Doing some birding out in the South Kettle Moraine today I came across this family of Sandhill Cranes. I enjoyed the show of two adults and one colt that is almost adult size now. Soon they will congregate in large numbers at staging areas and then migrate to wintering areas in the southern US and
Sandhill Crane colt left, Sandhill Crane adult right
I made the run down to Myers Park in Racine in hopes to see the Virginia Rail that was reported. I did get a glimpse of it and a doc shot. It was only out of the tall grass for a couple seconds and then disappeared. I waited for about 20 minutes for it to show again, but it never did. Other than that, other species present, a Great Blue Heron, Semipalmated Sandpipers and a Semipalmated Plover. A few Killdeer were also present. I checked North Beach in Racine and that was quiet. A few Caspian Terns were loafing on the beach with gulls. I took a few shots of the Plover and Semipalmated Sandpipers to share feeding in the early morning sun. It was a beautiful morning on the lake with calm winds and pleasant temps early. Thanks to those that reported the Virginia Rail, it was a life bird for me. Images were taken on August 13, 2015.
Semipalmated Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper with corophium volutator, what they eat.
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper with corophium volutor, what they eat.
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Semipalmated Plover feeding
Virginia Rail, behind log, doc shot with red arrow
Least Sandpiper Grant Park South Milwaukee August 21, 2015
Least Sandpiper Grant Park South Milwaukee August 21, 2015
Least Sandpiper Grant Park South Milwaukee August 21, 2015
I stopped on the way home from up north this afternoon at County V ponds to see if the Marbled Godwit that has been reported was still present. As I pulled up behind another birder in his car there, I got out and asked him. The kind birder showed me right where it was hanging out behind some vegetation, thank you! Moments later it came out and gave nice but distant views. It feed the time I was there probing in the muck. It remained far from the road but stayed pretty much out in the open. After awhile it took flight to the east, landed, but then a few minutes later I could not relocate the bird. I’m sure it was still there. A big thank you to who found this bird and reported it for others to see. It was a warm day with clouds and sun. Images were taken on August 11, 2015 in Dane County.
Binomial name: Limosa fedoa
Category: Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies
Size: 18” long, 30” wing span
Weight: 13 oz
Marbled Godwit with Lesser Yellowlegs in front
Probing for food!
Probing for food!
Probing for food!
Takeoff with Killdeer in front, Lesser Yellowlegs to the left.
After the flight around the pond, it lands!
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been hanging around the yard this summer and the Cardinal Flower is always a favorite for them. Today I took a few pictures to share some of the excitement. This bird is a female, correct me if I am wrong. Images were taken on August 9, 2015 in Waukesha County.
Binomial name: Archilochus colubris
Category: Hummingbirds
Description: Metallic green feathers on back, grayish-white on underparts. Males have a vibrant red throat which may appear dark in poor lighting. Wings are dark gray, almost black. Long, slender bill is black in color and mostly straight with a slight curve at the tip.
Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan
Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.21 oz.
Habitat: Broadleaf and pine forests, orchards, meadows, parks, and gardens
Diet: Tree and flower nectar, small insects, and spiders
Nesting: The female provides all parental care, building a nest in a protected tree or shrub on a slightly downward-sloping limb. They favor deciduous trees such as oak, birch, or poplar. The nest is made out of bud scales, lichen, spider silk, and dandelion or thistle down. The same nest may be used year after year with the female making annual repairs. The female will lay 1-3 eggs at a time, laying eggs once or twice per summer. The young remain in the nest for 22-25 days.
Notes: A list of just some of the of native wildflowers we have planted in our yard to attract these exquisite tiny birds are: Red Bee Balm (Monarda didyma), Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), Royal Catchfly (Silene regia), Butterfly Milkweed (Ascelpias tuberose), Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta), Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum), Penstemon species, Echinacea species.
