One of my birding stops today was Lake Park in Milwaukee County. There were some nice birds seen but the highlight was this Pine Warbler, male that gave nice looks as I was just strolling around. There were a few Kinglets, Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned and also some Yellow-rumped Warblers to name a few. It was a beautiful morning with full sun, 60 degrees and low winds. Image was taken on April 10, 2024.
Pine Warbler, male…
While I was at Wehr Nature Center this morning checking out warblers I heard there was a reported Connecticut Warbler, male at Lake Park in Milwaukee. I made the run over to Lake Park and the warbler was found in the Locust Ravine. The bird was eating gnats from what I could see the whole time I was there moving up and down the slopes giving nice views. The warbler went to the bottom of the ravine twice while I was there continually finding things to eat. This ravine is on the north end of the park. I took some photos as you just don’t see this species often. What a beautiful bird!! It was a sunny day with some wind, cool along the lake at 61 while inland it was 91. Images were taken on May 13, 2022.
The Connecticut Warbler, male
At the ravine bottom looking for things to eat…
Going for a gnat on a blade of grass…
Near a puddle…
Gnat in the bill…
Just a pretty setting the Connecticut was in…
Nice pose with a gnat in the bill…
Always looking for things to eat…
Walking around the bottom of the ravine looking for things to eat…
On the move looking…
Looking up at the gnat and it did get it…
A stop at Wehr Nature Center and a brief stop at the Fox River in Waukesha produced some great warbler action today. Some of the species seen were Yellow, Magnolia, Blackburnian, Black-throated Green, Bay Breasted, Blackpoll, Golden-winged, Common Yellowthroat, Orange-crowned, Northern Parula, Mourning, Canada, and Wilson’s along with Yellow throated and Philadelphia Vireos. Some species I would expect to see I did not. It was a warm day with some breeze at times with full sun. Images were taken on May 10, 2022.
Singing Magnolia Warbler, male
Blackburnian Warbler, male
Bay-breasted Warbler, male
Canada Warbler, male
Blackburnain Warbler, male
Mourning Warbler, male
Prothonotary Warbler, male
Blackpoll Warbler, male
American Redstart, male
Magnolia Warbler, male
Wilson’s Warbler, male
Common Yellowthroat, male
Blackburnian Warbler, male
Blackpoll Warbler, male
Philadelphia Vireo
Black and white Warbler, male
Chestnut-sided Warbler, male
Chestnut-sided Warbler, male
Magnolia Warbler, male
Blackpoll Warbler, male
Chestnut-sided Warbler, male
Warnimont Park was the hot spot today if you ask me. Hooded, Black-throated Green, Chestnut-sided, Yellow, Nashville, Black and White, Tennessee, Palm, Yellow-rumped, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Parula, and Orange-crowned were some. It was a cloudy day with a good breeze, cold. Images were taken on April 26, 2022.
Hooded Warbler, male
Yellow-rumped Warbler, male
Black and White Warbler, male
Black-throated Green Warbler, male
Nashville Warbler, male
Tennessee Warbler, male
Palm Warbler, male
Yellow-rumped Warbler, male
Yellow Warbler, male
Chestnut-sided Warbler, male
Hooded Warbler, male
Hooded Warbler, male
The Black-throated Gray warbler, a very rare visitor to the state was found at Lake Park this morning. This female put on a great show eating gnats along the Locust Street ravine. This warbler stayed hidden out of sight for a while at times. Credit goes to Nathaniel W for finding this great warbler and getting the word out for others to see it. A cloudy cold day on the lakefront with winds out of the NE. Images were taken on May 19, 2021.
The Black-throated Gray Warbler…
Here going for a gnat…
Looking around for something to eat…there were plenty of gnats…
Moving about the thick brush high and low to the ground…
Perched pretty…
A stop at Lake Park gave distant views of a Hooded Warbler. While walking across the foot bridge just south of the statue I spotted directly below a Hooded Warbler. From there it moved and rested for a period of time, on a fallen log laying in the ravine. It must of had a long journey as it rested for close to 30 minutes with it’s eyes closed most of the time. I took a shot from a distance and that was it. Other warbler species I saw at the park were Yellow-rumped and Palm. It was a cold morning on the lakefront with good wins from the north. I was dress for March weather. Image was taken on April 27, 2021.
The Hooded Warbler resting on a fallen tree log…
On one of my birding stops today I came across a male Cerulean Warbler high in a tree in Jefferson County. It was the highlight of the day for birds as things have really settled down after the big migration run. No other special birds to note for the birding run this morning. It was a warm morning with humidity too, sunny skies, actually hot! Images were taken on May 26, 2020.
