While birding a new location, coming out of some bushes, I was stunned to see a single Long-eared Owl starring at me. Just sitting on a branch, I quickly took some shots and walked away. It never flew, seemed content just looking at me. That was one of my biggest … Continue reading
Trying for the male Tufted Duck today was worth the almost 2 hour trip. This Eurasian species, very rare for the state, even North America was very exciting to finally see. On arriving at Fresh Air Park, the word was the duck had not been seen for a least an … Continue reading
One of my birding stops today gave nice looks at a pair of Wood Ducks. They were just swimming around doing their thing while I patiently observed their actions. The nice light this morning brought out the very best in Wood Duck breeding colors. It was a cool morning to … Continue reading
A Golden-crowned Sparrow was reported 4 days ago coming to a feeder in Calumet County. This reported bird far out of its normal range being California did not disappoint. After almost 3 hours the bird gave a brief appearance, enough for an ID but 5 Brown-headed Cowbirds and a chipmunk … Continue reading
Best birds of the day were a pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers in Marquette County. Other species to note, a Bald Eagle, Tree Swallows, Sandhill Cranes, Eastern Pheobe, Song Sparrows and other common species we see this time of year. The day started out foggy but gave way to full sun … Continue reading
One of my birding stops in Milwaukee County gave nice looks at a pair of Killdeer. They preened, rested and found things to eat while I was present watching from a distance. These birds poked along in gravelly areas sometimes with some grass mixed in to picking things up to … Continue reading
One of my birding stops today was at the Fox River in downtown Waukesha. As I came around the corner in the car standing in front of me in the middle of the road, a Hooded Merganser, a male with a female Mallard. Is this “Hollyhood”?? Before I got parked … Continue reading
Birding out in the South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha County today I had the pleasure of watching a pair of Northern Harriers. As I watched them at a distance they did some serious hunting and maybe captured something to eat on the ground as they all of the sudden they … Continue reading
Birding along the Menominee River Parkway in Milwaukee County I came across a Northern Shrike. It was fun to watch this bird as it seemed to have recently seen some prey in an area I was in. It perched on top of numerous deciduous trees and came down a few … Continue reading
At Frame Park today in Waukesha along the Fox River a couple of Trumpeter Swans had come in since my morning visit. Sometimes it pays to check places out twice in one day! Always nice to see something different as everyone is anxious for the start of spring migration. These … Continue reading
While birding out in Waukesha County I came across some Sandhill Cranes on the Bark River. They were just hanging out doing some preening and catching food too. Temperature was 9 degrees so it makes sense this is a place they could spend some time in a flowing river. A … Continue reading
After birding the morning in Waukesha County, it was a nice surprise to come home to a Eastern Screech-Owl in the backyard. I stayed about 100 feet away and took a couple of photos from the house. I put up 2 houses 3 years ago, finally there is a house … Continue reading
One of my birding stops this morning was at the Fox River in Waukesha. Some unexpected and unwanted drama occurred. 6 Redheads were present, one female. The ducks starting feeding after a slow start and when one took a dive for some aquatic plants it came fighting some fishing line … Continue reading
I made a stop at the Fox River early morning in Waukesha to see if anything was going on. 9 Redheads, 5 males and 4 females were present, all resting near the dam. That area was the only part of the river that was not froze over with temps starting … Continue reading
A late birding run this morning produced very few birds but some nice White-tailed Deer. I enjoyed watching 7 nice buck with the antlers for a couple of minutes before the herd drifted into a thicket. Bird of the day was a nice Red-tailed Hawk stashed away in a wooded … Continue reading
Today while out birding I stumbled across a Long-eared Owl. It always comes as a big surprise even if you are looking for them. As always, during the slow times of winter birding I spend many days just looking for owls in places off the wall, in places you would … Continue reading
Ducks along the Fox River in Waukesha this morning had the common suspects, a 100 plus Mallards other than one duck that stood out, a Redhead, and juvenile drake. Not a stunning duck but still beautiful in it’s own way. It was nice to see something different. Also, a couple … Continue reading
One of my birding stops today provided nice views of an Eastern Screech Owl, gray morph. It was resting, its eyes were closed. It was a cloudy day with mild temps, a pleasant morning to be out birding. Images were taken on January 30, 2020.
One of my birding stops today provided nice views of a male Hooded Merganser. It was hanging out with some Mallards along the Fox River in Waukesha. A few times it dove for something to eat and came up with a crayfish. The weather was misty with a few flurries … Continue reading
With not much going on bird wise I decided to try for the visiting Harris’s Sparrow that has been reported at the Mequon Nature Preserve. Normal range for the species is Minnesota west and south. After about 15 minutes the stunning male Harris’s Sparrow showed up with a small flock … Continue reading
