I birded some of the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning and one of the highlights was this Lapland Longspur at Lakeshore State Park. This adult nonbreeding male feed on a path eating seeds that have fallen to the ground. Also present at the beach at Lakeshore State Park was a Black-bellied Plover along with 3 Killdeer hanging out with a group of gulls. It was a mostly cloudy day, on a couple occasions the sun shinned for a minute or two, temps were a little on the cool side with low winds. Images were taken on October 15, 2015.

Lapland Longspur, adult nonbreeding male
Lapland Longspur
Binomial name: Calcarius lapponicus
Category: Lapwings and Plovers
Size: 6.25” long, 11.5” wing span
Weight: 0.95 oz
Cool facts: This common bird breeds in the Arctic tundra, and winters in open fields across most of the United States and southern Canada.



Finding and eating seeds off a path

Finding and eating seeds off a path

Finding and eating seeds off a path

Finding and eating seeds off a path

Stretching


With seed

With seed





Back view



Black-bellied Plover, juv.

Black-bellied Plover, juv.

Black-bellied Plover, juv.

Black-bellied Plover, juv.

With food in bill

Calling

Calling
