Category Archives: Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

Sanderlings at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on September 9, 2025

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One of my birding stops today along the Milwaukee lakefront at Bradford Beach on Lake Michigan gave nice views of 8 Sanderlings. They were feeding along the waves coming in and out along the beach shoreline. They move fast on the beach back and forth and pick very small things to eat, crustaceans. It was a beautiful morning along the lake with a good breeze, mild temps around 70 degrees and sunny skies. Images were taken on September 9, 2025.

The 8 Sanderlings…

Something very small in the bill, they eat crustaceans…

As they move around on the beach shoreline finding things to eat…

Something in the bill…

Getting something to eat here…

Something in the bill…

Picking through the shells for something to eat…

Red-necked Phalarope at McKinley Marina in Milkwaukee County Wisconsin on September 1, 2025

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There was one report of a Red-necked Phalarope at McKinley Marina 2 days ago 8/30. Yesterday on a Lakefront birding run I thought I would check it out, I did not find the bird and thought it moved on. Mid-morning today 9/1 I heard the Phalarope was seen again by other birders looking for it. I was in the area and checked it out. The bird was present on the north side of the government pier and close. It moved east and west along the pier. It was feeding continuously the whole time I was present and only stopped for a few seconds to preen once. Any phalarope is always an exciting bird when seen in Wisconsin as we don’t get them very often as their normal range is west of here. It was a pleasant day on the lake with a nice breeze and sun, but not hot. Images were taken on September 1, 2025.

The Red-necked Phalarope…

Getting something to eat here…it was constantly feeding or in search of food…

Something in the bill here…

Going after something…

Shorebirds at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on August 29, 2025

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Shorebirds have been migrating south and my stop this morning at McKinley Beach gave nice looks at 3 species of them. Ruddy Turnstones, Semipalmated Plovers and Semipalmated Sandpipers were present. I also saw a Sanderling but by the time I got over to it walkers unknowingly flushed it out over the water. Along the beach shorebirds are typically moving fast, zigzagging up and down the beach area, back and forth along the water edge up to where the waves stop. It really all depends upon where they are finding things to eat. These birds also flip over small pieces of wood and other things with their bills finding things to eat. It was a beautiful mid morning on the lakefront with pleasant temps around 65 degrees, light winds and partly cloudy skies. Images were taken on August 29, 2025.

Ruddy Turnstone

Ruddy Turnstone

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Semipalmated Plover

Semipalmated Plover

Ruddy Turnstone flipping over a piece of something looking for things to eat.

Semipalmated Plover

Ruddy Turnstone with what looks like a mosquito but probably not…

Semipalmated Sandpiper

A Ruddy Turnstone walking right to me at this point…

Piping Plover in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on July 28, 2025

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I heard a report of a Piping Plover, a molting adult bird in Milwaukee County yesterday. I checked out the location this morning and it was still present. This species is considered endangered in Wisconsin. At one time it was said there were 500 to 800 pairs of Piping Plovers nesting in the Great Lakes region, but by 1990, that number had declined to about a dozen pairs, all in northern Michigan. This bird is not banned where typically when we see them they are. Where is this one from, if Wisconsin or Michigan, it might have been banded. I found the bird and took a few photos. It was a very warm morning with temps in the 80’s, low winds and mostly sunny skies. Images were taken on July 28, 2025.

The Piping Plover giving nice looks…

Preening…

Still preening and looking around…

The Piping Plover takes a few steps…

Then picks something out of the algae to eat….this is what it continually did, getting things to eat while I was there other than the preening…

Black-necked Stilts with chicks at Horicon Marsh in Dodge County Wisconsin on July 1, 2025

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I had not been up to Horicon Marsh yet this year so a last minute decision was made early in the morning to make the trip up. I arrived at about 6:00 AM. I hit the auto tour first and there were some nice species to be seen. My next stop was Old Marsh Road on the east side. A species I was hoping to see was present. The Black-necked Stilts and there were young ones too, the chicks! Near the road were two sets of Black-necked Stilt chicks along with adults, how exciting. I had never seen chicks before so that was the excitement of the day. It appeared there was usually an adult nearby the chicks. It was a beautiful morning starting out with 63 degrees and full sun, low wins too. Images were taken on July 1, 2025.

Black-necked Stilt, adult…

Black-necked Stilt chicks…

Black-necked Stilt chick…

Black-necked Stilt adult…

Black-necked Stilt chicks…older pair…

Black-necked Stilt adult with chick…

Black-necked Stilt chicks…

Black-necked Stilt chick…

Black-necked Stilt chick…

Black-necked Stilt adult…

Black-necked Stilt adult…

Black-necked Stilt chick adult…

American White Pelican

Great Egret

Black Tern

Black Tern

Black Tern

Great Egret waiting for the next food…

Least Bittern

Yellow-headed Blackbird, female gathering things to eat for young chicks in a nest somewhere…

Ruddy Turnstones at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on May 23, 2025

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My first birding stops this morning were going to be the beaches along Lake Michigan in Milwaukee for shorebirds. McKinley Beach had 4 Ruddy Turnstones feeding on an algae mat at the beach. They were finding things to eat at the beach on the mat, fueling up for more of their journey north to where they will breed. It was a beautiful morning with temps around 47 degrees, full sun with some winds out of the NE. Images were taken on May 23, 2025.