Cerulean Warbler, male
Cerulean Warbler, male
As warbler action was great at Wehr Nature Center a few of days ago, I thought I would see what was going on there today. My thought was the best day ever for warblers as far as species seen and nice views. It was on going action for the morning hours I was there. Species seen, were Blackburnian, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Canada, Mourning, Prothonotary, Bay-breasted, Wilson’s, Magnolia, Black and white, Yellow, Palm, Northern Parula, Yellow, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-rumped, Blue-winged, Tennessee, Nashville and the American Redstart were species I saw. A beautiful day with temps around 60, mostly sunny skies, very little wind. Images were taken on May 16, 2020.
Bay-breasted Warbler, male
Blackburnian Warbler, male
Canada Warbler, male
Northern Parula, male
Black-throated Green Warbler, male
Black-throated Blue Warbler, male
Common Yellowthroat, male
Cape May Warbler, male
Black and white Warbler, female
Black-throated Blue Warbler, female
Chestnut-sided Warbler, female
Prothonotary Warbler, male with something to eat…
Canada Warbler, male
Blackburnian Warbler, male
My first stop of the year for warblers in Milwaukee County did not let me down. It was at the Wehr Nature Center. I spent some of the morning there and it was a hot spot giving great views of very many warbler species. Blackburnian, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Canada, Mourning, Wilson’s, Magnolia, Black and white, Yellow, Palm, Northern Parula, Yellow, Common Yellowthroat, Blackpoll, Yellow-rumped, Nashville and the American Redstart were species I saw. It was a comfortable spring day with mild temps around 55 degrees, full sun, a little breeze out of the northeast, just gorgeous! Images were taken on May 13, 2020.
Blackburnian Warbler, male
Black-throated Blue, male
Black-throated Green, male
Magnolia Warbler, male
Mourning Warbler, male
American Redstart, male
Canada Warbler, male
Magnolia Warbler, going for a gnat…
Chestnut-sided Warbler, female…
Yellow-rumped Warbler, female
Yellow Warbler, male
Wilson’s Warbler, male
Canada Warbler, male
Blackburnian Warbler, male
Yellow Warbler, male
Black and white Warbler, female
Black-throated Blue Warbler, male
Magnolia Warbler, male
American Redstart, male
Common Yellowthroat, male
Magnolia Warbler, going for a gnat…
Black-throated Green Warbler…
Black and white Warbler, female
Canada Warbler, male
Mourning Warbler, male
Magnolia Warbler going for a gnat…
Canada Warbler, male
The report of a Black-throated Gray being seen in Wauwatosa Wisconsin sounded spectacular! I made the run in to try for this rare warbler to the state late afternoon on May 5th with no results after a 3 hour wait. It had been seen earlier in the day. It was getting dark and thought I would try first thing in the morning. I arrived the next morning just after sunrise and after 30 minutes, the bird just appeared. I only had looks for about 2 minutes, it was preening, must have just bathed. I grabbed a few shots and then it went out of sight. This western US visitor was stunning, my image does not look like much but it was across the river with low light. A big thank you to all who kept reports coming and the finder of this amazing bird, thank you too! A cool morning starting at 40 degrees, the early sun warmed things up. Bird #350 for the state of Wisconsin. Image was taken on May 6, 2020.
The Black-throated Gray Warbler
I stopped at Wehr Nature Center this morning in hopes there was still some warbler action going on. There was and many warblers were present in the time I was there. Warblers species seen this morning were Prothonotary, Bay-breasted, Northern Parula, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson’s, Yellow-rumped, Canada, Magnolia, Black-and-white, American Redstart and the Mourning. The Prothonotary Warbler bathed for a few minutes which was quite exciting to watch. It was a nice morning with pleasant temps, no rain as it was predicted, and low winds. Images were taken on May 19, 2019.
