Bird Categories Archives - Page 36 of 48 - Window to Wildlife

Snowy Owl at the Lake Express in Milwaukee Wisconsin on December 30, 2015

By admin | December 30, 2015 - 4:44 pm |December 30, 2015 Bird Categories, Typical Owls

On a gloomy day with some on and off snow flurries the highlight on Milwaukee’s lakefront today was finding a Snowy Owl at the Lake Express Ferry. It sat on a container the time I was there. Bruce joined me and enjoyed the views too. We had been together earlier at Bradford Beach watching 4 nice Great Black-backed Gulls on the beach but were in the water more than out. The Snowy Owl seemed to be in the hunting mode but never went for anything. It did some preening and resting but that was about it. I think it is a male but have not really studied it yet. A nice way to end the year with seeing the 1st Snowy Owl of the season. 2 hunting Northern Harriers and a American Kestrel also made themselves present at the Lake Express. Images were taken on December 30, 2015.

Snowy Owl

Binomial name: Bubo scandiacus

Category: Typical Owls

Description: Adult males are mostly white with a few dark feather tips. Adult females and juveniles are white with dark scalloping on chest, back, wings, and tail. Yellow eyes, black beak, and feathery feet.

Size: 20”- 28” long, 49” – 59” wingspan

Weight: 3.5 lb. – 6.6 lb.

Habitat: Wide open, treeless spaces such as shorelines, lakes, open fields, and agricultural sites.

Diet: Small mammals such as rodents, lemmings, voles, mice, rats, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, and other birds such as shorebirds, songbirds, ducks, geese, and pheasants.

Nesting: The female builds a nest on a mound with good visibility. She scrapes away the top layer of soil and, over several days, presses her body into the ground to make a depression. She will lay a clutch of 3 to 11 eggs and incubate them for about 5 weeks. Both parents will defend the nest and care for the hatchlings which are born pure white. The same nest may be used year after year.

Notes: Snowy owls are considered the heaviest owl in North America, weighing about a pound more than its closest contender, the Great Horned Owl. A snowy owl was featured in the Harry Potter series when Harry received his pet, Hedwig. It is also the official bird of Quebec.

Kumlien’s Iceland Gull at the Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee Wisconsin on December 15, 2015

By admin | December 15, 2015 - 5:44 pm |January 1, 2016 Bird Categories, Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

3 Comments

I birded some of the lakefront mid morning today in Milwaukee. My last stop was going to be South Shore Yacht Club. Only a few blocks away from there, I got a text from Jen A telling me of a beautiful Kumlein’s Iceland Gull was present on the docks. Thanks Jen! This gull may have 1st been found by John M early morning, nice find John! I stopped and we both got some nice views of this bird flying and watched it hanging out with some Ring-billed Gulls. I think this gull would be considered a 2nd winter gull. Also present was a Peregrine Falcon, but it was out far on a dock and only gave back views. I left for awhile and checked out the Petroleum Pier which had pretty much the same ducks that I have been seeing for the last 2 weeks. Lakeshore State Park still had the female Long-tailed Duck along with the ducks that it had been hanging with. Not much else to report. A fun hour or so out, always a treat to see a different gull on the lakefront! Images were taken on December 15, 2015.

Kumlien’s Iceland Gull

Binomial name: Larus glaucoides

Category: Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Size: 22” long, 54” wing span

Weight: 1.8 lb

Kumlien’s Iceland Gull left, Ring-billed Gull right

Kumlien’s Iceland Gull hanging out with Ring-billed Gulls, 6th from the left

Kumlien's Iceland Gull left, Ring-billed Gulls, 3 right

Kumlien’s Iceland Gull left, Ring-billed Gulls, 5 right

Take-off!

