Great Blue Heron at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on April 23, 2016

I birded some of the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning and for the most part, very quiet. One Caspian Tern at McKinley Marina and 500 + Bonaparte’s Gulls at Grant Park were the highlights that I could find along the lake. The lakefront was very cold with a stiff north wind, a few times the sun felt great. Stopped at Whitnall and just a few Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Yellow-rumped Warblers were present, along with typical birds we see and birds that have been reported recently. I crossed paths with Bruce and we headed up to Greenfield Park for a last stop. There was a Great Blue Heron, a 1st year, a bird born last summer, putting on a great show, catching fish, preening and do what Great Blue Herons do. It was nice to wind down the morning with a little excitement with the heron. Images were taken on April 23, 2016.

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The catch, with a Bullhead

Great Blue Heron

Binomial name: Ardea herodias

Category: Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

Size: 46” long, 72” wing span

Weight: 5.3 lb

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Fish in neck

Fish in neck

Fish still in neck

Fish still in neck

Fish going down with a look

Fish going down with a look

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Preening

Preening, grooming and caring for the feathers

Preening

Preening

Preening

Preening

Preening

Preening

Preening

Preening

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Great Blue Heron with a Flathead Minnow

Stretching

Stretching

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Double catch! Great Blue Heron with Flathead Minnows

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Great Blue Heron with a Flathead Minnow

Fishing

Fishing

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Great Blue Heron with a Flathead Minnow

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Great Blue Heron with a Flathead Minnow

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Great Blue Heron with a Flathead Minnow

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Great Blue Heron with a Flathead Minnow

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The amazing feathers!

The amazing feathers!

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Great Blue Heron with a Bullhead

Western Meadowlark at Bender Park in Oak Creek Wisconsin on April 18, 2016

I made the trip to Bender Park early this morning to see if the Western Meadowlark was still present from yesterdays report. It was and gave nice views, singing and finding food too. What a beautiful bird! The call was right, the dotted and not streaks along the sides matched too along with the yellow malar. I was happy to see this bird this morning and get it on my state life list as I have tried numerous times before and came up empty. A big thank you to Steve L for finding this bird and Rita and David for getting the word out about it being present for others to see it. Images were taken on April 18, 2016.

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Calling in the early morning sun

Western Meadowlark

Binomial name: Sturnella neglecta

Category: Blackbirds

Size: 9.5” long, 14.5” wing span

Weight: 3.4 oz

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Calling

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Finding something to eat

Finding something to eat

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Calling

In flight!

In flight!

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Hunting for food

Hunting for food

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Caspian Terns and Bonaparte’s Gulls at Grant Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on April 14, 2016

One of my birding stops today was Grant Park in Milwaukee County. One of the highlights was a steady stream of Bonaparte’s Gulls heading south. Another highlight was a small flock of Caspian Terns on the beach. The first ones of the year are always so cool to see. The Caspian Terns were hanging out with Ring-billed Gulls and a couple of Bonaparte’s Gulls on the beach until some beach folks came along and then the terns flew south. Also flying by were a couple good size flocks of first of the year Double-crested Cormorants. A fun day out with lots of new birds for the year! Images were taken on April 14, 2016.

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Caspian Tern

Caspian Tern

Caspian Tern, I see a band on this one…..I’ll have to look into that.

Caspian Terns

Caspian Terns

Caspian Tern

Caspian Tern

Caspian Tern

Caspian Tern

Caspian Tern

Caspian Tern

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Caspian Tern

Caspian Tern hanging out with Ring-billed Gulls and Bonaparte's Gulls

Caspian Terns hanging out with Ring-billed Gulls and a Bonaparte’s Gull

Caspian Terns

Caspian Terns

Bonaparte's Gull

Bonaparte’s Gull

Bonaparte's Gull

Bonaparte’s Gull

Bonaparte's Gull, not sure what this was, was it picking off a bug?

Bonaparte’s Gull, not sure what this was, was it picking off a bug?

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Bonaparte's Gull incoming

Bonaparte’s Gulls all heading south today!