Prothonotary Warbler, female
Prothonotary Warbler, female
Prothonotary Warbler, female with a bug
Mourning Warbler, male
Canada Warbler, male
Magnolia Warbler, male
Prothonotary Warbler, female, right before bathing…
Prothonotary Warbler, female about to take a bath…
In the water…
Bathing…
Bathing…
Bathing…
Bathing…
Prothonotary Warbler, female out after bathing looking around…
Wilson’s Warbler, male
A Common Yellowthroat, male walks the shore in search of things to eat…
Common Yellowthroat, male
Prothonotary Warbler, female walking the shore looking for things to eat…
Prothonotary Warbler, female in search of food…
Bay-breasted Warbler, male
American Redstart, male
Prothonotary Warbler, female looking for the next bite…
Magnolia Warbler, male
Prothonotary Warbler, female
One of my birding stops for warblers today was Wehr Nature Center. After an hour things got busy and nice species where seen. Some of the highlight warblers were Mourning, Bay-breasted, Blackburnian, Blackpoll, Yellow, Canada, Magnolia, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat and Chestnut-sided. It was an overcast morning and nice temps, low winds making it very comfortable. Images were taken on May 16, 2019.
Mourning Warbler, male
Canada Warbler, male
Mourning Warbler, male
American Redstart, 1st year male
Yellow Warbler, male
Blackburnian Warbler, male
Magnolia Warbler, male
Chestnut-sided Warbler, male
American Redstart, male, calling
Black-throated Green Warbler, female
Common Yellowthroat, male
Canada Warbler, male
Yellow Warbler, male
Magnolia Warbler, male
Bay-breasted Warbler, male
Mourning Warbler, male
Blackpoll Warbler, male
Blackpoll Warbler, female
Black-throated Blue, female
Wilson’s Warbler, male
Chestnut-sided Warbler, male
American Redstart, male
Yellow Warbler, male
Magnolia Warbler, male
Scarlet Tanager, male
After birding for a good part of the day and getting home, I was surprised to see the report of the male Yellow-throated Warbler a few miles from me by Tim Hahn. I decided to chase over there and try for it. After birding for awhile I ran into Greg N there we we birded together for about 20 minutes. While birding I spotted Tim and Pat H there. They took us to where they had seen the Yellow-throated Warbler. After about 5 minutes, the bird appeared. It hung around for 3-4 minutes and then flew off. I have only heard this bird at Wyalusing State Park, so not a lifer, but sure nice to finally see one right here in Waukesha. Thanks to Tim Hahn for getting the word out on this bird. I hope the bird hangs around in case others want to try for it. A pleasant afternoon it was. Images were taken on May 15, 2019.
One of my birding stops today was Lake Park in Milwaukee. The birds of the day there were 2 beautiful male Hooded Warblers. They fed high up in the tree tops most of the time. At one time one was lower and gave great views near the north bridge. One image shows a fly in the bill of the bird, that was one of the things these birds were eating at the park today. A couple warblers were seen but nothing to brag about there. A beautiful sunny day but the steady winds off the lake made for a chilly day! Images were taken on May 13, 2019.
The Hooded Warbler, male
Perched on a log, maybe waiting for a fly…
Looking around…
A fly in the bill…
Looking around for the next snack…
Maybe resting…
Higher up in the tree, looking for a gnat…
Up to 4 Pine Warblers have been visiting and feeding here in the yard. They have been viewed for about the last 3 weeks on and off daily. I think they might nesting close?? The bird(s) feed for 5 -10 minutes then leave. On occasion they will take a grub from the lawn and fly away with it, to a possible nest?? It has been fun to watch and I will soon see if I can get more details on this event trying to watch where these birds are going. Images were taken through the glass from inside the house. These images were taken on May 5, 2019.
Pine Warbler looking for things to eat in the yard…
In search of food…
The Pine Warbler gets a caterpillar…
Gets a better grip on it…
Flips it…
Getting ready to eat it…
In it goes…
More searching for things to eat…
Hoping around as it must hear things moving around at ground level…
Coming for something…
Going for something…
Gets what looks like an ant…
One of my birding stops today was for warblers at Whitnall Park. Earlier birding in the rain along the lakefront produced very little to brag about. Lake Park had nice views of White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows everywhere, along with a split-second glimpse of a beautiful Ovenbird. The rain was just letting up as I headed west and the stop at Whitnall Park produced views of a stunning Cape May Warbler. Other warblers present, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Yellow-rumps, Common Yellowthroat, Palm. Other warblers that made very brief appearances were the American Redstart, Black-throated Blue, Black-and-white, not even long enough to get the camera on them. Very many Ruby-crowned Kinglets were also present. Always exciting to see new warblers as they start coming though the area. A rainy morning to start but then cloudy skies which was great. Temps chilly to start but warmed up nicely. Images were taken on May 6, 2019.
