Wisconsin birding, the year in review 2018. Includes vagrants, special visitors or just the beautiful birds that either nest here or migrate through the state of Wisconsin.

I have put together a collection of some of the Wisconsin birding moments from the year 2018. The collection includes vagrants, special visitors, or just the beautiful birds that nest here or migrate through the state of Wisconsin. All images were taken in 2018. It was a very exciting year with the birds and also birding with some old birding friends and meeting some new ones, too. Thanks to everyone who helped make this happen. When putting this post together, once again, it amazes me what birds were seen this year here in Wisconsin!

Common Redpoll at Grant Park in Milwaukee County on January 6, 2018

Red-breasted Nuthatch at Grant Park in Milwaukee County on January 6, 2018

Long-eared Owl in Milwaukee County on January 8, 2018

Red-bellied Woodpecker, male at Grant Park in Milwaukee County on January 12, 2018

Red-bellied Woodpecker, female at Grant Park in Milwaukee County on January 12, 2018

Greater Scaup, male at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on January 14, 2018

Greater Scaup, female at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on  January 14, 2018

Common Redpoll at Grant Park in Milwaukee County on January 16, 2018

Eastern Screech Owl, grey morph in Milwaukee County on January 17, 2018

Eastern Screech Owl, grey morph in Milwaukee County on January 17, 2018

Glaucous Gull, 1st cycle at Johnson Creek in Jefferson County on January 18, 2018

Red Crossbill, male eating cone seeds on a spruce tree at Grant Park in Milwaukee County on January 21, 2018

Red Crossbills, male (red), 2 females (yellow-green) on a spruce tree at Grant Park in Milwaukee County on January 21, 2018

Northern Saw-whet Owl in Milwaukee County on January 19, 2018.

Northern Saw-whet Owl in Milwaukee County on January 19, 2018

Northern Saw-whet Owl in Milwaukee County on January 19, 2018

Townsend’s Solitaire perched pretty at the UW Arboretum in Madison in Dane County on January 31, 2018

Belted Kingfisher fishing in Waukesha County on February 8, 2018

Eastern Screech Owl, red morph at Grant Park in Milwaukee County on February 12, 2018

Eastern Screech Owl, grey morph at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on February 14, 2018

Clark’s Nutcracker, a very rare visitor to the state in Oneida County on February 17, 2018. Last known state record was said to be 45 years ago.

Clark’s Nutcracker, a very rare visitor to the state in Oneida County on February 17, 2018

Clark’s Nutcracker, a very rare visitor to the state with White-tailed Deer fat in Oneida County on February 17, 2018

Barred Owl in Milwaukee County on February 18, 2018

American Robin getting a grip on the berry before eating at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on February 22, 2018

White-winged Scoter, male at the South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee County on February 25,2018

Common Goldeneye at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on February 25, 2018

Long-tailed Duck, female at Bender Park in Milwaukee County on February 26, 2018

The Long-tailed Duck just up from a dive, female at Bender Park in Milwaukee County on February 26, 2018

Hooded Merganser, male with the wind blowing at Frame Park in Waukesha on February 27, 2018

Laughing Gull, wet head just after some bathing at Port Washington in Ozaukee County on February 28, 2018

Laughing Gull, incoming to the beach area at Port Washington in Ozaukee County on February 28, 2018

Snowy Owl at the Lake Express in Milwaukee County on March 8, 2018

Red-winged Blackbird calling at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on March 4, 2018

Killdeer in Milwaukee County on March 8, 2018

The Snow Goose, juvenile at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on March 9, 2018

The Snow Goose, juvenile along with a Canada Goose at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on March 9, 2018

Eastern Screech Owl in Milwaukee County on March 10, 2018

American Robin tossing the worm around, checking if it was still alive at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on March 12, 2018

Black-capped Chickadee eating some Staghorn Sumac seeds at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on March 19, 2018

Great Horned Owl in the spotlight in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on March 23, 2018

