I have put together a collection of some of the Wisconsin birding moments from the year 2018. 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 2018. It was a very exciting year with the birds and also birding with some old birding friends and meeting some new ones, too. Thanks to everyone who helped make this happen. When putting this post together, once again, it amazes me what birds were seen this year here in Wisconsin!
Common Redpoll at Grant Park in Milwaukee County on January 6, 2018
Red-breasted Nuthatch at Grant Park in Milwaukee County on January 6, 2018
Long-eared Owl in Milwaukee County on January 8, 2018
Red-bellied Woodpecker, male at Grant Park in Milwaukee County on January 12, 2018
Red-bellied Woodpecker, female at Grant Park in Milwaukee County on January 12, 2018
Greater Scaup, male at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on January 14, 2018
Greater Scaup, female at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on January 14, 2018
Common Redpoll at Grant Park in Milwaukee County on January 16, 2018
Eastern Screech Owl, grey morph in Milwaukee County on January 17, 2018
Eastern Screech Owl, grey morph in Milwaukee County on January 17, 2018
Glaucous Gull, 1st cycle at Johnson Creek in Jefferson County on January 18, 2018
Red Crossbill, male eating cone seeds on a spruce tree at Grant Park in Milwaukee County on January 21, 2018
Red Crossbills, male (red), 2 females (yellow-green) on a spruce tree at Grant Park in Milwaukee County on January 21, 2018
Northern Saw-whet Owl in Milwaukee County on January 19, 2018.
Northern Saw-whet Owl in Milwaukee County on January 19, 2018
Northern Saw-whet Owl in Milwaukee County on January 19, 2018
Townsend’s Solitaire perched pretty at the UW Arboretum in Madison in Dane County on January 31, 2018
Belted Kingfisher fishing in Waukesha County on February 8, 2018
Eastern Screech Owl, red morph at Grant Park in Milwaukee County on February 12, 2018
Eastern Screech Owl, grey morph at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on February 14, 2018
Clark’s Nutcracker, a very rare visitor to the state in Oneida County on February 17, 2018. Last known state record was said to be 45 years ago.
Clark’s Nutcracker, a very rare visitor to the state in Oneida County on February 17, 2018
Clark’s Nutcracker, a very rare visitor to the state with White-tailed Deer fat in Oneida County on February 17, 2018
Barred Owl in Milwaukee County on February 18, 2018
American Robin getting a grip on the berry before eating at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on February 22, 2018
White-winged Scoter, male at the South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee County on February 25,2018
Common Goldeneye at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on February 25, 2018
Long-tailed Duck, female at Bender Park in Milwaukee County on February 26, 2018
The Long-tailed Duck just up from a dive, female at Bender Park in Milwaukee County on February 26, 2018
Hooded Merganser, male with the wind blowing at Frame Park in Waukesha on February 27, 2018
Laughing Gull, wet head just after some bathing at Port Washington in Ozaukee County on February 28, 2018
Laughing Gull, incoming to the beach area at Port Washington in Ozaukee County on February 28, 2018
Snowy Owl at the Lake Express in Milwaukee County on March 8, 2018
Red-winged Blackbird calling at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on March 4, 2018
Killdeer in Milwaukee County on March 8, 2018
The Snow Goose, juvenile at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on March 9, 2018
The Snow Goose, juvenile along with a Canada Goose at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on March 9, 2018
Eastern Screech Owl in Milwaukee County on March 10, 2018
American Robin tossing the worm around, checking if it was still alive at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on March 12, 2018
Black-capped Chickadee eating some Staghorn Sumac seeds at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on March 19, 2018
Great Horned Owl in the spotlight in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on March 23, 2018
Horned Grebe on the Fox River in Waukesha County on April 1, 2018
Hooded Merganser on the Fox River in Waukesha County on April 8, 2018
Hooded Merganser on the Fox River in Waukesha County on April 8, 2018
Pied-billed Grebe at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on April 10, 2018
Fox Sparrow, yard bird in Waukesha County on April 15, 2018
Brown Thrasher enjoying some bird seed in the yard in Waukesha County on April 15, 2018
Long-tailed Duck, male at McKinley Marina in Milwaukee County on April 16, 2018
Long-tailed Duck, male at McKinley Marina in Milwaukee County April 16, 2018
Bonaparte’s Gulls at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on April 16, 2018
American Woodcock with mud on the bill from probing through the snow for things to eat at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on April 17, 2018
American Woodcock at takeoff, at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on April 17, 2018
Caspian Tern at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee County on April 17, 2018
Northern Flicker eating Staghorn Sumac seeds at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on April 17, 2018
Northern Flicker eating Staghorn Sumac seeds at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on April 17, 2018
Ruddy Duck, male at the Fox River in Waukesha County on April 18, 2018
Great Egrets looking for a place to perch at Humboldt Park in Milwaukee County on April 19, 2018
Red-throated Loon nearing breeding plumage at McKinley Marina in Milwaukee County on April 20, 2018
Lincoln’s Sparrow at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on April 23, 2018
White-throated Sparrow at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on April 24, 2018
Great Horned Owl, adult female in Milwaukee County on April 27, 2018
The 3 Great Horned Owlets in Milwaukee County on April 27, 2018
Eastern Screech-Owl, grey morph resting peacefully in a natural cavity in Milwaukee County on April 29, 2018
Black-throated Green Warbler at the Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County on May 2, 2018
Blackpoll Warbler at the Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County on May 2, 2018
Magnolia Warbler at the Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County on May 2, 2018
Northern Waterthrush at the Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County on May 2, 2018
