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Great Horned Owl Owlet in Wisconsin on May 9, 2016

By admin | May 9, 2016 - 1:44 pm |May 10, 2016 Bird Categories, Typical Owls

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Great Horned Owl owlet in Wisconsin on May 9, 2016

Great Horned Owls

Binomial name: Bubo virginianus

Category: Owls

Size: 22” long, 44” wing span

Weight: 3.1 lb

Barred Owl Owlets in Wisconsin on May 9, 2016

By admin | May 9, 2016 - 1:22 pm |May 10, 2016 Bird Categories, Typical Owls

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Barred Owl Owlets in Wisconsin on May 9, 2016 2 of 3-4 owlets photographed

Barred Owl

Binomial name: Strix varia

Category: Typical Owls

Size: 21” long, 42” wing span

Weight: 1.6 lb

Climbing a tree

Warblers and a Green Heron at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on May 5, 2016

By admin | May 5, 2016 - 7:32 pm |May 28, 2018 Bird Categories, Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

5 Comments

I stopped at Whitnall Park for a routine birding stop to see if there was any warbler action. There was one period mid-morning where there was some good warbler action, but it did not last long. Some Black-throated Green Warblers, 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler, 1 Blackburnian Warbler were the warbler highlights. Some of the other warbler species present were Yellow-rumped, Palm, Black and White and Yellow. A Green Heron, FOY, gave a very brief appearance. It was a pleasant day with low winds, mild temps and sunny skies. Just a few images to share taken on May 5, 2016.

Green Heron

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

Canada Geese Goslings at South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee Wisconsin on May 2, 2016

By admin | May 3, 2016 - 7:17 pm |May 3, 2016 Bird Categories, Ducks, Geese, and Swans

6 Comments

Birding some of the lakefront in Milwaukee I came across these cute little Canada Geese goslings. They were at South Shore Yacht Club along with their parents. I just had to share these cuties! Images were taken on May 2, 2016.

Canada Goose

Binomial name: Branta canadensis

Category: Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Size: 25-45” long, 43”-60 wing span

Weight: 3.5-9.8 lb

Willets at South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee Wisconsin on April 29, 2016

By admin | April 29, 2016 - 7:08 pm |April 29, 2016 Bird Categories, Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

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I birded the lakefront in Milwaukee from mid-morning till later afternoon and the highlight were Willets at South Shore Yacht Club. There were 4 Willets and they were feeding just south of the beach area for awhile and then they moved onto a pier to rest. There were a few dog walkers and do not think they will hang around long there. There were 100’s of Bonaparte’s Gulls south of the boat landing there and a few hanging around the beach area. I saw the first Black-crowned Night-Heron of the spring at Veteran’s Park near the lagoon. One Semipalmated Sandpiper and a few Caspian Terns at McKinley Marina and that was about it. I walked what I thought was a good part of Lake Park, not one warbler. Only one Ruby-crowned Kinglet and a few Blue-gray Gnatcatchers to report there. The day ended with some Willets so that made my day. Images were taken on April 29, 2016.

Willet

Binomial name: Catoptrophorus semipalmatus

Category: Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

Size: 15” long, 26” wing span

Weight: 8 oz

Willets

Willet

Willet eyeing up it’s next bite

Willet going for what it eats

Willet

Willet

Willets

Food in the bill

Willet

Willet

Willet

Willet

Willet

Willet

Bonaparte’s Gull, adult

Bonaparte’s Gull, adult

Bonaparte’s Gull, adult going for what it eats

Bonaparte’s Gull, adult

Bonaparte’s Gull, immature

Bonaparte’s Gull, adult

Bonaparte’s Gull, adult going for what it eats

Bonaparte’s Gull, adult

Bonaparte’s Gull, adult

Black-crowned Night-Heron

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher seeing what it wants to eat at Lake Park

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher going for what it wants at Lake Park

Horned Grebe at Lakeshore State Park

Caspian Terns at McKinley Marina

Summer Tanager at Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on April 28, 2016

By admin | April 28, 2016 - 2:23 pm |April 28, 2016 Bird Categories, Piranga Tanagers and Allies

6 Comments

I had to check out the visiting Summer Tanager mid-morning that was being reported at the Wehr Nature Center. I’m glad I did because the bird put on a great show. The male Summer Tanager ate many bees while I was present along with a few other birders and photographers. It was usually on the lookout for bees while sitting in a tree or at times hung around the beehive present there waiting for bees to come in or out of the hive. It even grabbed a few bees right out of the hole in the hive while I was there. The bird is more of a southern species which the normal range is north to southern Illinois but we do see a couple every year here in Wisconsin. Stunning and colorful bird even on a gray gloomy day! Thanks to Carol for getting the word out. Images were taken on April 28, 2016.

Summer Tanager

Binomial name: Piranga rubra

Category: Piranga Tanagers and Allies

Size: 7.75” long, 12” wing span

Weight: 1 oz

Grabbing a bee!

Got the bee!

Just waiting for a bee…

Back view

Smith’s Longspur at Brooklyn Wildlife Area in Dane County Wisconsin on April 25, 2016

By admin | April 25, 2016 - 4:03 pm |April 25, 2016 Bird Categories, Longspurs and Snow Buntings

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Bill Grossmeyer and I made the trip out to Brooklyn Wildlife Area in Dane County this morning with hopes to see Smith’s Longspurs that have been reported recently by Steve T and others, thanks all. We both knew this was like looking for a needle in a haystack. After about 3 hours of a lot of walking, up and down corn rows Bill with his keen vision spotted a female, then a male. It was an exciting moment. A little stressful when a birder standing next to you can see a life bird, and you cannot. That is how good the Smith’s Longspurs blend in with the surrounding area. Life birds for both of us and a great time too. Images were taken on April 25, 2016.

