July 20, Oak Creek Parkway Mill Pond at 8:00am
Start at Mill Pond parking along the Oak Creek Parkway before moving to Parkway Trail and then to the Outlet
Oak Creek Parkway (AKA Mill) Pond https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2742882
Oak Creek Parkway Trail https://ebird.org/hotspot/L3296060
Oak Creek Outlet https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2811131
Grant Park Beach: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L26855172

Join us! Walks are free and open to all levels of birders

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Milwaukee Birding News:

Need a birding Lunch-and-Learn Monday? Join Lake Michigan Bird Observatory at Forest Beach Migratory Preserve for Purple Martin banding. Monday July 14th at the Forest Beach Migratory Preserve 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM to observe the process of banding purple martin chicks.  Dick Nikolai is a retired biologist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and he will be leading the banding process while sharing his wealth of knowledge with anyone that can join us. He currently is a Wisconsin Purple Martin Association board member. He estimates he has banded more than 25,000 birds, including 10,000 purple martins.  
There may be an opportunity for hands-on experience, but we cannot guarantee that in advance. You may take pictures of the experience when permission is granted by the bander and Observatory staff, to ensure a good op. Observatory staff will also be taking photos and are willing to share them as requested following the event. 

SUMMER MID-WEEK BIRDING:
Horicon Marsh did not disappoint. After some morning rain showers, the ten of us began walking west on Old Marsh Road. We started by seeing a Northern Harrier being chased by smaller birds. Indigo Buntings made themselves heard, we also saw Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, Tree Swallows, Cardinals, … Our first waterbirds were Common Gallinules with young paddling around followed by Black Terns. We had numerous looks at Least Bitterns as they flew back and forth over the road. Yellow-headed Blackbirds in various plumages were sprinkled among the reeds and cattails. About half-mile in Black-necked Stilts flew into the northern muddy flat area. Chicks were poking around in the grass as well. We also had Least Sandpipers and Greater Yellowlegs. After hearing Marsh Wrens all morning, we finally had some good looks at them. We turned around at the 1-mile point.
On the way back, we saw a Virginia Rail with two chicks poking between the reeds, heard a Great-crested Flycatcher and saw a juvenile Bald Eagle. Also seen were Great Egrets, Green Heron, Great-blue Herons and American White Pelican. Check out Andy’s pictures and summary of the day on Signs of Life at Estabrook Park. Even though we were hot and hungry, we did a walk on the Bud Cook Hiking Trails. After spotting and hearing Song Sparrows, Field Sparrow and Clay-colored Sparrows, some of us headed back to the cars. Andy continued along the trail and soon called us back to see Bobolinks!
Thanks to John for keeping the lists
Old Marsh Rd eBird List: https://ebird.org/checklist/S258151747
Bud Cook Hiking Trails eBird List: https://ebird.org/checklist/S258172486

Even Small Natural Spaces Matter for Birds. Yard rain gardens, hedgerows, and public swale gardens all help absorb rainwater and provide excellent food and cover to a variety of birds, butterflies, frogs, and other animals. The presence of these small, natural areas contributes to a healthy ecosystem and provides us with the delights of birds, fireflies, and natural plantings. We have a chance to help preserve one of these small natural areas in Whitefish Bay’s Cahill Park. Learn more about the project and send an email to village leaders. Thanks to Charlotte C for identifying, documenting and mobilizing to save this bit of wild!

Report dead birds to WI DNR. As we know Avian flu is spreading through duck flocks and other species. Help DNR track the virus by reporting numerous sick or dead birds on their website: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/wildlifehealth

Sundays Milwaukee Birders
Location and time varies – see this week’s location above.
Free walks – open to all levels of birders

Sundays 8:00am
Wisconsin Metro Audubon Society Bird Walk (WMAS)
Wehr Nature Center 9701 W College Ave. Mix of mulched, wooded, grass and boardwalk paths. Follow WMAS on Facebook for additional walk announcements

Second Sundays 8:00-10:00am Birding at Lakeshore State Park with Milwaukee Birders. Meet at the south park entrance. See Friends of LSSP for details. Walking on paved surfaces, maybe some uneven, grassy paths but can avoid those. Portapotty always open and Discovery World restrooms after 9:00. All ages and abilities welcome.