Here the Ruddy Turnstone has something in the bill to eat…probably a crustacean

Something in the bill to eat…

This is one place Ruddy Turnstones find their food, on algae mats at a beach, with each wave in stirs the mats up and their food is everywhere…

Killdeer chicks in Waukesha County Wisconsin on May 7, 2025

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I have been following a location in Waukesha County that has had 6 Killdeer adults on it. I stop often hoping to see the little chicks running around. This morning as I looked the area over I spotted 3 young chicks doing just that. There is still an adult on a nest so there are more chicks coming I would think. Actually looking at the size of these chicks I think they may have been out for a while. This is a nice location as I have monitored and followed all this from my car. It was a pleasant morning with some sun, lows winds early and temps around 46 degrees. Images were taken on May 7, 2025.

One of 3 Killdeer chicks…

American Avocets at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on May 7, 2025

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This time of the year I check the beaches on the Milwaukee Lakefront in case anything has shown up. Birds come and go but when I got to Bradford Beach I spotted with my bins some American Avocets pretty far to the north on the beach. Being a cold and windy day, few people were on the beach which was a good thing. But something I did not plan for was a lot of gulls and they were continuously harassing the Avocets forcing them north. I got near them once with some luck but then eventually the gulls forced them out on the water and out of sight. I went back to Pebble Beach which was the next beach to the south, and they were there but it was the same situation. I took a few shots in just a couple of minutes and they left with gulls chasing them. The American Avocets never had time to eat or rest while I watched them, they were always moving. Only one time two of the birds maybe had a bite or a drink of water. Still got to see them which is always a thrill. It was a partly cloudy day with some good winds at times with temps around 56 on the lakefront. Images were taken on May 7, 2025.

4 of the 5 American Avocets…

The 5…

One of the few moments they were in the water…

Maybe a drink or bite…

The gulls were always a couple feet away and moving them…

Willets at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on April 27, 2025

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One of my birding stops along the lakefront, McKinley Beach in Milwaukee provided great looks at 3 Willets. The actual location was Pebble Beach which is just north of the flag pole. They fed while I was there getting things to eat in the wave action. It was sun and clouds, nice temps around 50 with low winds. Images were taken on April 27, 2025.

The 3 Willets on the beach…

The Willet finding something to eat…

In the wave…

Looking for things to eat…

Wilson’s Snipe at Pennsylvania Avenue at Oak Creek in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on April 16, 2025

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The birding highlight of the day was the Wilson’s Snipe. There were about 15 of these shorebirds on Pennsylvania Avenue, some in the ditch and some in the field. They forged along the ditch and field and found things to eat while I was there, probing the ditch bank and field. On occasion they would rest. They blend in so well, easy to miss. It was a nice sunny day with temps around 50 degrees, a slight wind but nothing like we have had. Images were taken on April 16, 2025

The Wilson’s Snipe

Probing and finding things to eat…

The back view…

Sometimes in the water moving up and down the ditch…

 

 

Killdeer in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on April 3, 2025

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One of my birding stops this morning gave nice looks at 2 Killdeer. I’m sure they will be nesting at this location, looks like they are ready to as the habitat is perfect, gravely area with some grass spots around with full sun. We will see.It was a nice morning with partly sunny skies, temps in the lower 40’s and some wind at times. Images were taken on April 3, 2025.

Some preening…

White Wagtail at Portage Park in Sturgeon Bay in Door County Wisconsin on December 29, 2024

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Mega Rarity! Door County has produced another unbelievable bird, a White Wagtail! A bird that’s normal range is Asia, Europe and some of Africa. There have been a few other sightings in the US but spread out over very many years. 1st state record for Wisconsin! The bird was seen yesterday but I felt with time running out in the day with light I decided to make the run this morning. Leaving the house at 3:30 am I arrived in darkness, but I don’t want to be late. I was the first out to the area where the bird was seen yesterday. Just as it was getting light after 15 minutes I spotted the bird bopping around finding things to eat I assume. I called a couple other birders that had arrived and 3 three of us watched it in and out of the rocky ground. Birders arrived as many as at least 20 had great views of the bird for about an 1 1/2 hours before it came down the beach area shoreline where I was as I was headed out. For me Wisconsin life bird #382. A very big thank you goes out to Candy and Rush Evans, super great birders in Sturgeon Bay as they found this awesome bird at the park and got the word out for others to see it. It was a cloudy day with some light fog, mild temps around 36 degrees and light winds that picked up at times. Images are so-so with the cloudy day conditions and the distance of the bird from all of us. Images were taken on December 29, 2024.