Smith’s Longspur, male

Smith’s Longspur

Binomial name: Calcarius pictus

Category: Longspurs

Size: 6.25” long, 11.25” wing span

Weight: .91 oz

Smith’s Longspur, male

Smith’s Longspur, male

Smith’s Longspur, male

Smith’s Longspur, male in a fly by

Upland Sandpiper at Lake Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on April 24, 2016

By admin | April 24, 2016 - 1:02 pm |April 24, 2016 Bird Categories, Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

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I birded some of the beaches in Milwaukee early morning with not much going on. I ran into Rita F in the parking lot of the Magic Hedge and asked what she was after. She mentioned Mark K’s post of the Upland Sandpiper being there. I was not aware of it as Mark posted after I left the house. We located the bird in a couple minutes but it was very skittish and when it saw us, it pretty much flew north onto the water treatment property. I got a couple of distant quick doc shots with poor lighting, that is the way it goes. It remained there until we left and was out of sight when we left. A life bird for me and a big thank you to Mark K for finding the bird and getting the word out for others to see. Hopefully it will hang around a while. Other birds to note on the lakefront, 1 Purple Martin checking out the house at Lakeshore State Park, 2 Caspian Terns and a couple of Ruddy Ducks were also present there. A cloudy gloomy day with a few light drizzles at times and still cold out there! Images were taken on April 24, 2016.

Upland Sandpiper

Binomial name: Bartramia longicuda

Category: Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

Size: 12” long, 26” wing span

Weight: 6 oz

Upland Sandpiper

Upland Sandpiper with roof of treatment plant in background

Purple Martin checking out the house

Purple Martin checking out the house

Purple Martin checking out the house, bird appears to be banded

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

By admin | April 23, 2016 - 8:06 pm |April 24, 2016 Bird Categories, Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

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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.

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

Fish in neck

Fish still in neck

Fish going down with a look

Preening, grooming and caring for the feathers

Preening

Great Blue Heron with a Flathead Minnow

Stretching

Double catch! Great Blue Heron with Flathead Minnows

Great Blue Heron with a Flathead Minnow

Fishing

Great Blue Heron with a Flathead Minnow

Great Blue Heron with a Flathead Minnow

Great Blue Heron with a Flathead Minnow

The amazing feathers!

Great Blue Heron with a Bullhead

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

By admin | April 18, 2016 - 6:21 pm |April 18, 2016 Bird Categories, Blackbirds

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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.

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

Calling

Finding something to eat

Calling

In flight!

Hunting for food

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

By admin | April 14, 2016 - 8:39 pm |April 15, 2016 Bird Categories, Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

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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.

Caspian Tern

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

Caspian Terns

Caspian Tern

Caspian Tern

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

Caspian Terns

Bonaparte’s Gull

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

Bonaparte’s Gulls all heading south today!

Bonaparte’s Gull hanging out in the water

Bonaparte’s Gull

Double-crested Cormorants

Double-crested Cormorant

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

By admin | April 14, 2016 - 6:55 pm |April 16, 2016 Bird Categories, Kinglets

4 Comments

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

Golden-crowned Kinglet, male

Winter Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet, adult

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Yellow-rumped Warbler

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

By admin | April 9, 2016 - 4:38 pm |April 10, 2016 Bird Categories, Typical Owls

5 Comments

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.

Eastern Screech-Owl

Binomial name: Otus asio

Category: Typical Owls

Size: 8.5” long, 20” wing span

Weight: 6 oz

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

By admin | April 8, 2016 - 6:20 pm |April 9, 2016 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

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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.

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

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female getting sap

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male getting sap

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female getting sap

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male with sap on bill

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male getting sap

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female getting sap

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female getting sap

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male working on getting sap

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

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

By admin | April 1, 2016 - 6:22 pm |April 2, 2016 Bird Categories, Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

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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.

Great Blue Heron

Binomial name: Ardea herodias

Category: Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

Size: 46” long, 72” wing span

Weight: 5.3 lb

Hanging out at the island

The drink

Hunting

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

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

By admin | March 29, 2016 - 1:40 pm |March 29, 2016 Bird Categories, Tyrant Flycatchers

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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.

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.

Hunting!

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

By admin | March 25, 2016 - 4:57 pm |March 25, 2016 Bird Categories, Typical Owls

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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.

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

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe preening

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe

Common Loon, distant shot

Killdeer in the snow!

Killdeer

Killdeer calling

Killdeer resting

Killdeer

Great Horned Owl in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on March 15, 2016

By admin | March 16, 2016 - 11:55 am |March 16, 2016 Bird Categories, Typical Owls

2 Comments

A couple shots of a Great Horned Owl in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on March 15, 2016. Seeing one of these is always a treat!

Great Horned Owls

Binomial name: Bubo virginianus

Category: Owls

Size: 22” long, 44” wing span

Weight: 3.1 lb

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

By admin | March 12, 2016 - 2:47 pm |March 13, 2016 Bird Categories, Ducks, Geese, and Swans

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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.

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

Taking a drink

Preening

Foraging

Foraging

Foraging

Foraging

Just poking along

On a mission

Snow Goose with Mallard, male

Taking a drink

Foraging

Taking a drink

Shaking it off!

The gulp

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

By admin | March 7, 2016 - 4:12 pm |March 10, 2016 Bird Categories, Ducks, Geese, and Swans

11 Comments

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.