Bonaparte's Gull hanging out in the water

Bonaparte’s Gull hanging out in the water

Bonaparte's Gull

Bonaparte’s Gull

Bonaparte's Gull

Bonaparte’s Gull

Bonaparte's Gull

Bonaparte’s Gull

Double-crested Cormorants

Double-crested Cormorants

Double-crested Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

 

Golden-crowned Kinglets, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warblers and Winter Wrens at Milwaukee County Parks on April 14, 2016

I did some birding at Greenfield Park, Whitnall Park, Grant Park and Lake Park in Milwaukee County midday today. Some of the birds seen were Golden-crowned Kinglets, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warblers and Winter Wrens. The groups of birds came and went, it was a fun couple of hours while it lasted. It was nice to see some full sun for a change! Spring actually seems to be nearing and we still have 15-20 Dark-eyed Juncos in the yard this evening! Images were taken on April 14, 2016

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Golden-crowned Kinglet, male

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet, male

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet, male

Winter Wren

Winter Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet, adult

Ruby-crowned Kinglet, adult

Ruby-crowned Kinglet, adult

Ruby-crowned Kinglet, adult

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Ruby-crowned Kinglet, adult

Ruby-crowned Kinglet, adult

Ruby-crowned Kinglet, adult

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

 

Eastern Screech-Owl in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on April 9, 2016

An Eastern Screech-Owl, a red morph giving great views this afternoon in Milwaukee County Wisconsin. What a beautiful owl! Always amazes me how they blend in with the habitat you see them in, but that is one reason they can survive. Images were taken on April 9, 2016.

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Eastern Screech-Owl

Binomial name: Otus asio

Category: Typical Owls

Size: 8.5” long, 20” wing span

Weight: 6 oz

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Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers at Lake Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on April 8, 2016

I stopped at Lake Park late morning today to check things out. The highlight was numerous Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers licking sap from new and old holes in trees. Some would sit lower towards the base of the tree as there may be more sap at those locations. It was interesting to sit and watch as this continued while I was present. Snow fell for most of the time I was present, a gloomy day with some winds. Birds around where very active. A couple species to note where a Golden-crowned Kinglet and my first  Yellow-rumped Warbler of the year. Images where taken on April 8, 2016.

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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Binomial name: Sphyrapicus varius

Category: Woodpeckers and Allies

Size: 8.5” long, 16” wing span

Weight: 1.8 oz

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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female getting sap

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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male getting sap

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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male

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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male

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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female getting sap

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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male with sap on bill

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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female

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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male

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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female

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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male getting sap

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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female

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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female getting sap

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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female

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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female getting sap

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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male working on getting sap

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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male

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Yellow-rumped Warbler

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Yellow-rumped Warbler

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Golden-crowned Kinglet

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Golden-crowned Kinglet

Great Blue Herons at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on April 1, 2016

I took a run over to Greenfield Park mid-afternoon do a short birding run. Great Blue Herons have returned, one seemed to want to nap while another one, a heron in full breeding plumage went hunting for some food and did some moving around too. From what I had heard, they have been back a couple of days now, how exciting. Another species I saw were 2 Pied-billed Grebes near the island. Nothing else but recent reported species. Hopefully this year they will raise another nice family there. It was mostly cloudy but the sun did shine for a couple of minutes while I was there. Images were taken on April 1, 2016.

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Great Blue Heron

Binomial name: Ardea herodias

Category: Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

Size: 46” long, 72” wing span

Weight: 5.3 lb

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Hanging out at the island

The drink

The drink

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Hunting

Hunting

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Hunting

Hunting

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Just resting off the beaten trail

Looks like a 1st year bird, a bird born last year just resting off the beaten trail

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Say’s Phoebe at Goose Lake Park in Dane County Wisconsin on March 29, 2016

I woke up and decided at that time to try for the Say’s Phoebe that was found yesterday at Goose Lake Park in Dane County. I figured a bird like this would be a one day wonder, but being so rare for Wisconsin, a bird from the western US,  and nothing else going on today, try for it. I was told it is a 5th Wisconsin state record today. Traffic was horrible around Madison but I finally arrived about 8:30 to about a dozen birders that already looked like it was going to be a long day! A few birders had split off and had been doing some looking around  in other areas. It was pretty cool out and I actually went back to my car for my big winter coat. When returning to an area where some birders were grouped up they all took off running, well most of them! I knew at that time things my be getting good, that might have been seen. Michael Gray had just located the bird straight south of the short grass area, along ways off, thanks Michael! After a good run, there the bird was feeding and resting, just like a flycatcher does. It is a very big area and moved around a lot and never really came close to anyone. What an exciting morning getting another life bird and seeing some birders I have not seen for awhile! Thanks to Jim Schwarz for finding this bird and getting the word out for others to see it. I hope it hangs around awhile for others to see. Images were taken on March 29, 2016.

