The Lester Park Golf Course Ponds in Duluth are an excellent spot to bird early in the morning during migration. This Horned Grebe checked me well over shortly after sunrise this morning, and then decided I was harmless. I watched it hunt for about ten minutes till I went to check the other four ponds.
In the last two days I have seen:
1. Ruby Crowned Kinglets (major migration numbers)
2. Yellow-Rumped Warblers (major migration numbers)
3. Palm Warblers
4. Phoebes
5. Tree Swallows
6. Buffleheads (courting battles underway each day)
7. Greater Scaup
8. Great Horned Grebes
and the usual suspects!
One thing I like about the ponds is while the numbers of ducks are not huge (normally 2 to 10 of a given specie), the smaller flocks normally don’t spook so easily giving me a chance to watch. Visit very early in the morning before golfers scare the ducks off the ponds.
Horned Grebe
Just saw my first Ruby Crowned Kinglets and Phebes this weekend. Charming and beautiful little birds.
Oh wow! Richard – that profile photo is SO beautiful!
Geeze, wish I could go birding with you in person. Really enjoy your beautiful, interesting bird postings.