Harris’s Sparrow at Warnimont Park

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A friend found a Harris’s Sparrow at Warnimont Park today. It was first seen along the asphalt trail, about halfway down the 1st fairway, eating seeds from Dandelions. I was just leaving the Warnimont Kelly Senior Center, so it was perfect timing. I arrived and walked that way, there wasn’t a sparrow in sight! I checked the grassy area, walked south into the first part of shrubs and onto the 1st fairway, then all the way back to the Dandelion field, nothing. I couldn’t believe it, I must’ve walked around for 30 minutes without seeing any sparrows, except 3 Chipping Sparrows. I decided to check the evergreens by the parking lot, since they like to have cover to come in and out of. I walked up the hill and there it was feeding off the cart path, right near the evergreens. I got some good views and then it flew into the closet pine and then down underneath it to the edge of the branches. It was not coming back out, so I walked around to the other side of it. Of course, by that time, it had come back out and was feeding in almost the same spot. I should have just stayed put, oh well. I snuck into the pines and was kneeling down, looking at it through the branches. It fed in front of me for a good 5 minutes, before getting close to the clubhouse. There were also a Lincoln’s Sparrow and a few White-crowned Sparrows, which I was watching as well. When I looked back for the Harris’s, I didn’t see it. I never saw it fly either, so I’m not sure where it went off too. I heard later in the afternoon, it was relocated about halfway in between the original location and where I had it. It’s not too often we get to see these in breeding plumage. The black on their face and head is really bold and striking! Always a treat to see one. Photos below are from this morning, 5/7. Enjoy!

White-eyed Vireo at Warnimont Park

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I saw the White-eyed Vireo (WEVI) at Lake Park on 4/30, but I was unable to get photos of it, as it moved so fast through the thick cover of the ravine, and then out of sight. I never relocated it that day, but there were 2 other rare birds as well that I spent time photographing. On Wednesday 5/1, another WEVI was found singing at Warnimont Park. I finally had a chance to try for it this morning (5/5). It was a little north of the original location, in the grassy shrub area, on the northside of the path. It has been seen or heard every day since 5/1 and seems to be on territory now. I watched it move about the trees in a 150′ radius or so, constantly singing. I hope he sticks around all summer. Even better, he finds a mate! Lately, I have been seeing these birds almost every spring, which is great, because they are so unique, with that striking white eye! Photos below are from early this morning (5/5). Enjoy!

Prairie Warbler along Sheridan Drive

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A Prairie Warbler was found along Sheridan Drive this morning. I left work after I saw the eBird report. I had no idea which part of the drive it was seen, but I know their song very well and figured I would be able to find it. I came in from the north side of the drive and drove slowly south towards Warnimont Park. I had all my windows down and was not able to hear. I turned around at the entrance to Warnimont Park and drove slowly north towards Sheridan Park. About a third of the way up and I heard the song one time. I parked and got out. I walked towards the tree line on the west side of the drive and searched. For the next 5 minutes, I didn’t hear it again. I started walking a little north and all of a sudden, I heard him! Then I heard the song again and I finally tracked him down. I love the Prairie Warbler and their song. They are rather rare for the state, but we have been pretty lucky with them the last few years. I watched him for 20 minutes or so and left to finish up a few things at work. I figured I would come back in the late afternoon, when the sun isn’t as high or as harsh. I got back to Sheridan Drive around 3:30pm. I walked to where I last saw him and waited. I didn’t hear much of anything, so started walking north. A couple other people had joined me in search of him, as well. We were talking, when I heard him sing. I looked in the direction of the song and found him at eye level 30′ away. I pointed him out to the others, and we followed him a bit to the north. The midges are already out, so there are plenty of insects to snack on. He was just feeding in the leafed-out shrubs, on the west side of the tree line. He put on a very good show for a few minutes, providing some excellent views for us. I will give a pin location to where I saw it. With the weather pattern not being very good the next few days, I imagine it will stick around. Photos below are from the afternoon. Enjoy!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/RMm1SDw8Z9xW1nj67

Blue Grosbeak at Warnimont Park

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Yesterday was my best bird day in my entire life!!! I spent almost 13 hours at Warnimont Park and walked a little over 7.5 miles. I had 141 species and 32 warbler species (including Brewster’s)!!! Bird #141 for the day was a female Blue Grosbeak, a county bird for me. She was feeding high in a tree, near the path in the center of the park. It was early in the evening and the sun was setting, so even though she was high in tree, she was properly lit by the sun. I took 5760 photos yesterday, and it will take some time to get through those, but there are plenty of warbler pictures to come. As of 10am, the Blue Grosbeak was relocated north, closer to the golf course. Maybe there are 2 of them??? Photos below are from yesterday evening. Enjoy!

Western Kingbird at Warnimont Park

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We continue to get western flycatchers in the state this spring, and today provided a Western Kingbird. This bird was associating with 8 Eastern Kingbirds in the sumac trees, behind the archery targets. They were all eating midges out of the spiderwebs, just like the tanagers were the other week. They moved around some, but for the most part stuck around in the same general area. As of this writing 2:10pm, it is still being seen. There was also a beautiful male Scarlet Tanager, who was very cooperative atop the sumacs as well. A first year male Orchard Oriole also made an appearance. Photos of the kingbird were taken this morning. Enjoy!

Shocking Find along Sheridan Drive, on 9/12/21

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I was out at sunrise this morning, along Sheridan Drive, in Cudahy this morning. I’ve been here almost every day this week, and is my favorite fall migration spot. I was already having an excellent warbler morning, when I stumbled across a stunning Azure Tit (yellow-breasted)! I was watching a very nice pocket of warblers and vireos, when I kept hearing a “weird” bird call. It was just a single note, but I could not figure it out for the life of me. After a few minutes, out pops this colorful bird! I knew it was a type of tit just by looking at it, and I thought Blue Tit, but wasn’t sure. I just started snapping pictures following it from branch to branch, hoping to get some good photos for documentation. The sun had just went behind the low lake clouds and it was rather dark, so not great conditions for photos. I ended up with just over 100 pictures of it, in that short of time. It passed by with a group of three Black-capped Chickadees and several Bay-breasted Warblers. It seemed fully alert and wild, and was not tame by any means. It came and went in less than 30 seconds and I didn’t see or hear it anymore. What an exciting sighting! I ended the morning with 54 species and 20 warblers, best warbler day of the week. I had huge numbers of Blackpoll Warblers and Swainson’s Thrushes. Hopefully the weather cooperates this week and I can get out after work for some more action. The Azure Tit is a beautiful bird and sure made a great morning into an amazing morning! Enjoy!