Great Blue Herons at a rookery in southeast Wisconsin on June 10, 2025

I stopped at a Great Blue Heron rookery in SE Wisconsin to see if there were any herons present. There were about 12 active nests and the little chicks were getting big. The adults came and went bringing in food to the chicks, regurgitating partially digested food. Always fun to … Continue reading

Kelp Gull nesting with an American Herring Gull producing a hybrid chick at Jones Island in Milwaukee Wisconsin on June 14, 2025

A super rare gull, a Kelp Gull is currently nesting with an American Herring Gull on Milwaukee’s Lakefront. The nest is on top of a cargo warehouse on Jones Island along Lake Michigan. The Kelp Gull is typically found in Southern South American, Africa, New Zealand and Australia, so it … Continue reading

Red-shouldered Hawks with chicks on nest in Waukesha County Wisconsin on June 6, 2025

I had gotten a tip on Red-shouldered Hawks nesting in Waukesha County. To go out and find this nest was my goal today, with a little luck, it all came together. I observed the nest from a very long distance. There were 3 chicks and at one time there was … Continue reading

Great Horned Owl in Waukesha County Wisconsin on May 29, 2025

As I was walking through a park in Waukesha County a Great Horned Owl landed near me. It looks like it is a young owl maybe past the owlet stage.  Other species surrounded this owl in the tree, they were harassing it vocally. Usually you get some American Crows, but … Continue reading

Black-billed Cuckoo at the Milwaukee County Grounds in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on May 26, 2025

The County Grounds in Milwaukee County has had a handful of Cuckoos this past week both Yellow-billed and Black-billed. My visit there this time focused on the Black-billed Cuckoo. Like always, these birds are hard to find in the open without sticks or branches in front of them or even … Continue reading

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

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 … Continue reading

Wild Turkey with eggs in the nest in Marquette County Wisconsin on May 19, 2025

While out birding in Marquette County I flushed a Wild Turkey and my first thought this time of year that there is a nest close by. About 20 feet away from me under an old fallen tree was a nest. I took a couple of quick photos and left the … Continue reading