Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies Archives - Page 3 of 5 - Window to Wildlife

American Woodcock Foraging at Lake Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on April 17, 2018

One of my birding stops today was Lake Park in Milwaukee. As I stood on a ravine top, out of the corner of my eye a bird flew up from below and landed a couple hundred feet away. I knew this was a new bird to the area. From a distance it actually looked like a large hummingbird flying up. Well, I knew it was not that, but in a minute I knew it was an American Woodcock. I knew I was not going to be chasing this bird around the park. Walking around the park some more I noticed movement in a ravine off a bridge. It was a couple of the American Woodcocks foraging in open running water in the ravine probing down deep with their long bills. One took to the higher ground on the side of a ravine and walked around some but ended up back near the bottom of the ravine. This one foraged near rocks and an old stump thinking it was finding things to eat. I thought it was all pretty exciting, the whole show these 2 birds put on. A total of 4 birds seen, the other 2 were up the ravine just foraging and resting. A nice day to be out, some sun, a good wind, still felt like winter with temps in the mid 30’s. Images were taken on April 17, 2018.

A short flight here…

American Woodcock

Binomial name: Scolopax minor

Category: Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

Size: 11” long, 18” wingspan

Weight: 7 Oz

The walk..

Foraging

Mud on the bill from probing…

Foraging

Foraging

Foraging

Foraging at the base of a rock….

Foraging on a ravine slope…

Foraging at the bottom of a ravine in the running water…

Foraging at the bottom of a ravine in the running water…

Foraging at the bottom of a ravine in the running water…

Purple Sandpiper at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on November 28, 2017

By admin | November 28, 2017 - 3:25 pm |November 28, 2017 Bird Categories, Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

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Doing some birding along the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning I came across a stunning Purple Sandpiper. I have been looking hard all fall along the lake for this species and it finally happened. As it was, I was at Lakeshore State Park on the east end of the island on the big lake. I spotted a sandpiper type bird, darker in color bird fly out from the big rock shore at waters edge out over the water about 10 feet and then return to the big rocks at waters edge farther south about ~ 100 feet. This bird would never have been seen as no one ever walks along the water with the very large rocks but I just happened to catch the flight. I knew immediately it had to be the Purple Sandpiper, a rare bird as it’s normal range is the east coast of the US, but are seen just once in awhile late fall Nov-Dec. I climbed down to the rocks and after awhile spotted it feeding. It did not seem to mind me at a distance as it just continually fed as big waves just kept coming in. A few times the waves pushed this bird around, obviously this is a tough bird and is used to that. This species has been seen only a few times in the state in the last few years. The day started out with some sun and then clouds moved in with very mild temps of 50 degrees plus. Awesome bird and a fun morning. The last time and only time I saw Purple Sandpipers were December 13, 2012 at Wind Point in Racine by the lighthouse rocky shoreline and there were 2 of them. Images were taken on November 28, 2017.

Purple Sandpiper with something in the bill…

Purple Sandpiper

Binomial name: Calidris maritima

Category: Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

Size: 9” long, 17” wing span

Weight: 2.5 oz

Notes: Breeds in the tundra and winters along rocky shores of the Atlantic Coast making this a rare bird for Wisconsin.

Just standing pretty before a flight down the shore…I saw this numerous times. Feed, perch, look around, then fly to the next spot…

Has something to eat…

Something in the bill…

The close-up

Feeding in the wave action…

Some preening here…

Feeding

Feeding in the wave action that just hit the shore…standing on large rocks here in the water, there is no beach

In the waves…standing on a large rock with a wave rolling over it…

Getting something…

It may have something in the bill…

Getting something to eat as the waves move…standing on a large rock with a wave rolling over it….

In the splash…standing on a rock with some wave action…no beach here

Coming up from the rocks at the water before the next flight…

Lesser Yellowlegs at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 23, 2017

By admin | October 23, 2017 - 8:09 pm |October 24, 2017 Bird Categories, Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

Lesser Yellowlegs

Binomial name: Tringa flavipes

Category: Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

Size: 10.5” long, 24” wing span

Weight: 2.8 oz

Notes: Breeds in northern Canada and Alaska, winters at coasts of southern US and Mexico.

Eyeing something up here

Watching…

Going down….did it get it?

A miss…

Just walking along the shore…

Some preening…

Just finished preening…

Got something here….