Long-tailed Duck and more at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on December 10, 2015

By admin | December 10, 2015 - 7:28 pm |December 10, 2015 Bird Categories, Ducks, Geese, and Swans

2 Comments

I hit the lakefront in Milwaukee early this morning. I stopped at the beaches and marinas and not much was happening. I stopped at Lakeshore State Park and did a walk through and stumbled across 3 Snow Bunting that hung around for about 1 second. I checked the pond area and it had a few Greater Scaups and in them was the female Long-tailed Duck that Todd had reported yesterday. I watched it for awhile and they were all actively feeding most of the time I was present. The Long-tailed Duck being smaller still got very pushy around the scaups. I watched something interesting happen and I captured it some what on camera. The ducks where all hanging out a scattered group and the Long-tailed Duck takes off, does a 180 for about 200 feet, bolts like a bullet, then settles down. The scaups follow it but at a slower pace. Only thing I could figure out is that a very large fish had went for the duck. I saw nothing above that could have startled that poor duck! Most ducks I have seen in one place so far this season. 2 Pied-billed Grebes and Double-crested Cormorants were also present at the park. A fun day out, wind was cool, mostly cloudy I would say. The winds were picking up when I left. Images were taken on December 10, 2015.

Long-tailed Duck, female

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

Long-tailed Duck, female, thinking about making the dive!

Long-tailed Duck, female, still thinking about making the dive!

Long-tailed Duck, female, making the dive

Long-tailed Duck, female, done!

Pied-billed Grebe

Greater Scaup, female adult

Greater Scaup, male adult

Long-tailed Duck, female, stretching

Long-tailed Duck, female

Greater Scaup, male adult

Greater Scaup, female adult

Long-tailed Duck, female just hanging out with the scaups

Long-tailed Duck, female was thinking about stretching but did not

Something startles the Long-tailed Duck!

Duck does 180! Long-tailed Duck is startled and takes off like a bullet!

The Long-tailed Duck is on the move doing 180!

The Long-tailed Duck is on the move, still getting turned around

And away the duck goes!

Still going!

Still going and the scaups have joined in on the exit!

And still going!

Still going!

And after a couple hundred feet it settles down, I can only think it was a fish?

Quick shot of a distant Snow Bunting at the park

Long-tailed Ducks at Manitowoc Wisconsin on December 8, 2015

By admin | December 8, 2015 - 6:44 pm |December 9, 2015 Bird Categories, Ducks, Geese, and Swans

6 Comments

Early this morning I made a run up to Manitowoc with hopes to see a few recent reported birds. I had hoped for some sun but it remained overcast all morning. I saw 4 Long-tailed Ducks in the harbor. 1 adult male and 3 adult females. These ducks were skittish and for the most part the hung out in the middle of the harbor there which is pretty good size. 2 times they came in for some diving. Stunning ducks, my 2nd time seeing an adult male, and never this close. I had to hide behind a concrete barrier for some time and stay out of sight for them to come in, but it worked. The nice views were very limited. That was it for Manitowoc. My next stop was Sheboygan and I had no luck in seeing the reported female Harlequin Duck. I checked all places I usually check 3 times and out in the water all places. I noticed now it was reported again this afternoon, that is birding. 1 Great Black-backed Gull I was present on a breakwall there. My last stop was at the Port Washington Harbor, very quiet with the usual suspects. All places I thought had few ducks. A cloudy day, the wind was cold at Manitowoc, but other places not too bad. Still a fun day out birding! Images were taken on December 8, 2015.

Long-tailed Duck, adult male

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

Long-tailed Duck, adult male

The long tail, making a dive!

Long-tailed Duck, adult female

Long-tailed Duck, adult female stretching

Long-tailed Duck, adult male left – Long-tailed Duck, adult female right

Long-tailed Duck, adult male right – Long-tailed Duck, adult female left

Long-tailed Duck, adult female making a dive!

Long-tailed Duck, adult male

Long-tailed Duck, adult female

Long-tailed Duck, adult male

Long-tailed Duck, adult female left – Long-tailed Duck, adult male right

Great Black-backed Gulls at Bradford Beach on December 4, 2015

By admin | December 4, 2015 - 7:33 pm |December 5, 2015 Bird Categories, Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

