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Red Knot Hustisford Wisconsin August 15, 2014

By admin | August 15, 2014 - 7:58 pm |August 18, 2014 Bird Categories, Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies, Uncategorized

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After seeing a post this evening of a rare visitor to Wisconsin a Red Knot in Hustisford I made the trip up there just before dark, about 7:00 PM. The bird was present as reported below the wires over the river below the dam. A new life bird for me. Thanks to Tom W. for finding this bird along with the presence of Dave S. Images were taken in Dodge County Wisconsin on August 15, 2014.

Red Knot

Binomial name: Calidris canutus

Category: Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

Size: 10.5” long, 23” wing span

Weight: 4.7 Oz.

Habitat: Breeding habitat in tundra areas that are drier and hillsides with sparse vegetation. Outside of breeding habitat they are found near coastal inlets, large tidal mudflats, rocky shores and beaches, bays and estuaries.

Diet: Breeding season it eats sedge seeds and shoots from horsetail and grasses. In snow free areas it will include some invertebrates in their diet. They eat marine worms, grasshoppers, horseshoe crab eggs and other invertebrates in their winter range.

Nesting: Their nest is a depression on the ground lined with lichens, grasses and leaves. It is cup shaped and constructed by the male. 3 to 5 of these are male prior to the arrival of the female, she lays 3-4 eggs and they are incubated around 22 days by both parents. Chicks are hatched in downy cryptic feathers. With a day or so the chicks leave the nest and area and they begin foraging with both adults.

Cool facts: One of the most colorful peeps and the largest in North America. There was a time when the Red Knot was the most numerous shorebird in North America. It migration can be one of the longest being up to 10,000 miles one way. The young chicks make their first long journey on their own.

Blue Grosbeak at the Spring Green Preserve August 9, 2014

By admin | August 9, 2014 - 4:05 pm |August 9, 2014 Bird Categories, Piranga Tanagers and Allies

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I made the run up to the Spring Green Preserve-west SNA in Sauk County Wisconsin with hopes to see the beautiful Blue Grosbeak and get a life bird too. This uncommon bird for the state has been reported on and off all summer long at this location. I was not let down as it only took a few minutes to locate this bird by its distinct call. I viewed it multiple times on top of the tall white pines running east. I also viewed the bird from a distance on the short oaks northeast of the Pearl Road dead end. A few other birds to note were Eastern Towhee’s, Indigo Buntings, 1st summer male and female Baltimore Orioles which I thought they were Chats with the early morning sun hitting them had gold color like I never saw before. Images were taken on August 9, 2014.

Blue Grosbeak, male

Blue Grosbeak

Binomial name: Passerina caerulea

Category: Cardinals, Piranga Tanagers and Allies

Size: 6.75” long, 11” wing span

Weight: 0.98 Oz.

Habitat: Open forests and shrub habitats of south North America. These areas can be corridors, hedgerows, old fields, logged areas, power line right-of-ways, some savanna areas, forest edges, pine forests in the south. Blue Grosbeaks typically migrate south into Mexico and Central America and as far south as central Panama. Normal range for this bird is south of Wisconsin.

Diet: Insects, sometimes seeds from grains.

Nesting: Females typically build the nest, the males help on occasion. The nest is cup shaped 2-3” across built with materials such as twigs, bark material, cotton, leaves, rags, snake skin, plant material and newspapers. Nests are usually located in open areas, along roads and woodland edges. 3-5 eggs are laid with incubation of 12-13 days.

Blue Grosbeak, male

Eastern Towhee, female

Baltimore Oriole, 1st fall male

Baltimore Oriole, 1st fall female

Downy Woodpecker, male

Green Herons at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin August 6, 2014

By admin | August 8, 2014 - 6:56 am |October 13, 2014 Bird Categories, Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

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A pair of juvenile Green Herons were present at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin this morning. They worked the shoreline there hunting for food, stretching and resting too. Some of the items they caught were small fish and the Common Blue Damselfly. Also present at the beach area there were 4 Juvenile Caspian Terns. Images were taken on August 6, 2014.

