Category Archives: Wood-Warblers

Warblers and more at Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County Wisconsin April 21- May 17, 2026

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The last few days I have birded Wehr Nature Center and a couple of other areas in Milwaukee County plus focusing on warblers and other species present. All and all it has been a fun warbler season so far. As you know what will be there as far as warblers. There are some warblers I have not seen yet, hopefully there is still time in migration. I would say as of today it has been a pretty good year for warblers coming through our area.

Pine Warbler 4/21 Lake Park

Northern Parula 1st year female 4/21 Lake Park

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher 5/3 Wehr Nature Center

Nashville Warbler, male 5/3 Wehr Nature Center

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher 5/3 Wehr Nature Center

Cedar Waxwing 5/3 Wehr Nature Center

Prothonotary Warbler, male 5/5 Fox River Sanctuary Waukesha

Palm Warbler, a wet male 5/5 Fox River Sanctuary Waukesha

American Bittern 5/8 Wehr Nature Center

Olive-sided Flycatcher 5/15 Wehr Nature Center

Prothonotary Warbler, male 5/15 Wehr Nature Center

Canada Warbler,  female 5/15 Wehr Nature Center

Wilson’s Warbler, male 5/15 Wehr Nature Center

Canada Warbler, male 5/17 Wehr Nature Center

Magnolia Warbler, female 5/17 Wehr Nature Center

Bay-breasted Warbler, male 5/17 Wehr Nature Center

Chestnut-sided Warbler, male 5/17 Wehr Nature Center

Northern Parula, female 5/17 Wehr Nature Center

American Redstart, male, 1st summer 5/17 Wehr Nature Center

Blackburnian Warbler, female 5/17 Wehr Nature Center

Green Heron 5/17 Wehr Nature Center

Canada Warbler, male 5/17 Wehr Nature Center

Bay-breasted Warbler, male 5/17 Wehr Nature Center

Warblers and more at Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on May 16-17, 2026

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The last couple of days I have birded at Wehr Nature Center and the surrounding area for warblers. Things have picked up some for warblers with a couple warmer days now. Still not like the warbler days back 4-5 years ago but still a fun time to be out finding these tiny birds and trying to get photos of them too. You always seem to find other birds than warblers and that is fun too. Mild days with some breeze, partly cloudy skies and temps in the 60’s-70’s. Images were taken on May 16-17, 2026.

Canada Warbler, male

Magnolia Warbler, male

Bay-breasted Warbler, male

Chestnut-sided Warbler, male

Northern Parula, female

American Redstart, male, 1st summer

Blackburnian Warbler, female

American Redstart, female

Green Heron

Canada Warbler, male

Bay-breasted Warbler, male

Olive-sided Flycatcher and more at Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on May 15, 2026

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My first birding stop today was Wehr Nature Center and my last. I went back and forth to different locations around that area. The creek area was the best on and off and the bird of the day was the Olive-sided Flycatcher. Warblers were on and off as it has been all week. I got nice looks at the warblers Prothonotary, Canada, Bay-breasted and a Wilson’s. Other warblers that were around Chestnut-sided, American Redstarts and a Black and white. What made the Olive-sided Flycatcher special for me today is that I got this species a couple of days ago at Esterbrook Park making it Wisconsin life bird for me #391 but could not get a decent photo due to conditions. Today at Wehr, the Olive-sided Flycatcher put on a great show for me for 20 minutes and I got plenty of photos of it at tree tops and then going for flying insects and back to the tree top which is what this bird does. It was a pleasant day to be out birding with low winds, mostly sunny skies and temps around 70 degrees. Images were taken on May 15th 2026.

The Olive-sided Flycatcher…

Prothonotary Warbler

Canada Warbler

Wilson’s Warbler

 

Prothonotary Warbler and Palm Warblers at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha County Wisconsin on May 5, 2026

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As far as the big push of warblers coming though this part of the state it has not happened yet. Some great species have showed up and still waiting for others. Today at the Fox River Sanctuary a Prothonotary Warbler caught my eye along the river bank. Other warblers present there were Palms and the Yellow-rumped. It was actually a quiet few minute at that stop, but a Prothonotary is always a nice find. It was a cool morning early with temps around 45 degrees and mostly sunny skies with a few clouds now and then. Images were taken on May 5, 2026.

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler

The Prothonotary Warbler was getting spiders and insects continually along the river bank…

Always flying from branch to branch along the river bank brush finding things to eat…

Palm Warbler just up from bathing in a puddle…

Palm Warbler

Palm Warbler

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher and more at Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on May 3, 2026

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Migration is on and one of my birding stops this morning was Wehr Nature Center. All the crab apple and apple trees are in full bloom making a great photo opportunity if you can find some of the Blue-grey Gnatcatchers or warblers in them finding things to eat. Blue-grey Gnatcatchers were present along with a Nashville warbler and a flock of Cedar Waxwings came through briefly too. There was a 15 minute moment where that took place and then the birds disappeared for the rest of the time I was there. It was a mild morning but with some steady winds out of the south east, moistly sunny skies. Images were taken on May 3, 2026.

