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Duluth RBA Sept. 22
Resent-to: MNBIRD-EXPAND@VAX2.Winona.MSUS.EDU Resent-message-id: <01HVJPL6HYFO005RWH@VAX2.Winona.MSUS.EDU> Message-id:This is the Duluth Rare Bird Alert for Thursday, September 22.
Transcriber: Kirk Jeffrey
This afternoon [Thursday, September 22] Tony Hertzel of the Twin Cities identified an adult PACIFIC LOON in winter plumage at Stony Point. The bird was seen from the stone wall on the east side of Stony Point; but unfortunately, when Tony and I returned later, we were unable to relocate it. It may still be somewhere in the area, however, since what appeared to be the same individual was seen yesterday at this location; although then it was too far out to positively identify it.
This tape was updated last Monday to report on a few rarities which were seen last weekend in and around Duluth. These included BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER, WESTERN GREBE, HUDSONIAN GODWIT, and RED KNOT. But unfortunately, none of these has been seen again since last Saturday. The Kittiwake was an immature seen flying over Park Point south of the recreation area; and it was last seen heading west toward Barker's Island and Superior. The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was spotted along U.S. Highway 53 northwest of Duluth, just south of the C.R. 133 intersection, which is 7 miles south of the town of Cotton.
The Western Grebe was at [Aloise?] Bay on the west side of Wisconsin Point in Superior; and the Godwit and Knot were both at the 40th Avenue West, Erie Pier area mudflats--but again, none of these birds has been relocated on subsequent days.
Also noted last weekend was a GRAY JAY seen at the Lakewood Pumping Station both Saturday and Sunday, and a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON at 40th Avenue on Saturday, along with a WHITE PELICAN, which has been present at this location for a few weeks and which was still present today.
Since Monday's tape, there has been a good movement of WARBLERS past Lakewood Pumping Station, especially on September 18th, when about 7600 were counted. Also that day at Lakewood, a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER flew by, and the first SNOW GEESE of the season were seen; and also, on the 19th, a male YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD flew past the Main Overlook at Hawk Ridge.
Of course, the most noteworthy sightings this week are the hawks which have been counted at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve, especially the good flight of BROAD-WINGED HAWKS which has taken place each day. As reported on last Monday's tape, the biggest day of the season was September 17, when 26,659 hawks were counted--including 25,679 Broad-wings, along with a very early GOLDEN EAGLE, which missed being a record early date for Hawk Ridge by only four days, a SWAINSON'S HAWK, and no fewer than 9 PEREGRINE FALCONs.
On the 18th, the hawk count was 7589, with 6822 of these Broad-wings. On the 19th the count was 5365 including 4768 Broad-wings; yesterday 4xx7 were counted including 3554 Broad-wings; and today, as of 2 pmthe count stood at about 2000, and over 1500 of these were Broad-wings.
But perhaps of greater interest at Hawk Ridge has been the owl-banding, which began for the season on the night of September 19. Over 40 SAW-WHETS were netted--more than expected this early in the season--along with an earlier-than-normal LONG-EARED OWL. Twenty-plus Saw-whets were also banded last night.
And speaking of owls, there is a new addition to our "Adopt-a-Banded-Raptor" program at Hawk Ridge. For the first time ever, there will be guided tours to watch owl-banding available to those sponsors who adopt a Saw-whet or a Long-eared or one of the other owl species. The tours will take place on the evenings of September 29, October 6, and October 13. And advance reservations for these are required. More information on this is available at the Main Overlook at Hawk Ridge or by calling me at [218] 525-6930.
And finally, the next two field trips of the North Shore Bird Club will be held on Saturday, September 23 and Saturday, September 30. Both of these will meet at 8 a.m. and will meet at the Lester River tourist information booth for birding along the North Shore as far as Stony Point. For more information about this, call Mike Henrickson at [218] 726-0840.
Unless something unusual is seen in the meantime which needs to be reported on immediately, the next scheduled update of this tape will be on on Thursday, September 28; and as always, if you have birds to report, you may leave a message after the tone.
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