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One of the birding moments today was watching a couple of adult Great Black-backed Gulls at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee. One of the birds was shy and only came in once, and a walker flushed it. The other had only one thing on it’s mind, eating, and that was part of a dead fish at waters edge. A couple of days ago, I could not even get on the beach, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls were present that day and when I set foot on the beach they headed out on to the water. Today, this food was a factor, I was within 100 feet of many gulls as were walkers and the one Great Black-backed Gull with in them never moved, it worked on the fish, but it did keep an eye on me the whole time too. Had a little confrontation with a couple of Herring Gulls but overall not much trouble. The Herring and Ring-billed Gulls that were around pretty much kept their distance and respected this gulls space. I noticed this gull took the dead fish and dragged it into the water numerous times and out, it appeared it was washing the dead fish as it ate it. One time it looked like it was going to cover the dead fish up with bills full of algae but that process did not go far. At the end, the Great Black-backed Gull had appeared to have filled up and took to the air, then sitting far out on the lake bathing. A couple of Herring Gulls took over the piece of fish. The only other highlight today was seeing 2 Hermit Thrushes at Grant Park in Milwaukee below a bluff. Other than that a slow day birding where I was, few ducks out on the lake for this time of year. Beautiful day out with mild temps and sun, low winds. Images were taken on December 4, 2015.

Great Black-backed Gull

Binomial name: Larus marinus

Category: Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Description: The largest member of the gull family. White feathers with grayish-black backs and wings. The wings have white wingtips. Pink legs, strong yellow or pinkish-yellow bill.

Size: 25” – 31” long, 4’ 10” – 5’ 7” wingspan

Weight: 1.7 lbs. – 5.1 lbs.

Getting the dead fish back out of the water

The Great Black-backed Gull retrieves the dead fish it just put in the water, evidently for washing

A Herring Gull watching, would love to get some of that fish!

A Herring Gull watching, would love to get some of that fish!

Taking a drink

Dragging it back out of the water after possible washing

Got flushed by a jogger but is coming back in

Not wasting any time getting back to that fish with a Herring Gull on the left.

A little confrontation

Herring Gull left, Ring-billed Gull right

Gull is full, time to get out on the lake!

Wings down!

Long-tailed Ducks at Sheboygan Wisconsin on November 29, 2015

By admin | November 29, 2015 - 4:44 pm |November 30, 2015 Bird Categories, Ducks, Geese, and Swans

3 Comments

I hit a few spots along Lake Michigan this morning north of Milwaukee in hopes that some of the nice birds reported from the north have come south. Nothing rare to report, but I did see the 2 Long-tailed Ducks that Nancy reported yesterday and they are always a treat. Thank you Nancy! The two female Long-tailed Ducks were hanging out around the marina area, once in a while with some mallards too. They did a lot of preening during the time I was there which was short lived as a few fishermen kept making a lot of noise, the Long-tailed Ducks moved out some. I only saw one duck dive once. Port Washington was slow, but still a great place to watch. It was a very cold morning with a light breeze out of the north, some sun. Images were taken on November 29, 2015.

Taking a drink!

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

Preening

Both preening

Great Black-backed Gulls at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on November 28, 2015

By admin | November 28, 2015 - 2:53 pm |November 28, 2015 Bird Categories, Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

3 Comments

I hit Milwaukee’s lakefront early this morning and it was pretty quiet. The only highlight were 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, adults nonbreeding at Bradford Beach. They came and went but at one time 3 were on the beach within ~20 feet of each other. They mostly hung out in the water with walkers on the beach. Great Black-backed Gulls have always been skittish with me, you just will not be on the beach with them. Step a foot on the beach and they are gone! There was a little harassing from Herring Gulls but that was limited. Bruce showed up, Jym showed up later and he just had 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls at the marina along with a Thayer’s Gull. We thought we had a Lesser Black-backed Gull early on but could not confirm it. Jen and John showed up too and we all watch the Great Black-backed Gulls while they hung around for the most part out in the lake. There was a stiff wind out of the north and it made for a very cold morning, but it was a fun time out birding with friends! Weather like this for almost the 1st of December, we will take it. Images were taken on November 28, 2015.

Great Black-backed Gull

Binomial name: Larus marinus

Category: Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Description: The largest member of the gull family. White feathers with grayish-black backs and wings. The wings have white wingtips. Pink legs, strong yellow or pinkish-yellow bill.

Size: 25” – 31” long, 4’ 10” – 5’ 7” wingspan

Weight: 1.7 lbs. – 5.1 lbs.

