10 November 2007

Highlights: TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE (1), ICELAND GULL (1), THAYER'S GULL (1 at harbor), SHARP-TAILED GROUSE (3)

WEATHER: Moderate winds were out of the south and southwest most of the day and the skies remained cloudy. Temperatures ranged from 3-7 Celsius and visibility was decent all day.

OVERALL MOVEMENT: The diversity today was rather average although the numbers were probably below-average. Over 370 migrants were seen total. No species was seen every hour but Long-tailed Duck and Red-breasted Merganser came the closest; seen 7 of the 8 hours. The most numerous species was Bufflehead with 190+ counted.

DUCKS & GEESE: Although no dabblers were seen today, about 15 SCAUP were seen. Scoter numbers remained thin; only 2 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS and 2 BLACK SCOTERS were seen. Otherwise, COMMON GOLDENEYE (40), BUFFLEHEAD (190+)), and nearly 50 LONG-TAILED DUCKS were counted. All three mergansers were seen today: 30 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, 10 COMMON MERGANSERS, and 3 drake HOODED MERGANSERS.

LOONS & GREBES: Eight COMMON LOONS, 7 RED-NECKED GREBES and a HORNED GREBE were seen. There were no sightings of Red-throated Loon today.

GULLS: A young ICELAND GULL flew in and landed at the tip during the 7th hour. It later flew to the harbor (where it was relocated and photographed). Also at the harbor this evening was a young THAYER'S GULL.

RAPTORS: A BALD EAGLE and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK were seen during the count today.

A TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE was found inland today. Later in the day, it was seen perched on the "Merlin Pole" out near the beach.

Also found inland today after almost a week absence, the PRAIRIE WARBLER still lives!

During the first hour of the count, 3 SHARP-TAILED GROUSE flew over the shack. They seemed to have come from the beach and although I can't be certain, I believe they came in off the lake.

Some of the other species seen from the waterbird shack included BOHEMIAN WAXWING (30+), AMERICAN ROBIN (1), SNOW BUNTING, COMMON REDPOLL, COMMON RAVEN, PINE GROSBEAK, HAIRY WOODPECKER, and DOWNY WOODPECKER.

For an update on the inland sightings (and photos), please visit Chris Neri's WPBO Sightings Blog.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR TOMORROW: It should be cloudy with a moderate wind out of the south and a high near 47.

Thanks for checking in,

Cory Gregory
arcticory@gmail.com