A pair of Mute Swans appeared on the Fox River in Waukesha County this afternoon. They fed for awhile and then gave some nice views too. It was a pleasant late afternoon with plenty of sunshine, lows winds, actually was starting to feel like spring could be coming yet. Images were taken on March 11, 2019.
Mute Swan
The pair…
The close up…
“Being shy”
Incoming…
Feeding…
The pair together…
Barred Owl in a tree, presumably a nesting pair in Milwaukee County. This male resting peacefully in a tree kept his eyes on a nest hole nearby. Hopefully they will have a successful breeding year at this location. Partly cloudy but in a short time gave way to beautiful blue skies, cool temps starting at 21 degree with some breeze, it was chilly out there! Images were taken on March 11, 2019.
Barred Owl, the male…
Here the male looks over to the nest hole tree…
Enjoying some of the morning sun…
Off in a distance to show some of the setting…this owl was very high up there…
When I arrived, the Townsend’s Solitaire perched in the tree…
Binomial name: Myadestes townsendi
Category: Thrushes
Size: 8.5” long, 14.5” wingspan
Weight: 1.2 Oz.
Note: What makes this bird a rare visitor? The normal range for the Townsend’s Solitaire is mountainous regions in the western US.
In the tree, looking or listening for insects…
Flying a short distance to the concrete wall a few feet away…
Going for insects…
Getting something to eat here…
here too…
And more, it is eating something here…
Looking for more…
Turns on a dime to look for more, as it must hear something or see something…
Back to the tree…
Before flying across the creek…
To the conifers for the berries along the fence…then off it went…
What the Townsend’s Solitaire ate…
A species I have always wanted to get on my life list was the Eurasian Tree Sparrow. It finally happened after following up an ebird report from Quentin Y on 2/23/19, thank you Quentin! With the winter like weather we have been having, it took till today, the 25th to get out there. The location is about 14841 East State Line Road in South Wayne Lafayette County. Illinois is on one side of the road, Wisconsin on the other if I am correct. I arrived about 7:00 am. I drove up and down the road very slow coming across flocks of 20 or so birds, mostly Dark-eyed Juncos, with a few American Tree Sparrows mixed in. With the flocks being so large and ice breaking on the road as I rolled along, it was difficult to get near them as they would flush from a distance and with a few cars going by too. After about 45 minutes, I spotted a Eurasian Tree Sparrow in one of the flocks on the side of the road. Of course, it was on the Illinois side of the road! I parked for the most part and waited and waited, finally a group formed in front of me down the road and I noticed a Eurasian Tree Sparrow was in that flock. From the vehicle I took a few distant shots staying back a ways with out flushing them. Things quieted down and I looked up and a American Kestrel was perched up in a tree above me. Surprisingly Dark-eyed Juncos flew in the same tree as the Kestrel being only 8-10 feet way. They must know there safety zone from the Kestrel with branches in the way I guess. The Kestrel stayed perched there for 20 minutes, maybe waiting for a Dark-eyed Junco forget that he was there and be in the open. I left the area at that point. To say the least, it was exciting to see this bird and finally get it on my state life list. Other birds seen in the area, 200~ Horned Larks and 5 Lapland Longspurs. It was a cloudy day, very cold with temps about 11 degrees, very little wind, but I was in the car the whole time so not to bad out there. Images were taken on February 25, 2019.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow, in the middle with a American Tree Sparrow behind, with Dark-eyed Juncos, sorry for the watermark…
Binomial name: Passer montanus
Category: Old World Sparrows
Size: 6” long, 8.75” wing span
Weight: .77 oz
Cool facts: The Eurasian Tree Sparrow from Europe was released in St. Louis, Missouri area in 1870. It became established there. Unlike its close relative, the House Sparrow, it never spread very far from the original point of being released. It is said now that this species is very slowly moving up the Mississippi River northward and breeding.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow in the middle with a American Tree Sparrow on the right and Dark-eyed Juncos…
Eurasian Tree Sparrow in the middle with Dark-eyed Juncos…
Distant shot of the Eurasian Tree Sparrow eating weed seeds with Dark-eyed Junco’s along the shoulder of the road…
Lapland Longspur
Horned Lark in the middle and Lapland Longspurs on each side…
An Eastern Screech Owl enjoying some sunshine in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on February 21, 2019. This beautiful owl was the highlight of the day. Still, in my opinion very quiet in Milwaukee County Parks. A little action around feeders. 1,000’s of ducks along the Milwaukee lakefront, Common Goldeneye, Greater Scaup and some Red-breasted Mergansers in the areas I checked. It was a gorgeous day with plenty of sunshine, low winds, temps around 30 degrees.