Habitat: Rocky and sandy coastal shorelines, ponds, lakes, and marshes

Diet: 50% or more of their diet is often garbage or human refuse. They also eat fish, insects, crabs, smaller birds, chick eggs, and land animals such as rats.

Nesting: Both parents build several nests on or near stacks of rocks or fallen logs. The female chooses the best one, and it is lined with grass, seaweed, and other vegetation or garbage such as rope and pieces of plastic. The female will lay a clutch of 3 eggs and both parents incubate them for about 28 days. Both parents raise the hatchlings, take turns finding food. The breeding pair will reuse the same nesting site year after year.

Notes: Great Black-backed Gull feathers were used in clothing while feathers were fashionable in the late 1800’s. Once the trend ended, populations began to increase. This trend continues with the increase in refuse sites across North America and Europe.

Distant shot of 3 Great Black-backed Gulls on the beach!

They all want some of the food, with a Herring Gull and Ring-billed Gulls

They all want some of the food, with a Herring Gull and Ring-billed Gulls

With a Herring Gull and Ring-billed Gulls

Under the wing

Back view

Just took a drink!

Lewis’s Woodpecker in Trempealeau County Wisconsin on November 24, 2015

By admin | November 24, 2015 - 4:10 pm |February 5, 2016 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

13 Comments

I made the run up to Trempealeau County early am with hopes to see the reported Lewis’s Woodpecker. I left in darkness, arrived in darkness. After some light arrived, so did the woodpeckers. Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied Woodpeckers and then the beautiful male Lewis’s Woodpecker! This Lewis’s should be the 4th state record for Wisconsin if I am correct. Its normal range is Colorado and west, what an exciting bird to have show up in Wisconsin. They did not waste anytime, all the woodpeckers were active most of the time I was there. The Lewis’s pretty much stayed in about 1 acre of the front yard at the home. On 2 occasions it flew north and south what appeared to be long distances but returned. Dan B showed up after awhile and the Lewis’s gave nice views but remained higher in branched trees. Daryl showed up, the bird was active for a while but left the area for about 45 minutes and did not return, I headed for home. The bird only hit the suet feeder once while we were there, and it was a split second. We gave this bird plenty of space. One sometimes wonders how these birds are found. Amanda the mother told me that Isaiah the son found the bird, the daughter Zaila identified the bird immediately. Great find Isaiah, great ID Zaila! Zaila is a birder working on a life list etc, congrats to all of them. I hope I got this information correct. The bird was found this last Sunday. A big thank you to Amanda the mother, the outstanding host for all the birders who have showed up and to all the family for letting others come see this rare bird that is visiting in their yard. Thanks too, to everyone that has kept updates on this bird and excellent directions to the location. A life bird for me and a cool one at that. It was a very fun morning for all of us on a beautiful late November day! Hope the bird hangs around for others to see. Images were taken on November 24, 2015. UPDATE: To my understanding, the Lewis’s Woodpecker was still being seen as of Friday February 5, 2016.

Lewis’s Woodpecker

Binomial name: Melanerpes lewis

Category: Woodpeckers and Allies

Size: 10.75” long, 21” wing span

Weight: 4 oz

Cool fact: Normal Range is Colorado west, far northern Mexico north to lower Canada

Always looking for insects!

Looking in all the loose bark openings for insects!

Looking in all the loose bark openings for insects!

Just resting

Early morning sun just sitting

Scratching, early morning sun

Early morning sun, just taking a break

Getting those insects!

Always looking for insects!

With possible acorn

In action

In action, looking for insects

From the barnyard pole!

Birding at the Milwaukee Community Garden on November 23, 2015

By admin | November 23, 2015 - 8:19 pm |November 24, 2015 Bird Categories, Emberizids

2 Comments

One of my birding stops today was the Milwaukee Community Garden off of Rawson Ave in Milwaukee County. I hung out there for a while and enjoyed all the different species of birds picking and eating weed seeds off the dead stalks. The roads were open and I made a few passes though there. No sign of the Northern Shrike but a few Red-tailed Hawks were in the area. All these birds work way to hard! Images were taken on November 23, 2015.

Northern Cardinal, male

Northern Cardinal, female

White-crowned Sparrow, male eating weed seeds

White-crowned Sparrow, adult eating weed seeds

White-crowned Sparrow, male getting that seed!

