This morning I hit some local birding spots in Waukesha and then wondered where to go next. There was a reported Swallow-tailed Kite in Jefferson County recently seen on and off for the last 3 weeks and sometimes even two of them. I had some time, might as well give … Continue reading
This morning one of my birding stops was Lakeshore State Park along the Lakefront in Milwaukee. I heard of a Buff-breasted Sandpiper being reported there so I thought I might as well check that out. I talked with a group of birders on their way out of the park and … Continue reading
One of my birding stops this morning was McKinley Beach along the Milwaukee lakefront. Looking for shorebirds this time of year and there were 2 present. Two Semipalmated Plovers. They were feeding when I arrived but then almost immediately went to rest. Watching them from a distance their eyes were … Continue reading
Some typical stops at beaches along the Milwaukee lakefront this morning gave nice looks at a 1st summer Great Black-backed Gull. It is the largest gull in North America with a wing span of 65″ and you can see that when you scope the beaches, this gull stands out. It … Continue reading
One of my birding stops of the day was Grant Park. The Oak Creek outlet to Lake Michigan small beach area at Grant Park had 4 Killdeer chicks. They ran around the beach area getting things to eat. An adult Killdeer was also present in the area. A Great Blue … Continue reading
A roadside pond in New Berlin provided nice looks of a Great Egret. While I was there it hunted for food in the pond and found things to eat there too. It was a cloudy day with mild temps and low winds. Images were taken on June 26, 2026.
A Great-tailed Grackle was reported early morning on June 16 at a private residence near Red Cliff Wisconsin. This bird’s normal range is Iowa and then to the SW USA. This female bird is Wisconsin’s 4th state record. I saw the ebird report at the end of that day and … Continue reading
There were a nice number of Black Terns on the boardwalk on the Auto Tour. They perch on the boardwalk posts for great looks and then you see their flight action over the water near you looking and getting things to eat. Listed as endangered species here in Wisconsin. I … Continue reading
I stopped at a Great Blue Heron rookery in SE Wisconsin to see if there were any herons present. There were about 16 active nests and there were some large chicks and some small. That tells me some were maybe late hatching or some failed earlier maybe with a storm? … Continue reading
I had not been up to Horicon Marsh yet this year so a last minute decision was made early in the morning to make the trip up. I arrived at about 6:15 AM. My first stop was Old Marsh Road on the east side. A species I was hoping to … Continue reading
As I walked out of my garage in the morning I heard the call of a Great Crested Flycatcher. Wow, how exciting as I have not heard the call in the yard for a few years. I looked out across the front yard and I saw a Great Crested Flycatcher … Continue reading
The last few days I have birded Wehr Nature Center and a couple of other areas in Milwaukee County plus focusing on warblers and other species present. All and all it has been a fun warbler season so far. As you know what will be there as far as warblers. … Continue reading
The last couple of days I have birded at Wehr Nature Center and the surrounding area for warblers. Things have picked up some for warblers with a couple warmer days now. Still not like the warbler days back 4-5 years ago but still a fun time to be out finding … Continue reading
My first birding stop today was Wehr Nature Center and my last. I went back and forth to different locations around that area. The creek area was the best on and off and the bird of the day was the Olive-sided Flycatcher. Warblers were on and off as it has … Continue reading
This is the time of the year for warblers but the warblers are not showing up as expected. Next week is typically the best we I think here in SE Wisconsin but time will tell. So warblers being slow I decided to check out a couple of Great Horned and … Continue reading
Early this morning I heard rumblings of an American Bittern at Wehr Nature Center and since I was going there for warblers anyways I thought I would check it out. The bittern was present and giving nice looks from the warbler bridge there. Light was not the best for photos … Continue reading
As far as the big push of warblers coming though this part of the state it has not happened yet. Some great species have showed up and still waiting for others. Today at the Fox River Sanctuary a Prothonotary Warbler caught my eye along the river bank. Other warblers present … Continue reading
Migration is on and one of my birding stops this morning was Wehr Nature Center. All the crab apple and apple trees are in full bloom making a great photo opportunity if you can find some of the Blue-grey Gnatcatchers or warblers in them finding things to eat. Blue-grey Gnatcatchers … Continue reading
I decided to try for the Sharp-tailed Grouse at Namekagon Barrens Wildlife Area in Burnett County. This bird is considered a Special Concern species in Wisconsin. They have a blind and I got on this idea back in March when they were available to book. A very nice program they … Continue reading
One of my birding stops this morning on the Milwaukee lakefront gave great looks at Willets. They were spread out some and some were feeding while I was present. There were 10 of them. This beach is actually just north of McKinley but part of that area. It was a … Continue reading
