Invasion from Up North: Lesser Yellowlegs & Wilson’s Phalaropes

Year 2

The shore bird invasion of Duluth from northern Canada and the Arctic continues. Last weekend’s rains have made for one HUGE puddle / pond at the end of Park Point (Minnesota Point) on the playing fields. The shore birds have been enjoying a bonanza of easy food … drowned bugs and grubs. For the past two days I have been visiting this location at last light and dawn. The birds have not disappointed me!

Lesser Yellowlegs
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Wilson’s Phalarope
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Semipalmated Plover
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Least Sandpiper
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A Migration Ride on Lake Superior’s NE Wind: Plovers, Willets and Yellowlegs

Year 2

The fall shorebird migration is in full force riding yesterday’s strong NE wind off Lake Superior. These birds spend very little time on their northern breeding grounds in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic, and are now working their way south to the Gulf Coast, Central and in some cases South America. Over the past two days in the Duluth area, we have had significant rainfall which has turned the playing fields at the end of Park Point (also known at Minnesota Point) into a large wetlands / puddles which are a perfect bug hunting area for shorebirds.

A Willet
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Lesser Yellowlegs
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Black-Bellied Plover
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Backyard Birding

Year 2

We birders / photographers often make the mistake of travelling miles to find and take pictures of birds. We need to remember that our own back yards are often a great spot to spend time. The last two evenings at golden hour I have sat outside, hiding myself in the tall grass. Thus, it was possible to insure I was birding when the light was perfect. My local birds did not disappoint!

First the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird photograph which I have been trying to get for weeks:
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In the second instance I watched a house wren learning to hunt. Perhaps the conversation went something like this:

Immature House Wren learning to hunt bugs:

1. Find dead birch tree
2. Put head in hole to look for bugs
3. Flash one wing to scare bugs
4. Eat supper.

Mom, is that right?!

Answer: No … first flash both wings … then find scared bugs in hole.
Y2-M08-House-Wren-2 Y2-M08-House-Wren-1 Y2-M08-House-Wren-3