Late Saturday afternoon I got wind of a very rare for Wisconsin, an adult Glaucous-winged Gull, being reported at the Prairie du Sac Dam in Sauk County. This gull noamally winters on the west coast of California and breeds along the west coast of Canada and Alaska in the summer. … Continue reading
During the winter months I bird locations all over southeastern Wisconsin with hopes to find a Northern Saw-whet Owl. I dig here and there and it has been a quiet winter until last week. I have come across 2 of them just recently. They are so tiny, cute and motionless … Continue reading
I left the house this morning like many mornings this time of year in search for the Northern Saw-whet Owl. I have looked hard the last month and this morning was my lucky day. Coming around a corner on a path, I looked up and here is one looking right … Continue reading
While birding I came across an Eastern Screech Owl, red morph high in a tree cavity. The sun was just touching it’s face, making a nice setting for a photo. It was a sunny morning with mild temps around 40 degrees with low winds. Image was taken on February 9, … Continue reading
I did some birding like yesterday looking for owls in Milwaukee County. Walking across a field in front of me and looking right at me was a beautiful Eastern Screech Owl, brown morph. From a long distance I took a photo. A couple of steps ahead and the owl disappeared … Continue reading
This Eastern Screech Owl, brown morph flew by me today and landed close by while birding in Milwaukee County. It was a nice surprise, it only hung around for about 10 seconds, enough to get one photo. It was a mostly cloudy morning with a good breeze but temps were … Continue reading
A Barred Owl seen and photographed in Milwaukee County Wisconsin. A typical January morning with cloudy skies, low winds and temps around 30 degrees. Image was taken on January 22, 2024.
While out birding one of my stops was Lakeshore State Park. It was a nice surprise to see the Red Fox that is seen there once in a while. It did some scratching, rolled in the snow and then sat nicely for a photo. It was a very cold morning … Continue reading
While birding at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County I was observing a Long-eared Owl at a distance. Moments later a Red Fox was starting to work it’s way towards the owl. I could tell that something was going to happen as the Red Fox got about 20′ from the … Continue reading
While birding out in Waukesha County I came across 16 Sandhill Cranes on the Bark River in Delafield. They were just hanging out doing some preening and not very active. They are probably saving their energy for the days ahead with snow and cold in the forecast. It was a … Continue reading
I have put together a collection of some of the Wisconsin birding moments from the year 2023. 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 2023. It was a very exciting year … Continue reading
One of my birding stops today in Milwaukee County produced great views of a Barred Owl. It appeared to be just resting and did not mind my presence from a distance. It was a cloudy day, mild temps for this time of year around 40 degrees. Image was taken on … Continue reading
I was out for a walk in Marquette County when a Barred Owl flew off in front of me. It perched nearby and gave nice views for a photo. It was a partly cloudy day with some light snow flurries on and off, low winds and temps around 35 degrees. … Continue reading
While birding Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee an American White Pelican was present. Not totally uncommon to have a few pelicans around in the winter months if there is open water. It was on a rock shore in the lagoon area giving great looks. It moved around some, to the … Continue reading
My first birding stop of the morning gave great views of House Finches eating crab apples on a tree in Waukesha along the Fox River. I have seen them along the river often but not eating crab apples. I think the crab apples are softening up now and the birds … Continue reading
Some birding today produced a nice looks at a Eastern Screech Owl, gray morph just hanging out in a natural cavity. It was maybe sleeping, or just keeping it’s eyes closed while I was in the area. It was a cold day with some good wind gusts out there with … Continue reading
A birding location I stop at once cold weather is upon us, like now November. I spotted this Great Horned Owl which I have not seen one at this location since early spring. I have seen a pair at this location for the last 4 years in winter and have … Continue reading
It was 12 noon and I saw a message of a Ancient Murrelet in Door County! The exact location was George Pinney County Park. It looked like a 3 hour drive and it looked like I had enough daylight to get there with some time to look for it. Wow, … Continue reading
I typically stop at the Fox River in the mornings this time of year when birding and it has really been quiet. Today was the first surprise this fall with a 2nd cycle Iceland Gull, Kumlien’s subspecies. I have never seen one before on the Fox River. It is a … Continue reading
I was walking on some private property in Marquette County and out of nowhere 6 Red Crossbills landed in a Red Pine 25 feet from me. 4 males and 2 females. The event lasted only 30 seconds and I did not even see the females until they flew from the … Continue reading
