[mou] Duluth RBA 1/22/04

[David Benson]

This is the Duluth Birding Report for Thursday, January 22nd, 2204, 
sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union.

Kim Eckert found a pale, immature ICELAND GULL on the ice at Agate Bay 
in Two Harbors on the 20th. There was also still at least one GLAUCOUS 
GULL at Agate Bay. Glaucous and THAYER'S GULLS are being seen at the 
Superior, Wisconsin landfill.

The GYRFALCON in the Duluth/Superior harbor was seen again as recently 
as the 20th, this time in Superior west of the high bridge. Around 2:00 
pm seems to be a likely time to look for this bird. A PEREGRINE FALCON 
is also still frequenting the harbor. Kim also saw a MERLIN on Kent Rd 
in Duluth.

A GREAT GRAY OWL was seen on the 19th on Lake Cty Rd 2 near the 
Greenwood Creek Sign. This is about 0.5 mile south of the Greenwood 
Lake public access. Two SNOWY OWLS were seen again this week on the 
runways at the Superior Municipal Airport.

The HARLEQUIN DUCK and LONG-TAILED DUCK are still being seen in Two 
Harbors, usually near the breakwater.

Kim Eckert's group also found a flock of SNOW BUNTINGS in Sax-Zim on 
Cty Rd 5, 1 mile north of 133. This is west and north of the town of 
Meadowlands. SHARP-TAILED GROUSE were seen again this week in Sax-Zim 
on Cty Rd 29, 1.5 miles north of 133.

NORTHERN SHRIKES  seem to be abundant this winter. However, there have 
been no reports of either Spruce Grouse or Three-toed Woodpecker this 
winter. Red Crossbills have also been scarce, and BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS 
have only been reported recently from Deerwood and Grand Marais.

Debbie Waters reported a female NORTHERN PINTAIL with the large flock 
of Mallards and AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS at the corner of the lake on the 
16th. There was also a female GADWALL with the flock this week. Sparky 
Stensaas reported that some of the birds have not survived the sub-zero 
temperatures of this week.

The next scheduled update of this report will be on Thursday, January 
29th.

The Duluth Birding Report is sponsored and funded by the Minnesota 
Ornithologists' Union (MOU) as a service to its members. For more 
information on the MOU, either write us c/o the Bell Museum of Natural 
History, 10 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, or send an e-mail 
to mou@cbs.umn.edu, or visit the MOU web site at mou.mn.org.