The White Wagtail at the beach area…

Typical to see the White Wagtail on rocks with the tail bobbing…

Nice back view…

It did get a few things to eat as it moved down the beach shoreline…

Buff-breasted Sandpipers, Black-bellied Plovers and more at the Milwaukee lakefront in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on September 8, 2024

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A couple of stops on the Milwaukee lakefront provided great looks at some migrating shorebirds. Lakeshore State Park had 3 Buff-breasted Sandpipers and 3 Black-bellied Plovers. Pebble Beach near McKinley Beach had 5 Semipalmated Plovers, 3 Semipalmated Sandpipers and 2 Sanderlings. The shorebirds at Lakeshore State Park moved around from the beach to the inland short grass area a couple of times near the beach while I was there. Nice to see these birds stopping along the lake on a beautiful morning with some sun and cool temps around 50 degrees. Images were taken on September 8, 2024.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper…

Buff-breasted Sandpiper…

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, something in the bill…

Black-bellied Plover…

Black-bellied Plover, preening…

Black-bellied Plover, shaking off…

Black-bellied Plover, finding things to eat…

Buff-breasted Sandpiper bathing…

Buff-breasted Sandpiper …

Buff-breasted Sandpiper after bathing…

Semipalmated Sandpiper…

Semipalmated Sandpiper finding things to eat…

Semipalmated Sandpiper, just looking pretty…

Semipalmated Plover…

Sanderling…

Sanderling…

Sanderling…

Killdeer chicks in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on June 3, 2024

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While birding the Milwaukee County lakefront I came across a couple of Killdeer chicks. 2 adults were close by with one sitting on a nest. It was a beautiful morning with plenty of sunshine, cool temps early and low winds. Images were taken on June 3, 2024.

Killdeer chick stretching…

Adult Killdeer on the nest close by…

Killdeer adult just in the area…

American Avocets at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on April 24, 2024

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Word was out that American Avocets were moving north along the Milwaukee Lakefront. They had made very brief stops, just for moments at Grant Park, South Shore Yacht Club, Pebble Beach and finally taking a rest and doing some feeding at Bradford Beach. It was very cold, 37 degree, windy and cloudy too. I heard 37 birds were present and they all hung out in one area. The gulls were constantly in their faces so for the most part they were a tight group. Images were taken on April 24, 2024.

Some of the group of the American Avocets…

Such beautiful birds!!!

One here with something to eat in the bill…

Finding things to eat…

Some up, some down…

Lesser Yellowlegs at the South Milwaukee Mill Pond in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on August 12, 2023

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One of my birding stops today gave nice looks at Lesser Yellowlegs at the South Milwaukee Mill Pond. Water level there is very low right now and it provides some great habitat for shorebirds migrating south. About 7 were present and often moved around on the pond feeding. It was a beautiful day with mild temps and plenty of sunshine with a nice breeze too. Images were taken on August 12, 2023.

A Lesser Yellowlegs looking for something to eat…

Going for something to eat…

Scratching…

Preening…

More preening…

Looking pretty…

Just resting…

Looking for something to eat…

And more preening…

Dunlins at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on May 29, 2023

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A birding stop today gave nice views of 5 Dunlins. They were found at the far north end of McKinley Beach, some call it pebble beach. One of the Dunlins was a non-breeding adult. What a beautiful species!! I caught a little bit of their feeding action of finding things to eat that had washed up on the beach or in the water at the shore edge. It was a beautiful morning with full sun and  temps were around 70 degrees. Images were taken on May 29, 2023.

One of the Dunlins in breeding plumage near the shore getting things to eat…

They are always finding things to eat…

Dunlin, a non-breeding adult…

Another of the non-breeding adult Dunlin plumage…

At waters edge finding things to eat…

Something in the bill here…

Willets at South Shore Park in Bayview Wisconsin on April 30, 2023

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With all the excitement at Sheridan Park with the Flame-colored Tanager there was also something going on nearby at South Shore Park in Bayview. 3 Willets were present getting things to eat and I’m sure also a rest stop in their trip flying north to their breeding grounds. Always nice to see this species around the 1st of May. It was a dark cloudy day and stiff winds off the lake from the east with temps around 38 degrees. Images were taken on April 30, 2023.

Two of the Willets walking along the beach finding things to eat…

Finding something here to eat…

That leg…

Getting something here…

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…

Purple Sandpipers at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on January 17, 2022

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The rare species for the area, the Purple Sandpiper found on January 1, 2022 is still hanging around on the Milwaukee lakefront. Another Purple Sandpiper has also joined it so there are two now for the last week or so. I have not been down to the lakefront for some time and decided to check them out. They both were present at the beach area and gave nice views. The first one I found was feeding along the icy shore and the second I found bathing underneath a  rocky area. It was a cloudy morning but temps has eased some from the last week, today was 23 degrees, low winds, it was pleasant. Images were taken on January 17, 2022.

The Purple Sandpiper, bird #1 finding things to eat along the shore…

The Purple Sandpiper, bird #2 found under some large rocks bathing…

Flew around under the rocks, maybe stretching those wings?