Coming into shore…

Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 15, 2017

By admin | October 15, 2017 - 12:56 pm |October 15, 2017 Bird Categories, Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

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A stop at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee provided nice views of both the Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. A total of 4 Greaters and 1 Lesser. When I arrive early about 7:15, just the 4 Greaters were present. After a few minutes the Lesser Yellowlegs showed up. They look tired as they probably just had put on some miles. They did next to no feeding while I was there and just rested. It was a cool morning, overcast with some strong west winds. Also present at Lakeshore State park provided brief view of a thinking now, a Common Snipe by the looks of the distant image, not a American Woodcock as first thought as it flushed while I walked the path and it just went way up and headed north, also an American Kestrel which I have not seen for awhile. Another lakefront beach, McKinley had 12 Sanderlings, and the Black Scoters were still present off North Point that Tom W reported yesterday. Images were taken on October 15, 2017.

Greater Yellowlegs

Greater Yellowlegs

Lesser Yellowlegs in front with Greater behind

Lesser Yellowlegs in front with Greater behind

Greater Yellowlegs riding the waves…

Lesser Yellowlegs on the right, I thought it was feeding but appeared to be playing with this item…

Greater Yellowlegs moving along the beach area…

Lesser Yellowlegs

Lesser Yellowlegs

Lesser Yellowlegs, I thought it was feeding but appeared to be playing with this item…

Lesser Yellowlegs in front…

Lesser Yellowlegs

2 Greater Yellowlegs

Eyes closed, resting…

Greater Yellowlegs, the double…

Greater Yellowlegs…

Sanderlings at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 6, 2017

By admin | October 6, 2017 - 6:18 pm |October 6, 2017 Bird Categories, Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

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A stop at McKinley Beach this morning in Milwaukee gave brief views of 8 Sanderlings feeding pretty much non-stop. Also present were the commonly seen Ring-billed Gulls at this location. After only a couple minutes a dog approached the area and all the birds flushed with the Sanderlings heading south. Other birds to note along the local lakefront were many Double-crested Cormorants everywhere, and ~ a dozen Northern Shovelers, and a Ruddy Duck being at Lakeshore State Park. It was a overcast morning with mild temps around 58 degrees with some steady winds and waves off the lake. Images were taken on October 6, 2017.

Sanderling with a bite to eat…

Sanderlings feeding along the beach bank…

Sanderlings feeding along the beach with Ring-billed Gulls

Moving along the beach with waves rolling in…

Along the beach they go…

Trying to avoid the waves…

Shaking it off!

Size comparison image with a Ring-billed Gull and a Sanderling…

Some preening

More preening

Scratching…

Coming towards me…

In the wave…

Out of the wave action…

Just waiting for the sight of something to eat…

Sanderlings and Semipalmated Sandpipers at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on September 10, 2017

By admin | September 10, 2017 - 7:35 pm |September 10, 2017 Bird Categories, Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

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A brief stop at the McKinley Beach this morning provided nice views of 2 Sanderlings and 2 Semipalmated Sandpipers. One of the Sanderlings was transitioning into nonbreeding plumage and still had some of its breeding plumage, an interesting look. The birds fed on the algae mat at the beach. Other than that the lakefront was pretty slow at Bradford Beach, Lakeshore State Park and the harbor. Images were taken on September 10, 2017.

Sanderling going into nonbreeding plumage from breeding plumage with a worm…

Sanderling in nonbreeding plumage…

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Sanderling going into nonbreeding plumage

Sanderling going into nonbreeding plumage

Sanderling in nonbreeding plumage

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Sanderling nonbreeding plumage

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Sanderlings at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on September 3, 2017

By admin | September 5, 2017 - 9:50 pm |October 19, 2017 Bird Categories, Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

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A stop at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin provided some nice views of Sanderlings. They fed along the algae mat in the beach area. A stunning shorebird species close up that moved quickly along the beach area. Images were taken on September 3, 2017.

Sanderling chasing off another Sanderling in the area

What’s up…

Looking for something to eat…

On the move along the mat

Got something…

On the move with a little wind blowing

A little wave action here…

In search of something to eat…

Here is a bite…

Posing…

Ruddy Turnstones at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on September 3, 2017

By admin | September 3, 2017 - 9:15 pm |September 3, 2017 Bird Categories, Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

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My first stop this morning on Milwaukee’s lakefront was McKinley Beach. Guess there were at least 25 shorebirds. Mostly Sanderlings, a Least Sandpiper, and few Semipalmated Plovers. Also present were 2 Ruddy Turnstones which are always exciting birds. They feed in the more stony areas of the beach turning over items on the beach such as mussels getting food. They were flushed often by walkers with and without dogs but held still a few times for photos. It was a beautiful morning to be out with sunny skies and pleasant temps. Images were taken on September 3, 2017.

Ruddy Turnstone, juvenile on the move

Ruddy Turnstone

Binomial name: Arenaria interpres

Category: Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

Size: 9.5” long, 21” wing span

Weight: 3.9 oz

Ruddy Turnstone feeding on a mussel…

Ruddy Turnstone in a mussel and always turning things over…

Ruddy Turnstone with something to eat

Feeding in the water too….