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Say’s Phoebe

Binomial name: Sayornis saya

Category: Tyrant Flycatchers

Size: 7” long, 13” wing span

Weight: 0.74 oz

Cool fact: Western US bird found here in Wisconsin. Normal Range is western Dakota’s south to western Texas and west.

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Hunting!

Hunting!

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Eastern Screech Owl, Horned Grebes, Common Loon and Killdeer in the snow in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on March 25, 2016

I did a little birding this morning on the lakefront on Milwaukee’s south side. The Lake Express Ferry had ~6 Killdeer and they were for the most part hunkered down with the snow that fell yesterday waiting for things to warm up and melt. South Shore Yacht Club had up to 8 Horned Grebes going into breeding plumage. Dave G, thank you Dave, alerted me of 2 Common Loons near the Petroleum Pier when I was at the Express, by the time I got over there, there was still one present in breeding plumage. The loon pretty much stayed out away from shore but it is really nice to see the first loon of the year. After returning to SSYC I ran into a team of birder-photograhers, Todd, Caron, Keith, Valerie and Bruce too. Todd told me about a Eastern Screech Owl he had just found and I checked it out, thank you Todd. Cool to see a Eastern Screech Owl in a natural cavity. It was a fun morning out with some friends I have not seen for awhile and meeting some new ones too. Sunny morning with a bright blue sky cool temps, but winds made it still feel like winter. Images were taken on March 25, 2016.

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Eastern Screech Owl

Binomial name: Otus asio

Category: Typical Owls

Size: 8.5” long, 20” wing span

Weight: 6 oz

Amazing how the owl blends in with the habitat.

Amazing how the owl blends in with the habitat

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe preening

Horned Grebe preening

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Horned Grebe

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Horned Grebe

Common Loon, distant shot

Common Loon, distant shot

Killdeer in the snow!

Killdeer in the snow!

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Killdeer

Killdeer calling

Killdeer calling

Killdeer resting

Killdeer resting

Killdeer

Killdeer

Killdeer

Killdeer

Killdeer

Killdeer

Snow Goose at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on March 12, 2016

The beautiful Snow Goose that has been reported gave nice views early this morning at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee. This adult Snow Goose either foraged along the grass area or swam in the water on the south end of the pond. Eating seemed to be its highest priority this morning. This was my 3rd try for this goose that had been reported, as it is not always present. Thanks to Lee for updates on this goose and a very early phone call this morning from Bruce that it was present this morning, I made a quick run for it and finally saw this beauty! Images were taken on March 12, 2016.

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Stretching

Snow Goose

Binomial name: Chen caerulescens

Category: Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Size: 28-31” long, 53-56” wing span

Weight: 5.3-7.4 lb

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Taking a drink

Preening

Preening

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Foraging

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Foraging

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Foraging

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Foraging

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Just poking along

On a mission!

On a mission

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Snow Goose with Mallard, male

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Taking a drink

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Foraging!

Foraging

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Taking a drink!

Taking a drink

Taking a drink!

Shaking it off!

The gulp!

The gulp

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Long-tailed Duck at Bender Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on March 7, 2016

I birded parts of the Milwaukee County lakefront today and the highlight of the day was my first stop at Bender Park. I saw the report from Dave G yesterday of the adult Long-tailed Duck at the park and the duck was still present today, thanks Dave! It gave nice views in the early morning sun, diving for food, preening and just relaxing while I was there. Shortly after arriving 3 fishing rigs came into the boat launch area and the duck moved towards the open water. Other areas I checked along the lake showed few ducks and gulls. Some areas had displaying Red-winged Blackbirds but that was about it. The ice in the lagoon at Lakeshore State Park was shrinking fast and they were ice fishing there yesterday! Images were taken on March 7, 2016.

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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

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The dive!

The dive!

The dive!

The dive!

The dive!

The dive!

The dive!

The dive!

The tail!

The tail!

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Preening

Preening

Preening that long tail!

Preening that long tail!

Preening that long tail!

Preening that long tail!

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The drop!

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The drip!

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The long tail!

The long tail!

Just relaxing...

Just relaxing…

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Red-tailed Hawk soaring in the sky at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on February 27, 2016

The highlight of the day birding was this juvenile Red-tailed Hawk soaring in the sky at Lakeshore State Park. Even though it was a beautiful day weather wise today, birding appeared to be slow, at least where I looked along the lakefront. A Great Black-backed Gull was the only other bird to note. Images were taken on February 27, 2016.