Nashville Warbler looking for things to eat…

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher looking for caterpillars or gnats…

Cedar Waxwing eating a flower petal…

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher finding things to eat…

Nashville Warbler

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher going for something to eat…

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, something in the bill to eat…

Yellow-throated Warbler at Doctors Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on April 17, 2026

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A Yellow-throated Warbler, male was being reported at Doctors Park in Milwaukee County. A rare bird for this part of the state as their range is more the very far SW corner of the state and then south.  I was at Lake Park birding and being so close by I made the run up there to check it out. It was present giving nice views. It was near and at the park pavilion back and forth while I was there. The bird found things to eat at the pavilion on louvers and corners of the outside of the building, etc. It also fed on the ground eating what appeared a web of some insect under a picnic table. Thank you to the finder of this bird, I think Mark K and for getting the word out for others to see it. It was a cool day on the lake with temps around 50 degrees, cloudy skies and a breeze. Awesome bird! Images were taken on April 17, 2026.

The Yellow-throated Warbler leaving a branch…

Singing…

With a fly…

Swallowing the fly…

Getting things to eat off a louver at the pavilion…

Perched pretty…

Yellow-rumped Warblers eating Cedar Berries in the South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha County on October 5, 2025

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One of my birding stops today in the South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha County I found an Eastern Red Cedar tree with Yellow-rumped Warblers eating cedar berries. The Yellow-rumped Warblers put on a great show while I stood there and watched. They came and went along with a couple of House Finches eating berries too. It is common to see them pick berries and test them if they are ready, soft enough to eat or ripe.  If they are not ready they just drop them to the ground. It was a beautiful October day with full sun and a nice breeze out of the south. Temps around 80 degrees. Images were taken on October 5, 2025.

The Yellow-rumped Warbler with a cedar berry…

A House Finch, male stops in for a berry too…

Warblers at Lake Park and Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County Wisconsin May 13-15, 2025

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It is warbler time and I had most of my luck at Lake Park and Wehr Nature Center so far this year. Wehr has been slower the last couple of years but Lake Park did well. Every year is different. I saw most species of warblers that we see here but did not capture images of all of them. Overall, a great couple of days out there so far, let’s hope it continues. I have put some images on my website/blog for interested ones to view. Weather has been good the last few days with temps around 70-80 degrees, no rain, normal winds and overcast to sunny skies. Images were taken between May 13-15, 2025.

Blackburnian Warbler, male

Bay-breasted Warbler, male

Black-throated Green Warbler, female

Black-throated Blue Warbler, male

Palm Warbler

Northern Parula, male

Black-and-white Warbler, male

Cape May Warbler, male

Yellow-rumped Warbler, male

Blackpoll Warbler, male

Chestnut-sided Warbler, male

Golden-winged Warbler, male

Tennessee Warbler, male

Black-throated Blue Warbler, male

Magnolia Warbler, male

Prothonotary Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler, male

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, male

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, female

Pine Warbler at Lake Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on April 10, 2024

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One of my birding stops today was Lake Park in Milwaukee County. There were some nice birds seen but the highlight was this Pine Warbler, male that gave nice looks as I was just strolling around. There were a few Kinglets, Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned and also some Yellow-rumped Warblers to name a few. It was a beautiful morning with full sun, 60 degrees and low winds. Image was taken on April 10, 2024.

Pine Warbler, male…

Connecticut Warbler at Lake Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on May 13, 2022

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While I was at Wehr Nature Center this morning checking out warblers I heard there was a reported Connecticut Warbler, male at Lake Park in Milwaukee. I made the run over to Lake Park and the warbler was found in the Locust Ravine. The bird was eating gnats from what I could see the whole time I was there moving up and down the slopes giving nice views. The warbler went to the bottom of the ravine twice while I was there continually finding things to eat. This ravine is on the north end of the park. I took some photos as you just don’t see this species often. What a beautiful bird!! It was a sunny day with some wind, cool along the lake at 61 while inland it was 91. Images were taken on May 13, 2022.

The Connecticut Warbler, male

At the ravine bottom looking for things to eat…

Going for a gnat on a blade of grass…

Near a puddle…

Gnat in the bill…

Just a pretty setting the Connecticut was in…

Nice pose with a gnat in the bill…

Always looking for things to eat…

Walking around the bottom of the ravine looking for things to eat…

On the move looking…

Looking up at the gnat and it did get it…

Warblers at Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on May 10, 2022

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A stop at Wehr Nature Center and a brief stop at the Fox River in Waukesha produced some great warbler action today. Some of the species seen were Yellow, Magnolia, Blackburnian, Black-throated Green, Bay Breasted, Blackpoll, Golden-winged, Common Yellowthroat, Orange-crowned, Northern Parula, Mourning, Canada, and Wilson’s along with Yellow throated and Philadelphia Vireos. Some species I would expect to see I did not. It was a warm day with some breeze at times with full sun. Images were taken on May 10, 2022.

