I made the run up to Trempealeau County early am with hopes to see the reported Lewis’s Woodpecker. I left in darkness, arrived in darkness. After some light arrived, so did the woodpeckers. Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied Woodpeckers and then the beautiful male Lewis’s Woodpecker! This Lewis’s should be the 4th state record for Wisconsin if I am correct. Its normal range is Colorado and west, what an exciting bird to have show up in Wisconsin. They did not waste anytime, all the woodpeckers were active most of the time I was there. The Lewis’s pretty much stayed in about 1 acre of the front yard at the home. On 2 occasions it flew north and south what appeared to be long distances but returned. Dan B showed up after awhile and the Lewis’s gave nice views but remained higher in branched trees. Daryl showed up, the bird was active for a while but left the area for about 45 minutes and did not return, I headed for home. The bird only hit the suet feeder once while we were there, and it was a split second. We gave this bird plenty of space. One sometimes wonders how these birds are found. Amanda the mother told me that Isaiah the son found the bird, the daughter Zaila identified the bird immediately. Great find Isaiah, great ID Zaila! Zaila is a birder working on a life list etc, congrats to all of them. I hope I got this information correct. The bird was found this last Sunday. A big thank you to Amanda the mother, the outstanding host for all the birders who have showed up and to all the family for letting others come see this rare bird that is visiting in their yard. Thanks too, to everyone that has kept updates on this bird and excellent directions to the location. A life bird for me and a cool one at that. It was a very fun morning for all of us on a beautiful late November day! Hope the bird hangs around for others to see. Images were taken on November 24, 2015. UPDATE: To my understanding, the Lewis’s Woodpecker was still being seen as of Friday February 5, 2016.
Lewis’s Woodpecker
Binomial name: Melanerpes lewis
Category: Woodpeckers and Allies
Size: 10.75” long, 21” wing span
Weight: 4 oz
Cool fact: Normal Range is Colorado west, far northern Mexico north to lower Canada
Always looking for insects!
Looking in all the loose bark openings for insects!
Looking in all the loose bark openings for insects!
Just resting
Early morning sun just sitting
Scratching, early morning sun
Early morning sun, just taking a break
Getting those insects!
Getting those insects!
Always looking for insects!
With possible acorn
In action
In action
In action
In action
In action, looking for insects
In action, looking for insects
In action, looking for insects
From the barnyard pole!
Beautiful photos of this special bird. Congrats, too, on your additional lifer!
Jim, I am so glad you answered the phone when you got your calling to be a Bird Photographer! These are just lovely! It brings me such joy to see your photos! Spectacular!
Love the photos Jim. Going to try for this lifer tomorrow for me as well.
WOW. Thanks once again.
Great captures, Jim! Wasn’t it beautiful? A lifer for me, too. I was just enthralled with the colors and detail in this bird. Could barely tear myself away and go home. Congrats!
I am the one who found the bird, and I am so glad I did! I have met so many good people and they have sent us great pictures of the bird. I hope all of you enjoy the Lewis’s wood pecker just as much as I have! Thank you all!
Isaiah, it was a great pleasure to meet you, your sister and your Mom! Thank you all for allowing us birders to visit your property to see this beautiful bird and a great find!
Thanks to the good eye of my brother, Isaiah, I was able to quickly identify this beautiful bird and enter it into ebird. I am so happy to be able to share this bird with people and I hope you all have enjoyed it just as much as I have. As of today it is still here, but we have requested that the last day to come see the bird is this Sunday. I hope that all who want to see it will be able to make the time to come before Monday. I also want to thank everyone for being so kind and polite when they visit. Thank you all!
Isaiah, it was a great pleasure to meet you, your sister and your Mom! Thank you all for allowing us birders to visit your property to see this beautiful bird and a great find!
Zaila, it was a great pleasure to meet you, your brother and your Mom. Thank you for posting the siting on e-bird and thank your Mom for allowing all of us a chance to see it, too!
Jim, as usual, your photos are outstanding!
I just came across this report. Is the bird still viewable? I am off of work today finally and would not mind making the drive out there to see this amazing bird.
Just amazing Jim. What a beautiful bird and you take such wonderful pictures. A lovely find for Wisconsin.