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Red-tailed Hawk

Binomial name: Buteo jamaicensis

Category: Hawks, Kites, Eagles, and Allies

Size: 19” long, 49” wing span

Weight: 2.4 lb

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Glaucous Gull Juvenile and other gulls on Milwaukee’s Lakefront in Milwaukee Wisconsin on February 24, 2016

I birded the Milwaukee Lakefront this morning and the highlight was gulls. 1 Gluacous Gull juvenile at Bradford Beach. Other gulls were a Glaucous Gull adult and 2 Great Black-blacked Gulls adults near the petroleum pier on broken ice or on the pier itself. It was a cloudy day with stiff winds making it feel like a cold January day. Images were taken on February 24, 2016.

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Glaucous Gull juvenile at Bradford Beach

Glaucous Gull

Binomial name: Larus hyperboreus

Category: Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Size: 27” long, 60” wing span

Weight: 3.1 lb

Habitat: This large gulls breeding grounds are in the northern arctic. It spends its winters farther north than most gulls on coasts, lakes, urban areas, dumps and agricultural fields. Mostly breeds along shorelines of the seacoast, rivers and lakes, also refuse dumps. These gulls are usually not found inland.

Diet: It captures prey such as plovers, small ducks, ptarmigans, auks, birds, small mammals and invertebrates. It also scavenges dead fish, carrion, garbage and dead animal matter.

Nesting: The nest is a shallow bowl constructed of twigs, grasses, sedges, moss and sometimes feathers. The nest is located on cliff edges, grass slopes above cliffs, islands or ponds on the tundra. 3 eggs are usually laid brown in color with dark brown spots.

Glaucous Gull adult near the Petroleum Pier

Glaucous Gull adult near the Petroleum Pier

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Glaucous Gull juvenile, left and Herring Gull right

Glaucous Gull Juvenile with Herring Gull right

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Trying to keep its balance with the high winds!

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Trying to keep its balance with the high winds!

Glaucous Gull adult at Bradford Beach the next day 2/26/2016

Glaucous Gull adult at Bradford Beach 2/26/2016

Glaucous Gull adult at Bradford Beach the next day 2/26/2016

Glaucous Gull adult at Bradford Beach on 2/26/2016

Pine Grosbeaks and Bohemian Waxwings in Vilas County Wisconsin on February 20, 2016

I have wanted for a long time to do some northwoods birding and today it happened. John D. Ryan S, Bill G and I headed for Vilas County in the north in the early morning hours. The highlight of the day were Pine Grosbeaks and Bohemian Waxwings near the downtown area off of 4th Street in Eagle River in a church parking lot. Both species feed in a berry tree at the same time. Both species also bathed in puddles in the parking lot. Both species put on a spectacular show for ~10-15 minutes before flying off. We worked hard for Gray Jays and Boreal Chickadees with no luck. The Pine Grosbeaks were the 300th Wisconsin state life bird for me, and what stunning birds they were! It was a cloudy gloomy day with temps in the higher 30’s most of the day. Light rain started late afternoon as we headed home. Images were taken on February 20, 2016.

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Pine Grosbeak, male

Pine Grosbeak

Binomial name: Pinicola enucleator

Category: Fringilline and Cardueline Finches and Allies

Size: 9” long, 14.5” wing span

Weight: 2 oz

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Pine Grosbeak, male

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Pine Grosbeak, female

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Pine Grosbeak, immature male

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Pine Grosbeak, immature male

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Pine Grosbeak, immature male (l), Pine Grosbeak, female adult (r)

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Pine Grosbeak, male

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Pine Grosbeak, male

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Pine Grosbeak, male

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Pine Grosbeak, male

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Bohemian Waxwing

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Bohemian Waxwings, bathing

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Bohemian Waxwings

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Bohemian Waxwings

Pine Grosbeak

Pine Grosbeak, female

Pine Grosbeak

Pine Grosbeak, female

Pine Grosbeak, male

Pine Grosbeak, male

Pine Grosbeak, male

Pine Grosbeak, male

Pine Grosbeak

Pine Grosbeak, male

Pine Grosbeak, male

Pine Grosbeak, male eating what I think are seeds from a pine cone that have blown down, snowed on, and as the snow melts the seeds are exposed and eaten by the birds

Pine Grosbeak, female eating a pine cone seed

Pine Grosbeak, female eating a pine cone seed

Bohemian Waxwing

Bohemian Waxwing

Bohemian Waxwing

Bohemian Waxwing

Pine Grosbeak, female

Pine Grosbeak, female

Horned Larks at Johnson Creek in Jefferson County Wisconsin on February 11, 2016

1 of a few Horned Larks at Johnson Creek on February 11, 2016. Cool birds that are typically found in small and large flocks on the roadside shoulders or in open fields eating weed seeds this time of year. Images were taken on February 11, 2016.

