A stop at McKinley Beach this morning produced 1 American Pipit. It was digging through algae on the beach finding things to eat. It is considered a rare bird on this date at this location because it is a late bird. It was a beautiful January day with temps around … Continue reading
As I thought my birding day was winding down I got a message from Jacob C. that a Spotted Towhee, a hatch year bird was found by an unidentified birder at Greenfield Park. I made the quick run over and the bird was present near the small waterfall. We both … Continue reading
My birding morning started off in Milwaukee County. Common birds that are expected to be seen this time of year were found. A couple stops in Waukesha County on my way home produced a beautiful Great Horned Owl. It was sitting in a pine perched pretty and was there when … Continue reading
I have put together a collection of some of the Wisconsin birding moments from the year 2020. The collection includes vagrants, special visitors, or just the beautiful birds that nest here or migrate through the state of Wisconsin. All images were taken in 2020. It was a very exciting year … Continue reading
The 1st year male Harlequin Duck put on a nice show today at Port Washington. It hung with Mallards feeding, resting and moving around near the north beach area. For the most part it would be in the middle of the groups of Mallards, must have made it feel safe … Continue reading
A stop today at Port Washington gave nice looks a Long-tailed Duck. This stunning male has been seen for a few days on and off recently. It fed many times on fish while I was present. It was a cloudy day, very cold around 18 degrees when I arrived. A … Continue reading
The report of the Allen’s Hummingbird had me very excited, and a 1st state record for Wisconsin too. The normal range for this hummingbird is the coast of California, SE Arizona and Mexico. It is so far out of it’s range! I hope it survives in the days ahead and … Continue reading
I saw a report of a Bullock’s Oriole in Sturgeon Bay, it had only been seen once yesterday, Sunday. The Bullock’s Oriole is a western bird that typically does not come this far east. It was so exciting to hear of this bird in the state, it’s a beautiful young … Continue reading
One of my birding stops today produced a beautiful Snowy Owl. A female, at the Lake Express Ferry along the Milwaukee lakefront. There was very little action from this bird while I was present. Who knows, it maybe just had a big meal before arriving and was just kicking back … Continue reading
Birding along the lakefront in Milwaukee near the Summerfest amphitheater I came across some recent reported Common Redpolls. They were a large flock of 50 plus birds. They fed on flower and weed seeds along the south end of the amphitheater. They did not hang around long while I was … Continue reading
Checking out the bird feeder at Grant Park in Milwaukee today there was 1 Evening Grosbeak, a nice looking female. There have been some reported at this location so it was not a big surprise. But it is a nice surprise to have them in our area at this time. … Continue reading
While birding Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee I came upon a lone Sanderling at the beach. A late one for sure migrating south, here for a stop. I only hung around for a minute and a couple quick photos, I never saw it on shore, it only stood in the … Continue reading
Birding out in Waukesha County this morning I came across a family of 4 Sandhill Cranes. There were 2 adults and 2 juveniles. They were feeding in a field finding things to eat and actually came across a small spot where some corn was spilled. They hung around the corn … Continue reading
Out birding today I came across a Long-eared Owl. I found it perched and it was still perched when I left the area. A chilly day to start with cloudy skies, the sun warmed things up a little as the day went on. Images were taken on November 11, 2020.
I started out my birding morning at McKinley Beach walking north along the lake. I heard of a Common Redpoll being seen in that area. No luck with that but on my way back to the beach area, using my bins, I noticed some shorebirds on the south end of … Continue reading
While approaching the beach area at Lakeshore State Park a bird drops out of the sky 100 feet in front of me and lands at the beach. I was like what?? The bird, a White-rumped Sandpiper which is considered a rare bird for this location on this date. I quickly … Continue reading
Birding Lakeshore State Park this morning I was surprised to come across a Dunlin. The bird was in nonbreeding plumage so it was not as colorful as if it were spring, but still a beautiful bird. It was feeding on the east shore of the island. It appeared it was … Continue reading
Birding along the lakefront around noon in Milwaukee produced Snow Buntings at McKinley Beach. I came across 9 of them walking the area. They continually fed on grass or weeds seeds while I was present and did not move around much. Beautiful birds they are, first of the fall for … Continue reading
I saw the report of a California Gull, rare for this area at Johnson Creek and decided to check it out this morning. Far from it’s normal range of the west coast but some do come inland a few states off breeding season. I arrived at the location reported, a … Continue reading
While birding Lakeshore State Park I had brief views of Horned Larks. There were 5 present feeding along the east end of the park. I got a couple of shots off, but with all pedestrians, dog walkers, bikers, etc, these birds did not hang around and left the park. It … Continue reading