Horned Grebe on the Fox River in Waukesha County on April 1, 2018

Hooded Merganser on the Fox River in Waukesha County on April 8, 2018

Hooded Merganser on the Fox River in Waukesha County on April 8, 2018

Pied-billed Grebe at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on April 10, 2018

Fox Sparrow, yard bird in Waukesha County on April 15, 2018

Brown Thrasher enjoying some bird seed in the yard in Waukesha County on April 15, 2018

Long-tailed Duck, male at McKinley Marina in Milwaukee County on April 16, 2018

Long-tailed Duck, male at McKinley Marina in Milwaukee County April 16, 2018

Bonaparte’s Gulls at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on April 16, 2018

American Woodcock with mud on the bill from probing through the snow for things to eat at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on April 17, 2018

American Woodcock at takeoff, at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on April 17, 2018

Caspian Tern at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee County on April 17, 2018

Northern Flicker eating Staghorn Sumac seeds at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on April 17, 2018

Northern Flicker eating Staghorn Sumac seeds at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on April 17, 2018

Ruddy Duck, male at the Fox River in Waukesha County on April 18, 2018

Great Egrets looking for a place to perch at Humboldt Park in Milwaukee County on April 19, 2018

Red-throated Loon nearing breeding plumage at McKinley Marina in Milwaukee County on April 20, 2018

Lincoln’s Sparrow at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on April 23, 2018

White-throated Sparrow at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on April 24, 2018

Great Horned Owl, adult female in Milwaukee County on April 27, 2018

The 3 Great Horned Owlets in Milwaukee County on April 27, 2018

Eastern Screech-Owl, grey morph resting peacefully in a natural cavity in Milwaukee County on April 29, 2018

Black-throated Green Warbler at the Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County on May 2, 2018

Blackpoll Warbler at the Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County on May 2, 2018

Magnolia Warbler at the Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County on May 2, 2018

Northern Waterthrush at the Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County on May 2, 2018

Eastern Bluebird, sitting pretty in Marquette County on May 3, 2018

Palm Warbler at Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County on May 2, 2018

American Avocets, 11 of them at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on May 5, 2018

American Avocet at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on May 5, 2018

American Avocets, one feeding, two resting at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on May 5, 2018

American Avocet coming in for a landing at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on May 5, 2018

Swainson’s Thrush at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on May 6, 2018

Yellow Warbler at the Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County on May 6, 2018

Wilson’s Warbler at the Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County on May 6, 2018

Common Yellowthroat Warbler at Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County on May 6, 2018

Chestnut-sided Warbler at Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County on May 6, 2018

Yellow-throated Vireo in Marquette County on May 7, 2018

Sora at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on May 7, 2018

American Avocets 11, Willets 8, they made a brief stop at Lakeshore State Park as I was doing a walk through, they had been previously seen also on the 5th of May, on May 7, 2018

Prothonotary Warbler with a gnat in the bill at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha County 0n May 9, 2018

Cape May Warbler at Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha County on May 9, 2018

Blackburnian Warbler at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on May 10, 2018

Willets at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on May 11, 2018

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on May 11, 2018

Magnolia Warbler at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha County on May 13, 2018

Northern Parula at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha County on May 13, 2018

American Redstart, male at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha County on May 13, 2018

Chipping Sparrow in Marquette County on May 17, 2018

Western Tanager, male on a foggy morning at the Lion’s Den in Ozaukee County on May 22, 2018

Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Wehr Nature Center on May 25, 2018

American White Pelican at North Point Park in Sheboygan on May 29, 2018

American White Pelicans off the rock point at North Point Park in Sheboygan on May 29, 2018

Bobolink, male at the Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha County on May 29, 2018

Bobolink, female at the Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha County on May 29, 2018

Great Blue Heron eating a Goldfish at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on June 8, 2018

Red-headed Woodpecker leaving the nest hole after feeding young in Marquette County on June 11, 2018

Red-headed Woodpecker bringing insects to the young in a nest hole in Marquette County on June 11, 2018