Juvenile Green Heron with a Common Blue Damselfly.

Green Heron

Binomial name: Buborides virescens

Category: Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

Size: 18” long, 26” wing span

Weight: 7 Oz.

Habitat: Breed in areas of woods or areas with thick vegetation near ponds, marshes, rivers, streams, reservoirs and estuaries. They stay at coastal areas and mangrove swamps in the winter months.

Diet: Green Herons consume fish as their main diet, but also eat amphibians, insects, crustaceans, snails, reptiles and rodents. They catch their food standing still at pond, lake, swamp, creek, marsh, or river edges then darting out with their head snapping up its prey. They also spear their prey with their sharp bill. They usually hunt in waters of less than 4” deep. Deeper waters are usually visited by larger heron species with longer legs.

Nesting: Start of the construction of the nest is done by the male. After a pair is formed the female helps in the nest building. The nest is usually 8-12” across with a bowl of about 2” deep with no lining. The nest is usually located over water at ground level to 30’ or more above the water, but can also be located up to distances of a half mile away from water. They also are known to fix up old nests and during the breeding season they continue to add sticks to their nests as necessary.

Cool fact: Green Herons are known to use bait like insects to bait their prey.

Juvenile Green Heron with a Common Blue Damselfly.

Juvenile Green Heron hunting.

Juvenile Green Heron with a fish.

Juvenile Green Heron with gull overhead!

Juvenile Green Heron patiently waiting for food.

Juvenile Green Heron has it’s eye on something.

Juvenile Green Heron with the catch!

Juvenile Green Heron, the reflection.

Juvenile Green Heron hunting.

Juvenile Green Heron with a Common Blue Damselfly in sight.

Juvenile Green Heron with a Common Blue Damselfly, got it!

Juvenile Green Heron just taking a break.

Juvenile Green Heron just taking a break.

Juvenile Green Heron, getting back to hunting.

Juvenile Green Heron stretching.

Juvenile Green Heron

Juvenile Caspian Tern

Juvenile Caspian Tern coming in for a landing.

Shorebirds North Beach, Racine Wisconsin, August 1, 2014

By admin | August 1, 2014 - 6:23 pm |August 2, 2014 Bird Categories, Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

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I had made the run to North Beach in Racine Wisconsin with hopes to see the reported Red Knot. I missed the bird by an hour! Some shorebirds that were present, Least Sandpipers and Semipalmated Sandpipers, also 1st year Caspian Terns which are always an eye catcher. If I have something labeled wrong, please let me know, thanks! Images were taken on August 1, 2014.

Least Sandpiper at takeoff!

Least Sandpiper

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Least Sandpiper

Least Sandpiper at takeoff!

Least Sandpiper

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Least Sandpiper

Least Sandpiper scratching.

Least Sandpiper

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Caspian Tern, 1st year.

Caspian Terns, 1st year.

Least Sandpiper at takeoff!

Least Sandpiper

Least Sandpiper preening.

Semipalmated Sandpiper, August 2, 2014

Image for comparison. Semipalmated Sandpiper left side, Least Sandpiper right side. August 2, 2014

Image for comparison. Semipalmated Sandpiper left side. Notes: Darker legs or black. Shorter bill than Least SP and it is straighter than Least SP……..Least Sandpiper right side. Notes: Greenish to yellowish legs, longer bill than Semipalmated SP and slightly drooped bill where Least is more straight. August 2, 2014

Semipalmated Sandpiper, August 2, 2014

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Smooth Phlox July 25, 2014

By admin | July 28, 2014 - 6:03 pm |July 28, 2014 Bird Categories, Hummingbirds

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Something I have never witnessed before was the Ruby-throated Hummingbird stopping for some nectar at this rare wildflower, Smooth Phlox, Phlox glaberrima interior. It was only a few seconds, but a beautiful moment at that. I assume this bird is a female adult. Photographs were taken on July 25, 2014.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

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.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Royal Catchfly July 23, 2014

