My Mom and three brothers went to the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory on the 3rd and 4th. We got there late on the 3rd so we didn't do any birding that day. The next day I was out birding early. On the way out to the waterbird shack I could tell that it was going to be a cold day. And it was. It was well worth it, though, with over 2000 birds passing the by point! There was a total of 755 Red Necked Grebes, which is amazing in October. American Wigeon were flying in full force, along with Greater Scaup and to a lesser extent with Red Breasted Merganser, White Winged Scoters, Green Winged Teal and Common Loons. In the White Winged Scoter flocks there were also Surf and Black Scoter. Both being Big Year birds for me. Check out the WPBO Waterbird Count blog to see the totals for that day. Now for some Pictures......
A Mixed dabbler flock. Can't exactly remember what was in this flock and can't tell from the pictures.
American Wigeon
Only 2 Red Throated Loons were seen
Back 7 Birds are Northern Pintails, While the front birds are Aytha Species.
American Wigeon and Green Winged Teals
Top bird is a red breasted Merganser followed by a Greater Scaup then two Redhead and finally a Greater Scaup
Aytha Species and a Red Necked Grebe
The birds with the bright wing flashes are American Wigeons, The black Birds are Surf Scoter and a single Mallard is the bigger bird in the top center of the flock
The 2nd Greater Black Backed Gull of the season at Whitefish
Shorebird numbers were slow but we were treated to two American Golden Plover (Photo above), Black Bellied Plover, Sanderlings and a flyby White Rumped Sandpiper
Flock of Aytha Species
14 Greater Scaup and a female Lesser Scaup (6th bird from the bottom)
Greater Scaup
American Wigeon and Green Winged Teal
American Wigeon and Green Winged Teal (smaller Birds)
Red Necked Grebe
My first Lapland Longspur of the year
American Wigeon and Surf Scoters
American Wigeon and Surf Scoters
Greater Scaup
Mostly Greater Scaup with some other Aytha Species and two Green Winged Teal
FYI: It was pointed out to me by some friends that the Cackling Geese in my last post were actually small Canada Geese. After looking at the pictures they have too big of bills to be Cackling Geese.
Till next time, GOOD BIRDING!
Till next time, GOOD BIRDING!