Category Archives: Bird Categories

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

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On a second stop of the day at this location birding on the Fox River in Waukesha appeared a Hooded Merganser. This stunning male spent his time checking out the female Mallards one by one. I think this could be the famous Hooded Merganser “Hollyhood” that was here just over a year ago? Well, not really, who knows for sure, but it put on a great show while I was there giving nice views while following female Mallards around on the river. I am almost convinced there is some connection between male Hooded Mergansers and female Mallards as this is my 3rd time I’ve witnessed this behavior with these two species.  What is it with the Hooded Merganser wanting a companion, a mating thing, or ?? It was a cold day with winds out of the northeast, temps below freezing and very little sun. Images were taken on April 8, 2018.

Hooded Merganser, male…crest partially down

His eyes on another female Mallard…

The Hooded Merganser starred at the female Mallard out of the corner of his eye for about 20 seconds, is this the one….

Crest down on this Hooded Merganser swimming over to check out another female Mallard…

Going to check out another female Mallard…crest down…

Cruising over to a female Mallard to see if she was the one!

Crest down…

Crest up…

Crest partially down…

Coming into shore…

Just moving along…

Horned Grebe and Northern Shovelers at the Fox River in Waukesha on April 1, 2018

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I stopped at the Fox River in Waukesha late morning to see if anything new had come in since yesterday. A stunning Horned Grebe almost in full breeding plumage gave nice views for a couple of minutes and then moved north on the river. Another new species present were a pair of Northern Shovelers, male and female. The male shovelers are so beautiful this time of year. As walkers and joggers started to appear, they all moved to the middle of the river which is the norm there. Another cold day with temps starting out at 19 degrees with a pretty good wind at times, felt like January. The sun was out but I did not feel much heat coming down from it. Images were taken on April 1, 2018.

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe

Northern Shovelers, female front, male back

Northern Shoveler, male

Northern Shoveler, female

Eastern Phoebe in the South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha County on March 25, 2018

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Doing some birding in the South Kettle Moraine today the highlight was a FOY Eastern Phoebe. It was at Paradise Springs off in a distance actively feeding, eating some type of insects above the water, the few that were there. The short time I saw it, it was perched most of the time, I’m sure waiting for some insects to come around. Other bird species to note out that way, a pair of Sandhill Cranes off in a distance, and a couple of Turkey Vultures up high, pretty quiet overall. It was another cold day with steady east winds, the sunshine hardly felt warm. Images were taken on March 25, 2018.

Eastern Phoebe

Eastern Phoebe

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

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Birding Lake Park this morning in Milwaukee the highlight was a Black-capped Chickadee eating Staghorn Sumac seeds at a group of plants. An American Robin also made a brief appearance for some seeds but did not hang around. What a great native plant as this species provides food for so many bird species in the spring of the year. It was a bright sunny day but the northeast steady wind off the lake made for a cold almost spring day. Images were taken on March 19, 2018.

American Robin gets the worm at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on March 12, 2018

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Doing a little birding at Greenfield Park around noon I came across an American Robin working on a worm. It pulled it out of the ground just before I arrived but then I watch it stab the worm numerous times killing it. The story ends as it ate the worm whole. A cool spring like day with plenty of sunshine with temps in the lower 30’s. Images were taken on March 12, 2018.

Tossing the worm around checking if it was still alive

Looks like another stab to the worm…

Looking the worm over….

Getting the worm straightened for eating….

Getting a grip on the worm…

The start of eating the worm. Bumps in the worm are the places the bird stabbed the worm killing it…

Going down pretty good it looks like…

And down the worm goes…

Eastern Screech Owl in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on March 10, 2018

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Nice to see this Eastern Screech Owl in Milwaukee County. The owl came up from in the hole and 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 March 10, 2018.

Snow Goose at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on March 9, 2018

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A little birding along the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning provided nice views of a Snow Goose juvenile at Lakeshore State Park. The Snow Goose hung out with about 20-25 Canada Geese. They all grazed on the short turf grass while I was there. Eventually the flock thinned out as groups of 3-4 left the area for one reason or another, that is what they do. A flock of about 8 with the Snow Goose in it were the last ones to leave and that was it. There was very little interaction with all the geese, they just grazed. That was it for birds to note around that area. Not much action in the images, but that is just how it was. It was a nice sunny day but the north wind kept it feeling like winter. Images were taken on March 9, 2018.

The Snow Goose, juvenile with ice in the bill…

Getting some ice…

Grazing…

More grazing…

Getting some ice…

Snow Goose grazing with a Canada Goose…

Taking a look around with grass in the bill…

Closeup

The walk…

On alert!

