Greenfield Park – Jeremy Meyer Photography

A great way to kick off the warbler season, with a Yellow-throated Warbler! The next four weeks warblers will be increasing each day in the Milwaukee area and it’s always nice to see some rare ones to the state. This bird was found hopping around a mulch pile, just off a walking path, that crossed the road. I walked right up to path and sat on the ground. The bird paid no attention to me, while it fed continuously on insects the entire time I was there. I sat and watched it for about 45 minutes. Such a beautiful bird and even better to have a chance to view it at extremely close distances. After I left, I was told that an American Kestrel attacked it, narrowly missing it. After that, it flew towards the pond and was seen near the steps leading to the water. As of 5pm, I heard it had disappeared. Hopefully it will stick around for others to see as well. Good luck if you try for it! Photos below are from early this afternoon. Enjoy!

* Update * As of 8:33am 4/21, it is currently being seen at the mulch pile again. Here is a pin location on Google maps if you are interested in seeing it. Good luck! https://maps.app.goo.gl/LL5aJWS5SUTun4odA

* Update * Still being seen all day, Saturday 4/23, at the map link provided in first update. Good luck!

I got my lifer Spotted Towhee less than two months ago, a beautiful male in Ozaukee County. Then two days ago, a female is found in Milwaukee County, at Greenfield Park! Someone who doesn’t belong to any group or use eBird, had a picture on his camera and showed it to someone who is, saying he thought it was a Spotted Towhee. Sure enough it was! It was confirmed Friday afternoon just before dark. So I thought I would try for it right away Saturday morning. It was being seen on the east side of the park, near the waterfall on the little pond. There is some seed thrown out, under a few trees and it’s attracting a decent variety of birds, including the towhee. I got there around 8 a.m. and friends that were already there said it showed very briefly about 7:30. With it nowhere in sight, I decided to take a walk behind the pond to the railroad tracks and look around back there. I had also heard a Carolina Wren singing from back that way, so hoped to see that as well. I couldn’t find either, so I walked back to the feeding area. I was standing there talking with a few friends and it flew in from behind us, landing in the very thick brushy area. After a few minutes, she popped out and gave very good views for at least 10 minutes. Then she flew up into the trees and flew back behind the pond, into the wooded area. A beautiful bird and a great chilly morning with friends. Since I now have very good photos of both the male and female, I’ll include the male photos from just over a month ago, so you can see the difference between the two. Enjoy!