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Horned Lark

Binomial name: Eremophila alpestri

Category: Chickadees and Titmice

Size: 7.25” long, 12” wing span

Weight:  1.1 oz

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Long-eared Owls in Wisconsin on January 28, 2016

I have looked high and low for this species over the years and today I stumbled across them, the Long-eared Owls. It was a thrill to see them and to finally get this life bird for the state. There were numerous birds present at this site which I cannot disclose. Such beautiful birds they are, smaller in size then I had thought. Images were taken on January 28, 2016.

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Long-eared Owl

Binomial name: Asio otus

Category: Typical Owls

Size: 15” long, 36” wing span

Weight: 9 oz

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Great Black-backed Gull 2nd Cycle at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on January 16, 2016

The highlight this morning while birding some of Milwaukee’s lakefront was a Great Black-backed Gull 2nd cycle. A Great Black-backed adult was also in the area but remained far off shore just hanging out by itself. Images were taken on January 16, 2016 on a very cold, sunny morning with a steady breeze.

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Hanging out with a Ring-billed left

Hanging out with a Herring Gull left

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Landing gear coming down!

Landing gear coming down!

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Herring Gull right

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Ring-billed Gulls

Ring-billed Gulls

Common Redpolls at Frame Park in Waukesha Wisconsin on January 16, 2016

I birded some of Milwaukee’s lakefront this morning to see what was around. Highlight at the lakefront was a immature Great Black-backed Gull and an adult that spent the time out in the water. The fun was just starting as I started heading home a received a text from Ryan S that Common Redpolls were near Frame Park in Waukesha. When I arrived, Ryan was just going to try to relocate them as they had flown off. After a 1/4 mile walk we relocated them along the river feeding on the cones on some Alder trees. What a show they put on with nice views. It was about a flock of 15-25, some came and went but the majority of them hung around for while. For the most part they continually pulled seeds from the cones and ate them. I had been down to the river 3 times this week looking for the Redpolls with no luck so this really made my day and the others that had been looking for them. A big thank you to Ryan for the text message this morning. Later Derek and Bruce showed up and also enjoyed the show. Images of the Common Redpolls eating seeds or gathering them were taken on January 16, 2016.

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Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed

Common Redpoll

Binomial name: Carduelis flammea

Category: Redpolls

Size: 5.25” long, 9” wing span

Weight: .46 oz

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Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed

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Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed

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Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed

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Common Redpoll extracting the Alder seed from the cone

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Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed

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It’s all about food! Common Redpoll extracting the Alder seed from the cone

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Common Redpoll

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Common Redpoll extracting the Alder seed from the cone

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Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed

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Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed

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Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed

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Common Redpoll extracting the Alder seed from the cone

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Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed

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Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed

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Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed

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Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed

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Common Redpoll extracting the Alder seed from the cone

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Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed

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Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed

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Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed

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Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed

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Common Redpoll extracting the Alder seed from the cone

Slaty-backed Gull at the Johnson Creek Landfill in Jefferson County Wisconsin on January 7, 2016

I went out this morning to the Johnson Creek Landfill in hopes to see the Slaty-backed Gull that was reported by Tom W yesterday, nice find Tom and thanks for getting the word out! The exact location is a frozen pond on Waldmann Lane just west of the landfill. I had not been out there for about 3 weeks so I was due. I arrived around 9 am and looked the gulls over well on the ice. About an hour later Ted K showed up and we continued to look through all the gulls coming and going. After a while I spotted what I thought was the Slaty-backed Gull and we looked it over well, that it was. After about 30 minutes it took to the air and towards the landfill area. The images are rough, distant shots, this bird was at least 3/4 of the way across to frozen pond. Images show the “string of pearls” on the wings. Not a life bird as I got the one that was here on December 22, 2012. I fun couple of hours on a gloomy day. Other gulls to note that were present (3) Lesser Black-backed Gull and (2) Glaucous Gulls. Images were taken on January 7, 2016.

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Slaty-backed Gull

Binomial name: Larus schistisagus

Category: Gulls, Tern. and Skimmers

Size: 25” long, 58” wing span

Weight: 3.0 lb

Note: An Asian gull that is considered a rare breeder on the west coast of Alaska and is a very rare visitor to North America.

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