Photo: Semipalmated Plover by Philip Dickinson
December 12, 2023
We could not have had a better day as weather was sunny, cool and calm. Led by Rex Guichard, our first stop along the S. Red River Road had Rough-legged Hawks, multiple Northern Harriers, American Kestrels and lots of ducks. We saw one of our two Northern Shrikes on N. Red River Road. We spent much time at Sandy Point, where a seasonally rare Semi-Palmated Plover was among the 18 Killdeer. We also enjoyed watching the Dunlin flying and Black Turnstones. There was a huge number of Brant off the southeast shore. Our last stop was at Portage Point. Lots of Scoters were there - both Surf and White-winged – and our first Barrow’s Goldeneye, but we did not find a Black Scoter. One car stopped by the East 90 on the way home and saw ten Short-eared Owls.
63 Species (Approx. Qty.)
Attendees: Jeff, Wilma, Rex, Robin, Judy, Kameron, Ken, Dianna, Denny, Marcia, Pam, Pat, Rick, John, Lisa, Bruce, Daren, Maureen, Doug C., Ray, Gary, Leanne
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Brant (250), Canada Goose (50), Trumpeter Swan (47), Eurasian Wigeon (1), American Wigeon (235), Mallard (92), Northern Shoveler (8), Northern Pintail (278), Greater Scaup (1), Lesser Scaup (2), Surf Scoter (230), White-winged Scoter (35), Long-tailed Duck (7), Bufflehead (23), Common Goldeneye (37), Barrow's Goldeneye (2), Common Merganser (4), Red-breasted Merganser (3), Ruddy Duck (2)
LOONS, GREBES: Red-throated Loon (6), Pacific Loon (1), Common Loon (5), Horned Grebe (19), Red-necked Grebe (1), Western Grebe (1)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Brant’s Cormorant (2), Double-crested Cormorant (11), Pelagic Cormorant (5), Great Blue Heron (5)
RAPTORS: Bald Eagle (12), Northern Harrier (20), Red-tailed Hawk (7), Rough-legged Hawk (5), American Kestrel (2), Merlin (1)
RAILS, CRANES: American Coot (1)
SHOREBIRDS: Semipalmated Plover (1), Killdeer (19), Black Turnstone (30), Dunlin (175)
GULLS: Glaucous-winged (10), Western-glaucous hybrid (30)
ALCIDS: Pigeon Guillemot (2), Marbled Murrelet (3)
DOVES, PIGEONS: Rock Pigeon (45), Eurasian Collared-Dove (2)
OWLS: Short-eared Owl (10)
KINGFISHER: Belted Kingfisher (1)
WOODPECKERS: Northern Flicker (1)
SHRIKES, VIREOS: Northern Shrike (2)
CORVIDS: American Crow (28)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (3)
THRUSHES American Robin (1), Varied Thrush (2)
STARLING: European Starling (50)
SPARROW, TANAGERS: Spotted Towhee (2), Song Sparrow (4), Dark-eyed Junco (4)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Red-winged Blackbird (37), Western Meadowlark (4), Brewer's Blackbird (8)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: House Finch (20), Pine Siskin (30), House Sparrow (6)