One of the main reasons we decided to visit Horicon Marsh in July (other than the fact that it is always great birding) was to find shorebirds. Our list wasn’t very big, but Veery got a lifer, the Short-billed Dowitcher. We also saw Solitary, Semi-palmated and Spotted Sandpipers, Lessor Yellowlegs, and lots of Killdeer.
Lessor Yellowlegs (above) and a pissed off Killdeer (below)
There were plenty of Black Terns flying all over the marsh and only a couple of Forster’s Terns. Our trip in May gave us the opposite. We also spotted young Common Moorhens, American Coots, and Blue-winged Teals.
Black Terns (above) and Common Moorhen Juveniles (below)
We saw a lot of young birds out of the nest, being fed by parents. Black Terns, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, and an Eastern Wood-Pewee were busily gathering food for hungry young.
Eastern Wood-Pewee young (above) and an adult Yellow-headed Blackbird (below)
A wonderful day at Horicon Marsh, a lucky Friday the 13th of birding!
Birdfreak on Facebook
Congratulations on the Dowitcher!-First one I saw was in a farm field-making a stop on the way through during migration.