White-crowned Sparrow, adult getting that seed!

White-crowned Sparrow, male eating weed seeds

White-crowned Sparrow, adult eating weed seeds

White-crowned Sparrow, juvenile eating weed seeds

White-crowned Sparrow, female eating weed seeds

White-crowned Sparrow, juvenile

American Tree Sparrow picking and eating weed seeds

American Tree Sparrow

House Finch, male

American Goldfinch picking and eating seeds

American Goldfinch at takeoff

American Tree Sparrow eating weed seeds

White-throated Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow adult on alert!

Fox Sparrow in Marquette County Wisconsin on November 21, 2015

By admin | November 22, 2015 - 4:29 pm |November 22, 2015 Bird Categories, Emberizids

1 Comment

I spent a short time at a local birding spot in Marquette County Wisconsin and it was very slow. One occasion a Fox Sparrow showed and gave nice views. Red-headed Woodpeckers are still hanging around but I did not pursue them. 5 American Bald Eagles have been hanging around too in the area seeing them regularly. Lots of Blue Jays, they are still grabbing acorns of the oak trees and storing them. At least 2 adults and 4 juveniles, it will be interesting if they will be here in spring. A light snow last night, winter is here. Images were taken on November 21, 2015.

Fox Sparrow, typically a bird I usually see on the ground feeding.

Fox Sparrow

Binomial name: Passerella iliaca

Category: Emberizids

Size: 7” long, 10.5” wing span

Weight: 1.1 oz

Note: I have heard it so many times, “Fox Sparrow is my favorite sparrow”

Fox Sparrow, back view

Fox Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Blue Jay

Blue Jay looking back

Blue Jay

Blue Jay in the late afternoon sun

American Kestrel at the Lake Express Milwaukee Wisconsin November 19, 2015

By admin | November 19, 2015 - 5:28 pm |December 2, 2015 Bird Categories

3 Comments

I birded the lakefront in Milwaukee early this morning. One of the highlights was a beautiful male American Kestrel at the Lake Express Ferry. It worked from the fences getting grasshoppers and eating them. It was really focused on food, it must know there is winter storm in the forecast. The rest of the lakefront was very quiet, few ducks. Another highlight was the Northern Shrike at the Milwaukee Community Gardens. When I drove into the gardens, there was the shrike on top of some small deciduous trees in the middle of the garden area. Most likely is the same bird that was reported by Jen on Monday. I stopped and took a distant shot of the bird. I watched it hunt and catch a few things and then it left the area. I hung around an hour it never returned. The Northern Shrike image is last. Images were taken on November 19, 2015.

American Kestrel with a grasshopper after catching it over the fence

American Kestrel

Binomial name: Falco sparverius

Category: Caracaras and Falcons

Size: 9” long, 22” wing span

Weight: 4.1 oz

Cool facts: I’ve also heard it called a sparrow hawk

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

Here the wind gave the bird a rough time but it steadied itself

Here too, the wind gave the bird a rough time but it steadied itself

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel still eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel

American Kestrel hunting

American Kestrel, image taken 11/20/15

Northern Shrike, distant shot at the Milwaukee Community Gardens 11/19/15

Anna’s Hummingbird in Jefferson County Wisconsin on November 15, 2015

By admin | November 15, 2015 - 5:30 pm |November 16, 2015 Bird Categories, Hummingbirds

4 Comments

I made the run out to Waterloo Wisconsin in Jefferson County with hopes to see the reported female Anna’s Hummingbird. When I arrived I had to wait for a while for the bird to show. It had been reported that it showed roughly every hour. It pretty much stayed on track for that for the couple of hours I stayed. It typically favored the feeder port of the hummingbird feeder that was against the house next to the pole which made it difficult for photos, but the bird gave great views! When it got the feeder it stayed there for the duration until it had what it wanted then left to the east. On one occasion I saw it leave and go into a arborvitae type tree to the east. From what I heard today, this was the 6th reported Anna’s for the state of Wisconsin. It was said the bird has been coming to the feeder for about a week, but it took that long to get it all figured out that it was a Anna’s and not a Ruby-throated. The pale white eye-ring and white behind the eyes determines it is a Anna’s. This bird was banded early this morning by Cynthia B, but it did not stop it from returning to one of the feeders in the yard all day long. Not my first Anna’s in the state as I got the stunning male last year in Sauk County Wisconsin on October 21, 2014. A big thank you to Duane and Kristen for allowing visitors to see the rare visitor to the state and being great hosts! Also, thanks to Tom P for getting the word out on this bird.