I made the trip up to Mayville Wisconsin with hopes to view the stunning male Rufous Hummingbird at the Herzmann’s residents. Amazingly, this is the second year for the same uncommon bird at this residents. It was banded last year, this years bird wearing the same number band. It showed about every 30-45 minutes today from about 6:30 am till 1:00 pm. It usually chased off other hummers after arriving at the feeder for nectar. This bird when finally at the feeder would typically feed for 4-5 seconds, back off a second, look around and go for more, usually 4-5 feeds. A big thank you to Liz and Matt Herzmann for allowing visitors to view this beautiful bird. I hope it hangs around for others to view. Will the bird return next year? With the nectar feeder under a tree, light was mixed and it made getting photos challenging. Images were taken on August 8, 2015.
Binomial name: Selasphorus rufus
Category: Hummingbirds
Description: Primarily rust-colored feathers with a small patch of white on the chest. Red-orange patch on throat. Short wings and a slender, slightly sloping bill.
Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan
Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.18 oz
Habitat: Open broadleaf forests, orchards, meadows, parks, swamps, and yards
Natural Range: West Coast from Alaska to Mexico and Rocky Mountains, wintering in the Gulf Coast and Southeastern Atlantic states. They are occasionally, although rarely, found in cold-weather areas such as the Midwest due to their surprising hardiness.
Diet: Tree and flower nectar, small insects, and hummingbird feeders
Nesting: The males may mate with several females but do not care for the young. The female provides all parental care, building a nest in a protected tree or shrub. They favor either deciduous or coniferous trees such as spruce, cedar, maples, pines, birch, and hemlocks. The nest is made out of bud scales, lichen, spider silk, and dandelion or thistle down. The same nest may be used year after year and not necessarily by its previous occupant. The female will lay 2-3 eggs at a time, laying 1 brood per summer. She incubates the eggs for 15-17 days, and the young remain in the nest for 15-19 days.
Notes: This high-strung bird is considered extremely aggressive and will chase other animals from feeders or its nest including larger birds, chipmunks, and even other hummingbirds. Like other hummingbirds, Roufus Hummingbirds are adept flyers and can hover, dart, and perch with ease. They have even been seen to pluck insects out of midair.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, subadult male
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female?
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female?
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female?
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female?
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female?
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female?
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female?
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female?
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female?
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, male subadult
Checking out a few birding spots this morning I encountered the Red-tailed Hawk once again looking for prey and this time capturing it. The Red-tailed Hawk got a frog, chipmunk, and a very large insect while I observed from a distance. For the chipmunk, the Red-tailed Hawk sat in a tree near a fence. The chipmunk came out once and went right back into the tree trunk, knowing the hawk was present. The next time, a few minutes later the chipmunk came out the Red-tailed Hawk landed on it, spread it wings on the ground and held it down for a few minutes. The Red-tailed Hawk then flew off to a nearby tree and proceeded to have its meal. It does not always score but it had a good streak going while I was present. At one point it appeared to play with a piece of root, tossed it, pounced on it from 2 feet off the ground. Not sure what this was all about. Images were taken on July 29, 2015.
Red-tailed Hawk with frog
Red-tailed Hawk with frog
Red-tailed Hawk with frog
Red-tailed Hawk with frog
Red-tailed Hawk with frog
Red-tailed Hawk with frog
Red-tailed Hawk waiting for the chipmunk!
Red-tailed Hawk with chipmunk, poor thing!
Red-tailed Hawk with chipmunk
Red-tailed Hawk with chipmunk
Red-tailed Hawk with chipmunk
Red-tailed Hawk with chipmunk
Red-tailed Hawk with chipmunk
I observed the Red-tailed Hawk tossing around what looked like a piece of root, flying a couple feet off the ground and pouncing on it
I observed the Red-tailed Hawk tossing around what looked like a piece of root, flying a couple feet off the ground and pouncing on it
Flying up and then pouncing
flying up and pouncing
Just looking around
Flying up with root in talon and then pouncing on it
Flying up with root in talon and then pouncing on it
Just pouncing around
Just pouncing around
Not sure what this was all about, an old gopher hole, but I never see gophers here
Not sure what this was all about, an old gopher hole, but I never see gophers here
Ready to takeoff for the next event!
