The weather is finally beginning to change and it felt a lot more like fall today. Winds were brisk out of the north and the temp only reached the upper 50's. However, skies were still sunny like the past few weeks.
Waterfowl: Not nearly as much variety as yesterday but 219 Common Loons represented the best day for them so far this fall. 4 Red-throated Loons were seen as well as 11 Red-breasted Mergnsers and 78 Red-necked Grebes. A few scaup were seen but not nearly as many as yesterday. The only dabblers were 11 Wigeon, 2 Green-winged Teal, and an American Black Duck that Chris originally found on the nethouse pond.
Gulls/Terns/Jaegers: The highlight of the day were the jaegers. The first of the day was briefly seen by a couple observers around 10AM at fairly close range and ID'd as an adult light morph Parasitic. It soon continued into the harsh glare from the morning sun and was lost. About an hour later another adult light Parasitic came by fairly close-- this time it was seen by all observers and watched for a couple minutes before it continued towards the Soo. Another distant jaeger was seen at the end of the count but it was way too far for an ID.
Shorebirds: Another slow day-- only 9 Sanderling and an American Golden and Semipalmated Plover.
Other: It was a good day for raptors with Northern Goshawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Harrier, Broad-winged Hawk, and a few Bald Eagles all giving low flyovers at the shack.
Tom Prestby
Waterbird Counter
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