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!

• View this project’s Flickr photo stream. (click upon images to view at full size)

Lesser Yellowlegs

———-

Wilson’s Phalarope

———-

Semipalmated Plover

———-

Least Sandpiper

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

———-

Lesser Yellowlegs

———-

Black-Bellied Plover

It was brisk, but sunny down on the end of Park Point (Duluth) by Sky Harbor at 5:40 am yesterday morning. A very strong wind blowing out of the north kept the Arctic shorebirds I had first spotted the day before around for another day. I actually saw one large flock flying south off Lester River. I believe they all decided it was not worth pushing north … too strenuous.

• View this project’s Flickr photo stream. (click upon images to view at full size)

Ruddy Turnstones greet the sunrise!

———-

“The Local” gets invaded by Ruddy Turnstones and Sanderlings!

———-

Ruddy Turnstones, Sanderlings & Dunlins at Sunrise!

———-

A lone Ruddy Turnstone greets the sunrise … and “Follow the Leader”