Category Archives: Bird Categories

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

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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 watch this event. These nests where a long ways off from me, so they are distant shots more less. It was a cloudy day, pleasant temps around 60 degrees and very little wind. 

One adult and 4 chicks at this nest…the chicks get very loud at times when the adult comes back with food…

Coming back from a trip out for food, the adults waits close by, does not go right to the nest…

The chicks are grabbing the bill of the adult wanting food I would think…

Regurgitating partially digested food…

Not much to see here but the adult just regurgitated partially digested food and the chicks are eating it…

After the chicks eat, the adult just rests…wants the chicks to settle down too I would suppose…

Coming back from a trip out somewhere…

They are just waiting for an adult to come back with food…

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

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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 is very rare even in the US. Thoughts now are that it may have nested at the same location last year. Where this gull goes when not at the nest is unknown. Both adults appear to take turns protecting the chick near the nest (5-10′ from nest), but sometimes too, both adults are present. After some time had passed the Kelp Gull decided to take to the sky and head east then north out over the lake. An amazing find by Tom Schultz while biking across the Hoan Bridge during a biking event at the lakefront early May. The Kelp Gull identification was confirmed by Amar Ayyash. This would obviously be a Wisconsin state life bird for me so it was a must for me to check it all out. It was a beautiful morning out arriving at 5:30 AM with temps around 58 degrees and a good wind off the lake out of the east, mostly sunny skies while I was there. I had my winter close on! Lifebird #381 for Wisconsin. Images were taken on June 14, 2025.

The Kelp Gull with the Kelp x American Herring Gull (hybrid) chick

The mate, the American Herring Gull with the hybrid chick…also a couple of American Herring chicks on the left…

Decided to leave the nest area and head east and then north over the lake…

Both the Kelp and American Herring Gull with the chick on the nest…the chick is looking at us…

Nest is at end of the red arrow…

Some gull harassing going on here…

Kelp Gull next to nest…

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

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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 one adult on the nest too bringing in some food. These chicks are very large and I would expect them to leave the nest soon. At one time both adults soared high over the area with the calls, a loud “Kee-aah” with second note descending in pitch. Then I did not see the adults around for a while and the owlets looked like they were resting. I have seen Red-shouldered Hawks before in Wisconsin, but never nesting. It was an exciting experience. It was an overcast morning with some sun at times, little wind and mild temps in the upper 50’s starting out the morning. Images were taken on June 6, 2025.

The 3 Red-shouldered Hawk chicks…it was hard to get all 3 of them to look at the camera at the same time…

All 3, some wing stretching going on here…

Chicks with an adult Red-shouldered Hawk…

I think the adult just brought some food into the nest, the adults seem to move in and out of the nest very fast…

This is one of the two Red-shouldered Hawk adults flying up high over the area calling…

Bobolinks at Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha County Wisconsin on June 5, 2025

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One of my birding stops today was Retzer Nature Center to see if the Bobolinks were present. They were and are nesting as usual. I did see a couple of males moving around in the field there, but only saw one female. I’m sure they are at the nest. Always a treat to see them there in their field. It was a pleasant morning with temps around 54 degrees, low winds and sunny skies but the sky still looks a little hazy from the Canada wildfires. Images were taken on June 5, 2025.

The female Bobolink…

Calling…

Their typical perch, old canes or dead plant material…

 

 

 

 

Northern Flickers at a natural nest cavity in Waukesha County Wisconsin on June 1, 2025

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With spring migration winding down I decided to focus on nesting birds today. Just walking around in a couple of parks I found 3 location with either a bird on a nest or a nest cavity with active birds. One of the nesting places was a pair of Northern Flickers. It did not appear any little ones where in this nest hole yet but probably that will be in a few days. It was a gorgeous day with plenty of sunshine, pleasant temps and low winds. Images were taken on June 1, 2025.

At a distance…

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

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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 there were 2 Eastern Kingbirds, 4 American Goldfinches, American Crows and even American Robins where in the same tree towards the top where the owl was. The owl did not budge with all the racket. Eventually all the birds flew off and the owl was still there. It was a beautiful morning with full sun, mild temps and low winds. Image was taken on May 29, 2025.

The Great Horned Owl…

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

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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 just finding them as they are elusive. Many times they are right in front of you and you just don’t know it until they fly off. I did get a couple of images of this cool species. It was a sunny/cloudy morning with mild temps around 50 degrees, and light winds. Images were taken on May 26, 2025.