Cape May Warbler, male
Cape May Warbler, male
Chestnut-sided Warbler, female
Yellow Warbler, male
Common Yellowthroat, male
Common Yellowthroat, male
Cape May Warbler, male
Chestnut-sided Warbler, female
Black-throated Blue Warbler, male
Yellow Warbler, male
Cape May Warbler, male
Common Yellowthroat, male
Chestnut-sided Warbler, female
Yellow Warbler, male
Cape May Warbler, male
One of my birding stops today was Wehr Nature Center in Franklin for warblers. I have not been to the nature center since April 9 of this year. Yellow-rumped Warblers were the only warbler species present on that day and today was almost the same. Today it was mainly Yellow-rumped Warblers again with 2 Palm and 1 Yellow warbler. A few Ruby-crowned Kinglets were also seen. It was exciting to get my first Palm and Yellow warblers of the year! Some Swamp Sparrows were also present. I birded some of the Milwaukee lakefront before Wehr this morning and birds to note, 2 groups of Ruddy Ducks, one of 25 or more ducks and another smaller one. Also a group of 12 Northern Shovelers all near the Art Museum. A flyover Common Loon. It was a beautiful morning, but chilly near the lake early winds off the lake, I still needed a scarf! Once the sun came out around 11 AM things started to warm up. Images were taken on April 23, 2019.
Yellow Warbler, male
Yellow-rumped Warbler, male
Palm Warbler, male singing…
Palm Warbler, male
Yellow-rumped Warbler, female
Palm Warbler, male singing…
Palm Warbler, male singing…
Palm Warbler, male singing…
Yellow-rumped Warbler, male
One of my birding stops today was Wehr Nature Center. I was hoping to see the start of the Yellow-rumped Warbers migrating through the area, also known as “Butter butts”. My timing was right, it was the start, only a couple of birds of that species were present, but it was very exciting! It was nice to see them as bigger things to come was on the horizon with warbler species. There were the most ever seen by me at one location, Golden-crowned Kinglets. The trees were loaded with them feeding heavily, they never stop! The Yellow-rumped warblers, only a couple present, were also busy eating gnats non-stop. My other stops along the lakefront in Milwaukee were very quiet for birds. It was a beautiful morning out with temps around 60, a little wind, but mostly sunny skies. Images were taken on April 9, 2019.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
A short flight to a gnat…
Around the tree looks a Yellow-rumped Warbler…
Looking for a gnat…
Another short flight to a gnat…
Looking …
Looking for the next gnat…and giving nice looks…
Going for a gnat…
Looking at me…
Golden-crowned Kinglet…
I had an hour free in the afternoon so I stopped at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha. It had a nice selection of warblers but not a lot of numbers of each. Warblers species seen, Blackburnian, Cape May, Yellow, Tennessee, Nashville, Magnolia, Chestnut-sided, American Redstart, Black-and-white, Blackpoll, and Northern Parula. They actively feed along the river. It was a cloudy day, mild temps in the mid 60’s, little wind. Images were taken on May 13, 2018.
Northern Parula, female
Magnolia Warbler, male
Magnolia Warbler, male getting a gnat…
Blackburnian Warbler, female
Blackburnian Warbler, female getting a gnat…
Northern Parula getting a gnat…
Yellow Warbler, female
Tennessee Warbler, female with a gnat in the bill…
Blackburnian Warbler, female getting a gnat…
Blackburnian Warbler perched pretty…
Magnolia Warbler, male
Northern Parula, female
Blackburnian Warbler, female
Blackburnian Warbler, female going for the gnat…
Blackburnian Warbler, female with a gnat in the bill…
Northern Parula looking for the next gnat…
Northern Parula going for a gnat…
Northern Parula going for a gnat…
Northern Parula posing…
Northern Parula
American Redstart, male
Tennessee Warbler, female, going for a gnat…
Blackpoll Warbler, male
Cape May Warbler, female
Magnolia Warbler, male
American Redstart, male
Magnolia Warbler going for a gnat under the bark…
Making a stop midday at Lake Park gave nice views of many warbler species. One of the highlights was a Blackburnian Warbler feeding on gnats on a opening Maple tree. Other warbler species seen, Cape May, Yellow, Magnolia, Chestnut-sided, Nashville, Tennessee, Northern Parula, Orange-crowned, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped, American Redstart, Palm, Prothonotary, Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson’s, and A Black-and-white. A fun time out with great views for the 2 hours I was there. A pretty nice day, mostly cloudy, mild temps and low winds. Images were taken on May 10, 2018.
Blackburnian Warbler
Looking for a gnat, it is what they do, it is what they eat…
Going for a gnat…
Looking at you…
Going for a gnat…
Looking around…
Calling…
More calling…
Looking for a gnat…
Just looking…
