[wisb] 8 days at Wisconsin Pt.

From: Daryl Tessen <bhaunts@xxxxxxxxx>
To: wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Mon, 23 Sep 2013 08:25:36 -0500
Several of us spent the last 8 days on Wisconsin Pt (Sept 15-22).  As Tom will 
provide a more detailed account, this will indicate the trends and highlights 
for the 8 days, the last several which officially are Jaegerfest.  And it truly 
was a jaegerfest this year.  Most of the time there were jaegers present, with 
a maximum of 7 Parasitic and TWO LONG-TAILED JAEGERS.  In addition an immature 
Sabine's Gull was seen on four of the 8 days, with the best viewing just off 
shore on the lake and flying on the last day.  Passerines were few in numbers;  
one had to really work for them, with sparrows being exceptionally poor.  
Waterfowl also were slow although a few loons and grebes were seen.  Brief 
highlights include the following:
Sunday, 15   one Common Loon, a distant view of the imm. Sabine's Gull and 2 
Parasitic Jaegers.  The wind was 20 m/h out of the north so the lake had 5+ 
waves.
Monday 16   few scoters seen all week;  early in the a.m. 3 Black and 1 Surf 
cruised by;  3 Horned Grebes (around all week);  another distant view of the 
Sabine's Gull;  an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull (around the rest of the 
week);  4 Parasitic and 1 adult (sub) Long-tailed Jaeger.
Tuesday 17  early morning a Western Grebe, then later a Red-necked Grebe (more 
of this species seen later in week), 4 Parasitic and while watching the W. 
Grebe the adult Long-tailed Jaeger came cruising by.
Wed. 18  adult Franklin's Gull, 4 Parasitic Jaegers, Merlin and Peregrine 
Falcon and a Rusty Blackbird
Thur. 19  Red-throated Loon and a dark one that got away from us as it was 
constantly diving, the Sabine's Gull, which this time was straight out but at 
the edge of the fog bank;  Franklin's Gull, SEVEN Parasitic Jaegers and the a 
dark morph immature LONG-TAILED JAEGER that cruised right by us and later 
returned to put on quite a show (the adult Long-tailed Jaeger was seen in the 
early evening by a few birders)
Fri 20  2 Red-necked Grebes; Black-bellied and Golden Plovers (shorebirds were 
scarce this year);  2 Franklin's Gulls, an imm. Thayer's Gull, 5 Parasitic and 
1 Long-tailed Jaegers (the imm. LT Jaeger was never seen after Thursday);  19 
warblers and tons of mosquitoes---the latter were unreal along the road and on 
a few days even on the beach), and the first White-cr. Sparrows and juncos.
Sat 21  2 Cackling Geese, 3 Surf and 1 Black Scoter, a Baird's Sandpiper and 2 
Dunlins, 5 Parasitic and the adult Long-tailed Jaeger (the latter which cruised 
over head for some time!!!, then went out on the lake and hunted along with a 
Parasitic, making for great comparisons!) and an adult Harris's Sparrow at the 
Smith's (Jerry & Karen) at their campground site, which about 20 of us enjoyed 
in the late afternoon.
Sun 22  2 Surf Scoters, 5 Parasitic Jaegers and around 8:00 the immature came 
in and landed with Ring-billed Gulls just off shore, providing a leisurely 
study for some time;  it then flew off again providing great views!!!

In case you did not count Long-tailed Jaegers were seen on FIVE of the eight 
days, with Parasitic on every day, with some days almost constantly present;  
the Sabine's Gull was seen on four days, with the best viewing easily on the 
last day.

It was another fun and memorable Jaegerfest!!!  Thanks to everyone before and 
during for a great time, and of course also the birds!
Daryl Tessen
Appleton,, WI


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[wisb] 8 days at Wisconsin Pt.

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