Swainson’s Hawk in Oak Creek

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On Monday 4/28, I was only at work for just over an hour, when Brad found a Swainson’s Hawk hunting a field in Oak Creek. Obviously, I had to go, but with the morning traffic, I was a little over 45 minutes away. By the time I got there, it had flown into the tree line and out of sight. Sigh… I spent the next hour searching the area for it, without any luck. I made a semi loop around the area and almost went the other way to head back to work but decided to drive back to the original spot for a last look. I’m glad I did, because I found it! I was looking into the field, and I saw it fly down. It didn’t stay very long but flew up into a dead tree instead of hiding. It sat here for quite some time and was still there when I left. This was a life bird for me! It was a great way to start off the week. Photos below are from 4/28. 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!

Orioles and Grosbeaks at Whitnall Park

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In addition to the wonderful selection of warblers this past week at Whitnall Park, there have been a lot of orioles and grosbeaks. They have also been in the flowering trees, picking at the buds, petals and eating insects and worms or caterpillars. Baltimore Orioles have been busy building nests too, with one hanging over the waterfall creek, in the large willow tree. I found a Rose-breasted Grosbeak nest in an apple tree, too. I’m not sure if they are incubating yet, but both the male and female take turns on the nest, so I assume they are. An Orchard Oriole has been around the last couple days as well. He sings from the flowering trees and is quite skittish, as they usually are. These trees have sure produced the birds this spring, which has been a pleasant surprise. All of the photos below are from the past week at Whitnall Park. Enjoy!

Baltimore Oriole

Orchard Oriole

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Lake Vista Park 4/28/19

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One of my stops along the lakefront today, was Lake Vista Park, in Oak Creek. Although it’s a relatively small, grassy field area, it produces some really cool birds throughout the year. I check it every time I’m along the lake. This morning was a great time to be out, sunny and some snow on the ground, which gave the photos some nice backgrounds. The Eastern Meadowlarks and Savannah Sparrows were all over, singing and chasing each other around. Today I had 9 meadowlarks and 14 savannahs. I’m sure there were more, but I did not walk around just stayed in my truck. I parked in several different areas for awhile and watched the birds in action. By the time I left, most of the snow was already gone. Here are some photos from this morning.