Anna’s Hummingbird

Binomial name: Calypte anna

Category: Hummingbirds

Size: 4″ long, 5.25” wingspan

Weight: 0.15 oz

Link to images of the MALE Anna’s Hummingbird taken in Sauk County Wisconsin on October 21, 2014 if you care to view them:

http://www.windowtowildlife.com/annas-hummingbird-sauk-county-wisconsin-october-21-2014/

Franklin’s Gull at North Point in Sheboygan Wisconsin on November 12, 2015

By admin | November 12, 2015 - 3:23 pm |November 12, 2015 Bird Categories, Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

3 Comments

I decided on the way into Milwaukee early morning being still dark with a light mist I would change plans and try for the Black-headed Gull that was reported yesterday by Daryl T in Sheboygan. When I arrived, it was just light. I stopped on the road near North Point and noticed a different gull near the waters edge. It was a Franklin’s Gull in nonbreeding plumage. A life bird for me that has avoided me well for the last few years. I have chased many reports the last couple of years, finally! The images are crude as it was just light, I shot from my parked car with the window down as a dog walker was a few feet away from the Franklin’s and moving towards it. After the bird flushed from the dog walker it flew just off shore for a minute and that was the end of that bird. I hung around for a couple of hours just in case it returned or the Black-headed Gull showed, neither happened. I stopped at Port Washington and a Great Black-backed Gull stood way out near the end of a dock. After I checked the area for other species south of that, returned, it appeared to be sleeping sound in the same place. I checked the Milwaukee Lakefront on the way back as I saw Steve L’s post of the Franklin’s Gulls moving south on the lake. I saw a flock of about 15 at the Lake Express Ferry, they were heading south. When I first saw the flock flying, it was quiet obvious it was a species I had not seen before as the way the flock moved. I also noticed a flock of about 20 Snow Buntings on the lakefront. A fun day out, weather was really not all that bad, it was not cold. Images were taken on November 12, 2015.

Franklin’s Gull

Binomial name: Larus pipixcan

Category: Gulls, Terns and Skimmers

Size: 14.5” long, 36” wing span

Weight: 10 oz

Franklin's Gull with 2 Ring-billed Gull and Herring Gull

Franklin’s Gull with 3 Ring-billed Gulls and Herring Gull

Franklin’s Gull

Franklin’s Gull with a preening Ring-billed Gull

Franklin’s Gull

Franklin’s Gull with a Ring-billed Gull being flushed

Franklin’s Gull

Great Black-backed Gull looking around at the Port Washington Marina

Great Black-backed Gull sound asleep at the Port Washington Marina

Partial flock of Franklin’s Gulls high up and moving south over the Lake Express Ferry Milwaukee WI 11/12/15

Red-headed Woodpeckers and other birds in Marquette County Wisconsin on November 7, 2015

By admin | November 7, 2015 - 8:13 pm |November 7, 2015 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

9 Comments

I did some birding in Marquette County Wisconsin today. I always enjoy watching the Red-headed Woodpeckers working from sun up to sun down. They get acorns from live trees, break them up in pockets of dead trees and bury the pieces within dead trees or under bark of dead trees. They store these pieces for winter food no matter how deep the snow is, it will always be available. They always seem to store the pieces in trees near nest holes that will probably be used in spring for raising the young. I have a water hole I watch and two of the highlights today were a Brown Creeper and a Red-eyed Vireo. The Red-eyed Vireo is listed as a rare bird for this date in Marquette Co. This bird moved very fast in the couple of seconds I saw it, I just barely got a photo. I have never seen a bird drink like today. It flew across the pond, barely touched the water, opened its bill and grabbed a drink for a second and never slowing down, off it went like a bullet south. Other common birds gave nice shows which is always a treat. Images were taken on November 7, 2015.