Singing Magnolia Warbler, male

Blackburnian Warbler, male

Bay-breasted Warbler, male

Canada Warbler, male

Blackburnain Warbler, male

Mourning Warbler, male

Prothonotary Warbler, male

Blackpoll Warbler, male

American Redstart, male

Magnolia Warbler, male

Wilson’s Warbler, male

Common Yellowthroat, male

Blackburnian Warbler, male

Blackpoll Warbler, male

Philadelphia Vireo

Black and white Warbler, male

Chestnut-sided Warbler, male

Chestnut-sided Warbler, male

Magnolia Warbler, male

Blackpoll Warbler, male

Chestnut-sided Warbler, male

Warblers at Warnimont Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on April 26, 2022

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Warnimont Park was the hot spot today if you ask me. Hooded, Black-throated Green, Chestnut-sided, Yellow, Nashville, Black and White, Tennessee, Palm, Yellow-rumped, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Parula, and Orange-crowned  were some. It was a cloudy day with a good breeze, cold. Images were taken on April 26, 2022.

Hooded Warbler, male

Yellow-rumped Warbler, male

Black and White Warbler, male

Black-throated Green Warbler, male

Nashville Warbler, male

Tennessee Warbler, male

Palm Warbler, male

Yellow-rumped Warbler, male

Yellow Warbler, male

Chestnut-sided Warbler, male

Hooded Warbler, male

Hooded Warbler, male

Black-throated Gray Warbler at Lake Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on May 19, 2021

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The Black-throated Gray warbler, a very rare visitor to the state was found at Lake Park this morning. This female put on a great show eating gnats along the Locust Street ravine. This warbler stayed hidden out of sight for a while at times.  Credit goes to Nathaniel W for finding this great warbler and getting the word out for others to see it. A cloudy cold day on the lakefront with winds out of the NE. Images were taken on May 19, 2021.

The Black-throated Gray Warbler…

Here going for a gnat…

Looking around for something to eat…there were plenty of gnats…

Moving about the thick brush high and low to the ground…

Perched pretty…

Hooded Warbler at Lake Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on April 27, 2021

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A stop at Lake Park gave distant views of a Hooded Warbler. While walking across the foot bridge just south of the statue I spotted directly below a Hooded Warbler. From there it moved and rested for a period of time, on a fallen log laying in the ravine. It must of had a long journey as it rested for close to 30 minutes with it’s eyes closed most of the time. I took a shot from a distance and that was it. Other warbler species I saw at the park were Yellow-rumped and Palm. It was a cold morning on the lakefront with good wins from the north. I was dress for March weather. Image was taken on April 27, 2021.

The Hooded Warbler resting on a fallen tree log…

Cerulean Warbler in Jefferson County Wisconsin on May 26, 2020

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On one of my birding stops today I came across a male Cerulean Warbler high in a tree in Jefferson County. It was the highlight of the day for birds as things have really settled down after the big migration run. No other special birds to note for the birding run this morning. It was a warm morning with humidity too, sunny skies, actually hot! Images were taken on May 26, 2020.

Cerulean Warbler, male

Cerulean Warbler, male

Warblers at Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on May 16, 2020

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As warbler action was great at Wehr Nature Center a few of days ago, I thought I would see what was going on there today. My thought was the best day ever for warblers as far as species seen and nice views. It was on going action for the morning hours I was there. Species seen, were Blackburnian, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Canada, Mourning, Prothonotary, Bay-breasted, Wilson’s, Magnolia, Black and white, Yellow, Palm, Northern Parula, Yellow, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-rumped, Blue-winged, Tennessee, Nashville and the American Redstart were species I saw. A beautiful day with temps around 60, mostly sunny skies, very little wind. Images were taken on May 16, 2020.

Bay-breasted Warbler, male

Blackburnian Warbler, male

Canada Warbler, male

Northern Parula, male

Black-throated Green Warbler, male

Black-throated Blue Warbler, male

Common Yellowthroat, male

Cape May Warbler, male

Black and white Warbler, female

Black-throated Blue Warbler, female

Chestnut-sided Warbler, female

Prothonotary Warbler, male with something to eat…

Canada Warbler, male

Blackburnian Warbler, male

Warblers at Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on May 13, 2020

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My first stop of the year for warblers in Milwaukee County did not let me down. It was at the Wehr Nature Center. I spent some of the morning there and it was a hot spot giving great views of very many warbler species. Blackburnian, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Canada, Mourning, Wilson’s, Magnolia, Black and white, Yellow, Palm, Northern Parula, Yellow, Common Yellowthroat, Blackpoll, Yellow-rumped, Nashville and the American Redstart were species I saw. It was a comfortable spring day with mild temps around 55 degrees, full sun, a little breeze out of the northeast, just gorgeous! Images were taken on May 13, 2020.

