Purple Sandpiper in St. Louis County
2014-11-26

'Accidental' in Minnesota - Five or fewer records in St. Louis County for the Fall season

At approximately 3:10 PM, this Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima) flew down the ship channel and directly below me at Canal Park as I leaned over the wall in astonishment. It continued hugging the wall as it flew west and under the aerial lift bridge, before turning towards the pedestrian lift bridge. I searched the shoreline for the rest of the afternoon from Canal Park to Rice's Point, but could not refind it. Duluth birders also looked for it the following day without success. If accepted by the MOU Records Committee, this will furnish the 2nd record for St. Louis County and 8th for Minnesota.

Peder H. Svingen