Eastern Screech Owl, red morph soaking up some sunshine…
At a long distance…
I just birded around some of the Waukesha area today with the snowy-misty weather. I stopped at a couple places in Waukesha along the Fox River and the highlight was a Herring Gull eating a Rock Base that it had just captured. I’m not sure how it actually got the fish but I can assume it dove for it. When I saw the Herring Gull on the ice at waters edge, the fish was still flopping around. The gull stabbed the Rock Bass very many times to finally kill it while taking bites in between. It took quite a few stabs to really put this fish out! When it appeared to be finished eating the fish for the time being, it rinsed the fish in the river, what was left of it and set it back on the ice, maybe for later. At the end of the event, the gull went in for a drink. It was misting out with 32 degrees during the event with gray skies. Images were taken on February 20, 2019
*Some images could be graphic*
Herring Gull stabbing the Rock Bass when I approached…
Turning the fish over…
Taking a few steps with the fish as it had slide towards the water…
Going to set the fish down…
Tail of the fish still moving…
A bite to eat here…
Taking a couple of bites…the tail still moving…
More bites…
Here, pulling something off to eat…
Eating some of the good stuff in side, some of the entrails…
More good stuff…
And more good stuff…
Picking up the fish and taking it over to the water for a rinse…
Just before the rinse…
The rinse…
Then back up on the ice…
Then a short walk to set it down…
Setting the fish down…
At the end, the gull goes in for a drink…
It was nice to come across a pair of nesting Great Horned Owls late morning. The female was on the nest while the male was perched high in a spruce tree about 100 feet away. First nesting pair of the year for me. It was a beautiful day, almost felt like spring. Temps around 40, started out with a little sun but clouded over around noon, low winds.
The female Great Horned Owl on the nest…
The male Great Horned Owl near the nest resting peacefully and watching the area too…
While out birding I was surprised to come across a Long-eared Owl. It was perched in a tree, it just stared at me like they always do. I quickly took a couple of shots. A few thin branches were between the owl and I, but that is how it goes sometimes. As I was walking away, a glance to the left of the owl, there was another Long-eared Owl. A couple shots of that one and I left the area, the owls still perched as I found them. It was a cloudy gloomy day with a mild breeze, temps around 30 degrees. Images were taken on February 6, 2019.
Binomial name: Asio otus
Category: Typical Owls
Size: 15” long, 36” wing span
Weight: 9 oz
Note: A proficient hunter, the Long-eared Owl catches mice in complete darkness by using sound to locate its prey!
Long-eared Owl, the 2nd one found…
One of my birding stops this morning was Lake Park in Milwaukee, about the only place that there were birds seen and that was slim. The highlight if you can believe it was a Dark-eyed Junco, but it was doing something I had never witnessed before. It was eating Staghorn Sumac seeds off a plant there. Could be common thing, I just have never seen it. It was brief but I did get a couple of shots of the event to share. Other birds near the feeder by the statue that was full of seed were White-breasted Nuthatches, Black-capped Chickadees, more Dark-eyed Juncos and Red-bellied and Downy Woodpeckers. Along the lakefront things were pretty much froze up except for an area just off North Point. There were a few Common Goldeneye, Greater Scaup and Bufflehead. I saw ONE Gull along the lakefront flying far off in a distance. My short birding run along the lake was Lake Park south to South Shore Yacht Club where 20 Canada Geese were loafing on the ice. Note: It amazes me how many bird species use the native Staghorn Sumac plant for either berries-fruit or seed. It was a bitter cold morning as when I got on the road it was -10 F. Winds were calm so it was not to bad out there. Images were taken on January 26, 2019.
Dark-eyed Junco eating a Staghorn Sumac seed.
Dark-eyed Junco picking a Staghorn Sumac seed off the plant.
Just being a Dark-eyed Junco
On winter days when birding is slow I spend a lot of hours for weeks looking for the Northern Saw-whet Owl. I found this beautiful owl doing just that. I had views for less than 2 minutes before it left the tree. I was looking down at my camera to check the exposure, heard a flutter and had just a glimpse of it flying off. I spent a few minutes quietly looking to an area it went to with no luck. Images were taken on January 12, 2019.
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Binomial name: Aegolius acadicus
Category: Typical Owls
Size: 8” long, 17” wing span
Weight: 2.8 oz
Cool facts: Smallest owl in North America with a cat like face that is highly nocturnal and seldom seen.
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Doing some general birding today I came across a pair of Great Horned Owls out catching some sun in Milwaukee County. It was one of the cold winter days just after some freshly fallen snow with plenty of sunshine, very little wind. It made for a pleasant day for birding. Image was taken on January 20, 2019.
While out birding I came across a flock of American Robins in Milwaukee County enjoying the sunshine and finding things to eat. It was cold morning with temps in the teens and a stiff winds out of the west, and partly cloudy. Image was taken on January 10, 2019
American Robin standing next to a tree out of the wind…
I did some general birding on the first of the new year and it was pretty quiet. The highlight of the day was a Hooded Merganser, some say it’s “Hollyhood”! Some birding on the Milwaukee lakefront produced an adult Iceland Gull at South Shore Yacht Club. That was about it for birds to note on a very cold morning with temps around 20 and stiff winds from the west, it was cloudy. Images were taken on January 1, 2019.
