Cloudy to sunny to rain and back to sun. Up and down hills.
There was a lot of variety this morning. The most surprising were the four different swallows seen at one time. Above the rugby field and Lincoln Memorial Drive hundreds of swallows swirled overhead. Though impossible to get a picture of the swarming, when the swallows rested in a tree on the east end of the magic hedge Jeff was able to get the shot below. There were Cliff, Tree, Northern Rough-Winged and Barn Swallows. Rough-Winged Swallows get their name from the little hooks on their wing feathers. The purpose of these hooks is unclear, one thought is that “these structures, which would seem to increase turbulence probably serve to smooth airflow over the wings” Dr Roger Lederer “Rough-Winged Swallows” We also had great looks at a Savannah Sparrow.
eBird list https://ebird.org/checklist/S135622784
Some peeled off to go find the Flame-Colored Tanager at Sheridan Park. The rest of us caravanned up to Shorewood Nature Preserve. Virginia Bluebells lined the path down to the lake (above). It was fun climbing over, going around and crawling under fallen trees. On the terrace just above the lake there is a loop running north and south with a small amphitheater. We found trout lily, cohosh, violets, and waterleaf.
As we were about to start back up the hill a small passel of Yellow-Rumps caught our eye. Among them was a Black-Throated Green Warbler. And amidst but not easily visible – we walked right by it on our way down – was a Screech Owl (red morph). Soon after a juvenile Bald Eagle flew over.
eBird list https://ebird.org/checklist/S135622790
Screech owl can be red, gray or brown, “most individuals are gray with intricate black markings, but some are bright reddish brown with reduced markings. (And some others are an intermediate gray-brown.) Overall, the “red” birds make up roughly one-third of the population.” Kenn Kaufman “Ask Kenn: What’s Up With Color Morphs and Phases?”
Our final and rainiest stop was at Donges Bay Gorge. There is a gorgeous trail, Wendy’s Way, that winds around the east side of the ravine. Large white pines are spread over the buckthorn-free woods. The prior owners worked to protect the land from invasives and maintain the wildflowers. Truly a beautiful site. While Pileated Woodpeckers and Louisiana Waterthrush have been seen, it wasn’t our day for those.
eBird List Donges Bay Gorge https://ebird.org/checklist/S135622778
Inspired to add some native plants at home?
Order direct from Prairie Nursery (Sign-up at Save Our Songbirds and get a discount on your order)
In-person at Johnson’s Nursery
In-Person Plant Sales:
April ordering closed – MMSD Rain Garden Plant Sale. There will be a fall sale too
May 13 (11am-4pm)-14 (11am-2pm) Monarch Trail Plant Sale, Native milkweed species and nectar plants. Greenfield Park Pavilion, 2028 S. 124th St., West Allis, 53227.
May 20 Western Great Lakes Bird & Bat Observatory Native Plant Sale, 9 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, 410 N Lake Street, Port Washington, 53074.
May 21 Washington Park, Urban Ecology Center 9am to 1pm. Native Plant Sale
June 3-4 Friends of Wehr Native Plant Fundraiser, 9 am to 3:30 pm on June 3, and 9 am until plants are gone on June 4, at Wehr Nature Center, 9701 W College Ave., Milwaukee, 53132
June 10 Native Plant Sale, Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, 9am to 1pm, 1111 E. Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee, 53217
June 17 Riverside Park, Urban Ecology Center 9am to 1pm. Native Plant Sale
May is Birdathon Month!
Find a birdathon to participate in or donate to!
Proceeds are split between the WI Natural Resources Foundation and the host organization. And the birdathon t-shirts are great!
On Facebook? Some sites to follow:
Wisconsin Society for Ornithology – WSO
Bird City Milwaukee
Wild Birds of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Birding
And there are a number of spring bird walks in the area. Find a list here on Places to Bird page
Milwaukee Birders 