[mou] MOU Pelagic Trip Report

[Tom Auer]

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The weather was nice (maybe too nice) but the birds were nicer. An
uneventful, but scenic, first leg of the trip up the shoreline to Lester
River brought Bald Eagle, Common Tern, Forster's Tern and Bonaparte's Gulls=
.
We had trouble keeping the gulls behind the boat, despite a three-pronged
chum, including popcorn, lake trout parts, and cod liver oil, mixed with
sardines. After the Lester River, we cruised South into open water en route
to the Superior entry. This portion was also somewhat unexciting, until Jim
Lind and Mike Hendrickson picked up a juvenile SABINE'S GULL off the
starboard side. The bird spent time on the water and in the air, wheeling
and banking, showing nicely in the bright morning sun for the whole boat.
Continuing to steam towards the Superior Entry, we spotted a flock of small
gulls to the east, changing courses to chase the flock. Here, we picked up
yet another juvenile SABINE'S GULL! This bird wheeled around the whole boat=
.
Along the way, we found a couple of seemingly misplaced American Coots
amongst the Bonaparte's Gulls. Getting closer to the Superior Entry, a smal=
l
gull was spotted on the water, but behind it was an astounding RED-NECKED
PHALAROPE! Quite rare for Lake Superior, this fantastic bird sat and spun i=
n
calm waters as we sailed past it, allowing for fantastic photographs and
great looks. It even called a few times. Finally, pulling into Superior
Entry a SHORT-EARED OWL was spotted flying west towards Duluth. After a
quick tour of the gulls in the entry, we worked our way back to the dock at
the Duluth entry. For a complete list of species and this trip report, chec=
k
out my website. I also hope to have photographs of these birds there as
well.

Thanks to everyone who came, making the trip possible. Also, thanks to my
co-leaders Mike Hendrickson and Jim Lind and to the Captain and Crew of the
LL Smith Jr. It was a fantastic trip! Who knows what we'll find next week?

Tom Auer
MOU Field Trip Chairman

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The weather was nice (maybe too nice) but the birds were nicer. An
uneventful, but scenic, first leg of the trip up the shoreline to
Lester River brought Bald Eagle, Common Tern, Forster's Tern and
Bonaparte's Gulls. We had trouble keeping the gulls behind the boat,
despite a three-pronged chum, including popcorn, lake trout parts, and
cod liver oil, mixed with sardines. After the Lester River, we cruised
South into open water en route to the Superior entry. This portion was
also somewhat unexciting, until Jim Lind and Mike Hendrickson picked up
a juvenile SABINE'S GULL off the starboard side. The bird spent time on
the water and in the air, wheeling and banking, showing nicely in the
bright morning sun for the whole boat. Continuing to steam towards the
Superior Entry, we spotted a flock of small gulls to the east, changing
courses to chase the flock. Here, we picked up yet another juvenile
SABINE'S GULL! This bird wheeled around the whole boat. Along the way,
we found a couple of seemingly misplaced American Coots amongst the
Bonaparte's Gulls. Getting closer to the Superior Entry, a small gull
was spotted on the water, but behind it was an astounding RED-NECKED
PHALAROPE! Quite rare for Lake Superior, this fantastic bird sat and
spun in calm waters as we sailed past it, allowing for fantastic
photographs and great looks. It even called a few times. Finally,
pulling into Superior Entry a SHORT-EARED OWL was spotted flying west
towards Duluth. After a quick tour of the gulls in the entry, we worked
our way back to the dock at the Duluth entry. For a complete list of
species and this trip report, check out my website. I also hope to have
photographs of these birds there as well.<br>
<br>
Thanks to everyone who came, making the trip possible. Also, thanks to
my co-leaders Mike Hendrickson and Jim Lind and to the Captain and Crew
of the LL Smith Jr. It was a fantastic trip! Who knows what we'll find
next week?<br>
<br>
Tom Auer<br>
MOU Field Trip Chairman<br>


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