On a walk this morning I encountered an adult Red-tailed Hawk that was standing on and trying to hold down what I think was a snake. Though I never saw the actual snake, I could tell by the actions of the Red-tailed Hawk that is probably what it was, and the snake got away. These are a few images I took while observing from a distance. Images were taken on July 28, 2015.
Red-tailed Hawk holding down a snake
Red-tailed Hawk holding down a snake
Red-tailed Hawk holding down a snake
Red-tailed Hawk holding down a snake
Red-tailed Hawk holding down a snake
Red-tailed Hawk holding down a snake
Red-tailed Hawk
Juvenile Red-winged Blackbirds above harassing the Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Juvenile Red-winged Blackbirds above harassing the Red-tailed Hawk
I did some birding along the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning and it was very quiet. The highlight of the morning was at Lakeshore State Park where Purple Martins were checking out the one and only Purple Martin house. The Purple Martins were also defending the house from Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows while I was there. Were the Purple Martins checking it out for next spring?? I don’t know. I heard mentioned the house has never been used before by Purple Martins there at the park so it will be interesting to see if something becomes of this next spring. A few images here of the Purple Martins in flight and checking out the house at Lakeshore State Park. If I have any of the birds mislabeled please let me know, thank you. Images were taken on July 11, 2015.
Binomial name: Progne subis
Category: Swallows
Size: 8” long, 18” wing span
Weight: 2 oz
Purple Martin, adults male and female with juvenile
Purple Martin, adult male
Purple Martin, adult male
Purple Martin, adult male
Purple Martin, adults male and female with juvenile?
Purple Martin, adult female
Purple Martin, adult male
Purple Martin, juvenile
Purple Martin, adult
On a recent trip to Sawyer County in Northern Wisconsin, I had the opportunity to watch and enjoy Common Loons with the chicks. I keep learning new things about these magnificent birds while a spend time watching them. Images were taken during the last week or so of June 2015.
Common Loon with a resting chick
Binomial name: Gavia immer
Category: Loons
Description: Black head with black and white checkered body in summer for breeding season; brown and white body in the winter. Blackish-blue bill that is held horizontally and black feet.
Size: 24″-40″ long, 4′ – 5′ wingspan
Weight: 4 lbs. – 8 lbs.
Habitat: Large lakes and shorelines
Diet: Fish (perch, trout, sunfish, bass, crayfish)
Nesting: Usually nests on small islands or other locations safe from land-based predators. The nest may be made out of thin sticks, dried grasses, or a depression in mud or sand. Typically 1 to 3 eggs will be laid at one time and will be incubated by both parents. The parents aggressively protect their nests and share the responsibility of feeding the young. Baby loons may be seen riding on the back of either parent in the water.
Notes: The Common Loon has legs positioned in the rear of its body. This makes for excellent diving and graceful swimming; however, it also makes for awkward landings and clumsy walking. In fact, Loons require a “runway” spanning 30 yards or 1/4 mile for take-off and landing AND it can only be done in water. Loons have actually been stranded in small ponds, icy lakes, or even a parking lot without a suitable runway and must be rescued.
Common Loon with a chick
Adult Common Loon, the young chick just resting on her back
Common Loon with 2 chicks
Common Loon
Adult Common Loon feeding the young. In my observations the female rests with the chicks off feeding time. The adult male is no where to be seen but at feeding time shows up by flying into the area and landing or just appears out of nowhere along a shoreline or moves in from along ways off in underwater swimming.
Feeding time
Adult stretching
Adult stretching
Adult stretching
Feeding time
Chick
This adult was doing the YODEL call. Moments before a different adult was calling from a distant location but could not be seen. These 2 adults layed very low in the water, almost appeared they were trying to hide but still being on alert.
