Tricolored Heron Visits Wisconsin

By Cory Ritter

I just arrived back to southern Wisconsin, where I'll be spending the summer, and the timing couldn't have been any better. A Tricolored Heron has been hanging around Findlay VPA just southeast of Fort Atkinson in Jefferson County--which is only a 45 minute drive from my home.

"What is a VPA?" you might ask. VPA stands for Voluntary Public Access, and is a program where landowners allow public access to their land for recreational purposes in return for financial incentives.

I made my way out to Findlay VPA around mid-day on Sunday. The two spots mentioned on the listserv produced some quality birds including Dickcissel, Bobolink, Grasshopper, Savannah and Song Sparrow,  Eastern Meadowlark, House Wren, Tree and Barn Swallow, Great Blue Heron, American Robin, and Red-winged Blackbird. It wasn't until a couple hours later, when I ran into fellow birders Nancy and Patrick, that we located the Tricolored Heron--and it was certainly worth the wait!

Tricolored Heron, Vindlay VPA, Jefferson County, Wisconsin

Tricolored Heron with Blue-winged Teal, Vindlay VPA, Jefferson County, WI