On Saturday, March 8, at 7:00 AM, our group gathered in Sheboygan near the Broughton Drive jetties, along the Lake Michigan shore. The weather was not bad, with mostly clear skies and a starting temperature around 24 degrees.
The recent rising temperatures were resulting in increasing bird song, and we were serenaded by RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, AMERICAN ROBINS, HOUSE FINCHES and NORTHERN CARDINALS. Some ducks were in view along the lakefront, including MALLARD, GREATER and LESSER SCAUP, BUFFLEHEAD, COMMON GOLDENEYE, and RED-BREASTED MERGANSER.
Red-breasted Merganser by Myles Hurlburt
A couple of BALD EAGLES (adult and immature) came flying in and for a short time landed on the beach, and both RING-BILLED and HERRING GULLS were observed – standing or flying around. A MERLIN was briefly observed by some as it flew past, and a few lucky observers spotted a GREAT BLUE HERON that passed over the shoreline.
Bald Eagle by Tom Schultz
Our next destination was the nearby marina, where we studied the waterfowl that was swimming around the boat docks. Mostly we were seeing the same duck species that we had previous observed, but we added CANADA GOOSE, REDHEAD and COMMON MERGANSER to the list, and were able to get nice comparisons of LESSER and GREATER SCAUP as they swam adjacent to one another. Just outside the breakwall, a RED-THROATED LOON was spotted by some in the group.
Red-throated Loon by Tom Schultz
Along streets near to the marina, we were able to get looks at EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES and MOURNING DOVES as they perched and moved from place to place. Also spotted nearby were COMMON GRACKLE, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, DARK-EYED JUNCO and NORTHERN CARDINAL – as well as several groups of EUROPEAN STARLINGS.
Our next destination was Sheboygan’s Indian Mound Park, which is where we usually find GREAT TITS in the neighborhood, but unfortunately this year we couldn’t spot one. We did find a nice variety of other species, though, including RED-BELLIED, DOWNY and PILEATED WOODPECKERS. Spotted nearby were RED-BREASTED and WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, HOUSE FINCH, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE and a lone TUFTED TITMOUSE. Flying overhead were a calling SANDHILL CRANE, AMERICAN KESTREL and a neat COOPER’S HAWK that circled around obligingly.
Cooper's Hawk by Myles Hurlburt
From there our group headed south toward Port Washington, where we re-gathered at Coal Dock Park, which is along the south side of the marina and river. A few RING-BILLED and HERRING GULLS were around at times, with a few ducks also present. We walked east to view the small pond, and found CANADA GOOSE, MALLARD, REDHEAD, GREATER and LESSER SCAUP, BUFFLEHEAD, COMMON GOLDENEYE and RED-BREASTED and COMMON MERGANSERS.
Just beyond the breakwater, a RED-THROATED LOON was spotted out on Lake Michigan, and shortly thereafter at least two other individuals were also found. For a time, two of the birds swam out into the channel between the lighthouses, where they could more easily be observed through our scopes. Standing near the edge of one of the rocky breakwalls, a DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT was spreading its wings to dry, and a PEREGRINE FALCON was observed as it perched in its nest box on a top corner of the adjacent coal plant.
The Field Trip Group By Tom Schultz
We wrapped up the field trip about 11:30, with the temperature then up to 42 degrees. Thanks to all who attended, and to Jeff Baughman and Wendy Schultz for co-leading this trip. Our species total for the day was 40.
Tom Schultz – WSO Field Trips Committee