Common Loon family
Adult Common Loon with a chick under the adult wing and 1 standing by. I observed 2 chicks under the wings of an adult for well over an hour and I could not see them until the came out, amazing!
The stretch
The stretch
Common Loon family feeding chicks on the back of an adult
Feeding time
Feeding time
An adult at take off time on the water, going from a long run finally taking to the air.
In this image there are 5 adult, which I think are males, but this is only a guess. I have observed adults gather for years in the early morning, then departing going their separate ways. I have also observed adults gathering, leaving the group, going to help the female feed young, then retuning to a group.
In the morning fog, Common Loon with chicks
Adult Common Loon preening
Adult Common Loon preening
Common Loon
Great Blue Heron just hanging out
American Bald Eagle
Black Bear swimming across a channel
Black Bear reaching the other shore after a long swim across the channel
White-tailed Deer, doe
White-tailed Deer, doe
A pair of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been in the yard here since spring. I photographed this female early this afternoon in a bed of Red Bee Balm. This plant is a magnet for these birds. Images were taken on July 5, 2015.
Binomial name: Archilochus colubris
Category: Hummingbirds
Description: Metallic green feathers on back, grayish-white on underparts. Males have a vibrant red throat which may appear dark in poor lighting. Wings are dark gray, almost black. Long, slender bill is black in color and mostly straight with a slight curve at the tip.
Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan
Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.21 oz.
Habitat: Broadleaf and pine forests, orchards, meadows, parks, and gardens
I noticed on a walk through the yard today adult House Wrens where very busy at one of the bird houses bringing in food for the young. I stopped and observed for awhile and took a few shots to share. Some of the food brought into the nest hole appeared to be such things as green caterpillars, spiders, and many moths to name a few. Although I did not see any young, they were small in size and in the house. There was also some house cleaning going on. Images were taken on June 21, 2015.
House Wren with green caterpillar
Binomial name: Troglodytes aedon
Category: Wrens
Size: 4.75” long, 6” wing span
Weight: 0.39 Oz
House Wren with spider
House Wren with caterpillar
House Wren leaving nest hole
House Wren with possible moth
House Wren
House Wren with spider
House Wren removing fecal sac from nest
House Wren removing fecal sac from nest
House Wren with moth
House Wren
House Wren arriving at the bird house with some food
House Wren arriving at the bird house with some food
House Wren with caterpillar
House Wren
House Wren
House Wren removing fecal sac from nest
House Wren with Daddy Long Legs
House Wren with a moth
House Wren with Daddy Long Legs
House Wren with a caterpillar
House Wren
House Wren
House Wren with moth
I made a stop at Whitnall Park mid-morning today to see what was going on with the warblers. It was slow for warblers with like it has been in the past, just 1 and 2 of a few species, no big fallout. I ran into Bruce and he had viewed 2 Prothonotary Warblers earlier near the big waterfall. As we spent some time waiting for things to pick up, a Prothonotary Warbler made a brief appearance near the board walk below the dam. It continually feed during it’s brief appearance and then disappeared. It was windy, cloudy and cold, but seeing a Prothonotary Warbler always makes a bird trip worth it. Other warbler species viewed today, Golden-winged, Black-throated Blue (f), Magnolia, Chestnut-sided, Black and White, American Redstart, and brief looks at a Bay-breasted. Images of the Prothonotary Warbler feeding were taken on May 12, 2015.
I stopped by Whitnall Park this morning for a couple hours. It was a cloudy day with a couple rain drops on occasion with cool temps and a little wind. A couple of the highlight warblers were brief views of a stunning golden-yellow male Prothonotary Warbler and male Bay-breasted Warbler. Some of the other warbler species present were Blackburnian, Yellow, Black-throated Blue, Black and White, Palm, Canada, Magnolia, Chestnut-sided, Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat and American Redstart. Fun couple of hours watching these warblers feed at a fast pace today. Images were taken on May 10, 2015.
