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…

While these months mark the end of fall, they also mark the end of warbler season, and by November, the majority of shorebirds too. But even though most of the birds are moving out, there are also some that start to come to Milwaukee for the winter around this time, including many of the diving…

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!…

August is when many of the shorebird species start to migrate back through Milwaukee, and later in the month, the first of the warblers return, too. Hundreds of Common Nighthawks can be seen and heard flying overhead at dusk on their migration this time of year. Historically, August has been one of the best fall…

Summer is a quiet time of the year in Milwaukee. Since most species have moved on north, we’re left with fewer, yet very interesting species. Since the leaves are out in full force in summer, you will also have to rely more on hearing the birds singing rather than seeing them, but most species will…