On Friday, around 11:20am I received a message in the Milwaukee RBA chat that there were 5 American Flamingos in Port Washington. Obviously, everyone went nuts on the group chat trying to figure out if this was real or not. Meanwhile, I was at work, so I immediately started cleaning up my tools and locked everything up for the day. I figured worst case; I would just turn around if it wasn’t real. About 40 messages later, several texts to friends, and 20 or so minutes, I was able to confirm it! 5 American Flamingos at South Beach in Port Washington, WOW!!! I was already halfway through Milwaukee when I received confirmation, so I’m glad I left right away. When I arrived, around 12:20pm, the parking lot was already full and there were at least 50 people on the beach, half of which were just local residents, who were in awe as well. Everyone there couldn’t believe what they were seeing! There was 3 adults (pink) and 2 hatch year (gray) birds. They were only about 40′ offshore which was even more crazy! They were so close and did not mind all the people. While I was there, they were mostly resting. They would occasionally lift their heads and walk around but that was about it. I had heard that they were eating some kind of food, but I’m not sure what it was though. They also took baths and preened. Then at 5:12pm, they took flight and have not been seen since. These birds were blown into the US from hurricane Idalia and made their way up to us through the south winds this past week. What an epic day in the bird world of Wisconsin! The photos below were taken on Friday 9/22. Enjoy!
Thanks for your Excellent photos and a Huge Thanks for sharing with everyone by posting it on wisbird right away, before noon. I was busy doing yard work, I had checked my e-mails and e-bird at 11 am and did not get back to my e-mails until 4:30 pm so I did miss they guys, ( oh well you can not get every new bird posted ).
You are welcome Bob! There was 1 seen today at the Menasha Dam, so maybe they will be back around for everyone else to see.
Great photos, Jeremy. What an unusual and unforgettable day!
Than you John! Yes it sure was!
Fabulous photos Jeremy! What an experience!!
Thank you Kathi! It was definitely a wild Friday!
Beautiful photos Jeremy. I missed them by 5 minutes I arrived at 5:17 when I got my car parked. I searched Lions Den with a friend( who was there watching them for 3 hours). he said he thought he saw them land around that area of the lake close to Lions Den after an hour of searching, No luck. I stayed over night in Mequon and searched the lakeside down to Sheridan Park. Again no luck.
Thank you Myles! The 5 of them were seen again yesterday on the Wisconsin River in Plainville by some boaters.
That is crazy!!! Now you can say you’ve seen everything! What a fabulous opportunity for Wisconites!! Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos….as always!!!
Thank you Karie! Well, I still have plenty more to see. Hopefully, awesome rarities keep showing up to chase.
Súper cool Jeremy! I was thinking you would catch them on film!! How awesome!
Thank you Jill! I wouldn’t miss it!