Prothonotary Warbler with a bug
Prothonotary Warbler with a bug
Prothonotary Warbler looking through the leaves for bugs
Prothonotary Warbler feeding
Prothonotary Warbler going through the leaves for bugs
Prothonotary Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler calling!
Prothonotary Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler going for a bug!
Bay-breasted Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Canada Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler, female
Black-throated Blue Warbler, female
Black-throated Blue Warbler, female
Black and White Warbler with a bug!
Black and White Warbler with another bug!
Black and White Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
I made a stop at Whitnall Park mid-morning to see what the action was like. It was another day of just a couple of warblers 1’s on 2’s of a few nice species. Species hanging around were a Wilson’s Warbler, a Canada Warbler for a few minutes, and a Black-throated Blue Warbler was still around. Also brief views of a Blackburnian Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Black and White Warbler, American Redstart, Nashville Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Common Yellowthroat and Northern Waterthrush. A fun morning out with a nice group of birders on a morning of some clouds and sun with warm temps. Images were taken on May 8, 2015.
Blackburnian Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler going for a bug!
Wilson’s Warbler
Canada Warbler
Canada Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow Warbler
American Redstart calling!
American Redstart
American Redstart calling!
I made a stop at Whitnall Park this morning to see if the warbler action had changed from yesterday. A few more species were present but that was about it. New today from since yesterday was Blackburnian Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Northern Parula and the Wilson’s Warbler. The Black-throated Blue Warbler was still present on and off today. It was a nice day to be out with other birders and friends. Some sun and clouds with mild temps. Images were taken on May 6, 2015.
Black-throated Green Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Swainson’s Thrush
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
I stopped in at Whitnall Park this morning to check out the warbler action. Surprisingly I could only come up with 5 species and only 1’s and 2’s of each. A stunning Black-throated Blue was the highlight. Other warbler species present were American Redstart, Magnolia, Black and White, Palm and Yellow-rumps. FOY Rose-breasted Grosbeak was a treat along with what I am 99% sure a Tufted Titmouse. Nice morning to be out with mild temps and partly cloudy. Images were taken on May 5, 2015.
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler at the landing!
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler doing the call!
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler looking at a bug!
Black-throated Blue Warbler, back view
American Redstart
American Redstart, calling!
American Redstart, calling!
American Redstart
Magnolia Warbler
Magnolia Warbler going for a bug!
Magnolia Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Black and White Warbler going for the bug.
Black and White Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler preening
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
I made the first trip up to Horicon Marsh this spring early morning today. I was there at sun up and it was a beautiful morning. I stopped on Hwy 49 and there was nothing special going on that I could see. I hit the auto tour next a couple of times and it provided some nice views of American White Pelicans, Great Egrets and a few Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. Mixed in with the yellowlegs was a beautiful male Wilson’s Phalarope. Other than that common ducks that have been reported, Sandhill Cranes, Double-crested Cormorants, etc. I hit Dike Road and it was pretty quiet, all I could come up with was a Great Blue Heron for something special. Nice morning to be out with 38 degrees to start with sun, but after a couple of hours the clouds rolled in and I headed south. Images were taken in the early morning sun on April 30, 2015.
