Great Horned Owl Owlets in Waukesha County Wisconsin on April 24, 2015

I birded the Milwaukee lakefront early this morning and the lake was still along with the birding. Large flocks of 100’s – Double-crested Cormorants on the lake, and some flying north was one of the highlights. I saw 2 Black-crowned Night Herons at the lagoon in the trees from Memorial Drive looking east. The few parts of Lake Park I birded and Lakeshore State Park were quiet. I few stops out in Waukesha Co surprised me with Great Horned Owl owlets. No adults were present while I was there (see update below). 4 owlets total out of the nest, I did not hang around but grabbed a few pics. At the same location I flushed a Wild Turkey from a nest, scared the heck out of me and I quickly exited the area and took a distant photo of the eggs. Always surprises me how they manage with the nests on the ground with all the predictors. I know they all don’t survive! Not a lot of bird species today but some nice action! Images were taken on April 24, 2015. UPDATE: A return to the Great Horned Owl location the next day, April 25, 2015 an adult Great Horned Owl was present. The Owl remained in a nearby tree and never moved from that spot while I was there. Images of that adult have been added below.

Great Horned Owl – Owlets

Great Horned Owls

Binomial name: Bubo virginianus

Category: Owls

Size: 22” long, 44” wing span

Weight: 3.1 lb

Adult Great Horned Owl

Adult Great Horned Owl

Wild Turkey nest with eggs from a distance, other images show at least 11 eggs.

Double-crested Cormorants flyover Lake Michigan

Double-crested Cormorants flyover Lake Michigan