Second Saturdays 8:30-10:30 Havenwoods
6141 N Hopkins St, Milwaukee
Join Milwaukee Birders at Havenwoods. State park sticker NOT needed. Meet in front of the building (Restrooms available). Binoculars available to borrow. Flat trails go along gravel, wood, grass and mulched paths. Walk wind through grassland, woods, along shrubby borders and to a pond. Really nice variety of birds. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/havenwoods

Third Saturdays, 8:00-9:15 Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
1111 E Brown Deer Rd, Bayside
Loop through woods, grasslands and around Mystery Lake for a variety of habitats. Free, registration required https://www.schlitzaudubon.org/calendar/

Check out Chirp Chat episodes by Xcaret Nuñez. It’s all about birding Milwaukee area on WUWM 89.7 last Wednesday of the month

FIND A BIRD CLUB !

Upcoming Area Bird Talks & walks Registration and fees:

Have a birding event to share? Let me know, email us on the Contact Page

july

Purple Martin Bird Banding at Forest Beach Migratory Preserve
Monday, July 14 from 10:00-2:00
Join Lake Michigan Bird Observatory to see Purple Martins up close and learn more about these aerial insectivores. See details above

Beginner Birding at UEC Washington Park
Saturday, July 19
Details and registration: https://www.urbanecologycenter.org/calendar/event?id=2782

Birding Pulaski Park with KK River Neighbors in Action sponsored by BIPOC Bird Club
Sunday, July 20
Led by Rita Flores-Wiskowski, details https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/events/kk-river-neighbors

Birding Kozciusko Park with KK River Neighbors in Action sponsored by BIPOC Bird Club
Sunday, July 27
Led by Rita Flores-Wiskowski, details https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/events/kk-river-neighbors-b8cfn

Urban Bird Hike at Lakeshore State Park
Sunday, July 27 from 4:00-5:00pm (South Entrance)

Lakeshore State Park is home to over 70 native and migratory species of birds, and the spring is an excellent time to spot some of our returning friends! Join us on a morning hike to learn the basics of bird watching and seek out some of these beautiful species. Each bird hike is unique as migration causes our residents to change throughout the year. All ages and abilities are welcome, meet at the park’s south entrance. We recommend bringing your own binoculars, but a small number are available to those who need them. Free, No Registration. Please inquire by June 26 to reserve a pair! Coordinates to the meeting point are 43.029180, -87.895858.

** Follow Bird City Milwaukee on Facebook!

Milwaukee parks that need birding this week

The county needs eBird records throughout the year for every park and natural area. Every week there are priority parks needing eBird lists. A park could be a priority because no surveys have been done for that week. Alternatively, it could be prioritized because there are surveys, but MKE Parks suspect more species might reside there than previously identified.

We can help MKE Parks! Pick a priority park, go bird, eBird it and note time spent there.

Based on the spreadsheet MKE Parks create, Wisconsin Metro Audubon Society (Thanks Colleen!) curates suggested locations based on accessibility to the property and availability on the ebird hotspots tool. Please track your time spent! At the end of the year WMAS provides hours to the county.
Follow Wisconsin Metro Audubon on Facebook for their weekly park posts.

Note- even if it’s already been birded this week, going another day or even a different time of day helps. The parks department wants a number of surveys for each park. Birding more than once in a week is very helpful!

Find a park and a park map: https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/Parks/Explore/Find-a-Park

And our Waukesha Parks…

Share your ebird list with their ebird account: WaukeshaCountyBirding

JULY bird surveys needed at these locations- all are ebird hotspots

• Berg Property – free – address S102W33451 CTH LO should get you there or very close.
• Ashippun Lake (at the boat launch, no fee required)
• Ice Age Trail- Monches segment
• Monches County Park (pass or daily fee)
• Naga-Waukee Park (pass or daily permit fee required)
• New Berlin Recreation Trail – bike path from Greenfield Park to Waukesha!
• Mukwonago Park (pass or daily permit fee required- note they have camping!)
• Muskego Park (pass or daily permit- note they have camping!)