Ruddy Turnstone feeding on mussels

Feeding

Ruddy Turnstone, juvenile

In search of food…

Northern Shoveler, maybe adult female

Ruddy Turnstone, Breeding adult plumage for comparison to fall plumage, taken in spring 2017. Image for reference only

Shorebirds at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on August 23, 2017

By admin | August 24, 2017 - 6:20 pm |October 19, 2017 Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

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Stopping at a few locations this morning along the lake, Lakeshore State Park was the highlight with some beautiful shorebirds. The beach there gave nice views of the birds as they fed. Birds included a Least Sandpiper, mostly Semipalmated Sandpipers, a couple Semipalmated Plovers and a Sanderling. Images were taken on August 23, 2017.

Semipalmated Plover

Semipalmated Plover

Semipalmated Plover feeding

Least Sandpiper on the move…

Semipalmated Sandpiper, walk don’t run…

Semipalmated Sandpiper in search of food…

Semipalmated Sandpiper feeding

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Semipalmated Sandpiper with the feathers blowing in the wind…

Semipalmated Sandpiper on the move…

Semipalmated Sandpiper feeding

Semipalmated Sandpiper feeding…

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Semipalmated Sandpiper feeding with a Semipalmated Plover behind…

Semipalmated Sandpiper feeding with a Semipalmated Plover behind…

Semipalmated Plover

Semipalmated Sandpiper looking for food…

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Semipalmated Sandpiper looking for food…

Semipalmated Sandpiper with the feathers blowing in the wind…

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Sanderling on the move

Sanderling with a gnat in the bill

Sanderling taking to the air…

Semipalmated Plover with the itch!

Semipalmated Sandpipers and Sanderlings at the McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin May 23, 2017

By admin | May 24, 2017 - 10:43 am |May 25, 2017 and Allies, Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

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Some other nice shorebird species at the McKinley Beach in Milwaukee yesterday, the Semipalmated Sandpipers and Sanderlings. There were 6 of them present for feeding back and forth along the beach shore from one end to the other putting on a great show. They flew from one side of the beach area to the other, usually what appeared to be for no reason. Cute little birds! Images were taken on May 23, 2017.

Semipalmated Sandpiper looking for food…

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Binomial name: Calidris pussilla

Category: Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

Size: 6.25” long, 14” wing span

Weight: .88 oz

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Some action on the beach…

Semipalmated Sandpiper center, in search of food, a big part of their life…

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Semipalmated Sandpiper front

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Sanderling

Semipalmated Sandpiper, when the wave hits a wing, up they go…

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Just looking…

and looking…

Dunlin at the McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin May 23, 2017

By admin | May 23, 2017 - 8:58 pm |May 23, 2017 Bird Categories, Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

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Stopping at McKinley Beach today also gave nice views of another species of shorebird, the Dunlin. The Dunlin hung out with the Ruddy Turnstone and the Semipalmated Sandpipers while feeding along the beach on the algae mat. All the birds gave nice views on this cloudy day with mild temps and light winds. Light rain started and I left the area. Images were taken on May 23, 2017.

Dunlin

Binomial name: Calidris alpina

Category: Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

Size: 8.5” long, 17” wing span

Weight: 2.1 oz

Feeding

Feeding

Eating something…or maybe sifting through the sand in the bill for something to eat…

At takeoff…

Preening

Preening

Fluffed up after preening…

At you…

Feeding

More feeding…

Feeding…

Closeup

Moving along the shore…

More feeding…

Just looking…

Ruddy Turnstone at the McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin May 23, 2017

By admin | May 23, 2017 - 6:15 pm |May 23, 2017 Bird Categories, Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

Sanderling at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on May 3, 2017

By admin | May 4, 2017 - 9:30 pm |May 5, 2017 Bird Categories, Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

Piping Plovers on Milwaukee’s Lakefront on May 2, 2017

By admin | May 2, 2017 - 10:52 pm |May 2, 2017 Bird Categories, Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

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A quick stop this morning on Milwaukee’s lakefront to see if the Piping Plovers were present proved worth it. The Piping Plovers were present and gave nice views for the few minutes I was there. They were at the location where they were found yesterday. The 2 of them moved around on the beach picking up insects, etc to eat. While I was there a gust of wind came up and the birds just toughed it out facing the strong wind with sand in their faces! Exciting birds on a overcast, windy, and cold day! Images were taken on May 2, 2017.

Getting the insect…

With an insect…

Getting the insect…

Then there were two..

Toughing it out in the blowing sand!