Blackburnian Warbler, male

Black-throated Blue, male

Black-throated Green, male

Magnolia Warbler, male

Mourning Warbler, male

American Redstart, male

Canada Warbler, male

Magnolia Warbler, going for a gnat…

Chestnut-sided Warbler, female…

Yellow-rumped Warbler, female

Yellow Warbler, male

Wilson’s Warbler, male

Canada Warbler, male

Blackburnian Warbler, male

Yellow Warbler, male

Black and white Warbler, female

Black-throated Blue Warbler, male

Magnolia Warbler, male

American Redstart, male

Common Yellowthroat, male

Magnolia Warbler, going for a gnat…

Black-throated Green Warbler…

Black and white Warbler, female

Canada Warbler, male

Mourning Warbler, male

Magnolia Warbler going for a gnat…

Canada Warbler, male

Black-throated Gray Warbler along the Menominee River in Wauwatosa Wisconsin on May 6, 2020

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The report of a Black-throated Gray being seen in Wauwatosa Wisconsin sounded spectacular! I made the run in to try for this rare warbler to the state late afternoon on May 5th with no results after a 3 hour wait. It had been seen earlier in the day. It was getting dark and thought I would try first thing in the morning. I arrived the next morning just after sunrise and after 30 minutes, the bird just appeared. I only had looks for about 2 minutes, it was preening, must have just bathed. I grabbed a few shots and then it went out of sight. This western US visitor was stunning, my image does not look like much but it was across the river with low light. A big thank you to all who kept reports coming and the finder of this amazing bird, thank you too! A cool morning starting at 40 degrees, the early sun warmed things up. Bird #350 for the state of Wisconsin. Image was taken on May 6, 2020.

The Black-throated Gray Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler and other warblers at Wehr Nature Center in Franklin Wisconsin on May 19, 2019

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I stopped at Wehr Nature Center this morning in hopes there was still some warbler action going on. There was and many warblers were present in the time I was there. Warblers species seen this morning were Prothonotary, Bay-breasted, Northern Parula, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson’s, Yellow-rumped, Canada, Magnolia, Black-and-white, American Redstart and the Mourning. The Prothonotary Warbler bathed for a few minutes which was quite exciting to watch. It was a nice morning with pleasant temps, no rain as it was predicted, and low winds. Images were taken on May 19, 2019.

Prothonotary Warbler, female

Prothonotary Warbler, female

Prothonotary Warbler, female with a bug

Mourning Warbler, male

Canada Warbler, male

Magnolia Warbler, male

Prothonotary Warbler, female, right before bathing…

Prothonotary Warbler, female about to take a bath…

In the water…

Bathing…

Bathing…

Bathing…

Bathing…

Prothonotary Warbler, female out after bathing looking around…

Wilson’s Warbler, male

A Common Yellowthroat, male walks the shore in search of things to eat…

Common Yellowthroat, male

Prothonotary Warbler, female walking the shore looking for things to eat…

Prothonotary Warbler, female in search of food…

Bay-breasted Warbler, male

American Redstart, male

Prothonotary Warbler, female looking for the next bite…

Magnolia Warbler, male

Prothonotary Warbler, female

 

 

Warblers at Wehr Nature Center in Franklin Wisconsin on May 16, 2019

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One of my birding stops for warblers today was Wehr Nature Center. After an hour things got busy and nice species where seen. Some of the highlight warblers were Mourning, Bay-breasted, Blackburnian, Blackpoll, Yellow, Canada, Magnolia, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat and Chestnut-sided. It was an overcast morning and nice temps, low winds making it very comfortable. Images were taken on May 16, 2019.

Mourning Warbler, male

Canada Warbler, male

Mourning Warbler, male

American Redstart, 1st year male

Yellow Warbler, male

Blackburnian Warbler, male

Magnolia Warbler, male

Chestnut-sided Warbler, male

American Redstart, male, calling

Black-throated Green Warbler, female

Common Yellowthroat, male

Canada Warbler, male

Yellow Warbler, male

Magnolia Warbler, male

Bay-breasted Warbler, male

Mourning Warbler, male

Blackpoll Warbler, male

Blackpoll Warbler, female

Black-throated Blue, female

Wilson’s Warbler, male

Chestnut-sided Warbler, male

American Redstart, male

Yellow Warbler, male

Magnolia Warbler, male

Scarlet Tanager, male