Barrow’s Goldeneye at North Point Park in Sheboygan Wisconsin on March 15, 2017

I made the run up to North Point Park in Sheboygan this morning with hopes to see the male Barrow’s Goldeneye. I was not disappointed.  The Barrow’s Goldeneye rode the large waves coming in like the other ducks present. It dove often for food and sometimes it was hard to relocate with the large waves. This is not a life bird as I photographed one at the exact location back on January 7, 2011. As I have searched high and low through rafts of Common Goldeneye on the Milwaukee lakefront year after year, to see one again is a special treat. From Sheboygan I stopped at Port Washington for a couple of minutes and got a distant shot of 4- Red-throated Loons just east of the harbor entrance feeding on occasion. Thanks to Dan B for finding this uncommon bird for the area and for getting the word out for others to see it. It was about 20 degrees with full sun when I arrived at 9:00 am with steady winds off the lake. It was a bitter cold viewing period. Images were taken on March 15, 2017.

Common Goldeneye on both sides with the Barrow's Goldeneye in the middle

Common Goldeneye, males on both sides with the Barrow’s Goldeneye, male in the middle, also the brown duck being a Common Goldeneye, female

Barrow’s Goldeneye

Binomial name: Bucephala islanddica

Category: Duck, Geese, and Swans

Size: 18” long, 28” wing span

Weight: 2.1 lb.

Range: The normal winter range for this duck species is the east and west coasts of the US and Canada. The breeding range in general, is inland along with west coast of Canada well into Alaska south into Wyoming.

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Barrow’s Goldeneye, male on the right

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Barrow’s Goldeneye, male on the right

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Barrow’s Goldeneye, male on the right, Bufflehead male to the left

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Barrow’s Goldeneye, male in the middle with a Common Goldeneye, female on the right, Bufflehead males behind, Bufflehead female way back

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Barrow’s Goldeneye with some displaying action

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Barrow’s Goldeneye, male on the right with a Common Goldeneye, female following, Bufflehead female on the left

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Barrow’s Goldeneye, male in the middle with a Bufflehead, male in front

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Barrow’s Goldeneye in the middle

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Barrow’s Goldeneye on the right with many Common Goldeneye, females around on the left

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Barrow’s Goldeneye, male, just being there on the right

3- Red-throated Loons, non breeding plumage

4- Red-throated Loons, nonbreeding plumage, distant shot at Port Washington

Barrow’s Goldeneye at North Point in Sheboygan Wisconsin on January 7, 2011

Barrow’s Goldeneye, male, at North Point in Sheboygan Wisconsin on January 7, 2011. This duck remained far from shore during it’s short visit in Sheboygan. A very rare visitor to the state of Wisconsin. Only distant images could be taken. Some images show both male Barrow’s Goldeneye and Common Goldeneye together.

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Barrow’s Goldeneye

Binomial name: Bucephala islanddica

Category: Duck, Geese, and Swans

Size: 18” long, 28” wing span

Weight: 2.1 lb.

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Barrow’s Goldeneye, male left – Common Goldeneye, male center – Common Goldeneye, female left

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Barrow’s Goldeneye, male far right – Common Goldeneye, male center left with Common Goldeneye females