Hooded Merganser, male
Wet head, just after some head dipping…
Iceland Gull in flight, note white wing tips at the South Shore Yacht Club…
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
Just as I was ready to leave the house for birding this morning, something outside caught my eye. 3 Mourning Doves had just landed in a tree near the feeders and one was leucistic. It dropped down to one of the feeders and started eating seeds. What a nice surprise it was! After only a couple of minutes a Gray Squirrel dropped down to another feeder and flushed the 3 doves away. I found it interesting that Mourning Doves frequent the yard daily, usually 3-8 is common. I would assume they are typically the same birds, why would you think differently. I found out this is not true as this leucistic bird has never been seen here before. I hung around a while but the bird did not return. All images were shot through a window. Images were taken on December 29, 2018.
Mourning Dove, leucistic
With seed in the bill…
Comes down from the tree branch and looks at the feeder from above…
Takes a peek at the seed on the feeder…
Looks at all the good things to eat in the feeder…Interesting, one tan tail feather and one white tail feather!
What is Leucism? Leucism is an uncommon condition in birds. This condition is caused by a genetic mutation which prevents pigments, particularly melanin, from being deposited evenly in the bird’s feathers. Leucistic birds have melanin elsewhere in their bodies which is why they may have dark eyes, legs, and bills. However, their true color will be missing or greatly reduced due to the lack of proper pigmentation.
What is Albinism? Leucism is similar to albinism as in both cases the birds may be completely white. However, albinism is defined as a complete absence of melanin in an animal. Truly albino species will have pink eyes as the only color seen will be caused by blood vessels behind their eyes. They will also have pink bills, legs, and feet. Albinism is extremely rare in birds.
Notes: Leucistic birds are extremely uncommon for a number of reasons. They are not thought to live very long because their white feathers make it difficult for them to hide from predators. If they do stay alive, it is difficult for them to find a mate and successfully pass on their genetic mutation. Additionally, the melanin found in regular birds adds strength to the feathers. Leucistic birds lacking melanin have weaker feathers and thus have a more difficult time flying in severe weather. Last, the reflective properties of white feathers may be problematic for birds who rely on solar energy for heat.
While out birding the last couple of days I have come across 4 Eastern Screech Owls. These beautiful owls were all found in deciduous trees with the natural cavities facing to the south or southwest. It appeared they were all out in the cavity opening soaking up the warm sun with the nice warm December weather we are having. The 1st image is the Eastern Screech Owl, grey morph that has been seen almost regularly, but not always at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee. The other 3 were also taken in Milwaukee County.
Eastern Screech Owl, grey morph #1 with blood on the bill from a recent meal at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
Eastern Screech Owl, red morph #2
Eastern Screech Owl, red morph #3
Eastern Screech Owl, red morph #4
Eastern Screech Owl, red morph #4
While out birding this morning I came across a Great Horned Owl. It looked like it was enjoying the sun and the beautiful day with the spring like weather we are having. Images were taken on December 16, 2018.
A report of a Hammond’s Flycatcher in Iowa County put me in the chase mode. The bird was reported on Sunday, but I put off the run until today, Tuesday with other things going. This bird is a very rare visitor to the state of Wisconsin being a western US-Canadian bird. Going in the Wisconsin record books as a 1st state record of this species. Mark K joined me for the trip out to Iowa County and we arrived at the reported location about 7:20 am with no other birders around. About 7:40 am the bird flew over us crossing the road and landed in a deciduous tree near the road. We both confirmed at that time that that was the bird we had been waiting for. After a few seconds the bird dropped down at a creek bed and we never really seen where it went. About 10:15 am, the bird reappeared and gave nice looks but far off the road perched in a tree for about 30 seconds, now about 18 other birders were present. It was a very exciting moment if you were there! The bird disappeared again and we left after about 20 minutes. Thanks to Edgar for finding this rare bird and getting the word out for others to try for it. A great time out with other birders and bird #341 on my Wisconsin state life list. It was a chilly morning with temps about 12 degrees, no wind, the sun showed after a couple of hours with all the valleys around. Image was taken on December 11, 2018.
Binomial name: Empidonax hammondii
Category: Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies
Size: 5.5” long,8.75” wing span
Weight: .35 Oz.
Note: A rare visitor to the state of Wisconsin as the normal range for this species is the western US and Canada.
Nice to see this Eastern Screech Owl in Milwaukee County while out birding. The owl gave nice views but never opened its eyes while I was there. Just looking cozy up in a natural cavity. It was a beautiful morning out with plenty of sunshine and mild temps. Images were taken on December 10, 2018.
Eastern Screech Owl, red morph
While out birding some of the Milwaukee lakefront today, the highlight was a female adult Long-tailed Duck. The duck continually dove for food the whole time I was present which was about 15-20 minutes. No other ducks were in the area of this one. Always in search this time of year for a Snowy Owl, I came up empty. A couple hundred Greater Scaup were present in the lagoon near Summerfest along with a couple Red-breasted Mergansers, Common Goldeneye and one lone female Bufflehead. It was a chilly morning with cloudy skies, stiff winds out of the north, temps were around 31 degrees. Images were taken on December 3, 2018.
Long-tailed Duck, female in winter plumage…
In coming…
Thinking about the next dive under…
Going down…
Halfway in…
Short tail feathers…
Paddling in…
Beauty of the back…
Looking around…
