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-RBA *Minnesota *Duluth/North Shore *November 24, 1995 *MNDU9511.24 -Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota Duluth/North Shore
Date: November 24, 1995
Sponsor: Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU)
Reports: (218) 525-5952
Compiler: Kim Eckert
Transcriber: Sr. Pam Kern pkern@css1.css.edu
This is the Duluth birding report for Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23 sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union.
In spite of the unusually cold temperatures which have been prevailing lately, there has still been a lot of birding activity in Duluth and northeastern Minnesota and several species of note have been reported, including additional sightings of that CAROLINA WREN in Duluth, which has been mentioned on previous tapes, confirmed sightings,finally, not one or two but three HARLEQUIN DUCKS in Two Harbors, a few additional owl sightings including two GREAT GRAY, one HAWK OWL and one SNOWY OWL; and the continued presence of a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER at a Duluth feeder.
The CAROLINA WREN which first appeared at Steve G? And Patty Munson's feeder at 1515 North 9th Avenue East on October 31 continues to be seen but only on a very intermittent basis. The latest sightings there, that I am aware of, was on November 17, when it came in at about 9:30 in the morning and about 3:45 in the afternoon. But most interesting was the report from Jim Neuman what was certainly the same wren on November 19 and he saw it at his feeder about 2:00 p.m. that day on the 1400 block of North 7TH Avenue East three blocks away from Steve and Patty's house.
For several days various observers have been reporting on one or two female or immature HARLEQUIN DUCKS in Two Harbors in Lake County, while at the same time other birders had only been reporting on the presence of two female BUFFLEHEADS there, which is a somewhat similar species. But finally it has been learned that both species have been present with no fewer than three HARLEQUIN DUCKS all females or immatures, being videotaped and photographed by Mike Hendrickson and Dennis Martin on November 19 and 20. The best place to look for them is along the main breakwater in Agate Bay which is the main harbor in Two Harbors or just east of here behind the old Coast Guard station lighthouse.
The number of NORTHERN HAWK OWLS being seen lately seems to be dropping off a bit. While neither of the NORTHERN HAWK OWLS on last week's tape have been seen again this week, another HAWK OWL was seen by Mark Johnson of the Twin Cities in Carleton County on November 17 along Interstate 35 between mileposts 223 or rather near milepost 223 which is between the Mahtowa and Barnum exits but other birders have been unable to relocate it subsequently.
Dan Bursa of Two Harbors reported on two GREAT GRAY OWLS seen November 18. One of these was about a half mile west of Lake County 2 on an unmarked road which turns off of 2 just south of the Cloquet River about 23 miles north of Two Harbors. And the other was a few miles west of here in St. Louis County near the town of Brimson.
Another SNOWY OWL was seen in the Duluth harbor area on November 20. It was seen sitting on the bay ice near the Park Point Recreational area.
There is a feeder bird of note in Duluth which is much more cooperative then that CAROLINA WREN, Bob Cedarberg who lives on 2300 block of east 5th Street continues to see a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER at his feeder on a daily basis, at least through November 21.
That fish processing operation in the Grand Marais harbor in Cook County, continues to attack hundreds, possibly thousands of gulls there. But unfortunately, virtually all of them are HERRING GULLS. Last weekend there were six GLAUCOUS GULLS seen among them with all four age groups represented. But surprisingly, only two first winter THAYER'S GULLS could be found. There was also a report of a possible second winter ICELAND GULL there last weekend, but other observes that day were unable to confirm them.
And finally, in spite of colder than average temperatures, which have been prevailing this month, there are still several late lingering species, which have been reported at various locations in Duluth and vicinity including: COMMON LOON, HORNED GREBE, RED NECKED GREBE, two DOUBLE CRESTED CORMORANTS in the harbor area near elevator A just off of Garfield Avenue, CANADA GOOSE, GREEN WINGED TEAL, LESSER SCAUP, NORTHERN FLICKER, HERMIT THRUSH, GRAY CATBIRD, FOX SPARROW, WHITE THROATED SPARROW, unidentified MEADOWLARK and RUSTY BLACKBIRD.
Hopefully, if the weather moderates, some of these species will still be around for the annual Duluth Christmas bird count, which will be held on Saturday, December 16. Observers who have participated on recent counts will be contacted about this starting next week. But, it is not to soon now to give me a call at 525-6930 if you would like to participate either as a feeder watcher or as one of the observers out in the field.
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 Thursday, November 30 and as always if you have birds to report, you may leave a message after the tone. BEEP