Wilson’s Phalarope
Binomial name: Phalaropus tricolor
Category: Sandpipers and Phalaropes and Allies
Size: 9.25” long, 17” wing span
Weight: 2.1 oz
Wilson’s Phalarope
Wilson’s Phalarope
Wilson’s Phalarope
Wilson’s Phalarope
Wilson’s Phalarope
American White Pelican
American White Pelican preening
American White Pelicans
American White Pelican
American White Pelicans
American White Pelicans
American White Pelican
American White Pelican
American White Pelican
American White Pelicans resting
American White Pelican
Great Egret
Great Egrets
Great Egrets
Great Egrets
Great Egret preening
Great Egret
Sandhill Crane
Sandhill Crane
Sandhill Crane
Greater Yellowlegs
Greater Yellowlegs
Greater Yellowlegs
Greater Yellowlegs
I birded the Milwaukee lakefront early this morning and the lake was still along with the birding. Large flocks of 100’s – Double-crested Cormorants on the lake, and some flying north was one of the highlights. I saw 2 Black-crowned Night Herons at the lagoon in the trees from Memorial Drive looking east. The few parts of Lake Park I birded and Lakeshore State Park were quiet. I few stops out in Waukesha Co surprised me with Great Horned Owl owlets. No adults were present while I was there (see update below). 4 owlets total out of the nest, I did not hang around but grabbed a few pics. At the same location I flushed a Wild Turkey from a nest, scared the heck out of me and I quickly exited the area and took a distant photo of the eggs. Always surprises me how they manage with the nests on the ground with all the predictors. I know they all don’t survive! Not a lot of bird species today but some nice action! Images were taken on April 24, 2015. UPDATE: A return to the Great Horned Owl location the next day, April 25, 2015 an adult Great Horned Owl was present. The Owl remained in a nearby tree and never moved from that spot while I was there. Images of that adult have been added below.
Great Horned Owl – Owlets
Binomial name: Bubo virginianus
Category: Owls
Size: 22” long, 44” wing span
Weight: 3.1 lb
Adult Great Horned Owl
Adult Great Horned Owl
Wild Turkey nest with eggs from a distance, other images show at least 11 eggs.
Double-crested Cormorants flyover Lake Michigan
Double-crested Cormorants flyover Lake Michigan
I made the run into Milwaukee very early this morning with hopes to see the reported male Prairie Warbler. The Prairie Warbler was reported yesterday early morning and remained at this location for most of the day. This “Magic Hedge” is just south of the water treatment plant on Lake Michigan on Milwaukee’s lakefront. I arrived at the reported location at 6:20 am. Another birder Laurie was already on site looking for the Prairie Warbler but could not locate it. We both looked hard up and down the hedge for about 30 minutes and then I spotted the Prairie Warbler high in one of the 2 spruce trees to the north. Moments later a Kinglet was spotted in the same tree. Action stopped and we both left the area. I birded Lake Park for well over an hour and not much as going on. I ended my walk on the north end of the park on Memorial Drive with about 5 birders looking around that area for yesterdays report of the Screech Owl but the owl was no where to be seen. I thought I would walk over and check the “Magic Hedge” once more. In only a couple of minutes I spotted the Prairie Warbler up in the spruce where I had saw it earlier. They don’t call this hedge “Magic Hedge” for no reason. The Prairie Warbler flew out of the spruce tree into the hedge. It feed actively for about 5 minutes down east to the lake on the hedge. It looked for insects etc on the ground. It returned west on the hedge back and flew right back into the spruce tree. It remained there for the next 30 minutes and then I left the area. The “Magic Hedge” has produced some great birds over the years and should be check often. A big thank you to Andy Cassini for finding this great bird and getting the word out for others to come and try for it. Not a life bird for me as I found a Prairie Warbler a couple years ago up in Lake Park just up the hill from this location and another in the South Kettle Moraine in 2010. Images were taken on April 15, 2015.
Binomial name: Dendroica discolor
Category: Wood Warblers
Size: 4.75” long, 7” wing span
Weight: 0.27 Oz
Range: The normal range for this bird is the eastern US, west to portions of eastern Texas, Kansas and all of Missouri, south into Florida and north to northern IL but not Wisconsin. Every year a few are found in Wisconsin. Always a special event for birders to see one!
Searching for it’s next insect!
Neck feathers up, searching for it’s next insect!
Neck feathers up!
Neck feathers up!
Searching for it’s next insect!
Searching for it’s next insect!
Neck feathers up!