By admin | July 23, 2014 - 7:29 pm |September 12, 2015 Bird Categories, Hummingbirds

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I had the opportunity again to photograph the Ruby-throated Hummingbird enjoying Royal Catchfly (Silene regia). Present today was a female, male and young male, they only showed up one at a time. This fascinating species favor red tubular flowers most of all. Royal Catchfly, a native of Missouri, is an excellent candidate here. Photographs taken on July 23, 2014 in Waukesha County, Wisconsin.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Binomial name: Archilochus colubris

Category: Hummingbirds

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

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

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, young male

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Royal Catchfly

By admin | July 20, 2014 - 7:01 pm |July 21, 2014 Bird Categories, Hummingbirds

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I had the opportunity to photograph the Ruby-throated Hummingbird enjoying Royal Catchfly (Silene regia). I am assuming this is a female. This fascinating species favor red tubular flowers most of all. Royal Catchfly, a native of Missouri, is an excellent candidate here. Photographs taken on July 20, 2014 in Waukesha County, Wisconsin.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Binomial name: Archilochus colubris

Category: Hummingbirds

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

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Lakeshore State Park Milwaukee Wisconsin July 17, 2014

By admin | July 17, 2014 - 7:47 pm |July 18, 2014 Bird Categories, Hummingbirds

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I did some birding at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee this morning. The highlight was a young male Ruby-throated Hummingbird working some native plants there. The Green Heron was also present along with the common Ring-billed and Herring Gulls. Beautiful day to be out birding with mild temps, sunshine and lows winds.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Hoary Vervain

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Binomial name: Archilochus colubris

Category: Hummingbirds

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

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Hoary Vervain

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Hoary Vervain

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Hoary Vervain

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Wild White Indigo

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Penstemon spp.

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin July 10, 2014

By admin | July 10, 2014 - 5:03 pm |July 11, 2014 Bird Categories, Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

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Yellow-crowned Night-Heron fishing, feeding and resting at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Photographs were taken on July 10, 2014. It has been a real treat to view and photograph this rare visitor whose normal range is the southeastern US.

Resting

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Binomial name: Nyctanassa violacea

Category: Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

Size: 24” long, 42” wing span

Weight: 1.5 Lb.

Fishing

Fishing and hears something its left side.

Catching the crayfish!

Killing the crayfish

And down it goes!

Fishing with the reflection of a Ring-billed Gull in the water.

Resting

Fishing

Killing the crayfish after another catch!

Killing the crayfish

Fishing

Back view

Fishing

Hunting

Green Heron at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin July 9, 2014

By admin | July 9, 2014 - 7:17 pm |October 13, 2014 Bird Categories, Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

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Green Heron fishing, feeding and resting at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Photographs were taken on July 9, 2014.

Capture of the crayfish.

Green Heron

Binomial name: Buborides virescens

Category: Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

Size: 18” long, 26” wing span

Weight: 7 Oz.

Cool fact: Green Herons are known to use bait like insects to bait their prey. In some images below a Green Heron used a fly to try to attract a small fish to eat. It repeated this a couple of times as I stood there but was unsuccessful that time in getting it’s fishing trick to work that attracts fish or other prey, to then snatch up.

Killing the crayfish.

Killing the crayfish.

Killing the crayfish.

Just before the swallow!

Fishing and waiting.

The catch!

Fishing

Going for a fly to be used to bait a minnow.

Catching the fly!

Setting the fly in the water to attract a minnow.

Changes plan and takes the fly to a new location to be used to bait a minnow.

Takes off to a new location.

Catches a crayfish after hunting for a while.

Catches a crayfish after fishing.

Killing the crayfish.

Swallows the crayfish without notice!

Going down!

In the process!

Fishing

Resting

Fishing

Beautiful back view of feathers and colors!

Fishing

Resting

Fishing

The catch!

Killing the crayfish

Resting after swallowing the crayfish!

