Photos of Spring Migration

Even though I have posted most of these photos on Facebook, I wanted a permanent record to put in my book. This spring (2026) I have had a lot of action in my marsh and in my outings. Last weekend my granddaughter wanted to go out and take some photos. We don't get to do it very often, but she has an artistic eye. It is fun to see what she sees compared to me. Except for the two of us, the rest of the family were on spring break. We didn't see a lot of action because it's a little early for spring migration, but we had a great time. Every season has its beauty and we will go back in a couple weeks for more.

 

A few days later I was inspired by the time with my granddaughter so I decided to go to a park I know to see if the loons have arrived. There is a nearby lake where the loons congregate before they continue to northern Wisconsin. I don't know where they come from but they spend a few weeks here until all the ice is out of the northern lakes. Nature knows.

It was a cold day, but I wanted to see what I could find. I was the only one in the park except for one walker. I parked the car. Five pelicans were swimming in single file across the lake. There were quite a few loons. A lot more will arrive in the coming weeks, but I saw several. A group of Common Mergansers were floating with the current in the lake. Then I saw a juvenile Eagle fly across the lake. He landed right above me. I went to take a picture and noticed there was another adult eagle already in the tree snacking on something. I was so happy I could barely remember how to take a picture. I didn't want to scare them.

I took so many pictures. Here are a few of them. Whatever the eagle was feasting on, he was concentrating.

 

 

The marsh is coming to life too. There will be many more ducks in the next few days, but right now the early arrivals are making their presence known. Hooded Mergansers and Wood ducks are the first to arrive along with the nesting Sandhill Cranes, the Great Blue Herons and a lot of geese.

The  Sandhill Cranes are looking for a nesting location. They choose what they think is a perfect spot and then nature steps in. This pair got their nest all ready and then it was surrounded by water. They may or may not use this nest. It is still early. 

A Great Blue Heron visits everyday. Sometimes a friend comes for a visit. 

The spring bird migration is also just starting. In the next couple months a variety of birds will be migrating back from their southern homes. The first to arrive was the Red-winged Blackbird. Hopefully most of these will move on. I don't mind a few but they are coming through in big numbers.  The European Starlings are also back. Both of these breeds can clean out a birdfeeder in short order. A few will stay but hopefully most of them will move on.

It is almost April. The bird maps are showing billions of birds migrating. It is mostly at night because there are less predators and it is cooler in the southern climates. It is one of my favorite times of the year.