthroat, Orange-crowned, Northern Parula, Mourning, Canada, and Wilson’s along with Yellow throated and Philadelphia Vireos. Some species I would expect to see I did not. It was a warm day with some breeze at times with full sun. Images were taken on May 10, 2022.

Singing Magnolia Warbler, male

Blackburnian Warbler, male

Bay-breasted Warbler, male

Canada Warbler, male

Blackburnain Warbler, male

Mourning Warbler, male

Prothonotary Warbler, male

Blackpoll Warbler, male

American Redstart, male

Magnolia Warbler, male

Wilson’s Warbler, male

Common Yellowthroat, male

Blackburnian Warbler, male

Blackpoll Warbler, male

Philadelphia Vireo

Black and white Warbler, male

Chestnut-sided Warbler, male

Chestnut-sided Warbler, male

Magnolia Warbler, male

Blackpoll Warbler, male

Chestnut-sided Warbler, male

Say’s Phoebe at Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on May 2, 2022

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While out birding I heard of a report of the rare for this area, a Say’s Phoebe at Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee County. The normal range for this species is western Dakota’s and west. I was only a few minutes so I made the run over there mid morning. After about 15 minutes the bird was found in a small tree east of the pond. It went for a couple of gnats and then flew off. It had not been seen for a while but then it was relocated mid afternoon. A big thank you to Steve L for finding this bird and getting the word out to others. It was a cloudy day with mild temps finally. Images were taken on May 2, 2022.

The Say’s Phoebe perched in a tree in a small field at the cemetery…

Another look…

 

 

Willets at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on April 29, 2022

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I stopped by McKinley Beach and it was a nice surprise to see 24 Willets. They were spread out all over the beach finding things to eat. No pedestrians or dogs were around so they were just doing their thing. Some looked very tired as they were probably were just stopping for a break on their migration trip. It was a nice afternoon with some sun and warmer temps around 50 degrees. Images were taken on April 29, 2022.

A group of the Willets on the beach…

Walking the beach finding things to eat…

Something to eat in the bill…

A pair…

Some larger waves were coming in…

Getting something to eat underwater…

That tongue…

Closeup…

In the bubbles…

One resting its eyes…

Preening…

More preening…

The birds feathers, protection for their body…

Just resting…

Ash-throated Flycatcher at Wind Point in Racine Wisconsin on April 27, 2022

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There was a report of a Ash-throated Flycatcher at Wind Point in Racine and I needed this species for my Wisconsin life list. When I arrived at the lighthouse I found other birders and they said I just missed it! They then said it just flew down the hedge along the lake. After some looking I did find it, it was easy to spot as it was bigger than the swallows and warblers in the area. It liked hanging out inside the trees but there was a time when it made a brief appearance higher up in the open and I took a couple of photos. A Wisconsin life bird #365. It was a mostly cloudy day with a breeze and temps around 40 degrees. Images were taken on April 27, 2022.

The Ash-throated Flycatcher

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Racine Wisconsin on April 27, 2022

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It was a fun time photographing this rare bird, a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. Being in Racine, this male is far from its normal range, Nebraska and south. It has been visiting the area of Shoop Park Golf Course beach area there. This bird put on a great show and I found out watching it, appeared it was eating dead insects such as Milkweed Beetle, Lady Bugs, Hornets and Stink Bugs to name a few on the beach. It would typically perch for a awhile in nearby trees and then eat for awhile, then repeat. What a stunning bird!! It was a mostly cloudy day with a light breeze and temps around 40 degrees. Images were taken on April 27, 2022.

The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, male

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher with a possible stink bug…

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at takeoff…

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher perched in a tree resting…

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher taking off…

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher going for an insect…

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher with a Lady Bug…

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher perched pretty…

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher going for another insect…

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher coming in for a landing, spotting another insect…

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher resting…

(Series photo #1) Scissor-tailed Flycatcher coming in for an insect

(Photo#2) Scissor-tailed Flycatcher coming in for an insect

(Photo #3) Scissor-tailed Flycatcher coming in for an insect

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher coming in…

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher coming in…

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher on to another insect…

Warblers at Warnimont Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on April 26, 2022

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Warnimont Park was the hot spot today if you ask me. Hooded, Black-throated Green, Chestnut-sided, Yellow, Nashville, Black and White, Tennessee, Palm, Yellow-rumped, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Parula, and Orange-crowned  were some. It was a cloudy day with a good breeze, cold. Images were taken on April 26, 2022.

Hooded Warbler, male

Yellow-rumped Warbler, male

Black and White Warbler, male

Black-throated Green Warbler, male

Nashville Warbler, male

Tennessee Warbler, male

Palm Warbler, male

Yellow-rumped Warbler, male

Yellow Warbler, male

Chestnut-sided Warbler, male

Hooded Warbler, male

Hooded Warbler, male

Summer Tanager at Warnimont Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on April 26, 2022

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A stop at Warnimont Park in Milwaukee provided nice views of a Summer Tanager, an immature male. This bird is out of it’s normal range which is mid Illinois and south. We do get a couple in the state every year. The Summer Tanager fed on gnats along the bluff area back and forth the time I was there. It was my birdie-st day so far this year with very many warbler species. It was a mostly cloudy day with cold temps from the northwest high of around 45 degrees. Images were taken on April 26, 2022.