Red-headed Woodpecker with a piece of acorn after splitting one up in the top of this dead oak tree, early morning sun

With acorn piece

Hammering a piece of acorn into the hole of the dead tree for winter food

Putting a piece of acorn into the hole of the dead tree for winter food

Just looking around after storing some winter food

Putting a piece of acorn into a crack of the dead tree for winter food

Going to put a piece of acorn into a crack of the dead tree for winter food

Splitting up an acorn in the pocket in the dead oak

Don’t need this shell of the acorn, out it goes!

With a new piece of acorn to go store it for the winter

Red-eyed Vireo, a RARE bird for this date in Marquette Co. WI. 11/7/15

Brown Creeper

Dark-eyed Junco

Dark-eyed Junco bathing

Blue Jay calling

Blue Jay

Blue Jay calling

Black-capped Chickadee bathing

Black-capped Chickadee just out of the water

Dark-eyed Junco

Blue Jay on alert!

Blue Jay looking back

Blue Jay posing

Western Kingbird at Warnimont Park in Cudahy Wisconsin on November 3, 2015

By admin | November 3, 2015 - 3:15 pm |November 10, 2015 Bird Categories, Tyrant Flycatchers

7 Comments

I headed to Warnimont Park early this morning in hopes to see the recently reported Western Kingbird. The bird is a uncommon visitor to the state. I arrived just after sunrise and David F was doing some looking around for the bird. Judith and Rita arrived shortly there after. We all looked the bluff over well and parts of the golf course too. After about 30 minutes I spotted the Western Kingbird coming from the bluff off the east end of the parking lot. It landed on the top of a large deciduous tree just south of the parking lot. From there the bird continually forged on the bluff edge and the golf course. The bird appeared to find many insects to eat with the warm weather. It gave nice views to many birders that came and went in the couple hours I was present. At one point the bird regurgitated some berries which was interesting. The bird mostly hung around the area from the old gun club building to the parking lot on the north end of the golf course. This bird is said to be a different Western Kingbird than the one that most of us saw at the Milwaukee Community Garden in mid October. Thanks to Bill M for finding this uncommon bird for the area getting the word out for others to see. Thanks to Jen too for her great post and to other who gave updates on this bird yesterday. A fun morning out with some great birding friends. Images were taken on November 3, 2015.

Western Kingbird

Binomial name: Tyrannus verticalis

Category: Tyrant Flycatchers

Size: 8.75” long, 15.5” wing span

Weight: 1.4 Oz

Natural range: The natural breeding range for this species is western Minnesota west almost to the Pacific Ocean, southern Texas north to lower Canada. Winters in Mexico and south.

Blurry back shot

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at the Milwaukee Coast Guard Impoundment on October 25, 2015

By admin | October 25, 2015 - 2:10 pm |November 1, 2015 Bird Categories, Tyrant Flycatchers

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I made a run early morning down to the Milwaukee Coast Guard Impoundment with hopes to see the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher that was reported yesterday. This uncommon bird for Wisconsin is a common bird in the state of Kansas and south to southern Texas in summer. A few other birders also showed up as the sun came up. We sort of split up after a couple minutes and moments later James F. had located the bird just north of the large wind turbine on a wire. From there the bird pretty much continually forged and ate insects for the few hours I was there in a loop of a freeway ramp. It mainly remained a distance off, but we all really enjoyed the show it put on every time it went for an insect. At the end, it took flight over some tracks and headed south to who knows. It was said today, this is a male bird by the length of the tail, it is very long. One dog walker asked what bird we were looking at, we showed her on the camera and her remark was, that bird was here last year same time. I could not ID it she said, but it had that big long tail! A fun morning out with some great birders and friends. Not a life bird for me as I got the one in Mequon a couple years back. Thanks to Karen M for finding this bird on a routine check in the area and reporting it for others to see. Images were taken on October 25, 2015.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Binomial name: Tyrannus forficatus

Category: Tyrant Flycatchers

Size: 15” long, 14”-15.5″ wing span

Weight: 1.5 oz

Just after a try for an insect

Look at those tail feathers!

