Highlights: Short-eared Owl, & phalarope

Tim is off for a few days so I'm covering the waterbird count. There was a big movement of waterbirds early this morning. Over 1,100 Red-breasted Mergansers passed by in the second hour of the count. Scoter numbers were relatively low, but all 3 species were seen including 5 Black Scoters. Other waterbird species seen were; American Wigeon, Mallard, Am. Black Duck, Green-winged Teal, Redhead, Lesser & Greater Scaup, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-throated and Common Loons, and Horned and Red-necked Grebes. A phalarope flew up the lakeside shoreline, but was not identified beyond Red/Red-necked Phalarope. Likewise, 3 flyby swans were only able to be identified as Tundra/Trumpeter Swans. Aside from the phalarope the only shorebirds were 1 American Golden-Plover and 1 Dunlin. The season's first Short-eared Owl was reported crossing the bay this afternoon. Thanks to the gentleman who tried to get my attention for the owl. The Dickcissel continues to visit the feeders, often accompanied by a House Sparrow.

Snow Bunting

Black Scoter (left) & White-winged Scoter

Highlights: Great Gray Owl & Dickcissel (above)

Along with banding a few Saw-whets last night, Keith and Wendy saw a Barred Owl and the first Great Gray Owl of the season. However, we we had no luck finding any roosting owls today. The Dickcissel was found at the feeders in the afternoon, and was still present this evening. It was another beautiful day, and there was another big flight of Pine Siskins and Purple Finches. Both Red and White-winged Crossbills were also present. Tim had a Tundra Swan on the waterbird count today.

Pine Siskin Purple Finch

White-winged Crossbills

Bonaparte's Gull

Great Gray Owl (photo from 2006)

Highlights: Long-eared Owl (above)

Common Redpoll

A beautiful day at the Point. There was a large flight of finches this morning. Hundreds of Purple Finches and Pine Siskins were coming in off the lake, and White-winged Crossbills were present again. Two Long-eared Owls came in off the lake, including the odd sighting of one in the afternoon. Tim had a good waterbird flight this morning, and also had the season's first Evening Grosbeak, and Common Redpolls. Other sightings today included; Ruffed Grouse, Rough-legged Hawk, Northern Goshawk, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Winter Wren, and Snow Bunting.

Green-winged Teal

scaup and Black Scoter

In 2005 we were shocked by the sudden and untimely death of Jim Granlund. Serving on the WPBO board for many years, Jim passionately dedicated much of his time and energy to this organization. A memorial fund was established to honor Jim's love for Whitefish Point and to recognize his tireless contributions to WPBO. Thanks to donations made to the fund we were able to purchase two beautiful benches that were delivered to the Point today. We would like to thank Cheryl Granlund and all who have contributed to this fund.

Jim's simple description of a good day's birding, "Good Stuff"

Highlights: White-winged Crossbill

While migration has been relatively slow the last few days, there has been some activity in the woods. Small flocks of White-winged Crossbills have been occurring daily, and there has been a Gray Catbird frequenting the area behind the bird feeders. American Tree Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco and Snow Bunting numbers have been slowly growing. Other recent sightings include; Ruffed Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Winter Wren, both Kinglets, Brown Creeper, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, and Fox, Lincoln's, and Swamp Sparrows.

Gray Catbird

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Highlights: White-winged Crossbills

There was a fair amount of activity in the woods. Hundreds of Pine Siskins were moving through, and Purple Finch numbers were up. A sighting of note up here was that of 5 House Sparrows at the feeders. There were at least 3 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and 2 Fox Sparrows present. Other sightings included; Winter Wren, both kinglets, Hermit Thrush, American Tree and Swamp Sparrows. Tim had a nice waterfowl movement today including close passes by Black Scoter and Red-throated Loon.

Cedar Waxwing throwing

back a Mountain Ash berry.

Common Loon (left), &

Red-throated Loon (right)

Some day I'll figure out how to control the spacing on the blog.

Highlights: Harris's Sparrow &

Black-backed Woodpecker

The Harris's Sparrow was found again today, and there were several sightings of a female Black-backed Woodpecker. The woods were more productive than they have been for a while. A Gray Catbird, and an Eastern Wood-Pewee were present today. There was a significant increase in numbers of Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Winter Wren. Nine species of sparrows were present including American Tree, Fox, Lincoln's, and Swamp. Other sightings included; Wilson's Snipe, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Cape May Warbler, American Redstart, and White-winged Crossbill.

Winter Wren

The below bumper sticker was in the parking lot today. They finally made a sticker of the question that has haunted every waterbird counter since Karl Bardon last counted here.

Highlights: Boreal Owl (above), &

Harris's Sparrow (below)

Given the fact that Keith and Wendy banded 6 Boreal Owls last night it seemed worth a little extra searching today. We were fortunate enough to find one, and several visitors were treated to their life Boreal Owl. Keith and Wendy also put a video of a Boreal from last night up on the owl blog, very cool. The first Harris's Sparrow of the season arrived, and Black-backed Woodpeckers continue to be fairly regular with a male being seen today. Other sightings included; Northern Goshawk, Winter Wren, both Kinglets, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, Nashville, Magnolia, Yellow-rumped, & Palm Warblers, Northern Parula, American Redstart, & Lapland Longspur.