Eastern Bluebird, sitting pretty in Marquette County on May 3, 2018
Palm Warbler at Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County on May 2, 2018
American Avocets, 11 of them at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on May 5, 2018
American Avocet at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on May 5, 2018
American Avocets, one feeding, two resting at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on May 5, 2018
American Avocet coming in for a landing at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on May 5, 2018
Swainson’s Thrush at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on May 6, 2018
Yellow Warbler at the Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County on May 6, 2018
Wilson’s Warbler at the Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County on May 6, 2018
Common Yellowthroat Warbler at Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County on May 6, 2018
Chestnut-sided Warbler at Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County on May 6, 2018
Yellow-throated Vireo in Marquette County on May 7, 2018
Sora at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on May 7, 2018
American Avocets 11, Willets 8, they made a brief stop at Lakeshore State Park as I was doing a walk through, they had been previously seen also on the 5th of May, on May 7, 2018
Prothonotary Warbler with a gnat in the bill at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha County 0n May 9, 2018
Cape May Warbler at Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha County on May 9, 2018
Blackburnian Warbler at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on May 10, 2018
Willets at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on May 11, 2018
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on May 11, 2018
Magnolia Warbler at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha County on May 13, 2018
Northern Parula at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha County on May 13, 2018
American Redstart, male at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha County on May 13, 2018
Chipping Sparrow in Marquette County on May 17, 2018
Western Tanager, male on a foggy morning at the Lion’s Den in Ozaukee County on May 22, 2018
Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Wehr Nature Center on May 25, 2018
American White Pelican at North Point Park in Sheboygan on May 29, 2018
American White Pelicans off the rock point at North Point Park in Sheboygan on May 29, 2018
Bobolink, male at the Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha County on May 29, 2018
Bobolink, female at the Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha County on May 29, 2018
Great Blue Heron eating a Goldfish at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on June 8, 2018
Red-headed Woodpecker leaving the nest hole after feeding young in Marquette County on June 11, 2018
Red-headed Woodpecker bringing insects to the young in a nest hole in Marquette County on June 11, 2018
Great Blue Heron perched pretty at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 3, 2018
Green Heron stalking its next meal at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 3, 2018
Mallard, duckling at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 3, 2018
Eastern Kingbird adult, middle, with young just leaving the nest at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 7, 2018
Great Blue Heron with a bite to eat at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 7, 2018
American Crow, albino at Nashotah Park in Waukesha County on July 7, 2018
American Crow, albino, at Nashotah Park in Waukesha County on July 7, 2018
American Crow, albino, one happy family at Nashotah Park in Waukesha County on July 7, 2018
Wood Duck, 2-3 month old female at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 7, 2018
Great Egret rookery high in the tree tops in Waukesha County on July 19, 2018
Cedar Waxwing at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 21, 2018
Great Blue Heron, eyeing up something to eat along the shore at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 24, 2018
Great Blue Heron, right before the gulp at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 24, 2018
Black-crowned Night-Heron, the reflection at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on July 30, 2018
Great Blue Heron, in coming at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on August 3, 2018
Green Heron attempts to eat a Bullfrog, but just a young bird could not get it down, at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on August 4, 2018
Great Egret with wings spread at the Menominee River Parkway in Milwaukee County on August 12, 2018
Great Egret landing at the Menominee River Parkway in Milwaukee County on August 12, 2018
Sandhill Crane, grass on the bill, just finished eating in the South Kettle Moraine Waukesha County on August 17, 2018
Osprey circling over the pond in search of food at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on August 18, 2018
Sanderling with something to eat at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on August 22, 2018
Lesser Yellowlegs in search of food at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on August 22, 2018
Semipalmated Plover lays on the sand trying to be flat and unnoticed as a predator must be around, it does this for about 10 seconds and I see its eyes look up on occasion at at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on August 22, 2018
Semipalmated Plover at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on August 22, 2018
Least Sandpiper at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on August 22, 2018
Black-crowned Night-Heron, juvenile at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on August 24, 2018
Black-crowned Night-Heron, juvenile, out drops the pellet at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on August 24, 2018
Black-crowned Night-Heron, juvenile with a vole at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on August 24, 2018
Baird’s Sandpiper resting at McKinley Beach on August 25, 2018
Spotted Sandpiper at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on August 25, 2018
Piping Plovers, it was said to be odd to see this bird not banded, looking pretty at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee County on August 29, 2018
Piping Plovers, it was said to be odd to see thes birds not banded, two of them at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee County on August 29, 2018