Scissor-tail

Here it was a little agitated as some Dark-eyed Juncos had just enter the tree below the bird

Early morning sun high in a tree

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher still hanging around. Images below taken November 1, 2015 at the Lake Express Ferry in Milwaukee Wisconsin

With grasshopper

Lapland Longspur at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 15, 2015

By admin | October 15, 2015 - 7:06 pm |October 16, 2015 Bird Categories, Longspurs and Snow Buntings

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I birded some of the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning and one of the highlights was this Lapland Longspur at Lakeshore State Park. This adult nonbreeding male feed on a path eating seeds that have fallen to the ground. Also present at the beach at Lakeshore State Park was a Black-bellied Plover along with 3 Killdeer hanging out with a group of gulls. It was a mostly cloudy day, on a couple occasions the sun shinned for a minute or two, temps were a little on the cool side with low winds. Images were taken on October 15, 2015.

Lapland Longspur, adult nonbreeding male

Lapland Longspur

Binomial name: Calcarius lapponicus

Category: Lapwings and Plovers

Size: 6.25” long, 11.5” wing span

Weight: 0.95 oz

Cool facts: This common bird breeds in the Arctic tundra, and winters in open fields across most of the United States and southern Canada.

Finding and eating seeds off a path

Finding and eating seeds off a path

Stretching

With seed

Back view

Black-bellied Plover, juv.

With food in bill

Calling

Western Kingbird at the Milwaukee Community Garden on October 14, 2015

By admin | October 14, 2015 - 1:16 pm |October 14, 2015 Bird Categories, Tyrant Flycatchers

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Making another drive in Milwaukee with hopes of seeing the rare Western Kingbird today was rewarding. This was my 3rd try for this very rare and elusive vagrant for the state of Wisconsin. For some birders it was their 5th try! The bird first found by Tom W on October 9th has kept birders coming and going at this hot spot in Milwaukee County Wisconsin. As birders came and went this morning a few of us were fortunate to be there at the right time. As a hand full of us stood right after the sharp curve on the gravel road going north and I was standing next to Jym M, he says, there is our bird! It had just landed in a one of the taller deciduous leafless trees looking north. It only hung around for a minute or two, then flew southwest out of sight. What an exciting few minutes it was and a state life bird for me. Thanks to Tom W for the first sighting report and those who have kept updated reports on it few showings there. Bird showed at 10:56 am. Images were taken on October 14, 2015.

Western Kingbird

Binomial name: Tyrannus verticalis

Category: Tyrant Flycatchers

Size: 8.75” long, 15.5” wing span

Weight: 1.4 Oz

Natural range: The natural breeding range for this species is western Minnesota west almost to the Pacific Ocean, southern Texas north to lower Canada. Winters in Mexico and south.

Birding in Marquette County Wisconsin on October 6, 2015

By admin | October 7, 2015 - 4:09 pm |October 7, 2015 Bird Categories

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I had to make a run up to Marquette County and did some general birding. I found a place where birds were coming and going at a water source and took a few images to share. Flocks of birds were coming through. A large flock of Sandhill Cranes circling above along with some gliding Turkeys Vultures hanging in the area. A large flock of Bluebirds hung around for a few minutes but none stopped for a drink. Some exciting action! Images were taken on October 6, 2015.

Blue Jay

Palm Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Chipping Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Field Sparrow

Tennessee Warbler bathing

Blackpoll Warbler with Yellow-rump waiting to bath

Tennessee Warbler bathing with Yellow-rump next in line

Downy Woodpecker

Mourning Dove

Blue Jay

Blue Jay tail spread

Bonaparte’s Gull at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 1, 2015

By admin | October 1, 2015 - 6:25 pm |October 1, 2015 Bird Categories, Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

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Birding Lakeshore State Park this morning produced an adult Bonaparte’s Gull, nonbreeding plumage. It was hanging out with about 20 Ring-billed Gulls. All the gulls were flushed with a fire department group coming in for some underwater diving practice. The Bonaparte’s Gull did not return to the area after it headed out over the water. I also had a distant views of 4 Horned Lark but a jogger unknowingly flush the bird and they headed up high and south. Plentiful were Dark-eyed Juncos, White-crowned Sparrows and Double-crested Cormorants. Partly cloudy, stiff winds and cold temps made for winter coat weather on the lakefront. Images were taken on October 1, 2015.