Neck feathers up, searching for it’s next insect!
Neck feathers down, searching for it’s next insect!
Finding an insect to eat.
Searching for food on the ground at the east end of the hedge.
Searching for food on the ground at the east end of the hedge but thinking about getting back up into the hedge.
Take off!
Searching for it’s next insect!
Searching for it’s next insect at take off!
Going for it’s next insect!
Searching for the next insect.
Looking around
Tail spread, doc shot.
Tail spread, doc shot
I made the run out to the Schoenberg Marsh in Columbia County this morning in hopes to see the Eurasian Wigeon. It was there as reported and only gave distant views while I was there. The duck is actually at the Erstad Prairie pond which is about the same location as Schoenberg Marsh. The beautiful male duck was active the whole time I was present. It seemed to hang out with different ducks, dipped and feed with an American Wigeon. The Marsh was a great place this morning with many duck species. Some of the species were Wood Ducks, Ring-necked Ducks and Blue-winged Teal. Always nice to start the day with a new Wisconsin life bird. From there I hit Goose Pond just down the road it had Tundra Swans and many Canada Geese. Another pond just down the road, DM and I had 4 Pectoral Sandpipers, 2 Wilson’s Snips and 1 Rusty Blackbird. From there I went down to the Rock County Airport with hopes to see the reported Loggerhead Shrike. I spent some time there but came up empty. Ended the day hitting a few spots in the South Kettle Moraine and just had a few Sandhill Cranes. Thanks to Valerie who found the Eurasian Wigeon and to the others who got the word out for others to see the uncommon species to the area. A big thanks to Melody for those perfect directions to the marsh pond! A cool morning with some sun, target bird found, meeting birding friends along the way today made for an exciting day! Images were taken on April 6, 2015.
Eurasian Wigeon, male
Binomial name: Anas penelope
Category: Ducks, Geese and Swans
Size: 20” long, 32” wing span
Weight: 1.5 lb
Cool facts: Birds that are found in North America each year are likely birds that have come from eastern Siberia and Iceland. They have not found breeding Eurasian Wigeons in North America but it could be taking place.
Eurasian Wigeon, male
American Wigeon, male front, Eurasian Wigeon, male back
American Wigeon, male front, Eurasian Wigeon, male back
Eurasian Wigeon, male, left, American Wigeon, male, right
Eurasian Wigeon, male
Eurasian Wigeon, male, middle, American Wigeon, male, right
American Wigeon, male and Eurasian Wigeon, male dipping
Some waterfowl with the Eurasian Wigeon from a distance at Schoenberg Marsh
Wood Duck at the marsh, male
Blue-winged Teal, male Goose Pond
Blue-winged Teal, female Goose Pond
Tundra Swan at Goose Pond
Tundra Swans at Goose Pond
Tundra Swan, Goose Pond
Tundra Swan preening, Goose Pond
Tundra Swan, Goose Pond
Sandhill Crane South Kettle Moraine near Eagle
Sandhill Crane South Kettle Moraine near Eagle
Sandhill Crane, the call, South Kettle Moraine near Eagle
Sandhill Crane South Kettle Moraine near Eagle
Sandhill Crane South Kettle Moraine near Eagle
Sandhill Crane feeding in the South Kettle Moraine near Eagle
Sandhill Crane South Kettle Moraine near Eagle
Sandhill Crane South Kettle Moraine near Eagle
Sandhill Crane South Kettle Moraine near Eagle
Mallard Duck, female South Kettle Moraine near Eagle
Mallard Duck, male South Kettle Moraine near Eagle
Song Sparrow finding food at Paradise Springs South Kettle Moraine near Eagle
Song Sparrow finding food at Paradise Springs South Kettle Moraine near Eagle
Song Sparrow finding food at Paradise Springs South Kettle Moraine near Eagle
Song Sparrow finding food at Paradise Springs South Kettle Moraine near Eagle
