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-RBA *Minnesota *Duluth/North Shore *October 10, 1996 *MNDU9610.10 -Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota Duluth/North Shore
Date: October 10, 1996
Sponsor: Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU)
Reports: (218) 525-5952
Compiler: Kim Eckert
Transcriber: Barb Adams badams@fac1.css.edu
This is the Duluth Birding Report for Thursday, October 10, sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union.
Virtually all the birding news this week comes from either Hawk Ridge or the Lakewood pumping station, as this Fall s migration continues to be generally disappointing in most places for most birds.
About the only things of interest reported away from those two locations were the two SURF SCOTERS at Two Harbors in Lake County October 6; and on the same day the four WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS which flew past the Lester River.
Meanwhile, at the Lakewood pumping station, our every other day, two-hour counts of migrants starting at dawn have been continuing and the totals have been better than on most September days. So far this month, about 4000 migrants were counted on Oct. 2, including about 2300 warblers, about 1000 blackbirds (mostly RUSTYS), and 288 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS. On Oct. 4 the count was uneventful, but on Oct. 6 an estimated 5000 warblers flew by, mostly YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER and PALM WARBLER. On Oct. 8 the total was approximately 2800, including a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, a male YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD, and some of the first SNOW BUNTINGS of the season. And this morning, the 10th, the count at Lakewood was about 2300, including approximately 1400 PINE SISKINS. Small numbers of both WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS and RED CROSSBILLS have been noted at Lakewood as well on various days, as they have been at Hawk Ridge.
And also at Hawk Ridge, one or possibly two BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS flew by yesterday -- the first ones of the season -- as did a total of 10 SANDHILL CRANES. On Oct. 6, a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER flew by the main overlook and today at the banding station, the first AMERICAN TREE SPARROW of the season was netted.
Owls continue to be banded on an almost nightly basis at the Ridge. So far, a total of 441 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS have been netted, including a peak of 125 on the night of Oct. 6 and 7. And on the following night, a SAW-WHET still in juvenal plumage was banded; of several thousand SAW-WHETS banded at Hawk Ridge over the years, this was only the second ever in that plumage. Ten LONG-EARED OWLS have also been banded so far this season at Hawk Ridge.
And as far as the hawks are concerned, October has had, so far, a steady and decent flight. The best days were Oct. 2 with a count 999; October 3 with a total of 890, including 303 TURKEY VULTURES which brought this season's total to about 1900 -- a new seasonal record high by about 150. On Oct. 6 the count was 1042, including 769 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 51 BALD EAGLES and 14 MERLINS.
Other numbers of interest include: the 10 OSPREYS counted Oct. 5, which brought this season s total to about 500 which is also a new record high; the 207 RED-TAILEDS on Oct. 7; the 16 GOSHAWKS yesterday, the 9th; and the single GOLDEN EAGLES on both Oct. 6 and Oct. 7.
Unless something unusual is seen in the meantime which needs to be reported immediately, the next scheduled update of this tape will be on Thursday, October 17. And, as always, if you have birds to report you may leave a message after the tone.