Great Blue Heron perched pretty at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 3, 2018

Green Heron stalking its next meal at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 3, 2018

Mallard, duckling at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 3, 2018

Eastern Kingbird adult, middle, with young just leaving the nest at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 7, 2018

Great Blue Heron with a bite to eat at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 7, 2018

American Crow, albino at Nashotah Park in Waukesha County on July 7, 2018

American Crow, albino, at Nashotah Park in Waukesha County on July 7, 2018

American Crow, albino, one happy family at Nashotah Park in Waukesha County on July 7, 2018

Wood Duck, 2-3 month old female at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 7, 2018

Great Egret rookery high in the tree tops in Waukesha County on July 19, 2018

Cedar Waxwing at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 21, 2018

Great Blue Heron, eyeing up something to eat along the shore at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 24, 2018

Great Blue Heron, right before the gulp at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 24, 2018

Black-crowned Night-Heron, the reflection at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 30, 2018

Great Blue Heron, in coming at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on August 3, 2018

Green Heron attempts to eat a Bullfrog, but just a young bird could not get it down, at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on August 4, 2018

Great Egret with wings spread at the Menominee River Parkway in Milwaukee County on August 12, 2018

Great Egret landing at the Menominee River Parkway in Milwaukee County on August 12, 2018

Sandhill Crane, grass on the bill, just finished eating in the South Kettle Moraine Waukesha County on August 17, 2018

Osprey circling over the pond in search of food at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on August 18, 2018

Sanderling with something to eat at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on August 22, 2018

Lesser Yellowlegs in search of food at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on August 22, 2018

Semipalmated Plover lays on the sand trying to be flat and unnoticed as a predator must be around, it does this for about 10 seconds and I see its eyes look up on occasion at at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on August 22, 2018

Semipalmated Plover at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on August 22, 2018

Least Sandpiper at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on August 22, 2018

Black-crowned Night-Heron, juvenile at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on August 24, 2018

Black-crowned Night-Heron, juvenile, out drops the pellet at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on August 24, 2018

Black-crowned Night-Heron, juvenile with a vole at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on August 24, 2018

Baird’s Sandpiper resting at McKinley Beach on August 25, 2018

Spotted Sandpiper at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on August 25, 2018

Piping Plovers, it was said to be odd to see this bird not banded, looking pretty at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee County on August 29, 2018

Piping Plovers, it was said to be odd to see thes birds not banded, two of them at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee County on August 29, 2018

Piping Plover, the portrait in early morning sun at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee County on August 29, 2018

Red-tailed Hawk high in a tree on the lookout for something to eat at Bender Park in Milwaukee County on August 31, 2018

Great Blue Heron scuffle at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on September 2, 2018

Pectoral Sandpiper at Veterans Park in Milwaukee County on September 4, 2018

Pectoral Sandpiper, the close-up at Veterans Park in Milwaukee County on September 4, 2018

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, in the yard enjoying nectar from Bottle Gentian in Waukesha County on September 9, 2018

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, hovering near Bottle Gentian in Waukesha County on September 9, 2018

Red Knot, a rare visitor, this juvenile bird posing nicely at Racine North Beach in Racine County on September 11, 2018

Red Knot, the close-up, juvenile at Racine North Beach in Racine County on September 11, 2018

Sailbirding, the start of a new adventure in birding, that is birding from a sailboat and monitoring part of the breakwall habitat designed by the Army Corp of Engineering along with UWM on the Milwaukee lakefront. A fun time with great birders and friends, Sailor Carl Eisenberg, Jennifer Born Rutten, Marilyn B at the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center in Milwaukee County on September 12, 2018

A Black-bellied Plover, a nice bird species seen on the breakwall while Sailbirding on the Milwaukee lakefront on September 12, 2018

Ruby-throated Hummingbird at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County on September 14, 2018

Sanderling moving along the shoreline in search of food at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee County on September 19, 2018

Sanderling with something in the bill to eat at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee County on September 19, 2018

