[wisb] WSO Wisconsin Point "Jaegerfest" field trip report
- From: "Tom Schultz" <trschultz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Wisbirdn" <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2013 22:54:58 -0500
Sorry I'm slow to get this report from last weekend finished, but here it
is...
This year once again (after an unusually slow jaeger year in 2012), the
“Jaegerfest” nickname for this Superior weekend field trip really held
true – with nearly non-stop jaeger action on each of the three days!
Following very promising reports of multiple jaegers (including a juvenile
Long-tailed the day before) and other goodies on the previous days leading
up to this field trip, there was great optimism as birders began arriving at
the beach on Friday, September 20th. Our Wisconsin Point vigil began about
6:30 AM, with cloudy skies overhead but fairly moderate temperatures (nearly
60 degrees) – despite a brisk northwest wind. The first birders arriving on
the beach described having just seen a coyote trotting down the beach past
them in the semi-darkness!
The day got off to a somewhat slow start, with a flock of about 40 Canada
Geese winging past, followed by a lone American White Pelican and three
Blue-winged Teal. An American Pipit flew overhead, and a few wigeon flew
past. Finally, about 7:15 the first jaeger was spotted – a Parasitic – and
a small group of Sanderlings flew past. Shortly after that a Northern
Harrier came flying in from offshore, and three Green-winged Teal flew past
us – followed by a Common Loon that was flying west well offshore, and a
group of seven Horned Grebes was spotted on the water.
At 7:35 two Parasitic Jaegers came flying in and landed to the northwest of
us, as more and more Ring-billed Gulls began to gather nearby – attracted by
our “chumming” with stale bread. A group of four Common Ravens flew just
over the trees behind us, and a Bald Eagle made its appearance.
A larger group of 30 Sanderlings came winging past, and a group of three
Bonaparte’s Gulls flew in and landed just off the beach. More jaegers
sightings continued as they periodically flew in and chased the gulls from
time to time. Many of these jaegers were sub-adults, and one juvenile was
often spotted quite frequently, and there was also at least one full adult.
We tried to total a list of identifiable individuals, and we figured we were
seeing at least six different Parasitics!
Around 8:10 an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was spotted on the water, and
a quick count showed that nearly 70 birders were now present on the beach.
Later counts and estimates of the birders that were coming and going through
the day gave us an approximate attendance of around 100! A Peregrine Falcon
put on a nice show as it flew past just behind us around 9:15, and an
American Golden-Plover winged past just offshore. Birders that walked along
the road were finding a nice variety of warblers and sparrows, although the
total number of birds wasn’t overwhelming – but the migration had definitely
picked up from the past few days.
At about 11:50 there was great excitement and jubilation from the group on
the beach when a near-adult Long-tailed Jaeger was spotted as it cruised
past the group. Easily observed were the long central tail streamers, the
light-colored underparts, and whitish shafts on just the outer couple of
primaries. The back and upperwing coverts were grayish brown, and showed
good contrast with the darker flight feathers. This was certainly a species
that many of the attendees had been hoping to see!
Around 3:00 some of the group headed down to the breakwater, near the harbor
entrance and lighthouse to try a different vantage point. A couple of
Spotted Sandpipers flew past and briefly landed, and a Baird’s Sandpiper
landed nearby on the beach. Around 4:45 small group that had hiked out to
the lighthouse had good looks at a juvenile Thayer’s Gull that was flying
nearby, and then several of us watched as the sub-adult Long-tailed Jaeger
can flying in!
On Saturday, Sept. 21st the northwest winds were still blowing fairly
briskly, and the temperature had dropped to about 47 degrees under mostly
cloudy skies – although the sky cleared by later in the morning. Around
6:30 a couple of Red-necked Grebes came winging by, although well offshore.
Other than that, to the eager birders on the beach, it was another slow
start – with a possible dark scoter sighting around 7:30, and a Horned Grebe
and Bonaparte’s Gull.
Finally, about 8:00 a trio of Parasitic Jaegers made an appearance,
including a juvenile and two sub-adults. Then about 8:50 an excited shout
rang out, and we looked up to see a near-adult Long-tailed Jaeger come
soaring and circling right above the group! The cameras were busily
snapping as the many photographers hurried to capture images. Once again,
the long central tail feathers were easily seen by everyone present –
including some who had missed seeing it the day before.
The day continued with many more Parasitic Jaeger sightings, and other
species were spotted, including a group of six terns flying well offshore
that appeared to be Forster’s, and the adult Lesser Black-backed was spotted
again. Two Sharp-shinned Hawks came cruising past just behind the group,
and a few Surf Scoters were spotted during the afternoon. Some of the
birders left to go see a Harris’s Sparrow that was visiting a nearby
campground, and after some additional jaeger sightings most of the group
left the beach about 5:00 PM. I believe the group species total for the day
was nearly 90.
On Sunday morning the sky was crystal clear, and the sunrise was bright.
The winds were ESE at about 10 mph, and the temperature was around 40
degrees. The first Parasitic Jaeger was spotted about 6:40, but
unfortunately it landed well offshore – but there were more opportunities
for jaeger viewing before long. A few ducks flew past, including Northern
Pintails, Green-winged Teal, and a Redhead and a Wood Duck – and a group of
six Common Mergansers came drifting by.
The group gathered on the beach was a little smaller this morning, but there
was big excitement about 8:55 as a juvenile Sabine’s Gull came flying in and
landed among the gulls about 100 yards offshore! This was a bird that many
had been hoping to find, and there were many big smiles and cheers among the
30 or so birders that were still present. Following this sighting, many of
the attendees started heading for home, feeling contented after having
experienced a truly memorable weekend of birding and camaraderie!
Tom Schultz
WSO Field Trips co-chair
Green Lake Co.
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