The shorebird invasion is in full force in Duluth, Minnesota. The wind has switched and is now blowing from the north. The shorebirds are aware of this fact, and I found hundreds and hundreds along mud flats next to the harbor. Surprisingly, my normal spot for shorebirds at the end of Park Point was almost devoid of shorebirds.

The largest numbers of shorebirds were Lesser Yellowlegs, and Semi-Palmated Sandpipers, but I also found plovers. The hawks and merlins knew the shorebirds were migrating through the area, as any bird which fed on the mud flats without keeping one eye towards the sky did so at its peril.

The largest number of birds by far were feeding in the mud flats at the Erie Pier. Also seen at this location was my Great Egret, a Marsh Hawk, a Trumpeter Swan and many more birds. The abandoned pier near Grassy Point and the C. Reiss Coal Company yielded fewer birds, but this is where I found the plovers and the Ruddy Turnstone.

Ruddy Turnstone & Semi-Palmated Plover

Lesser Yellowlegs

Ruddy Turnstone Video

I had an early morning business meeting which was cancelled at the last moment, so I went birding instead! Duluth’s business community’s loss was my gain! Found the Yellow-Shafted Flicker family and spent almost two hours waiting and watching. As an aside, it is very, very nice to have a window tripod mount. My arms would have been supremely exhausted holding the camera at ready awaiting the return of the parents. I rather doubt I could have hand-held the camera steady for the video. Hope you enjoy these photographs as much as I enjoyed the experience.

The Male Yellow-Shafted Flicker Feeds the Kids!

“Dad” Arrives at the Yellow-Shafted Flicker Hole (black mustache indicates a male)

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Feeding by Mom is about to Start! (lack of a black mustache indicates a female)

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Ungrateful Kids!

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Dad Flies Away from the Nest

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Hey! Where did the Gravy Train Go?!