UP Rare Bird Report for September 4th, 2006

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UP Rare Bird Report for September 4, 2006
 
Migration is picking up speed in the Yoop, but it has been a mix this week with several species arriving well ahead of their normal arrival dates, juxtaposed with a few species that are or have been running late in their arrivals. Most conspicuous in their absence are the thousands of Red-necked Grebes that should of passed Whitefish Point by now. Either there is record-breaking flight day soon on the horizon, or Red-necks may have to be declared an M.I.A. this fall.
 
 
Highlights
 
Harlequin Duck
Red-throated Loon
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Franklin’s Gull
Parasitic Jaeger
Black-backed Woodpecker
Carolina Wren
Le Conte’s Sparrow
Dickcissel
 
 
Keweenaw County
Zach Gayk & Laurie Binford had an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER in Copper Harbor on September 2nd. This is the latest Keweenaw record of this species. Good numbers of migrant passerines including several SWAINSON’S THRUSHES and an early juvenile WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW were also noted. 
 
Marquette County
A lakewatch at the Big Bay Lighthouse recorded 2 PARASITIC JAEGERS & 2 unidentified JAEGER SPECIES on August 29th. Also notable was a flight of 379 COMMON LOONS, an early date for such a large flight. A lakewatch at the Black Rocks in Presque Isle Park on the 29th recorded 3 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS. A LE CONTE’S SPARROW was seen at the Bog Walk in Presque Isle Park both on September 2nd & 4th. RED CROSSBILLS have been frequently seen in various locations in the City of Marquette and in the Little Presque Isle area.
 
Delta County
2 CAROLINA WRENS were found at Peninsula Point on the 4th. Other migrants included STILT SANDPIPER and PHILADELPHIA VIREO along with WILSON’S, CANADA, BLACKPOLL & MOURNING WARBLERS. NORTHERN CARDINALS were noted on the 4th at Peninsula Point, Rapid River (a family of 5) and 2 in Escanaba. Not nearly as common on Lake Michigan as they are on Superior, RED-NECKED GREBES were found at both Peninsula Point and Ogantz Bay on the 4th.
 
Schoolcraft County
A flock of 10 GREAT EGRETS remained at Seney National Wildlife Refuge until Labor Day Weekend. 
 
Chippewa County
Several good birds were seen this week at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory. 2 unidentified JAEGER SPECIES and a juvenile PARASITIC JAEGER were recorded at WPBO on September 4th. On the 3rd, an early HARLEQUIN DUCK, BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER & DICKCISSEL were seen along with good numbers of RED CROSSBILLS and a few WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS. The 2nd was an excellent day for migrants with 480 BLUE-WINGED TEAL, 420 COMMON TERNS and the season’s first AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER and RED-THROATED LOONS (7) passing by the tip. Rarities on the 2nd included a juvenile FRANKLIN’S GULL, 1 adult light-morph PARASITIC JAEGER, 1 unidentified JAEGER SPECIES, 13 BLACK TERNS, NORTHERN GOSHAWK and a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER. 1 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was seen on the 31st, and 2 on the 29th. Also on the 29th, an unidentified JAEGER SPECIES was seen.
 
For more information on birds and birding in the Upper Peninsula, please visit www.UPBirders.org
 
Till next week,
 
~Skye Haas 
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