[mou] Duluth RBA 1/13/05

[David Benson]

This is the Duluth Birding Report for Thursday, January 13, 2005, 
sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union.

The YELLOW-BILLED LOON refound on January 8th was seen several times 
this week, most recently on Tuesday the 11th. On several days, it has 
been seen near the breakwater at Agate Bay between 3:00 pm and dusk; it 
has been seen as far east as the water plant; and on some days it has 
not been seen at all. The very cold temperatures forecast for the next 
few days will make viewing difficult, but given that the bird has been 
in the area since January 3rd, there is reason to hope that it will 
stick around longer.

Many observers searching for the loon have had excellent looks at the 
two HARLEQUIN DUCKS that have been near the breakwater.

Harley Hanson saw a possible SNOWY OWL at the Duluth International 
Airport last Friday from the observation area in the airport building. 
In recent years, some birders have been stopped by security for birding 
outdoors at the airport, but a fair view of the runway is possible from 
the indoor observation area. This is the only Snowy Owl report I have 
received in recent weeks.

BOREAL OWLS have begun to turn up along the North Shore. At least one 
bird was seen on both Sunday and Monday in the vicinity of the 
lighthouse in Two Harbors, and another was seen over the weekend at 
Wisconsin Point.

GREAT GRAY OWLS are still abundant, and many have moved farther south. 
Sparky Stensaas found an amazing 79 Great Grays in just 36 miles of 
driving in the Wrenshall and Carlton areas in Carlton County. Many owls 
are also being seen to the south in Pine County.

NORTHERN HAWK OWLS and Great Grays are still being seen in Sax-Zim, 
especially along Cty Rd 7.

At least one BOREAL CHICKADEE is coming to a feeder in Isabella on Hwy 
1 in Lake Cty, and this is also one of the few places that has reported 
EVENING GROSBEAKS, in addition to COMMON and HOARY REDPOLLS, and PINE 
GROSBEAKS.

A THREE-TOED WOODPECKER, and a pair of BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS have 
been seen in Sax-Zim in the bog on McDavitt Rd, 2.6 miles north of the 
Sax Rd. There may also be another pair of black-backeds at the north 
end of this bog. SNOW BUNTINGS were seen in Aitkin Cty on Cty Rd 16 
just south of Tamarack.

Unfortunately, due to liability concerns, birders are no longer being 
allowed to enter the Superior, Wisconsin landfill to look at gulls. The 
road past the dump is public, and on weekends when the dump is closed, 
it may still be possible to peer longingly through the fence.

The next scheduled update of this report will be on Thursday, January 
20th.