Common Loons, Great Blue Herons and more Sawyer County Wisconsin June 22-26, 2014

By admin | June 30, 2014 - 4:50 am |June 30, 2014 Bird Categories, Loons, Uncategorized

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On a recent trip to Sawyer County in Northern Wisconsin, I had the opportunity to watch and enjoy Common Loons with a chick, Great Blue Herons, American Bald Eagles and more. Images were taken June 22-26, 2014.

Common Loon adult stretching with chick watching.

Common Loon

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)

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 chick.

Common Loon stretching.

Common Loon chick.

Common Loon chick calling.

Common Loon with chick.

Common Loon at takeoff.

Common Loon

Common Loon feeding chick.

Common Loon chick with food.

Common Loon chick.

Great Blue Heron fishing.

Great Blue Heron coming in for a landing.

Great Blue Heron fishing on shore.

American Woodcock, it was struting at this time shifting it's weight from foot to foot.

American Woodcock, was doing a strut at this time shifting it’s weight from foot to foot.

American Bald Eagle adult perched in a tree.

A Chestnut-sided Warbler bringing a variety of food items to a nest for the chicks.

Bonaparte’s Gull North Point and Laughing Gull Port Washington June 10, 2014

By admin | June 11, 2014 - 5:29 pm |June 30, 2014 Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

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The Bonaparte’s Gull were plentiful at North Point in Sheboygan Wisconsin along with my previous post of the presence of the Little Gulls there. I also made a stop at the Port Washington Harbor and got distant views of the reported Laughing Gull. I view the gull from the Coal Dock Park there and almost missed it as it was way out on the side of a stone wall near the water. Some of the other species present at North Point in Sheboygan were 5 American White Pelicans and 10 Caspian Terns. To my understanding the Bonaparte’s are adults with the dark solid black hood and anything less of solid black is a 1st summer. Correct me if I am wrong, thank you! Images were taken on June 10, 2014.

Bonaparte’s Gull – adult

Bonaparte’s Gull

Binomial name: Larus philadelphia

Category: Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Size: 13.5” long, 33” wing span

Weight: 7 oz.

Habitat: Typically breeds near bogs or on lakes in coniferous forests in western Canada and Alaska. The Bonaparte’s spend winters on lakes, marshes bays and beach areas on coasts.

Diet: Small fish, aquatic insects and large invertebrates

Nesting: The open cup nest usually found in a tree but sometimes on the ground. The nest is constructed of sticks, small branches, tree bark and lined with lichens and moss material. Clutch size is 1-4 eggs that are greenish with dark spots on blotches.

Cool facts: The Bonaparte’s Gull is the only gull that commonly nests in a tree. The only gull smaller than the Bonaparte’s is the Little Gull. Often catches flying insects on their wings during the breeding season.

Bonaparte’s Gull – adult

Laughing Gull – adult

Bonaparte’s Gull – 1st summer

Bonaparte’s Gull – adult

Bonaparte’s Gull – adult front right, Bonaparte’s Gull 1st summer back left

Bonaparte’s Gull – adult

Bonaparte’s Gull – in flight!

Bonaparte’s Gull – 1st summer

American White Pelicans – North Point Sheboygan

Caspian Tern

Little Gulls at North Point Sheboygan Wisconsin June 10, 2014

By admin | June 11, 2014 - 5:41 am |June 30, 2014 Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

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I decided to make a run up to North Point in Sheboygan Wisconsin to see what gulls were hanging out. There have been some nice gull species reported and I was not let down. Literally 1,000’s of them with 2 Little Gulls – 1st summer, being the highlight for the day as we know they are not very common. Other gull species, 100’s of Bonaparte’s, along with the common Herring and Ring-billed gulls. I witnessed a confrontation with the 2 Little Gulls which was very exciting. The early morning sunlight gave some beautiful color to these birds. Images were taken on June 10, 2014.

Little Gull

Binomial name: Larus minutus

Category: Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Size: 11” long, 24” wing span

Weight: 4.2 oz.

Habitat: Typically breeds in shallow freshwater marshes and wetlands. Natural range is Central Europe east to southern Siberia. It is common to winter in small numbers along the east coast of North America and on the Great Lakes.

