I had a couple extra hours today so I decided to make a run out to Ft. Atkinson in Jefferson County to see if the Rufous Hummingbird was still hanging around. It had been reported late morning so I thought I would give it a shot. The bird was present … Continue reading
I did some birding on Milwaukee’s lakefront late morning today. The highlight was a 2nd cycle Great Black-backed Gull at Bradford Beach. This bird was born in summer of 2013. Also still hanging around was the beautiful Glaucous Gull that has been in the area since about October 8th. They … Continue reading
I got a tip on the hummingbird out in Ft. Atkinson, Jefferson Co. Wisconsin at a private residence. I had hoped to get some shots to help in the ID’ing this bird. Cynthia had some excellent shots of this bird. The bird has been confirmed as a female Rufous Hummingbird, … Continue reading
I read the report of the Glaucous Gull at McKinley Beach on Milwaukee’s lakefront yesterday. I headed down to the lakefront this morning with hopes it was still present. It was and it gave nice views. This bird is said to be a 2nd cycle, born in summer of 2013. … Continue reading
The birding was slow this morning along the lakefront in Milwaukee. I had checked all beaches and possible birding locations. I came up empty other than 1 Pied-billed Grebe at Lakeshore State Park. The highlight of the morning was not a bird, but an American Mink at Lakeshore State Park. … Continue reading
I birded the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning for a couple hours and it was pretty quiet. The highlight of the morning was a Horned Grebe at Lakeshore State Park. The two Pied-billed Grebes that were present for the last two days were still hanging around at the park. Other … Continue reading
While birding on the Milwaukee Wisconsin Lakefront today I came across a Red Fox. Out taking a nap in the sun on a cold October day. Images were taken on October 5, 2014. Red Fox Scientific name: Vulpes vulpes Type: Mammal Habitat: Forests, grasslands, mountains, savanna, agricultural lands and deserts. … Continue reading
I birded Bradford Beach and Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee today around noon. Bradford Beach had 1 Black-bellied Plover, 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper and about 15 Sanderlings. Some high gusts of wind from the southwest made for an interesting setting for the shorebirds. Sometimes it was like a whiteout! Lakeshore State … Continue reading
I birded Bradford Beach this morning on Milwaukee’s Lakefront and present were 2 American Black-bellied Plovers. I headed over to Lakeshore State Park in hopes that an American Avocet would have come in over night. As I walked towards the beach area I had to do a double take as … Continue reading
I got a late start this morning getting into Bradford Beach but I did not miss the 3 Juvenile Black-bellied Plovers that were present. They were continually feeding long the shoreline for most of the beach area but moving around often as they were being flushed by joggers and dog … Continue reading
I stopped at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee at sun up this morning and the beach had no shorebirds, just a few gulls. I birded Lakeshore State Park, the Whimbrel was still present there. I headed back to Bradford Beach for another check. As I started to walk the beach I … Continue reading
I birded Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee this morning about 7:30. I have not visited the park in well over 2 weeks. I ran into Bruce, and we walked the park for about an hour. We were just talking about the Whimbrel and having not seen it when out from … Continue reading
In the last couple of years I have chased a few vagrants or rare birds in Wisconsin and even the midwest. Some are already on my blog, some are not. These are some that are not. Listed below are a few images with species, locations and dates. In some cases … Continue reading
I made a run down to Bradford Beach about 10:00 am. I did a little looking around and all that was present were 5 Sanderlings and 100 plus or minus gulls coming and going. Jym M showed up and we met Spencer on the beach. We were just doing some … Continue reading
On Sunday as the Sanderlings were busy feeding on Bradford Beach, I observed a skirmish take place near me. I have not witnessed one of this length before and so full of action, usually it is just a little wing action or poking. When I looked at the images as … Continue reading
I decided to make a trip to Bradford Beach this morning in Milwaukee. It was an exciting few hours. When I arrived at the algae mat on the south end of the beach, I noticed what I thought was a Western Sandpiper. Moments later it was out of sight. I … Continue reading
With Bradford Beach being a hotspot the last couple of weeks I made a run in to check it out. 2 Ruddy Turnstones were present which is what I had hoped to see as they have been reported on and off there. Also present were 2 Baird’s Sandpipers, ~50 Sanderlings, … Continue reading
The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been visiting the Bottle Gentian plants here. It is amazing how they go for the nectar in these wildflowers. In some situations they probe into the side of the blooms with their bill. At other times they go in from the top with their bill. In … Continue reading
I made a stop at Bradford Beach around noon after a nice variety of shorebirds were reported in the area earlier in the day. At Bradford Beach all that was present were Sanderlings, about 20 of them scattered across the entire length of the beach. They were all feeding continually … Continue reading
Mid morning yesterday after viewing the Buff-breasted Sandpiper at South Metro I did a quick run to Myers Park in Racine. The highlight was 2 Black-bellied Plovers, juvenile. There was also a Pied-billed Grebe there, but just as I started walking down to the lower area something flushed the grebe, … Continue reading