The Summer Tanager…

The hop…

Loggerhead Shrike in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on April 22, 2022

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I heard the report of a pair of Loggerhead Shrikes in Milwaukee County. These birds are out of their normal range which is west of the Mississippi River. I needed this bird on my Wisconsin life list so I went for it in the early morning. After about 3 hours of rain the bird just showed up. I was standing in a location over looking some wetlands and higher ground when all of the sudden out of the corner of my eye I saw movement in a tree 25 feet from me. This was the only tree within 100 feet of me. As I saw the movement, I also saw the Loggerhead Shrike. It was eating something small, a couple of insects. I took a couple of quick photos and off it went. I did not try to get any closer as I was close enough. I watched the bird fly off. As it was still raining, I left, got my life bird #364 for the state of Wisconsin. It was a cold day of nonstop drizzle with some wind, my hands felt frozen at times. Image was taken on April 22, 2022.

Yellow-throated Warbler at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on April 21, 2022

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It was nice to see this rare visitor to the area, a Yellow-throated Warbler giving excellent views at Greenfield Park. The normal range for this warbler species is south of Wisconsin. We typically get them in far southwest Wisconsin. The warbler put on a great show at a wood-chip pile for a second day eating plenty gnats while I was present. We finally had a pleasant day for birding with plenty of sunshine all day long and warmer temps. There were many other birders present to see this beauty. Images were taken on April 21, 2022.

The Yellow-throated Warbler giving great looks!

Going for a gnat…

Getting a gnat…

A little jump here…

Wood Ducks in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on April 14, 2022

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I had the opportunity to photograph some Wood Ducks and did not pass it up. These beautiful ducks gave nice views on a gorgeous sunny day  but with the wind it almost felt like winter. Images were taken on April 14, 2022.

Wood Duck, male

Wood Duck, male

Wood Duck, female

Wood Duck, female

Wood Duck, male

Wood Duck, male

Wood Duck, female

Wood Duck, male

Wood Duck, male

Wood Duck, male

Wood Duck, male on the run…

Ring-necked, Lesser Scaup, Redhead and Common Goldeneye at the Fox River in Waukesha Wisconsin on March 8, 2022

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A birding stop at the Fox River in Waukesha early am produced nice views of Ring-necked, Lesser Scaup, Redhead and Common Goldeneye ducks. Also present was 1 American Coot and a lot of Mallards. The main river had a thin layer of ice so these ducks were closer to the dam area on the west side of the river. Most of the time all these ducks were sleeping, but on a few occasions they had their heads up. It was a beautiful morning with sunshine and mild temps around 28 degrees, some wind kept things cold. Images were taken on March 8, 2022.

Common Goldeneye, male stretching…

Lesser Scaup, male

Redhead, male

Redhead, female

Ring-necked Ducks, males

Lesser Scaup, 3 males…

Common Goldeneye, male

Common Goldeneye, male 1st winter…

American Coot

American Coot

Mallard, male

Mallard, female

Mallard, male

Sandhill Cranes in Waukesha County Wisconsin on March 5, 2022

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Birding about Waukesha County I came across a couple of Sandhill Cranes off the highway. They must have come in the last day or two. They moved around and seemed to find some food in a few spots where maybe frost was not in the ground. It was nice seeing them and they will probably be looking for a nesting place soon. It was a gloomy day but temps were mild in the 40’s. Images were taken on March 5, 2022.

The pair of Sandhill Cranes…

Preening…

Finding things to eat…

Some dirt on the bill from getting things to eat in the ground…

Horned Larks in Waukesha County Wisconsin on February 27, 2022

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Birding in the Oconomowoc area I came across 5 Horned Larks finding seeds on the roadside to eat. These birds typically don’t let you get too close to them so these couple of images were taken out of the car window while parked. A sunny morning with cool temps but low winds made for a nice birding run. Images were taken on February 27, 2022.

The Horned Lark in a grassy area finding seeds to eat…

This Horned Lark on a small bank of snow just perched…

Great Horned Owls in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on February 25, 2022

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As I walked one of my birding spots in Milwaukee County coming over a hill I spotted a Great Horned Owl watching me from a distance. The owl was high up in a broken off large tree just staring at me like they do, assuming it is on a nest. I found it’s mate off in a distant spruce tree and viewable to the owl on the nest. I was a nice day with plenty of sun low winds but cool. Image was taken on February 25, 2022.

The Great Horned Owl on the nest…

The 2nd Great Horned Owl off in a distant spruce tree watches the nest…

Ross’s Goose at South Shore Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on February 19, 2022

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A Ross’s Goose, a rare visitor, was present at South Shore Park along Milwaukee’s lakefront this morning. It had been reported in the area and was hanging out resting and a little eating with about 15 Canada Geese. It was a bitter cold morning with temps around 6 degrees  at the time with full sun which actually did help in taking the bite out of the air. Images were taken on February 19, 2022.

The Ross’s Goose sitting on the freshly fallen snow…

Did just a little walking around while I was there maybe getting something to eat…

Beautiful…!

Resting in some partial shade…

Not much to eat at this location…

Pileated Woodpeckers in Waukesha County on February 8, 2022

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While out birding in Waukesha County I came across a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers. A male and female moved through a small hardwood forest area quickly in search of insects. Way to early for nesting, in a short time they had left the area. A nice day with warmer temps expected but it was still 24 degrees at this time. Images were taken on February 8, 2022.

The Pileated Woodpecker, a male in search of insects…

Male…

Climbing around on different trees this female in search of insects…

Finding things to eat, the female…

Female…