Diet: Small fish, aquatic insects and invertebrates

Nesting: A nest is built among marsh vegetation lined with grass and leaves. 2-6 eggs are laid olive-brown in color with dark spots.

Cool facts: Smallest gull in the world that is often found hanging out with the Bonaparte’s Gull.

Little Gull in front, Bonaparte’s Gull behind.

Stretching

Takeoff!

Little Gull in front, Bonaparte’s Gull behind.

Little Gull left, Ring-billed Gull middle, Bonaparte’s Gull right.

Little Gull right, Bonaparte’s Gull left.

2 Little Gulls in confrontation.

Resolved!

Landing!

Stretching!

Going down!

Little Gull right-front, Bonaparte’s Gull left and in back.

Landing!

Takeoff!

Sandhill Cranes with colts

By admin | June 6, 2014 - 6:04 pm |June 20, 2014 Ducks, Geese, and Swans

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Sandhill Cranes with colts, South Kettle Moraine Waukesha County Wisconsin. I did a little birding today and came across 2 adult and 2 colt Sandhill Cranes. They gave some nice views as the foraged along eating grubs, caterpillars, etc. before heading into some woods out of sight. Photographs taken on June 6, 2014.

Sandhill Crane

Binomial name: Grus canadensis

Category: Cranes

Size: 46” long, 77” wing span

Weight: 10.6 lb.

Habitat: Sandhill Cranes typically breed, forage and nest in wetlands, grasslands, marshes, bogs and sometimes dry lands. Out of the breeding season they spend more time in deeper water of lakes and ponds where they are more safe from the many predators they have being a ground species.

Diet: Seeds, grains, snails, insects, worms, amphibians, reptiles, nestling birds, small mammals, and sometimes berries. With their long bills the dig for tubers.

Nesting: The nest is constructed of dead plant material such as cattails, burr reeds, sedges and grasses. Later on green plant material is added to the nest. The nest is cup shaped 30”-40” across and 4”-6” high lined with small sticks and twigs. Both adults gather the material, but the female arranges the materials in the construction of the nest to her liking. The male defends the nest during incubation. 1-3 eggs are laid in the nest, both parents incubate the eggs for 30 days, they hatch covered in down. The young leave the nest usually in less than a day. The adults feed the young for the first few weeks and then less and less as they become more independent taking 9 to 10 months.

Cool facts: The Sandhill Cranes is the most common crane in the world. Sandhill Cranes are known by their graceful dancing skills. Within 8 hours of hatching the young are capable of swimming. If a mate dies, a new mate is found and a nest is reused by the new pair.

Practicing takeoff!

Colt preening

Snowy Egret at Fort Atkinson in Jefferson County Wisconsin May 29, 2014

By admin | May 29, 2014 - 8:03 pm |June 20, 2014 Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

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The ride paid off for the report of the Snowy Egret at Fort Atkinson in Jefferson County. It was still present when I arrived at 3:25 pm far off the road in a flooded field. This location is just east of the city on Hwy 106, south side of the highway. A life bird for me which made it exciting. Images were taken on May 29, 2014.

Great Egret – left, Snowy Egret, right

Snowy Egret

Binomial name: Egretta thula

Category: Bittern, Herons, and Allies

Size: 24” long, 41” wing span

Weight: 13 oz.

Habitat: Typically they are found on most coasts of the US and Mexico but sometimes can be found breeding inland in wetland areas, mudflats and beaches. They forage in both freshwater and marine habitats preferring shallow sheltered estuarine areas. The breeding range is from the lower Great Lakes and southwestern US to South America.

Diet: Fish, crustacean, insects and smaller reptiles.

Nesting: They nest in colonies, usually with other wading birds. They like platform type nests made of sticks in trees or shrubs. The nests are flat 14”-18” across, 8”-13” high, lined with rushes, grasses, sedges and twigs. 3-4 eggs are incubated by both adults before the young leave the nest which is 20-25 days.