Grazing away…

Grazing…

Killdeer at the Lakefront in Milwaukee Wisconsin on March 4, 2018

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Doing some birding along the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning I came across my FOY Killdeer. Always nice to see these as it seems like winter is behind us. Usually I hear the distinct call from this species before I seeing it, today I saw the bird first. This bird stayed in one small area and did some calling which is typical. A beautiful morning out with temps starting at about 32F, mostly sunny skies with low winds. Images were taken on March 4, 2018.

Killdeer

Binomial name: Charadrius vociferus

Category: Lapwings and Plovers

Size: 10.5” long, 24” wing span

Weight: 3.3 oz

Calling

The closeup…

Laughing Gull at the Port Washington Harbor in Ozaukee County Wisconsin on February 28, 2018

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I made a run up to Port Washington in Ozaukee County early this morning in hopes to see the Laughing Gull that was reported yesterday. Upon arriving at 7:00 am, I could see the adult Laughing Gull after making about 10 steps away from the car.  Wow, what a stunning gull! This gull is rare here as it is a East Coast bird that. The gull was located at the rough beach-sandy shore on the north end of the marina. The bird pretty much ate most of the time I observed it, on and off during a 3 hour stay, I traveled to Coal Dock Park for awhile and then returned. Ring-billed Gulls gave it a hard time on and off with a little chasing. The harbor was full of gulls everywhere you looked. Hopefully more rare birds will be found at this location as it has been really great most of the winter. Birders I have not seen for awhile showed for this gull, Daryl T, Tom W, Ted K and John M. We all had a fun time enjoying the great show the gull put on and talking bird stories too. A big thank you to Barry Baumann for finding this bird yesterday and getting the word out for others to see it. This was not a life bird as I saw one at Coal Dock Park back in June of 2014. It was a beautiful morning with mild temps, low winds, and mostly sunny skies. Images were taken on February 28, 2018.

Laughing Gull, wet head just after some bathing…

Laughing Gull

Binomial name: Larus Atricilla

Category: Gulls,Terns, and Skimmers

Size: 16.5” long, 40” wing span

Weight: 11 Oz

Cool Fact: Normal range for this gull is the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast of the United States.

Laughing Gull, incoming to the beach area…

Laughing Gull, incoming to the beach area…

Laughing Gull, incoming to the beach area…

Laughing Gull, incoming to the beach area…

Laughing Gull, incoming to the beach area…

Laughing Gull, incoming to the beach area…

Laughing Gull, went from fish to fish eating inside parts of the fish…

Laughing Gull, went from fish to fish eating inside parts of the fish…

Laughing Gull, went from fish to fish eating inside parts of the fish…

Laughing Gull, went from fish to fish eating inside parts of the fish…

Laughing Gull, went from fish to fish eating inside parts of the fish…

Laughing Gull, wet head, series of the gull bathing…

Bathing…

Bathing…

Bathing…

Bathing…

Bathing…

Preening…

Typically setting today for the Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gulls everywhere!

Ring-billed Gull charging the Laughing Gull some, this happened frequently…

More feeding…this was on going…

Feeding…

Ring-billed Gull with a fish…

Ring-billed Gull with a fish…

Ring-billed Gull with a fish…..it was all fish eaters there today!

 

 

 

Hooded Mergansers at the Fox River in Waukesha on February 27, 2018

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Birding along the Fox River in downtown Waukesha today produced a pair of adult Hooded Mergansers, males. They briefly gave nice views when hanging out with Mallards, but then at times moved short distances up and down the river by themselves. There were still ~50 Common Goldeneye on the river along with some Lesser Scaup, pair of Bufflehead and 100+ Mallards. A short birding run along the lakefront in Milwaukee from Bayview to Bradford Beach produced fewer birds than previous days, nothing to note other than previously reported birds. It seemed like the many large rafts of winter ducks had moved north. I saw many large flocks of ducks flying north over the water yesterday. It was a beautiful spring like day with temps well into the 40’s, sunny skies, low winds. Images were taken on February 27, 2018.

Hooded Merganser, male with crest up…

The pair of male Hooded Mergansers…

Hooded Merganser…

Hooded Merganser some displaying…

Hooded Merganser more displaying…

Hooded Merganser, male with crest down…

Hooded Merganser just floating along…

Hooded Merganser with the wind blowing from behind…

Cruising along…

Hooded Merganser with the crest partially down…

Hooded Merganser male, such a beautiful duck!

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

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A stop at Bender Park in Milwaukee County this morning gave nice views of a adult female Long-tailed Duck. Considered a diving duck, this duck dove for food most of the time while I was present. I think a cool looking duck anytime of the year. Other stops I made along the lake were very quiet except I did see large flocks of winter ducks moving north far out in the water. Another note, later in the day in Waukesha County I saw very many large flocks of Sandhill Cranes flying north. It was a mild day with temps in the 40’s, low winds and plenty of sunshine. Images were taken on February 26, 2018.