Piping Plover, the portrait in early morning sun at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee County on August 29, 2018
Red-tailed Hawk high in a tree on the lookout for something to eat at Bender Park in Milwaukee County on August 31, 2018
Great Blue Heron scuffle at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on September 2, 2018
Pectoral Sandpiper at Veterans Park in Milwaukee County on September 4, 2018
Pectoral Sandpiper, the close-up at Veterans Park in Milwaukee County on September 4, 2018
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, in the yard enjoying nectar from Bottle Gentian in Waukesha County on September 9, 2018
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, hovering near Bottle Gentian in Waukesha County on September 9, 2018
Red Knot, a rare visitor, this juvenile bird posing nicely at Racine North Beach in Racine County on September 11, 2018
Red Knot, the close-up, juvenile at Racine North Beach in Racine County on September 11, 2018
Sailbirding, the start of a new adventure in birding, that is birding from a sailboat and monitoring part of the breakwall habitat designed by the Army Corp of Engineering along with UWM on the Milwaukee lakefront. A fun time with great birders and friends, Sailor Carl Eisenberg, Jennifer Born Rutten, Marilyn B at the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center in Milwaukee County on September 12, 2018
A Black-bellied Plover, a nice bird species seen on the breakwall while Sailbirding on the Milwaukee lakefront on September 12, 2018
Ruby-throated Hummingbird at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County on September 14, 2018
Sanderling moving along the shoreline in search of food at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee County on September 19, 2018
Sanderling with something in the bill to eat at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee County on September 19, 2018
Sanderling with something to eat at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee County on September 19, 2018
Green Heron perched, waiting for something to come by to eat at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee County on September 19, 2018
Green Heron with something to eat at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee County on September 19, 2018
Red-tailed Hawk watching Raccoons below on a tree branch sleeping at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on September 24, 2018
Black-bellied Plover walking along the beach at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on September 27, 2018
Black-bellied Plover, the close-up, at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on September 27, 2018
Red-winged Blackbird, female eating Big Bluestem seeds at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on September 27, 2018
It was another Sailbirding adventure out to breakwall to monitor bird species with Sailors Carl Eisenberg and Helen Bolgrien and birders Jennifer Born Rutten, Ann Lowrey, Jym Mooney and myself at the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center in Milwaukee County on September 28, 2018
Ruddy Turnstone, a nice bird species seen on the breakwall while Sailbirding on the Milwaukee lakefront on September 28, 2018
American Pipit searching the beach area for things to eat at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee County on October 5, 2018
Cackling Goose in the front, Canada Goose in the back at Veteran’s Park in Milwaukee County on October 5, 2018
It was another Sailbirding adventure out to breakwall to monitor bird species with Sailors Carl Eisenberg and Helen Bolgrien and birders Jennifer Born Rutten, Drew Shuster, Jym Mooney and myself at the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center in Milwaukee County on October 12, 2018
Lesser Black-backed Gull found on the breakwall while Sailbirding on the Milwaukee lakefront on October 12, 2018
Dunlin at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on October 19, 2018
The Dunlin, the close-up at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on October 19, 2018
Cooper’s Hawk bathing at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on October 22, 2018
Snow Goose, blue morph with a bill full of grass at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on October 22, 2018
Snow Goose, blue morph coming in for a landing at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County on October 22, 2018
Snow Buntings in search of seeds at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on October 23, 2018
Snow Buntings eating seeds at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on October 23, 2018
Red-bellied Woodpecker in Marquette County on November 9, 2018
White-breasted Nuthatch in Marquette County on November 17, 2018
Tundra Swans at Grobschmidt Park in Milwaukee County on November 11, 2018
The Rufous Hummingbird in Fox Point in Milwaukee County on November 12, 2018
American Kestrel at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on November 13, 2018
A sleeping Eastern Screech Owl, gray morph at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee County on November 14, 2018
Hooded Merganser, male at the Fox River in Waukesha County on November 24, 2018
Wild Turkey displaying at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee County on November 30, 2018
A Wild Turkey perched high up in a tree near a ravine at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee County on November 30, 2018
Long-tailed Duck, female at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on December 3, 2018
Eastern Screech Owl, red morph in Milwaukee County on December 10, 2018
Hammond’s Flycatcher, a very rare visitor to the state in Iowa County on December 11, 2018. The first Wisconsin record of this species.
Long-eared Owl in Wisconsin on December 14, 2018
Great Horned Owl in Milwaukee County on December 16, 2018
Eastern Screech Owl, grey morph with blood on the bill at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee County on December 17, 2018
Eastern Screech Owl, red morph in Milwaukee County on December 17, 2018
Eastern Screech Owl, red morph in Milwaukee County on December 17, 2018
Eastern Screech Owl, red morph in Milwaukee County on December 18, 2018
Long-tailed Duck, female at McKinley Marina on December 28, 2018
Mourning Dove, leucistic, a yard bird in Waukesha County on December 29, 2018
Screech Owl, grey morph seen on a bird walk at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee County on December 31, 2018
