Marlene

After reading the Seven Simple Acti0ns to Protect Birds list, I am happy to say that I do practice many of these already. For example, I hang as many sun-catchers, window art or other colorful things that I can find in my windows. Having experienced a few bird -window collisions in past years, I find that the more things you can creatively place in your windows, the safer you make it for birds. Although I sometimes get questioned about all of my "window art", it has actually become a topic of many conversations. It might not be for everyone, but if you don't use window coverings or shades, colorful window art can make a big difference. I also never use spray pesticides on our yard plants and flowers, for fear they will harm the birds and other wildlife in our area. We often have to deal with the mosquitoes and other bothersome insects a bit more, but it is worth it! We still lightly apply insect repellent on ourselves, but we just don't spray it all over the yard. Although we don't have a cat, we watch for any strays that might be stalking around the birds. We limit our plastic container purchases and never use bottled water. We have an Artesian well so our tap water is very good, and we always use reusable shopping bags whenever we can. Lastly, we are going to make a concerted effort to count and track birds more using the EBird app to help do our part in collecting data.  Watching birds everyday from NW Wisconsin.   Enjoy everyone!

We were able to take a trip to Lake Michigan last weekend. About 2 hours from our home in the Northeast WI. This habitat showed us quite a few different water birds that we don't often see in our area. The most prominent was the seagull. Many of them hover over the lake to catch fish and other food. When Point Beach State park is busy with tourists by the pavilions, the seagulls also love to scavenge for food scraps from them. The other bird we saw was the Cormorants. While they are not as prevalent in this area as the seagulls, they are around. Lastly, we were able to see a killdeer on a sandy, grassy area up from the lake shore. Closer to our home in the woods of Wisconsin, we also have a large lake nearby where we also observe some of these same water birds, but not to the degree we observed at the larger Lake Michigan.

Hi Brad. We have had the same great bird watching experience this year. Having to stay at home has provided us the opportunity to view more birds than we have in a long time. Today was extraordinary in our yard. I haven't seen so many beautiful and colorful birds altogether at one time as we did today. Cardinal, Easter Bluebirds, American Goldfinches (about 10 zipping around), 3 Blue Indigo Buntings, Red Breasted Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole, Red Bellied Woodpecker, Blue Jays, Downy Woodpecker, and Black Capped Chickadees. All in the yard at about 1:45pm CST today. It was quite a site. From Northeast Wisconsin.

Merlins's Most Likely found many of the same birds I see in my local area in Northeast Wisconsin. A few I didn't mention, but they are also here are Red-winged Blackbirds, Mallard ducks, Common Grackle, American Crow, Canadian Geese, Song Sparrow and Tree Swallows. There were many, many others mentioned. This area is great for bird watching.

@Carole Thanks Carole. Great to know. We do have many different types of finches here. We have seen purple finches, so that make sense. Still waiting for the Indigo Buntings to come in..

Rachel-- I live in Wisconsin and love Goldfinches also. Just captured 4 males feeding on my sack feeder yesterday. Here you go!  We get Baltimore orioles in the next couple weeks. Also a favorite of mine. I'll send a picture when they come through.  

I captured 4 male American Gold Finches at my window feeder yesterday. Although we normally think of Goldfinches as bright yellow birds, they actually have a few distinctive colors. In summer they are bright yellow with a black forehead, black wings with white markings and white patches above and below their tails. Lots of colors when you look closely.

Three large male Eastern Wild Turkeys strutting in our yard last week. Several females were not far away. We have a very large turkey population near us and have seen up to 8 male Tom turkeys strutting at one time. Northeast Wisconsin.

Activity 2. I captured this bright Eastern blue bird perched in my yard this morning. Since I am working from home now, I am able to see and get some great pictures. The female is also visiting, but she just isn't as photogenic as the male.  From Northeast Wisconsin.