I did some birding late morning at the Scuppernong Springs Nature Trails in South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha Co. Wisconsin. I did get some nice views of the Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. Some of the other bird species present were the Brown Creeper, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Sandhill Cranes … Continue reading
While birding Milwaukee’s Lakefront this morning I located the Surf Scoter that had been recently reported. It was just north of the South Shore Yacht Club. The Red-necked Grebe was also still present that had been reported but it was out near the breakwall. It was a gloomy morning and … Continue reading
I spent a short time down at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha today and observed my 1st Yellow-rumped Warblers of the season. There were 3 present and they were hopping around in the trees eating what appeared to be small insects. I also enjoyed watching 2 different Black-capped Chickadees … Continue reading
Pied-billed Grebes on the Fox River in downtown Waukesha Wisconsin. Pied-billed Grebes have been present for at least a month now, along with the Horned Grebes which have been around for the last couple of weeks. One of the highlights today was watching a Pied-billed eat a Sunfish that appeared … Continue reading
Baird’s Sandpiper photographed in Jefferson County, Wisconsin. This appears to be the earliest recorded date for a Baird’s Sandpiper to arrive in Wisconsin. There were 3 Baird’s Sandpipers at this location in a field just north of Hwy 106 on Mehring Road. I also tried 3 times in the last … Continue reading
The Fox River in downtown Waukesha Wisconsin has been pretty exciting with duck species the last couple of weeks and now Grebe species are showing up too. A striking Horned Grebe did some diving for food and gave some nice views this morning. A couple of Pied-billed Grebes gave distant … Continue reading
The Fox River in downtown Waukesha Wisconsin has been pretty exciting with duck species the last couple of weeks. Some hang around for a day or two, some weeks. Yesterday there were over 3o scaups, mostly Lesser Scaups. The majority of the scaups were napping most of the time I … Continue reading
Redhead ducks have been present at the Fox River in downtown Waukesha, WI for the last couple of weeks. Today, 8 of them were present. With 10-degree temps in the morning, thin ice had formed overnight on the river. The ice kept the ducks near the open water area by … Continue reading
A Ring-necked Duck showed up at the Fox River in downtown Waukesha, WI today. It hung around with other species present that were Common Goldeneye Ducks (m-f), Red-breasted (m-f) and ~20 Common Mergansers (m-f), Redheads (m-f) Scaups (m-f ). A pair of Buffleheads were reported, but I could not locate … Continue reading
In the last couple of days, Red-winged Blackbirds have arrived at the Fox River in downtown Waukesha, WI. It sure sounded like spring was in the air this morning when I saw and heard 5 Male Red-winged Blackbirds along the river walk. They were perched high in trees and on … Continue reading
A pair of Hooded Mergansers were present on the Fox River in downtown Waukesha WI. today. The female has been around for a couple of days but a male arrived this afternoon. The pair hung together swimming, catching prey and preening. Other species present were Common Goldeneye Ducks (m-f), Red-breasted … Continue reading
Mute Swans on the Fox River in downtown Waukesha Wisconsin. A pair of Mute Swans have stopped in for a visit here on the river with some open water as temperatures have eased in recent days. Most places in the area are still froze over. Their stay so far has … Continue reading
An American Black Duck on the Fox River in Waukesha WI. Photographs were taken on March 16, 2014. Other species present were Common Goldeneye Ducks (m-f), Red-breasted and ~30 Common Mergansers (m-f), with many Mallards (f-m). A large portion of the river froze up with the cold temps over night, … Continue reading
Northern Shovelers on the Fox River in Waukesha Wisconsin. Other species present were Common Goldeneye Ducks (m-f), Redhead Ducks (m-f), Red-breasted and Common Mergansers (m-f), American Coots, first of the year for me and many Mallards. Surprisingly, I did not see any female American Shovelers, just males. Two Mute Swans … Continue reading
Red-breasted Mergansers on the Fox River in Waukesha and at the mouth of the Milwaukee River on the Milwaukee Lakefront. Other species present were Greater Scaups and the Common Goldeneyes. The ice was starting to break up well and move around inside the breakwall with temps in the low 50’s, … Continue reading
Purple Finches, Northern Cardinals, and Black-capped Chickadees feeding on the natural food supply, crab apples for their seeds and white ash seeds in the South Kettle Moraine, Waukesha County, WI. Photographs were taken on March 7, 2014 Purple Finches Northern Cardinals Black-capped Chickadees
The mouth of the Milwaukee River on the Milwaukee Lakefront was pretty iced up along with the harbor. The little water that was open held a few Greater Scaups with nice views. They did some diving for mussels while I was there. Some of the other species present that day … Continue reading
Common Goldeneye Ducks on the Fox River, Waukesha Wisconsin. Photographs were taken on March 5, 2014 Common Goldeneye Binomial name: Buecephala clangula Category: Duck, Geese, and Swans Size: 16–20” long, 30.3–32.7” wing span Weight: M 2.3 lbs., F 1.7 lbs. Habitat: Lakes, ponds and rivers near forest lands. Diet: The … Continue reading
The area of the mouth of the Milwaukee River on the Milwaukee Lakefront produced 3 Red-throated Loons. Some of the other species present and photographed were White-winged Scoters, Common Goldeneyes, Red-breasted Mergansers, and Greater Scaups. Red-throated Loon Binomial name: Gavia stellata Category: Loons Description: Dark gray feathers with a white … Continue reading
Late this afternoon, the otherwise restful Snowy Owl finally became active. After napping on a snow pile for about 30 minutes, the Snowy Owl took flight. She found her target in grassy patch covered with a thin layer of snow about 1000 feet away: a meal. She promptly landed on … Continue reading
