The winter months in Milwaukee are most notable for the return of the majority of our winter gulls, the continuation of scoters on the lake, and the possibility of winter finches varying year to year. This is also the time when the birder-favorite Snowy Owls are seen the most, with numbers fluctuating throughout the state depending on the year (seems to be a good one so far this winter). Noteworthy rarities these months include King Eider, Purple Sandpiper, Black-legged Kittiwake, Black-headed Gull, Short-billed Gull, Slaty-backed Gull, California Gull and Varied Thrush.

Bradford Beach/Linnwood

In the winter months, Linnwood has been the most reliable place to find Purple Sandpiper in Milwaukee, but one has not been seen for multiple years now, as well as Harlequin Duck, which with November included, has been a near annual rarity. Four out of six of the Milwaukee records of King Eiders have been here. All three species of scoter are regular. Snowy Owls have also been seen in irruption years on the treatment plant property.

Key species: King Eider, Harlequin Duck, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Purple Sandpiper, Red Phalarope, Short-billed Gull, Red-throated Loon, Snowy Owl, Short-eared Owl, Northern Shrike, American Pipit, Snow Bunting.

Veterans Park Area (Including McKinley Marina and the Milwaukee Art Museum)

Veterans Park and the McKinley Marina are usually the best places in the county to find the more common winter gulls, such as Glaucous, Lesser and Great Black-backed, and Iceland, as well as much rarer species such as Black-legged Kittiwake, Black headed, Short-billed, California, and Slaty-backed Gulls. The breakwall at McKinley has been one of the most reliable places for Snowy Owls over the years, with three seen at once already this year.

Key species: Greater White-fronted Goose, Ross’s Goose, Cackling Goose, Harlequin Duck, King Eider, Black-legged Kittiwake, Black-headed Gull, Short-billed Gull, California Gull, Slaty-backed Gull, Red-throated Loon, Snowy Owl, Horned Lark, American Pipit, White-winged Crossbill, Common Redpoll, Snow Bunting.

Southern Parks (South Shore Yacht Club, Texas Ave. Overlook, Lake Express Ferry)

Much like Veterans, the southern parks are most notable for their gulls, with the Lake Express Ferry and South Shore Yacht Club frequently getting all the normal winter gulls on the breakwall, and in the harbor once the ice freezes. Multiple rarer gulls have been seen here as well, including the only winter record of Laughing Gull in the county in 1988. Snowy Owls are seen yearly behind the ferry terminal. Texas Avenue Overlook is another good spot for Harlequin Ducks, with records almost as numerous here as Linnwood. Also, check for Snowy Owls on the rock breakwall from here.

Key species: Greater White-fronted Goose, Ross’s Goose, Harlequin Duck, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Eared Grebe, Western Grebe, Black-legged Kittiwake, Laughing Gull, Short-billed Gull, California Gull, Slaty-backed Gull, Northern Harrier, Red-throated Loon, Snowy Owl, Short-eared Owl, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll.

Grant Park/Oak Creek Outlet to Lake Michigan

With this being a fairly good year for winter finches (although not as good as last year), Grant is yet again a good place to check for birds such as crossbills (only White-winged reported in the county thus far), Common Redpolls, and Evening Grosbeaks. And we can always hope for the return of Bohemian Waxwings, which haven’t been seen in the county since 2012. Last year European Goldfinches were seen down by the creek area with some regularity. Grant is also one of the best parks in the county to see (or more likely hear) Eastern Screech-Owls.

Key species: Snow Goose, Ross’s Goose, Black-headed Gull, Snowy Owl, Carolina Wren, Townsend’s Solitaire, Bohemian Waxwing, Pine Grosbeak, White-winged Crossbill, Red Crossbill, European Goldfinch, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll, Evening Grosbeak.

Havenwoods SF

For me, Havenwoods is best known for being a reliable spot for Northern Shrike in all the winter months, as well as being a good spot for owls and raptors, with multiple records of Northern Saw-whet Owl, Northern Harrier,and Red-shouldered Hawk. It’s also a great place for over-wintering or returning Eastern Bluebirds in the prairie.

Key species: Tundra Swan, Northern Harrier, Northern Goshawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Northern Shrike, Common Redpoll, Red Crossbill.