[mou] Piping Plover, Whimbrels & possible Arctic Tern in Duluth

[Eckert K R]

Late this afternoon there were a Piping Plover and 13 Whimbrels on the 
Hearding Island sandbars at Park Point in Duluth. The plover was on a 
sandbar on the S side of the island, which is visible from 24th St, and 
the Whimbrels (along with 2 Marbled Godwits) were on the flats on the W 
side of the island, visible from the usual site behind the Bayside 
Market at 19th St.

There were also several hundred terns flying out over L Superior along 
the entire length of Park Point between Canal Park and the Recreation 
Area, although they were mostly too far out to ID and the off-lake 
winds made them difficult to scope. Most, if not all, appeared to be 
Common Terns, although I did have a possible adult Arctic Tern perched 
next to a Common Tern on a buoy by the boat ramp at the Recreation 
Area. With direct comparison as viewed through binoculars, its legs 
were shorter, the underparts grayer, and the lower edge of its black 
cap had a different appearance (as shown in Sibley). However, I never 
had an unambiguous view of its bill, and I never saw its wing pattern 
or flight profile, since the terns flew off as I was setting up my 
scope.

- Kim Eckert

(Please note new e-mail address <eckertkr at gmail.com>)
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