American Avocet

An American Avocet was found at the harbor today. This is just the second record of this species for the Point. It was very odd to see an Avocet floating on the Bay. Also seen today were a Snowy Owl and multiple Short-eared Owls. The weather isn't exactly cooperating for our Spring Fling weekend, but there are a few good birds saving the day. As I have to get up for the banquet in about four hours, a more complete report will have to wait until after the weekend.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

American Kestrels on the lighthouse

Field Sparrow

The waterbird count began on the 15th, and things have been picking up. Recent sightings include, Field Sparrow, American White Pelican, and Boreal Chickadee. The hawk flight has started pick up, and 7 species of owl have been at the Point in the last 3 days. A flight of 2,000 Sandhill Cranes also occurred this week. For some details check out the other blogs.

The 2009 field seasons kicked off on the 15th with the beginning of the hawk count and owl banding. Arriving on the UP in mid March was a bit of a jolt for all three of us. Nova spent the fall and winter working with the endangered Ocelots in Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge in TX. I was able to join her in January and February volunteering with the Ocelots and waterfowl surveys. The season's hawk counter John van Dort spent the winter in Central America working with the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler. Our tans are fading quickly.

As John is currently the only daytime field staff the sightings blog might not be seeing much activity for a few weeks. However, he is doing a great job with the new WPBO hawk count blog, including non-raptor sightings. The link is still not up on our homepage, but it is currently in the link section on all our blogs. Things are beginning to happen so check out the hawk and owl blogs to see what's going on up here. For instance, right now at 3AM it's snowing so we need to go close the owl nets, ugh.

Highlights: Snowy Owl

Overall activity has been slow, but some good northern birds were around yesterday and today. The 4th Snowy Owl of the season spent a few hours at the Point yesterday. Unlike the previous three, this Snowy was a very heavily marked bird. Other sightings included; Northern Shrike, Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings, Red and White-winged Crossbills, Pine and Evening Grosbeaks, and Common Redpoll.

Cedar Waxwings &

Bohemian Waxwing (left)

Pine Grosbeak

The waterbird shack &

snow on the Canadian hills

Highlights: Rough-legged Hawk

Common Redpolls came through in good numbers today, otherwise the flight was slow. Both Red and White-winged Crossbills came through in modest numbers. Other sightings included; Brown Creeper, Cedar Waxwing, Snow Bunting, and American Tree Sparrow.

Common Redpoll

I don't know if this guy was eating a carcass

or if he was injured.

November 9

Highlights: Snowy Owl

A Snowy Owl spent a little time out at the tip before heading out across the bay. There were lots of snow squalls and strong winds today. The weather made for a slow birding day, but there were some birds around. Sightings included; Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings, Snow Bunting, Common Redpoll, and White-winged Crossbill.

Bohemian Waxwing

Highlights: Bohemian Waxwing

The warm weather continued and the flight remained relatively slow. The only real change from the last few days was the appearance of the first Bohemian Waxwings of the season. Other sightings included; Northern Goshawk, Northern Shrike, Golden-crowned Kinglet, White-winged Crossbill, and Common Yellowthroat. There was also a Black-backed Woodpecker just west of Wildcat Beach State Park this afternoon.