-RBA *Minnesota *Duluth/North Shore *May 7, 2009 *MNDU0905.07-Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota, Duluth/North Shore
Date: May 7, 2009
Sponsor: Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU)
Reports: (218) 834-2858
Compiler: Jim Lind ([log in to unmask])
This is the Duluth Birding Report for Thursday, May 7th, 2009 sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union.
An impressive RED-THROATED LOON migration continues to be documented by Karl Bardon and others at the West Skyline Hawk Count in Duluth. A record-high count of 117 birds was observed on the 3rd, breaking the previous record of 39 birds. A total of 42 birds was observed on the following day, with smaller numbers seen during most of the days since. Four ROSS'S GEESE and a MUTE SWAN were also seen on the 2nd and a late GOLDEN EAGLE was seen on the 6th.
Jan Green found a CALIFORNIA GULL on the 4th at the mouth of the Talmadge River northeast of the McQuade Road. Larry Kraemer saw two WILLETS near the McQuade Road boat launch on the same day. Steve Dahl found 21 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS on the 3rd on Knife Island in Lake County. Several dozen continue to be seen almost daily from the West Skyline Hawk Count in Duluth.
A HARLEQUIN DUCK was found by Karl Bardon on the 5th in the Duluth harbor at the boat launch at the Park Point Recreation Area, and the bird was still present on the 7th. At least two SURF SCOTERS have also been seen in the same area. Peder Svingen found 25 WILLETS on the 3rd at 10th Street along Park Point, tying the previous record-high count for Minnesota. Kim Eckert saw seven WILLETS on the 6th at Hearding Island off Park Point. Larry and Jan Kraemer found a RUDDY DUCK on the 5th on the St. Louis River at Grassy Point in west Duluth. A BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE was seen on the 6th at the Superior landfill. One was found nearby about three weeks ago along Wisconsin Point.
Norma Malinowski found two SPRUCE GROUSE on the 1st in northern Lake County along FR 1903 about a mile in from MN Highway 1, and another SPRUCE GROUSE along FR 1902 about 0.2 mile in from MN 1. A flock of about 20 EVENING GROSBEAKS was seen on the 2nd and 3rd by Ruth Hiland and John Green at the Wolf Ridge ELC feeders near Finland.
New arrivals during the past week include FORSTER'S TERN, CASPIAN TERN, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, SOLITARY SANDPIPER, MARBLED GODWIT, RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, AMERICAN PIPIT, CLIFF SWALLOW, GRAY CATBIRD, BROWN THRASHER, SEDGE WREN, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, NORTHERN PARULA, BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, PALM WARBLER, OVENBIRD, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, HARRIS’S SPARROW and LINCOLN’S SPARROW
The Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory is looking for observations and locations of nesting raptors in the city of Duluth. Reports should be sent ASAP to assure time for nesting observations to occur. Please contact Frank Nicoletti either by phone at (218) 724-0758 or by e-mail at [log in to unmask]
The next scheduled update of this report will be on Thursday, May 14th.
The telephone number of the Duluth Rare Bird Alert is 218-834-2858. Information about bird sightings may be left following the recorded message.
The Duluth Birding Report is sponsored and funded by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU) as a service to its members. For more information on the MOU, either write us c/o the Bell Museum, e-mail us at [log in to unmask], or visit the MOU web site at moumn.org.