The Long-tailed Duck just up from a dive…

Long-tailed Duck

Binomial name: Clangula hyemalis

Category: Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Size: 16.5” long, 28” wing span

Weight: 1.6 lb

Cool Fact: This duck was once known as Oldsquaw, the female Long-tailed Duck does not get the long tail, just the adult male.

Just up from a dive, a weed still hanging on its bill…

White-winged Scoters at South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee Wisconsin on February 25, 2018

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While birding some of the Milwaukee lakefront this morning I came across 6 White-winged Scoters near the South Shore Yacht Club. Males and females we present. They were diving and feeding on mussels along with other ducks. No other ducks to note other than a Hooded Merganser and Redhead, both males that were out a ways seen with my bins. It was very windy with temps about 32 which made for a chilly morning, the sun showed but did not seem to help with the high winds. Images were taken on February 25, 2018.

White-winged Scoter, male, with orange on bill tip…

White-winged Scoter,  male Stretching

White-winged Scoter, male stretching

White-winged Scoter, female with a mussel

White-winged Scoter, female

White-winged Scoter, male

Common Goldeneye, male was in the area…

Greater Scaup, male

Greater Scaup, female

American Robins at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on February 22, 2018

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My first birding stop of the year at Greenfield Park provided nice views of a flock of about 20 American Robins. They were spread out in a short grass area eating fallen berries. I would assume these are migrants and the first of the year for me of birds moving northward. Other than that a pretty quiet day birding for Milwaukee County at places I stopped at. Images were taken on February 22, 2018.

American Robin getting a grip on the berry before eating…

Getting the berry off the ground…

Berry going down…

Berry in the bill…

Looking for the next berry…

The berry before eating…

Gulp!

More food…

Just looking around…

Barred Owl in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on February 18, 2018

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While birding today in Milwaukee County I discovered a Barred Owl resting on a limb. Nice to see them just relaxing in their space and blending in with the surroundings. I took a few shots and left the area. A beautiful February day with full sun and mild temps in the 30’s with low winds. Images were taken on February 18, 2018.

Clark’s Nutcracker in Oneida County Wisconsin on February 17, 2018

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A very rare visitor to the state, the Clark’s Nutcracker has been visiting a feeder in Oneida County. The normal range for the Clark’s Nutcracker is central MT, CO, WY, NM and west. To my understanding it has been around for well over 6-7 weeks now. The bird has been feeding off of fat on a deer carcass at a residence. Arriving at about 10:00 am, the bird made its first appearance about 10:35. That appearance was near the top of a deciduous tree about 30 feet up. After a couple minutes it dropped down to the carcass and continually feed on suet from in and about the carcass. Feeding was for about 2-3 minutes. After that it left the area. To my knowledge, the last  know time this species was reported in the state of Wisconsin was about 45 years ago. A very big thank you goes out to homeowners for allowing visitors in to see this bird, and they were such wonderful hosts. Another big thank you goes to those who made this all happen with the communication with the homeowners to let visitors in the see the bird. It was a very exciting day getting this life bird on my Wisconsin life list.  A great time it was! Images were taken on February 17, 2018.

Clark’s Nutcracker

Binomial name: Nucifraga columbiana

Category: Jays and Crows

Size: 12” long, 24” wing span

Weight: 4.6 oz

Cool facts: A bird that usually lives in places remote from human contact, near treeline on windy peaks. Surprisingly when around people they seem fearless. Their main diet is pine seeds, some fresh or otherwise stored. They also enjoy nuts, berries, insects, snails, voles, ground squirrels, chipmunks, toads, eggs and young of other birds, carrion.

Clark’s Nutcracker

Eastern Screech Owl in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on February 14, 2018

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Doing some birding today in Milwaukee County I came across a Eastern Screech Owl, gray phase. It was resting in a natural captivity. After a couple minutes I looked again, and it was gone, probably went back in the hole. Almost felt like spring with plenty of sunshine and the warm temps around 40, next to no wind, very pleasant. Images were taken on February 14, 2018.

Belted Kingfisher in Waukesha County Wisconsin on February 8, 2018

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While birding a remote area in Waukesha County I came across a Belted Kingfisher. The bird flew up and down the river with my presence there fishing at a few locations. Another species present I have not seen for awhile was a Great Blue Heron. It was fishing from a log across a creek and out of my lens reach for a decent image. A cold day out but a few birds were seen so it was a good day birding. Images were taken on February 8, 2018.

Belted Kingfisher fishing…