September is the “May” of fall in Milwaukee, as shorebirds continue to migrate through; warbler migration peaks early to mid month; sparrows start to trickle back in; and some of the raptor movements begin to happen. Rarities range from Kentucky Warbler, Lark Bunting, and Western Tanager, to Common Raven, Parasitic Jaeger, and even Sabine’s Gull!

Veterans Park/Juneau Lagoon

Last September, Veterans was one of the best hotspots in the county, hosting a wide variety of species. Two Pintails stayed on the lagoon for more than a month, and the mudflat that formed on the east side of the lagoon had as many as 13 Nelson’s Sparrows at once, and was a sure spot to see many Soras, too. Later in the month and into October, because it was an irruption year for many winter finches, Veteran’s (and nearby McKinley Park’s) many evergreens were also a decent area to see Purple Finches and Pine Siskins.

Key species: Snow Goose, Ross’s Goose, Northern Pintail, Black-billed Cuckoo, Sora, Virginia Rail, Black-bellied Plover, American Golden-Plover, Franklin’s Gull, Black Tern, Connecticut Warbler, most other expected warbler species, Nelson’s Sparrow, LeConte’s Sparrow.

Lake Park/Linnwood Treatment Plant

Lake Park is one of the best parks in the county to witness the fall migration of warblers, with 25 + species passing through in September, and its overall species count of 173 in September being topped only by Schlitz Nature Center’s 183. The golf course is a great area to see large amounts of migrant thrushes and sparrows, with a few of the less common vireos showing up regularly, too.

Key species: Black-billed Cuckoo, Carolina Wren, Cerulean Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Connecticut Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, most other expected warblers, Nelson’s Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Lark Bunting, Vesper Sparrow, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager.

Grant Park/Oak Creek Outlet to Lake Michigan

The outlet into Lake Michigan has been a reliable place to see shorebirds, with Whimbrel, Red Knot, and Baird’s Sandpiper all showing up just within the past few weeks, and it remains a good place for interesting gulls, with Lesser black-backed and Franklin’s being yearly summer and fall occurrences. The paths from Wil-O-Way to the feeders should produce most species of warblers at this time, as well as the pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers that have been present for many years now.

Key species: Snow Goose, Baird’s Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black-bellied Plover, Red Knot, Franklin’s Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Red-headed Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, most expected warbler species.

Warnimont County Park/Sheridan Park/Drive

On certain days, Warnimont and Sheridan Drive can rival Lake Park as the best parks for warblers, with 27 and 23 species respectively, including a Worm-eating Warbler at Warnimont last year, and a Connecticut at both parks, which hung around for a few days. These parks are also the most reliable places for both cuckoos this month.

Key species: Black-billed Cuckoo, Red-shouldered Hawk, White-eyed Vireo, Carolina Wren, Worm-eating Warbler, Connecticut Warbler, most other expected warblers, Vesper Sparrow.

Milwaukee lakefront beaches (McKinley Beach, Lakeshore SP, Bradford Beach)

The lakefront beaches are the primary destinations to see rare shorebird migrants in September, like the Piping Plover at Bradford in 2018, which was one of the key birds that got me really interested in Milwaukee birding. In 2014, Bradford also had one of only three Ebird records ever reported of a Parasitic Jaeger in Milwaukee. Also, when the Nelson’s Sparrows were all over the lakefront last year between September and October, they were present at all three of these hotspots.

Key species: Key species: Northern Pintail, Red Knot, Western Sandpiper, Baird’s Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Piping Plover, American Golden-Plover, Black-bellied Plover, Whimbrel, most other expected shorebirds, Parasitic Jaeger, American Pipit, Nelson’s Sparrow, Brewer’s Blackbird, Bobolink.