Sanderling with something to eat at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee County on September 19, 2018

Green Heron perched, waiting for something to come by to eat at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee County on September 19, 2018

Green Heron with something to eat at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee County on September 19, 2018

Red-tailed Hawk watching Raccoons below on a tree branch sleeping at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on September 24, 2018

Black-bellied Plover walking along the beach at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on September 27, 2018

Black-bellied Plover, the close-up, at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on September 27, 2018

Red-winged Blackbird, female eating Big Bluestem seeds at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on September 27, 2018

It was another Sailbirding adventure out to breakwall to monitor bird species with Sailors Carl Eisenberg and Helen Bolgrien and birders Jennifer Born Rutten, Ann Lowrey, Jym Mooney and myself at the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center in Milwaukee County on September 28, 2018

Ruddy Turnstone, a nice bird species seen on the breakwall while Sailbirding on the Milwaukee lakefront on September 28, 2018

American Pipit searching the beach area for things to eat at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee County on October 5, 2018

Cackling Goose in the front, Canada Goose in the back at Veteran’s Park in Milwaukee County on October 5, 2018

It was another Sailbirding adventure out to breakwall to monitor bird species with Sailors Carl Eisenberg and Helen Bolgrien and birders Jennifer Born Rutten, Drew Shuster, Jym Mooney and myself at the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center in Milwaukee County on October 12, 2018

Lesser Black-backed Gull found on the breakwall while Sailbirding on the Milwaukee lakefront on October 12, 2018

Dunlin at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on October 19, 2018

The Dunlin, the close-up at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on October 19, 2018

Cooper’s Hawk bathing at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on October 22, 2018

Snow Goose, blue morph with a bill full of grass at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on October 22, 2018

Snow Goose, blue morph coming in for a landing at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on October 22, 2018

Snow Buntings in search of seeds at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on October 23, 2018

Snow Buntings eating seeds at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on October 23, 2018

Red-bellied Woodpecker in Marquette County on November 9, 2018

White-breasted Nuthatch in Marquette County on November 17, 2018

Tundra Swans at Grobschmidt Park in Milwaukee County on November 11, 2018

The Rufous Hummingbird in Fox Point in Milwaukee County on November 12, 2018

American Kestrel at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on November 13, 2018

A sleeping Eastern Screech Owl, gray morph at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee County on November 14, 2018

Hooded Merganser, male at the Fox River in Waukesha County on November 24, 2018

Wild Turkey displaying at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee County on November 30, 2018

A Wild Turkey perched high up in a tree near a ravine at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee County on November 30, 2018

Long-tailed Duck, female at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on December 3, 2018

Eastern Screech Owl, red morph in Milwaukee County on December 10, 2018

Hammond’s Flycatcher, a very rare visitor to the state in Iowa County on December 11, 2018. The first Wisconsin record of this species.

Long-eared Owl in Wisconsin on December 14, 2018

Great Horned Owl in Milwaukee County on December 16, 2018

Eastern Screech Owl, grey morph with blood on the bill at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee County on December 17, 2018

Eastern Screech Owl, red morph in Milwaukee County on December 17, 2018

Eastern Screech Owl, red morph in Milwaukee County on December 17, 2018

Eastern Screech Owl, red morph in Milwaukee County on December 18, 2018

Long-tailed Duck, female at McKinley Marina on December 28, 2018

Mourning Dove, leucistic, a yard bird in Waukesha County on December 29, 2018

Screech Owl, grey morph seen on a bird walk at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee County on December 31, 2018

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About admin

Window to Wildlife features the photography of Jim Edlhuber. A lifelong native of Wisconsin, Jim has been photographing wildlife for 20 years. He considers himself an avid photographer and is always trying to capture nature and wildlife through his lens. He is in several photography clubs and has won numerous awards for his work. In recent years, Jim has focused mostly on birding photography and finds it to be the most challenging.

