Milwaukee Spring Count Day at Wilson Park

 

Wilson's Warbler

Swainson's Thrush

Swainson's Thrush (I think!) bathing

One of two Spotted Sandpipers seen from the lagoon

Scarlet Tanager, one of two males

Scarlet Tanager

Female Scarlet Tanager

Female Tanager

Female American Redstart

Male Northern Parula

Mourning Warbler

Mallards basking along the viaduct

Mallard hen with a huge brood of a dozen! 

Great-crested Flycatcher up high

Curious Common Yellowthroat male

Another view of the Yellowthroat

Cedar Waxwing

This male Blackpoll Warbler was on the lookout for a female

Blackpoll again

Interesting plumage on this Blackpoll--young male perhaps!

Blackpoll again

Last but not least, a Bay-breasted Warbler

Red-headed Woodpecker with Fledgling at Lake Park

I'm happy to report that a pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers successfully produced at least one fledgling this year at Lake Park on Milwaukee's East Side. This morning, I viewed the fledgling and one adult. The photos were captured during that time. Enjoy! :)

The adult with prey.

Right after the adult fed the fledgling.

A closer look at the adult.

A closer look at the fledgling.

The adult taking a break.

Estabrook Park Fledglings

I visited Milwaukee's Estabrook Park on Thursday, July 3, primarily to photograph dragonflies. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I noticed all of the fledgling birds vocalizing and being fed by parents.

The species that I saw and heard included Cedar Waxwings, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Red-eyed Vireos, Black-capped Chickadees, Gray Catbirds, Eastern Bluebirds and the birds that are pictured below. I also noticed at least four adult male Northern Cardinals flying around, and one female, but I didn't see any juveniles. Sadly, no herons were present along the lagoon, either. Still, it was an enjoyable time spent in the sultry heat.

Juvenile Crow that wanted to be fed. Its parents did not accommodate it; instead, they encouraged it to keep flying.

Another photo of the begging crow.

A juvenile Common Grackle, looking comically fierce.

The same young grackle.

Fledgling House Finch about to be fed by its pops.

The same two House Finches.

One of at least four (to perhaps six) fledgling Baltimore Orioles that I saw. There were probably two broods present.

Contemplative oriole fledlging.

An adult male oriole feeds one of the fledglings.

This oriole fledgling took initiative and tried to feed itself.

Gorgeous adult male Baltimore Oriole.

I believe that this is an adult male as well, but I can't be certain.

Three fledglings posed on this tree for me.

Maybe a fledgling, maybe a first year adult.

Fanning its tail and looking sassy.

More feeding action.

Preening Baltimore Oriole.

Posing for me.

Tree Swallow Bullies Red-headed Woodpecker at Schlitz Audubon

Watching feeder birds at nature centers is always enjoyable. Sometimes, birders can see "rarer" birds up close. At Schlitz Audubon in Milwaukee County, Carolina Wrens and Red-headed Woodpeckers occasionally make appearances at the feeders.

This afternoon, I watched a male Tree Swallow aggressively chase a Red-headed Woodpecker off of a peanut feeder. Barn Swallows nest in the rafters of the building, and apparently a Tree Swallow pair shacked up in one of the new nest boxes that were placed in the same area as the feeders. The Tree Swallow did not harass any of the other feeder birds, which included a Red-breasted Nuthatch, chickadees, House Sparrows, etc. Something about the Red-headed Woodpecker set it off.

The first time, I didn't capture the action. I think I was in shock!

The second time, I was ready.

For a maybe a minute, the woodpecker enjoyed a snack.

Quickly, the Tree Swallow began whizzing closely to the woodpecker, trying to hint that the larger bird should get lost.

The woodpecker became perplexed but didn't immediately leave.

The Tree Swallow made another attempt to rid its area of the perceived intruder.

If birds think, "What the heck?!" surely the woodpecker was after the second swipe.

The woodpecker stood its ground during repeated attacks... until the Tree Swallow became nearly violent.

The woodpecker had enough.

The woodpecker retreated. 

I had a feeling that the lovely Red-headed Woodpecker wouldn't be back for awhile. Who knows if I was right. I could not help but feel badly for it. Their numbers aren't great; they don't need to be beaten up on Tree Swallows when trying to feed! I wonder why the Tree Swallow only went after the woodpecker--size? coloration? Perhaps there's no rational explanation, as is often the case in nature. An interesting experience, at least!