Great Black-backed Gulls at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on November 28, 2015

I hit Milwaukee’s lakefront early this morning and it was pretty quiet. The only highlight were 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, adults nonbreeding at Bradford Beach. They came and went but at one time 3 were on the beach within ~20 feet of each other. They mostly hung out in the … Continue reading

Lewis’s Woodpecker in Trempealeau County Wisconsin on November 24, 2015

I made the run up to Trempealeau County early am with hopes to see the reported Lewis’s Woodpecker. I left in darkness, arrived in darkness. After some light arrived, so did the woodpeckers. Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied Woodpeckers and then the beautiful male Lewis’s Woodpecker! This Lewis’s should be the 4th … Continue reading

Franklin’s Gull at North Point in Sheboygan Wisconsin on November 12, 2015

I decided on the way into Milwaukee early morning being still dark with a light mist I would change plans and try for the Black-headed Gull that was reported yesterday by Daryl T in Sheboygan. When I arrived, it was just light. I stopped on the road near North Point … Continue reading

Red-headed Woodpeckers and other birds in Marquette County Wisconsin on November 7, 2015

I did some birding in Marquette County Wisconsin today. I always enjoy watching the Red-headed Woodpeckers working from sun up to sun down. They get acorns from live trees, break them up in pockets of dead trees and bury the pieces within dead trees or under bark of dead trees. … Continue reading

Western Kingbird at Warnimont Park in Cudahy Wisconsin on November 3, 2015

I headed to Warnimont Park early this morning in hopes to see the recently reported Western  Kingbird. The bird is a uncommon visitor to the state. I arrived just after sunrise and David F was doing some looking around for the bird. Judith and Rita arrived shortly there after. We … Continue reading

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at the Milwaukee Coast Guard Impoundment on October 25, 2015

I made a run early morning down to the Milwaukee Coast Guard Impoundment with hopes to see the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher that was reported yesterday. This uncommon bird for Wisconsin is a common bird in the state of Kansas and south to southern Texas in summer. A few other birders also … Continue reading

Lapland Longspur at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 15, 2015

I birded some of the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning and one of the highlights was this Lapland Longspur at Lakeshore State Park. This adult nonbreeding male feed on a path eating seeds that have fallen to the ground. Also present at the beach at Lakeshore State Park was a … Continue reading

Bonaparte’s Gull at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 1, 2015

Birding Lakeshore State Park this morning produced an adult Bonaparte’s Gull, nonbreeding plumage. It was hanging out with about 20 Ring-billed Gulls. All the gulls were flushed with a fire department group coming in for some underwater diving practice. The Bonaparte’s Gull did not return to the area after it … Continue reading

White-crowned Sparrows on the Milwaukee Lakefront on September 30, 2015

Birding on the Milwaukee lakefront this morning was quiet. The only birds to note were some White-crowned Sparrows, adults and 1st winter birds and I also saw a few small flocks of Dark-eyed Juncos. The White-crowned Sparrows were feeding near a tall grass area and jumped out once in awhile … Continue reading

Forster’s Tern at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on September 28, 2015

I did some birding on the Milwaukee lakefront early this morning and some of the places hit were the Magic Hedge, Bradford and McKinley Beaches, Veterans and Lakeshore State Park, for the most part it was very slow. Yellow-rumped Warblers  were at most locations. The highlight was a Forster’s Tern, … Continue reading