At 6:00 AM I received a text message that a juvenile Wood Stork was seen at Mud Lake State Wildlife Area in Dodge County yesterday. The normal range for this species is Florida, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. I pretty much jumped in the car and was in the area. Some of the information I got was general but I headed out figuring more information would come when I was on the road. It appeared I was the first one in the area and then a couple of great birders showed up too. As we hit different locations there and then got some more news on where it was seen, it did not appear to be present. We exhausted spots we thought had potential and then called it quits about 11:00 AM. I got home, took a rest from all that walking through 3-4 foot thick prairie and thick marsh grass looking for the bird. Around 4:00 PM, I get a text message, the bird was seen this afternoon! My wife Deb said just get on the road and try again, what are you waiting for! Arriving around 5:30 PM, this time I knew the best place to park and a location of where the bird was seen. As I was 150 feet from what I thought was the bird perched I got closer and took a couple of distant shots, just in case it flushes. I don’t think there are many Wisconsin state records for this bird, but there was one seen up north I think last year for 1 day in someone’s yard, maybe a couple of years ago. I got a little closer to the Wood Stork and got some shots to take with me. It did not seem to mind me being in the area. A big thank you goes out to Mike Bronner, original finder of this great bird found on a hike the day before, getting identification and word out to the birding community. I hope the bird hangs around for others to see it. It was a warm afternoon at 86 degrees, full sun, a slight breeze. Wisconsin Lifebird #383. Images were taken on August 11, 2025.
The Wood Stork…
Some preening…
Some scratching…
Just standing there for a while…
Preening…
That one feather…
“Actual Birding Moment” how it went down…It’s 86 degrees…it is very humid….I’m in an area of tall grasses….scattered live and dead trees….some up….some down…I think I’m in the general area ahead for the Wood Stork….but is it even here?…. I’ve just walked through a long field of very dense prairie 3′-4′ high…now going through some 3′-4′ marsh grass that is laying down, I see no sign of a bird….I look to my right…it’s already early evening…..I’m already thinking how much time I might have before I leave to not be here in the dark……I look ahead again…I see a white thing about 100 yards in front of me but there are so many trees…could that be the Wood Stork?….it looks like a possible perched bird….I look with my bins…..that looks like the bird….my heart is racing…I walk a few more feet…I’m so excited that I am having a hard time holding the camera with its long lens steady…..then there are so many trees and vegetation between the bird and I that I can’t focus….finally the camera focuses on the bird and I get that doc shot!! The photo on the right is now Wisconsin life bird #383 shot at roughly 100 yards…..I am breathing easier now…
Another great find in Wisconsin. Your photos are outstanding. Keep up the great work.
Great find and pictures Jim, congratulations!
#383! congratulations, Jim! Beautiful photos!
JIM THESE ARE ABSOLUTELY
SO BEAUTIFUL!!!
That’s nice. Wish I knew that area so I could venture through to see it. .
Your persistence, was again rewarded.
Is this another sign of climate change?
No.
Great photos and a wonderful find for you. I saw these birds when living in the Atchafalaya Basin of Louisiana, but they were uncommon. I never saw a first year juvenile like this one. Of course the Cajuns, who called them gourdheads, could tell me that they were good to eat.
What great shots against the dark background! Really shows this handsome bird well, like an art print! Your second trip was a success. Glad Deb encouraged you to give it another try! 😀 I always enjoy your stories and the comments from others.
How awesome to pursue and find. Wonderful and Thanks for sharing. An incredible year for rare birds!
Jim, I’m glad to see your extraordinary efforts are rewarded once again.These are wonderful shots.
Great photos!
WOW!
Awesome! Thanks for sharing, as always.
Jim: THANK YOU for your hard work and fabu photos of this beauty. Kudos to your wife for telling you to “go find it!”
Thank you for sharing this information.
Amazing! This has been one special year for rare birds in Wisconsin.
Truly awesome shots, Jim! The ‘play-by-play’ prelude really adds to the thrill! Hope you are having a great summer!