24 Responses to Wisconsin birding, the year in review 2018. Includes vagrants, special visitors or just the beautiful birds that either nest here or migrate through the state of Wisconsin.

  1. Karen Weiss says:

    What are year in review thank you so much !!!

  2. Ed Saur says:

    Fabulous, Fabulous, Fabulous, Jim. Priceless record of birds in WI, common & rare in 2018. The quality of your shots makes my heart sing!!! So many action shots, feeding, dancing, fighting for territory. If I could have only one, I would love to find that Saw-whet Owl-have spent my photographic life looking for one shot like yours. Crossbills, Solitaire, Hammond’s, and Red-headed Wood also memorable. Thank you so much.

  3. Janet Jentsch says:

    I am really impressed with your collection. Never saw many of these. The photography is incredible. Thank you for sharing.

  4. Patti Vollmer says:

    What an absolutely beautiful collection! I wonder if the albino crow is still alive. I assume it has a greater risk of predation because it’s albino.

  5. Nan Wisherd says:

    What a fabulous year in review, Jim. I thought I would be able to choose a favorite but can’t – too many beautiful photos to choose from. What a year it’s been, and here’s hoping for an even better 2019. Happy New Year!

  6. We always look forward to your year in review Jim. OUTSTANDING images. WOW!!!! Thanks so much for sharing. Looking forward to 2019 photos.

  7. Caron Gray says:

    What a fantastic year you had! Here’s to an even better year in 2019, if that’s possible. Happy New Year Jim!

  8. Joan Schrinner says:

    Amazing collection, Jim, absolutely amazing!

  9. Rick Terrien says:

    Remarkable – as always. Thank you Jim!

  10. Chuck Petters says:

    Excellent series of images Jim. Well done. Thank you for sharing them.

  11. Sarah Stokes says:

    Wow, such an amazing and enjoyable collection of photos! Thank you so much for sharing with us!

  12. Chris Carlson says:

    Thanks for taking the time to put this together. I loved scrolling through the photos this morning and will again. It brought back memories of your photos/posts from the year. You take amazing photos and the variety of birds is impressive.

  13. MKL says:

    Wow, Wow, Wow!! These pictures are amazing, and were a total pleasure to pour over. Thank you, and a Happy New Year!

  14. Dawn says:

    These were truly amazing pictures. I still consider myself a newbie to birding so as I looked at your pictures it gave me a chance to remeness the birds i’ve Seen before and made me more excited to go out and see the ones you have pictures of that I have yet to see. So exciting! Thank you so much for sharing.

  15. Thomas Wood says:

    This is an amazing album, Jim! I realize most of these photos appeared on your blog over the past year, but seeing the “best of the best” all together in one collection brings back many wonderful memories, since I saw some of these same birds. These images will serve as an inspiration and generate hope for what we might see next year. May your 2019 birding year have as many wonderful birding adventures as you experienced, and so beautifully documented, in this collection.
    As always, thanks for sharing your work.

  16. Barb Pernacciaro says:

    Absolutely wonderful! I want these photos in a book.

  17. William Holton says:

    Thanks very much for sharing.

  18. Donna says:

    What a year! Thanks for the fabulous pictures. So nice to be able to study the markings

  19. Nancy nabak says:

    These are stellar, Jim!
    I have Hooded merganser envy…

    Wonderful and fantastic bird year beautifully captured!

    Nancy

  20. Patsy Maga says:

    BEAUTIFUL…as always! Thank you for sharing this great birding year!

  21. Ron Spitz says:

    Another wonderful year of photos. The Hooded Merganser in late Nov. is still my favorite. Many thanks and Happy New Year.

  22. Wendy Wooden says:

    You are such a wonderful photographer! Love all of your pictures and you know I really love the crow ones.

  23. Steve Thiessen says:

    It’s always fun to look at your photos. Thanks for posting. Your Wi. life list has me wondering if you have bad hearing like me. Alder Flycatcher, I can’t hear them anymore.

  24. Vern Malchow says:

    Awesome

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