Snowy Egret

2 Great Egrets – left, Snowy Egret – right

Great Egret – right, Snowy Egret – left

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret, down under!

Snowy Egret – left, Great Egret – right

Snowy Egret

Wild Turkey nest with eggs Marquette County Wisconsin May 24, 2014

By admin | May 24, 2014 - 7:26 pm |May 24, 2014 Partridges, Grouse, Turkeys, and Old World Quail

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While doing some birding in Marquette County today I accidentally flushed a Wild Turkey from its nest. I did not realize the nest was there with a turkey sitting on eggs. It was well hidden unless you were standing right in front of it. Interesting that the nest is in an open field with little vegetation other than this patch of native grass in an 8 foot circle, grasses 3 feet high. The nest was made of dead grasses. I quickly took a few images of the nest and eggs and left the area. This nest contained 13 eggs. In some images near the bottom of this post a came across a Wild Turkey nest back in May of 2011. This was on the same piece of land, but a heavily wooded area, nest was in a broken off older tree top laying on the ground next to a log. That nest also held 13 eggs but was made of leaves. The size of Wild Turkeys eggs are 1.6″ -1.9″ wide by a length of 1.9″- 2.7″. Typically Wild Turkeys build their nests on the ground, in a 1″ deep scrap made of material in the area of the nest site.

Wild Turkey nest with eggs Marquette Co. WI. May 24, 2014

Wild Turkey eggs in nest Marquette Co. WI. May 24, 2014

Wild Turkey Nest with eggs, more distant shot, Marquette Co. WI. May 24, 2014

Wild Turkey nest with eggs, more distant shot of nest site, Marquette Co. WI. May 24, 2014

Wild Turkey nest with eggs Marquette Co. WI. May 24, 2014

Wild Turkey eggs in nest, Marquette Co. WI. May 24, 2014

Wild Turkey head, image taken August 23, 2010 in Waukesha Co.

Wild Turkeys, image taken on January 31, 2010 in Waukesha Co.

Wild Turkey nest with eggs Marquette Co. WI. May 27, 2011.

American Redstart

By admin | May 21, 2014 - 6:23 pm |May 22, 2014 Wood-Warblers

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American Redstarts have been present at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha Wisconsin for the last couple of weeks. The American Redstart is a warbler species that some birders are not aware of. One of the most active warblers, it always amazes me how they fly so fast through the trees and brush in 2’s never hitting a thing! I have put together a few images of both the males and females. Images were taken May 13-18, 2014.

American Redstart – Male

American Redstart

Binomial name: Setophaga ruticilla

Category: Wood-Warblers

Size: 5.25” long, 7.75” wingspan

Weight: 0.29 oz.

Habitat: Breeding habitat, deciduous, second growth woodlands with moisture. Habitat can include alder and willow thickets, shrubs, treefall areas situated with old growth forests. They will also use thickets in orchards in fencerows. Breeding range is eastern US, northern parts of the west, well into Canada, winters in parts of Central and South America.

Diet: Insects by flushing by fanning their tail and flashing their wings. They do this from the ground to near the top of the canopy catching insects off limbs, leaves and branches. In fall they may eat berries or fruit that are small.

Nesting: The male shows the female possible nest sites during early courtship and the female tests them out and finally settles on one. It is located on a main trunk of a tree or shrub in a camouflaged location. The female builds her own nest in 3-7 days. The nest is constructed of tightly woven bark strips, feathers, animal and milkweed hairs, lichens, twigs, pine needles, rootlets, leaves and sometimes wasp nest paper material. It is cup shaped 2”-3” wide, 2”-1.5” deep. Typically 2-5 eggs are laid and incubated for 10-13 days by the female.

American Redstart – Female

American Redstart – Male

American Redstart – Female

American Redstart – 1st year male, note black on front of breast.

American Redstart – Female, at takeoff!

American Redstart – Male

American Redstart – Female

American Redstart – Male, calling!

American Redstart – 1st year male, note black dots on front of breast.