With an insect…

With an insect in the blowing sand…

Marbled Godwits, Willets, American Avocets, and a Black-bellied Plover at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on April 30, 2017

By admin | April 30, 2017 - 1:12 pm |April 30, 2017 Bird Categories, Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

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On a gloomy morning I decided to head into Milwaukee to check out some of the beaches. My first stop was Lakeshore State Park. Jym M must have had the same idea as we pulled in together. We enjoyed some nice views of 4 American Avocets and 10 Willets. I left and check some other beaches in the area with nothing happening. I headed back to Lakeshore State Park and 2 Marbled Godwits, a Black-bellied Plover had joined in and Willets were up to 20. These birds put on a great show! They moved around being flushed by walkers and joggers but stayed on the island. With the horrible weather of 41 degrees and light rain, some wind, a few birders along with myself enjoyed the great show these birds put on. Images were taken on April 30, 2017.

Marbled Godwit

Binomial name: Limosa fedoa

Category: Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

Size: 18” long, 30” wing span

Weight: 13 oz

Marbled Godwit

Marbled Godwits

American Avocets, Willets and a Marbled Godwit

Willets incoming with a Marbled Godwit

Willets incoming with a Marbled Godwit

Marbled Godwits along with 3 Willets

Marbled Godwit with a Willet

Marbled Godwit with a Willet

2 Marbled Godwits, 4 American Avocets and 5 Willets…

3 Willets along with a Marbled Godwit

Black-bellied Plover

Marbled Godwit looking for food

Marbled Godwits along with 3 Willets

Marbled Godwit preening

A call…

Across the water they go…

Walk don’t run…

The Willets

Incoming Willet!

After a short flight…

It is just how we all come in…

American Avocets

With a worm…

Dunlins and a Sanderling at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 27, 2016

By admin | October 27, 2016 - 7:03 pm |October 27, 2016 Bird Categories, Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

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I made a run to the lakefront early this morning to see what was going on. McKinley Beach had 2 Dunlins and a Sanderling. I hung out there for awhile as the feed along the beach, preened, etc. After a while it just looked like these birds were ready for a nap. They moved up to a log on the beach, preened and then 2 were sleeping when out of the corner of my eye a pedestrian was coming, the birds flushed out over the water and I could not see where they were headed. I checked back awhile later after doing the Magic Hedge and all 3 birds were no where to be seen. It was a nice show they put on for the time I was there. Another species new today were ~25 Greater Scaups at the Petroleum Pier. It was a gloomy day with low winds and mild temps for this time of year. Images were taken on October 27, 2016.

Dunlin

Binomial name: Calidris alpina

Category: Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

Size: 8.5” long, 17” wing span

Weight: 2.1 oz

The pair

Feeding

Was feeding

Sanderling

Feedinig

Feeding

Sanderling with a wave in the background

Feeding

The pair

Feeding

Preening

Up at the log they are preening and getting ready for a snooze!

Preening

2 of 3 are snoozing

Ruddy Turnstone at North Point in Sheboygan Wisconsin on May 31, 2016

By admin | May 31, 2016 - 8:07 pm |June 1, 2016 Bird Categories, Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

3 Comments

At my visit to North Point this morning in Sheboygan another stunning species showed up. A Ruddy Turnstone, adult male continually feed while I was present except for a few times the gulls flushed the area. Colors on this bird are amazing! While I watched this bird feed, it turned things over on the shore looking for food, which goes with it’s name. Images were taken on May 31, 2016.

Ruddy Turnstone

Binomial name: Arenaria interpres

Category: Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

Size: 9.5” long, 21” wing span

Weight: 3.9 oz

Cool Fact: The Ruddy Turnstone turns things over on the shore foraging for food such as stones and other objects.

Here the Ruddy Turnstone is turning over a piece of fish skin foraging for food

Just ate something

Ruddy Turnstone with a Bonaparte’s Gull, size comparison image

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

3 Comments

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

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

1 Comment

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

Semipalmated Sandpipers and Semipalmated Plover at Myers Beach in Racine Wisconsin on August 13, 2015

By admin | August 14, 2015 - 7:33 am |August 24, 2015 Bird Categories, Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

6 Comments

I made the run down to Myers Park in Racine in hopes to see the Virginia Rail that was reported. I did get a glimpse of it and a doc shot. It was only out of the tall grass for a couple seconds and then disappeared. I waited for about 20 minutes for it to show again, but it never did. Other than that, other species present, a Great Blue Heron, Semipalmated Sandpipers and a Semipalmated Plover. A few Killdeer were also present. I checked North Beach in Racine and that was quiet. A few Caspian Terns were loafing on the beach with gulls. I took a few shots of the Plover and Semipalmated Sandpipers to share feeding in the early morning sun. It was a beautiful morning on the lake with calm winds and pleasant temps early. Thanks to those that reported the Virginia Rail, it was a life bird for me. Images were taken on August 13, 2015.