The Black-billed Cuckoo, always looking for its next bite to eat…

Perched in a bush looking…

Going for a caterpillar…

In this tree was one place to find the cuckoos…

On these old plant canes was a place the cuckoos found caterpillars…

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…

Yellow-billed Cuckoo at the Milwaukee County Grounds in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on May 22, 2025

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There had been some reports of Cuckoos at the Milwaukee County Grounds so I decided to put that on one of my early birding stops for the day. When I arrived there was a Yellow-billed Cuckoo right in a tree near the parking lot. It was about 100 feet away getting out of my car. It was feeding on scrub brush getting a caterpillar on occasion while I was there. It was still early and cloudy too but I was able to get one photo of a species I only see once a year in spring if I’m lucky. I looked for a a while and found a Black-billed Cuckoo but that bird was far away perched in a tree that held a lot of branches so it was a bird to look at with bins, but still cool too. It was overcast, breeze out of the east and temps around 46 degrees. Images were taken on May 22, 2025.

The Yellow-billed Cuckoo…

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

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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 area. It was an overcast day and cold with a good NE wind at times making it chilly. Images were taken on May 19, 2025.

The Wild Turkey eggs…

I hope they make it…

Scarlet Tanager at Lake Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on May 17, 2025

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At this time of year it is all about warblers but when you run into a Scarlet Tanager it take precedence as they are so stunning beautiful! A Scarlet Tanager was present while I was at there at Lake Park and it gave great views. It hung around about a 50 foot circle going back and forth from being on the ground to about a height of 5 foot catching small insects. It did this while I was there for about 15 minutes. It was always on the move and then just flew out of sight. The colors of the Scarlet Tanager are unbelievable to say the least as you can tell by the images below. It was a partly sunny day with mild temps around 50 and light winds. Images were taken on May 17, 2025.

The Scarlet Tanager…

The Scarlet Tanager looking for it’s next insect…

Looking for the next insect…

Going to the next insect…

So beautiful…

Franklin’s Gull at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on May 17, 2025

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While birding Lake Michigan on the lakefront in Milwaukee a Franklin’s Gull gave great views. It was by itself on the beach on May 17, 2025. It was partly cloudy, cool temps around 50 degrees and light winds. Images were taken on May 17, 2025.

The Franklin’s Gull…

At a distance…

Eastern Kingbird at Lake Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on May 17, 2025

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While birding Lake Park in Milwaukee I came across a Eastern Kingbird. It was continually going from tree to tree catching insects  near or at ground level. I’ll say it put on a nice show in front of me until it moved on to a different area at the park. It was a mostly mostly clouds and once in a while you saw the sun. Cool temps and some wind too. Images were taken on May 17, 2025.

The Eastern Kingbird so pretty in the tree…

Warblers at Lake Park and Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County Wisconsin May 13-15, 2025

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It is warbler time and I had most of my luck at Lake Park and Wehr Nature Center so far this year. Wehr has been slower the last couple of years but Lake Park did well. Every year is different. I saw most species of warblers that we see here but did not capture images of all of them. Overall, a great couple of days out there so far, let’s hope it continues. I have put some images on my website/blog for interested ones to view. Weather has been good the last few days with temps around 70-80 degrees, no rain, normal winds and overcast to sunny skies. Images were taken between May 13-15, 2025.

Blackburnian Warbler, male

Bay-breasted Warbler, male

Black-throated Green Warbler, female

Black-throated Blue Warbler, male

Palm Warbler

Northern Parula, male

Black-and-white Warbler, male

Cape May Warbler, male

Yellow-rumped Warbler, male

Blackpoll Warbler, male

Chestnut-sided Warbler, male

Golden-winged Warbler, male

Tennessee Warbler, male

Black-throated Blue Warbler, male

Magnolia Warbler, male

Prothonotary Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler, male

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, male

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, female

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…

Blue-gray Gnatcatchers building a nest in Waukesha County Wisconsin on May 6, 2025

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On one of my birding stops today a bird caught my eye flying to a branch but then didn’t move on. As I took a better look it was a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and it was bringing in lichens to use in the construction of a nest. Two birds took turns hauling the lichen to the nest and tucking it in place to build the nest. They would also be in the nest moving around some rounding it out too. I’ll have to check back on this nest in the future.It was a mild day with light winds, sunny skies and temps around 65 degrees. Images were taken on May 6, 2025

The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher with lichen in the bill working it into the started nest…

Here the bird is rounding out the nest…

Rounding out the nest…

The pair…

White-eyed Vireo at Scout Lake in Greendale Wisconsin on May 2, 2025

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The bird of the day was a White-eyed Vireo at Scout Lake in Greendale in Milwaukee County. It sang beautifully on and off while I was there. Considered rare for the area as it’s normal range is a little south of here. We do see a few every year in migration though. It put on a great show along the lakeshore on the west side of the lake in the trees catching gnats. It was a cloudy day but temps were mild around 50 with no winds. Images were taken on May 2, 2025.

The White-eyed Vireo…

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…