I went to Bender Park this afternoon hoping to see the Harlequin Duck
reported by Rita on New Year's Day. I hadn't been to Bender Park since
spring and things have really changed down that way, so I got really
confused trying to find the park; but somehow I stumbled upon it! When I got
to the lower parking lot, the lake was mostly birdless, but far to the north
I was able to spot a few Common Goldeneye and among them I was able to
detect the Harlequin using 60X on my scope. The view wasn't satisfying so I
thought I would check out a new road that had been constructed near the park
entrance which seemed to run in a northerly direction. It passes through an
area that has been graded recently and there was construction equipment at
the west end of the field. I noticed a few spots that looked suitable for
parking and there wasn't any sign prohibiting parking, so I stopped not too
far from where the road swings west, walked over the silt barrier and walked
out to the edge of the bluff. Not too far from a concrete structure (pumping
station?) on the lakeshore was the female Harlequin Duck, associating with 3
Common Goldeneyes.
After enjoying the duck (Thanks Rita!) , I moved north to Grant Park. Almost
all the bird activity seems to be centered around the parking lot with the
feeder. Here I saw some first-of-year birds:
Red-breasted Nuthatch, Fox Sparrow, Tree Sparrows, and Red-bellied
Woodpecker. From the conifers on the opposite side of the road, a Great
Horned Owl called a couple of times which made me happy since the one who
calls in my neighborhood every winter has remained silent the past few days.
Thomas Wood, Menomonee Falls, Waukesha County
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