One of my birding stops today in Waukesha County along a river. It had a stunning male Hooded Merganser that was hanging out with Mallards. The Hooded Merganser gave nice views, I witnessed very little feeding, only once I saw part of a crayfish in its bill when it came … Continue reading
Nothing goes to waste! Amazing what will show up on a trail cam if White-tailed Deer insides are left in a field after dressing the animal. A friend offered me insides from a deer that he just shot with a bow. I said why not. I set the insides in … Continue reading
One of my birding stops today was Port Washington. Literally 100’s of Red-breasted Mergansers provided action in the harbor but the highlight was Cedar Waxwings eating Red Cedar berries at Coal Dock Park. The waxwings for the most part just perched in a few trees and occasion would go for … Continue reading
While out birding in Milwaukee County I stumbled upon two raccoons peeking out of their home, a hole in a tree. They moved around some in their hole with one trying to climb up into the tree hole out of sight. After awhile one managed and the other in sight … Continue reading
While birding Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee the highlight of the walk were two adult Horned Larks feeding on seeds in the grass in the snow. On one occasion I saw one eat an insect, so they are not strictly seed eaters. They pulled seeds off of plants and ate … Continue reading
A stop at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee along the lakefront provided views of 2 American Pipits. Thinking these are 1st winter birds…They fed along the beach clutter along the shore finding things to eat. Ring-billed Gulls were in the same area and slightly harassed the pipits on occasion flushing them. … Continue reading
A tour of fall colors on a road trip at the Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park in Michigan’s UP provided some of the most stunning fall colors ever witnessed. It was only a one day tour for a few hours on a day I would have called PEAK season for … Continue reading
While birding Lakeshore State Park a cute little American Mink caught my eye. It was grooming itself and scratching its back on the pier, rolling over, it was having a great time. I was a ways off and I don’t think it saw me, it was so cute, what a … Continue reading
On a walk this morning at Lakeshore State Park I noticed a Pied-billed Grebe feeding along the cattails. It did its normal feeding routine of diving for 15-30 seconds presumably getting something to eat and then resurfacing for a longer time. A fairly quiet day at the park other than … Continue reading
Once again a Snow Goose has stopped for a visit at Greenfield Park. I found this adult hanging out with Canada Geese, typically of what one will do when visiting. The Snow Goose was not in the lagoon but on shore. Minimum action from this species in shots but still … Continue reading
While birding Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee the highlight of the walk were 3 Marsh Wrens at the small detention ponds. There are a few areas of cattails there and the Marsh Wrens were in and out of each area every couple minutes getting insects. They were quick up and … Continue reading
The Chukar, a Eurasian species introduced here in the US is considered a released game bird here in Wisconsin. I found this adult feeding along a roadside in Racine County this morning eating seeds. It put on a nice show eating seeds as I watched it at a distance. I … Continue reading
After a tip from a friend about a Mississippi Kite here in Wisconsin, I decided to check it out. I arrived early and found this male bird perched in a dead tree in the area it might be found. I watched it for awhile as it repeatedly went for large … Continue reading
With some light rain falling this morning, I decided to check a few beaches on Milwaukee’s lakefront. Bradford Beach had 1 Sempalmated Plover and 21 Sanderlings. I took a few shots when the rain let up. Always so cute to see the Sanderlings running up and down the beach, in … Continue reading
Birding Lakeshore State Park I came across a juvenile Spotted Sandpiper that was feeding on the rocks on the big lake. Watching this bird for about 15 minutes, it never stopped feeding, catching very small insects and eating them. It bounced from rock to rock, back and forth putting on … Continue reading
After photographing the Red Knot at Lakeshore State Park I headed over to McKinley Beach. 3 Sanderlings were present and they were feeding along the beach area at waters edge finding things to eat. It was a beautiful day and exciting to see the first Sanderlings of the fall migration. … Continue reading
While birding Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee this morning it was a nice surprise to see a Sora. This juvenile bird was feeding along the rocks and in the water at one of the detention ponds. It gave nice views for a few minutes and then a gull flew over … Continue reading
I got a tip that a rare bird for this area, a Red Knot was seen and reported yesterday at Lakeshore State Park. I made the run down to the lakefront this morning assuming the bird was not present but something else could have come in. The juvenile bird was … Continue reading
Another opportunity came up for me to get on a Sailbirding adventure at the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center and I did not pass it up. It was a beautiful day, low winds to start with mostly sunny skies. Sailor Carl Eisenberg lead the group with excellent birders Jennifer Ambrose and … Continue reading
I saw a recent report of the Canada Jay and Boreal Chickadee species in Forest County Wisconsin. I had the urge to try for these species once again to get them on my Wisconsin life list. An earlier winter trip a couple of years ago for these species was a … Continue reading