American Redstart – Female

Bay-breasted Warbler

By admin | May 20, 2014 - 6:44 pm |May 21, 2014 Bird Categories, Wood-Warblers

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Bay-breast Warblers at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha Wisconsin. While birding here today it started out slow but by mid-morning warbler action had picked up with 10 warbler species were present. Numbers of each warbler species has dropped from a couple days ago. The Bay-breasted Warblers both male and female with their beautiful colors gave nice views for short periods of time. Other warbler species present were Palm, Yellow, American Redstart, Magnolia, Blackpoll, Blackburnian, Yellow-rumped, Wilson’s and Chestnut-sided. With the very warm day today with temps at 85, the trees are filling out fast. Images taken on May 20, 2014.

Bay-breasted Warbler – Male, calling!

Bay-breasted Warbler

Binomial name: Setophaga castanea

Category: Wood-Warblers

Size: 5.50” long, 9” wingspan

Weight: .44 oz.

Habitat: Coniferous forests

Diet: Insects and spiders

Nesting: The nest is usually made of twigs, bark and dry grasses placed on a horizontal limb on the bottom 1/3 of a dense spruce or fir tree. The natural lined cup shaped nest usually holds 4-7 eggs that are spotted or speckled and

Notes: One of the biggest warblers in size.

Bay-breasted Warbler – Male

Bay-breast Warbler – Female

Bay-breasted Warbler – Female getting insect!

Bay-breasted Warbler – Female

Bay-breasted Warbler – Male

Bay-breasted Warbler – Male, looking up at insect!

Bay-breasted Warbler – Male, calling!

Bay-breasted Warbler – Male

Bay-breasted Warbler – Male, going for the insect!

Bay-breasted Warbler – Male

Philadelphia Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Prothonotary Warbler and more at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha May 19, 2014.

By admin | May 19, 2014 - 6:25 pm |May 29, 2014 Vireos, Wood-Warblers

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I birded the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha Wisconsin mid-morning today. Two new species at the river today, the Philadelphia and Warbling Vireos. They gave nice views as they both continually foraged through the trees along the river. The warbler action started out a little slow but then picked up with a total of 12 warbler species. Some of the warbler highlights were a 30 second view of a Prothonotary, Blackburnian, Bay-breasted, Northern Parula and Wilson’s. This place just amazes me! Images were taken on May 19, 2014.

Philadelphia Vireo

Binomial name: Vireo phildelphicus

Category: Vireos

Size: 5.25” long, 8” wingspan

Weight: 0.42 oz.

Philadelphia Vireo

Philadelphia Vireo – Looking up!

Warbling Vireo

Prothonotary Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler – Male

Bay-breasted Warbler – Male

Chestnut-sided Warbler – Female

Chestnut-sided Warbler – Female, going for an insect!

Chestnut-sided Warbler

By admin | May 18, 2014 - 4:54 pm |May 18, 2014 Bird Categories, Wood-Warblers

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I did a short birding run today of 1 hour at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha Wisconsin early this morning. The Chestnut-sided Warbler gave the best views of the 11 warbler species present. Lower numbers of each compared to a couple of days ago. The other warbler species present were Blackburnian, Palm, Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped, Yellow, Common Yellowthroat, Black-and-white, Magnolia, American Redstart and Wilson’s. It was a fun 1 hour with nice blue skies and mild temps of almost 50 at 8:00 am. Images are of males. Images were taken on May 18, 2014.

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Binomial name: Setophaga pensyvanica

Category: Wood-Warblers

Size: 5” long, 7.75” wingspan

Weight: .34 oz.

Habitat: Open young second growth deciduous woodlands and woodland edges.

Diet: Insects and spiders, fruit and seeds occasionally

Nesting: The small cup shaped nest is usually located in the vertical fork of a shrub or vine tangle usually no higher than 2’ off the ground. The nest is of woven construction of weed and plant parts along with grasses and bark pieces. 3-5 cream colored with brown speckles are incubated for about 12 days.