Sunday, February 14, 2010

Report: Duck Watch 2/13/10

Lake Park birders,

Dennis Casper and I met just north of Bradford Beach at 11 AM on
Saturday, February 13, 2010 for the 5th of 6 monthly Duck Watches
this fall and winter. Sorry for now publicizing it well this time.

I am not sorry, however, for neglecting a notice of the Duck
Watch on January 23rd. Judith Huf and I cancelled the Watch within a
minute of meeting at the shore of Lake Michigan. We could only see
about 30 meters into the lake through the fog and mist.

After scoping the rafts off of Lake Park between the Linwood
water treatment plant and Bradford Beach on 2/13, Dennis Casper and I
called Todd Wilson to ask if he had seen the female Harlequin Duck
again in harbor adjacent to Lakeshore State Park, also known as
Harbor Island. Todd reported it early in the week, but had not seen
it since. Todd is doing nearly daily surveys of the park this year
to assist the park manager in documenting bird species seen in the park.

Dennis and I enjoyed views of Common Mergansers near the red
lighthouse and under the Hoan Bridge at the harbor entrance, but no
usual species. The light was bright and air was clear enough to
actually see the green sheen on the head of the Greater Scaup that
come within 50 meters.

--- Paul Hunter
Whitefish Bay, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
http://home.roadrunner.com/~phunter1/lakeparkbirds.html
http://lakeparkbirds.blogspot.com/

Please donate to the bird seed fund:
Write your check out now to "Lake Park Friends"
and put "Bird Seed Appeal" on the memo line. .
Mail it to: . . . . Lake Park Friends, PO Box 71197, Milwaukee WI 53211
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Bradford Beach - North Point
2/13/10, 11:00 AM, 40 mins

2 Canada Goose
1500 Greater Scaup
30 Bufflehead
300 Common Goldeneye
3 Red-breasted Merganser
1 American Crow

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Milwaukee Harbor
2/13/10 11:50 AM , 45 minute(s)
1 Mallard
2500 Greater Scaup
400 Common Goldeneye
4 Common Merganser
4 Red-breasted Merganser
350 Herring Gull
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull flew slowly around bridge in good light.
Size: slightly smaller than Herring G.
Shape: longer, thinner wings.
Plumage: late first year, dull brown, minimal "M" pattern on upper wing.